Vegetarian Recipe: Sukto

Sukto is a Bengali recipe made with a mix of vegetables with least number of spices and has an amazing flavour. Mostly the prime vegetable in the recipe is bitter gourd or karela,stop making the faces and try this at home.

Sukto

Ingredients:
2 medium sized Bittergourd or karela, cut into chips
1 cup cubes of pumpkin
1 brinjal or eggplant cut into cubes
2-3 drumsticks cut into 2inch pieces
Other veggies which can be used are raw papaya, potato, bottlegourd etc.
1 teaspoon Panch phoron (a mix of whole cummin seeds, mustard seeds, kallonji or kalo jeera (nigella sativa), saunf, fenugreek or methi seeds)
1/2 teaspoon asfoetida or hing
milk 1/2 cup
1 teaspoon flour
Mustard oil
Ghee
Salt to taste

Procedure:
1. Pour 1 tablespoon mustard oil in a heated frying pan, once the oil is heated add the cut bittergourd in to the pan, cook till it iss light golden in color, take it out and keep it aside.
2. Pour a little more oil & add a teaspoon of ghee. Add the panchphoron and hing to it and later add the rest of the vegetables to the pan. Cook for sometime covering the pan.
3. Add the salt after the vegetables are little softer & add some water to it, let it cook for some more time. Add the bittergourd also after some time.
4. After the vegetables are fully cooked around 20 min later, add the mix of milk and flour (can be whole wheat or refined).
5. Once the mixture boils properly, you can turn off the gas.

The dish is best served as the starting item in the menu with rice.

Post Pregnancy-Weight Loss

Pregnancy is a beautiful thing to happen to a woman's life. It also adds weight to the beautiful figure you had before. Getting back to shape & looking like a sexy Mom surely is on the top of the list. Just to help out all those women I'm writing this post.

1. Breastfeeding: It is good for you & your baby both. Breastfeeding helps burn around 500 calories.

2. Drink Water: Drinking water helps you keep hydrated & during breastfeeding the body has a tendency to dehydrate.

3. Eat smaller meals, many times a day: Eating small meals are related to weight loss & helps weight maintenance. Skipping meals is not a good idea, as then the body tends to store carbs for future use. Eating lots of vegetables, fruits & fiber filled foods help you feel full for longer.

4. Avoid craving: Eat only when hungry & keep tempting foods out of sight. This will not only help you reduce the excess weight but also help the baby get the right nutrient share. You are the source of nutrients to the baby when you breastfeed.

5. Exercise: Do not hit the gym! Light exercise including walking, aerobics & yoga can be of great help in this phase.

If the above steps are taken care of especially taking care of the diet will surely help.

Healthy Breakfast: Rawa Uttapam

The instant South Indian meals are easy to cook as well as healthy & tasty. I will share the recipe of Instant Rawa Uttapam for a healthy breakfast.

Rawa Uttapam

Ingredients
Rawa or Semolina: 2 cups
Yogurt (un-fattened): 3 cups
Green Capsicum: 1/2 cup chopped
Cauliflower:1/2 cup chopped
Tomato: 1 medium chopped
Onion: 1 medium chopped
Chillies: 2 chopped
Salt: as per taste
Oil

Preparation:
1. Mix the Rawa & Yogurt well till a smooth paste is made. Mix it well with salt.
2. Add the onion & chillies to the mix. Let it stand for 15 min
3. Mix the rest of the veggies in a bowl & add some salt. This will help it get cooked easily and also the taste would be better.
4. On a non-stick pan, let it heat up and then brush oil.
5. Pour the batter enough to get a 6" uttapam.
6. After it is half cooked, add the veggies on the top & turn the side.
7. Let the other side cook on low flame for 2-3 min.
8. Serve it hot with veggie side up.
9. You can make the chutney also with khus khus paste, coconut paste & curd mixed or enjoy it with tomato sauce.

A healthy breakfast with good proteins & good taste served on the platter. Thanks!

Healthy Vegetarian Recipe: Dahi Parwal

Hi Friends! Here is a tasty & healthy recipe you will love. This recipe is light for the summers and easy to digest. Let's see how it is made:

Dahi Parwal:

Ingredients:
Parwal or Pointed Gourd: 6-8
Onion: 1
Ginger: 1/2 inch
Chili: 2
Yogurt:1 cup
Corriander powder:1 teaspoon
Turmeric powder: 1/2 teaspoon
Cummin Powder: 1 teaspoon
Cardamom: 2 small
Cinnamon: 1 inch
Olive oil: 2 teaspoon
Salt to taste

Preparation:
1. Take the Parwal or pointed gourd, Cut the ends, peel off the skin. Make side-slits on the side on the body of the parwal for the cooking to take place properly.
2. Chop the onion and slit the chili.
3. Mix the yogurt with ginger paste, and corriander, turmeric, cummin powder.
4. In a heated pan, add the olive oil. Then add cardamon & cinnamon after making it into small pieces.
5. Then add the chopped onion, once light golden in color add the parwal  & chili and after mixing it well cover it for some time on low flame.
6. When the parwal becomes tender add the yogurt with spices. Add the salt to taste.
7. Let it cook for a while on low flame. You will see a uniform mix in the gravy.

It would taste awesome. Serve hot! You can enjoy this recipe with rice. This would be a light & healthy recipe. Hope you like it friends!

Healthy Vegan Recipe: Aloo Gobhi

Hi Friends! A very blessed Good Friday & Happy Easter to all of you. My friend has asked for this recipe so writing this recipe for her. This is again a simple vegan recipe & very tasty to eat. The preparation varies from people to people but I like it this way.

Ingredients:
Aloo Gobhi (Potato Cauliflower)
Cauliflower: 20 florets
Potato: 1 large
Peas: 1 cup
Ginger: 1 inch grated
Cumin seeds: 1 teaspoon
Mustard Oil: 2 teaspoons
Turmeric: 1/2 teaspoon
Cumin powder: 1 teaspoon
Corriander powder: 1 teaspoon
Kashmiri Lal Mirch or Paprika: 1 teaspoon
Cloves: 4-6
Bay leaf: 2
Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
Salt to Taste
Chili: 1 slit

Preparation:
1. Semi-boil the potato with the skin (cut it into half while boiling). Cut it into 1 inch cubes.
2. Heat mustard oil in a non-stick frying pan. Add the cumin, cloves & bay leaves. Add the florets and mix it well & cover it to cook.
3. Mix the turmeric, paprika, cumin powder & corriander powder and ginger in water to make a liquid paste.
4. Add the sliced boiled potato pieces & peas, mix it with florets. Add the mix of spices with salt to taste. Mix it so that all the veggies are coated with spices.
5. Let it cook for some time, and stand for some time.
6. After complete serve it in a bowl. Sprinkle black pepper powder, & slit chili for garnishing.

The taste it just awesome & the process is simple. It also has benefits of Indian spices like cumin, turmeric, black pepper, corriander, all great for health. Apart from it cauliflower, potato & peas which provide nutrition needed by you. Hope you like it... Thanks!

Heart Healthy Food

Hi Friends! Heart diseases are the no.1 killer across the world. The foods which help us keep our heart in good should be in our diet & today my topic will be the same. The risk of heart attacks & strokes (cardiovascular diseases) can be reduced by healthy eating & healthy living. Find the below list to make a difference in your diet.

Nuts: They are a source of plant Omega-3 fatty acids, mono & poly unsaturated fatty acids favorable for the heart, magnesium, Vitamin E, phytosterols, which prove an excellent combination for the heart, especially walnuts & almonds.

Salmon or Other Fatty Fish: The most important source of Omega-3 fatty acids. They also have good amount of folate & Niacin & have shown excellent food to keep your heart healthy.

Black or Kidney Beans:  They are a source of healthy protein without unhealthy fats. They are also rich in Vitamin B complex, niacin, calcium & soluble fiber. They help fight diabetes as well which has shown a big role in connection to cardiovascular diseases.

Tofu: Soy products like Tofu & soy milk are excellent source of protein & have no unhealthy fats. They are rich sources of polyunsaturated fats, potassium, niacin, folate, & magnesium. It also reduces blood pressure & LDL levels.

Broccoli & Spinach: They are high in dietary fibers which help cleanse your system. Other nutrients like Vitamin A, B complex, Vitamin C magnesium, potassium & calcium make it a power packed food for salads & veggies.

Red Bell Peppers: They are rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin B complex, betacarotene & lutein along with folate, potassium & fiber, also tasty to add in your veggies & salads.

Oranges & other citrus fruits: These fruits are rich source of Vitamin C which is a super antioxidant in fighting free radicals in the body responsible for damage. Also they have Beta-cryptoxanthins, beta & alpha carotenes & lutein and folate, potassium & fiber.

Tomatoes: Mentioned in my previous posts as well, they are rich in potassium healthy for blood pressure levels. Vitamin C, Alpha & Beta Carotene lycopene, lutein, folate & fiber are the other nutrients present in tomatoes like citrus fruits. Due to their low calories & sugar level they are a very good source of dietary nutrients.

Papaya: They are rich in a variety of Vitamins & minerals. They contain Vitamin C & E, beta carotene, lutein & beta cryptoxanthin, calcium, magnesium & potassium. High in soluble fiber as well makes it an excellent choice for heart patients.

Tea: It is rich in catechin & flavonols (antioxidants), a much preferred beverage in Asian countries. It helps reduce the risk of heart attack & stroke by around 20% as suggested in research.

Oatmeal: High in soluble fiber which help in fighting cholesterol. They also are a source of calcium, folate, niacin, magnesium & potassium. Other whole grain meals are also considered to be great foods for heart health.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Olives both green & black are great for health & a source of good fat for the body. The presence of Monounsaturated fats which help reduce blood cholesterol & blood sugar levels.

Pomegranates: Numerous antioxidants like polyphenols & anthocyanins have shown to help improved flow of blood to the heart. It helps prevent the stiffening of arteries.

Dark Chocolates: My favorite addition to the list as usual high in antioxidants have been known to fight bad cholesterol in the body with the help of flavonoids present. This can only be seen in chocolates with content of 60-70% minimum  cocoa & not milk chocolates.

Water: Last but not the least water, it helps your system by acting as a cleaning agent. Drinking lots of water helps you excrete toxins from the body.

Eat Healthy & Stay Happy! Thank You Friends...