Friday 23 August 2019

Moong Sprout Salad with Pomegranate Recipe



Moong Sprout Salad with Pomegranate Recipe


When was the last time you had a healthy Sprout salad?
Many find it too boring to make or eat. However, I love to munch on homemade sprouts. Guess, I know its nutritional value while also being used to its acquired taste.
What can be better than an early dinner with a  wholesome Healthy Sprout salad, packed with all kinds of health, the abundance of flavor, and crunchy textures?

Moong Sprout Salad with Pomegranate Recipe


The recipe I am about to share is super easy to make, loaded with vegetables and fruits. So check this salad recipe, it will leave you satisfied and full.


Ingredients

250 gms sprouts ( 2 cups ))
1/2 cup chopped tomato
1/2 cup chopped cucumber
1/2 cup pomegranate
1 tsp lime juice
1 chopped green chilly
1/2 tsp sugar
Salt to taste
Coriander leaves for garnish
Optional
I boiled potatoes
1/2 cup chopped raw mango
1/2 cup chopped apple

Method

For the sprouts
You need to soak the green whole moong overnight. They will swell by soaking water and sprout.
Now drain out the water and keep it in a vessel with a lid on the top. Alternatively, you can tie it in a cloth and let it rest for 4 to 8 hours further.
The moong with germinate and swell more. You will see a root growing out of the seed. Now it is ready to be used for the salad.
For the Salad preparation
1. Parboil the moong in half liters of water with a pinch of salt. Salt is added so the sprouts don't lose the bright green color.
2. Drain the water, cool and keep aside.
3. Finely chop up the tomato. Make sure to scoop out inside seeds and discard.
4. Take a mixing bowl, add the sprouts and other chopped vegetables, green chili and pomegranate.
5. Also add the lime juice, salt, and sugar.
6. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
6. Refrigerate for half an hour and serve it a little chilled to enjoy it better.


Moong Sprout Salad with Pomegranate Recipe


Note
I have not added onions as it starts to smell. But you can add if you wish.
Add a dash of pepper in the winters.
Variations
This preparation can be made with chopped pineapple and mayonnaise. And filled in canapes. It makes a lovely kitty party/evening snack.
Add boiled potatoes and imli chutney to the same salad mix and top with the readymade sev. This is a lip-smacking snack. 
Same salad mix can be added to whipped curd. This makes delicious raita.
Try experimenting in the kitchen especially with sprouts. Sprouted seeds like moong and making are excellent sources of fiber and antioxidants. The fact is, a sprouted seed contains far more vitamins and nutrients than the dry grain variety.


Monday 19 August 2019

Health Benefits of Flaxseeds


Proven to be the world’s most nutritious superfood with health benefits in abundance, Flaxseeds is simply amazing. Why is it that in India people have still not understood flaxseeds and have not yet started to inculcate it in their daily diet and meals.  Its mild nutty flavor and crunchy texture are so enjoyable. 

What Is Flaxseed?
Flaxseeds are also called linseeds, their appearance is small, brown, tan or golden-colored seeds. In fact, linseed or “flax seed” are two names for the same seed. Flaxseeds are an incredible source of dietary fiber and plant-based protein. According to scientists, flaxseeds contain zero cholesterol.  They have an abundance of alpha-linolenic corrosive, omega-3 unsaturated fats, and lignans. Minerals present in these seeds incorporate thiamine, manganese, and magnesium. They are additionally a source of nutrient C and B6, calcium, iron, potassium, and sodium.


Health Benefits of Flaxseeds


 Health Benefits of Flaxseeds


1. Flaxseed stimulates brainpower.

"They're high in omega-3 unsaturated fats, a plant-based source, which is significant for vegetarians or people who don't eat fish,". "This kind of fat ensures the mind stays healthy with the food it requires to sharpen brain power

2. Helps constipation.

"They are a phenomenal source of dietary fiber, which means they'll keep your absorption ordinary, flushing poisons and abundance fats out of the body," They contain both solvent and insoluble fiber so they are really a powerhouse, as these sorts of fiber additionally keep your gut microbiome in solid equalization.

3. It helps you stay full.
It's has a decent source of protein and will enable you to remain full and fulfilled. Surveys have shown that constant munching on flaxseeds help you remain less hungry. Actually, one tablespoon of flaxseed contains two grams of protein. Furthermore, when joined with such fiber, it'll keep you super-satisfied.


4. It helps diminish cholesterol
About 20 to 40 percent of flaxseed's fiber is solvent, which structures a gel in the gut that ties to cholesterol in the gut and expels it from dissemination

5. Flaxseeds help in weight loss.

The low-calorie wonder superfood flaxseeds are perfect for weight reduction. Yet, flaxseed can support the procedure: "On account of their fiber content, they help to keep up glucose levels, avert hunger in this way supporting in weight reduction.


Health Benefits of Flaxseeds

Recipes ideas

Smoothies: Add a tablespoon of ground flaxseeds to a smoothie, porridge, cornflakes for that morning jumpstart. 

Baking: Perfect for baking cookies, muffins, pancakes, and quick breads: If you love to bake, coarsely ground flaxseeds can be mixed here to boost texture and nutrition.

Salads: Sprinkle some flaxseed oil over roasted vegetables, or add the chopped seeds as a last minute topping. 

Snacks: Flaxseed oil can be sprinkled on popcorn or the ground meal can be mixed with herbs and spices and used to make your own crackers or baked chips.

Egg Substitute: Mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water. This can substitute an egg in any recipe. 

Granola and breakfast bars: If you make your own energy bars or granola, add ground flax meal to the recipe.



Saturday 10 August 2019

Parsi Style Bharela Marcha - Stuffed green Chillies


There are different varieties of green chilies available in the market. I know for sure the dark green chilly is spicier than the light green variant. Chilies when fried and eaten add more taste to any dish.
Stuffed green chili is a tasty recipe which is made differently in every household. Some just add peanut, coconut powder, and dry spices while others stuff it with potatoes and other ingredients like besan (gram flour), lemon juice, amchur or tamarind to add acidity.

Bharela Marcha

This stuffed chili recipe is called as bharwa mirch, in Marathi and bharela marcha in Gujarati.
A few days back I saw my foodie/ home chef friend Mahrukh Mogrelia stir up a batch stuffed green chili. I asked her for the recipe and she promptly provided it. I liked the fact that she used potatoes to stuff the chilies. Note the ingredients and try this Parsi version of bharela Marcha.




Ingredients

250 gms Green chilies
3 small potatoes
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1 tbsp lime juice
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp Coriander powder
1/2 tsp Amchur powder ( dry mango powder)
1/2 tsp sugar
Chopped coriander leaves
Salt to taste
2 tbsp oil


Method
1. Wash the green chilies and pat dry. Then slit the green chilies from the middle and scoop out the seeds that are inside. This makes a place for the stuffing to be filled well.
2. Boil the potatoes. When cool peel and mash them.
3. To the mashed potatoes, add all the dry spices, salt, lime juice, sugar and coriander leaves. Mix it well to make a soft mixture.
4. Now fill the chilies well. Do not overstuff them. Apply a little pressure with fingers to seal the chillies and try to close the open side of it.  If this doesn't happen it is perfectly all right.
5. Add oil to a frying pan. Let the oil heat and then keep the flame on medium. Place the chilies one by one. Cook on one side for two minutes.
6. Then flip then over and cook on another side for 3 -5 minutes. This time cover the pan with a lid.
7. Open the lid and check to see if chilies are cooked through. They cook really fast so don't overcook it.
8. This makes a beautiful dish to have with roti or then dal and rice too.


Note
You can steam the chilies or cook in a microwave oven. Steam for 8 to 10 minutes. If you don't want to use oil.
Add a little oil to the potato mixture.

Thursday 1 August 2019

Gobi ki kheer Recipe - Cauliflower Kheer



You may have made a Cauliflower ki sabzi or baked cauliflower with cheese but have you tried to make a Cauliflower ki Kheer / Gobi ki Kheer? Well, on my quest to discover new recipes and experiment in the kitchen, I tried to make a different sweet dish for on Sunday. And yes, it turned out better than what I had expected.


Gobi ki kheer

 The use of fruits and vegetables in desserts is very common in Indian cuisine. Carrots and Pumpkin get turned into Halwa.  But some others like Beetroot and cauliflower are also worth exploring.


Gobi ki kheer

This is a simple recipe but I assure you it's so delicious. There will be no confusion so read on and execute this lip-smacking treat in your kitchen. Let your family guess the ingredients. Trust me they will be asking for more- it is a total treat.

To make 4 servings
Time – 40 minutes, including prep time

Ingredients
 400-gram cauliflower (gobi)
¾  litre full cream milk
1 teaspoon Cardamon powder ( Elaichi)
1/2 Cup sugar or any sweetener substitute
100 gms grated paneer




 For Garnish:
A handful of chopped almonds, cashew nuts, raisins, and dried fruits. 




Gobi ki kheer


Method
1. First, take the cauliflower head and wash it properly. Cut the cauliflower in big chunks and then grate it on a hand grater. Or just skin it in a vegetable chopper. Let it be coarse.
2. Keep the milk to boil and add the sugar to it. Stir and let is boil on medium flame.
3. In another vessel add the cauliflower and bring to a boil for 5 minutes. The smell will go away and the cauliflower will not curdle when added to milk.
4. Now strain the cauliflower and add to the boiling milk.
5. Simmer and let the two blend and cook for five minutes.
6. Add the grated paneer and elaichi powder. Simmer and further cook. Keep stirring to see that it doesn’t burn at the bottom.
7. Simmer the kheer on a low heat until the cauliflower ki kheer gets a creamy consistency. Turn off the heat.
8. Chop up the nuts and add it to the kheer when slightly cooler. Keep some aside for garnish.
9. Now serve the Gobi Ki Kheer chilled and watch everyone lick the dessert bowl clean.


Cauliflower kheer

 Note
Paneer is an option to make the dish rich. You can use khoya/mawa instead or avoid it totally.
Use Sugar free or honey if want a sugar free option but not jaggery.
Saffron also enhances the taste but I did not have, so did not use in this recipe.

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