Methi baingan Sabzi- Egg plant / Brinjal with fenugreek

Methi baingan sabzi recipe is an Indian recipe. This was taught to me by my daughter in law Deepa Burli. Here goes the method to prepare this delicious subzi.

Ingredients:

1.       Egg plant or Baingan or Brinjal – larger variety (the one used for bartha) – 1 Diced in  2 cms cubes and soaked in water

2.       Fresh Methi leaves or  fenugreek leaves –  1  cup - finely chopped

3.       Onion – 1 large – thinly sliced

4.       2 green chillies – slit

5.       Cooking oil – 2 tea spoon

6.       Salt to taste

Heat a non stick wok or kadahi . Pour oil in it. When oil is sufficiently heated add green chillies . When green chillies crackle add onion and fry them till they become transparent.  Transfer diced egg plant or baingan to wok and mix it well with onion. Add salt and simmer the flame. Cover a lid on wok and allow it to get cooked in low heat. When egg plant is half cooked add fresh fenugreek leaves and mix well. Cover the lid once again and leave it on low flame for 5 minutes. Serve this hot with chapathis.

Health facts of ingredients

Onion: Onion helps to rejuvenate liver, normalize digestion, relieve constipation and increase appetite. Hence it is very beneficial in piles (hemorrhoids) , constipation, jaundice and indigestion. White onions are recommended in bleeding disorders to reduce bleeding. Hence it is used in conditions like bleeding piles and bleeding through nose. Onions are used in home remedies to reduce cough. Onion and its seeds are known to help in erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and male infertility. It helps to increase libido, quality and quantity of semen. It is a very good vajikara herb. It helps to reduce itching on skin.

Egg palnt or Brinjal or Baingan: It has high fiber content and helps in easy bowel movement. The anti oxidants present in this vegetable help to prevent cancer and coronary heart disease. It has good potassium content, hence helps to control blood pressure and maintain water electrolyte balance.

Fenugreek leaves : This green leafy vegetable is store house of iron. Hence this can be liberally used in anemia. It has good fiber content which helps in digestion and relieves constipation. Fenugreek leaves have property of controlling fluctuating blood sugar level and is recommended for diabetic patients.It contains protein and Vitamin K. Regular use of fenugreek leaves help in good growth of hair.

This article is copyrighted. Author Dr.Savitha Suri  at blog http://aahara-arogya.blogspot.in/ .

Raw Mango chutney

Mango chutney goes good with hot cooked rice, curd rice and parathas. Here is a recipe for this tasty raw mango chutney . It is very easy to make.

Ingredients:

1.       Raw Mango – 1 medium sized.

2.       Red chilly powder – 2 tea spoons or according to taste.

3.       Asafetida – 1 pinch

4.       Salt – according to taste

5.       Fenugreek seeds – ¼ tea spoon

6.       Mustard seeds – ¼ tea spoon

7.       Sesame oil – 3 table spoon

Cut the mango into two halves and remove its seed . Grate this mango with a grater. (use large hole side). Heat a wok or kadahi on stove. Pour sesame oil to it. When oil is heated add mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds and asafetida. When mustard seeds splutter add grated mango salt and chilly powder. Allow this to soften and turn the mango pulp now and then. When mango pulp becomes soft, turn off the heat and allow the chutney to cool. Store this in an airtight container and refrigerate it. It has a shelf life of 15 days when properly cooked and stored in refrigerator.

Read Mango and Male Fertility an Ayurveda View

Also view

Roasted Gram Chutney (Canteen Style)

Onion Chutney
Coconut Chutney

Nutritious tomato cucumber salad (raita)

Fresh vegetable salads are store houses of nutrients. They provide plenty of fiber, vitamins and minerals. They fill the stomach and are very low in calorie content. Salads are ideal food for people who are on weight loss program. Here is a tasty salad recipe which goes good with chapathi , paratha and rice varieties like pulao.

Ingredients:
Tender Cucumber (small size)- 1
Tomato – 2 (med size
Ground nut –  1 table spoon
Curd (yogurt) – 1 cup
Green chilli or pepper powder (optional)
Salt – to taste
Coriander leaves-

Method:

Wash the cucumber and peel its skin. Grate it with the help of a grater on the side with large holes. Cut tomato into small squares. Roast the ground nut and remove its husk. Powder it coarsely. Finely chop coriander leaves. Mix all the ingredients together to make salad and garnish with coriander leaves.

Benefits of ingredients:

Cucumber: Cucumber is very low in calories and provides plenty of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber helps to reduce constipation and ease bowel movement. Cucumber is rich in potassium. This helps to balance sodium potassium level and reduce hypertension or high blood pressure. There is a strong link between hypertension or high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction. As potassium helps to reduce high blood pressure, it also helps in erectile dysfunction.  Cucumber is mildly diuretic. Its high fiber content and diuretic property help to check weight gain. It contains plenty of anti oxidants which help to boost overall health and skin health in particular.

Tomatoes: Recent studies have shown that tomatoes are good for cancer prevention. Regular consumption of tomatoes help to prevent cancers of lung, prostate, stomach, cervical, breast, oral, colorectal, esophageal, pancreatic, etc. Tomato is also good for liver health. Tomato has detoxification effect in the body. Tomato juice acts as a good rejuvenating and energy drink. It reduces the risks of cardio vascular diseases. Red and ripe tomatoes act as powerful antioxidants.

Ground Nut: Ground nuts are rich in nutrients, minerals, vitamins and anti oxidants. They contain mono unsaturated fatty acids which increase HDl or good cholesterol. These nuts contain plenty of amino acids. The antioxidants in ground nuts protect heart and supply essential minerals like copper, zinc, iron, magnesium, potassium etc.

Curd:  Intestinal infections like cholera, typhoid, amoebiasis etc usually surface during summer. Consuming curd daily during summer helps to increase intestinal flora (friendly bacteria present in intestine). These bacteria increase the resistance of our intestines to these infections. Hence curd is known as a probiotic.

Probiotics are the good bacteria that promote healthy digestion and build immunity. The most common friendly bacteria (probiotics) are lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. These probiotics are easily available in the form of curd (yogurt). Persons who cannot digest milk can digest curd easily.

Consuming curd daily especially during summer, keeps the digestion and intestinal problems away. According to ayurveda curd absorbs water from intestines (hence called as Grahi). By the virtue of this property it is widely used to treat diarrhea and dysentery. It mitigates vata dosha, increases kapha and pitta. Curd helps to increase quality and quantity of semen, strengthens the body, accelerates digestion (agni), stimulates taste buds and acts as an appetizer. Curd reduces irritability of bladder and helps in emptying bladder easily.

Quick sambar recipe:

Ingredients:
Coconut gratings:  ½ cup
Puffed chana dal: ½ cup.
Onions: 3 medium sized, longitudinally sliced.
Curry leaves : 15 to 20
Tomato : large, 4 in number, chopped finely
Tamarind juice : 2 tea spoon
Jaggery:  grated 2 tea spoons.
Mysore sambar powder : 4 tea spoons
Mustard : ½     tea spoon
Asafetida :1 pinch
Turmeric: ¼ tea spoon
Salt to taste
Water: Quantity required.
Cooking oil – 1 table spoon
Coriander leaves: finely chopped ¼ cup

Method:  Heat a thick bottomed vessel on stove. Pour recommended quantity of cooking oil to vessel. Add mustard seeds to heated oil. When these seeds crackle add curry leaves , turmeric and asafetida. Add sliced onion and fry well till they lose their rawness. Add chopped tomatoes and mix well. Close a lid and allow tomatoes to become soft. Meanwhile grind coconut gratings, sambar powder, puffed chana dal and 2 tea spoons of chopped coriander leaves to a smooth paste in a blender. Add water to make the paste smooth. Transfer this paste to cooked tomato and onion mixture. Stir well. Allow this to boil. Add water to get the consistency of sambar as the mixture becomes thick immediately. Add tamrind juice and jaggery. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with idli, dosa or vada.

Coconut: Coconuts are rich in lauric acid. Lauric acid is known for its antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Coconuts help to boost immune system. Coconuts and coconut oil help to lose weight and reduce risk of heart diseases. It helps to lower cholesterol and help in chronic fatigue.  The health condition of persons who suffer from diabetes improve with the use of  coconut. The coconut oil helps to rejuvenate skin and prevents wrinkles.

Onion: Onion help to rejuvenate liver, normalize digestion, relieve constipation and increase appetite. Hence it is very beneficial in piles (hemorrhoids) , constipation, jaundice and indigestion. White onions are recommended in bleeding disorders to reduce bleeding. Hence it is used in conditions like bleeding piles and bleeding through nose. Onions are used in home remedies to reduce cough. Onion and its seeds are known to help in erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and male infertility. It helps to increase libido, quality and quantity of semen. It is a very good vajikara. It helps to reduce itching on skin.

Tomato: Recent studies have shown that tomatoes are good for cancer prevention. Regular consumption of tomatoes help to prevent cancers of lung, prostate, stomach, cervical, breast, oral, colorectal, esophageal, pancreatic, etc.Tomato is also good for liver health. Tomato has detoxification effect in the body. Tomato juice acts as a good rejuvenating and energy drink. It reduces the risks of cardio vascular diseases. Red and ripe tomatoes act as powerful antioxidants.

Gobi 65

Ingredients:

1.       Cauliflower – 1 big

2.       Corn flour – 1 cup.

3.       Onion – 2 (finely chopped)

4.       Ginger garlic paste – 1 tea spoon

5.       Cooking oil – 3 cups

6.       Red chilly powder – 3 tea spoons (or according to taste)

7.       Garam masala – 1 tea spoon

8.       Cumin seed powder – 1 tea spoon

9.       Dhaniya powder – 1 tea spoon

10.   Fresh coriander leaves (finely chopped)- ¼ cup

11.   Salt – to taste

12.   Soya sauce – 2 tea spoons

13.   Vinegar – 2 tea spoons
Turmeric- 1/2 tea spoon

Separate florets of cauliflower into 1” size. Boil water in a large vessel. Add salt to it. When water starts boiling add florets of cauliflower and cover the vessel with lid. Turn off the stove. Leave florets for 15 minutes in hot water. Drain the water thoroughly. Transfer the florets to a large bowl. Add corn flour, chilly powder, turmeric, garam masala, dhaniya jeera powder (cumin seed powder) to florets and toss them well.

Heat oil in a thick bottomed deep frying pan. Deep fry these florets. When florets turn golden brown take them out to place on tissue paper. These can be served hot with a small piece of lime to people who do not eat onion and garlic.

Place a big wok (kadahi) on stove. Pour 3 tea spoons of cooking oil. Add onions, garlic and ginger paste , fry them well till onions turn golden brown. Add soya sauce, vinegar to this. Add deep fried florets and toss them well. Garnish it with coriander leaves. Serve this hot with tomato sauce.  

Cauliflowers are rich in antioxidants. This vegetable has very good anti inflammatory properties. Regular consumption of cauliflower helps in inflammatory conditions like arthritis, obesity, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis. Cauliflower is rich in fiber. It helps to cleanse digestive system and normalizes bowel movement. Cauliflower is rich in purines. Hence persons with gout should consult their physician before including this in diet.

Poha or Pohe –A break-fast dish

Ingredients:

1. Flattened rice: 250 gms (medium thickness variety)
2. Onion – 2 medium sized finely chopped
3. Green chilly – 2 in number (finely chopped)
4. Potatoes – 2 medium sized thinly sliced into squares
5. Coriander leaves -  ½ cup
6. Lemon – ½
7. Curry leaves – 10-15
8. Grated coconut – ½ cup
9. Cooking oil – 2 table spoon
10. Cumin seeds – 1 tea spoon
11. Mustard seeds – 1 tea spoon
12. Asafetida – 1 pinch
13. Turmeric – 1 pinch
14. Sugar – ½ tea spoon
15. Salt – to taste

Method: Wash the flattened rice in water and drain the excess water. Sprinkle ½ cup of water again and cover it with a lid. Allow it to soften for 15 minutes. Place a thick bottomed pan on stove and pour oil into it. Add cumin seeds (jeera seeds) and mustard seeds. When they splutter add sliced potatoes and turn them well till they become soft. Add chopped onion, chillies, curry leaves, asafetida, and turmeric .Stir fry everything till onions lose their raw odor. Now simmer the flame and add soaked flattened rice, salt, sugar and mix everything well. Cover a lid and turn off stove after 3 minutes. Squeeze lemon, and turn it well. Serve it after garnishing with grated coconut and coriander leaves. Roasted ground nuts can be added for a variation.

Flattened rice is dehusked rice which is beaten and dried into thin flakes. It is a good energizer and is free of fat. Flattened rice is easily digested and helps in problems like indigestion, constipation and cough. Fat, sodium and cholesterol is almost nil in this rice variety. Hence it is very helpful for persons who are on weight loss program. It can be used by persons who suffer from hypertension, elevated blood cholesterol and obesity. Soaked flattened rice can be eaten with milk, curd and sugar.

Raw Banana Patties

Ingredients:
Raw banana: 2 large raw bananas
Onion – 1 (finely chopped)
Ginger garlic paste – ½ tea spoon
Mint leaves (pudina) – ¼ cup (finely chopped)
Turmeric – ½ tea spoon
Red chilly powder – 1 tea spoon
Garam masala – 1 tea spoon
Cumin seeds- 1 tea spoon
Oil – 3 table spoon
Corn flour – 3 tea spoon
Sooji (Semolina – ½ cup)
Salt to taste

Method:
Cut bananas into two pieces .Boil them in a cooker. Peel off the skin of cooked bananas and grate them. Heat a wok (kadai) on stove. Pour three tea spoons of oil in it. Add cumin seeds to oil. When cumin seeds crackle add finely chopped onion and fry till onions turn golden brown. Add ginger garlic paste and fry for 3 seconds. Add mint leaves, turmeric, garam masala, red chilly powder and mix them once. Turn off the stove. Add grated banana, corn flour and salt to this mixture. Mix well. Make small patties and sprinkle semolina (sooji) on them or roll them in semolina. Place a nonstick tawa on stove and smear it with 1 tea spoon of oil. Place these patties on it and shallow fry both sides using little oil. Serve it with tomato sauce and pudina (mint) chutney.

Benefits of Ingredients:

Raw banana is a store house of minerals, vitamins and carbohydrates. It contains potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc etc. Vitamins A, B, C, B-6 etc are also available in plenty. Potassium helps to reduce high blood pressure. There is a strong link between hypertension or high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction. As potassium helps to reduce high blood pressure, it also helps in erectile dysfunction.  Recent studies have shown that calcium is needed for sperm motility.  Banana is an ideal food for men to keep their sexual life healthy and active.

Onion help to rejuvenate liver, normalize digestion, relieve constipation and increase appetite. Hence it is very beneficial in piles (hemorrhoids) , constipation, jaundice and indigestion. White onions are recommended in bleeding disorders to reduce bleeding. Hence it is used in conditions like bleeding piles and bleeding through nose. Onions are used in home remedies to reduce cough. Onion and its seeds are known to help in erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and male infertility. It helps to increase libido, quality and quantity of semen. It is a very good vajikara. It helps to reduce itching on skin.

Mint is known to relieve indigestion and bad breath. It relaxes muscles of intestine hence very helpful in irritable bowel syndrome. Mint helps to unblock respiratory passages and airways. Mint is used in many cold and headache remedies. It cleanses blood and helps to relieve acne. Mint calms mind and relieve mild aches.

Quick Capsicum (green bell pepper) Subzi :

Capsicum is also known as “shimla mirch” in India. This vegetable is widely used in Mexican, Chinese, and Indian cuisines. Here is a quick capsicum dish which goes good with rotis and chapatis.

Ingredients:

Capsicum: - 4 (longitudinally sliced)

Whole cumin seeds (jeera) – 1 tea spoon

Cumin seeds (jeera) powder – 2 tea spoons

Dhaniya powder (coriander seeds powder) – 2 tea spoons

Turmeric - ¼ teaspoon

Red chilly powder – 1 tea spoon

Fresh finely chopped coriander leaves – 2 tea spoons

Oil – 1 table spoon

Salt to taste

Method:

Place a frying pan on stove. Pour oil into the pan. Add jeeraor cumin seeds to heated oil. When seeds crackle add cut capsicum, turmeric, chilly powder, dhaniya powder (coriander powder), cumin seeds powder and salt.  Turn everything well and cover the lid. Allow it to cook in simmered flame till capsicum becomes tender. (It hardly takes 8-10 minutes to get cooked). Take it off the stove and transfer the subzi to a serving bowl and garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves. Serve it hot with rotis, prathas and spiced curds or raita.

Medicinal properties of Capsicum:

Researchers have found that capsicum has immense medicinal qualities. Capsicum contains a powerful compound called capsaicin which makes capsicum hot and spicy. According to scientists capsicum can be more beneficial if used carefully. It helps in physiological disorders like indigestion, migraine, increased blood cholesterol and diabetes. It boosts body immunity and increases blood circulation. It reduces pain and acts as an anti oxidant.

The capsicum ingredient capsaicin is currently used in topical ointments to relieve the pain and also in peripheral neuropathy caused by herpes virus. It may also be used as a cream for the temporary relief of minor aches and pains of muscles and joints linked to arthritis, simple backache, strains and sprains. Capsaicin is also available in large adhesive bandages that can be applied to the back.

Cucumber Raita: (cucumber yogurt dip)

Ingredients:
Tender cucumber : 1 in number
Curd – 1 ½ cup
Coriander leaves- ¼ cup finely chopped
Green chilli – finely chopped (optional)
Salt to taste
Sugar- 1 pinch

Method:
Wash the cucumber and peel its skin. Grate it with the help of a grater on the side with large holes. Add curd, chopped coriander leaves, green chilli, salt and sugar. Mix it well with a spoon. Serve it with hot parathas , pulav or tomato rice

Raita is a very healthy recipe. The curd helps to replenish friendly bacteria of intestine. The water content of cucumber increases the moistness of body tissues. As this does not contain oil, obese persons who are on a weight loss program can liberally use it. It keeps the body cool in summer. People who suffer from acidity can prepare this recipe without green chilly.