Gujarati Special Cooler - Komal

And the harsh, unrelenting Summer Season is here and we do yearn for some cool at the same time natural drinks to hydrate our body and quench thirst. We have lot of native drinks that are made during the season made out of familiar ingredients which are healthy. One such drink which is a signature recipe of Gujarat is Komal. Its a blend of Spiced Curds with healthy and naturally cooling coconut milk. The curd that is spiced with green chillies and the tempering adds up to the flavour and taste. It has a very cooling effect and naturally refreshing. Discard the green chillies while drinking and enjoy this summer delicacy.

For the benefits of coconut milk check out another coconut milk delight here 

Have a Cool Week Ahead :) 

Turkey Berry Rice Mix / Sundakkai Vathal Kalathu Podi

Turkey Berry (Sundakkai in Tamil) is used both fresh and dried forms as it has many medicinal properties. It is rich in Vitamin A, Calcium, Iron and Fiber.It has bitter taste and is used in Sambar, Kootu as fresh berries. It is also sun dried by soaking it in curd and salt and stored for using later. The dried ones can be fried in oil and had as is with Curd Rice or it is made into Sundakkai Vathal Kuzhambu which is a tastiest version.

It is used in Ayurveda to cure Liver and Kidney disorders. It kills the intestinal worms and is used in controlling Blood Sugar Level. It is also to strengthen the bones due to the Calcium content.

Here am sharing an interesting Rice Mix using Turkey Berries and Peanuts.

Happy cooking :) 

Puzhungal Arisi Poondu Vendhaya Kanji / Fenugreek Garlic Rice Porridge

Another recipe from my Grandma's treasure trove and my most favorite one all time. A very common and most loved recipe in our family and is the best food when anyone is sick at home. This is a soothing and healthy recipe with very simple ingredients. Best and must for Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers, in general all women due to the addition of Fenugreek, Garlic and Cumin Seeds. When taken hot, the unique aroma that is imparted by the Garlic and fenugreek will be so fulfilling and a wholesome food, above all it is so addictive :)

Garlic has the ability to combat sickness and has lot of medicinal properties. It is rich in Vitamin B6 and C and minerals like Selenium, Manganese, Calcium, Copper, Potassium and Iron. It has almost all the nutrients that our body needs. It is also known to reduce high blood pressure levels, lowers cholesterol level and protect us from  heart diseases. It also known to improve bone health and is rich in antioxidants.

Fenugreek reduces inflammations inside body and is rich in fibre. It improves digestion, increases milk production in lactating mothers.

Here is the simplest yet healthiest recipe to relish :)

Happy Cooking :) 

Coriander Horse gram Spicy Powder / Kothamalli Kollu Podi

Coriander/ Kothamalli is very commonly used in Indian Cuisine. Used as a flavoring agent in many of the recipes. It has a unique flavour and has lots of health benefits too. It can be easily grown in kitchen garden with the seeds.
Coriander leaves aids in lowering blood glucose levels in diabetic patients.It promotes digestion fights against the Salmonella bacterial infections. It protects us from Urinary Tract infections and is an excellent anti-inflammatory food. Coriander raises good cholesterol (HDL) in our body.It is a great source of Vitamin A, C, K, dietary fibre, iron and magnesium. Coriander leaves helps for adequate menstrual flow in women and cures anemia.It also acts as brain stimulant and improves memory.

Here is a simple yet tasty recipe with Coriander and Horse Gram.

Step By Step 

The Recipe

Happy Cooking :) 

Mudakaruthan Keerai Soup / Balloon Vine Soup

Hope you all have celebrated Pongal in a grand manner and got to meet all our near and dear ones,had feast together and had fun. Pongal season brings us lot of fresh seasonal veggies and also raw turmeric and ginger rhizomes(botanically turmeric and ginger are underground horizontally growing stems which are referred to as Rhizomes). Its always a good option to use fresh turmeric in our recipes during this season.

We always celebrate Pongal in our native home at Thanjavur in a traditional way. When I saw the lush growth of Mudakaruthan Keerai/ Balloon Vine in our home garden, thought of whipping up a soup recipe with home grown fresh greens, turmeric and ginger rhizomes. A flavourful and highly medicinal soup which has innumerable health benefits and a best recipe to combat Cold and Cough. 

Benefits of Fresh Turmeric Rhizome: 

Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant. It is used effectively in treating Arthritis and Vascular Thrombosis. A number of research studies on cancer cells have shown that curcumin does have anticancer effects. It seems to be able to kill cancer cells and prevent more from growing. It has great effects on treating breast cancer, bowel cancer, stomach cancer and skin cancer cells.

Benefits of Mudakaruthan Keerai/ Mudakathan Keerai 

Commonly known as Balloon Vine Plant is a climber that bears trilobed balloon like fruits, hence the name. It is very effective in treating Joint Pains.Not only that, it cures bad cough and cold, ear pain and menstrual cramps.  

Here you go for the unique medicinal soup recipe :

The Ingredients

Step By Step
 

 The Recipe 

Hope you loved this recipe. Will be glad to receive your feed backs on trying this. 

Happy Cooking :) 

Kodampuli Kollu Chaaru / Kodampuli Kollu Rasam

How about a diet/ medicinal/ weight loss recipe for this week's Organic Kitchen??? Yes, am happy to share a very healthy Rasam/ Soup recipe made with Kodampuli / Malabar Tamarind / Garcinia, that too from home grown trees..(yes I get Kodampuli from our Uncle's place in Mavelikara where they have this tree at their home garden).

Kodampuli (Cambodgia) / Malabar Tamarind is a natural Anti Oxidant and is often used as an alternative medicine for its admirable anti-colic action.

Cambodgia also popular natural weight loss aid, because of its rich content  hydroxycitric acid.
It suppresses appetite naturally and improve metabolic rate of the body. It controls the blood sugar levels and hence beneficial for diabetic patients. It also strengthens our digestive system and is used to treat gastric ulcers.

Now for the recipe:

The Ingredients

Step By Step 

The Recipe

Happy Cooking :) 

Whole Black Gram Dosa / Mulu Ulundhu Dosa

Its yet another long pending recipe that was in my bucket list to be shared here. Nothing new or innovative but one of those forgotten recipe/ more I would say the form of Urd Dhall being used I would say. Its Whole Black Gram Dosa Batter. I have seen my grandma and mom using only whole Urd Dhall for Idly Dosa Batter during my childhood days..as years passed by we moved to the polished and deskinned Urd Dhall for the fact that we get more white idlies. For many health aspects, we are getting back to our age old methods and recipes and this is one such which harnesses the benefits of Black Gram completely.

For benefits and nutrition aspects of Black Gram, please check my Karupu Ulundhu Vendhaya Kali Recipe.

Here you go for the recipe of the batter.

Tip: Use Gingelly oil to make dosas as it enhances the flavour and taste and serve with Garlic Chutney or any Spicy Chutneys.

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 :) 

Karupu Ulundhu Vendhaya Kali

Am going to share my ever favorite, healthy and long forgotten recipe from my Grandma's Recipes. This one being a regular food atleast once in a week, especially on the days when we take Oil bath. Also it is given to girl children when they attain puberty to strengthen their hip bones and it is considered to be a high protein food. Yes it is, Karupu Ulundhu Vendhaya Kali.This recipe has the unique blend of Blackgram, Fenugreek, Palm Jaggery and Sesame oil which makes it a nutritious, wholesome food.

Black gram has protein, fat, and carbohydrates which is required by our body. It is one of the richest sources of proteins and Vitamin B. It is also good for women as it has iron, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, potassium which makes it a healthy pulse. It is rich in fibre which makes it easy to digest and benefits the health as it is good for the heart. Consumption of Black gram helps to reduce cholesterol and improves cardiovascular health.

Fenugreek contains wide variety of beneficial nutrients, including iron, magnesium, manganese, and copper, as well as vitamin B6, protein, and dietary fiber. Fenugreek also contains a number of powerful phytonutrients. It is known to control Diabetes and reduces the risk of Cardiovascular diseases.It is good for lactating mothers and also those who are in menopause phase. It also reduces the risk of colon cancer. It has high amount of dietary fibre (98%) and Protein (46%).

Sesame seed oil is a potent antioxidant and one of the healthiest alternatives to normal vegetable oil options.It is rich in zinc, which is one of the most important minerals in the body for your skin.It contains a wide range of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including sesamol and sesamin and thereby keep the cardiovascular system balanced and cholesterol levels low. Hence it reduces the risk of atherosclerosis.It has abundance of copper, zinc, and calcium, and these three minerals are integral to bone growth in the body. It prevents the incidence of Osteoporisis on ageing.Helps in better Skin and Hair health and prevents Colo Rectal Cancer.

Palm jaggery is rich in essential minerals. According to some studies, it has 60 times more minerals than white sugar. It is also the storehouse of many vitamins.Regular consumption increases hemoglobin level and treats anemia. It is rich in Magnesium, which regulates the nervous system. High antioxidant content of this natural sweetener helps to protect body cells from damages caused by free radicals. It is equally rich in calcium, potassium, and phosphorus.

We can keep listing out the humongous benefits of this recipe...It is also recommended for Kids from 5 years of age.

Here you go for the recipe

Step By Step Illustration

Happy Cooking :) 

Diwali Marundhu / Diwali Legiyam

For this week Organic Kitchen, am sharing a very healthy and medicinal recipe. A must to have preparation for Diwali, as we end up in Digestion issues normally after gobbling on so much of sweets and savories. This is an easy to make recipe and not only during Diwali, its good to keep this in stock and have it whenever we have Gastro Intestinal disturbances.

The ingredients are readily available in all shops these days and I have used Sillu Karuppati or Palm Jaggery infused with Ginger here for additional benefits. Have a Healthy and Safe Diwali..

Here you go for the recipe :)

The Step By Step Illustration

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. 

Amla Ginger Digestive Smash / Nellikaai Inji Legiyam

For this weeks Organic Kitchen, I wanted something medicinal and healthy.Being Diwali round the corner, we need something to keep our digestive system healthy to indulge in all the sweets and savories that we make. Got some home grown Amla and Ginger from my home town which I wanted to process into something that is useful. Here is a uber cool recipe with just four ingredients, Amla, Ginger, Cumin and Palm Candy. This can be taken on a daily basis after meal for better digestion. Even a spoon of this can be added to our regular lemon juice to make it a digestive cooler. Check out Amla Soup recipe I have posted here for the benefits of amla.

Here you go for this simple, tasty, healthy recipe which can be done in  minutes.

Step By Step Instructions

Happy and Healthy Cooking :)