Showing posts with label Whole grains. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Whole grains. Show all posts

Friday 5 June 2015

Healthy Quinoa Pongal/Huggi/Khichdi

By now you’ve probably know Quinoa, pronounce it as (“keen-wah”).Quinoa is a quick-cooking, gluten-free whole grain (actually a pseudo whole-grain, because it’s cooked like a whole grain but is the seed of a beet relative). Quinoa grows in a rainbow of colors, but the most commonly available are red quinoa, black quinoa and white quinoa. Taste and nutrition are similar among the colors. White quinoa tends to cook up fluffier, while red quinoa and black quinoa have a crunchier texture and the grains don’t stick together as much.It has a lovely nutty taste and delicate popping texture. If you can cook rice, you can cook quinoa. Here’s the simplest way to cook quinoa: Combine 1 cup quinoa with 2 cups water  in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.Fluff with a fork before serving.Quinoa is nutritionally renowned for its protein content and while it does have a decent amount, it’s not actually the amount of protein that’s so impressive. Instead it’s the type of protein. Quinoa has the perfect balance of all nine amino acids essential for human nutrition. This type of complete protein is rarely found in plant foods, though common in meats. Quinoa also offers a good dose of fiber and iron. You can try many indian dishes as substitute for wheat and rice.Source info:online and wiki.


Ingredients:
Quinoa-1/2cup
Moongdal/hesarubele/Split greengram
Ghee-1Tbsp
Mustard-1tsp
Jeera/Cumin-1/2tsp
Methi -10seeds
Asafoetida-pinch
Pepper power-1/2tsp
Jeera powder-1/2tsp
Curry leaves-1sprig
Ginger-1"piece(crushed)
Turmeric powder-1/4tsp
Green chillies-3-4
Salt to taste
Coriander-2Tbsp,little for garnishing

Method:
1.Wash quinoa and dal thoroughly.Soak it in water and keep it aside.
2.In a pressure cooker,Heat a ghee and add mustard and jeera let them pop.
3.Now add asafoetida,ginger,curryleaves,green chillies and turmeric fry for a second.
4.Add 2 cups of water,let it boil now add jeera powder and pepper powder and salt.
5.When it begins to boil add washed quinoa and dal ,add chopped coriander.
6.Cook upto 1 to 2 whistles, now the pongal is ready to serve,garnish with chopped coriander.
7.Serve hot with ghee.
Note:You can also add any veggies of your choice.



Tuesday 26 March 2013

Barley Kheer/Payasa


Happy Holi to all of you...Today I prepared Kheer out of barley,my family loved it and asking it to make it again.I prepared by grinding the barley into course powder.It is very easy and simple to prepare in no time,so I want to share with you on this auspicious day.Barley  is a good source of nutrients and antioxidants.This whole grain is not only packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, but is also one of the richest sources of fiber, both soluble and insoluble. Insoluble fiber helps in the detoxification of the body, while soluble fiber attaches to fats to aid them in getting out of your body.Barley also helps in the stabilization of blood glucose levels. In short, eating barley is good for people with diabetes. This is because fiber found in barley can cause a delay in the stomach emptying and can slow down the body's absorption  of carbohydrates from foods. Barley should be included in the diet of a person suffering from this health problem.It also reduces body heat,good for urinary tract infections,kidney stones and water retention to name a few.


Ingredients:
Barley Powder-4tbsp
Milk-2cups
Condensed milk-1/2cup
Saffron strands-1/4tsp
Cardamom powder-1/4tsp
Cashewnuts-1tbsp
Almonds-1tbsp
Raisins-1tbsp
Ghee-2tsp



Method:
1.Chop the nuts roughly,Fry the nuts and raisins to golden brown in ghee and keep it aside.
2.In a pan boil the milk,when its nearly to boil add barley powder,allow it to boil until the mixture thickens.
3.Now add condensed milk,saffron strands and cardamom powder, cook for 2-3minutes on a low flame.
4.Garnish with fried nuts and raisins.Serve hot or cold.
Enjoy thick,creamy,healthy and delicious Barley kheer.