Have ' Haldi wala doodh ' for relief from cough and cold. . .

Have ' Haldi wala doodh ' for relief from 
cough and cold.
Turmeric milk is simply a cup of milk heated with about half a teaspoon of powdered turmeric and little sugar is also added to it. Haldi is a Natural antibiotic, mixture of hot milk, sugar and haldi is a great remedy for mouth ulcer, throat infection, heals gums the sugar content, gives you instant energy and helps in the healing process. Haldi is known for its natural healing properties. It repairs our internal system. It is also used to keep our body warm. The persons who are suffering from cold and cough or whose body is more inclined towards cold related ailments, such a simple home remedy is of great help. Haldi is the best remedy to cure cough, cold and one can have this often. Haldi is also known as Turmeric. Tumeric has been used for over 2500 years in India, the active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin.  It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, also a natural pain killer.
Turmeric in one study of mice, researchers found that turmeric helped to prevent breast cancer from spreading to the lungs. 
A list of 17 foods that prevent breast cancer or stop it from spreading. Listing a few more foods are like Tomatoes, Avocado, Red Wine, Pomegranate juice, Flax seeds, Garlic, Green Tea, spinach, etc.  
Turmeric paste is a home remedy for sunburn and it is also an ingredient in many commercial sunscreens.  No wonder, people in the Middle Ages called turmeric "Indian saffron" because it was often used as a less expensive alternative to saffron.

Tofu . . Tofu ....

 

What is Bean curd, also known as the 'Tofu.'.
Tofu or the Bean curd is a soft white food made by coagulating soy milk, and then pressing the resulting curds into blocks. It is of Chinese origin. Also known as tofu is a soft vegetable cheese prepared by treating soybean milk with coagulants.
Tofu, diced, mashed or crumbled, you'll love this versatile Chinese food. It lacks flavor, but it's true that it is more like the custard-like white substance. But still there is a lot that can be done with tofu.. Also known as soybean curd, (tofu is the Japanese name for soybean curd; the Chinese name is doufu. Tofu is a highly versatile and nutritious food that is made from soybean curds. Although the word "tofu" is Japanese, the food seems to have originated in ancient China. The English word "tofu" comes from the Japanese, meaning made from "bean" plus that has been "curdled" or "fermented". Tofu has very little flavor or smell on its own, so it can be used either in savory or sweet dishes, and it is often seasoned or marinated to suit the dish. Tofu contains a low amount of calories, large amount of iron, and little fat. The tofu may also be high in calcium and protein. It is healthy and an excellent source of protein, calcium and iron for vegetarians.
TOFU is of two main categories: Fresh tofu, which is produced directly from soy milk, and the Processed tofu, which is produced from fresh tofu. To make bean curd, a cook curdles soy milk and presses the resulting soybean curds into molds to firm up.
There are numerous different styles of bean curd. But the two basic types of bean curd are the first is silken, also called` 'Japanese style tofu' and the 'Chinese style tofu' is firm, and will hold its shape as it is worked with and cooked. In some places, Chinese style tofu is called bean curd, while Japanese style is called tofu. The golden squares of bean curd that have been deep-fried are a beauty and the deep-fried bean curd becomes super absorbent.
Directions for Deep fried Tofu or the Bean curd..Cut the tofu or the bean curd into 4 large triangles or cubes as desired. Roll the tofu in the cornflour. Heat oil for deep frying. When the oil is heated, add tofu pieces into the oil. Fry, stirring occasionally, until the tofu is golden on both sides.

Healthy Banana Chaat . . .

 

Healthy Banana Chaat
INGS
1 Banana cut into round slices,
1 Small Sized Tomato, cut into pieces,
1\2 Cucumber cut cut into pieces,
Few drops of Lime juice,
1\2 tsp Powdered Sugar,
Salt and Pepper powder to taste.
METHOD
Cut the banana, cucumber and tomato,
take in a bowl.
Sprinkle salt, sugar and pepper powder,
also add the lime juice.
Serve with a touch of ' chaat masala' for
the tang.
THIS RECIPE IS MY FATHER IN LAW'S FAVORITE, HE LIKES TO HAVE WITH HIS FOOD.

Health Benefits of Sweet Potato

Health Benefits of Sweet Potato

Sweet Potato  is a tender, warm-weather vegetable. The Sweet potatoes  grows  on trailing vine. Sweet potato is native to Central and South America.

The sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), commonly called a yam in parts of the United States, is a crop plant whose large, starchy, sweet tasting tuberous roots are an important root vegetable.

Sweet potatoes are tubers, distantly related to potatoes, and are native to South America. 

They are often confusing to consumers since many sweet potatoes are labeled as yams in the US. In fact true yams, first grown in Africa, are much larger, starchier and far less sweet.

Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, can be very sweet, but sweetness depends upon the variety.

It is one of the most important food crops in tropical and subtropical countries, where both the roots and tender shoots are eaten as a vital source of nutrients.

Sweet potato is rich in Vitamin A (betacarotene) and Vitamin C. Both Vitamins A and C are powerful antioxidants that work in the body to remove free radicals, this free radicals are chemicals that damage cells. Sweet potato is good for stomach ulcers.  It is beneficial for low blood pressure.

Sweet potato may help prevent cancer in glands and organs  due to its high Vitamin A content. 

Sweet potato is a good food for diabetics, because it helped stabilize blood sugar levels.

Sweet Potato is one of the healthiest  vegetables offering an array of essential nutrients.  This root vegetable is an excellent source of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene which is benefits night blindness, boosts the immune system and skin), a very good source of vitamin C and manganese, and a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin B6 and potassium.  The sweet potato is a source of  copper and iron making

it a great blood building food.

Sweet potatoes pack a nutritional punch that

is not to be missed.

The Indian cuisine ....

Indian cuisine is renowned the world over
for its unusual spices and preference for an eclectic range of vegetables.
Indian cuisine consists of the foods and dishes of India and is characterized by the extensive use of various Indian spices herbs,  vegetables and fruit, and is also known for the widespread practice of vegetarianism in Indian society. Each family of Indian cuisine includes a wide assortment of dishes and cooking techniques. 
As a consequence, it varies from region to region. Hindu beliefs and culture have played an influential role in the evolution of Indian cuisine.
Indian cuisine has been influenced by a 5000 year history of various groups and cultures interacting and this  leading to the diversity 
of flavors and regional cuisines found in modern-day India.
Indian cuisine also varies seasonally,
depending on what fruits and vegetables
are available in that season. Diversity can
be found in India's food as well as its culture, geography and climate.  Spices are a vital part of food preparation and are used to enhance 
the flavor of a dish.

What is Dahi ?

"Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet 
eating some curds and whey".
A soft, white substance formed when milk sours, used as the basis for cheese.
Curds are a dairy product obtained by 
curdling (coagulating) milk with rennet or
an edible acidic substance such as lemon
juice or vinegar, and then draining off the liquid portion (called whey).

What is Dahi ?
Dahi is yogurt. Normally, whole milk is boiled, cooled down to warm, and the starting culture is added. The milk with live culture is left to set  for 6 to 8 hours to make Dahi.
Dahi is eaten as it  is , made into soup, cooked
in making curries to give them body, and make desserts.
Dahi  is a yoghurt of the Indian subcontinent, known for its characteristic taste and consistency.
The word dahi seems to be derived from the Sanskrit word dadhi.
Buffalo curd, in Hindi  "Dahi"  is a traditional and nutritious dairy product prepared from buffalo milk and it is popular throughout 
South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal.
Yoghurt or Dahi  is a dairy product produced
by bacterial fermentation of milk. Fermentation of lactose produces lactic acid, which acts on milk protein to give yoghurt its texture and its characteristic tang.
Buffalo milk is traditionally better than cow milk for curd due to its higher fat content making a thicker curd. Mostly clay pots are used to make|set the curd.
Worldwide, cow's milk is most commonly used to make yoghurt, but milk from water buffalo, goats, sheep, camels and yaks is also used in various parts of the world.
Buffalo curd has a higher nutritional value of protein, fat, lactose, minerals and vitamins.
Traditionally buffalo milk is filtered and boiled, the scum is removed and it is cooled to room temperature.  A few spoonfuls of a previous batch of curd are added and it is then mixed well and poured into clay pots.
Yogurt, thought to have been part of Middle Eastern diets as early as 2000 BC, is a food we have long been told is good for us. But what was once a simple dairy product has changed. These days the choices in yogurt are much more.
Now yogurts have fruit and flavors  added, some yogurts claim to be fat-free, while others advertise low calories or no added sugar.
Flavored yogurts often contain additional ingredients; as well as sugar and fruit, they may contain everything from artificial dyes to preservatives and sweeteners (natural or artificial), to ingredients that enhance flavor. Thickeners or stabilizers such as gelatin are commonly added to create a thicker texture.
Yogurt is rich in calcium, good for  the bones, making yogurt an excellent choice to help prevent osteoporosis.  Yogurt is rich in protein, B vitamins and essential minerals and low in carbohydrates.
Eating yogurt may help digestion also.
what are the health benefits of yogurt?
First off, your body needs to have a healthy amount of ''good'' bacteria in the digestive tract, and many yogurts are made using active, good bacteria. One of the words you’ll be hearing more of in relation to yogurt is ''probiotics.'' Probiotic, which literally means ''for life,'' refers to living organisms that can result in a health benefit when eaten in adequate amounts.

KOKUM

 

KOKUM
Garcinia indica, a plant in the Mangosteen Family (Clusiaceae), commonly known as kokum, is a fruit tree, that has culinary, pharmaceutical, and industrial uses. The tree is also ornamental, with a dense canopy of green leaves and red-tinged tender emerging leaves.
Aamsool or Kokum is a fruit which resembles a dark purple plum of a tropical evergreen tree called Garcinia indica. Little is known about these tangy, purple berries native to India. Used widely in refreshing drinks and coastal curries, kokum offers a wide range of medicinal properties also. Also known as Black kokum, cocum, and kokam, kokum is a small round fruit that has its origins in India. 

The extract/concentrate of this fruit is called aagal in Konkani and Marathi. It is ready to use for preparation of sol kadhi when mixed with coconut milk. The outer cover of fruit is dried in the sun to get aamsul or kokam. It is used as a slightly sour spice in recipes from Maharashtra that yields peculiar taste and dark red color.
It is a preferred substitute for tamarind in curries and other dishes from Konkan. It is also used in Konkani cuisine, in Gujarat, and some cuisines of South India. Dried Kokum fruit rinds are widely used in cooking as they impart
a sweetish-tangy flavor to the food.
The Kokum shorbet is a refreshing and healthy drink. This drink is an excellent remedy for sunstroke and is very popular during summer. Kokum juice is especially popular during scorching summer months as it has a cooling effect on the body and shields the body against dehydration and sunstroke. It also helps in bringing down fever and allergic reactions. Kokum juice is a healthier and far more refreshing option as compared to commercial bottled drinks. It acts as an appetite stimulant also.
Kokum in Ayurveda : Ayurvedic physicians have long used kokum to treat sores, prevent infection, improve digestion, alleviate diarrhea and constipation, lessen arthritis pain, cure ear infections and heal stomach ulcers, states it to be a "Healing Spices.".