Cauliflower Curry without Garlic and Onion-Vrat/Fasting special

 Cauliflower Curry without  onion and garlic :

 Shravan is an auspicious month for Hindus and this month is dedicated to the worship of lord Shiva.It is believed that Shravan month is a good time to meditate and pray to lord Shiva.Many people refrain from eating onion and garlic during this time as these are considered to be Tamsik in nature as per Ayurveda.

This cauliflower curry is cooked without onions and garlic and can be eaten during vrat or fasts.I have used roasted  whole spices and made a nice powder from it.You can store this powder in an air tight jar and use whenever you want to make any recipe without onions and garlic.Use dry ginger powder(Saunth) if you do not want to use the powder immediately.
Try this delicious curry during this holy month of Shravan or any Vrat and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Ingredients:
For Masala Powder
Cumin seeds-2 teaspoons
Coriander seeds-2 teaspoons
Black pepper corns-3-4
Dry Red chillies-2
Cloves-3-4
Green Cardamom-1
Cinnamon-1 big stick
Bay leaves-2
Dry ginger powder(Saunth) -2 teaspoons

For the Curry
Cumin seeds-1 teaspoon
Tomatoes-2 medium sized,diced
Cauliflower-1
Potatoes-2 medium sized
Oil-3 teaspoons
Turmeric powder-1 teaspoon
Green coriander leaves-2 teaspoons,finely chopped
Water-2.5 cups
Salt to taste

Method:
-To make the masala powder,put all the ingredients mentioned in the ingredients for masala in a mixer jar and grind to make a smooth powder.
-Cut the cauliflower and potatoes into medium size.Dice the tomatoes.
-Take a pan and put 1 teaspoon of oil and separately fry the potatoes and cauliflower.Add a pinch of salt while frying the cauliflower.Saute the potatoes and cauliflower for 3-4 minutes each till they are half cooked.
-In the same pan add 2 teaspoons of oil and let it heat.Add the cumin seeds and let it splutter.Add the diced tomatoes and saute for 2-3 minutes.
-Now add the masala powder,cauliflower and potatoes and mix well.
-Add salt and turmeric powder and cook for 2 minutes.
-Add 2 cups of water and mix well.Cover the pan with a lid and cook for another 4-5 minutes on medium flame till the vegetables and properly done.
-Remove from fire and garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves.
-Serve hot with puris or pulao.

Flaxseed (Alsi) Powder/Chutney

Flaxseed(Alsi)  Powder/Chutney:

Flaxseed is the new wonder food.These small seeds are a powerhouse of some of the most healthy components like lignans,omega-3 fatty acids and fibre.

Flaxseeds have the power to fight against certain cancers like breast,colon and prostrate. These seeds also protect us against diabetics and cardiovascular diseases.A diet rich in flaxseeds helps reduce inflammation and also control hot flashes in menopausal women.

Today's recipe is a simple and quick flaxseed powder/chutney which you can store upto a week in an air tight glass container. You can have it with rice,idli,dosa or even chapati.

Ingredients:

Flaxseeds-1 small bowl

Cumin seeds-1/2 teaspoon

Red chilli powder-1 teaspoon

Garlic-5-6 cloves

Rock salt-as per taste

Sugar-1/2 teaspoon(optional)

Steps:

-Heat a small heavy bottom pan on medium to low heat and dry roast the flaxseeds,stirring them constantly for 2-3 minutes. As soon as the seeds start to splutter,turn off the gas and allow the flaxseeds to cool.

-Take a mixer jar and add the seeds and all the other ingredients and make a powder .

-Your super healthy flaxseed chutney is ready.enjoy it with rice,dosa,idli or chapati.

-Store it in a airtight container and consume it within a week to get the maximum health benefits from this powder.

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Home made immunity boosting (Kadha/Kashayam )Powder:

Immunity Boosting recipes :1
Home made immunity boosting (Kadha/Kashayam )Powder:





As most states begin to re-open, we are seeing a surge in new cases everyday. I want to make sure that every parent is armed with what they need to support their kids.

In this pandemic-ridden world, we need all the right information we can get to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

The much awaited monsoon season is also here and monsoon brings along numerous diseases too.

Our immunity takes a dip during this season making us more susceptible to common cold, flu, other viral infections,and digestive issues. A good immune system, therefore, is required during this season, which can be built by consuming good seasonal food.

We all know that the market is flooded with many immunity boosting capsules and powders that are expensive and most of them contain preservatives to retain the shelf-life of these products. Anything that is home made is always easy on the pocket and we are sure about the ingredients.

I am starting the series with a Kadha/Kashayam powder which can be made using the common spices that are available in our kitchen.This recipe is simple yet very effective.You can make and store it for a couple of months.

The best way to consume it is by adding a little honey and a few drops of lemon juice or you can just have it as a herbal tea. Try having it atleast twice a day and replace it with your regular tea or coffee.

This is great for kids and is great for the elderly people too.Make this Kashayam/Kadha and enjoy it with your family.

Don't forget to comment :)

So, here goes the recipe.




Immunity boosting Powder( Kadha/Kashayam):
Ingredients :

Cinnamon sticks-5 big

Cloves-6 nos.

Black pepper (whole) - 10-12 nos.

Coriander seeds (whole) -8-10 nos.

Nutmeg/jaiphal powder -1/4 teaspoon

Turmeric powder-2 teaspoons

Dry ginger powder/sounth/sunthi- 4 teaspoons

Ashwagandha churna(optional)-1.5 teaspoons


Fresh tulsi leaves/holy basil-4-5 nos.


Method :
1)dry roast the whole ingredients on slow flame for 2 minutes on a heated pan. Make sure they are not burnt.Keep stirring until you get an aroma.

2)Let it cool.

3)take a mixture jar for dry grinding and add the roasted spices along with the powdered spices.

4)grind to make a fine powder.

5) take out and store in an air tight glass bottle (preferably glass).


How to make the kashayam /kadha:

1)Take a small pan and add 1.5 cup of drinking water to it.

2) allow the water to simmer and add 1.5 (one and half) teaspoon of the kashayam powder and the tulsi leaves to this water and let it boil on low heat for at least 5 minutes.Remember to keep the lid of the pan closed while boiling.

3)turnoff the gas and strain the kashayam /kadha and pour it into a cup.

4) add 1 teaspoon of honey and a few drops of lemon juice to it and stir it with a spoon.

5)serve hot.

Your immunity boosting kadha is ready to serve. Have at least two cups everyday.


Notes: you can adjust the water depending on the no of cups you are making. The recipe above is for 1 cup.

  You can also add 1/2 teaspoon of this powder to your regular tea.

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Sambar Powder

  (Photo credit: Jennifer Kumar)

When it comes to making sambar,I always prefer making home-made sambar powder.Everyone has their own version of making sambar powder.Though you can always find ready-made sambar powders in your local stores but there is definitely a difference in the taste and aroma of both types of sambar powders.
You can make this sambar powder and store in in air-tight containers so that it stays fresh for weeks.

Ingredients:
Coriander seeds-1.5 cups
Dried red chillies-1/2 Cup
Chana dal-1/4 cups
Toor dal-1/4 cups
Cumin seeds-100 grams
Black peppercorns-100 grams
Fenugreek seeds- 150 grams
Asafoetida -2 tablespoons
Curry leaves-10-15
Salt-2 teaspoons

Method:
-Take a pan and dry roast each ingredient except asafoetida and salt seperately on low flame till you get a nice aroma from each ingredient.
-Let it cool completely.
-Put all the roasted  ingredients along with asafoetida and salt in a mixer jar and grind to make a nice powder.
-Take out and immediately store in a dry and air tight container.