Almond & Dates Kheer

Almond & Dates Kheer is a desert which is easy to prepare and healthy to have as a desert. It is simple easy and yummy to have it. It is sugar free and ghee free. This way you can reduce the sugar intake and quench your thirst of sweet bite. Many have a habit of eating some sweet after their meal. This desert will surely serve the purpose. It is completely diet recipe as no sugar or ghee is used.
Lets see some benefits of adding  almonds and dates in our diet.
Almonds or badam lower the bad cholesterol. They protects artery walls from damage. They reduce the heart attack risk. Almonds help to build strong bones and teeth. They also provide healthy fats and help in weight loss. Almonds lower the rise in blood sugar and insulin after meals. They help provide good brain function. They nourish the nervous system. According to Ayurveda, almonds help increase high intellectual level.
Dates are good for heart problems, anemia , diarrhea, and constipation. They are good for gaining weight. They are rich in many vitamins, minerals and fiber. They contain oil, calcium, sulfur, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, copper and magnesium. They are very beneficial for good health. Eating one date per day is good for healthy diet.
Now lets see the recipe.
This is a sweet dish and we can have them after lunch or dinner.

Things Needed :

Almonds : 1/2 Cup
Dates : 1 Cup
Cardamom : 2 to 3 pods
Milk : 1 Cup;
Cashew nuts : 1 Table spoon

Method :

1. Dry roast and dry grind almonds and keep it aside. (Medium size rava consistency).

2. Remove the seeds from dates and dry grind it nicely to powder form.

3. Remove the outer skin of cardamom and powder it.
4. Keep milk for boiling in a pan.
5. Add almond powder and mix it well and stir for a while.

6. Add powdered dates and mix it well and boil it for 2 to 3  minutes. Stir in between.

7. Put off the gas and add powdered cardamom and mix it well.

8. Add cashew nuts and mix it well just before serving.

Note :

Cut cashew nuts in to small pieces. Adding more milk to get little thinner consistency is optional. Adding more dates is also optional. It adds to the sweet taste. Frying cashew nuts in a spoon of ghee is optional. ( I have used as it is, did not fry in ghee). You can also dry roast them. Heat a pan or tava and just roast them on it with out oil or ghee.
Time : 10 minutes.
Serves : 5

Flax Seeds - Urid Dal Dosa

Flax Seeds are healthy seeds and you must add Flax seeds in your diet. It is loaded with healthy values. Urid dosa is loved by many. That too who does not like soft, fluffy and tasty dosas in their food. Whether morning, snack time or even dinner I am sure every time and anytime this goes well.
I soaked some flax seeds thinking of adding them while cooking. I was really not known that soaking flax seeds turns sticky. So when I checked them after 1 hours so, it already soaked well and I did not want to add them in the curry because of the texture as it turned. I did not want to throw them either, so I added this soaked flax seeds along with my dosa ingredients to grind and left it for ferment. I knew that flax seeds are added to cake instead of eggs. Was just thinking how the dosa will be. To my surprise the dosa was superb, soft and fluffy and tasty too. So this way flax seeds added urid dosa derived and you can try this also and enjoy eating them.
Methi seeds, urid dal, raw rice and flax seeds are used in this recipe. 

Let us see some benefits of having Methi Seeds in our diet.
Methi or Fenugrik seeds contain loads of medicinal values. It contain protein, fibre, Vitamin C, potassium, iron and alkaloids.(Alkaloids are group of naturally occurring chemical compounds). Methi seeds help to reduce the cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart diseases. It contain large amount of potassium and helpful for heart rate and blood pressure. Methi seeds contain amino acid and it helps to produce and insulin and helps to control blood sugar levels in diabetics. It is full of fiber and helps in good digestion. It is good for heart burn.It helps to loose weight and good remedy for fever and sore throat. It helps to increase breast milk production in lactating women. (Lactating mother should have methi leaves in their diet). Helps to soothe skin inflammation and reduces scars. It also helps people who suffer with their hair problems.
Now lets see the recipe:

Things Needed :

Raw Rice : 2 Cups
Urid Dal : 1/2 Cup
Methi Seeds : 2 Tea spoons
Flax seeds : 1 full Table spoon
Salt : to taste
Oil or Ghee : 2 Table spoons

Water : required water.

Method : 

1. Wash and soak raw rice, methi seeds, urid dal together for 4 to 5 hours.

2. Wash and soak flax seeds separately

3. Now grind them all together including soaked flax seeds. Divide the whole ingredients in to two parts. (grinding small quantity helps to grind the ingredients nicely and quickly).
4. Use only required water while grinding. (or the dough may turn watery and it may not churn nicely).

5. Remove from the mixi jar and add salt and allow it to ferment. (overnight is better).

6. Let it ferment well for at least 6 to 8 hours.

7. Keep a dosa pan on the fire and heat. Sprinkle oil and spread it nicely.
8. Mix dosa batter nicely and take a spoon of the batter and put it on the tava and make a small circle size.

9. Sprinkle oil on the top of the dosa and cover. Cook for a minute and turn the dosa to the other side and cook.(10 seconds).

10. Now Dosa is ready to serve. Serve with the side dish you have prepared. Add little ghee on the hot dosa just before serving.

Note :

Let the batter be like normal dosa batter consistency. I have not added awalakki for this dosa. Just 4 to 5 pods of soaked cow peas added. (It is not necessary to add cow peas, It was mixed with flax seeds while soaking). Using ghee or oil is optional. Do not add more flax seeds. It increases the body heat. At a time you can have 3 tea spoons of flax seeds or powder. Thinner dosa also comes out nicely but its not crispy. It is soft.
Time : 30 minutes + soaking  4 hours and ferment 6 to 8 hours.
Serves : 5 to 6