black cardamom

Kala Namak / Black Salt

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Kala Namak / Black Salt

Whole Kala Namak salt crystals

Kala Namak or Himalayan Black Salt (Urdu کالا نمک; Bengali Biit lobon (বিট লবণ); Newari Be Chi; Nepali Birae Nun (बिरे नुन) ; Hindi काला नमक   Marathi काळं मीठ ;kālā namak; Gujarati સંચળ Sanchal; Tamil இந்துப்பு; Malayalam ഇന്തുപ്പ്) also known as sulemani namak, black salt, or kala loon, is a type of rock salt, salty and pungent-smelling condiment used in South Asia. The condiment is composed largely of sodium chloride with several other components lending the salt its colour and smell. The smell is mainly due to its sulphur content. Due to the presence of Greigite (Fe3S4, Iron(II,III) sulfide) in the mineral, it forms brownish pink to dark violet translucent crystals when whole, and, when ground into a powder, it is light purple to pink in color.

Production

The raw material for producing kala namak was originally obtained from natural halite from mines in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan in certain locations of the Himalayas salt ranges, or from salt harvested from the North Indian salt lakes of Sambhar or Didwana and Mustang of Nepal

Traditionally, the salt was transformed from its raw natural forms into commercially sold kala namak through a reductive chemical process that transforms some of the naturally occurring sodium sulphate of the raw salt into pungent hydrogen sulfide and sodium sulfide. This involves firing the raw salts in a furnace for 24 hours while sealed in a ceramic jar with charcoal along with small quantities of harad seeds, aamla, bahera, babul bark, or Sajji. The fired salt is then cooled, stored, and aged prior to sale. Kala namak is prepared in this manner in Northern India with production concentrated in the Hisar district, Haryana. The salt crystals appear black in colour, and are usually ground to a fine powder which is pink in colour.

Although the kala namak can be produced from natural salts with the required compounds, it is common to now manufacture it synthetically. This is done through combining ordinary sodium chloride admixed with smaller quantities of sodium sulphate, sodium bisulphate and ferric sulphate, which is then chemically reduced with charcoal in a furnace. Reportedly, it is also possible to create similar products through reductive heat treatment of sodium chloride, 5-10 percent of sodium carbonate, sodium sulphate, and some sugar.

Composition

Kala namak consists primarily of sodium chloride and trace impurities of sodium sulphate, sodium bisulfate, sodium bisulfite, sodium sulphide, iron sulfide and hydrogen sulfide.

Sodium chloride provides kala namak with its salty taste, iron sulphide provides its dark violet hue, and all the sulphur compounds give kala namak its slight savory taste as well as a highly distinctive smell, with hydrogen sulphide being the most prominent contributor to the smell. The acidic bisulfates/bisulfites contribute a mildly sour taste. Although hydrogen sulphide is toxic in high concentrations, the amount present in kala namak used in food is small and thus its effects on health are negligible: Hydrogen sulphide is also one of the components of the odor of rotten eggs and boiled milk.

Indian Black Salt

Indian black salt has been used as a condiment for many hundreds of years in Asian countries surrounding the Himalayan mountains. It was originally obtained from either natural volcanic mines in Northern India and Pakistan or the surrounding salt lakes of Sambhar or Didwana.

Potential Health Benefits

Indian black salt is considered a cooling spice in ayurvedic medicine and is recommended for many health issues such as constipation, indigestion, heartburn, bloating, flatulence, goiter, poor eyesight and hysteria, according to the book “Herbs that Heal.” In India, black salt is sometimes recommended to people on low-salt diets due to hypertension because it’s believed to be lower in sodium content compared to regular table salt. Of course, the composition of Indian black salt varies quite a bit and depends mainly on whether it’s manufactured using traditional or modern techniques. Synthetically made black salt has a sodium content very near to regular table salt. Discuss your salt options with your doctor if you have high blood pressure.

Uses

 

Kala Namak is used extensively in South Asian cuisines of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan as a condiment or added to chaats, chutneys, salads, all kinds of fruits, raitas and many other savory Indian snacks. Chaat masala, an Indian spice blend, is dependent upon black salt for its characteristic sulfurous hard-boiled egg aroma. Those who are not accustomed to black salt often describe the smell as similar to rotten eggs. Kala Namak is appreciated by some vegans in dishes that mimic the taste of eggs. It is used, for example, to season tofu to mimic an egg salad.

Kala Namak is considered a cooling spice in ayurvedic medicine and is used as a laxative and digestive aid. It is also believed to relieve intestinal gas and heartburn. It is used in Jammu to cure goiters. This salt is also used to treat hysteria, and for making toothpastes by combining it with other mineral and plant ingredients.

Cooking Benefits

Indian black salt is used extensively on Indian food, including chutneys, yogurts, pickles, salads and all kinds of fruits. It’s often appreciated by strict vegans because it mimics the taste of eggs in tofu and other vegetarian dishes. During the hot Indian summer months, it’s also sometimes used to flavor cool drinks, which is a practical way to replace sodium lost through excessive perspiration.

Ref. http://www.livestrong.com/article/557587-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-indian-black-salt/

Ref. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kala_Namak

Nick’s kitchen medical Disclaimer:

  • Nick’s kitchen is for Vegetarians. It sometimes provides education and support to individuals who want to become vegetarian, or move toward a more vegetarian diet.
  • Nick’s kitchen provides some information on vegetarian and vegan diets to the best of their knowledge and abilities.
  • Nick’s kitchen does not claim to be health care professional, nutritionist, nor does it claims to treat any illness through vegan or vegetarian diet.
  • If you have a medical condition,Nick’s kitchen recommend that you consult your health care professionals before changing your diet.
  • Any changes that you make to your diet, and the results of those changes, are your decision and your responsibility.

 

Masaledar Lobiya Curry

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Blackeyed beans curry 5

Masaledar Black eyed pea /cow pea /
Lobiya Curry

The black-eyed pea, also known as the cow pea, is thought to have originated in North Africa, where it has been eaten for centuries. It may have been introduced into India as long as 3,000 years ago, and was also a staple of Greek and Roman diets. The peas were brought to the New World by Spanish explorers and African slaves. The earliest records are from 1674 when they were introduced to the West Indies. They have become a common food in the southern United States, where they are available dried, fresh, canned, and frozen. 

Prep time : Soaking the beans over night

Pressure Cooking time : 15 minutes

Cooking time : 30 minutes

 Recipe type: main dish

Cuisine: north Indian

Ingredients :

  • 1 cup lobia /black eyed beans
  • 1 tbsp ginger finely grated
  • 15 garlic flakes crushed
  • 2 medium sized onion chopped
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves
  • ½ tsp of fenugreek seeds
  • 3 medium size tomatoes chopped
  • a small pinch of cinnamon powder
  • 2 tsp coriander powder/dhania powder
  • ½ tsp cumin seeds
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder/haldi
  • 2 red chilies whole
  • 2 cloves
  • 5 cups of water
  • 4 tbsp oil
  • 1 tsp salt / or salt to taste
  • 1 small black cardamom powdered

Method :

Step 1.

Soak the lobia/ Black eyed beans overnight or for a few hours.

Step 2.

Now take the soaked lobia / Black eyed beans, four cups of water, salt and keep the pressure cooker on high flame till pressure is formed. After the pressure is formed cook on low flame for fifteen minutes switch off the stove, cool and check, beans will be soft.  Set aside with the cooking liquid.

Step 3.

While the lobia /black eyed beans are cooking, heat two table spoons of oil in a pan ,add onions and sauté on medium-low heat for about ten minutes until the onions are slightly golden brown add tomatoes,  grated ginger , crushed garlic and cook for 5-6 minutes switch off the stove, cool the fried onion,tomatoes and ginger , garlic.Grind into a smooth paste in a grinder. Keep the paste aside.

Step 4.

In a separate pan, heat the remaining one tbsp of oil, and add the cumin seeds, wait till cumin crackles, add fenugreek  seeds, black cardamom powder, cloves, cinnamon, dried red chillies.  Fry the spices in the oil for one or two minutes or so (over frying will change the taste) cool and then transfer into a mortar.  Grind into a coarse paste.

Step 5.

In a separate sauce pan, heat the remaining one tbsp of oil, add tomato, ginger , garlic , onion paste from step 3. Saute this paste for two minutes on medium flame, add coarsely ground spice paste to it along with turmeric, coriander powder, fry for one or two minutes.

Step 6.

Add the lobia / Black eyed beans with its water into the above fried masala in the saucepan.  Add a little more water if needed. Cover and bring to boil, then simmer for at least ten to fifteen minutes.

Step 7.

Serve hot , garnished with finely chopped Dhaniya / Coriander/ Cilantro leaves with Indian breads like Chapattis, parathas etc. and boiled rice.

 Possible Health Benefits of Black-eyed peas/ Cow peas / lobiya:

Black-eyed peas have so many health benefits here are a few of them:

  • Aids the digestive system and the colon: Due to its high fiber content it helps with elimination and keeps cancer at bay. Fiber is a nutrient that helps regulate your digestive system, and increasing your intake could help alleviate constipation and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Fiber also helps keep your cholesterol levels healthy by preventing cholesterol from being absorbed into your bloodstream, which reduces your risk of developing heart disease. Additionally, high-fiber foods keep you feeling full, since they are digested slowly — which is important for weight control.
  • Good for the heart: It contains fiber, flavonoids no cholesterol and therefore is advantageous for the heart.
  • Good for the stomach: It helps with problems associated with the stomach, pancreas as well as spleen.
  • Helps in weight loss: Low in fat and calories makes them a nutritious accessory for a weight-loss diet plan. A diet which is lower in fat and calories can help you slim down, avoids putting on weight and safeguards you from numerous health problems, which includes cardiovascular disease, diabetes and also depressive disorders.
  • Helps with the bladder: It has been confirmed to be useful in reducing blockages or even discomfort related to urination problems.
  • Lowers cholesterol level: Cowpeas are well known because of their capability to reduce the plasma cholesterol within your body. This really is aided by them being recognized like an excellent method of obtaining proteins as well as dietary fibers, and it has a comparatively lower glycemic index.
  • Rich in anti-oxidants: The anti-oxidation property restricts the growth of the cancerous cells within the body.

Ref.https://godshealingplants.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/black-eyed-peas-health-benefits/

Nick’s kitchen medical Disclaimer:

  • Nick’s kitchen is for Vegetarians. It sometimes provides education and support to individuals who want to become vegetarian, or move toward a more vegetarian diet.
  • Nick’s kitchen provides some information on vegetarian and vegan diets to the best of their knowledge and abilities.
  • Nick’s kitchen does not claim to be health care professional, nutritionist, nor does it claims to treat any illness through vegan or vegetarian diet.
  • If you have a medical condition,Nick’s kitchen recommend that you consult your health care professionals before changing your diet.
  • Any changes that you make to your diet, and the results of those changes, are your decision and your responsibility.