Hand Breads (Apas)

Ingredients
2 Cups Rice flour
1¼ Cup Water
½ Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Oil                     

Method

Boil the water, oil and salt in a vessel then add the flour, Stir well with a spoon. Reduce the flame to low. Cover the vessel with a lid and cook for 3 minutes.

I make this in the microwave. In a microwave safe bowl heat the water, oil and salt for  2 minutes on microwave high. Add the flour and mix well, again microwave on high for a minute.

Empty the contents in large plate and knead well while it is still warm with your hands (wet your hands ). If required add water to make a soft dough. Keep this dough covered and rest it for 10 mins. Form into balls. Traditionally these hand breads are made on a wet rolling board by applying water.  This is traditional East Indian Bhakri recipe.

I make this hand breads by rolling it with rice or wheat flour into a thin chapati. Make all the hand breads and keep it on plate.

Heat a tava and bake on one side, flip, bake the other side on high flame till it puffs up. These hand breads remain soft even the next day. These can be eaten with vegetable, curry or even spicy chutney.

Do give this a try and post your comments.

Labels : Roti, East Indian, Healthy, Gluten free, Vegan,  Breads, Flatbread 

Cantaloupe & Carrot Juice

February 19, 2014

Health benefits:

• The American Cancer Society has suggested that the fruit may help prevent different types of cancer
• Juicing them can help with digestive problems, such as constipation. 
• They are high in the lipid myoinositol, which may provide relief to people who struggle with insomnia, and other anxiety related disorders. Carrot juice is high in the antioxidant Beta Carotene, which is fantastic for eyesight, bone health, and even a few of the more vain areas that tend to be signs of good health, such as skin, hair and nails. 
• Cantaloupe juice is not only tasty, cool, and refreshing, it is also a good source of vitamin B6, niacin, vitamin A, and folate. It is also very high in vitamin C. Because of this, one of the main benefits is the fact that it is loaded with immune system boosting nutrients and various antioxidants.                     

Recipe

¼ Cantaloupe
2 Large Carrots

Wash and skin the cantaloupe. Scoop out the seeds. Wash and clean the carrots, chop the cantaloupe, carrots into cubes and put it into a blender. I did not strain this juice but served it along with the pulp.

Add ice and serve immediately. This juice is delicious and refreshing. Its easy and non messy to make. Do give it a try.

Your comments are welcomed.


Labels:Healthy, Juices

Roasted Tomato Soup

This soup is healthy and quick to make. I,usually have a container of roasted tomato puree  stocked in the freezer.  

To make the roasted tomato. Take a kilo or two of firm, ripe and large tomatoes. Make a cross cut on the top of  each tomato. Place it in a baking tray along with a bulb of garlic.  Sprinkle vegetable or olive oil and  roasted it in a oven at 180 degree C for 15 to 20 mins. Cool and puree. You can use this puree to prepare soups, sauces and also for gravies.

Ingredients

Onion                                      1 small (finely chopped) 
Roasted Tomato Puree        1/2  cup
Wheat Flour                           1  Teaspoon
Salt                                           1/2 Teaspoon
Pepper powder                      1/8 Teaspoon
Butter                                      1 Teaspoon
Water                                       1.1/2 Cups

Method

In a pan heat  butter add onions and saute till its translucent, add the flour and saute till light brown. Add the tomato puree, salt, water and let boil till it thickness a little. Remove from flame add the pepper powder, garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with soup sticks or bread croutons.

This soup is healthy and delicious. The roasted tomato gives a lovely taste to the soup.

Do give it a try and post your comments.

Labels: Soup, Healthy, Tomato, Roasted Tomato Soup  

Benefits of Carrots

February 17, 2014

With this crunchy power food, you get vitamin A and a host of other powerful health benefits including beautiful skin, cancer prevention, and anti-aging. Read how to get maximum benefits from this amazing vegetable and forget about vitamin A pills.

Benefits of Carrots:

1. Improved Vision

Western culture’s understanding of carrots being “good for the eyes” is one of the few we got right. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the liver. Vitamin A is transformed in the retina, to rhodopsin, a purple pigment necessary for night vision. Beta-carotene has also been shown to protect against macular degeneration and senile cataracts. A study found that people who eat the most beta-carotene had 40 percent lower risk of macular degeneration than those who consumed little.

2. Cancer Prevention

Studies have shown carrots reduce the risk of lung cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. Researchers have just discovered falcarinol and falcarindiol which they feel cause the anticancer properties. Falcarinol is a natural pesticide produced by the carrot that protects its roots from fungal diseases. Carrots are one of the only common sources of this compound. A study showed 1/3 lower cancer risk by carrot-eating mice.

3. Anti-Aging

The high level of beta-carotene acts as an antioxidant to cell damage done to the body through regular metabolism. It help slows.

4. Healthy Glowing Skin (from the inside)

Vitamin A and antioxidants protects the skin from sun damage. Deficiencies of vitamin A cause dryness to the skin, hair and nails. Vitamin A prevents premature wrinkling, acne, dry skin, pigmentation, blemishes, and uneven skin tone.

5. A Powerful Antiseptic

Carrots are known by herbalists to prevent infection. They can be used on cuts – shredded raw or boiled and mashed.

6. Beautiful Skin (from the outside)

Carrots are used as an inexpensive and very convenient facial mask. Just mix grated carrot with a bit of honey. 

7. Prevent Heart Disease

Studies show that diets high in carotenoids are associated with a lower risk of heart disease. Carrots have not only beta-carotene but also alpha-carotene and lutein. The regular consumption of carrots also reduces cholesterol levels because the soluble fibers in carrots bind with bile acids.

8. Cleanse the Body 

Vitamin A assists the liver in flushing out the toxins from the body. It reduces the bile and fat in the liver. The fibers present in carrots help clean out the colon and hasten waste movement.

9. Healthy Teeth and Gums

It’s all in the crunch! Carrots clean your teeth and mouth. They scrape off plaque and food particles just like toothbrushes or toothpaste. Carrots stimulate gums and trigger a lot of saliva, which being alkaline, balances out the acid-forming, cavity-forming bacteria. The minerals in carrots prevent tooth damage.

10. Prevent Stroke

From all the above benefits it is no surprise that in a Harvard University study, people who ate more than six carrots a week are less likely to suffer a stroke than those who ate only one carrot a month or less.

This information is taken from the net.

Labels: Carrot, Health benefits, Vegetables, Soup, Juices

Potato Sabzi

February 17, 2014

This   sabzi is very easy  and quick to make. For a working woman I must say,this is quick easy and very  tasty with few ingredients.  

INGREDIENTS
Potatoes                            4  ( Boiled & Peeled)

Pure Ghee                            2 Tablespoons

Mustard Seeds                    1 Teaspoon

Salt or according to taste 1/2 Teaspoon

Turmeric powder               1/2 Teaspoon

Sugar                                     1/2 Teaspoon

Chilly powder                      1 Teaspoon full
Coriander                             1 + 1 Tablespoons(finely chopped)

Water                                    2 Tablespoons

Method 

Boil, peel and cut the potatoes in small cubes.

Heat ghee in a pan, add the mustard seeds. When the seeds splutter add the hinge, turmeric powder and immediately add 1 tablespoon coriander and the chilly powder. Stir this for a second and add the water. When the water boils add the salt, sugar and the potatoes and stir well till all the water evaporates. Add remaining coriander and serve hot. Serve with rotis or dal rice

Note:   This sabzi taste nice when made in pure ghee.  If you wish you can also make this with oil. The spices and salt can be adjusted according your taste.

Do try this sabzi and give comments.




Labels: Potato, Vegetables