Lotus Seeds and green peas Curry

After trying out the shallow fried lotus seeds as a healthy snack, here is a delicious curry with the lotus seeds.

Ingredients: 

• 3 cups Lotus seeds
• 2 medium size Tomatoes
• 2 medium size Onions, chopped
• 1 tbsp Ginger , finely grated
• 15 cloves of Garlic, minced
• 12 Cashews, powdered
• 1 cup Green Peas , fresh or frozen
• 2 peppercorns, finely powdered
• 1/4 tsp Cinnamon powder
• 3 Clove, powdered
• 1 tsp Fennel / saunf seeds, powdered
• 1 tsp Chili powder
• 2 tsp Coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
• 3 cups Water
• 1 tsp Salt/ or as per taste
• 1tabsp Lemon Juice
• 1 tbsp Coriander leaves, finely chopped
• 3 tbsp Curd / yogurt/ dahi , whisked
• 2 tbsp Olive Oil

Method:

Step 1.

In a heavy bottom pan, put the ghee/ oil and when hot add the lotus seed stir fry until crisp over medium low flame. This takes 5-7minutes. Keep it aside.

Step 2.

Roast the cashew nuts in the microwave for two minutes. Cool and put in a grinder. Powder the cashew nuts in a grinder and keep aside.

Step 3.

In a pressure cooker take green peas add 1/4 cup of water. On a high flame when full pressure is formed, switch off the stove. When pressure cooker cools down to room temperature, open the lid and keep the peas aside.

Step 4.

Cut each tomato in two halves to blanch. In a pressure cooker take the cut tomatoes add 1/4 cup of water. On a high flame when full pressure is formed, switch off the stove. When pressure cooker cools down to room temperature, open the lid and take out the tomatoes in a small bowl, remove the skin from all four pieces with a fork and put them into a blender, along with cashew powder to it and blend the mix. Keep aside.

Step 5.

Cut the onions in to small pieces put in the pressure cooker add 1/4 cup of water. On a high flame when full pressure is formed, switch off the stove. When pressure cooker cools down to room temperature, open the lid and take out the onions into a blender jar. Blend the onions in to a fine paste and keep  aside.

Step 6.

Heat oil in a wok/ Pan / kadai add green cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, fennel / saunf powder and sauté lightly add the onion paste and sauté for 5-8 minutes on medium flame. Add ginger paste and garlic paste and sauté for half a minute.

Step 7.

Add blanched tomatoes, cashew nut powder paste. Cook for five to seven minutes on low heat. Add salt and turmeric, red chili powder, mix well. Add 3 cups of water bring it to boil add the peas mix well and cook for another 5-7 minutes on low heat.

Step 8.

Add the fried lotus seeds, whisked curd / yogurt / dahi and mix thoroughly . Cook for 2 to 3 minutes and switch off the flame. Add the lemon juice now and mix it well.

Step 9.

Serve hot garnished with coriander leaves. Delicious Lotus seeds Curry can be served with Indian breads of choice!.

Health and beauty benefits of Lotus seeds:

Lotus seeds, commonly known as makhana in India, are the seeds of the water lotus plant. The seeds are small, round and white or off-white in appearance. They are the edible seeds of lotus flower which can be roasted or fried. Lotus seeds are used for nutritional and healing properties in Chinese medicine. The lotus seeds are highly useful in terms of nutritional benefits and are low in saturated fats, sodium and cholesterol; high in magnesium potassium, thiamine and phosphorus. Besides being edible, the lotus plant has many health and beauty benefits as well. You can use makhana seeds in desserts, rice porridge, soups and stir fry dishes.

Lotus seeds are also a good source of protein, iron and zinc, which makes them extremely nutritious. They contain the anti-aging enzyme, which assist repair damaged proteins. Due to this anti-aging propery, many cosmetic companies are trying to include the seeds in their products. Along with it, the seeds have a natural flavonoid which prevents inflammation. Lotus seeds have an astringent property which benefits the kidneys and helps to restore vital energy within the body. The sweet and neutral taste of makhana seeds nourish the spleen and alleviate diarrhea. Makhana seeds are endowed with sedative properties and are used to treat insomnia or restlessness. The lotus embryo is useful for heart because of its bitter and cooling properties. Also it can help dilate blood vessels, thus reducing blood pressure.

According to western research, the seeds are antiviral which help fight the herpes 1 virus. Also it has been founded useful in lowering hypertension. One of the vital medicinal benefits of lotus seeds is stopping chronic diarrhea. Due to astringent properties, the seeds are consumed to help relieve the symptoms of diarrhea and improve appetite. Other major benefits of lotus seeds include palpitations, insomnia and irritability. They are also used to control bleeding.

Since makhana seeds are high in fiber, it helps to avoid constipation. Also they help the body to remove the waste; prevent the accumulation of toxins.  Lotus seeds are low in calories, fat and high in fiber and thus helpful in diabetes. It lowers the blood sugar level. The seeds are recommended for women during pregnancy and post natal weakness; helps in female infertility. The makhana seeds are also used in the treatment of arthritis and rheumatic pains. Further, the seeds are beneficial in weight loss too as they are high in fiber and low in calories .Lotus seeds are also very useful in anemia. The lotus seeds can be digested by all age groups. They are a healthy snack for children .Just roast the seeds a bit and add a pinch of salt.
Ref. http://healthyfoodsonly.blogspot.in/2012/11/health-and-beauty-benefits-of-lotus.html

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• 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.
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