Methi Leaves Masal Vada

An interesting enhancement to our regular Masal Vada with the beneficial Methi Leaves for this week Organic Kitchen. Having discussed about the nutritional and medicinal benefits of Methi Leaves in my earlier posts, am giving the recipe for Vada directly.

The Benefits

Happy Cooking :) 

Herbal Cough Drops / Herbal Candies

Chennai is expecting another spell of rains and thundershowers. The current weather is very conducive for mosquitoes to breed in and the chances of infections like flu is still high. Thought of sharing a Herbal remedy for Sore Throat and Digestion related issues. I made this Herbal Cough Drops for my Mom who is suffering from severe cough and cold for the past few days. Made it very subtle with a unique blend of home grown herbs like Holy Basil, (Black and Green Both), Country Borage which are very very effective in treating sore throat along with Ginger, Pepper and Cloves (Clove is known to improve immune system and effective in treating head aches, aids in digestion too). It can be taken for digestion related problems as well as the ingredients helps to promote digestion. Why to go for Vicks and Halls when we can make them at home so easily with all local ingredients? Happy to share this.

Here is the recipe:

Happy Cooking :) 

Vallarai Spicy Rice Mix / Vallarai Podi

With North East Monsoons kicked off and Nada Cyclone Alert, we definitely are curious about the outcomes this season is going to bring about (remembering last year's disastrous period). Wanted to share some healthy spice mix powder, apt for this season to stock, with the very beneficial Vallarai Keerai / Pennywort Leaves, for this week's Organic Kitchen.

Asiatic pennywort or Indian pennywort / Vallari is another treasured herb which offers a bountiful of health benefits (often referred as Memory Booster). Botanically Centella asiatica . It can be easily grown in kitchen garden.

The Leaves are used in treating the problems like liver functioning,lungs and kidney disorders, and for regularizing blood circulation.

Since ages it has been considered as the best brain tonic for growing children. Presence of Nitric acid in the leaves is highly beneficial for brain activity. It aids in improving the concentration and helps to focus better.It also strengthen the optic nerves.

Vallarai extract is also used in treating Hair fall, hair thinning and other hair problems.It also helps to cure problems like indigestion, stomach pain or diarrhea.

Studies show that the extract of these leaves are helpful in treating hyperactivity in children and also to treat Alzheimer disease.

Used in treating Diabetes as these leaves has the potential to reduce the blood sugar level, and also used in treating constipation problem and stomach ulcers.

Taking 1tsp of shade dried and powdered Vallarai with warm milk before bed time will  kill the worms in the stomach.

Sharing a healthy rice mix with goodness of Vallarai, Horse gram, Pepper and Sesame Seeds.

Here you go for the recipe:

The Ingredients

Step By Step 

Recipe Card

Happy Cooking :) 

Methi Leaves Lemon Rasam / Vendhaya Keerai Elumichai Rasam

For this week's Organic Kitchen, am going to share an excellent recipe with home grown Methi Leaves and Lemon. Its a very simple Rasam recipe but has huge health benefits. Methi Leaves are easy to grow in even your kitchen in a small container. It is good to include Methi leaves into our diet regularly to keep our system hale and healthy.

Methi / Fenugreek leaves are  used in treating Gastro Intestinal issues, as well as allergies or congestion of the upper respiratory zone.It also has great effect on the blood lipid levels and reduces the risk of atherosclerosis. Also it is well proven that Fenugreek lowers blood sugar levels of Type II diabetics by a huge percentage.It is rich in fibre and also nutrients that promote hair growth.

Here you go for the recipe:

Step By Step 

Happy Cooking :) 

Karivepilai Milagu Thokku

When Karivepilai/Curry leaves are in abundance and that too from your native home garden, will never want to waste them. Made a fresh batch of delicious and healthy thokku with Pepper, Cumin and Garlic. It acts as a good appetizer when had with hot steamed rice and a spoon of gingelly oil. This can be stored for a week. Goes well with Curd Rice too.

Curry Leaves are rich in Iron and Vitamin A and hence good for eyes. It also has lots of Vitamin C and E. It is known to promote hair growth. It not only protects our liver but also protects us from heart diseases.

Here you go for the easy yet healthy recipe.

Happy Cooking :) Do Check out for Karivepilai Soup Recipe as well. 

Pirandai Kollu Thogayal

Its Thursday again and with all these Navarthri Pooja stuffs and busy schedule, I have chosen a easy to make yet very helathy and medicinal recipe for this week's organic kitchen using home grown Pirandai or Veldt Grape Creeper / Adamant Creeper. Please check my other post Pirandai Kuzhambu for the medicinal benefits. Also I have combined another healthy ingredient here, Kollu / Horse gram along with goodness of garlic. A unique blend which is very tasty with gingelly oil.

Check out for benefits of Kollu and Kollu Rasam recipe as well.

The Ingredients and Step Wise Pictures 

Happy Cooking :) 

Vazhaithandu Vadai / Plantain Pith / Plantain Stem Vadai

For this week Organic Kitchen, the ingredient is a fiber rich one. Vazhaithandu (Plantain Pith / Plantain Stem in English) is also referred to as Fiber of Health. The Banana stem contains many nutrients that are vital for a healthy body.

Having the Banana stem in our foods will prevent constipation and ulcer, as it contains sufficient fiber for our body.It is a rich source of fibre and helps in weight loss. The high fibre content creates a feeling of satiation and reduces the intake of food and hence a part of diet plans.

 It also helps ease constipation. Banana stem is rich in potassium and vitamin B6 just like the fruit. Vitamin B6 helps in production of hemoglobin and insulin. Also it improves the ability of the body to fight infection. Potassium helps in the proper functioning of muscles, including the cardiac muscles. It also helps prevent high blood pressure, and maintain fluid balance within the body. Banana stem is said to be a diuretic and helps detoxify the body. It is used prevent and treat kidney stones.

Here is a recipe of Vada with this excellent fiber rich ingredient. This recipe is very popular in Chettinad.

Happy Cooking :) 

 

Thudhuvalai Podi / Thudhuvalai Rice Mix

Thudhuvalai is called Purple Fruited Pea Egg Plant and it has lot of medicinal benefits. I have already shared a flavourful Rasam Recipe in my page here. Its Botanically called Solanum trilobatum as it has three lobed leaves and belongs to the family of Brinjal. It is used in many Ayurvedic and Siddha preparations to cure Asthma and Tuberculosis, and prolonged cold and cough. It is also known to have antimitotic properties (preventing cell division in tumerous cells) and hence acts as anticancerous agent as well. It has well pronounced anti bacterial and anti fungal properties too.

For this week's Organic Kitchen, I am sharing a very easy yet healthy rice mix using this medicinal leaves. This can be taken with hot steamed rice as well as with Idly and Dosa. This can be sprinkled in any of your curries to get the benefits of this leaves.

Step By Step Pictures

Happy Cooking :) 

Betel Leaves Rasam / Vetrilai Rasam

Wondering what is there for this week's Organic Kitchen? An amazing medicinal plant which has innumerable uses in Indian Medicine, Yes, It is...

Betel Leaves / Vetrilai 

Scientifically Piper betle

Betel Plant is a vine with heart shaped lush leaves which are edible. It is used widely in Ayurveda preparations due to its immense medicinal benefits.

It is proven to have anti cancerous properties. Betel Leaves increases secretion of the digestive juices and hence aid in better digestion. It also destroys parasites of intestine.

It increases the rate of metabolism and therefore helps in weight loss. It is commonly used in Indian household for treating cold and cough. This is made into concoction and given to children to get a relief from severe cold.

Betel Leaves has lot of antiseptic and anti fungal properties. Betel Leaves Juice is used in treating wounds and infections. The Juice taken internally gives a great relief from gastric pain.

Today I am sharing with you an age old and excellent Rasam Recipe using this amazing betel leaves. I have added more Garlic here which enhances the health benefits.A best remedy for cold.

Step By Step Illustration

Happy Cooking :) 

Amla Ginger Thogayal / Nellikkaai Ginger Thogayal

Indian Gooseberry - A small to medium sized deciduous tree belonging to Phyllanthaceae family.It is loaded with nutrients, Polyphenols, vitamins, minerals iron and etc. It has been a popular ingredient in Ayurveda and Siddha medicines. It is a potent source of Vitamin C and also rich in iron and calcium.

I would say Amla as Poor Mans apple. An apple a day to keep doctor away is a proverb. But a single amla is equal to an apple in all aspects. An amla daily will help to keep up our body rejuvenated and young. It also strengthen our heart and kidneys. Amla juice along with honey in early morning avoids eye problems.

Regular consumption of amla juice helps in reducing cholesterol levels. Amino acids and antioxidants in amla aids in the overall functioning of heart.

It helps in managing diabetes and cures asthma. It flushes out the toxins from the body. It helps in promoting healthy hair and nourishes scalp.

The benefits are in numerous and the list goes on endless..Here is a simple yet tasty thogayal recipe for this week, which harnesses the benefits of both Amla and Ginger. It acts as an appetizer as well as aids in better digestion.

Happy Cooking :) Check out for Amla Soup Recipe here :)