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.

Quick Urid Dal Guli Appa /Paddu

Guli appa/ Paddu/ Guntpongalu/ Kuli appa is one of the traditional dish done in South India. It can be spicy or sweet. There are varieties of Guli appa and each one has its own taste.

This time I have prepared Urid  Guli appa which can be done with out fermenting.
Urid guli appa is good to have for breakfast, as evening snack or it goes well with coffee/tea.
Urid dal is full of protein and vegetarian get good protein by using urid dal.

Let us see some benefits of eating Urid dal in our diet.
Urid dal is filled with proteins. It is good for digestion. It has a good source of anti-inflammatory properties. It is also good for nerves disorders. Urid dal helps to lower the cholesterol levels and boost our health. They are rich in minerals and vitamins. It has calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium copper, manganese etc. It is good for hypertension since it helps to balance sodium and potassium level in our body. It helps to balance the high blood pressure. Urid dal is good for strengthening our nervous system.
This Guli appa  batter can be used for preparing Urid bonda/Fried fritters/ Urid Vada.
No Onion OR No Garlic is used in thi sQuick Urid Dal Guli Appa /Paddu.
I love to prepare Guli Appa since it takes less oil and it is  healthy .
Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

Urid whole : 1  Cup
Rice Powder : 1 Table Spoon
Curry leaves : Handful
Coriander leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Ginger : Grated : An inch
Green chilly : 2
Ingh /Asafoetida : A little
Salt : As required
Pepper Pods : 2 to 3
Cooking Oil : 3 to 4 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Wash and soak urid dal for 2 to 3 hours and grind it with required water. Add 2 to 3 pods of pepper while grinding.

2. Wash and cut green chilly , coriander leaves and curry leaves.
3. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger and grate it. Keep it aside.
4. Now take a big bowl and add ground urid dal. Add rice flour, salt.

5. Add coriander leaves, curry leaves, cut chilly, ingh and grated ginger.
6. Mix all the ingredients nicely.

7. Keep a guli appa pan on the fire and heat. Sprinkle oil on the top.
8. Mix the ready batter nicely and put the batter to each Guli. (The down part).

9. Sprinkle oil on the top and cover. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes in low and medium flame.
10. Turn the other side and cook for a minute. Remove guli appa from the pan.

11. Serve  hot guli appa with little ghee and the choice of your side dish.

12. We had these yummy guli appa with coconut chutney.

Note :

No need to ferment this batter. It might turn too soft. You can add coconut pieces. I have not added.
You can add cut onions to the batter while mixing. It taste different. I have not added. It makes up good breakfast and snack. Adding more chilly is optional. No need to add any soda or eno . Adding rice flour turns guliappa crispy and tasty. You can also fry this  as bondas/fried fritters/ Uddina Vada.
Time : 30 Minutes to prepare  + 5 minutes to grind and soaking time 2 to 3 hours.
Serves :  2 to 3.