healthy food recipe Archives

December 14, 2018 By Trupti Vyas (Pandya) 6 Comments

Winter Recipes

Winter has set in and it is that time of the year when our body experiences tremendous changes in energy levels, metabolism and our food preference also changes. Winter is also the season which is full of colorful veggies and fruits in market. Our body needs extra vitamins and minerals to help combat cold weather, illness and to maintain your good health.

Let me share with you some nutritious food ideas that will help boost immunity and maintain energy levels through the day.

Here are 5 healthy dishes which will help you to keep warm on cold days-

Millet Vegetable pan bread (Bajra Dudhi Thepla)-

Ingredients–

(Bajra) Millet flour – 1 cup
Wheat flour – 1 cup
Bottle gourd (Dudhi)- 1 cup (grated)
Curd – 1/3 cup
Oil – ½ cup (to add in flour and roast theplas)
Green coriander – 2 tbsp (finely chopped)
Green chilly – 1-2 (finely chopped)
Ginger paste – 1 tsp
Asafoetida – 1 pinch
Cumin seeds – ½ tsp
Red chilly powder – ¼ tsp
Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp
Sesame seeds – 1 tsp (optional)
Salt – ½ tsp (as per taste)

Preparation

Take out flour in any big utensil. Mix wheat flour in the same bowl. Also add bottle gourd, ginger, green chilly, green coriander, Asafoetida, cumin seeds, red chilly powder, turmeric powder, sesame seeds, salt, 1 tbsp oil and curd. Add 1-2 tbsp water or as per requirement and knead soft dough. Keep aside the dough for 10-15 minutes so that it gets set.

Grease your hand with some oil and knead the dough. Pre-heat the pan (tawa). Take little amount of dough (lemon size) and make a round ball. Take one ball, dust it with dry flour and place it on rolling plate and roll into 6-7 inch diameter bread (thepla).

Place the rolled bread (thepla) on pre-heated pan (tawa) and when color of the bread (thepla) turns darker from surface then flip the side. Spread 1 tsp oil on the upper surface. Flip the side and spread some oil on this side as well. Roast the bread (thepla) on medium flame until it gets brown spots on both sides. Take it of the pan and place it in a plate.

Serve the Millet Vegetable pan bread (BajraLaukiTheplas) with curd (yogurt), Corainder paste or pickle or with any vegetables of your choice.

Suggestion: Mix finely chopped spinach in the flour for making Millet Spinach Breads (Bajra spinach thepla) and add finely chopped fresh fenugreek leaves for making millet fenugreek breads (bajramethitheplas).

Winter special Fenugreek seeds and edible gum sweet balls

Fenugreek seeds gum balls is a traditional recipe which can also be used as an Ayurveda treatment for various ailments, especially during winters. These sweet gum balls are not only known for their medicinal properties but also taste delicious.

These are prepared with Fenugreek seeds mixed with wheat flour and Jaggery. New mothers can have these sweet balls as dietary supplement or to overcome any post-delivery problems. People suffering from joints pain, especially in winters, can have this sweet.

Ingredients-

Fenugreek(methi) seeds- 100gms.
Milk- ½ litre(2-1/2 cup)
Wheat flour-300gm(1-1/2cup)
Ghee- 250gm(1-1/2 cup)
Edible gum (Gond)-100gms- (1/2 cup)
Almonds-30-35.
Black Pepper- 8-10.
Cumin powder-2tsp.
Dry ginger- 2tsp
Green Cardamom- 10-12
Cinnamon-4 pieces.
Nutmeg-2
Jageery-1-1/2cup

Preparation:

Clean Fenugreek (Methi) seeds properly(wash seeds then put them in a thick cotton cloth and leave it in the sun to dry, cloth can be washed and used again). Put clean seeds in a mixer and make a thick paste somewhat similar to flour. Boil milk.

Put the grounded Fenugreek (Methi) in milk and let it soak for 8-10 hours.

Cut almonds into small pieces. Gently crush black pepper(break 1 pepper into 4-5 pieces), crush cinnamon and nutmeg into fine powder. Peel Cardamom (Elaichi) and crush it as well.Pour 1/2 cup clarified butter (Ghee) ina pan, fry soaked (Fenugreek) on a medium flame till it turns light brown and smells good. Remove the mixture in a plate.

Put the remainingclarified butter(Ghee) in the pan and heat, fry Edible gum(Gond) and take it out on a plate(fry Gond on a law flame). Fry flour in leftover Ghee in the pan till it becomes light brown then take it out.

Put 1 tspclarified butter in the pan followed by the pieces ofJaggery(Gur), melt Jageery (Gur) into liquid form (Chashni) on a low flame. Add Cumin (Jeera) powder, Dry Ginger(Sauntth) powder, cut almonds, black pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, Cardamom in the Liquid syrup of Jageeryand mix well.

Take little amounts of the mixture, shape it into small balls similar to a lemon and put it on a plate. Keep Fenugreek seeds and edible gum sweet balls (MethiLadoos) in open air for 4-5 hours.

The sweet is ready, keep them in an air tight container and eat one sweet ball every morning or evening with warm milk. This prevents pain in joints, back and pain due to the cold.

CARROT CAKE SNACKS BITE-

Ingredients-

21/4 cups shreddedcarrots
3/4cups date (about 10 large dates)
2/3cups coconut (shredded or flaked)
1/2cups walnuts
1/2cups sunflowerseeds
1 teaspooncinnamon
1/4teaspoons groundginger
1/8cups toasted sesame seeds
1/8cups shreddedcoconut.
1/8cups chopped almonds

Preparation

In a food processor, blend all the snack bite ingredients together.Scoop out full grinded mixture in a bowl and roll it into a ball.

Roll the balls in sesame seeds, coconut, or chopped almonds for additional crunch. Use the listed optional ingredients to determine the amount of sesame seeds, coconut, or almonds you need.

Store refrigerated or in an air tight container.

Spinach with Chickpeas Green salad-

Ingredient–

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ onion, diced
300g frozen spinach, thawed and drained well
400gtin chickpeas and green peas, drained and boiled.
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation: Take 400gm of chickpeas and green peas in a pressure cooker. Add half a litre water to it and cook till 4 whistle blow. Let it cool for some time. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Add and Cook the garlic and onion in the oil until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add and Stir in the spinach, chickpeas, green peas, cumin and salt. Use your stirring spoon to lightly mash the beans as the mixture cooks. Allow to cook until it getsthoroughly heated. Serve it hot.

Green Greek Smoothies-

Ingredients-

Cup freshly cut pieces of kiwi.
A bowl of Greek yogurt.
½ cup of milk.
Pinch of grounded cardamom.
1 tsp of (water) soaked chia seeds
Fresh Mint Leaves

In a blender,place kiwi, yogurt and milk and blend it for about 1 minute or until smooth.Pour into the glass, and sprinkle with cardamom. Garnish with mint leaves and add 1 tsp of soaked chia seed on it. Serve immediately.

Tip- You can also try other winter fruits and veggies– like oranges, apple, spinach, Beets instead of Kiwi.

Try these healthy and delicious winter warming recipes. And, don’t let the cold weather keep you from enjoying fresh homemade foods. Let’s Enjoy!

November 1, 2017 By Azra Faizan 12 Comments

What’s for Dessert….

always-eat-healthy

“You dietitians have banned all desserts for me.. “

“I have not tasted sweets since I discovered I am diabetic “

“No Artificial sweeteners, you say; does that mean I can’t ever enjoy life? “

Since the time I became a dietician, and later a GOQii coach, I must have heard these statements at least once every week.

What I like to explain to my players is that – It’s not that you can’t enjoy desserts; it depends on how you choose to enjoy them.

Even where diabetics are concerned – our focus should be, not on cutting off all their sugar but, to achieve good sugar control.

Growing up, I had always observed an aunt of mine, whose husband was diabetic; make a separate serving of sugar free dessert for my uncle.And, I always used to wonder how would a dessert taste without any sweetness in it – But, the main ingredient of her sugar free custard or puddings, used to be some or the other added fruit.

When god has given us naturally sweet ingredients, why not use them to their fullest potential.

Going forward I would also like to add that, even though the recipes I am sharing are sugar free – they are still desserts, made with some amount of fats and are still an extra to our routine meals, hence should still be enjoyed occasionally and in smaller quantity than our main meals. I always like to remind my players that our society has smaller sized dessert plates and bowls for a reason. Because, we were meant to enjoy them in smaller quantities from the beginning – It is only, the commercial trend of JUMBO sizing everything that starts the trouble.

Date Balls

It is a customary Indian tradition to celebrate everything with laddus (sweet balls). You get good grades – laddu, you have a baby – laddu, your wedding gets fixed -laddu, and the list goes on…Why not have healthy Laddus then to celebrate every occasion?

Ingredients:

1 cup deseeded dates

¼ cup mixed nuts (almonds, walnuts, pistachio)

Desiccated coconut.

Just soak the dates in ½ a cup of water for 10 minutes – and churn in a grinder jar with the nuts. If too soft, refrigerate for half an hour. Make lemon sized balls of the mixture and coat with desiccated coconut.

Banana custard

Everyone knows how to make custard – It’s the simplest desserts to satisfy our sweet cravings. And the recipe couldn’t get any more basic than this.

The trick to make a sugar free custard is to mash up an over ripe banana and mix it in the milk, instead of just adding chopped fruit.

Just follow the instructions on your packet of custard powder – and mix an overripe mashed banana in the end – strain the mixture if you don’t want any lumps. Serve as you wish – plain as a fruit salad or even a healthy trifle.

You could try the same thing with mango puree too, to make mango custard.

Date biscuits

This is a recipe I pulled off the internet in my earlier baking days. And, the first thing I realized after trying it once – there is no need of sugar in it, although the original recipe calls for it. So, I went on to perfect it, minus the sugar and it actually made no difference whatsoever.

Ingredients

Date Filling:

3 cups (400 grams) pitted dried dates

1 cup (240 ml) water

Oatmeal Crust:

2 cups (200 grams) old fashioned rolled oats

1 cup (130 grams) Whole wheat flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¾ cup (175 grams) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Method

Date Filling:Place the dates and water in a medium saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the dates are soft and have absorbed most of the water (about 5 – 10 minutes). Remove from heat, Let it cool to room temperature and then puree in your food processor until smooth. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Grease an 8 x 11 inch (20 x 28 cm) or a 9 x 9 inch (23 x 23 cm) pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

Oatmeal Crust: In the bowl of your food processor, place the oats, flour, and baking soda, salt and ground cinnamon. Pulse to combine. Then add the butter and pulse until the mixture is crumbly. Press 2/3 of the mixture into the base of the prepared pan.

Spread the dates evenly over the oatmeal crust. Sprinkle the remaining dough evenly over the top of the dates. Bake for about 30 -40 minutes or until golden brown. Place on a wire rack to cool. Once the squares have cooled, cover the pan with plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator at least one hour or until firm enough to cut easily into squares.

These will keep, covered, in the refrigerator up to a week.

Makes about 20, 2 inch squares.

Banana and mango ice cream:

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM, WE ALL SCREAM ICE CREAM!!!

Ever heard that phrase? I have grown up with it… Well, this is technically frozen yoghurt but, I don’t see anyone complaining when it’s served up in a cone or a pretty ice cream bowl.

6 bananas, peeled and chopped
2 mangoes, peeled and chopped
1 cup (280g) yoghurt
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Place the banana and mango in an airtight container and freeze for 4 hours or until frozen. Place the banana, mango and yoghurt in a food processor and process until smooth. Serve as you like.
When it comes to cooking, there is no reason to stick to only these fruits – if some other fruit catches your fancy like straw berries, raspberries or peaches or any other, you can try using them too in a similar manner.

Tip: If not serving straight away, return to an airtight container and freeze. Allow to soften for 5 minutes before serving. You could scoopinto ice-cream cones to serve.

Serves 6 -8

My list can be endless, Sweet potato porridge, Date pudding, Carrot and Date Porridge /Halwa…..

But, why should I do all the work, cooking is therapeutic for some and for some it’s an experiment. So why not all of you try this experiment and make sure to share your results..

October 20, 2016 By Farzana Chauhan 1 Comment

6 Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

Chia seeds, obtained from Salvia Hispanica, a desert plant grown in Mexico, are edible seeds that are rich in fiber, omega 3 fatty acids, proteins, calcium, carbohydrates, minerals and antioxidants. These small black and white seeds are especially good for heart patients and those suffering from arthritis and Type 2 diabetes.

However, it is important to consume these seeds in the right manner. When consumed with milk, water or other liquids these seeds make you feel satiated and help in curbing food craving that in turn helps in maintaining weight. Rich in several micronutrients, Chia seeds also serve as energy booster and offer a number of other health benefits. As Dr. Mehmet Oz from the Oprah show puts it, “They just may be one of the healthiest things around.”

Let us have a detailed look at the various benefits offered by these nutritious seeds.

Lower the risk of heart disease

Chia seeds are considered good for your heart as they help in lowering the bad cholesterol. As per a study dated 21st November 2012, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, chia seeds help in reducing triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels and increasing HDL, the good cholesterol. These are thus good for your heart health. The study further revealed that alpha linolenic acid, better known as ALA, present in these seeds prevents high triglyceride levels thereby lowering central obesity.

Reduce Inflammation

Chia seeds are one of the richest sources of omega 3 fatty acids. These are particularly rich in alpha linolenic acid. The presence of these fatty acids helps in reducing inflammation. It is especially good for people suffering from arthritis as high levels of omega 3 fatty acids in these seeds helps in lubricating various joints and keeping them supple. Omega 3 fatty acids are also converted into prostaglandins that help in relieving pain. These are a good source of fiber too which again is known for reducing inflammation.

Stabilize the blood sugar level

Studies reveal that chia seeds play an important role in regulating your insulin levels. These seeds lower the rate at which carbohydrates are digested and absorbed in the body. The soluble fiber present in chia seeds helps stabilize blood glucose level. As per a study conducted by Dr.VladamirVuksan from St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, the blood of diabetic patients who consumed chia seeds regularly for three months was thinner and thus less prone to clotting. It also helped in controlling high blood pressure.

Regulate Bowel Movement

These healthy seeds are rich in fiber that helps in regulating the bowel function efficiently. So next time you experience indigestion or poor bowel movement you know what to have. Merely two tablespoons of chia seeds contain 10 grams of fiber which is one third of the daily recommended fiber intake.

Control Aging

Antioxidants help in controlling aging and chia seeds are rich in these. Consuming these regularly thus helps in keeping you healthy and controls aging.

6. Reduce weight

The consumption of chia seeds can help in reducing weight especially when these seeds are consumed with water or other liquid as the fiber present in these seeds absorbs water and expands inside the stomach making you feel full. This helps in controlling appetite. Chia is also rich in proteins that again help in reducing hunger.

However, though helpful in reducing weight, the consumption of chia seeds alone may not have as much impact. Your total calorie intake during a day as well as your overall lifestyle determines your weight.

How to consume Chia seeds?

Chia seeds have a mild nutty flavour and are almost tasteless. You need not necessarily have to ground these seeds as these can be digested whole. Chia seeds can be enjoyed as toppings on different dishes such as cereals, vegetables, rice, puddings and baked deserts. You may even add these to smoothies, yogurt, shakes and soups, mix these with peanut butter or sprout them. However, it is best to have chia seeds mixed in a glass of plain water, coconut water or cranberry juice.

Chia seeds have emerged as a super food over the last few years. Talking about these seeds, Dr. Andrew Thomas Weil said, “You will begin to see chia being added to more and more commercial products, such as prepared baby foods, nutrition bars, and baked goods.”

Having talked of all the positives of Chia Seeds, it is important to understand if there is any downside to chia? Researcher Catherine Ulbricht, PharmD, cautions that if you have food allergies (especially to Sesame and Mustard seeds) or are on high BP medications or blood thinners you should ask your doctor before adding Chia to your diet.

September 2, 2016 By Trupti Vyas (Pandya) 1 Comment

Healthy Recipe challenge

The Festive Season is just around the corner. Festivals uplift our mood and make our lives better. Apart from rejoicing with family and friends, the most important thing of all is the amount of food you get to pig out on. And, there’s no doubt that during every Indian festival there’s a huge spread at the table and everyone gathers for a massive feast.

We’ve all starved during the festive season to make enough room for the sudden influx of gorgeous dishes and that’s totally acceptable.

We start the season with ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’, a ten day Hindu Festival celebrating beloved Elephant- headed god’s birthday. His pot-belly is a clear sign of what an avid eater he is and we follow his stubby footsteps on this day and fill ourselves to the brim with delicious foods. A variety of foods is prepared which include lots of sweets and high dense foods.

When I decided to write a blog I came up with the idea of throwing healthy recipes challenge to my Players. The idea was – ‘We can eat healthy foods without being guilty’. Some of the players took this challenge and have come up with healthy options of food which can be eaten during fasting and non-fasting days during the festive season.

Here is what the players have come up with

1) Player Parigna

-Idea: Recipe for Fasting foods.

Recipe: Fruits and nuts with hung sweet curd

-Ingredients: Curd, Honey, fruits and nuts

-Method of Preparation:

Mix 1 tablespoon honey in a bowl of curd. Tie this mixture in a soft muslin cloth and hang it for 2 hours. Cut seasonal fruits into small pieces. Chop some nuts of your choice. In a big bowl, mix hung cured, pieces of fruits and nuts.

2) Player- Vaibhav Sahu

Idea: Traditional sweet dish

Recipe: Dry Fruit Fudge

Ingredients: 100gm of Cashew nuts, almonds, 50gms Fox Nut (Makhana), dry coconut cut in thin long stripes, 50gm watermelon seeds, 100 gms Jaggery with a little water.

Method of Preparation:

Heat clarified butter in a pan and fry the Cashewnut, Makhana (Fox Nut), Almond. Dry roast the watermelon seeds separately and keep them aside, dry roast watermelon seed keep aside. Take 100gms Jaggery mix with a little water, heat it in a pan and make a thick syrup. Remove the jaggery syrup and let it cool. Then put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Grease a mould with clarified butter (Ghee) set the mixture in a dish and allow it to cool. Your dish is ready to eat.

3) Poonam Kanakagiri

Idea: Healthy Salads

Recipe: Carrot Salad

Ingredients: Carrots grated 2cups, ¼ cup soaked split Green Gram (Moong dal), 2 tablespoons grated coconut, 2tsp lemon juice, salt, some fresh ginger chopped, some chopped cilantro, 1/4 tsp oil

The method of Preparation: Take 1/4^th tsp of oil and prepare a seasoning of mustard seeds, split Chick Pea (Channa dal), Split Black Gram (Urad dal) green chillies, Ginger and curry leaves, add the seasoning and the rest of ingredients to carrots and mix. And serve.

4) Khushboo Sinha–

Idea: Healthy meal option

Recipe: Sattu (Toasted gram flour) Pancake with Dal Cutlet

Ingredients: For Sattu Pancake: Sattu (Toasted gram flour), Chopped onion, green chillies, coriander, 1tsp mustard oil

The method of preparation: Add chopped onion, green chillies, coriander, 1 spoon of mustard oil and some water to the Sattu and bind it. Stuff this Sattu mixture in whole wheat flour and make pancakes.

Ingredients: For Dal:Toor Dal (Pigeon peas or arhar dal) – ½ cup, Water –1 cup

For Cutlet:Whole wheat flour (Chapati atta) – ½ cup, optional, Turmeric powder – ¼ teaspoon, Red chili powder – ½ teaspoon , Asafoetida – a pinch, Salt – to taste, Water- 3/4th Cup.

Mix the dal with water in a pressure cooker and cook till 6-7 whistles. Then turn off the stove. Let the pressure go down by itself. While the dal is pressure cooking, make the dough for Cutlet. Take all dry ingredients (Wheat flour, salt, turmeric powder, red chili powder, asafoetida) in another bowl. Mix well. Make Small Cutlets. Work with one flattened disc at a time. Roll it into about 12-inch diameter circle. Make sure that it is not too thick or too thin. Transfer it to a plate, cover it with clean kitchen towel. Roll the same with second dough ball.

Now add two-three Cutlet at a time into boiling dal and stir it so they do not stick to each other. If you add all cutlet at once they will stick and make a big lump. So make sure to add few at a time and after adding stir it once. Then add few more and stir. Let it simmer for 10-12 minutes and don’t forget to stir in between. If needed add some more water. Taste one Cutlet piece to check if it is cooked. Once cooked turn the stove off. Lastly, add chopped coriander leaves and serve.

5) Mani Singhal

Idea: Fasting Recipe which serves as traditional food offered to God.

Recipe: Coriander (Dhaniya) Porridge

Ingredients:

1 Cup –Coriander Seeds (Dhaniya)

3/4 Cup – Brown Jaggery Sugar (Boora)

2 tbsp – Ghee (Clarified Butter)

7-8 – Chopped Almonds

2 tsp – Raisins

15-16 – Halved Cashew nuts

Method- Heat 1 tsp clarified butter (ghee) in a pan or wok and sauté cashew, almonds until golden brown, add raisins sauté for 30 seconds remove from wok and keep aside. In the same pan heat remaining clarified butter (ghee) add powdered coriander seeds and sauté for 4-5 minutes with continuous stirring or until raw smell goes and it becomes brown and engulfing the kitchen with its aroma. Transfer to a plate or bowl and allow to cool completely. Add powdered brown Jaggery sugar (boora), nuts and mix well to combine sugar and coriander powders together, using your hand is very good option to mix well.

6) Kavya

Idea: Healthy puffed paddy sweet balls (LADDOO) recipe

Ingredients: Puffed Paddy – 3 cups Jaggery – 2 cups Black Sesame Seeds – 1/4 cup Cashews or Groundnut or Almonds – 1/4 cup(dry roast and crushed) Cardamom powder – 1tsp Clarified Butter (Ghee) – 1/4 cup

The method of Preparation: Dry roast cashew/groundnut/almonds. Once cool crush to pieces • Dry roast the Black Sesame Seeds till they splutter • coarsely powder the Puffed Paddy.

Method • Mix the Puffed Paddy powder, crushed peanuts cashew nuts, roasted sesame seeds, cardamom powder and clarified butter (ghee). • Place a heavy bottom pan/kadhai with 1/4cup water. Add jaggery to it. Bring it to boil in medium flame. When the jaggery melts completely – keep stirring and splash few drops of the jaggery syrup to a bowl of water. If the jaggery syrup does not dissolve and it crystallizes then it’s ready. It should be of sticky consistency. Turn off the flame. • Add this Jaggery syrup to the Puffed Paddy balls (Laddoo) mixture from step 1 and mix well. • Grease your palm with little clarified butter (ghee) and make round balls (Laddoos) of the desired size. • Healthy Puffed Paddy Laddoo is ready to serve. •

Pls Note: Puffed Paddy contains the husk and is rich in fiber content. • Using Jaggery instead of Sugar makes it healthier and Jaggery also contains iron. • Adding dry fruits of your choice is optional making it healthier and tastier. We can store this for few days and eat in between main meals.

These are wonderful recipes shared by the players who believe that festivals can also be healthy. Eating healthy is beneficial in the long run. The healthy recipe challenge was a way to motivate the players to be involved and try something new and innovative. And, am I glad to say that they have done a wonderful job.

Hope, everyone reading this blog will enjoy these recipes during this festive season.

Winter Recipes

What’s for Dessert….

6 Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

Healthy Recipe challenge

What’s Your Excuse?

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Prioritizing Health: Kuntal Goswami’s Post-Pandemic Pursuit of Wellness

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