Eggplant Raita/Yogurt Dip (Katharikai Pachidi)

Eggplant may not be one of the top food in many people's favorite food list. But there are so many interesting and tasty dishes one can prepare using this vegetable. Eggplant referred to as Brinjal or Aubergine is technically a fruit and is a native to India. It contains numerous vitamins and minerals, plus eggplant contains phytonutrients, antioxidants which can help prevent damage from free radicals and protection from certain types of cancer. With so many nutritional benefits and also with a superb taste, there should be no reason why any body shouldn't try this recipe.Preparation Time - 15 MinutesCooking Time - 2 MinutesServes - 2IngredientsBig Round Purple Eggplants - 2Thick Yogurt - 2 CupsOnion - 1Salt - 1 TspCilantro - Chopped finely...

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Tomato Soup

There are certain vegetables which can be had with out worrying too much about the carb count. Tomato is one of them, technically a fruit but used in cooking as a vegetable. Tomato is a very good blood purifier. It contains a host of Vitamins A, C and K and other minerals and is also rich in Lycopene a defense sytem needed to fight against free radical damage. The presence of antioxidants in tomatoes is said to be helpful in cleansing toxic compounds from the body. So there is no reason not to include this wonder vegetable(fruit) in the every day diet.Cooking Time : 15-20minPreparation Time : 5-10 minServes - 4IngredientsTomato - 4 big (chopped)Celery - 1 Stick (finely chopped)Onion or Scallion - 1 or 2 Stalks (finely chopped)Onion...

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Greens, Fruit, Nut & Veggie Salad with Yogurt & Honey Dressing

Eating vegetables raw is good as they retain the optimum nutrients required for the body. Cooking or over cooking leads to lose of nutrients, so try to include atleast one raw vegetable in your diet every day. Salads are a good way to include raw vegetables in the diet. This is a very easy to make salad, the addition of fruits and nuts add lot of taste and make it very interesting to eat.I had two cups of Organic Spring mix left out, a carrot,  bell pepper, half orange, a carrot and half an apple. Added handful of pistachio and sliced almonds and raisins. Addition of yogurt and honey made this salad taste almost like a dessert. Toss everything together and enjoy.Preparation Time - 10 MinutesCooking Time - NilServes - 2IngredientsOrganic...

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Kesar Peda (Saffron Infused Milk Sweet with Xylitol)

Peda is an Milk based Indian sweet done by simmering milk and adding saffron, cardamom and sweetner. This peda recipe is from Manjula's Kitchen and much simpler, easier and comes out perfect. I pretty much followed the original recipe except for substituting the Sugar with Xylitol. If you search for Xylitol recipes and information, you will find information stating that it can be substitute 1:1 for sugar. But it has a chilling feeling on the tongue which becomes more pronouced when added in equal amounts. So I have added only half the quantity, of the sugar mentioned in the recipe.Now getting on to the recipeIngredientsPaneer - 3/4 Cup ( I used 4 Cups of Milk Milk powder - 1/3 CupMilk - 1/3 CupXylitol (Sweetener) - 1/4 Cup (if using sugar...

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Almond Flour Sesame Cookies

In my house we are almost gluten free and going kind of grain free too. But you will continue to see recipes with gluten and grain, because I have atleast a hundred sitting in my drafts. After going Gluten free, the first step one would look for is Gluten free flours like bean flours, I did try them and will also post it soon. But personally I didn't like the taste of bean flours. So when going through the other options, I landed in Elana's Gluten Free Sesame Cookies . This was my first try using Almond flour few months back and we all just loved it.  I bake all different kind of cookies now with Almond flour and with my own combinations and own recipes and will post them soon. But getting on to this easy and delicious recipe, except...

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Kale Sambar(Stew)

Kale is the King of Greens along with Brocolli. Though greens in general are nutritious foods, kale stands a head above the rest. Not only is it one of your best sources of beta-carotene, one of the antioxidants believed by many nutrition experts to be a major player in the battle against cancer, heart disease, and certain age-related chronic diseases, it also provides other important nutrients. In addition to beta-carotene, kale posses other important carotenoids: lutein and zeaxathin. These carotenoids help keep UV rays from damaging the eyes and causing cataracts. Include kale as part of your daily Diet to get rid of your glasses.Kale can be eaten in so many ways, steamed, baked, raw in salad or adding them to vegetable juices and soup....

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Chickpea Sundal

Sundal is a boiled and sauteed bean dish with spices, coconut or onion. You can customize it to your taste, by adding chopped onions, carrot, cucumber or grated mango. Jazz it up little bit with a dash of lemon juice. Very simple and easy to make but surely tastes great. You can have it as a snack or light dinner with a cup of yogurt or include this as part of your lunch, breakfast or dinner. Options are endless, but do try out and you will be glad you did.Preparation Time - 0Cooking Time - 20 MinutesServes - 4IngredientsDry Chick Peas - 1 Cup ( Rinse, soak the dry chick peas with enough water overnight)Salt - 1 Tsp or to tasteCurry powder - 1 TbspGrated Coconut - 2 TbspCurry leaves - fewCoconut Oil -1 TspMustard seeds - 1/2 TspAsafoetida...

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Payathamparuppu Sundal

Looking for a quick, healthy, low carb, gluten free, high protein snack. Then surely try this one and you will be happy you did. This legume is very easy to digest, high in protein and low in carb. Best for growing children, people who are on a low carb, low sugar diet, weight watchers. Make this simple sundal and have it along with your breakfast, lunch, dinner or even as a healthy evening snack. Preparation Time - 0Cooking Time - 25 MinutesServes - 2IngredientsYellow Mung Bean(Split Mung Dal) - 1 CupSalt - 3/4 Tsp or to tasteAsafoetida powder - 1/4 tspGreen Chili - 2 to 3 or to tasteCurry leaves - fewGrated Coconut - 1/2 CupCoconut Oil - 1 TspMustard seeds - 1/2 TspWaterMethod1) Boil 2 cups of water and then add payathamparuppu (yellow mung...

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Pumpkin Olan(White & Red Pumpkin in Coconut Milk Sauce)

Olan is very popular South Indian(Kerala) Dish made with vegetables and Coconut milk. This Olan recipe is from my Sister and we all enjoyed this in our household and I am sure you will too. White Pumpkin with a green and white covering can be found in Asian Indian grocery store. The inside of the pumpkin is snow white in color and has a neutral taste unlike the orange pumpkin with a sweet taste. The juice of raw white pumpkin is believed to be very good brain stimulant. Coconut Milk is a good source of a wide range of vitamins, minerals, potassium, folate and other vital nutrients. The bright orange pumpkin is loaded with an important antioxidant, beta-carotene. Current research indicates that a diet rich in foods containing beta-carotene may...

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Fruit & Nut Pie(Raw)

LLooking for a quick, delicious and easy dessert. But at the same time without any refined sugars or flour.Then this dessert is perfect for you. Made with healthy Almonds & iron rich dates and topped with berries, pineapple and kiwi. This not only tastes amazing but looks very pleasing too. Whip some Organic raw heavy cream and xylitol and pipe this over to create an healthy fruit pie and enjoy.However if you are looking for diabetic friendly dessert, this is not for you. Dates are very high in sugar (fructose). Even though it is a natural form of sugar, this will definetly spike your blood sugar count. So please look for recipes using Xylitol or Stevia if you are on a diabetic diet. You can find lot of dessert ideas in this site...

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Currypowder

This is the basic curry powder recipe, which can be used for Curries, Sundal (Bean Snacks etc), Sambar, Rice. This powder can be easily prepared and stored in a air tight container at room temperature for atleast few months. Because the ingredients are dry roasted, the powder doesn't go bad and stay at the room temperature for few months. Adding this curry powder to the dishes you prepare give a nice taste and flavor. You can also add coconut to the ingredients listed below, but the ground powder has to be kept in the refrigerator and the shelf life is around 1 week. A tsp of fennel seeds and a cinnamon stick can also be added to give a nice aroma to this powder. You can add 1/2 cup Channa dal and 1/2 Cup Peanuts to get a nice sweet taste....

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