Tag Archives: ayurveda

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Ashgourd Majjigehuli (Wintermelon curd curry/ Ashgourd Morukulambu)

Category:Indian Dietitian Online Tags : 

Ashgourd (Kumbalkay in Kannada, Kumhda in Hindi, Vellai Poosanikai in Tamil) is a common and highly revered vegetable in India. It is also used in Hindu religious ceremonies.

It is supposed to be a light vegetable and easy to digest, so best for those who find it difficult to digest heavy foods.

Pumpkin, Squash, Vegetables, Benefit From, Harvest Time
Ashgourd/Wintermelon

Here is a simple curd curry using Ashgourd:

Ingredients for the majjige huli:

  • Ashgourd/Wintermelon: 500gms cut into cubes
  • Coconut: 1 cup grated(fresh/frozen)
  • Channa dal/split chickpeas: 1tbsp soaked in water for 1/2hour (optional)
  • Green chillies: 2-3
  • Cumin seeds/zeera: 1tsp
  • Mustard seeds: 1tsp
  • Yogurt/ curd: 1 cup (should be slightly sour)
  • Water: 2-3 cups
  • Salt: to taste

For the tempering:

  • Mustard seeds: 1tsp
  • Cumin seeds/zeera: 1tsp
  • Urad dal: 1tsp
  • Curry leaves:3-4 nos.
  • Oil: 1tsp

Method:

  1. Boil the Ashgourd/Wintermelon in just enough water till half done.
  2. In the meanwhile grind the coconut,green chillies, the soaked channa dal(optional), mustard and cumin seeds till you get a fine paste (add a little water when grinding).
  3. When the ashgourd/Wintermelon is half cooked add the ground masala and a cup of water and let it boil.
  4. Add salt, yogurt and another cup of water and cook for a minute or two.
  5. In a separate pan, heat the oil and add the mustard,cumin and the urad dal. Wait till the mustard starts to pop, add the curry leaves , then pour the tempering over the majjige huli and mix.
  6. Serve the majjige huli hot with parboiled rice or regular rice.

Q: What is your favorite side dish to go with rice?

Sweta Uchil

Indian Online Dietitian


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Ayurvedic Ginger Pickle for digestion

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In Ayurveda ginger is used to relieve various conditions from aiding digestion, to relieving inflammation, colds, nausea and much more.

For those who have digestive problems, ginger is great as it can stimulate the digestive juices and increases the flow of saliva. Eating a little ginger in lime juice with a little salt is recommended before eating a meal.

Try this instant ginger pickle recipe to prepare digestion before a meal:

  • Fresh ginger root:2 inches
  • Lemon or lime juice: 1 nos.
  • Rock salt: to taste
  • Raw honey(optional): to taste

Method:

Peel and grate the fresh ginger and place in a jar. Stir in the lemon or lime juice, the salt and the honey.

Eat some ginger pickle just before meals as an appetiser or digestive aid.

This instant pickle can last for several days when refrigerated.


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Turmeric Milk (Turmeric Latte/How to make Golden Milk)

Category:Indian Dietitian Online,Online Dietician India Tags : 

 

Turmeric is a plant that has a very long history of medicinal use, dating back nearly 4000 years. In India, turmeric is used not only as a principal spice but also as a component in religious ceremonies. In Ayurveda and the Unani systems, turmeric has a long history of medicinal use for purifying the blood , as an antioxidant which is beneficial nasal and throat congestion and has been traditionally used for its anti-microbial and anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties.

Ingredients for Turmeric Milk/ Golden Milk:

  • Milk: 1 cup (Organic grass fed cow’s milk if possible)
  • Turmeric Powder: 1/4 tsp- 1/2 tsp
  • Honey (optional): to taste
  • Pepper/cinnamon/saffron (optional): a pinch

Method:

  1. Warm the milk in a saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add the turmeric powder and stir till it is completely dissolved in the milk (you could add the other spices if you like)
  3. Remove from heat and pour into a cup/mug.
  4. Add the honey (optional) and drink when it’s still warm.

The best time to drink it is before bedtime as it can help you sleep better (though you can drink it anytime). It helps build immunity to coughs and colds and makes a great drink in the fall/winter.

Another great way to keep coughs & colds at bay during winter is Adrak Chai or Ginger Chai Latte. Here’s the recipe for Ginger Chai Latte/Adrak Chai

 


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Adrak Chai (Brewed Ginger Tea Latte)

Category:Indian Dietitian Online,Online Dietician India Tags : 

Ginger has many medicinal properties and has long been used in Ayurveda and other traditional medicinal systems for improving digestion, reducing intestinal gas and alleviate nausea and vomiting (including morning sickness) and reducing the pain during menstrual cramps. Ginger is also used in Ayurveda to reduce phlegm and coughs, colds and breathing difficulties. Research has also shown it has anti-inflammatory properties also reduces inflammation and makes it a great pain reliever for athletes and arthritis.

In our house, we switch to ginger tea (adrak chai) the moment it starts to get cold (which is usually in autumn) and switch to cardamom tea in summers.

Ingredients For Adrak Chai or Ginger Tea Latte: Serves 4

  • Milk: 2 cups
  • Water: 2 cups
  • Tea leaves: 4 teaspoons ( we use orange pekoe)
  • Ginger: 1 ” piece
  • Sugar/Stevia: to taste

Method:

  1. In a saucepan, heat the milk and water and add the tea leaves.
  2. Grate the ginger (you could also crush them and add) and add it to the saucepan.
  3. Let the tea boil for 8-10 mins on low heat.
  4. Switch off, strain the brewed tea and add sugar/stevia.

Note: We like our tea with a lot of milk, but you can reduce it or even just have black tea with ginger. You could also add cardamom or other spices like pepper,cinnamon. We prefer our tea with just one spice at a time 🙂

Fresh ginger contains greater levels of gingerol and other anti-inflammatory compounds.

Storing Tip: You can store fresh ginger in the freezer and grate it while frozen directly into your saucepan.

Another great recipe for keeping coughs and colds away is Turmeric Milk/ Turmeric Latte or Haldi Doodh. Here’s the recipe : How to make Turmeric Latte/Golden Milk