Sweet and safe

Jowar nutty cake

For many of us, the two lockdowns have been a see-saw ride. Be they of oscillating emotions, or in our case, food choices. While we started off last summer with an inexplicably strong urge to indulge in comfort foods - with unhealthy, junk food benders becoming de rigueur - this time, we prefer to walk down the health-conscious path. Banishing processed sugar and maida from our diet - in lieu of jaggery and multigrain flour respectively - has been highly effective for our gut health. As is the idea of consuming more plant-based foods and alternative grains like jowar and rajgira to replace our preference for white rice. Joining the list of home delivery services that mix pleasure with goodness are two dessert start ups we came across during the lockdown that are worth recommending.

Juhi Pahwa

Jowar in cake
While its name might seem like an oxymoron, The Better Binge is all about letting dessert lovers enjoy a guilt-free indulgence every now and then. Started by home baker Juhi Pahwa a few years ago, the Khar-based confectionery delivery service has an interesting menu of cakes made with unconventional ingredients that are all gluten- and processed sugar-free. "I started making special desserts and tea cakes for my sweets-loving 90-year-old grandfather who wasn't allowed refined flour or sugar," says Pahwa.

Mango strawberry cake by Pahwa

So, her signature jowar nutty cake (Rs 3,500 per kg) is made of jowar (sorghum) flour, 70 per cent dark Belgian chocolate, and vegan, sugar-free butterscotch globules. The other popular one, a seasonal mango-strawberry cake (Rs 3,500 per kg) is made with oat flour and is filled with a vegan mango mousse and fresh strawberry bits. The menu also features limited-edition vegan meringue cakes made using aquafaba (chickpea water) which is the egg-white substitute taking the vegan cuisine world by storm these days.
Call: 9819154095
Log on to: @thebetterbinge
Delivery: In-house delivery agents and WeFast

Sukha mewa & ghee

Shahi khopra pak

Debunking the myth that only low-calorie food equals healthy is the range of ghee-laden Indian sweets offered by Razia's Desi Rasoi. Preferring to take the ‘good fats route' to healthy eating, this brand new Mumbai Central-based delivery service has dry fruits and pure ghee at the core of its food philosophy. "My creations are for people who love both dry fruits and sweets and are looking for healthy ways to combine the two," says Razia Sabuwala, who was inspired to start her business as a means to help people convalesce from pandemic-induced ailments.

Date laddoos by Sabuwala

Good for both postpartum healing and as a lactation aid for new mothers, the brand's signature dry fruit aatha (Rs 1,400 per kg) is a healthy snack laden with pure ghee, dry fruits, poppy seeds and gond, which is a resin secreted from the acacia tree that's legendary for giving new mothers a health boost after delivery. The singhara mukhwas (Rs 1,200 per kg) on the other hand, besides being a breath freshener, is great for the summer months as the singhara (water chestnut) - along with coconut flakes and rock sugar - is not just a coolant, but also has antioxidant properties and plenty of fibre and protein. Supposed to help in the lubrication of joints and reducing back pain are the methi (fenugreek) laddoos (Rs 1,250 per kg) whose slightly bitter after-taste may take a while to get used to, but is well worth it.
Call: 9833838825/9004244707
Log on to: @razias_desi_rasoi_
Delivery: WeFast

Bowled over
A range of superfoods-laden, healthy smoothie bowls by Seeds of Life, the health café and delivery service in Pali Hill, will make all your avocado-acai-moringa enhanced hipster dreams come true. The acai bowl (Rs 425) is packed with the antioxidant-rich, bright purple acai berry, granola, banana and almond milk. Also on offer is the super greens bowl (Rs 300).
Call: 9653336089
Log on to: @seedsoflife_mumbai
Delivery: Swiggy or Zomato