Thukpa

Thukpa is a Tibetan noodle soup which originated in the Eastern part of Tibet.  Thenthuk is a famous variant among Tibetan and Himalayan  people of Nepal.  The dish is popular in various parts of Nepal and Bhutan and States like Sikkim, Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradeshin North east India.

Numerous varieties of Thukpa in Tibetan tradition include: Thenthuk, Gyathuk, Npali, Pathug, Drethug.  Nepalese Thukpa is influenced with the Indian Masalas like Red chilli powder, Garama Masala etc. which makes it more spicy.  Normally  for non veg  chicken is used.

What I had when we were in Assam is a simple preparation.  The recipe I took from the guy who served us I lost and I faintly remember the ingredients he mentioned and accordingly, I am preparing the same and sharing with you.  It was non spicy (we asked for) and quiet tasty for the cold weather.  Normally, it is prepared with Chicken.  Here I am giving the Vegetable version.  Non Veg eaters can make use of Chicken.

METHI SPROUTS, BROCCOLI, YOGHURT SOUP

Hi Viewers, after a long long time, I am back to the blogging and posting recipes.  This recipe is a price winning recipe in which I took part and really happy to share with you all.  This has got a very special ingredient i.e. Methi sprouts which is very good for health and got various medicinal values.

The main key ingredients were Sprouts, Broccoli, Yoghurt.  Normally everyone will use moong, matki etc.  Since every single person is very health conscious now a days, I thought of going for methi sprouts and the result is here.

Since I could not take out the photograph individually, I am posting the same photographs in all the three recipes i.e. Methi Sprouts, broccoli, yoghurt soup, Broccoli, Methi sprouts rice and Methi sprouts broccoli paratha.

Now  let us look at the recipe:

HEALTHY PAPAYA SALAD IN CUCUMBER BOAT

Raw papaya is equally good as the ripe one for health.  It is delicious and loaded with nutrients, antioxidant effects, anti cancer properties, fights inflammation, improve digestion and protects against skin damage.

It is good for diabetic patients.The juice of the leaf is also good for those who are suffering from dengue it is believed. It also helps in curing arthirtis, menstural disorders, improving immunity etc.  

Papaya is rich in antioxidant, nutrients such as carotenes, flavonoids and vitamin C as well Vitamin B. Itis a good source of fiber and minerals such as magnesium.  THese nutrients help to improve cardiovascular health and protect against colon cancer. Other health benefits can be searched in google.

Since it is quite health friendly, you can have it as a fruit, smoothie, raw or can include in salad or subzis.

Other recipes : papaya paratha, papaya chutney, raw papaya halva,  papaya thokku,   kesari,  health benefits,  halva

click here: Video: 

Let us look at the recipe now:

DRUMSTICK SOUP

The market is flooded with lots of drumstick and I happened to buy this for trying various dishes.  Today I tried the soup and liked it hence I am sharing with you all since it has got lots of health benefits.

The drumstick plant is also known by its scientific name moringa oleifera or by its name the horseradish tree, or, has been known to have many health benefits. The Health benefits of drumstick flowers and leaves and other parts of the tree are use in traditional medicine, various culinary applications, use for cleaning dirty water and its extraordinary nutritional value. There are many benefits that come from this tree and these are obtained from its flowers, leaves, juice and seeds.

 The main health benefits of drumstick flowers and leaves are in the nutritional quality of these parts of the plant as well as the seeds. These parts of the plant are rich in Vitamin B1, B2, B3, Vitamin A, and vitamin C. There are also the minerals calcium, iron, phosphorus and magnesium to be found in these parts of the tree as well. The juice is highly nutritious and an ounce of it is said to contain the same quantity of calcium as 4 glasses of milk, the vitamin C of 7 oranges and the potassium of seven bananas, and a reasonable level of iron. Added to a glass of milk it may help promote energy, strengthen children's bones, aid in purifying the blood and adds to the nutrition of pregnant women.

MANATHAKALI LEAF SOUP

I have posted the Manathakali Vathal Kuzhambu few minutes ago.  Now I am presenting you  the soup  which I made today  with the leaves as my neighbour's son was having some stomach issues and not eating the food for the past five days.  Since the manathakali leaves got the medicinal values and are good for the stomach, I decided to make the soup for him with the coconut milk.

After making the same, when I gave it to the mother for tasting it, she said it is really awesome.  Most of the parents are not aware of the herbal values and the home made medicines specially for the children.

Since I had the plant in my balcony garden, I could make it very easily and share it.

Manathakali leaves soup

CORIANDER STEM, CURRY LEAVES, CAPSICUM SOUP (THREE "C" SOUP)

Since winter has started, I prefer to have soups atleast one time in a day preferably in the night as we got time to relish the hot soup.

Today I tried the soup with coriander stem, curry leaves and capsicum.  While I was cleaning the coriander, big big  fresh stems were there  and I did not felt like throwing the same in the dustbin.  The curry leaves were also fresh.  I was bit uneasy with cough and cold and wanted to have something hot, I thought of making soup.

The health benefit link is given below with each main ingredient which I would like you to go through for the maximum benefit of it.

Normally, we never bother to make use of the stem, curry leaves which are thrown.  But it has got tremendous health benefits.

Hence enjoy this and think twice before throwing the same.

LOTUS SEED SOUP

Lotus seed soup for the first time I made and it was quite tasty.  Since I have not tried any recipe with the seeds so far, I was bit hesitant how it is going to taste.  But it tasted good and liked by everyone at home.

During our childhood, we used to fight for the lotus seed as it was quite fascinating for us to remove the seeds from the conical shaped pod.  Then the alli (stamen)  it is known as in malayalam  surrounding the pod, we used to eat both these stuff.

The Tamarapoo ie. lotus flower is collected after the Bhagatseva or from the temple and the seeds are removed and it was quite fun.

We performed Bhagatseva at home on 17.07.2015 Friday, Aadi month began on this day, and it was so special for me as it was my husband's birthday.

He brought flowers from Dadar as a lot of flowers are required for this Pooja and 10-12 lotus flowers too among other flowers.

Hence I thought of trying some recipes out of it and made soup and subzi which was good.  on YOUTUBE: Lotus seed soup

Other recipes:   lotus stem subzi,  lotus stem chips, lotus stem pickle,  lotus-seed-soup, lotus seed subzi

The lotus is edible and has many curative properties; its use in traditional Asian medicine is as old as history. The flower is used to brew lotus teas, which relieves cardiac complications and helps to stop bleeding. The roots of the plant help in getting rid of the body’s toxic wastes and in strengthening the lives; it also helps in reducing body heat. The roots and rhizomes are useful in treating small pox, throat complications, pigmentation problems in skin, and diarrhoea.

The cooked lotus root is good for the stomach and the reproductive organs. It also helps to contract the blood vessels and prevents blood loss and complications such as coughing blood and blood in stools. The stem helps in the healthy growth of the foetus and also used to treat tightness of the chest. The lotus seed is used to tone the spleen and the kidney and is also used as food. Soups are also made from the seeds. The large leaves are used as cold bed sheets to treat high fever and for the treatment of summer heat and further they are used to things. The things that are thus wrapped remain fragrant for a long time. In short, it can be said that the lotus is a panacea.

RICE SOUP (cold soup)

When I say Rice soup or kanji vellam in malayalam, it is known as is an energy drink, home remedy, hair care, plant food and cattle food.  I had a very very long hair.  My mother used to find it difficult to  apply oil and wash it every weekend.  Those days, shampoos are not known to us.  We use the rice soup, seekai podi, hibiscus leaves to make the hair wash in place of shampoo.  The kanji, after preparing the rice, the water is removed from the cooked rice and kept overnight.  Next day morning, the seekai podi, hibiscus leaves crushed on a rough stone to make the "Thali", the sticky liquid form mixed with the kanji is applied on hair to remove the oil.

salt and little ghee is mixed in the  hot kanji and drank as energy drink.  It is quite healthy.  The kanji diluted in water and cotton sarees, mudu etc. are dipped in it and put on the rope to dry and then it is sent for pressing (ironing).  Cow fodder (pinnaku - the remains after extracting the oil from coconut, til etc) are mixed in the kanji and given to the cattles.  The day old kanji is also put for the plants.

The above child hood memories reminded me when I today made rice and extracted the kanji from it.  I thought of making soup out of it.  I also had some vegetable stock after boiling some vegetables and beetroot for making some dish.

BEETROOT TOMATO SOUP

Beetroot tomato soup is made up of beetroot and tomato.  This soup is quite different from the normal soup we make as I wanted to make something and landed up in making the soup in a different way.  You can serve this hot or cold as you wish.

Now summer  has started, you can serve this cold.

Let us look at the recipe now:

GUAVA SOUP (KHATTA MEETHA GUAVA SOUP)

Winter has started and are craving for some hot soup.  Guava is also available plenty and I love to eat guavas even though it does not suit me.  I wanted to have some soup and thought of trying with guava as I was tired of the regular tomato, vegetable, corn soups etc.

TOMATO SOUP

During the heavy rain or when you are not well, a bowl of hot soup is always preferred by everyone.   My children always prefer them with toasted bread cubes in it.  Today's demand was for Tomato Soup.  I never miss the chance to put certain vegetables wherever and whenever it is possible as my children are very fussy about eating vegetables.

Tomato Soup

BARLEY SOUP

Barley soup is made with barley, moong dal or oats and some vegetables.  It is quite healthy as well as having medicinal values.

Barely has medicinal value. Barley is used for lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol, and for promoting  weight loss. It is also used for digestive complaints including diarrhea, stomach pain, and inflammatory bowel conditions.

Some people use barley for increasing strength and endurance. Other uses include cancer prevention and treatment of a lung problem called bronchitis.

Barley is applied to the skin for treating boils.

In foods, barley is used as a source of vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins, and fatty oils.

 If we are having fever and have problem in passing urine, my mother always used to give us barely water to drink.  Recently when I was making barley water, my husband came and told me to make some soups for him. A healthy soup is prepared for him which i am sharing with you all.

CHINESE SOUP

My son was down with fever and cold.  He wanted to have some soups.  I had the ready made soup packets at home but he did not want that.  He told me to make some clear Chinese soup.  Luckily, there was some brocoli, cabbage, carrots and beans in the fridge.  He really enjoyed the hot soup which was served to him.

HEALTHY SALAD

Salad is part of every Indian meal.  Salads are made wth raw vegetables like cucumber, radish, beetroot, onions etc.  This salad i am presenting is slightly different.  You can make it within 5 minutes if you are fast in cutting veggies. It is slightly sauted and only salt and black pepper powder is added.  You can eat it just like that or can serve with roti, pulao etc.

Healthy salad

BANANA STEM SOUP, VAZHATHANDU SOUP, KELE KI DANDAL KI SOUP

BANANA STEM SOUP/VAZHATHANDU SOUP/ KELE KI DANDAL  KI SOUP

Banana stem soup is made with  banana stems and little  barley.  Banana stem and the barley has got various medicinal properties.  Banana stem juice consumed in the empty stomach in the morning cures kidney stone. Barley water is given when fever is there and helps in flushing out the toxins from the body through urine.

PUMPKIN MASOOR SOUP

Masoor dal along with pumpkin makes a very tasty, healthy soup. It is simple, easy to make and healthy too.

Pumpkin is  one of the very low calorie vegetables and contains no saturated fats or cholesterol; However, it is rich in dietary fiber, anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins. The vegetable is one of the food items recommended by dieticians in cholesterol controlling and weight reduction programs. Pumpkin is a storehouse of many anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin-A, vitamin-C and vitamin-E.

Masoor daal is used in every household to make curries or sambar. It is a very common lentil and easily available as well. Masoor daal cooks very fast and does not need any kind of soaking before cooking it. Even tough people may treat it as a simple lentil; it has many properties which are good for health. People who are pure vegetarians can eat this lentil everyday. They will get the same amount of strength that non-vegetarian people have.

Many times we see that people complain about having less blood in their body.

Pumpkin masoor soup

Let us look at the recipe now:

BEETROOT TOMATO SAAR

Beetroot is a super-storehouse of both vitamin C and iron.   Both are essential elements for health.  The beta cyanin in beetroot can help detox your liver, having a knock-on effect for your bloodstream, by helping the body to eliminate toxins and potentially preventing the build-up of fatty deposits. Beetroot juice helps  to reduce high blood pressure.  Tomatoes are powerful blood purifiers and clear up urinary tract infections.   They have anti oxidant properties as they are high sources of vitamin C and vitamin A. The Vitamin A especially wards off macular degeneration and improves eyesight.   High in fiber they are freely used by weight watchers.

Today, I made Beetroot rasam following Ms. Dahlia Twinkle’s recipe of www.simpleindianrecipes.com.  As I was making it, thought of adding little bit of ingredients and make the saar.  My daughter when she was in baby sitting used to tell me Aunty’s tomato saar is very tasty.  Thought will give a twist to the Tomato Saar and the recipe is here.

Let us look at the recipe now: