Ondelaga Gotu Kola Butter Milk

Ondelaga/ Gotu Kola is one of the healthy medicinal plant and we do make use of the leaves. We can prepare Tambuli (South Canara /Malenadu Karnataka Special side dish. We can prepare chutney using this leaves. Ondelaga leaves are good for hair, skin and has loads of medicinal properties and good for our health.

Many a times Ondelaga/Timire is called as Brahmi leaves. But they are not. Brahmi leaves are different from Ondelaga leaves.These Ondelaga leaves are known as Gotu Kola leaves.
The other common name is Asiatic Pennywort or Indian Pennywort.

Let us know what do they call Gotu Kola in different regions of India 
In Kannada it is known as Ondelaga or Timire. ( ತಿಮಿರೆ ಸೊಪ್ಪು ). Ondelaga means only one leaf in a stem. In Telugu it is known as Saraswathi Aku, Tamil - Vallari Kirai. Marati : Karivan or Karivana.
Gujarati : Khanda Bramhi and in Hindi : Bengsang.

The benefits of having Ondelaga /Gotu Kola.
It is good for cough, cold and fever. The leaves are good for digestion and it balances pitta ( Bile ) and kapha / mucus or phlegm. They help to produce healthy sperm. Ondelaga is known to improve the good blood circulation to the mind and improves our intelligence. They are good for liver related disorders. Gotu Kola is a good blood purifier. It helps in good sleep, good voice and rejuvenation. It helps in treating of various diseases.
Let us see the recipe Now :
This Ondelaga /Gotu Kola Butter Milk helps to cool your body and mind. Try and enjoy.

Ingredients :

Ondelaga /Timire /Gotu Kola Leaves : One handful : 10 to 15.
Jeera : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh / Asafoetida :  A pinch
Pepper Pods : 3 to 4
Salt : As required
Curd : 4 to 5 Tablespoons or little more.

Method :

1. Clean and wash only the leaves. ( Some time the stems are hard to grind and they remain as the stick. So it is better to use only the leaves).

2. Put jeera /cumin seeds. pepper pods, Ondelaga Leaves, salt and curd to a mixi jar.
3. Add 1 Cup of water and grind all the ingredients nicely till everything mixes well.

4. Pour it to a big bowl. Add some more water and mix it  nicely.

5. Shift the ready Ondelaga / Gotu Kola Butter Milk to serving glasses and serve.

6. Adding Ice cubes are optional. ( I have not added ).

Note : 

It is better to remove the stem before grinding. There will be two types of Ondelaga leaves. Natural and hy breed type. Natural Ondelaga leaves stems are soft and high breed leaves stems are bit hard. And they do not get into smooth powder or paste. Remember both have the same type of medicinal values. So which ever you get make use of it. Adding butter milk is better. I have used curd and mixed sufficient water to make it thin. Adding less spice is always good.

Time : 10 Minutes.
Serves : 2.

Sprouted Moong Juice / Panaka

Whole Moong /Green gram is filled with proteins. I have prepared juice, using this sprouted moong.
Whole Moong juice or  panaka is one of the traditional panak / juice of South Canara.

The sun shines and the heat waves reaches up to 50 degree during summer. To keep ourselves cool people of South Canara do make use of natural things and keep them selves cool, happy and fit.
This particular panaka/juice, used to be prepared my doddamma where I grown up. She used to prepare varieties of panaka and we do enjoy drinking it.

Let us see some benefits of Sprouted Green Gram :

Whole Moong sprouts are low in calories and they are rich in fiber. They are full of B Vitamin, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, B2, B5 and Vitamin K. They are rich in minerals like folic acid, zinc,copper, magnesium and protein. They are rich in antioxidants and excellent source of vitamins and minerals. They helps us to get good immune system. They are easy to digest. They are good for weight loss and  good remedy for hair loss. They are good for acidity problems.

Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients :

Sprouted Moong : 4 to 5 Tablespoons
Jaggery : 2 Tablespoons
Dry Ginger Powder : 1/4 Teaspoon
Salt : A pinch
Water : 2 Glasses

Method :

1. Put Moong Sprout to mixi jar. Add 1/2 Cup of water and grind. Grind into thin paste consistency.

2. Remove it from mixi jar to a big bowl.

3. Add jaggery, a pinch of salt and required water. Mix all the ingredients nicely.

4.  Add dry ginger powder and mix it well.  You can grind it a bit to get froth ( ನೊರೆ ).

5. Shift it to glasses and serve. Adding ice cubes or use of cold water to prepare the panaka is optional.

Note :

Add more sprouts to get thick consistency. Adding salt and pepper to panaka is optional. Adding sugar instead of jaggery is optional. Remember jaggery is the healthy option. Jaggery helps to keep our body cool and energetic.

Diabetic patients needs to reduce the jaggery amount while you prepare this PANAKA.

Time : 10 Minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3.

Cucumber Lassi / Chaas: Sweet & Salt

Lassi /Chaas /Butter Milk whatever you call it, it is one of the healthiest drink in Summer Season. 

The summer is here. Already screeching son shows his heat. The hot air blows through out the day. You need to keep your mind and body cool. So let us have some Cucumber Lassi /Chaas Sweet or Salt. Both are easy to preapre and good for health.
I think You like my idea of having this cucumber Lassi. It is yummy, delicious, quick and simple.
All I have used is curd / butter milk, salt and jaggery, cucumber and water.
Let us see some benefits of having Cucumber in our diet. 
We know that cucumber helps to keep our body cool. It is full of nutrients. It has a rich source of anti oxidants that is good for our health. Cucumber is low in calories and it is fiber rich. Good for dehydration and good for loosing weight. It helps in easy digestion. Control the blood sugar level. helps in controlling the blood pressure. It is good for bones. It is good for hair and skin. Cucumber contain Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B5 and minerals like protein and magnesium.
Cucumber Lassi is good for all aged people.  
Cucumber Lassi is diet friendly.
  It is diabetic friendly 

I have used pepper pods and salt for the Salted Lassi 
2. Jaggery for Sweetening the Lassi.

Things needed : 

Curd : 1/2 Cup
Cucumber : 2 ( Small Variety).
Pepper Pods : 3 to 4

For Salted Lassi / Butter milk 
Salt : As required
Ingh : A little

For Sweet Lassi 
Jaggery : 2 Tablespoons : Powdered or liquid

Method :

1. Wash and peel off the skin of cucumber and cut into small pieces.

2. Grind cut cucumber and pepper pods with little water. Grind it in to paste.

3. Add curd and  2 glasses of water and churn for 2 minutes.
4. Remove the done butter milk to a bowl.
5. Divide cucumber lassi two bowls.

6. Add required salt and a pinch of ingh/ Asafoetida to salted lassi and mix it well.

7. Add a tablespoon of jaggery to sweet Lassi and mix it well.

8.Sweet and Salt Lassi / Chaas /butter milk is ready to serve.

9. Put the lassi to glasses and serve. ( Adding ice cubes are optional ).

Note : 

Adding more curd is optional. You can also add little green chilly and cut coriander leaves to salty lassi. I have not added because in summer it is good to use pepper pods instead of green chilly.
Adding sugar instead of jaggery is optional. Remember jaggery is good for health. It helps in keeping your body cool.
Time : 15 Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3.

Carrot Lassi

Carrot Lassi /Butter milk helps to cool our body and take care during the summer season.
It is a good filling and energy providing drink. Carrot lassi helps to keep us fit during fasting /Maha Shivaratri Upavas and Ekadashi Upavas. It provides energy and good for people who are into diet.

Carrot Lassi is one of the healthy lassi which provides vitamin and minerals to our body.. I have used carrot, banana, honey and a tablespoon of curd. Curd helps to cool the body and adds taste .This Lasso helps the body to be cool and quench our thirst in all the seasons.

Ingredients :

Carrot : Medium size : 1
Banana : ( Small size ) : 1
Honey : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Milk : 1/2 Cup
Curd : 2 Tablespoons
Ice cubes : ( Optional).

Method :

1. Wash and scrape out the outer layer of carrot. Grate or cut into small pieces.

2. Grind the cut carrot in a mixi jar /Liquidizer with 1 glass of water. Let it churn nicely.

3. Remove the juice in a big bowl. Sieve it to another bowl.

4. Now add banana and 1/2 cup of milk and grind it again nicely. Add curd and honey and churn for 2 to 3 minutes.

5. Shift the Lassi  to serving bowl .

6.  Put Carrot Lassi to serving glasses and serve. Add ice cubes just before serving. ( Optional ).

Note : 

You can grate carrot or use a chopper to cut carrot into very small pieces. Grind it nicely with water. Adding jaggery or sugar is optional. I have added honey. 

Time : 10 Minutes.                   
                                                Watch the video to prepare carrot Lassi 

Serves : 2.

Watermelon & Muskmelon Juice

Hot Hot Hot it is still hot. You need to take care to keep you cool. Drinking water, juices and Buttermilk and Tender coconut helps you to take care. Eating fruits and preparing fruit juices and having them is a good relief in summer.

Lets just make some simple juices at home which is always a a healthy habit. One needs to look at the cleanliness when you consume them outside. Or you might land on trouble of infections or food poisoning.
Here are some simple juices from fruits which are available plenty in summer. Watermelon and Muskmelon (Karbooja and Kallangadi) fruits are loaded with water and it helps you keep our body cool. It is simple and healthy.
Lets see some benefits of having Muskmelon in our diet. 
It is one of the ideal summer fruit since it contain high in water, minerals and vitamins. It helps to take care of health disorders and cools our body. Muskmelon provides relief from acidity. It is good for digestion and stomach problems. It contain good amount of water and dietary fibers and helps people to get relief from constipation. They are rich in potassium and helps to regulate the blood pressure. It strengthens the eye sight since they contain Vitamin A and beta carotene and reduce the risk of developing cataracts. Eating Muskmelon helps to control diabetes and regulate the blood sugar level in the body. They are cholesterol free and boost immunity. They are rich in Vitamin C and helps to prevent ulcer. Not only all the above said benefits, they do help in many more ways. They are good for quitting smoking, for women menstrual cramps, cures sleeping disorders and prevents heart diseases.
Lets see the recipes now : They are simple and quick and helps to quench your thirst and keep you cool.
I have prepared 3 varieties of Juices from WaterMelon, Muskmelon/Cantaloupe fruits.
1. Watermelon Juice 
2. Muskmelon Juice 
3. Muskmelon & Watermelon Juice.

1. WaterMelon Juice

Things Needed : 
Watermelon pieces : 1 Bowl
Honey : 2  to 3 Tablespoons

Method :
1. Cut watermelon pieces into small and add honey.

2. Grind it nicely in the mixi jar. (Do not add any water) till they turn watery completely.

3, Shift the Juice to serving glass and serve.

Note :
I have not added any water, sugar or Ice. Adding these ingredients are optional.
Time : 10  Minutes
Serves : 2

2. Muskmelon/Cantaloupe Juice.

Things Needed :
Muskmelon : 1 Bowl
Water :  1 Glasses
Boiled and cooled milk : 1 to 1  1/2 cup
Jaggery : 2 Tablespoons

Method :
1. Cut muskmelon pieces into small pieces

2. Put it in a mixi jar. Add 1/2 cup of milk and grind.
3. Add jaggery and churn it for 1 minute.

4. Remove from the mixi jar to a bowl. Add required water and remained milk.

5. Mix it well and serve

Note :
Adding more milk, sugar instead of jaggery and adding ice while serving is optional.
Time : 10 minutes
Serves : 2

3. Muskmelon & Watermelon Juice

Things Needed : 
Muskmelon pieces : 1 Big bowl. (1/2 of one small Muskmelon).
Watermelon pieces : 1 Small bowl.( 1/4 part of small watermelon).
Honey : 2 Tablespoons

Method :
1. Cut muskmelon pieces and grind it with little water.
2. Add watermelon pieces and grind it together.  Add jaggery



3. Add Honey and Shift the juice to a big bowl.

4. Add honey and mix it well and serve Muskmelon & Watermelon Juice.

Note : 
Adding sugar instead of honey, adding milk instead of water and adding ice cubes while serving the juice is purely optional.
Time : 15 minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3.