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 :) 

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 :) 

BitterGourd Rasam / Paagarkaai Rasam

Bitter Gourd / Bitter Melon despite its bitterness is loaded with many essential phytonutrients. It offers a wide range of health benefits for human. It is well known to help in maintaining the Blood Sugar Levels and hence used in treating diabetes. Bitter Gourd Juice acts as an excellent Liver Tonic. It has lot of antioxidants and hence fights cancer. It also purifies the blood and boosts our immune system.

Here is an interesting way to consume this Bitter Gourd. This can be taken as a soup as is or with hot steamed rice.

Happy Cooking :) 

Curry Leaves Soup / Kariveppilai Soup

Its Thursday...and here is what I have for today in my Organic Cooking Series. This is another miraculous plant which offers enormous health and medicinal benefits. Yes, It is none other than our simple, humble, " Curry Leaves (Called Kadi Patta in Hindi).

It is mainly used as a flavoring agent and is an integral part of South Indian Cuisine and is also used in Siddha/Ayurveda Medicines to treat various ailments.

Curry leaves are known to have several medicinal properties such as anti-diabetic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and protects the liver from damage.

Curry Leaves have abundant of  carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, phosphorous, irons and vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin E. It helps in better functioning of heart and promotes hair and skin health.

It promotes hair growth, repairs damaged hair root cells, reduces hair fall and strengthen the hair follicles.

Here's a simple yet flavourful Soup recipe with goodness of Garlic and pepper. The Dhall makes it a complete meal by itself.

Happy Cooking :) 

Drumstick Moongdhall Rasam / Murungaikai Pasiparupu Rasam

Drumstick is not only known for their unique flavour but also for their innumerable health benefits. It has a prominent place in South Indian Cuisine. Be it a Sambar, Masala or Kootu it imparts a great flavor and taste. It has lot of health benefits. It helps in building bones, purifies blood and aids in digestion. It is also known to ease respiratory disorders and lowers blood sugar level too.

I have came across so many blogs with Drumstick Rasam Recipes, and I always wanted to try my own version. I have combined it with Moong Dhall instead Toor Dhall in order to enhance the taste and make it more healthier version. It is very light on stomach and hence people recovering from illness can also take this. It can also be taken as a soup.

Sure you will find it tasty and filling too :) 

Amla / Nellikaai Soup

Amla or Indian Gooseberry is one miracle fruit which is loaded with health benefits. It is known for it high Vitamin C content and is an excellent antioxidant. It not only act as a body coolant but also promotes healthy hair growth hence used in Hair Oils widely. It flushes out the toxins, eliminates free radicals and enhances fertility. It improves the muscle tone and promotes healthy skin.

This is one most neglected fruit as far as our diet is concerned but including this everyday into our meals will help us to harness the potential benefits of this fruit. Instead of taking it as a Juice here I have come up with a variation  of Soup with Amla which tasted too good and it became a routine of our Breakie once in a week for a refreshing day.

Amla with Moong Dhall is a healthy combo and it tastes great with a unique flavour.

Horse Gram / Kollu Rasam

The Miracle Pulse they say..Yes its none other than the Horse Gram...Have you ever wondered why this name to this Pulse...It is fed to Race Horses to have a control on weight and to give more stamina and hence the name.

The health benefits of this Pulse is in numerous...It is proven to have anti bacterial, anti fungal, anti oxidant properties.It is rich in protein, iron and calcium. It aids in Weight Loss and a great cure for cough and cold. It has less Lipid and Sodium content which is ideal for Obesity and Diabetic patients. By including this in our diet we can keep us Young and Vibrant (Isha Sadhguru says it)

Here's an interesting recipe which can be consumed as soup or taken with hot rice as Rasam and it is one healthy and tasty soup, good for sore throat.

It tastes really good as Soup especially when you have Cold and Fever.. :) 

Neem Flower / Vepampoo Rasam

Neem Tree is a miracle tree and every part of it offers in numerous health benefits. Neem Flowers are used in alternative medicine to treat various ailments in India. It can be used both in fresh and dried form. The flowers can be dried when they are available in plenty during the season and can be used to treat digestive disorders. It also proven that it improves eye sight and helps in treating intestinal worms in kids. Neem flower oil makes your hair healthy, detoxifies the blood, improves liver health and balances the blood sugar level in the body.Here's an amazing Rasam recipe with this miraculous flowers that is loaded with medicinal values.

Love to hear your valuable feed backs..:)