What are some common Ayurvedic desserts, and how can I prepare them at home?

1. Kheer: Kheer is a creamy, sweet, and comforting dessert made with rice, milk, and sugar. It is usually flavored with cardamom, saffron, and nuts. To prepare kheer, you need to wash and soak 1/2 cup of rice for half an hour. Boil 2 cups of milk in a pot, add the soaked rice and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the rice is cooked. Add sugar and cardamom powder, and cook for another 5-10 minutes. Garnish with saffron and nuts of your choice.
2. Ladoo: Ladoo is a popular Indian sweet made with different flours, nuts, and jaggery. Jaggery is a healthier alternative to refined sugar as it is rich in minerals and antioxidants. To prepare besan ladoo, you need to roast 1 cup of gram flour in a pan until it turns golden brown. Add 1/2 cup of powdered jaggery and mix well. Add melted ghee and cardamom powder and mix until it forms a smooth dough. Make small balls of the dough and let them cool before serving.
3. Halwa: Halwa is a rich and flavorful dessert made with semolina, ghee, sugar, and nuts. To prepare halwa, you need to roast 1 cup of semolina in ghee until it turns golden brown. Add 1 and 1/2 cups of boiling water and mix well. Add sugar and cardamom powder and cook until the water is absorbed. Garnish with nuts and serve hot.
4. Gulab Jamun: Gulab jamun is a classic Indian dessert made with milk solids, flour, and sugar. It is usually served on special occasions and festivals. To prepare gulab jamun, you need to mix 1 cup of khoya or milk solids with 1/4 cup of flour and knead it into a smooth dough. Make small balls of the dough and deep fry until golden brown. Make a sugar syrup by boiling 2 cups of water with 2 cups of sugar and cardamom powder. Add the fried balls to the syrup and let them soak for at least 30 minutes before serving.
5. Coconut Ladoo: Coconut ladoo is a simple and healthy dessert made with desiccated coconut, jaggery, and ghee. To prepare coconut ladoo, you need to roast 1 cup of desiccated coconut in ghee until it turns golden brown. Add powdered jaggery and mix well. Make small balls of the mixture and let them cool before serving.

In conclusion, Ayurvedic desserts are not only delicious but also offer numerous health benefits. They are made with natural ingredients and are free from preservatives and artificial colors. You can easily prepare these desserts at home with a few simple ingredients and enjoy their rich flavors and health benefits.