Sesame Seeds lowers your bad cholesterol

         This is the time of peak winter everywhere, In India its time of makar sankrant festival. This festival is celebrated all over India and has different names as per the regional effect like in north India its called "Lohri", In west and mid India its called "Sankrant" or "Uttaran", In east India it is called "Bihu" while in south India its celebrated as 'Pongal". Even though there are different names area-wise but common thing done during this festival to eat various preparation of sesame seeds. I belong to west India and here we make very famous and tasty preparation of sesame called "Gulachi Poli" or "Sesame Jaggery Pancake".

          Research has proved that sesame seeds improve lipid profile in patients suffering with cardio-vascular diseases by decreasing LDL( Low density lipoprotein), Total Cholesterol and Triglycerides. Therefore it is good to heart patient to eat sesame seeds. Sesame seed is also known for its anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

           Coming back to the recipe,this is simple and yummy recipe which is liked by children and adults both. Eating this helps our body to maintain the warmth during winter.Try this recipe...........good  for body and good on taste.........enjoy it........... 

Ingredients:

Dough: 1 Cup whole wheat  flour

1/2 cup refined wheat flour ( maida)

3 1/2 tsp vegetable oil (lukewarm)

milk to knead the dough. (lukewarm)

pinch of salt

Stuffing: 1 cup sesame seeds

1 cup  Jaggery 

2 tsp crushed dry fruits ( almond,walnut, cashew nuts,pistachio)

1 tsp Cardamon powder ( optional)

Pinch of nutmeg powder (optional)

Directions:

1. Mix the flour, add salt and oil. Mix them properly. Add milk as per requirement and knead a dough ( little thick than roti/nan dough). Keep the dough to rest for 2 hours.

2. Prepare Stuffing: 

     a) Roast the sesame seeds till get nice golden brown. Allow to cool it.

     b) Grate the jaggery by grater

     c) When the sesame seeds cool down , grind them in mixer ( consistency coarse) 

     d) Mix crushed sesame seeds, jaggery,dry fruit, cardomon and nutmeg powder.

     

     e) Microwave the mixture for 20 seconds and then press them hard to make small round balls medium    

         sized.

      

3. After 2 hours, divide the dough into equal small parts. Now take one part of that dough make it into ball.

    by using a roller and a clean platform, roll the ball into a small circle .

4. Place one round ball of stuffing onto that small circle and cover the stuffing ball from all sides by the dough     

    circle. Remove the extra dough after completely covering the stuffing.

5. Now roll that stuffed ball into medium sized circle/paratha/poli/pan cake  ( like a pie crust or a pizza base)

6. Roast the stuffed circle/paratha/poli/ pan cake on skillet from both sides on medium heat. Add Ghee  ( Clarified butter) on both the sides of circle/paratha/poli/ pan cake while roasting.

Best Accompanied by: Ghee  ( Clarified butter)  or milk.

Stress not a good Idea

World around us is full of good and more of bad things..........but never forget that there is goodness and there are good people around us..........so do not take stress.......because stress is not a good Idea....... a good head massage helps us to relax........ have head massage weekly/ fortnightly and be stress free.........

Mumbai Veeegy Pulav

We all have started new year 2013 with full zing and energy. This winter , where our taste buds wants tasty and spicy food, it is necessary for the food to be nutritious to withhold the winter winds. So lets start this new year with a tasty healthy recipe...which is Mumbai Veeegy Pulav which has a balance of protein, carbohydrate and micro-nutrients. Also it has the best mixture of Indian spices, easy to cook.........a simple recipe .........In  mumbai style vegetable pulav I have added pav bhaji masala to overcome the mundane taste of pulav. It has egg which serves a good source of first class proteins that helps increase our immunity and the vegetables take care of our micro-nutrients requirements. This is exact dinner recipe when you had a long busy day and you are tired to cook.......an easy delicious recipe..........ENJOY IT............I DID.........:)

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Basmati Rice.

1/2 tbsp Ghee (preferably homemade)

1 tsp Cumin Seeds

3-4 cloves

1 garlic cloves ( finely chopped)

4 cashew nuts (optional)

1/2 cup carrot (long sliced)

1/2 cup broccoli

1/2 cup tomato (long sliced)

1 egg 

1 tsp Pav Bhaji masala

1/2 tsp Black pepper powder

Salt to taste

1/2 tsp cream to garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Wash basmati rice and cook it in pressure cooker. ( add little less than 1 cup water while cooking so that it comes out free).

2. After the rice is cooked remove gently in a plate to cool down.

2.  In a pan heat ghee, add cumin seeds, cashew nuts, garlic let them cook for a minute, add carrot broccoli and allow to cook them for 3 minutes. 

4. Add egg in to pan along with  black pepper powder and wait till the egg gets  to cooked.

5. Add tomatoes and pav bhaji masala, toss tomatoes for around 30-40 seconds .

6. Add cooked rice  and salt in the pan and stir gently so that the rice grains do not break.

7. Garnish with a whip of cream

Best Accompanied with: Yoghurt, Pickle , Papad or different raitas.