Beet - Pomegranate Salad

Beet and Pomegranate salad is an easy munching dish, it can be a good snack too. It is very simple to prepare and quick too.
Eating pomegranate helps the blood to to refresh and get strengthen. Beet helps in many ways like increase of red blood cells, helping the anemic to get back to normal etc etc.

I have used fresh beet (raw) and some pomegranate and little chat masala. You can add your own choice of fruits or vegetables and make it more creative.
Lets see some benefits of eating Pomegranate fruits in our diet.
Pomegranate fruit is one of the most nutritious rich fruit. The fruit contain moderate amount of calories and no cholesterol or saturated fat. It is very good source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber and it helps in the easy digestion. It also helps people who suffer from constipation and bowel movements. Eating pomegranate helps in boosting immunity. It has antioxidant properties and Vitamin C in it. It is also good source Vital B complex groups of vitamins and minerals like calcium, copper, potassium and manganese.
Beetroot, tomatoes, pomegranate are red in colour. It is because of a red pigment in them, called Lycorpene. It gives red colour to the vegetables and it is rich source of antioxidant properties and it takes care of the healthy heart.
As I said earlier this is an easy, simply simple, quick and yummy salad or kosumbari as we say. I have not added any oil to it. You can eat this salad as it is or roll it inside chapatis or just munch it as snack.
Lets see the recipe now:

Things Needed :

Pomegranate : 1
Beetroot : 1
Chat Masala : 1/4 Teaspoon
Coconut : Fresh and grated: 1 Tablespoon

Method :

1. Wash and remove the outer layer of beetroot and grate it.

2. Wash and cut the pomegranate in to halves and collects the seeds from pomegranate and keep it aside.
3. Grate some coconut and keep it aside.

4. Now take a serving bowl, add grated beetroot, pomegranate seeds, chat masala and mix it well.

5. Add grated coconut, mix it well and serve this salald or kosumbari with rice items, chapatis or rotis as one of the side dish. (salad dish).

You can also fill or spread this Pomegranate Salad in the chapati and have Pomegranate Salad Rolls.

Note : 

I have used only beetroot and pomegranate. You can add grated carrots, capsicum etc etc (according to your wish). You can use onions but it does not go well with this salad. You can also add a spoon of olive oil. (I have not added). You can also use honey instead of chat masala and make it sweet salad. Use of coconut is optional.
Time : 15 Minutes.
Servings : 2 to  3.

Mixed Pulses Dal

Mixed pulses/Legumes/Beans are very good protein content and keep our body warm and healthy. In winter pulses helps us to be strong and healthy. Here I have tried simple, easy and tasty Dal from pulses.

When you are bit lazy to go out to bring vegetables, when there is no vegetables in the fridge you just start thinking what to cook. Suddenly helps comes from these pulses which are sitting quietly in the tins or small boxes or even in freezers. Just take all the pulses little by little and wash it. Straight away you can cook in pressure cooker and then it is your turn to think what to add. Have some creativity and add spices and what ever you like to. But remember it should be tasty, easy and simple. (not loaded with spices).
I have used Moth bean (Madke/Matki Kalu), Whole Moong and Cow pea (red cow pea). I have used some spices and gave a seasoning. It was simple but yummy. So here is a recipe for you to cook and enjoy this Mixed Pulses Dal. It goes well with almost all the main dishes. I am sure you too will surely like and enjoy this dal.
Lets see some benefits of eating Pulses, lentils and beans in our diet.
Pulses are low fat, full of fibre,protein, vitamins and minerals. They are good source of Iron. They are good for diabetes and heart diseases. Pulses contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble firbe in it helps to lower the blood cholesterol level and insoluble fibre helps in easy digestion and bowel movement. They keep you full for a longer period and it is good for people who like to lose their weight. Pulses have low glycemic and they help to prevent sudden blood sugar level in our body just after the meal or snack. Pulses are gluten free.
One should remember to drink lots of water after eating pulses. (Pulses are high fibre content).
Lets see the recipe now.

Things Needed :

To cook :
Whole Moong : 1/2 Cup
Moth Bean/Madke /Matki Kalu : 1/2 Cup
Cow Pea (avade) : 1/2 Cup

To Add : 
Tomatoes : 2
Green Chilly : 2
Rasam/Sambar Powder : 1 Teaspoon
Ginger : 1 Teaspoon (Grated)
Pepper : 3 to 4
Coriander leaves : 2 Tablespoons
Salt
Fresh Milk Cream ( Halina kene) : 1 Tablespoon

Seasoning :
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera/Cumin Seeds " 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh: a pinch
Curry leaves : 6 to 8
Oil : 1 Teaspoon

Method :

1. Wash and pressure cook whole moong, moth bean and cow pea with required water for 6 to 8 minutes.

2. Wash and cut coriander leaves, tomatoes and green chilly (Slit into two).
3. Wash and remove the outer layer and wash again. Grate it and keep it aside.Crush pepper pods.
4. Keep a pan on the fire. Heat and put oil. Put mustard seeds and let it splutter. Add ingh and jeera/cumin seeds.
5. Add curry leaves and cut tomatoes and fry for 2 minutes. Add cooked pulses. Add crushed pepper.

6. Add green chilly, little turmeric powder and salt. Mix it well. Let it cook for at least 2 to 3 minutes.
7. Add rasam powder and mix it nicely. Let it boil again for 2 minutes. Add fresh milk cream. Now remove from the fire and shift the dal to a serving bowl.

8. Add cut coriander leaves and serve with the main dish you have prepared.

Note :

You can soak these pulses over night and then you can use it. (It adds to the taste). Use of onions and garlic is optional. ( I have not added). Adding garam masla is also optional. Adding a spoon of fresh ghee adds to the taste. You can also add  1 teaspoon of lemon extract (lemon juice from 1/2 lemon) adds to the taste. Use of any rasam powder is optional. Home made rasam powder is the best. Adding toor dal /moong dal is also optional. ( I have not added). Use of fresh milk cream adds to the taste. Just remove the top layer of fresh boiled milk and you can add this to the curry. ( I have added just one tablespoon).
Time : 30 minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4.

ke sure to drink enough water when adding high fibre foods like pulses to your diet!
Pulses have a low glycemic index.  Most of the carbohydrates in pulses are fibre and starch that prevent blood sugars from rising quickly after a meal or snack.
- See more at: http://90dayhealthhabits.com/2011/12/07/what-are-pulses-and-what-are-the-benefits/#sthash.zJtu9ii1.dpuf

Soluble fibre helps lower blood cholesterol levels, while insoluble fibre helps with digestion as well as maintaining regular bowel movements.  Fibre-rich foods like pulses are often more filling than other foods, helping to keep you full until your next meal.
Make sure to drink enough water when adding high fibre foods like pulses to your diet!
Pulses have a low glycemic index.  Most of the carbohydrates in pulses are fibre and starch that prevent blood sugars from rising quickly after a meal or snack.
- See more at: http://90dayhealthhabits.com/2011/12/07/what-are-pulses-and-what-are-the-benefits/#sthash.zJtu9ii1.dpuf

excellent source of folate

excellent source of folate