RIDGEGOURD SUBZI

I have heard about ridgegourd peel chutney.  To try this I bought ridgegourd otherwise, we never used to eat this vegetable.  Slowly, I started developing taste for this, but not my family members.  However, I tried subzi, paratha etc. and was a hit as my family members did not understand how I made parathas and never bothered to tell them.

Since it is very spongy, easy to cook and tasty too.  Before writing the recipe, would like you all to read the information, health benefits of this vegetable and  enjoy this delicious dish for chapati, roti and with rice too.

ridgegourd subzi, turai subzi

BITTERGOURD RICE, KARELA BHATH

Most of the people does not like bitter gourd because of the bitter taste.  But when you consider the health benefits of this vegetable, you will definitely include the same atleast once in a week in your diet.  It is very good for the people who are suffering from diabetes.

I have made few varieties of dishes with bitter gourd.  pavakka curry,  bitter gourd sweet pachadi ,   bitter gourd pickle,   bitter gourd fry, Today when I was making stuffed karela for my husband, his favourtie dish, I thought of making the rice with it and it was a hit among my office colleagues.  They did not feel that they are eating karela bhath, instead one said it is bisibela bhath.

Whatever form you consume this vegetable, it is quite healthy and I am sure, you will definitely try this.

Let us look at the recipe now:

VEG TREAT, a healthy breakfast

Presently, every one has become very health conscious as due to our hectic lifestyle, people are affected with diabetics, kidney stone problems, hypertension etc etc.  People are less concerned about their food habits and eat junk foods which is one of the main reason for the obesity and the present ill health and diseases we are facing.

A balanced diet is very very important for the present life style.  Considering the health issues, I have started taking boiled vegetables for my breakfast which is very easy to prepare, quite filling and healthy too.  I am sure, you will also agree with me after trying this for a period of one month atleast.

Veggie Treat, boiled vegetables 

OATS KHEER

I always crave for some sweets after my lunch and dinner.  I must atleast eat some sugar if I do not have any sweet items in store.  Today, while preparing oats porridge for my dear hubby, I thought I will make kheer out of oats.  There was a piece of red pumpkin after cutting  the veggies for Avial.  Hence made use of the pumpkin along with oats.  There was also a tablespoon of Pal theratipal (milk reduced).  everything mixed became a very tasty flavourful kheer which I am sharing with you. The addition of nuts make this kheer even more tasty.

oats kheer

TENDER TAMARIND, WILD LIME, CURRY LEAVES CHUTNEY

Chutneys are good accompaniment for mild curries as well as for idli, dosa, chapati, phulkas and with hot steamed rice along with pure ghee.  various kinds of chutneys are prepared but this chutney is quite different from any other chutney.  Tender tamarind leaves, wild lime leaves and curry leaves are used in this chutney which is quite unique and tasty too.  It goes well with rice, idli, dosa, chapati and phulka as it is quite spicy.  Now the tender tamarind leaves are available, make use of this and enjoy this chutney.  I have already posted one chutney of tender tamarind leaves chutney.

tender tamaridn, wild lime, curry leaves chutney

watch youtube: tender tamarind, wild lime, curry leaves chutney  1      tender tamarind, wild lime, curry leaves chutney

TENDER TAMARIND LEAVES CHUTNEY

Tender tamarind leaves (known as Chintachiguru or Chintakku in Andhra) chutney is the speciality of Andhra and it is very spicy.  It has to be spicy otherwise, you will not know the real taste of it.  I have been longing to post this recipe since long, but could do it today only as I came across the tender leaves of tamarind so took the opportunity to make it.  The tangy spicy chutney goes well with steamed rice, pure ghee and also with chapati, phulka and idli, dosa.  another recipe of tender tamarind, wild lime, curry leaves chutney

Tender tamarind leaves chutney

watch youtube: tender tamarind leaves chutney

METHI LEAVES UPMA

Normally we make upma with plain suji or with onion or with some vegetables.  My mother used to make the broken rice rava with tamarind pulp which is quite tasty with some papad, kurdais, ela vadams etc.  I tried the same method with little twist in it and was quite tasty.  I used methi leaves which has got medicinal properties as well as good for health.

Those who are suffering from digestive problems can eat methi leaves which is good.  It also helps in losing weight and reduces dullness, dizziness and drowsiness.  It is considered as a good appetizer too.  It is effective in combating diabetes.  It is highly beneficial in treating flatulence, indigestion and sluggish liver.  Heals mouth ulcers, good for blood formation which prevents anemia, cooling.

So when the season is on, make use of this great leafy vegetable by making thepla, muthia, subzi, paratha and get the benefit.

Some people try to reduce the bitterness by adding salt in it.  Please avoid this process as we are loosing the medicinal properties of it by doing this.  Same is with bitter gourd too.

OATS UPMA

Oats porridge, oats upma etc are made out of oats.  This is good for people who are suffering from high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes.  Apart from this, it is also good for digestion problems including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhea, constipation.  They are also used for preventing heart disease, gallstones, colon cancer and stomach cancer, joint pain (rheumatism), fatigue etc.

It is quite easy to make, filling and tasty too.  Especially when you are adding some vegetables in it, it is more healthy.

Oats might help reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels and control appetite by causing a feeling of fullness.  Oats bran might work by blocking the absorption from the gut of substances that contribute to heart diseases, high cholesterol and diabetes.

watch youtube: oats upma 1 , oats upma 2 

BROCCOLI PARATHA

Hot Parathas can be served any time with curd, pickle.  I make any kind of parathas any time for breakfast, lunch, evening snacks or dinner as I love to eat garmagaram with pickle.  

Broccoli is rich in dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants .  Fresh broccoli is a storehouse of many phyto nutrients.   It is a rich source of Vitamin .  Vitamin A is essential for healthy eye sight and helps prevent from macular degeneration of the retina in the elderly people.    This flower vegetable is rich source of vitamin K and B Complex group of vitamins and have some amount of omega 3 fatty acids.  Also good source of minerals like calcium, manganese, iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc and phosphorus.

In short it is good for the people who are suffering from diabetes and heart related issues.

The florets with paneer and some masalas make the parathas awesome.

CONDENSED MILK

Condensed milk is used in almost all the sweetmeats.  It is very easy to prepare at home without much hassles.  If you run out of your stock of the store bought condensed milk, do not worry, you can try this recipe and will forget buying the store ones. 

I wanted to make the tender coconut falooda and the stock was over.   I thought of trying it at home as one of my friend who had gone to cooking class  shared the recipes which she had.  The ingredients are easily available at home and can be made within 45 minutes maximum.

MANGO SHEERA

Sheera is liked by everyone, especially when it is made for the Satyanarayana Pooja, I loved to eat this prasadam.  Even if I am not invited for the pooja, I always get the chance to have this prasadam.  My daughter loves sheera which is made by me and in her school, the children grab the tiffin box for the sheera.

Now the mango season is on, I thought of making mango sheera which turned out very well.  It is a lovely dish to serve during feast too.   I have already posted various dishes of mangoes viz. mango lassi, mango ice cream,  mango burfi, mango jam, mango milk shake,  mango katli, mango kadhi, mango tender coconut drink etc.

Yourube: Mango sheera 1  mango sheera 2  mango sheera 3

JACK FRUIT SEED KHEER, JACK FRUIT SEED PAYASAM

Jack fruit seed kheer is very tasty and easy to prepare.  We make jack fruit kheer also.  The seeds can be used along  making mango, drumstick and make curry out of it, can be added to avial, make chips out of it.  It is a delicious kheer which can be served chilled.  see other posts in the blog of jackfruit and seeds.

JACK FRUIT SEED CHIPS

Chips are served during tea time apart from serving it during feast or with sambar rice, rasam rice, dal rice etc.  I prefer to have this at tea time especially when it is raining, with a cup of tea or coffee in the balcony watching the rain to munch it.

Jack fruit seed is also used in making avial, jack fruit seed subzi,  jackfruit-pulinkari-chakka-pulinkari,  jack fruit mezhukupuratti, a dry subzi made in Kerala, jack fruit seed kheer etc.

AVOCADO MILK SHAKE

Various dishes can be made with Avocado.

Avocado or butter fruit is very useful as it helps in maintaining a healthy heart, lower cholesterol levels, control blood pressure.  It contains anti inflammatory properties which helps in reducing degenerative disorders, regulates blood sugar levels, prevents birth defects.  High levels of folate in avocados may also protect against stroke.  Oleic acid in avocado is effective in preventing breast cancer.  But helps in weight gain.

I made milk shake with it and was awesome.  While purchasing avocado, you should ensure that the outer skin is soft which means it is ripe.  If it is hard, then you will not be able to scoop out the flesh and will have a raw taste.  this is good for making salad and other varieties of dishes with avocado.

DILL LEAVES PURI

Dill leaves has got medicinal properties and are good for health.  I have already posted varieties of Dill leaves recipes viz. shepuche-vade-dill-leaves-vada, suva-bhajia-dill-leaf-bhajia-bhajiya, health-benefits-of-dill-shepoo, dill-leaves-dosa, dill-rice-dill-pulao-suva-rice-suva, suva-bhajia-kadhi-dill-leaf-bhajia.  To day when I was making the normal puris, I thought of making this puri also and it was awesome.  Only thing that you have to add masalas and should be bit spicy which goes well with batata subzi and aam ras.  Now the mango season is in full swing, you can enjoy this delicious puri with aam ras.

Dill is relaxant, fortifying (strength giving), diuretic (increases urination helping removal of toxic substances from the body), carminative (helps removal of gases), anti spasmodic (prevents cramps), anti flatulent, stimulates lactation (galactagogue) and endocrinal secretions, enhances libido due to presence of Arginine and last but not the least, it ensures bone and dental health being a good source of calcium.

dill leaves puri

watch you tube: dill leaves puri

JACKFRUIT PULINKARI, CHAKKA PULINKARI, PHANSACHE CURRY

Jackfruit is available during summer.   We can make varieties of dishes out of it viz. Idichakka thoran, Puzhuku, chips, kheer, jam and a curry too. Seeds are used for making varuval, kheer and it is a part of avial too.   During mango/jackfruit season, we always prefer to have the dishes made out of this as it was available plenty in our house.  We never used to get bored of it.

This curry is made out of the ripe one and is very tasty which goes well with rice, chapati. It is a very simple and easy dish to make.  In most of the Kerala houses, during the season, the dishes made out of this served atleast four days in a week.

Let us look at the recipe now:

jackfruit pulinkari      jackfruit pulinkari

CHENA THANDU MOLAGOOTAL, YAM STEM CURRY

Chena thandu molagootal or Yam stem curry.  I am preparing this dish after three decades as I never got a chance to prepare this dish after leaving my native place since it is usually not available in the market.

When I was purchasing suran one day, I observed a small shoot in it and told the vendor to cut it in such a way that not to spoil the shoot.  Placed it in the pot in my balcony garden and forgot about it.  after about two months, i observed the shoot growing and was quite thrilled. It has got a straight stem and leaves spread on top of it resembling an Umbrella.   Hence the recipe is here for you.

Mind you, you will get it in village and normally not available in the market.

If you think about the health benefits of Yams, they are good source of energy.  Mainly composed of carbohydrates, soluble dietary fiber.  they raise blood sugar levels very slowly than simple sugars, therefore, recommended as the low Glycemic Index Healhy food.  In addition, dietary fiber helps reduce constipatin, decrease bad (LDL) cholesterol levels.  Prevents colon cancer risks by preventing toxic  compounds in the food from adhering to the colon mucosa.

The tuber is an excellent source of B Complex group of vitamins,  Vitamin C, a small amount of vitamin A.  It is also one of the vegetables with rich sources of minerals like copper, calcium, potassium, iron, mangnese and phosphorus.

Medicinal uses

Yam tubers are used various traditional medicines in China, Korea and Japan. The mucilaginous tuber milk contains allantoin, a cell-proliferate that speeds the healing process when applied externally to ulcers, boils, and abscesses. Its decoction is also used to stimulate appetite and to relieve bronchial irritation, cough, etc.

The information is taken from Net