Month: April 2018

RADISH JUICE FOR DIABETIC CONTROL

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Radish not favourite to some, has a host of health benefits you can point on..

The general benefit is that it’s good for liver,stomach,detox and contains many rich

vitamins the human body needs.

I would like to share a fact that i have experienced.

In fact i extracted this health tip ,when i was all ears listening to music .It was many

years back ,that this health fact set on my mind,though it was not beneficial for any one

at that time.

When a member in my family was diagnosed with high blood sugar levels ,this

particular drink brought the levels right.

You need not consume daily.You can take it once in 3 days.Believe me ,this is elixir (even

though some will not like it) of life.

You can add to sliced radish to salads, parathas (i have uploaded earlier) and avail of the

benefits.

Another favorite of this vegetable is, when it is cooked with its leaves.

So.. do try and send in your valuable comments.

INGREDIENTS (serves 1)

1/4 -1/2 of radish peeled (white)

2-3 tblsp thick curd or yoghurt (unsweetened)

1/4 tsp cummin seed powder (black cummin seeds (kalonji) may be used)

salt to taste

methi leaves to garnish (dried fenugreek leaves).

3/4 cup water.

METHOD

Blend all this fine and garnish with methi leaves.

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CURD RICE

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To combat summer strokes it is essential to go an extra mile ,to provide the right food to

your family.

Curd rice is comfort food , quick and easy to make.

During hot days,quick and cooling indulgence is preferred by all ages.

Some do not know to make curd rice,so this recipe is for their note.

I always make non- tempered curd rice ( oil free).Hotels serve the tempered rice,and

some prefer it.

I will be sharing both.

So for the recipe now

INGREDIENTS

1 cup cooked rice

1 or more cups thick curd or yogurt

1/2 cup milk

Salt to taste

1/2 tsp.sugar

1 small carrot grated

1-2 green chillies chopped fine

Few rose petals ( option)

Green grapes,black grapes ,or pomegranate is your preference and option.

METHOD

Mash the cooked rice slightly .Add milk ,curd and mix well with salt and sugar

Add the veggies and fruit of your choice.

For the tempered rice

For tempering:

1 tsp ghee/ oil

1/2 tsp.mustard

1 dry red chilli

Small piece of ginger chopped

1 green chilli chopped

Few cashewnuts ( optional) / channa dal / urad dal 1/2 tsp.

METHOD

Mix the curd rice like the non tempering step and set aside.Heat oil in a pan add

mustard,curry leaves,and the rest of the ingredients.When the mustard splutters and the

cashewnuts turn light brown ,pour over curd rice.Serve with pickle,chips or papads or

any fry of your choice.

You could garnish with coriander leaves.

MIXED FRUIT JUICE

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Today i will be sharing a fruit juice .This contains a mix of pineapple,papaw,mango and

banana .You can add orange  or lime for a variation.

You could serve this  with  ice -cream  and jelly too.Kids who fuss about fruit juices will

surely love it.

So let’s get into the simple recipe now.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup pineapple cubes

1 cup ripe papaw cubes

1 banana

1 ripe mango pieces

a pinch of salt

Honey or any sweetner you prefer

water (if you like it light )

METHOD

Blend all together and serve chilled if you prefer .

 

 

 

BUTTER BEANS ‘N’ EGG KORMA

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Butter Beans has added taste when you add to korma or curry.It could be

boiled/steamed and added to salads .Boiled and tempered beans  could be

consumed as a snack.Added into grilled sandwiches ,stuffed parathas,samosas,or cutlets

can be good treat.Today i will be sharing a recipe for a korma which can be served with

rice,rotis,hoppers,stringhoppers .

For the recipe now.

INGREDIENTS

5-6 hard boiled eggs (vegans can add potato or cauliflower..)

1 cup butter beans

1 onion chopped

2 tomatoes

4-5 pips garlic

3-4 green chillies

1 inch piece ginger

1/2 cup grated coconut

2 tblsp white poppy seeds (khus khus)

1 tsp fennel seeds

a few cashewnuts

1/4 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp garam masala

1/2 tsp red chilli powder (optional)

whole spices (1 piece cinnammon,2 cardamons,4 cloves)

1/2 fennel seeds

small piece sea moss

1 tsp kasuri methi leaves (dried fenugreek leaves)

1/4 cup beaten curd

2 tblsp.ghee /butter/oil

salt to taste.

METHOD 

Grind the bold listed and set aside (you can opt to roast it before grinding too)

Heat ghee in a pan and add the whole spices ,fennel seeds,sea moss and the onions and

saute till onions turn pink.

Add the chopped tomatoes and beans with turmeric and salt and cook till tomato is soft

and well blended.

Next add the ground mixture and  saute for another minute.Add 1 cup water and allow

to boil.(check if the beans are tender,or you can pre- boil too).You can add more water

to suit your requirement.

Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 10 minutes.Add curd and methi leaves .

Remove from fire.

 

 

 

 

COCONUT MILK CRANBERRY CAKE

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This is a simple and moist coconut milk added butter cake.Topped with cranberries and

cashewnuts.

Can be made into cupcakes or baked in muffin moulds.The topping of nuts and fruits

can be your choice .

Do try this simple and delicious recipe and send in your comments.

Now for the recipe

INGREDIENTS

100 gm butter

100 gm sugar

100 gm flour

1/2 tsp.baking powder

2 eggs

1/2 cup thick coconut milk

1 tsp.vanilla essence

few cranberries and cashewnuts (to sprinkle on top)

METHOD

Cream butter and sugar well. Add in eggs one at a time and beat till creamy.

Add coconut milk and vanilla essence. Fold in the flour till well corporated. Add the

cranberries and nuts

Bake in a moderate oven for 30-35 minutes

Variation .If you like a more coconutty taste ,you can add 1/2 cup grated coconut to the

coconut milk (allow to soak for 10-15 minutes) and add to the mix.

PUMPKIN ‘N’ ORANGE JUICE

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Today my recipe for juices will be a VitaminC rich combination.

Pumpkin and orange of the same color ,are excellent cooling agents.

In this present times,where pollution is grave,and the food adulteration is done without

any consideration,it is compulsory to mix vegetable juices to retain the nutrients,that

drain when the body becomes acidic. Having an alkaline body promotes good health.

So.. today my recipe for the day on healthy juices will be pumpkin and orange.It is also

important to use honey or palm candy (panagalkandu) as a sweetner during summer

times.

Dwelling on the health note..:It is good for skin,hair ,removing toxins from arteries.

It is rich in Vitamin D .The present medical world finds lot of patients with a deficiency

of Vitamin D which sources to be hazardous to mankind.

When nature has blessed us with its wonderful creations ,we should use it for our

benefits.

In short Orange and pumpkin are two good providers to good health..

Now let me go into the recipe.(Please do not discard the skins or seeds of the

pumpkin,only wash it thoroughly)

INGREDIENTS

1 cup pumpkin diced

2-3 oranges

honey

a pinch of salt

a piece of turmeric root(optional)

2-3 cups water

METHOD

Peel the orange,and all ingredients to the juice extractor and blend it fine.

Serve chilled if you like.

 

 

 

 

OKRA ‘N’ EGG

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This is an easy vegetable to prepare,and tastier too.Combining egg in place of coconut ,is

more tastier and healthy too.

I love to mix egg with cabbage,broad beans,beans,kang kung leaves …..This is one delight

i’m sharing with you now.

INGREDIENTS

250 gm ladies finger ( slit and cut )

2-3 green chillies

1 onion chopped

1/2 tsp.cummin seed powder

2-3 pips garlic

1 small tomato

1 tsp.chilli flakes

salt to taste

1 tblsp.coconut oil

2-3 eggs

1/4 tsp turmeric.

METHOD

Heat oil in a pan,and add onions green chillies with salt and saute till onions are

translucent.

Add the sliced okra,ground mixture,and turmeric and cook on a very low flame till the

vegetable is cooked .Add chillie flakes and mix .

Shove the vegetable to one side of the pan,and add the eggs on the other side and

scramble .Whilst the egg is in semi liquid state mix the vegetable with the egg.

Remove from fire.Serve with rice and rotis.

 

IVY GOURD ‘N’GOOSEBERRY JUICE

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Ivy gourd and gooseberry have wonderful health benefits.Ivy gourd belonging to the

watermelon family and also known as Coccinea(kovakkai,kovakka),can be cooked as a

vegetable, made into salad,soup or   juices like what i’m going to share with you now.

Health benefits of Ivy gourd

1.Helps lower blood sugar levels

2.It has anti- obesity properties.

3.Good for iron deficient people

.4.Prevents kidney stones.

5.Digestive tract is healthy

6.Good for conditioning the arteries of the heart

7.Reduces blood pressure. and many more to list …..Even the leaves and tubers are used       in ayurvedic medications.

Pregnant mothers,nursing mothers ,and people due for surgery should not take this as it lower sugar levels causing fatigue.

So let’s get into the recipe now

INGREDIENTS

1 cup (10-15 fruit) gourd

2-3 gooseberry/amla/nelli

a small piece turmeric root (optional)

2 leaves of romaine lettuce

a small piece ginger

3 tblsp curd or yoghurt

2-3 cups water

a pinch of salt

honey or any sweetner you like

METHOD

Blend all these together in a juice extractor and serve .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROCK CAKES

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Rock cakes are  tiny cakes which look like tiny rocks ,but soft in the inside ,and crisp on the outside.Old times delicacy…!

Very easy on time and effort. A good tea time snack.Kids will  really love it ,so do give it a try .

For the recipe.

INGREDIENTS

100 gm butter

100 gm sugar

1 whole egg

200 gm flour

a pinch of salt

2-3 tblsp milk

few raisins

10-15 cashewnuts

1/4 tsp.vanilla essence (optional)

METHOD

Cream butter and sugar,add the egg and beat well.

Add the flour ,milk ,raisins ,nuts and mix with a spatula.

The consistency will be like a cookie mix ,not like a cake mix.

Place portions of the mixture ,and bake in a moderate oven (180 degrees) for 25 -30

minutes.

PINEAPPLE,KALE ‘N ‘ APPLE JUICE

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When it is juices for breakfast ,let it be a rule to add in some greens to the juices which is

an absolute health tip.

Kale  considered to be king of the cruciferous family,has amazing health benefits.It has a

very low calorie content and high nutrient content.

The combination of pineapple and kale is totally divine.Do try and let me know your

comments and suggestions.

Another tip from my kitchen : When you prepare any juices for your family ,and that too

for breakfast always add a pinch of turmeric (considering health factors).

If you are fortunate to get fresh turmeric roots just drop in a piece while blending.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 pineapple peeled,cored and cubed

2 leaves of Kale

1 apple (optional)

small root of turmeric

a small piece of ginger

a pinch of salt.

honey or palm jaggery (if sweetness is needed)

a pinch of pepper and cummin seed powder.

METHOD

Blend all these in a juice extractor or mixer and serve .

 

WATERMELON ‘N’CUCUMBER JUICE

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This summer through i would like to share healthy juices along with the recipes i share.

No skill is needed to make a fruit juice,but it is important to blend the correct

combinations with health benefits which is beneficial to your family .

Vegetable and fruit juices contribute widely to your health,so its best to consume fruit

and vegetable juices.

Peek at the benefits of watermelon :Lycopene which is linked to heart health,bone health

and cancer prevention and also a  powerful antioxidant is contained in fruits which have

red flesh.

The lycopene and beta carotene increases when the fruit becomes more red while

ripening.So it’s important to chose a fruit which has dark red flesh.

Health benefits of cucumber:Rich in vitamin K,B and many more nutrients.Consuming

cucumber helps you combat nutrient deficiency and chronic diseases.Good to  keep you

hydrated and  in weight control too.The green part (skin)has insoluble fibre and aids in

good bowel movements

Not forgetting the seeds of both  which contain amazing health benefits ,so do not

discard the skins and seeds of cucumber while making juices.

Well ,let me get into the recipe now.

INGREDIENTS

3-4 cups red flesh of watermelon

1  cucumber

Honey if  you like for added sweetness

a pinch of turmeric powder or a small piece of turmeric root

a pinch of salt

Blend all these in a mixer and serve chilled if you like. You could top with thinly cut mint leaves(optional).

 

 

VARIATIONS OF HOPPER MIX

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I am linking these variations of hoppers or appam to my previous post.. HOPPERS (APPAM).

I would like to give you some variations and options to make the hopper batter.

I remember when my mother used to make hoppers(she makes the best) she used to

make a portion of the rice granules into kanji,and mix with the flour.That needed an

extra effort.For those of you who love the traditional way of making i will include it first

in my post today

1. MY MOTHER’S RECIPE

200-250 gm white raw rice soaked for 5-8 hours.

1 cup coconut water*

2 slices bread

a handful of white flour

2 tblsp.sugar

salt

enough coconut milk to pour the next day

Wash and drain the rice well .Powder in a mixer and separate 1/2 cup coarse rice flour.

To make the kanji or kappi:

Heat 1 cup water,once it reaches boiling point ,put the coarse rice flour into the

water.Mix well and switch off the flame ,cover and allow to cool.

Soak the bread slices in the coconut water.Once the kanji is cool ,mix all the ingredients

together with salt,and leave overnight.

Pour coconut milk (1st and 2nd milk extract)the next morning to get a medium

consistency (not too thick or thin).

*whenever you break a coconut ,do reserve the water in a glass container and keep it in the fridge and use when making hoppers. 

2. APPAM WITH SAGO

The ingredients are the same except for sago and coconut.

Grated or cut coconut have to be added while grinding itself

Cook 1/2 cup sago in 1.5 cups of water till sago is cooked and grind with the rest of the

ingredients.

Always add sugar and maida after grinding.

3.APPAM WITH RAWA OR SEMOLINA

This is with rawa or semolina .You have to just replace semolina for sago .

4. APPAM WITH YEAST

2 cups white raw rice soaked

1 coconut grated or cut

1 cup cooked rice

1/2 tsp.yeast

3-4 tblsp white flour or maida

1-2 cups coconut water or enough to get the consistency

2 tblsp sugar

salt

baking soda(to add following day when making)

After the rice is soaked for 4-5 hours,grind altogether fine.

Set to ferment overnight.

Next morning add a pinch of cooking soda ,mix and make hoppers.

Tip :While making hoppers ,some have a difficulty of removing the hopper easily from the pan.

Just make a scrambled egg in the same pan you are going to make,and then pour ladle of the batter.It will slip out easily.

For vegans:Cut a big onion horizontally .Pour some oil in the pan and swirl the onion well on all sides till hot and pour the batter.

ADDING BAKING SODA OR APPA SODA IS TO BE ADDED IN ALL THE VARIATIONS IN THE MORNING .

Do send in your queries ande suggestions!

(Photo shows sago hoppers.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

EGG ‘N’ KALE BRUSCHETTA

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A quick breakfast or a snack and a tasty one is everyone’s relief and delight ,especially

during wild summer mornings.When it is bread ,the toasted aroma stirs  up your taste

buds even more.This is one recipe which is easy,crunchy,healthy and tasty.

Vegans can opt for cottage cheese or paneer and substitute for egg.

Kale can be replaced with spinach or any of your favourite greens.

For the simply crunch recipe now…

INGREDIENTS

4-5 hard boiled eggs grated or mashed

2 leaves of kale cut fine

2 green chillies cut fine (you may use more if you like it hotter)

1 small onion chopped fine

1 tomato chopped fine

3 tblsp.butter (room temperature)

pepper and salt to taste

grated cheese to sprinkle on top (optional)

1 sliced loaf of bread(brown or white)

METHOD

Mix in the veggies and butter into the grated egg ,and mix well.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Apply the paste on the bread and arrange on a baking tray.

If you are adding cheese ,you can sprinkle after arranging.

Bake in a hot oven (200 degrees) for 10 minutes.

Serve hot.

Note :Cut the bread into any shapes you like.

           You can make grilled sandwiches too.

 

 

 

 

CHILLED COCONUT MILK CHEESE CAKE

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This is low calorie cheesecake with no fresh cream.The topping I used was blackberry

topping,and I baked only the crust for 15 minutes.The rest of the method is ‘No Bake’.It’s easy

to make if the ingredients are at room temperature.

As gelatine is used as a setting agent,the exclusion of fresh cream did not make much of a

difference.Use thick coconut milk .(coconut milk cartons or tins can be used).

The sugar I used was brown sugar.(no white sugar).

The toppings can be innovated to match the coconut milk taste.

So let’s get into the recipe now.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup digestive biscuits/cracker crumbs

2 tblsp.sugar

50 gm butter

Mix all the ingredients ,and press onto a pie dish or spring form mould,and bake for 15 minutes.Keep in fridge till you prepare filling.

For the filling

1 cup cream cheese or cottage cheese

1 cup coconut milk (thick)

1 cup brown sugar

3 tsp.gelatine soaked in 1/4 cup water

1/2 cup milk

1/2 tsp.vanilla essence

3 eggs

Grated rind and juice of 1 lemon.

Separate the egg yolks and the whites.

Beat the yolks and half of the sugar.

Warm the milk ,and add to the beaten eggs cook on a low flame till thick.

Remove from fire.Add gelatine mixture and stir till gelatine dissolves.

Allow to cool.

Beat cheese with the remaining sugar,coconut milk essence,lemon rind and juice.

Whip up the egg whites separately in another bowl till stiff and gradually mix in the cheese

mixture.

Pour over prepared base,and allow to set in the fridge till set.

For the topping

1 cup blackberries/ or any berries you like( coarsely puréed)

Sugar or honey (according to your taste)

1-2 tsp.lime juice

1 tblsp cornflour

A little water

Cook all this till sugar melts and top the cheesecake once it is set.

CUCUMBER JUICE

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Summer is taking on..in Chennai.It’s compulsory to keep us hydrated to combat the heat by lot’s of fluids.

To add to the list of Healthy juices,I bring a healthy coolant recipe.

For the recipe now

INGREDIENTS ( serves 4-5)

3-4 cucumbers ( English cucumber)

A small piece ginger

A small piece of turmeric root

2 amla/ nelli (seed removed)

A pinch of salt.

2-3 glasses of water.

Honey or any sweetner you like

METHOD

Blend all the ingredients in a juice extractor preferably.Serve chilled if you like.

Note: Do not discard the skin and seeds of the cucumber.Cut only the edges.