Rava -Bananana Sweet Idli

Banana Sweet idli is a main dish and as the name says it is sweet. We can have them for breakfast, or for snack or even for dinner..For the sweet tooth people and kids it is a feast.

Lets see some benefits of having jaggery, banana, coconut,  rava (semolina).
Jaggery has a ability to cleanse our body, act as a digestive agent, sweeten our food in a healthy manner and provide good amount of minerals.

Bananas contain carbohydrate, protein and free from cholesterol, free of fat and sodium. Banana is easy to digest. It holds a good amount of dietary fiber. It helps normal bowel movements and helps to reduce constipation problem. It is good source of vitamin-B6 vitamin C and minerals like copper, magnesium and manganese. Fresh banana is a very rich source of potassium.

Eating coconuts are excellent for one's immunity. They are antiviral, antifungal, anti bacterial and anty parasitic. (It means they kill harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi). Coconut helps to prevent Obesity by speeding up metabolism, providing an immediate source of energy with fever calories than other fats. It is a high dietary fiber. Improves digestion.

Rava or Semolina is a good source of carbohydrates, and slow in digestion. So the people who wants to shed their weight can have Rava in their diet. Rava is good for diabetics.Rava is low in sodium and cholesterol and high in fiber. Rava is loaded with Vitamin B-complex and Vitamin E. Rava has very less saturated fats. Rava contain loads of minerals like potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnessium.

Here is a recipe of Rava -Banana Sweet idli. It is easy and quick to prepare, we can have them at any time of the day. We can pack them for kids snack or lunch box and definitely love to eat this "Rava-Banana Sweet idli". We can prepare these idli for special days too. (During fasting or on Ekadashi).

Things Needed :

Rava :  (Semolina -Medium size) : 2 Cups 
Oats : 1 Cup
Jaggery : 1/2 Cup
Coconut : 1/2 Cup
Bananas : 2 (small size)
Salt : a little
Cardamom : 4 to 5 pods.

 Method :

1. Grate coconut , remove the pods from cardamom. Roast Oats and dry grind when it is cooled.

2. Keep a pan and put jaggery. Add 1/4 cup of water to it and boil it. Let it dissolve completely. Now stain it with a stainer and remove the unwanted dirt from jaggery. Let the clean jaggery liquid cool.

3. Now grind bananas, coconut, cardamom with jaggery liquid till the mixture is soft.
4. Remove from liquidizer and put it in a bowl.

5. Now mix rava and dry ground oats, nicely with jaggery coconut mixture and leave it for 10 minutes.

6. Apply ghee to idli plates and put a spoonful of Rava -bananan idli dough and steam in a pressure cooker or idli container for 10 minutes.

7. Put off the gas and remove the cooked Rava- Bananan Idli to a serving bowl or a plate.

 8. Serve with ghee.

 Note:

No need to roast Rava. No need to add any Eno or Cooking Soda. Use of coconut is optional. (Use more banana and 1/2 cup of curd).

Use of more or less jaggery is also optional.  Well ripe banana will add good taste to idli.
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : 4 to 5.

nce rava or sooji is low in sodium and cholesterol and also high in fiber it can be considered as a balanced diet. Sooji has very less of saturated fats, cholesterol and also contains zero Trans fatty acid. Sooji is loaded with the vitamin B complex and is also high in vitamin E. - See more at: http://www.healthbeautyblogs.com/articles-flours-benefits/assorted-benefits-of-sooji-for-health-and-diet#sthash.4IzCtX5N.dpuf

Since rava or sooji is low in sodium and cholesterol and also high in fiber it can be considered as a balanced diet. Sooji has very less of saturated fats, cholesterol and also contains zero Trans fatty acid. Sooji is loaded with the vitamin B complex and is also high in vitamin E.
- See more at: http://www.healthbeautyblogs.com/articles-flours-benefits/assorted-benefits-of-sooji-for-health-and-diet#sthash.4IzCtX5N.dpuf

Flax Seeds - Coconut Chutney

Flax seeds -Coconut Chutney is a simple and easy dish. Chutney can be eaten with all most all main dishes like , idly dosa , chapati, roti, any masala rice or plain rice. Flax seeds contain a good lot of healthy minerals and vitamins and it is used in Indian Cooking. Even it is used in Cakes instead of eggs.

Lets see some benefits of eating Flax seeds.
Flax seeds are extremely good for one's health. They are a prime source of Omega -3 fatty acids and one should add flax seeds in their diet especially a vegetarian. They are rich in anti-oxidants and contain dietary fiber. Fiber prevents constipation and keeps you fuller for a longer time. Over weight people can eat flax seeds regularly. They also help people to keep  diabetes, high BP, heart diseases away. They help to maintain blood sugar levels. Flax seeds are low in cholesterol. They help to lower the blood pressure, people who suffer from hypertension.

Here is a simple Flax seeds Coconut Chutney recipe, it tastes yemmy and as I said earlier we can have this chutney as one of the side dish and it goes well with all the main food items.

Things Needed :

Flax seeds : 2 Table spoons.
Green chilly : 3
Coconut : 1 Cup (1/2 of one coconut).
Salt : To taste
Ingh : a pinch
Tamarind : Small marble size
Coconut oil : 1 Tea spoon
Mustard seeds : 1/4 Tea spoon
Curry leaves : 5 to 6
Water : Required

Method :

 1. Fry or roast Flax seeds nicely and keep it aside. ( on low flame). Add green chilly and fry again for 1 minute. Add curry leaves.

2. Grate coconut and keep it aside.

3. Now grind coconut and roasted flax seeds with a small marble size of tamarind with very little water. Add salt and grind for 10 seconds when the chutney turn paste.

4. Remove from the mixi jar to a serving bowl.

5. Add mustard splutter and mix it well and serve with  dosa, idly or the main dish you prepared.

We the family member had Flax seeds -Coconut chutney with  Foxtail millet Dosa.
Foxtail dosa preparation is the same dosa procedure. Instead of rice I have used foxtail millet. The rest are the same urid dal, Methi seeds and beaten rice. (Awalakki).

Note : 

Flax seeds must roast or fry nicely. Or you will get a raw smell from the chutney. (Do not over fry even).
Add little tamarind (Small marble size will do). Or you can use 1/2 lemon extract.
Adding mustard splutter is optional. Adding more or less coconut is also optional.
Time : 10 minutes
Serves : 3.