pure ghee

Besan Ka Halwa

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Besan Halwa 1

Besan / Chick pea flour Ka Halwa

Hi friends! Some of our favorite comfort foods for cold weather! Gluten Free: Besan/ Chick pea flour doesn’t contain gluten, so it makes a good substitute for wheat flour in gluten-free diets.

Key Ingredients: Besan, Sugar, Chickpea flour, slivered Almonds, Clarified Butter/ Pure Ghee

Recipe cook time: 20 minutes

Course: Indian dessert

Serves : 6

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Besan /Chick pea flour
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 4 tbsp pure ghee
  • 2 tbsp slivered almonds for garnishing

Method:

Step 1.

In a pan put the sugar and water and bring it to boil. Keep on simmer, till required.

Step 2.

In a wok/ Kadahi, melt the ghee add the Besan /Chick pea flour and stir fry over medium heat, stir it continually for about 8-10 minutes. When the Besan /Chick pea flour is a light golden in colour and does not stick together much , it is well fried .

Step 3.

Pour the hot sugar solution into the fried Besan /Chick pea flour gently and carefully, stirring continually bring to a boil. Once the water is added, mix the Besan /Chick pea flour mixture well so that no lumps are formed. Gradually Besan /Chick pea flour absorbs the water added and starts thickening.

Step 4.

Thoroughly mix let whole mixture cook for 5-6 minutes more. keep on stirring so that the Besan /Chick pea flour halwa does not stick to the wok / Kadahi and starts leaving the sides. Besan /Chick pea flour halwa is ready now. Serve hot, garnished with the slivered almonds.

Health Benefits of Besan / Chick pea flour:

Lowers diabetes- Besan is known to have very low levels of glycemic in it, which is great for those who have high diabetes. One can use the flour to make parathas and rotis, or replace the wheat flour to make desired dishes too.

Happy heart- Besan assures you with a happy heart, since it has high soluble fibre in it, which helps the heart stay strong and healthy for a very long time to come. Even the most reputed heart surgeons and specialists recommend the use of besan over any other flour for the heart, say experts

Lose weight now- Since besan has low glycemic index, the calorie count would be low too, which is why fitness freaks and experts swear by the consumption of besan, smoothie of besan is known as SATTU in India.

Fights allergies- Besan doesn’t have gluten in it, which is grain and especially wonderful for those who have allergies to gluten induced foods. Besan flour is highly nutritious and helps the body with immense benefits, especially when fighting allergies of any kinds.

Gluten free- Those who suffer from celiac ailments cannot have gluten, which is a protein. Gluten is found in barley and wheat extensively, but not in besan. Besan helps the immune system stay strong in the process, and the patient would be able to absorb all the nutrients as well as stay well nourished too.

No more anaemia to worry of- The flour of besan helps with fatigue, weight loss and even iron deficiency in the body, and we all know  when someone has low iron content in the body, they suffer from anaemia.

Besan is also good for those who suffer from dermatitis herpetiformis, autoimmune disorders, sclerosis, autism, ADHD and more.

One can use besan for the skin with a pinch of turmeric powder and milk. The paste can be applied on the visible parts of the face and neck and left for ten minutes to dry. This is a pack which would help exfoliate the skin and brings back the moisturising effects too. Besan flour helps tighten the skin, gives it a glow and brings back elasticity too

As a body scrub, the flour of besan has been used time again since our grandmothers young hood days. To remove spots, back acne, body marks and oiliness of the body, try using the flour as a pack with milk and turmeric twice a week. This is a pack which would remove the tan and keep the skin healthy and fresh.

Ref . http://stylesatlife.com/articles/besan-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.

 

Sarson ka Saag

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Sarson ka saag  Makki ki Roti

Ingredients:

  • 800 gms fresh Sarson leaves / Mustard leaves
  • 200 gm Palak leaves /Spinach
  • 150 gm Bathua / chenopodium album
  • 150 gm Ghee
  • 3 Green Chilies
  • 1/2 cup Maize flour
  • 100 gm Butter
  • 15 cloves of Garlic, mashed
  • 1 tbsp Ginger, finely grated
  • 2 onions medium size, grated

Method:

Step1.

Wash sarson, bathua, spinach leaves very thoroughly. Finely chop all three greens, and keep aside.

Step 2.

Take a pressure cooker and put the finely chopped sarson, bathua, spinach and add two cups of water, salt, whole green chilies, close the lid and cook it on high flame till full pressure is formed. Once the pressure is formed reduce the flame to low and cook for 20 minutes.

Step 3.

Let the pressure cooker cool to room temperature, open the lid, take out the saag mix and blend it, keep aside.

Step 4.

Add maize flour slowly and mix it with the help of a ladle, cook it well for about 15 minutes.

Step 5.

Take a heavy bottom saucepan and heat pure ghee, add onions sauté till translucent. Add grated ginger, mashed garlic, sauté till slightly pink.

Step 6.

Temper the saag with the fried ginger garlic.Serve hot with makki ki roti, makki ki poori or paratha. Serve with a small cube of white butter on top of the hot saag .

Ingredients for Makki ki roti:

  • 1 cup makki atta/ Maiz flour
  • 1/2 cup wheat flour
  • Hot water for kneading
  • 1 tsp Carom seeds
  • 1 level tsp Salt or / salt to taste
  • Pure ghee for frying

Method for makki ki roti:

Step 1.

Take in a big bowl makki atta/ Maiz flour and wheat flour, add salt and carom seeds.  Knead it well in to a soft dough by adding hot water slowly.

Step 2.

Heat the tava / griddle make ten equal portions from the dough. Make round shape of the dough, flatten it and roll in to 1/4 ” thick discs. Carefully transfer each rolled disc one by one to the tava / griddle.

Step 3.

Add a little ghee so that it does not stick. Cook on medium flame with ghee till golden brown on both sides. Serve hot with hot sarson ka saag and  white butter.

Note: By adding wheat flour it becomes easy to handle the makki ka atta/ Maiz flour for making the roti.

 

Bathua / Chenopodium album, Sarson / Mustard leaves , Palak / Spinach

Bathua saag  +  Sarsoan saag  + Spinach leaves

Health benefits of Mustard leaves / Sarson Ka Saag:

Mustard greens like spinach are the storehouse of many phytonutrients that have health promotional and disease prevention properties.

Mustards are very low in calories (26 kcal per 100 g raw leaves) and fats, but rich in dietary fiber; recommended in cholesterol controlling and weight reduction programs. However, its dark green leaves contain very good amount of dietary fiber that helps control cholesterol level and also help protect against hemorrhoids, constipation as well as colon cancer diseases.

Fresh mustard greens are an excellent source of several vital anti-oxidants and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, carotenes as well essential minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, selenium, and manganese.

The greens are supposed to be one of the highest among leafy vegetables which provide vitamin K. 100 g of fresh leaves contain about 497 mcg or about 500% of daily requirement of vitamin K 1 (phylloquinone). Vitamin K has found to have potential role in bone mass building function by promoting osteo-trophic activity in the bone. It also has established role in Alzheimer’s disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in the brain.

Fresh leaves are also very good source of folic acid. 100 g provide about 187 mcg (about 47% of RDA) of folic acid. This water-soluble vitamin has an important role in DNA synthesis and when given before and early pregnancy help prevent neural tube defects in the baby.

Mustard greens are rich source of anti-oxidants flavonoids, indoles, sulforaphane, carotenes, lutein and zeaxanthin. Indoles, mainly di-indolyl-methane (DIM) and sulforaphane have proven benefits against prostate, breast, colon and ovarian cancers by virtue of their cancer cell growth inhibition, cytotoxic effects on cancer cells.

Fresh mustard leaves are excellent source of vitamin-C. Provides 70 mcg or about 117% of RDA per 100 g. Vitamin-C (ascorbic acid) is a powerful natural anti-oxidant that offers protection against free radical injury and flu-like viral infections.

The leaves are also an excellent source of vitamin-A (provide 10500 IU or 350% of RDA per 100 g). Vitamin A is essential nutrient for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin and is also essential for vision. Consumption of natural fruits rich in flavonoids helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

Regular consumption of mustard greens in the diet is known to prevent arthritis, osteoporosis, iron deficiency anemia and believed to protect from cardiovascular diseases, asthma and colon and prostate cancers.

Ref. http://www.just4us.in/mustard-leaves-sarson-ka-saag.html

Health benefits of Bathua/ Chenopodium album:

Many groups in India use bathua medicinally. According to the book, “Indian Medicinal Plants,” bathua acts as a laxative, anthelmintic for hookworms and roundworms, and as a blood purifier.

When prepared as an infusion, it manages hepatic disorders, spleen enlargement, biliousness, burns, and ulcers. The book, “Handbook on Herbs Cultivation and Processing” explains that that the ground plant mixed with alcohol is also applied topically to treat rheumatism and arthritis.

Bathua or Chenopodium album, also called Goosefoot, Lambs’ quarters and All Good is a plant whose leaves are used as a vegetable. Bathua has a lot of health benefits as well. It is very useful for those suffering from kidney stones. Take out the juice from tender leaves and stems by grinding them, Drink 10-15 ml of this mixed with water on empty stomach in the morning and then in the evening also for some days. It helps to break the stones and helps in their removal. Bathua is a brain food, removes urinary infections and promotes urine flow. It is useful for those suffering from arthritis. If there is swelling and pain steam heat some leaves and apply this as a hot poultice on the area. It will reduce swelling and pain. Bathua is also useful for internal swellings of stomach, intestine, liver, uterus etc.
In jaundice mix equal quantities of juice of bathua and giloy (tinosporia cordilolia). Take 25-30 ml of this mixture in the morning and evening for relief from jaundice.
For gout and high uric acid eat bathua vegetable regularly.

Health benefits of Spinach / Palak:

Spinach is an excellent food loaded with tons of nutrients and a low calorie package. Greens like spinach are important for skin and hair, bone health, and provide protein, iron, vitamins and minerals.

As per studies the possible health benefits of consuming spinach include improving blood glucose control in diabetics, lowering the risk of cancer, lowering blood pressure, improving bone health, lowering the risk of developing asthma and more.

Ref. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270609.php