Mentya Hittu ( Fenugreek Powder ).

Mentya Hittu is made of mixed daal and spices....and eaten with Hot Rice and ghee in the beginning . Some people use Ground nut oil instead of ghee...This recipe is from North Karnataka...and its good to have Mentya Hittu since its made of pulses and cereals ....and spices...

Things Needed :
Channa Daal : 4 Cups
Rice: 1 Cup
Whole Wheat : 1 Cup
Urd Daal : 1 Cup
Coriander Seeds : 1 Cup
Jeera: 2 Table spoons
Fenugreek Seeds : 1 Table spoon
Asafoetida or Ingh : a pinch..
Pepper Seeds : 1 or 2 Tea spoons .( According to Your wish).
Red Chilly : 4 to 6 ( Optional).
Salt : To Taste

Method :
Roast all the above ingredients except salt on low flame until raw smell disappear. Leave for cooling and then dry grind . Add salt and mix it well and store it in an airtight box. Serve Mentya Hittu with Hot rice and ghee..

Note : Roast the ingredients one by one on low flame. Adding pepper or red chilly is optional .
You can add both if you wish or can add only pepper or red chilly. Can also add Whole moong 1/2 a cup to this mixture. (Roast whole moong until the raw smell disappear). Add little salt and then You can add the needed salt while serving ..

KASHAYA. POWDER ( HEALTHY DRINK..).

 Kashaya is a healthy drink You can have this special drink instead of coffee or tea. Kashaya is very helpful when You catch cold and it eases body pain , running nose and sore throat.

India is famous for its spices even in good old days. Indian Spices have their history. Indians used to travel to different countries with their spices and trade them for gold and pearls.  By reading the history we will know the importance of the Indian Spices. Many spices are used in Kashaya Powder.  It contain spices like, pepper, jeera, dry ginger, cardamom, coriander seeds, methi seeds (fenugrik seeds) and red Kallusakkare. (Rock Candy). All these spices are very good for the body to keep fit.
Lets see some benefits of eating coriander seeds, jeera, (cumin seeds) pepper, dry ginger and Almonds.
Coriander seeds are good for digestion and are rich source of Vitamin C. It contain iron and helps to prevent anemia and good for ladies who have menstrual irregularities.
Black pepper help to clear sinuses. It is used to cure cough and flu. It contain anti bacterial properties and builds up immunity.
Cumin Seeds are high content of Vitamin E which helps to keep our skin healthy and glowing. It is also an excellent detox that helps to flush out the impurities from our body.
Dry ginger is good for stomach irritation and cures headache and good for chest pain caused by gas. Dry ginger powder contain anti inflammatory properties and it can soothe arthritis. It can also used for curing common cold..Dry ginger powder is useful to burn fat and treat obesity.
Almonds are a source of Vitamin E, copper, magnesium and high quality protein. They also contain healthy unsaturated fatty acids, fiber, vitamins and minerals. They are good source of antioxidants.
Here is a recipe of Kashaya  a very healthy drink, good for kids and the whole family.Have a habit of drinking this Kashaya at least once in a day which will helps to keep the cold and cough away and boost your energy and keep your body warm and healthy.

Things Needed...

Black Pepper :1/2 cup
Jeera :3/4 cup
Kallu Sakkare : (Rock Candy) : 1 Cup
Almonds : 1 Cup

Poppy seeds: 1/2 cup ( 3 table spoons).
Fenugreek seeds : 2 Tea spoons
Coriander Seeds : 1 cup
Cardamom : 6 to 8 pods (optional)
Dry Ginger Powder : 1 Table spoon

Method :

1. Dry Roast all the spices one by one on low flame except Kallu sakkare and dry ginger.
2. Allow it to cool.

3. Dry grind all the ingredients including Kallu Sakkare and dry ginger. Dry grind it in a small quantity.

4. Allow the dry ground mixture to cool. Mix it well.

5. Store it in a glass bottle and use it .

 Note :
Dry roast all the ingredients one by one on low flame. Do not add too much of methi seeds since it gives a bitter taste. Adding cardamom is optional. ( Here I have not added). Adding cardamom gives to a good aroma and taste.
You can also add jaggery or sugar instead of Kallu sakkare. ( Jaggery should be added while preparing kashaya). Prepare in small quantity and make use of it. It is best when it is fresh. You can keep it in the fridge too.
Time : 30 minutes.:
 Method to prepare Kahsaya.:Things Needed :
Milk : 1 Cup
Water : 1 Cup
Kashaya powder : 2 Tea spoon or little more.
1. Boil water and add kashaya powder to it . Let it boil for 3 to 4 minutes .

2. Put off the gas and add hot milk . Filter the drink and pour it to the glass and serve hot Kashaya.

Note :

You can  use jaggery . Add jaggery while the kashaya mix is boiling. Allow it to boil nicely and then sieve.o the mixture.
Better to use jaggery since it is Iron contain. 1 table spoon of jaggery can be used at times.
You can even take a 1/2 a spoon of this kashaya mixture and a spoonful of honey mix thoroughly and eat it when you have sore throat...Doing the same for 2 to 3 times a day will help you to recover fast.

Serves : 2 to 3

Time : 5 minutes