Vizham Pazha Pachadi / Wood Apple Sweet Pachadi

For this week Organic Kitchen, I am going to share a long forgotten grandma recipe which we can make only during the Vinayagar Chathurthi Season...Guess what? It is a recipe with a very healthy fruit that is considered to be one of the most favourite of Lord Ganesha..Yes, It is none other than our own Vizham Pazham or Wood Apple. 

Scientifically - Limonia acidissima 

Also known as - Elephant apple, monkey fruit, vilampazham, Belada Hannu, Bael fruit, Kath bel

It is indigenous to South India. It is also cultivated in. tropical Asia.

Wood apple, also called as Elephant apple as it is the favourite of elephants.Hence this fruit is offered to Elephant-headed God, Lord Vinayaka, on Ganesh Chathurthi.

The thick rind must be cracked with a hammer and the pulp is scooped out along with the soft seeds that are embedded which is eaten raw or with palm sugar.The pulp of an unripe fruit is sour in taste.

It is rich in  mineral and vitamin, like calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and also has abundance of oxalic, malic citric acid and a concentrated tannic acid.

It is an antidote for poisons and also helps in curing sore throat. 100 gms of this fruit pulp provides 140 calories and is therefore, a good energy booster.The ripe fruit is refreshing, aromatic, digestive and a tonic. It is useful in preventing and curing scurvy(a vitamin C deficiency). It is also useful in preventing cancer of the breast and uterus and helps cure sterility due to a deficiency of the hormone progesterone.

Am going to share a very simple recipe made with this wood apple.

Step By Step Illustration

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 :) 

Poha PalmCandy Pongal / Aval Panangkalkandu Pongal

Janmashtami is always very special to me as in my Mom's place we used to celebrate it in a grand manner with all sweets and savories made fir Little Krishna..and I remember me putting Rangolis and drawing little krishna feet every year starting from age of 8..This year I wanted to share make something special, organic and more healthy for offering. Aval/Poha being the most favourite of Lord Krishna, I made sweet version with Aval using Palm Candy and for Savory, the regular Gopalkala (a traditional item made every janmashtami with Curd and Cucumber). 

This delicious pongal is made using just a tablespoon ghee and healthy palm candy..

Palm Candy is obtained from the sap of the palm tree and is a great alternate for the Cane Sugar. Its an unbleached form of healthy sugar which has very less glycemic index and hence a best alternate for diabetic patients. It acts as a Oral Re hydration Solution and also boost up the energy levels. It also has good amount of potassium to meet the daily needs of our body which is needed for good bone and muscle health.

Happy Janmashtami dear all :)

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 :) 

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 :) 

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 :)