Quick Cucumber and Cheese Sandwich

Quick Cucumber and Cheese Sandwich

This easy sandwich is perfect for a lazy Sunday  and it's simple and doesn't require many ingredients. Just a few pieces of sandwich bread or any whole wheat/multigrain bread ,grated cheese and cucumber and you're good to go. You can also involve kids while making this or this can be their Sunday chore to help mommy :).

Ingredients :

Whole wheat /multigrain/plain sandwich  bread -8 pieces.

Cucumber- 2 medium( grated)

Processed Cheese cubes- 5 cubes (grated)

Black pepper powder- 1 tablespoon(freshly ground)

Butter- for spreading on the bread

Knife

Steps to make the sandwich:

- Take 2 slices of the bread and cut the edges with the help of a knife.

- With the help of a butter knife spread butter evenly on one side of each slice.

-Take a teaspoon of the grated cucumber and place it on one slice and again another teaspoon of grated cheese.

-Spread the  grated cheese and cucumber mixture evenly and sprinkle a pinch of freshly grounded black pepper powder on it and cover it with another slice.

-Repeat the above steps with the other slices.

-You quick sandwich is ready to eat! enjoy it with a cup of hot masala tea.

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Ghee (clarified butter)the Indian Superfood

Ghee the Indian Superfood : 

What is ghee? 

Ghee is a type of clarified butter. It's more concentrated in fat than butter, as its water and milk solids have been removed. Ghee is made from the milk of a buffalo or cow. Pure desi ghee, is ghee made of cow's milk. It contains plenty of omega-3 fatty acids along with Vitamin A. It is one of the best oils for cooking. According to Ayurveda,Ghee stimulates digestive fire. It has a very high smoke point (~485 degrees F) and its chemical structure does not change at high heat. 

why should you have ghee?

 Benefits of ghee 

Ghee has several health benefits including increasing metabolism, decreasing inflammation, and improving heart health.   

This Indian superfood also improves the memory and strengthens the brain and nervous system, promotes longevity and helps restore balance to your mind. 

ghee is known to stimulate the digestive process and is likely to aid in weight loss. It also restores balance to your mind and will boost the functioning of your brain.   

It is loaded with vitamins A, D, E and K. Ghee is also very rich in dietary fats.   

ghee is also known as a body cleanser as it removes impurities from your body. It strengthens your eyesight, your muscles and tendons.

Ghee for weight loss 

Since ghee is rich in omega 3 fats (DHA) and omega 6 (CLA), it can be great for weight loss. Omega 6 fats have shown to increase the lean body mass while reducing the fat mass. Experts have also found that ghee helps in mobilizing fat cells to be burnt for energy.  Ghee is packed with essential amino acids that can shrink the size of fat cells.

Ghee for Kids
Ghee is essential for brain development in kids.
The addition of desi ghee can be an essential addition to the diet list that is rich in Omega 3, the exact amount of DHA and EPA and 9 fatty acids. So, start giving it an accurate amount for improved brain development and memory.
Ghee massage is a healthy way to take care of a kid’s sensitive skin.
Ghee diet helps in strengthening general immunity of a kid a great natural remedy for strengthening bones. The vitamin K content of cow ghee helps in quick absorption of calcium, and that makes the bone strong.

Ghee for pregnant women

During pregnancy, desi ghee provides nourishment to both the mother and the child as they need more nutrients.

Fertility benefits of ghee
Ghee helps women’s bodies produce cholesterol that is necessary for them to create and maintain higher levels of estrogen and progesterone, both the hormones are critical for fertility.

Ghee for immunity
ghee is considered as one of the best immunity boosters in India.

Laddos with ghee and jaggery

i would like to share a very easy laddu which is made using ghee,jaggery powder,dry ginger powder,pinch of jaiphal.This can be made by heating a heavy bottom pan and let the ghee melt.You can add 2 tablespoons of cow ghee.Add 2 tablespoons of jaggery powder and rest of the ingredients and quickly stir the entire mixture on low flame for 2 minutes and let it cool a bit and roll it into small peanut sized balls while the mixture is still warm.
These laddus can be given to kids or anyone who has cough and cold.


Importance of ghee in Ayurveda
Ghee is Ayurveda's most treasured food. Sattvic Food and is known as Ghrita
Cow Ghee is considered a sattvic food in Ayurveda.
For Body Massage,also known as Abhyang, Apply ghee all over the body, rubbing into head, chest, limbs, joints According to the Charak Samhita, regular Abhyanga slows the aging process.

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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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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.