Beetroot Cake

Beetroot Cake
This year the orange season just doesn't seem to be getting over. Malta oranges are still available in many places. After the carrot cake  which used not just orange juice but also the zest, I replaced the carrots with another superfood - Beetroot. 

If you've seen my previous posts you will realize that I like to use almost the entire fruit or vegetable to obtain maximum nutritional benefits. The skin and the layer just below the skin, the pith and seeds are loaded with nutrients and is usually the most nutritious bit. 

And of course, I don't have to keep reminding you that I replace refined flour and sugar with wholewheat flour or any healthy flour and powdered jaggery. Coconut sugar is another option although a slightly expensive one. All the ingredients used in my dishes are healthy and wholesome. One can be assured that they are eating healthy. That's the biggest advantage of cooking at home. So let's get on with the preparation of the cake

Ingredients

Wholewheat flour – 1 cup

Custard powder (vanilla) – 2 tbsp

Egg – 2

Jaggery powder – 1 cup

Baking powder - 1 tsp

Baking soda – ½ tsp

Orange zest – 2 tbsp

Beetroot (grated) – ¾ cup

Orange juice – 2 tbsp

Coconut oil – ¼ cup

Salt – ¼ tsp

Cinnamon powder – ¼ tsp
Milk – ¼ cup (add accordingly to adjust consistency of batter)
Apple Cider Vinegar - 1/2 tsp

Method
Sieve the flour 

Mix dry ingredients well
Sieve again

Beat the eggs
Mix orange juice and beat again
Add oil and blend well

Add the dry mix to it gradually using cut and fold method
Add grated beet and orange zest and mix
Add milk with 1/2 tsp vinegar

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C

Bake for about about 25 minutes

Enjoy this as a healthy snack with your cup of tea or coffee or just any time with the goodness of beetroot, orange and jaggery.

Note: Refrigerate leftovers especially in this heat. It tends to go bad after a day.

Orange Zest

Orange zest is the brightly coloured outer part of the peel. It contains the essential oils responsible for the orange fragrance and flavor. Orange peel also includes the zest, so it can provide the same orange flavor that you get from the zest; however, it also includes the white pith. The pith can be bitter. Orange zest provides the flavor without any risk of bitterness from the pith

Health Benefits Of Orange Zest

Lowers high blood pressure and cholesterol

Has anti-cancer effects

Contains considerable amounts of calcium, copper, magnesium, vitamin A, folate and other B vitamins

Contains dietary fiber

Health Benefits of Beetroot

Has rich source of folate, manganese, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, pantothenic acid, choline, betaine, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and selenium

Has high fiber content, beetroot helps to prevent constipation and promote regularity for a healthy digestive tract

Has alpha-lipoic acid, which may help lower glucose levels, increase insulin sensitivity

Has choline which helps with sleep, muscle movement, learning, and memory

Enhance exercise tolerance during long-term endurance exercise

Maintains healthy metabolism, encourages healthy skin and hair, and protects the mouth from soreness and ulceration

Health Benefits of Jaggery

Excellent source of iron

Cleanses the liver

Prevents premenstrual syndrome

Has antioxidants - zinc and selenium which boost immunity