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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Easy Stuffed Bhindi(stuffed Okra with simple spices)

Happy New Year to all my readers.I was away from blogging for quite sometime due to some personal issues.
Today's post is again a quick and easy to make recipe.Bhindi is the favorite veggie of many children and this recipe uses some simple ingredients are are always available in the kitchenYou can shallow fry the bhindis which makes it even more healthy. Hope you will try it out and please share your experience in the comments section.

Ingredients: 
Okra(Bhindi)-10 to 15 small ones
Oil-3 tablespoon
Pan/tawa for shallow fry

For the Stuffing:
Besan(chickpeas flour)-2 tablespoons
Hing(asafetida)-1/4 teaspoon
Red chilli powder-2 teaspoons
Dry mango powder(amchur)-3 teaspoons
Chaat masala-1 teaspoon
Kala namak or black salt-as per taste
Ajwain seeds-1/4 teaspoon
Turmeric powder-1/4 teaspoon

Method: 
- Wash the okras properly and dry them with a soft cotton cloth.
-Slit the okras with the help of a knife.Make sure you don't cut the head and the end of each okra.
-Assemble all the ingredients for the stuffing in a bowl and mix them well with a spoon.
-Now,take one okra at a time and fill the slits with the stuffing masalas.
-Heat the pan on gas and add oil and when the oil is warm,add the stuffed okras to the pan.
-Make sure you add the okras in batches and avoid crowding the pan with too many okras.
-Cover the pan with a lid and let the okras cook on slow flame for 2 minutes.
-Open the lid and turn the okras and cook till it's properly done.
-take out and serve hot.
Repeat the above step for the rest of the okras.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015!!!

I wish all my readers a very happy,prosperous and healthy new year.

Boondi and Sev Bhel-Holi Special Recipes

My next holi special recipe is the boondi and sev bhel.This is also a quick to make recipe and tastes great.
I have used pudina sev but you can also use plain sev.This is a sweet and tangy bhel and is a good holi snack recipe.You can also add sprouts or boiled chickpeas to make is more healthy.

Ingredients:
Boondi-100 grams
Pudina sev-100 grams
Tomato-1 small,deseeded and finely chopped
Onion-1 small,finely chopped
Green chilles-1 finely chopped
Green mango/Keiri-small piece,peeled and finely chopped
Pudina and coriander leaves-3 teaspoons,finely chopped
Green chutney- 3 teaspoons,See RECIPE herehttp://mamasview.blogspot.in/2012/04/healthy-green-dhania-chutneycoriander.html
Tamarind Chutney-2 teaspoons
Curd-1 tablespoon
Chaat masala-2 teaspoons
Fresh lime juice-2 teaspoons

Method:
-Take a mixing bowl and add all the above ingredients one by one and gently mix with a spoon and serve immediately.

WaterMelon Smoothie-Holi Special Rcipes

I wish all my readers a very Happy,Safe and Colourful  Holi.Holi is a time for fun and lots of tasty food.I have tried to post some recipes that and not only tasty but also healthy.
This smoothie is a simple and quick to make recipe.

Ingredients:
Water Melon-1 medium size
Suger free powder-1tablespoon
Hung curd/Curd-2 tablespoons
Vanilla ice-cream -1 scoop
Water melon-deseeded and cut into long slices

Method:
-Peel the water melon and de-seed it.
-Cut it into small chunks.
-Take a mixer jar and put the cut water melon,curd,sugarfree powder and ice-cream and blend to make a smooth juice.
-Take a tall glass and pour the smoothie into the glass and garnish with long slices of cut water melon.

Split Green Moong Khichri-Unpolished lentils and rice mix

Khichri is a preparation of rice and lentils and is generally considered as a comfort food.Lentils and rich in protein and khichri is also considered good for growing children.There are several ways of making a khichri and each state in India has it's own version.Today I am sharing an easy to make khichri recipe.

Ingredients:
Unpolished Split green moong dal-1/2 cup
Rice-1.5 cups
Cumin seeds-1/4 teaspoons
Hing-a generous pinch
Beans-5-6,finely chopped
Carrot-1small,grated
Green peas-1/2 cups
Ginger-1/2 teaspoon,grated
Curry leaves-4-5
Red chilli powder-1/2 teaspoon(optional)
Turmeric powder-1/2 teaspoon
Salt to taste
Water-3.5 cups
Ghee/any vegetable oil-1 teaspoon

Method: 
-Soak the split moong dal and rice separately in enough water for 2-3 hours.
-Heat a pressure cooker and add oil to it.
-Add cumin seeds and let it splutter.
-Now add curry leaves and hing.
-Add the finely chopped vegetables and stir for 3-4 minutes.
-Drain the water from he rice and dal and add them to the cooker.
-Now add 3.5 cups of water and salt,turmeric powder and red chilli powder.
-Let it pressure cook on medium flame for 3-4whistles .
-Let the pressure completely escape from the cooker.
-Serve the hot khichri with fresh yogurt,roasted papad and any pickle.

Banana Tikki-Shallow fried green banana cutlet

In my previous post i have already mentioned the awesome health benefits of banana.
Today's recipe is a simple boiled raw banana mashed with boiled potato to make a tikki.This recipe can be served with any green chutney and can also be had as a starter.It is shallow fried with a lite oil and is extremely nutritious for kids.

Ingredients: 
Raw banana-2,boiled and peeled
Potato-1 big,boiled and peeled
Onions-1 small,finely chopped
Green chilli-1,finely chopped
Coriander eaves-2 teaspoons,finely chopped
Aamchur powder-1/2 teaspoon(optional)
Salt to taste 
Oil to shallow fry the tikkis-Olive/vegetable oil

Method: 
-Peel the banana and the potato and mash it in a bowl.
-Add all the above ingredients except oil to it and mix well.
-Heat a  pan and add 1 teaspoon of any oil.
-Take small portion of the mashed paste and make a round ball and gently flaten it on your palms to give the shape of a tikki.
-Place the tikkis on the pan and cook till both sides and done.
-Remember to cook the tikkis on low flame.
-Serve hot with green chutney.