Simple Swaps for a Healthier Hari Raya

No Hari Raya celebration is complete without a feast with your loved ones! Whether it’s the creaminess of curry or the sweetness of ondeh ondeh, it is truly a mouth-watering occasion to look forward to. However, overindulging in these festive dishes may not be ideal for your health.

Besides eating in moderation, go for these healthier alternatives when whipping up a delectable spread, so you and your loved ones can enjoy celebrating with ease.

Terik tauhu tempeh, made of braised and fermented soya bean curd, is a savory proteinrich dish. While tofu is relatively healthier, this dish can contain a lot of saturated fat. So swap out the full cream milk for low fat evaporated milk to reduce the fat content.

To make the gravy, mix garlic, turmeric, shallots, coriander powder and brown sugar. Use your trusty Bosch hand blender to blend it into a paste with perfect consistency. Mix in with milk, tofu, tempeh, bay leaf and lemongrass, and simmer until the sauce is reduced. Voila! Dig into this delicious guilt-free dish with your guests!

Load up on fibre with sayur lodeh, a mixed vegetable curry dish cooked in rich coconut milk and coloured with turmeric for an enticing yellow.

Make it a healthier dish without compromising the delicious taste of coconut. Instead of using just coconut milk, use part coconut milk and part low-fat yogurt, to reduce the amount of saturated fat while preserving the creamy texture. Boil with mixed vegetables, green chili, shallots, garlic, dried shrimp, bay leaves, tomato, turmeric powder, salt and sugar. Cook the vegetables till your desired texture, and it’s ready to serve.

A classic crowd favourite, chicken dum biryani is an aromatic, filling dish of tender meat served with fragrant basmati rice.

Ghee may be known for its buttery aroma and the smoky flavour it adds, but as with most delicious foods, it should not be consumed in excess because of its high fat content. Try replacing ghee with canola oil as a healthier substitute when preparing the biryani. To further reduce the fat content, use lean chicken instead of chicken thigh meat or drumstick, and remove the chicken skin before cooking. Then pop it in your Bosch Serie 8 oven — its 4D Hot Air function ensures even heat distribution for that perfectly cooked chicken to complete your biryani.

Top off your festive meal with a homemade sweet treat. Bandung is a popular drink consisting of evaporated or condensed milk, flavoured with rose syrup to give its signature pink colour.

To create your healthier version of this beverage, use dates instead of condensed milk. They’re high in nutrients, fibre and antioxidants, and work great as a natural sweetener.

If you’re looking to replace the rose syrup and food colouring with less artificial ingredients, try a combination of rosewater for the floral taste and dragonfruit for that pink shade.