Baked Sev

Baked Sev

Ingredients

Besan (Bengal gram flour) - 1 cup

Haldi (turmeric powder) – ¼ tsp

Hing (asafoetida) - ¼ tsp

Red Chili powder – 1 tsp

Lemon juice – 1 ½ tsp

Powdered sugar - ¼ tsp

Cooking oil - 2 tsp

Salt to taste

Method

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl

Mix well and knead into semi soft dough, using about 1 or 2 tbsp water

Shape the dough into a cylindrical roll

Fill the dough in the sev press

Press out thin strands onto a greased baking tray

Bake in a pre-heated oven at 200°c (400°f) for 8 to 10 minutes or till it turns light brown in colour

Cool and serve with hot chai

Green Power

Green Power

Ingredients

Carrots - 4

Celery - 2 stalks 

Spinach - handful 

Parsley - handful 

Method

Use a juicer to extract the juices

Discard the pulp

Health Benefits of Celery

Celery contains apigenin currently being studied for its anti-cancer properties…can reduce inflammation

Apigenin is also believed to stimulate growth and development of nerve cells

Celery seed extracts have antihypertensive properties

Celery contains a flavanoid luteolin believed to possess anti-cancer properties

Celery extract reduce the amount of LDL (bad) cholesterol in blood

Health Benefits of Parsley

Myricetin, a flavonoid in parsley has been shown to help prevent skin cancer

(Sweet potatoes, black currants and cranberries also contain highest concentrations of myricetin)

Myricetin can lower blood sugars and decrease insulin resistance

Myricetin also appears to be anti-inflammatory and reduce excess fat in blood

Has vitamin K which improves bone health

Health Benefits of Carrots

Excellent source of vitamin A important for improving eyesight and preventing night blindness

Vitamin A that helps to produce sebum which  keeps the scalp hydrated and protected to keep hair healthy

Contain antiseptic and antibacterial properties that make it an ideal immune system booster

Coumarin in carrots has been linked to reduced hypertension

Has antioxidants and phytochemicals which may help with blood sugar regulation, delay effects of aging and improve immune function

Banana Oatmeal Crumb Cake

Banana Oatmeal Crumb Cake

Ingredients

Cake Batter

Raw oats – ¾ cup

Whole wheat flour – ¼ cup

Jaggery powder – ¾ cup

Egg – 1

Curd – ¾ cup (slightly less or more according to the consistency of the batter)

Elaichi bananas (ripe) – 3

Butter – 50 gms

Baking soda – 1 tsp

Vanilla Extract – ½ tsp

Crumb Topping

Raw oats – ½ cup

Walnut (pieces) – 2 tbsp

Jaggery powder - 1/4 cup

Cinnamon powder – ½ tsp

Butter (melted) – 2 tbsp

Method

Cake Batter

Mix flour, oats and baking soda

Cream butter with jaggery powder

Beat in the eggs, then mashed bananas and vanilla extract

Beat the flour mixture into the banana mixture

Pour the batter into a greased baking dish

Crumb Topping

Mix oats, jaggery powder, melted butter, walnuts and cinnamon together until crumbly

Sprinkle evenly over the batter

Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 minutes till done

Serve warm

Capsicum Dip

Capsicum Dip

Ingredients

Green Bell Peppers - 2

Green chilies-2

Curry leaves-2 sprigs

Garlic – 6 to 8 cloves

Sesame Seeds -1 tbsp

Cumin seeds -1 tsp

Mustard seeds -1 tsp

Tamarind paste - 1 tbsp

Coriander leaves - 2 tbsp

Turmeric powder - ½ tsp

Salt to taste

Sugar-1 tsp

Oil - 1 tsp

Method

Heat a non-stick pan

Roast sesame seeds till golden

 Let it cool

Powder it

 Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan

Add mustard and cumin seeds

 Add curry leaves, chilies, coriander and garlic

 Add salt and turmeric powder

Add chopped capsicum pieces and mix well

Cover it and cook till capsicum pieces are tender

Add sugar and mix well

Add sesame seed powder

Mix well

Add tamarind pulp and mix well

 Let it cool

Grind to form a smooth paste

Add little water if required

Serve fresh as a dip with raw veggies or as chutney with idlis and dosas

Health Benefits Of Capsicum

Contains vitamins A, B6, B9 and C, all powerful antioxidants    

Vitamins A, C and B9 significantly reduce risk of colon cancer

Rich in flavonoids and phytochemicals that reduce formation of blood clots, lowering risk of stroke and heart attack

Loaded with fiber that reduces exposure time of colon (large intestine) to bacteria and toxins by speeding up transit time of waste matter through the gut

Mango Pickle

Mango Pickle

Ingredients

Mango – 2 (not the very sour variety)

Asafetida (hing) – 1 tsp

Red chili powder – 1 tsp (more or less according to taste)

Salt - ½ tsp (more or less according to taste) 

For tempering

Coconut oil – 1 tsp

Mustard seeds (rai) – 1 tsp

Method

Cut the mango into tiny pieces

Add salt, hing and chili powder

Mix well                                                                    

Heat oil

Add mustard seeds

Let them splutter

Add the oil to the pickle

Eat it fresh to enjoy it best

Can be stored for 1 day

Can be refrigerated for a week  

Health Benefits of Raw Mangoes

Contain an acid which eases digestion and controls constipation

Higher Vitamin C and antioxidant content than ripe mangoes

 Vitamin C increases the elasticity of the blood vessels and boosts the formation of new blood cells

Helps in the absorption of iron                           

Contain Vitamin B that helps retain good health

Help in treating liver disorders because they increase the secretion of bile acids

Cleans the intestines of bacterial infections

Helps the skin soften and breathe making it healthy