Showing posts with label sugar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sugar. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Shanka Pushpa - Lemon Juice.

Shanka Pusha is a flower. I have used this flower and prepared lemon juice. This flower adds natural colour to water when it is slightly boiled.


Shanka Pushpa is known as clitora tematee, commonly known as Asian Pigeonwings. It is also known as bluebell vine or blue pea, butterfly pea, condofan pea and Darwin pea. This plant species belongs to the fabaceae family. The latin name of this genus is " Clitoria ", from clitoris.
Since this flower gives out the natural colour and it is used in many dishes mainly in Asian Countries.
I first tasted the juice that prepared by my sister in Udyavar. She added lemon and was too good.
Then I saw Shri Kripa one of the FOODIE group admini putting up the pic of the juice.
I brought this plant seeds from Udyavar and planted it in a pot. It did not come up. One day I suddenly noticed a flower that grew by the side of the compound wall on the terrace. Saw the plant in a mud bag and removed the plant and replanted it in a pot. For my bad luck the plant died. I brought some more seeds in my next visit to sister's house and planted it in a pot. It has come out nicely and Here we go  :)  me a happy person to see the plant growing and flowering.


Let us see some benefits of Flower Shanka Pushpa.
Shanka Pushpa plant is known for years for their healthy properties in them. They are used in Ayurvedic medicines from ages. They are good for hypertension. They contain the properties that are good for control the production of body's stress hormones and helps in reducing anxiety and stress.
They are the good remedy for improving memory power. The plant has anti -ulcer properties and is very good for fighting against any type of ulcer which is formed in the body. It also helps to improve the nerve tissue. Shanka Pushpa herb helps and controls cholesterol level in our blood. They help in flushing out the fatty acids which are harmful to our body.

Note : One who is suffering from hypertension and low blood pressure must consult the doctor and get his advise. Since it has a quality of decreasing the blood pressure level it might cause problems.
I have used this flower for preparing the juice and added jaggery which turned its colour slightly golden and the other time I used salt and very little sugar. It was ok with  less sugar and good too
Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients :

Shanka Pushpa flowers : 5 to 6
Water : 2 Glasses
Jaggery /Sugar  : As your requirement.
Salt : A pinch

Method :

1. Wash Shanka Pushpa flowers nicely and separate the petals.

2. Keep water for boiling. Add Shanka Pushpa flower petals.
3. Let the water boil. The flowers start leaving their colours and the water turns colourful.


4. Put off the gas and sieve boiled water. Throw away the remained flower pieces.
5. Let the water turn cool.


6. Wash and squeeze out the lemon extract to the bowl. ( 1 to 1 1/2 lemon extract).

7. Add a pinch of salt and required sugar. Mix it well.

  8. The healthy drink is ready to serve. Serve the juices that you have prepared.


Note :

Let the water boil nicely. Clean the flower nicely so that no harmful worms go off.
Adding sugar /jaggery / or honey is your choice. I have used Kama Kastorri seeds which I collected from our home garden. Using these seeds helps to cool the body and mind safe and cool.
I have added some kamakasturi seeds/sabja seeds. Remove the husk nicely and clean it. Soak the seeds in little water. Add this water to the juice. Using Sabja seeds helps to cool the body.

Time : 10 Minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3  (According to the requirement).
Shanka Pushpa Juice with Jaggery
Followed the same above mentioned method. The change is, used jaggery instead of sugar.





Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Wheat -Rava Cake

Here comes Christmas and the celebration starts. We do enjoy wishing people, having a piece of cake , cookies etc etc etc.
Even facebook pages are loaded with varieties of cakes. i too thought of preparing a healthy cake using wheat flour and rava/semolina. It has turned as perfect cake and let us enjoy together having a yummy and healthy cake and say Merry Christmas and happy new year 2018 to All.

Here we go :
I have used Ashirvad wheat flour and medium size rava, cooking oil and little bit of ghee, sugar, cinnamon. Added little dates also.
No egg in this Wheat -Rava Cake.

Things Needed :

Wheat flour : 1 1/2 Cup
Medium size Rava : 1/2 Cup
Sugar : 3/4 Cup
Cooking Oil : 1/2 Cup
Curd : 1/2 Cup
Milk : 1/4 Cup
Cinnamon stick : 1/4 inch
Sal : A pinch
Baking Powder : 1 Teaspoon
Baking Soda : 1/4 Teaspoon

Method :

1. Sieve wheat flour and rava, baking powder,salt and baking soda altogether.


2. Put sugar in mixi jar and powder it. Add oil and curd and churn it nicely till it turns smooth paste.

3. Add milk and, cinnamon stick and grind it for 2 to 3 minutes.

4. Now shift the ground mixture to a big bowl and mix the flour mixture slowly. Add little milk if the dough turns very hard.
5.Let it mix well. No lump should be remained.
6. Apply ghee on the baking tray and sprinkle little wheat flour on it. Spread it well.
7. Pour the ready mixture to a tray and tap the tray to spread the dough evenly.


8. Bake it with 180 degree celcius for 35 to 40 minutes. (Oven baked). Remove it from oven and let it be there on the top for for 5 minutes. ( After baking just leave it there).
9. Insert a knife edge to make sure the cake is done. (It does not stick to the edge of the knife).

10. Cut it once it is cooled. Enjoy with a cup of coffee/tea or whenever you want it.


Note :

You can use thin variety of rava. (optional). Use of butter /ghee instead of oil is optional. Use of rose essence instead of cinnamon is optional. You can also prepare this cake in pressure cooker. Remove the gasket from the lid. Do not use weight. Place a plate or bowl inside the pressure cooker and place the cake dough container on the top. Close the lid and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. If the cake turns hard pour some milk and mix it well. (It should be bit thicker than idli dough). I have used mixi jar to churn the ingredients. Use of egg beater, cake mixer is optional.
Time : 40 Minutes. 
20 Small pieces can be done.

Friday, October 13, 2017

Roasted Chenna - Dry Coconut Karchikai.

Happy Deepavali : Enjoy the Festival of Lights with loads of Sweets and Savoury.
KarchiKai/Karanji/Jujiya/Karchikayilu 


Karchikai/karanji/sweet poori /Jujeeya , the names are bit different. The sweet is the same with different stuffing. Here is one of the traditional Karchikai Recipe that is very easy and with simple ingredients.
I have seen Our relative and a close friend Tara preparing these Kachoris for Ganesha Festival. I realized that kadale poppu, roasted chenna, sugar and dry coconut makes a good combination and it does not make the kachori that soft very next day.
Since long I wanted to try these kachoris and Deepavali is the perfect time and Kachori is the perfect sweet that one can prepare in lot and distribute it around the neighbours and friends.
I have used Thin variety of rava/semolina, roasted chenna, sugar and dry coconut/Copra. You can use dry fruits like raisins and cashews. (Optional).
Let us see the recipe now :

Things needed :

Thin variety of Rava/Chiroti rava/Semolina : 1 Cup
Maida : 1/2 Cup.
Ghee : 2 Tablespoons
Sugar : 2 to 3 Tablespoons (1/4 Cup)
Dry coconut :  1 Cup
Roasted Chenna /Hurikadale/Kadale poppu : 1 Cup
Salt : Very little (1 to 2 pinch)
Cooking Oil : 1 to 1 1/2 cup.

Method : 

1. Put Rava, maida, salt and ghee in the big bowl.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients nicely.

3. Add required water little by little and prepare thick chapati dough.

4. Dry grind roasted chenna and coconut. Dry grind sugar.

5. Mix all these powdered sugar, chenna and coconut nicely. Keep it aside.

6. Now kneed chapati dough nicely and divide them in to small portions.
7. Take a small portion of the dough and kneed it well.


8. Roll it as big chapati and take a small cap or cup, cut into small round shape.
9. Place a tablespoon of sweet mixture and fold it at the end and give 1/2 moon shape.

10. Press the edges tight so that it does not open up while frying in hot oil.

11. Keep a frying pan on the fire and put oil. Let it get hot.
12. Fry the ready kachoris on both side in low and medium flame.

13. Remove from the hot oil and put them on a kitchen tissue.
14. Repeat the same and fry remaining kachoris.

15. Let it get cooled. Put it in a glass jar or airtight box. Serve whenever you feel like.

Note :

You can add more maida if you wish.
You can also add more sugar to the sweet mixture. Just fill in the sweet mixture. (Do not fry or roast).
You can divide the dough into very small quantity and then roll each portion and then prepare kachori.(Optional)
Frying them on low flame makes kachoris crisp and it does not get soft later.
Time : 30 to 40 minutes.
Serves : 20 Small Kachoris. 

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author
My name is Nalini Somayaji. Teaching is my profession. Cooking is my passion. Reading, travelling, visiting new places, having fun with kids are some of the hobbies I can say. My recipes are Healthy, quick, easy and simple. Grown up being a traditional family member I love and respect Indian culture and traditions. Love classical dance and music.
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