Pidi Karunai Masiyal / Mashed Yam

Pidi Karunai is called Yam in English. Botanically it belongs to the Genus of Dioscoria which forms the edible tubers. It is often confused with Elephant Foot Yam which is called Senai/ Chenai in Tamil. Sepankizhangu is called Taro which is different.

Yam is a crunchy edible tuber which is a good source of energy and dietary fibre.

Dietary fiber help reduce constipation, decrease bad (LDL) cholesterol levels by binding to it in the intestines and lower colon cancer risk. It also regulates steady rise in blood sugar levels.
It is an excellent source of vitamin B Complex and Vitamin C. Vitamin C play some important roles as anti-aging, immune function booster, wound healing, and bone growth.It also has considerable amount of Vitamin A.

It is a rich source of minerals like copper, calcium, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus.It is used in many Ayurvedic preparations and is a best medicine for treating Piles and Constipation.

This Mashed Yam recipe is a delicious accompaniment with South Indian Gravies like Sambar and Rasam. Also goes well with Curd Rice.

Red Rice Idly Dosa Batter

Red Rice is a variety of unpolished rice which has a nutty flavour and has lot of health benefits. It is proven to reduce the cholesterol levels and is a great replacement for Polished White Rice. The color is imparted by the high amount of phenolic compounds called Anthocyanins. It is rich in fiber, Vitamin B1, B2, Iron and Calcium. Due to the rich fiber content it is highly recommended for heart patients and diabetic. It is also included in weight loss programs and loved by fitness freaks.

It also helps in fighting asthma, lowers the risk of obesity. It has anti ageing properties and prevent premature wrinkles of skin.

I make sure that I include this as a Idly Dosa Batter or as Rice to diet very often. Rice as such steamed may not be palatable for kids, wherein this Red Rice Idly or Dosa due to its colour and flavour will be loved by them.

It goes well with Coconut Chutney or any Spicy Chutneys. The duration of soaking the Rice and Urd Dhall and grinding of Urd Dhall to a fluffy consistency are the key for Softy Idlies.

Cook Healthy :) 

Mangosteen Lemonade / Mangosteen Lemon Cooler

Mangosteen, a healthy and unique fruit which is called the queen or tropical fruits. It is known for the health benefits that it promotes due to the great amounts of Antioxidants and micronutrients. It is a rich source of natural fibre, energy and protein. The fruit is of tennis ball size with a green stalk and a purple coloured rind. Inside the tough and leathery purple rind lies the sweet white fleshy fruit which is edible and the seeds are highly bitter and not edible. The Fleshy white portion is what consumed as smoothies and juices or as such.

It has enormous medicinal properties, no wonder it is crowned as Queen of Tropical Fruits. To list a few, the Mangosteen Fruits are,

- Antibiotic (prevents bacterial infections)
- Anti Atherosclerotic (prevents blockage of arteries)
- Anti Fugal (prevents fungal infections)
- Anti Lipidemic (Lowers Lipid Levels)
- Anti Inflammatory
- Anti Ageing
- Anti Carcinogenic
-Anti Viral
- Improves Skin Health and Oral Hygiene
and the list goes on....

An interesting and refreshing cooler that I made this summer is a real delish and quite flavorful too. Mangosteen Lemonade :)

Welcome your feed backs :) 

  

Watermelon Agua Fresca / Watermelon Honey Cooler

Can we imagine a Summer without Watermelon? Obviously..No.
Watermelon is one incredible fruit that offers enormous health benefits apart from being a excellent hydrating agent. It has 92% water along with enormous amounts of vitamin and minerals that help in healing various ailments of body in summer.Not only the fruit, the rind and seeds are also edible.It promotes Cardio Vascular and bone health. The fruit is known to boost up the immune system, heals muscle soreness after a heavy workout.  
Make sure to pick the ripe fruits as it has the richest amount of Phenolic compounds which has antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties. The pretty pink colour of the flesh is due to the presence of lycopene (which is present in tomatoes as well) a  powerful carotenoid antioxidant.
Citrulline, an amino acid present in watermelon helps in reducing the accumulation of fat in our body cells. It is also a natural diuretic which helps in free flow of urine without straining the kidneys.
Watermelon is a rich source of Beta Carotene which is converted to Vitamin A that is crucial for Eye Health. It prevents Age Related Macular Degeneration of the Retinal Cells of the Eye and also promotes healthy skin. Vitamin C that is in abundance in this fruit helps in healing of wounds and healthy gums and teeth.

Watermelons are great to be consumed as a fruit as such and as fresh juices. Here I have given a simple recipe " Watermelon Agua Fresca" a real refresher during hot summer. Agua Fresca is a spanish word for the beverages made out of pureed fruits along with fresh water and some natural sweeteners. You need only three ingredients to prepare this refreshing summer cooler.

This will be a great welcome drink in parties :) 

Pachaipayaru Kuzhambu / Green Gram Gravy

Grandmom's recipes are anytime relish items for me..Really after a long gap did this delicious gravy with whole green gram. Its loaded with nutrients and a comfort food for all age groups. Yet another treasured recipe from my grandma. Goes well with hot rice and some spicy tuber roast. With the garlic and the cumin it gives a great flavour. I made Khatta Meetha Mango as accompaniment which is an extremely great combo.

Love to hear your feed backs :) 

Nellai Pazharasam / Fruit Mixture / Fruit Sherbet

The one smoothie made out of the native seasonal fruits which I have always cherished whenever I happen to visit that small Juice shop opposite to Mylapore Tank, Abirami Juice Shop. A very small shop owned by a man who sits inside and serves all the delicious freshly made juices and you can always see a big crowd there. I personally prefer this one delicacy that is popular too, The Original Nellai Pazharasam  (Thirunelveli Special) they call it and it is must to have during the summer season. One is the Original Fruit Mixture made of of fresh seasonal fruits and other variant is with a mix of Badam milk into it. It is absolutely an irresistible smoothie and happens to be my personal favorite all time. Thought of making this at home , this season and it happened to be a huge hit and I was so happy it matched the one I have always tasted.

The main Ingredient is the readily available Banana which forms the base and add the flavour. Here I am giving the recipes of the Fruit Mixture as well as the Badam Fruit Mixture. It is very easy to make in minutes if you have the fruits ready with you.

The Juice Shop @ Mylapore (PC: Google)

Hope you will enjoy making this..Welcome your valuable feedbacks :) Check out my other Coolers in this Series :) 

Ripe Mango Rasam / Mambazha Rasam

Being the season of the King of Fruits..The Sweet and Luscious Mangoes...it is raining mangoes at home. Good part is that I do get home grown Organic Mangoes from my native. I make sure I try all Mango recipes during this season for the family to relish those sweet delights in all forms..And today it is Rasam with the sweet delicious mangoes lot that I got yesterday.

Not to mention the bountiful benefits that this fruit offer to us. This fulfill 25% of the daily need of Vitamin A by our body. It also lowers cholesterol and very good for skin health.

Here is a simple recipe to relish this fruit...I have used Lemon here and avoided Tamarind for a better flavour and rich taste.

Happy Cooking :)