METHI POORI

Methi  seeds and leaves are good for health.  Even if it tastes bitter, we must include the same in our diet once in a week.

Since methi has got the medicinal value, it is good to include the same in your diet.  My Mother in Law used to soak the methi in curd and have it in the morning on empty stomach for stomach ailiments.

Methi poori can be had as a snack with a cup of tea, breakfast, lunch, dinner any time you wish.  It is so tasty that you do not need any accompaniment.  If you wish, can be served with sauce, any kind of chutney, potato stew, and mango pulp i.e. aam ras, shrikhand etc. aam ras,   my favourite as well as my son's.

Methi poori

Methi poori with aam ras

VEPPILAKATTI (NARTHANGA ELAI PODI, URUGAI, PICKLE), WILD LIME LEAVES URUGAI

Vepillakkati,  is made out of the wild lime / kaffir lime leaves.   I am lucky to have the plant in our society and whenever, we want it, I used to go and pluck the leaves to make this.

It is a form of pickle which can be stored for quite sometime in the fridge.   It is  very good  in taste and can be served  with Curd rice, Molagootal rice or Dal rice.  I used to take the pain to grind the same in the grinding stone  as Ural and Ulakka is not available in Mumbai.  I have a small grinding stone in Mumbai and  used to make this as the taste of it is awesome than ground in the mixer.

Recently, I saw the post in Jayashree's kitchen which is made in mixer.  Though it is an easy method, but I found the ancient method more tasty.  It takes a long time to grind or break it   in the stone.  First  used to put the leaves and  crush it with the stone.    When the leaves are almost done, then the other ingredients are put in and again break it until  it is done.  

DAL DHOKLI

Dal dhokli is a gujarati dish.  This can be just had as it is or with rice, chapti too.  It is a wholesome meal to fill the stomach.

One of my Sindhi friend, she was basically from Baroda, makes this dish very awesome.  She gave me the same to eat one day and I liked it very much.  I asked her how to make and one day she demonstrated the entire process.

PATRA, ALU VADI ( A GUJARATI SNACK)

Patra, Alu vadi is my favourite item which is made out of Colacasia leaves.  While selecting the leaves, one must keep in mind to purchase the blakish colour leaves otherwise, while eating, you will have a scratchy feeling in your mouth.

It is a gujarati snacks loved by all.  We can steam it and keep in fridge for a week. Whenever you want, cut it, shallow fry, deep fry and temper with mustard seeds and white sesame seeds, garnish with grated coconut and chopped coriander leaves,  or  just eat plain as you wish.



MASOOR SPROUTS SUBZI

Sprouts can be added in salad or make subzi out of it.   Sprouting is the practice of germinatingseeds to be eaten raw or cooked.  This can be prepared at home.  Sprouts are said to be rich in digestible energy, bioavailable vitamins, minerals, amino acids, proteins etc.  These nutrients are essential for the human body.

masoor sprouts

MASOOOR SPROUTS SUBZI

PEANUT CURRY (VER KADALAI, NILAKADALA, KAPPALANDI)

Peanuts are rich in energy and contain health benefiting nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.  They compose sufficient levels of mono-unsaturated fatty acids especially oleic acid. It helps to lower LDL or "bad cholesterol" and increases HDL or "good cholesterol” level in the blood. Research studies suggest that Mediterranean diet, which is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids help to prevent coronary artery disease and strokes by favoring healthy blood lipid profile.These nuts are a good source of dietary protein compose fine quality amino acids that are essential for growth and development.

The curry made with tomato gravy is a tasty dish for serving along with roti, phulka, chapati etc.

Peanut curry



roti, peanut curry, pumpkin subzi, salads

PUMPKIN SUBZI (DIET FRIENDLY) NO ONION, GARLIC,MASALA

Pumpkin subzi, a diet friendly subzi   prepared without much masala  who cannot consume masalas, onion and garlic.  The reason for making this is  I was late from office and my family  members were very hungry.

Since I want to cook very fast, I prepared the same without wasting my time much indulging in preparing the masalas.

However, the subzi was quite tasty once in a while you can indulge in such recipes.

KARELA FRY, BITTERGOURD FRY, PAVAKKA FRY, KAIPPAKKA FRY

Karela, bitter gourd, pavakka, is the name for this vegetable.  Though it is bitter in taste, it has got medicinal values and health properties.

I have adopted the method for making this  of Rajasthani Bhindi  recipe with slight changes.  But it was very tasty.  My colleagues in the office finished the same within  a minute.

It is an easy preparation and can be served with rice, dal rice etc.

CURRY LEAVES KUZHAMBU

Curry leaf is a good source of vitamin A, calcium and folic acid. Its richness in vitamin A and antioxidants may help explain its use in preventing early development of cataract. Being a fairly good source of folic acid, the leaves can also help in absorption of iron. Other proposed benefits include boost in circulation and anti-inflammation. It is also anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-microbial, hepatoprotective, hypo-cholestrolemic, and delays premature graying. With its anti-inflammatory benefits, it is used in treating bruises and skin eruptions. It can also be used as a sedative and a hair tonic. Its mildly laxative properties aid digestion too. 

We make this kuzhambu and store in fridge.  Whenever you want, you can consume it.  It is good for the stomach related ailments.

Let us look at the recipe now:

INDIAN GOOSEBERRY RICE (AMLA RICE, NELLIKKA SADAM, AVAL BAATH)

Gooseberry is rich sourc of vitamin C.   It controls diabetis as such one gooseberry in a day is given to my husband in the morning.  It can be preserved in salt water and start using it within a week.  pickles, chutney, sweet pickle, candies etc. can be made with this.    It also has gallic acid, tannic acid, sugar, albumen, calcium, protein, phosphorus, carbohydrates, irons etc.  It has got several medicinal values.

Gooseberry rice is another variety of rice preprations.  If you have cooked rice, then the process of making the rice is easy.  Otherwise, you need little extra time to cook the rice.

health-benefits-of-indian-gooseberry.html     refer the link for health benefits.