Category: culinary

Benefits of Bael or Wood Apple

Wood apple, also known as bel, is a tropical fruit that is native to India. It is a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Wood apple has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to treat a variety of health conditions.

Some of the health benefits of wood apple include:

  • Improves digestion: Wood apple is a good source of fiber, which is essential for digestive health. Fiber helps to keep the digestive system running smoothly and can help to prevent constipation.
  • Boosts immunity: Wood apple is a good source of vitamin C, which is an important nutrient for the immune system. Vitamin C helps to protect the body from infection and can help to shorten the duration of illness.
  • Lowers blood pressure: Wood apple is a good source of potassium, which is a mineral that helps to regulate blood pressure. Potassium helps to balance the effects of sodium in the body and can help to lower blood pressure.
  • Reduces inflammation: Wood apple is a good source of antioxidants, which can help to reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a major factor in many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
  • Treats respiratory problems: Wood apple has expectorant properties, which means that it helps to loosen mucus in the respiratory tract. This can be helpful for people with conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and coughs.
  • Treats diarrhea and dysentery: Wood apple has antidiarrheal properties, which means that it can help to stop diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common problem, especially in children, and can be caused by a variety of factors, such as infection, food poisoning, and medication side effects.
  • Treats piles and ulcers: Wood apple has astringent properties, which means that it can help to tighten tissues. This can be helpful for people with piles and ulcers, which are conditions that can cause pain and bleeding.
  • Improves skin health: Wood apple is a good source of antioxidants, which can help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells, leading to premature aging and the development of wrinkles and age spots.
  • Improves hair health: Wood apple is a good source of vitamins and minerals that are essential for hair health, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron. These nutrients can help to keep hair strong, healthy, and shiny.

Wood apple is a versatile fruit that can be eaten fresh, cooked, or juiced. It can also be used to make a variety of other products, such as chutneys, pickles, and candies. Wood apple is a safe and healthy fruit that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Salads

Salads are a great way to get your daily dose of fruits, vegetables, and fiber. They can also be a healthy and satisfying meal option. Here are some healthy salad ideas for health conscious people:

Green salads: Green Salads are a classic choice for a healthy salad. They are packed with nutrients and can be customized to your liking. Try adding a variety of leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, arugula, and romaine lettuce. You can also add other vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and peppers. For protein, add grilled chicken, fish, or tofu. And for a healthy fat, add avocado or nuts.

Green salad


Fruit salads: are another great option for a healthy salad. They are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Try adding a variety of fruits, such as berries, melons, and citrus fruits. You can also add nuts or seeds for healthy fat.


Chopped salads are a fun and easy way to get your daily dose of vegetables. They are also a good way to use up leftover vegetables. Simply chop up a variety of vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and peppers.

You can also add protein, such as grilled chicken or fish. And for a healthy fat, add avocado or nuts.

Salads with protein are a great way to make your salad more filling and satisfying. Try adding grilled chicken, fish, tofu, or beans to your salad. You can also add eggs or cheese.

Salads with dressing can add flavor and interest to your salad. However, it is important to choose a healthy dressing. Try making your own dressing at home or using a low-fat or fat-free dressing.

General Guidelines 

Enjoy

Food Ideas for fast balanced, vegetarian meals

Proteins are essential nutrients for the body. They provide the muscles to our bodies. Fiber is an no digestive material which helps in keeping the motions soft and getting rid of the waste matter. Here are some ideas for fast, balanced, vegetarian meals that are high in protein and fiber:

Tofu scramble

Tofu scramble is a great way to get a protein-rich breakfast without meat. To make it, simply crumble tofu into a pan and cook it over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it is browned. Add your favorite vegetables, such as onions, peppers, and mushrooms, and cook until they are softened. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with toast or tortillas.

Lentil soup

Lentil soup is a hearty and filling meal that is also packed with protein and fiber. To make it, simply cook lentils in a pot of water or broth until they are soft. Add your favorite vegetables, such as carrots, celery, and onions, and cook until they are softened. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

Lentils Soup

Black bean quesadillas

Black bean quesadillas are a quick and easy meal that is perfect for a busy weeknight. To make them, simply spread black beans on a tortilla and top with your favorite vegetables, such as onions, peppers, and tomatoes. Cook in a pan over medium heat until the tortilla is golden brown and the beans are heated through. Serve with salsa and guacamole.

Vegetarian Chili

Vegetarian chili is a warming and comforting meal that is perfect for a cold day. To make it, simply sauté onions and garlic in a pot over medium heat. Add your favorite vegetables, such as carrots, celery, and beans, and cook until they are softened. Add tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve hot with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, and avocado.

Vegetarian stir-fry

Vegetarian stir-fry is a quick and easy meal that is perfect for a busy weeknight. To make it, simply sauté vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, and peppers, in a pan over medium heat. Add your favorite protein, such as tofu or tempeh, and cook until heated through. Season with soy sauce, sesame oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve over rice or noodles.

These are just a few ideas for fast, balanced, vegetarian meals that are high in protein and fiber. With a little creativity, you can easily come up with your own delicious and nutritious vegetarian meals.

Healthy summer drinks in India

Summer is a time for fun and festivities, but it can also be a time for heat exhaustion and dehydration. Indian summers are particularly hot and humid, which can make it difficult to stay hydrated.

Luckily, there are many delicious and healthy Indian drinks that can help you beat the heat. Here are some of the most popular and healthy Indian summer drinks:

Aam Panna: This refreshing drink is made with raw mango, spices, and sugar. It is a great source of vitamins A and C, and it can help to cool you down on a hot day.   

Shikanji: This lemonade-like drink is made with cumin, coriander, and black salt. It is a great way to rehydrate and replenish electrolytes.   

Bel Sherbet: This sweet and sour drink is made with wood apple pulp, jaggery, and lemon juice. It is a great source of vitamins and minerals, and it can help to boost your immune system.   

Neer Mor: This refreshing drink is made with tender coconut water and sugar. It is a great source of electrolytes and minerals, and it can help to keep you hydrated.   

Lassi: This yogurt-based drink can be made sweet or savory. It is a great source of protein and probiotics, and it can help to keep you feeling full.

Conclusion: These are just a few of the many healthy Indian summer drinks that you can enjoy. So next time you’re feeling hot and bothered, reach for one of these refreshing drinks to cool down and stay hydrated.

Additional Information:Here are some additional tips for staying hydrated during the summer:   

Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day


Mother’s Day is a special day to celebrate and honor the wonderful mothers in our lives. Here are some gift ideas you might consider:

Flowers: A beautiful bouquet of flowers is always a classic Mother’s Day gift. You can choose her favorite flowers, or a colorful mix of blooms to brighten up her day.

Spa day: Treat your mom to a day of relaxation and pampering at a spa. This could include a massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, or any other services that she might enjoy.

Personalized jewelry: A piece of personalized jewelry, such as a necklace or bracelet, is a meaningful gift that she can wear close to her heart.

Gift card: A gift card to her favorite store, restaurant, or online retailer is a simple yet thoughtful gift that allows her to choose what she wants.

Photo album or framed picture: Create a photo album or select a special picture to frame and give to your mom. This is a great way to reminisce on happy memories together.

Kitchen gadget: If your mom loves to cook, consider giving her a kitchen gadget or tool that she’s been eyeing for a while. It could be a high-quality knife, a kitchen mixer, or even an air fryer.

Handmade gift: If you have a creative side, consider making a handmade gift for your mom. This could be anything from a knitted scarf to a painted picture.

Remember, the most important thing is to show your mom how much you appreciate her and how much she means to you. Whatever gift you choose, make sure it comes from the heart

Kedgeree

Kedgeree is a dish that originated in colonial India and has become a popular breakfast or brunch dish in the United Kingdom. It typically consists of cooked flaked fish, usually smoked haddock, mixed with boiled rice, chopped hard-boiled eggs, parsley, and curry powder or other spices.

Kedgeree has its origins in colonial India, where it was known as “khichri“. Khichri is a traditional dish made from rice and lentils, and it has been a popular breakfast dish in India for centuries.

Kedgeree Recipe from BBC Food: Click pic

Khichri or Khichadi is a very old dish of India. It seems to have originated in the state of Bihar. It is mentioned in the ayurveda as a healthy, easily digestible food. Basically it is made using rice and lentils as ingredients. Both are mixed in water and slowly cooked. The grail becomes thicker due to the starch in the rice. Khichadi is given to the patients who can’t eat the heavy food.

Khichdi
https://madhurasrecipe.com/veg-rice/moong-dal-khichadi-marathi-recipe

To make it as a normal dish, Khichadi as of now is made with so many variations changing the lentils type and adding vegetables and coriander to make it more tasty. Khichadi can be eaten with Desi ghee or curd.

During the British colonial era in India, the dish was adapted to suit British tastes by adding smoked fish, eggs, and spices. This new dish was served as a breakfast or brunch dish by the British colonial rulers. It became so popular with them that they introduced it to Britain.

Kedgeree is typically served with a side of chutney or lime wedges, and can also be served with vegetables such as peas or green beans. It is a flavorful and hearty dish that can be enjoyed any time of day.

Overall, while kedgeree may not be as widely known or popular as some other dishes, it has a dedicated following and remains a beloved dish in the United Kingdom and beyond.

Kedgeree Recipe from BBC Food

One Meal A day..OMAD

A stage comes in everyone’s life when he or she becomes aware that his or her health is not what he or she desires. Everyone wants to have lean physically fit body. 

Our body is like a machine. When born it’s every organ is brand new and works most efficiently. As we grow from childhood, most of us are oblivious of our bodies. Machine is working properly. 

Slowly and slowly, as we grow older, machine become less efficient. It needs the repairs and services. At this stage, many diseases like blood pressure, diabetes and obesity appear which if not addressed to timely will take more harmful conditions.

Many factors like genetics, sedantary life style, indulgence in synthetic foods, drinking and smoking are responsible for such conditions. The visits to the doctors begin.

We daily hear about many dietary regimes being propagated by those who want to make money by this.

The science behind the weight gain is quite simple and based on the principle that mass and energy are two sides of the same coin. Energy is taken in by the body in the form of food especially fat and proteins. The expenditure of energy s basal energy consumption by body and the physical activity done by you. If energy intake is more than consumption, the extra energy will be stored in our bodies in the form of fat both internal and external.

So weight correction is basically the balance between daily intake of energy plus some stored energy and the energy expended in physical activity.

So the rule is to reduce intake of energy by cutting down the richness components and increase in the intake of salads, green vegetables, nuts and plenty of water and stepping up the exercises by walking, yoga, bicycling, running and doing house chores.

The practice of eating one meal a day, also known as OMAD, involves consuming all of one’s daily calorie needs in a single meal and fasting for the rest of the day. While this approach to eating has gained popularity in recent years, it is important to note that it may not be suitable for everyone and should be approached with caution.

Some potential benefits of one meal a day include improved insulin sensitivity, weight loss, and increased mental clarity.

However, it is important to ensure that the single meal consumed is balanced and provides all the necessary nutrients for good health.

Individuals with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or eating disorders, should not attempt one meal a day without consulting with a healthcare professional first.

Additionally, it is important to ensure that one’s daily caloric needs are met in the single meal consumed to avoid potential health complications.

Overall, one meal a day can be a viable approach to eating for some individuals, but it is important to approach it safely and in consultation with a healthcare professional.

Remember, there is no shortcut or fast track method to become leaner and it requires time, patience and persistence. Neither dieting nor exercise should be done in extreme which can cause more harm than benefits. 

Some good references for OMAD:

The dos and don’ts of eating one meal a day (OMAD)

One Meal A Day (OMAD) Diet: Safety, Benefits, Risks

Everything You Need To Know About the OMAD Diet

Chillies and their Spiciness

Chillies are an inseparable constituent of any cooked vegetable and meats. The spiciness adds to the taste of vegetables and meats. It is also a fact that chillies are very rich in vitamin C, Magnesium, vitamin B6, iron, and potassium and have very good health benefits.Degree of spiciness or the heat of a chilli will be directly proportional to its capsaicin content. The sensation also masks the taste of other chemicals present in the chillies for a while.

The Scoville scale is a measurement of pungency (spiciness or “heat”) of chili peppers and other substances, recorded in Scoville heat units (SHU), based on the concentration of capsaicinoids, among which capsaicin is the predominant component. Capsaicin is a chemical which is an irritant and neurotoxins for animals including humans. It induces a burning sensation in the tissue which comes in its contact.

The chillies should be enjoyed in the other recipes not by themselves. Ingesting the chillies with very high SHU will induce sweating, nausea, watery eyes and vomiting. If ingested and reaction is too much, then drinking cold milk is the solution to alleviate the condition. Water on the other hand spreads the capsaicin and causes more problems.

Scoville heat units have been measured of almost all the chilli peppers occuring around the world. Bell Peppers which don’t have any capsaicin in them are sir at Zero or the bottom of the scale. Extreme hot chillies are Carolina Reaper, Trinidad Moruga Scorpion and 7 pot douglah having SHU values around 1.5 to 2.2 million. You can imagine how hot these are when Jalapenos with SHU around 2000 to 8000 feel so fiery for us. While many varities with extreme heat are naturally growing some are being genetically modified.

In India the extreme hot variety is Naga chilli also called Bhoot Jhalokia found in the North East states of Assam and Nagaland. From the chart you can see that their SHU is around 1 million.

Full scale of many chillies is given in the following chart taken from the website Scoville Scale.

Chicken Tikka Masala

The man who is said to have invented the dish died on 22nd December 2022 at the age of 77 years. His name was Ali Ahmed Aslam and he was a Glassgow restaurateur. He migrated to Britain when he was 16.

Mr. Ali Ahmed Aslam

He belonged to Lahore and his family was into farming. His uncle was in Britain doing tailors shop. But Ali was ambitious and soon opened an eatery in Glasgow serving typical tandoori food of Indian subcontinent. With time and exceptional success it became a restaurant with name Shish Mahal.

How did he invented the recipe which became the National dish of the Britain? Well, he says that one driver came to his eatery and asked for Chicken Tikka. But he said the dish was too spicy and dry. As he is not feeling well, he wanted something mild and sweeter. Mr Ali took the chicken tikka and added to it tomato puree and cream. Thus was born the iconic dish which became a rage in Britain.

www.spicezone.com

There are hundreds of restaurants across Britain who claim to serve the authentic dish. There are modifications as are in every food preparation.

Many people in India claim that dish was invented in India long back in 1947. But it was Mr. Ali Ahmed Aslam who got the credit.

Stinging Velvet Beans

Mucuna Pruriens known by common names such as Stinging Velvet Beans, Cowitch and Madness Beans.

The bean seeds or legumes are used in many medicines. Legumes are rich in L-DOPA which is an amino acid. It is the precursor of Dopamine which is a brain neurotransmitter.

The beans are also calm inducing and boost testosterone levels in the males. Mucuna Pruriens legume helps in calming the mind. In comparison to many legumes, these beans contains higher levels of proteins. The beans are used in the treatment of snakebites.

The beans vine comes in two varieties. One is domestic and other grows in the wild. The vine is a nitrogen fixer in the soil and is thus planted to enhance the organic content of the soil and fertilise the soil.

Th wild variety bean shell which is velvety in texture is very harmful to skin touch. It gives the affected person acute itch and pain. This is caused by the mucuna protein which induces allergy.

I happen to spot the vines at few places in a forest near our home. I took the photos for reference.

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