Vetrillai Poondu Sadam / Betel Garlic Rice

     
I am happy to share this healthy recipe to all mothers..................




                                 

     Vetrillai / Betel leaf is used as offering to god in India. Betel plant is a symbol of Goddess Lakshmi. We have the plant in our garden but it was a small leaf variety with more hotness. I had seen many grandma chewing betels. Thambulam / Betel , supari and calcium ( vetrillai paku ) will be served in most festive occasions and celebrations in south India, while in North India , it was in the form of Pann.

          This vetrillai has many health benefits – aids in digestion , acts as a antiseptic along with pepper. It is coated with castor oil then shown in flame , then applied on young children’s chest to loosen the sputum in case of cold.

          This also helps lactating mothers as it increases milk secretion.

          I had seen this recipe in Reva’s Blog long before. It was first in my to do list , still I was hesitant how the rice will taste. Once I tasted , I want to make it often………

Requirements :

Cooked Rice – 2 cups

Salt to Taste

For Seasoning :

 Gingelly oil – 1 tbs

Fennel Seeds / Aniseeds – ½  tsp

Cinnamon stick – 1 small stick

Garlic cloves – 10

Curry leaves – a sprig

Small Betel leaves  - 15 – 20

For Masala :

Dry / fresh Turmeric – 1 inch

Dry Red chilli – 2

Black Sesame seeds – 1 tsp

Black Peppercorns – 1 tsp

Dry Ginger / Sukku – ½ inch

Method :

 I used normal pooni rice . if you want can use basmati rice or seeraga samba rice.

 To prepare Masala :

     Dry roast the turmeric , sesame seeds , red chillies , pepeprcorns and ginger for few seconds or till the sesame seeds stops spluttering. Allow to cool and gring to a coarse powder. I didn’t add water for grinding.

Making of Rice :

Heat gingelly oil in a kadai . add the fennel seeds and cinnamon stick , fry on medium flame.

Add in the curry leaves and ginger flakes. Sauté till the  aroma from garlic comes out or garlic becomes slightly brown.

Add in the cooked rice and required salt and toss well.Then add the chopped betel leaves and mix well.

Add the grounded masala and mix well. Sprinkle little water and mix once. Cook in medium flame with lid for 5 minutes.

Betel garlic rice is ready to serve.

Healthy and nutritious rice will be best to carry on lunch boxes.

Almond Dates Smoothie – Healthy Breakfast smoothie

  A smoothie is a blended and sometimes sweetened beverage made from fresh fruits and in some chocolate or peanut butter is added. In addition to fruit, many smoothies include crushed ice , frozen fruit , honey. They have a milkshake like consistency .They can also contain milk , yogurt or ice-cream.

  Having a smoothie during breakfast will keep you fresh throughout the day.

 This an excellent, healthy smoothie which is easy to make.

   Almond is a nutritionally dense food and is a rich source of vitamin E and also rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and essential minerals such as magnesium, copper, manganese, calcium and potassium as well as monounsaturated fats.

                                    


     In this smoothie there is no additional sugar , sweetness from dates is enough to have a healthy and nutritious smoothie. Some kids won't eat nuts or dates directly , so if we give in this smoothie form they will have without knowing.


  I made this smoothie specially for my sister during her pregnancy. 

Requirements:

Almonds – 5 – 6 no’s

Milk – ½ cup

Dates  -  10 no’s
                                
                         

Method:

Soak the almonds in milk for 10 minutes.

In a blender, add the chopped dates , almonds , milk and blend well.

If needed can add the crushed ice before serving.
                                

 Almond  Dates smoothie is ready to serve.

Note:

Brown sugar can be added for extra sweetness.

Fingermillet Cashew Cookies

   




Christmas – the festival of the birth of the Jesus.  Christmas  is not a time nor a season , but a state of mind . To cherish peace and goodwill , to be plenteous in mercy , is to have the real spirit of christmas.

                                

  

This was another healthy and delicious cookies . It is made with the fingermillet flour which is rich in calcium. This is good for pregnant ladies………..

Ingredients :                            

 Finger millet flour – 1 ½ cup

Powdered sugar – ½ cup

Chopped cashew – ½ cup

Butter – 2 tbs

Baking powder – ¼ tsp

Cocoa powder – 1 tbs

Milk – as required

Method :

In a bowl mix the butter and sugar well.

To this add the baking powder and mix well.

Now , add the cocoa powder , flour and chopped cashew and mix well.

Sprinkle milk and make into a smooth dough.

Preheat the oven to 220 * C .

Shape the cookies and arrange in the baking tray and bake for 15 – 20 minutes.

Let it cool and store in airtight containers.

Finger millet cashew cookies is ready to serve.

Chocolate chip Raisin Oaties

          Christmas season had come. Every where there are sounds of the festival .  I was late to join in the celebration. So to begin , I came up with a healthy and delicious bite cookies. celebrations . 

 Christmas is a time with lots of celebration with especially cookies , cakes and pasteries. For more cookies recipe , check here.

  This was a simply healthy and easy to make cookies. This was an excellent cookie to be served for pregnant ladies , as this is healthy and less in calorie.

Ingredients :

Butter – 115 g

Light brown sugar  – 115 g 

Milk – ¼ cup

Vanilla extract – 1 tsp

Raisin – 1 tbs

Chocolate chips – 150 g

Rolled oats – 100g

Method :

In a bowl , mix butter and brown sugar well.

To and raisins and mix together.

Now , add the oats and vanilla extract , mix well.

It will be like crumble , so add little milk at a time and try to make shapes.

Make into small rounds and press flat with care , as it breaks easily.

Preheat the oven to 220 * C and bake for 15 minutesthis add the chocolate

chip.

Let it cool and store in air tight boxes.

Delicious eggless chocolate chip raisin oaties is ready to serve.

Note :

 If you want to add egg to this cookies  means add a whole egg to the butter sugar mixture and mix well or beat separately and add .