Authentic Mysore Idli (Mallige Idli)

Idlis are rice cakes prepared out of fermented batter of black gram (urad dal) lentils and coarse powder of parboiled rice (idli rava). Idlis are popular breakfast of South India and now gaining popularity globally. They are usually served with chutney and sambar.

Here is an authentic south Indian recipe for soft smooth idlis which are also called as mallige idli in Mysore (Mallige means Jasmine. These idlis are white and soft like jasmine flowers).

Ingredients:
1.    De husked black gram lentils – 1 cup
2.    Idli rava (now available readily in any south Indian stores)- 2 ½ cups
3.    Salt to taste
4.    Ghee or refined oil – 4 tea spoons

Soak black gram lentils in water for 6 hours (preferably if you soak in morning, it will be ready to go for grinding by evening.) Grind these lentils in blender or ultra grinder to smooth batter adding water little by little .The batter should be smooth, increased in volume and white in colour. Take care not to make it too thin or too thick. It should sit like a blob when slipped from spoon.  Before grinding lentils, soak idli rava in hot water and cover it. After 15 minutes drain the excess water and squeeze the rava to remove remaining water. Add the soaked and squeezed idli rava to smooth batter of black gram lentils and mix well. Add salt. Allow this batter to ferment. If it is summer it takes hardly 4-5 hours to get ferment. It takes a long time to ferment in winter.

Smear cups of idli plates with ghee or refined oil. Fill these cups with idli batter. (Take care not to fill the cups to brim as idlis get mixed up while cooking). Steam it in idli cooker for 20 minutes. Serve hot with sambar  , chutney and butter.  (Read Butter in Ayurveda)

Nutritional facts:

Fermentation enriches nutritional value of food. During fermentation enrichment of essential amino acids, vitamins, mineral and bioactive compounds take place. In Idli batter thiamine and riboflavin increase during fermentation. Fermented idli batter is rich in probiotics (Probiotics are the good bacteria that promote healthy digestion and build immunity. The most common friendly bacteria (probiotics) are lactobacilli and bifidobacteria).

Black gram is rich in vitamins, minerals and devoid of cholesterol. It is store house of calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese etc. Urad dal contains vitamins and dietary fibers. Due to high potassium content urad dal acts as an aphrodisiac. According to text of ayurveda black gram also helps in increasing body bulk and body energy level. It strengthens the body and increases lifespan. “Vigna Mungo” or black gram helps to increase bulk of stools. The moistness increasing property coupled with bulk increasing quality helps in easy movement of bowel.  Therefore usage of this bean is recommended in conditions like constipation, piles and colic. This herb is a very good liver stimulant.

Rice is a rich source of carbohydrates. Rice contains all the essential amino acids. It does not contain appreciable amount of fat, and they contain no saturated fat.

Properties of ghee (Clarified butter) as described in Ayurveda

Ghee and oil are widely used in ayurveda system of medicine as mediums to administer herbal preparations. Herbs, pastes of herbs or decoction of herbs are infused in oil or ghee and later administered to patients after diagnosing the conditions and diseases. 

Properties of ghee: Ghee prepared out of cow’s milk is considered to be having medicinal properties and is widely used ayurvedic preparations.

Dhee kaanthismruthikaarakam balakarm medhokaram shuddhikrudvataghnam shramanaashanam swarakaram pittapaham pushtidam

Cow’s ghee has following properties

It increases intelligence.
Helps in enhancing memory power.
Rejuvenates the skin from inside and increases its glow.
Boosts body energy
Detoxifies body
Normalizes vata. (Imbalance of vata causes diseases)
Increases clarity of voice.
Normalises pitta
Nourishes the body
Improves digestion and increases body fire.
Increases quality and quantity of semen.
It is very effective in disorders of eye.
Acts as a good Rasayana
It is the best form of fat.


Properties of ghee prepared out of buffalo’s milk

1.    Strengthens the body. 
2.    Makes you feel healthy
3.    Increases fairness and glow of skin.
4.    Normalizes kapha and vata
5.    It is very effective in piles (hemorrhoids),  IBS,
6.    It is used in disorders of eye.

Among these two ghee prepared out of cows milk is considered to have more medicinal properties. Freshly prepared ghee is very effective and useful.

The ghee which has been kept for 10 years is called as “PURANA GHRITA”. It is widely used in treating epilepsy and other neurological disorders.

The ghee which has been stored for more than 100 years is called as “KUMBHA SARPI”. The ghee which is stored more than 100 years is called as “MAHAGHRITA”. Mahaghrita  is used in chronic cough and disorders of eye,

The ghee should not be administered in tuberculosis, upper respiratory tract infections and bronchitis when mucous secretion is more, indigestion, constipation, fever and diabetes.

This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of Ayurveda help through ayurveda remedies .Read more about properties of ghee at Properties of ghee as described in ayurveda

Properties of Oils – as described in Ayurveda

Medicated Oils are widely used in Ayurveda for massaging, administering medicines and to treat diseases. Sesame oil , mustard oil and castor oil are mainly used as bases for most of the oil preparations. Among these sesame oil is considered as best. Oils are considered as excellent normalizers of vata and hence used in diseases in which vata dosha is dominant.

Properties of sesame oil:
Sesame oil brings aggravated vata to normal condition. When it is infused with various herbs, it almost cures all diseases. Sesame oil increases hair growth and enhances volume of hair and its shine. It strengthens the hair roots, kills lice and prevents formation of dandruff. It heals the boils of scalp caused by infections and prevents hair loss. Regular use of sesame oil, infused with hair friendly herbs prevents itching of scalp.

Massaging sesame oil on body has immense benefits. It rejuvenates body skin and increases its glow and fairness. It strengthens and tones the muscles and ligaments. Sesame oil massage is very beneficial in body pain, joint pains, insomnia and dry skin.

Sesame oil should not be used in diseases in which pitta and rakta (blood) are vitiated.

Properties of Castor oil:
Castor oil enhances body strength.It is very beneficial in all types diseases where vata is dominant. It normalizes and tames vitiated vata. Castor oil is widely used to treat skin diseases.

Properties of mustard oil:
Mustard oil is used in skin diseases, fungal infections and itching on skin surface.

Read complete article at Properties of oil as described in ayurveda

Health benefits of butter – An ayurveda perception

Dictionaries define butter as “a solid emulsion of fat globules, air, and water made by churning milk or cream and used as food”. Butter is known as “Navaneeta” in Sanskrit. It is referred as navaneeta in texts of ayurveda too.  Butter is usually made from cow’s or buffalo’s milk. But it can be made from milk of other mammals like sheep, goats, camel etc.

Butter prepared out of cow’s milk contains saturated fats, monosaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, plenty of Vitamin A, Vtamin D, Vitamin D and Cholesterol.

Texts of ayurveda consider butter prepared from milk of cow, buffalo and sheep for medicinal use. The health benefits of butter are very well explained in ayurveda.

Butter prepared from cow’s milk has the following medicinal properties.

•    It acts as a body coolant.
•    This butter nourishes body tissues and increases body energy level.
•    The complexion of skin and strength of body increases when butter is consumed.
•    Butter increases appetite.
•    It alleviates vata and pitta.
•    Very effective in piles or hemorrhoids.
•    Reduces cough.
•    Elderly people and infants are benefited by butter. It acts like an elixir when administered to infants and elderly.

Butter prepared from buffalo’s milk has the following medicinal properties

•    It increases vata and kapha.
•    Butter prepared from buffalo’s milk is heavy to digest.
•    Consumption of this butter alleviates pitta, burning sensation and tiredness.
•    It increases quality and quantity of semen.
•    Body fat or medho dhatu gets increased by consuming this regularly.

Butter prepared from sheep’s milk alleviates vata, pitta and kapha and is superior to all other types of butter.Texts of ayurveda eulogize the medicinal properties of sheep's milk.

Sheep milk is treasure of nutrients. It is richer in vitamins A, B, and E, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium than cow milk. The chains of fatty acids in sheep milk have many health benefits. They have little effect on blood cholesterol level of humans. It is easy to digest fat portion of sheep milk.

Butter mixed with sandal wood paste is usually massaged over babies body to cleanse its skin and soften it. This improves complexion and glow of skin. Butter massage also helps to prevent drying of baby skin.

Health Note: Butter AND cholesterol

•    If you have atherosclerosis, heart disease, high cholesterol ( hypercholesterolemia) in the upper range 200-239 mg/dL or high triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia), the American Heart Association recommends a maximum daily limit of 200mg of dietary cholesterol, and advises no more than 7 percent of calories be eaten in the form of saturated fat.
•    A new study shows that exposure to a chemical called diacetyl, a component of artificial butter flavoring, can be harmful.

This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of Ayurveda help through ayurveda remedies .Read more about medicinal properties of butter at Health benefits of butter – An ayurveda perception

Ayurveda medicinal properties of onion

The herbaceous plant onion grows in temperate zones. It belongs to family “Liliaceae” and has latin name “Allium Cepa”. The plant reaches a height of 2-5 ft and bears cluster of greenish white flowers. Onions develop from the base of leaves to form underground bulbs. Seeds of onion are black in colour.

Onion is known as Phalandu in Sanskrit. Its medicinal properties and physical properties are explained in texts of ayurveda. Ayurveda acharyas have explained the uses of onion in various health conditions and have  classified onions based on their colours.  “Rakta phalandu” (Red coloured onion) and “shweta phalandu” (white coloured onion) are two varieties of onions.

According to ayurveda onions are heavy to digest and slimy to touch. They taste sweet and are pungent to smell. They increase fire component of body (ushna veerya) and acquire sweet taste after digestion (madhura vipaka).Its seeds and fruit are used in ayurvedic preparations.

Medicinal Uses of Onion in different health conditions:
1.Onion normalizes vata and increases kapha and pitta. Hence it is used in diseases which occur due to vitiation of vata. It acts as an anti inflammatory and reduces pain. Ayurvedic texts recommend its use in sciatica, arthritis and other diseases which involve bones, joints and peripheral nervous system.

2.The poultice of onion and other herbs help to reduce swelling and pain in joints and hard abscess.

3.Application of onion juice is recommended in pigments and dark spots which appear on face.

4.Use of Onion juice is recommended in ear pain and blurred vision.

5.Onion help to rejuvenate liver, normalize digestion, relieve constipation and increase appetite. Hence it is very beneficial in piles (hemorrhoids) , constipation, jaundice and indigestion.

6.White onions are recommended in bleeding disorders to reduce bleeding. Hence it is used in conditions like bleeding piles and bleeding through nose.

7.Onions are used in home remedies to reduce cough.

8.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.

9.It helps to reduce itching on skin.

10.As onions increase rajas and tamas of mind , it masks analyzing capacity, intelligence and grasping power.
This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of Ayurveda help through ayurveda consultations Read more about Health Benefits of Onion

Veg cutlets

Ingredients:

Carrot – 1medium sized ( cut into medium cubes)
Potato – 2 medium sized ( cut into medium cubes)
Green peas – ½ cup
Cauliflower (gobi) –  1 cup (florets)
Coriander leaves – ¼ cup (finely chopped)
Onion – 1 medium sized (finely chopped)
Bread crumbs – ¾ cup
Corn flour – 1 tea spoon
Semolina (sooji) - ½ cup
Red chilly flakes – 1 tea spoon
Fresh lemon juice – 1 tea spoon
Turmeric – ¼ spoon
Jeera powder (cumin seed powder)- 1 tea spoon
Dhaniya powder(coriander seed powder)- 1 tea spoon
Ginger garlic paste – ½ tea spoon
Garam masala- 1 tea spoon
Cooking oil -  3 table spoon
Salt to taste

Method:

Heat a thick bottomed wok on stove. Pour 1 table spoon of oil.  Add onion and fry till it turns golden brown. Add ginger garlic paste and fry well. Transfer all vegetables add turmeric, chilly flakes, garam masala, cumin seed powder (jeera powder), dhaniya powder, salt and turn it well. Sprinkle little water and close it with a lid. Keep on turning in between. When vegetables have become soft, put off flame. Add lemon juice, bread crumbs and corn flour. Mix everything 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:

Potatoes are rich in nutrients. They contain vitamins and minerals. They are fat free and contain no cholesterol. Their skins are a great source of fiber. Potatoes serve as best balanced diet. The nutrients of this vegetable nourish our brain, body and skin. They are good energy boosters.

Carrots are rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins and dietary fiber. Flavonoid compounds in carrots help to protect from skin, lung and oral cavity cancers. The nutrients of this vegetable protect our body from free radicles. It is store house of number of minerals like copper, calcium, potassium, manganese and phosphorus.

Peas are rich in minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants. They are relatively low in calories and contain no cholesterol. Peas help body develop resistance against infections. It helps in bone mass building . It is more beneficial in Alzheimer's disease. Peas help greatly in maintaining the health of skin and mucous membranes.

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.

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.

Count on coconut (Cocos nucifera)

Coconut is a large palm (30 mts tall) and member of Arecaceae family with binomial nomenclature as Cocos nucifera . Coconut is known as Naarikela in ayurveda. This plant is grown throughout the tropics.

The fruit, flower and   root of this plant are used as ingredients for many ayurvedic preparations. The texts of ayurveda explain the properties of this fruit as - “Coconut is sweet to taste and act as body coolant. It is unctuous and heavy to digest.”

Tender Coconut water

Tender coconut water has soothing effect on intestines. It can be administered to infants as a rehydrating solution. It is known as “krimighna” i.e. kills intestinal parasites. When given as a regular health drink to children, it promotes growth and supplies good nutrients. Tender coconut water helps to overcome irritation of bladder and helps in preventing urinary tract infections. Regular consumption of this water helps in easy flow of urine and flushes out small kidney stones. It can be smeared on irritated skin (due to sun burn, rashes, chicken pox etc) to get a cooling effect. Tender coconut water increases glow and fairness of skin. Hiccups and thirst get quickly subsided on consumption of tender coconut water.

Uses of Coconut flowers

Flowers are used in prevention of frequent bowel movements in diarrhea and dysentery. They help to normalize vitiated pitta and rakta (blood). Flowers help to reduce frequent urination.

Uses of Coconut kernel (Coconut pulp)

Tender pulp cools the body and provides nourishment. It is very easy to digest and reduces acidity. Tender coconut pulp helps to boost body energy and strength.
Fully ripe pulp acts as a very good aphrodisiac (Vajikara). It is known to increase quality and quantity of semen. It is high in dietary fibers and cleanses the intestines. Fully ripe pulp is used in Indian recipes

Uses of Coconut Oil:

According to ayurveda coconut oil is mainly used to massage scalp. This increases hair growth and prevents dandruff and hair loss. Coconut oil accelerates healing of wounds and prevents diseases which arise due to dry skin. Here are few uses which are mentioned in ayurveda.

1.Ayurveda recommends Coconut oil or naarikela taila (in ayurveda) in conditions like dry skin and skin diseases. It has been found that application of coconut oil is beneficial in psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis.
2.Massaging coconut oil on body has myriad benefits. It prevents formation of wrinkles, ageing of skin and pigmentation. It is known as varnya in ayurveda. Varnya means restoring the complexion and glow of skin
3.It relieves stress when massaged on scalp and rejuvenates scalp and hair. It is classified as keshya. Keshya signifies its action as a hair friendly herb. Application of coconut oil helps to prevent hair loss,dandruff and increase hair growth. It also acts as a natural hair conditioner.
4.Massaging foot with coconut oil helps to soften cracked heels and increases the beauty of foot.
5.Application of coconut oil accelerates the process of wound healing. It is very safe to apply on cuts and wounds
This article is copyrighted. This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of Ayurveda Help Through ayurveda consultations