AGATHI KEERAI PORIYAL

Agathi keerai has innumerable heath benefits. It is rich in vitamin A, calcium and iron. It has cooling properties, that is the reason it is consumed when breaking fast on Dwadasi. It helps in digestion,  relieve constipation as it has laxative properties, balances pitta and kapha.  It is slightly bitter in taste but after making the subzi, will not feel that bitterness. Being rich in Vitamin A, it is considerd good for the eyes also. The  flowers also has many medicinal values but it should  not be consumed very often and those who are under medication should not take it as it will reduce the power of medicines.  

Today I prepared the same with some moongdal, onion etc. but after fasting when it is made, normally onion s are avoided.

It is known as Agathi keerai, ponnangantikura, ponnanganni keerai, agasti etc.

video: agati keerai poriyal

POHA CHIVDA SUBZI

A substitute to the Pav bhaji subzi made to serve along with pav or bread.   Poha chivda is normally served as snacks with coffee tea.   when it substitutes the subzi, a nice curry is formed to have it with pav or bread.

Subzis are made with vegetables normally, but this subzi is quite different from the normal subzis.  I made this subzi with the left over poha chivda which was lying in a container for two weeks.  As my husband was about to throw the same, I said keep it.  

I was breaking my head what to do with it and the recipe is here for you viewers.  easy, tasty and lovely subzi which can be served with Pav or bread.

poha chivda subzi video

SUNDAL MASALA POWDER

Sundal masala powder can be made and stored.  this can be used for making tomato based curries too.
sundal is made out of chana, moong etc. during Navarathi.  Normally, coconut and green chilli is used but this powder is also equally good for the sundal.

AJAWAIN PATTA AMBE HALAD CHUTNEY

ajwain is good for health and got medicinal values.  along with this, if we add some more ingredients which have also medicinal values, then it is worth trying this recipe.  When my neighbour was having some stomach related issues, I made this chutney for her along with idli and she liked it very much. However, the post remained in the draft.

Today, again, I remembered because my daughter was not well hence I made this and decided to post it.  Previously, when I made it, I did not shoot the same.  Today, I have taken the video as well as fresh photograph too.

Since I have got the plant in my balcony, I feel free  to make the ajwain patta  bhajia and chutney any time.

THENGAI KOOTAN

Thengai means coconut and kootan means curry.  Thengai kootan is made out of coconut and some vegetables.  I tasted this dish only after my marriage.  When my mother in law made this, I liked it very much and it became part of  the dish once in a week.  I love to have this some chutta pappadam (roasted papad).  It is a simple preparation with or without vegetables and handy when you are having unexpected guests at home. 

(Tamarind is used for making this.  But due to health issues, I avoid tamarind and use amchur powder or bit sour curd too.)

This can be served with plain rice, sevai, idli and dosa too.

 video:  thengai kootan

CUCUMBER COOLER A HEALTH DRINK

Cucumber, ginger, coriander and lime.  a cool drink which has got many health benefits.  It helps in digestion, cooling the body, cholesterol, blood pressure etc. etc.

POHA KUZHIPANIYARAM

Poha kuzhipaniyaram or appam (savory) is made with the left over idli  batter and kande pohe.  I had some left over idli batter and kade pohe in fridge which I did not want to waste.  So I mixed up both and made the kuzhipaniyaram and served hot.  No accompaniments, the piping hot paniyaram was tasty.

RICE STARCH CALULIFLOWER GREENS SAMBAR

Rice Starch, Kanji is very good for health.  It can also be used as starch for the cotton clothes, washing hair, face, body etc.  During my childhood, my mother used to keep the rice water (kanji) overnight and used for washing hair along with Shikakai   powder.

Since the Kanji is beneficial, I thought of making sambar with the kanji.  Let us look at the recipe now:

watch the video : rice starch cauliflower greens sambar

SHIKAKAI POWDER BENEFITS

What is Shikakai?

Shikakai (literally translates to "hair-fruit" or "fruit for hair") is a shrub-like tree that grows in central India. It has been used for centuries as a cleanser for hair, body, and pretty much anywhere else a cleanser might come in handy. What sets this plant apart from the rest is that shikakai actually lathers moderately because its bark has saponins, which foam up when shaken in water, similar to soap.
Some people who have used the "no ’poo" method love it but still miss the suds from commercial shampoo. Shikakai could be the solution for this problem. It's all natural, but it still foams up. Yay!
Shikakai is very high in vitamin C as well as vitamins A, D, E, and K, antioxidants which are essential for healthy and rapid hair growth. These vitamins provide the hair follicles with the necessary micronutrients to help hair grow fast and healthy.
Shikakai looks very similar to tamarind. Its seed comes inside a pod. The seed, or fruit, is then dried, mixed with the leaves and bark, and ground into a very fine powder. That's the reason the shampoo also lathers. This powder is then made into a paste and applied to hair.
The good news is that we no longer have to make our own powder. We can just buy it and follow these instructions. But before you go and buy your own bottle, let's examine the benefits of shikakai.

Common name: Shikakai, Soap-pod • Hindi: Kochi, रीठा Reetha, शिकाकाई Shikakai • Marathi: रीठा Reetha • Tamil: Shika, Sheekay, Chikaikkai • Malayalam: Cheeyakayi, Chinik-kaya, Shikai, Cheenikka • Telugu: Cheekaya, Chikaya, Gogu • Kannada: Sheegae, Shige kayi, Sigeballi • Oriya: Vimala • Urdu: Shikakai • Assamese: Amsikira, Kachuai, Pasoi tenga, Suse lewa • Sanskrit: Bahuphenarasa, Bhuriphena, Charmakansa, Charmakasa, Phenila
Botanical name: Acacia concinna    Family: Mimosaceae (Touch-me-not family)
Synonyms: Acacia hooperiana, Acacia sinuata, Mimosa concinna

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Shikakai Benefits: A Quick Look

• Shikakai has been used for hundreds of years in India as a shampoo and body wash.
• Shikakai bark has saponines, which make the powder foam up much like soap.
• Shikakai is known to promote hair growth, beauty, and strength.
• Shikakai has low pH levels, which means it won't strip hair of its natural oils.

The Benefits of Shikakai

One of the greatest benefits of using shikakai as a regular cleanser is that it is all natural, so you won’t have to worry about any harsh chemicals seeping into your body. But there are many other benefits, such as:

• Shikakai has very low pH levels, which means your hair won’t be stripped of its natural oils.
• Works as a shampoo and detangler at the same time. Since shikakai does not strip your hair of its natural oils, there's less chances of your hair getting all tangled up.
• Prevents and eliminates dandruff.
• Nourishes hair, making it grow faster and stronger.
• Can be used as shampoo, face cleanser, and body soap. This means there will be less bottles taking up precious shower space.
• Strengthens and conditions hair.
• Keeps hair moisturized and shiny.
• Protects the scalp from fungal infections and even hair lice.
• Helps delay the appearance of gray hairs.
• Strengthens hair roots.

 

POHA IDLI

Idli is the main South Indian breakfast dish prepared by all over the world now.  It is soft, tasty and even when you are sick, this can be served as it is steamed hence do no harm.

Varieties of Idlis are made, normal idli, kanjeevaram idli, tuvar dal idli, jowar idli, corn meal idli and the list is endless.

Here I made the Poha Idli which turned out super soft and could not believe it.   Hence I am sharing it with you all.  This can be prepared without much hassles.