Friday, October 24, 2008

Mango Pachadi


Ingredients:

Ripe Mango - 1
Turmeric Powder -1/2 spoon
A Small Lump of Tamarind soaked in water
Mustard Seeds
Green Chillies -2
Red Chilli -2
Grated Coconut -1/2 cup
Few Curry Leaves
Coconut oil
Jaggery (optional)

Method:

Cut the Mango into small pieces and cook them in tamarind water with turmeric, salt and jaggery.
Grind together coconut, red chilli(1), green chillies(2), mustard seeds into a fine paste.
When the mango pieces are cooked add the ground paste and allow it to boil.
For Tadka use coconut oil, mustard seeds, red chilli(1) and curry leaves.
This dish goes well with hot rice and dosas.

Mutton Methiwala


Ingredients:
1/2 kg. mutton chops
1 cup curd, well beaten
3/4 cup coriander leaves, chopped fine
1/2 cup methi leaves (fresh), chopped fine
2 potatoes, cubed
1 tomato, cubed
8 peppercorns
4 Kashmiri chillies
3-4 green chillies
3 cloves
2 cardamoms
2 sprigs mint leaves
2.5 cm. cinnamon stick
5 tsp. coriander seeds
1 tsp. cummin seeds
1 tsp. poppy seeds
1 tsp. ginger-garlic paste
1 tsp. dried methi leaves, crushed
Salt to taste
Ghee for frying


Method:
Roast peppercorns, cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon, poppy seeds, coriander seeds, cummin seeds and red chillies and grind to a fine powder. Fry green chillies and onions with a little ghee and grind them along with half cup coriander leaves, mint leaves and powdered spices, to a fine paste.


Heat ghee in a pan. Add mutton pieces and fry for a minute. Add methi leaves and salt and fry for three minutes. Pour the ground masala paste over the chops and fry for five minutes, adding just half a cup of water. Add curds and mix well. Just before covering the pan, add the tomato and potato pieces. Cook till mutton is done. Uncover the pan and add dry methi leaves. Simmer for few minutes. Serve hot with remaining coriander leaves.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Ringworm

Raw papaya is one of the most effective home remedies for ringworm. The slices of this fruit should be rubbed on the ringworm patches. A paste made from dried papaya seeds can also be applied beneficially on these ringworm patches

Another effective home remedy for ringworm is mustard seeds. A paste should be prepared from these seeds and applied externally over the ringworm patches after thoroughly washing the skin with sufficient hot water

The seeds of the herb butea are valuable in ringworm. The seeds should be ground to a paste and mixed with a little lime juice. This paste should be applied externally over the skin affected by ringworm

The leaves of the cassia tree are useful in irritation of the skin and in alleviating swellings and pains. The juice of these leaves or a paste made from them can be applied to ringworm patches with gratifying results

The leaves of holy basil are also useful in ringworm. The juice of these leaves should be extracted and applied over ringworm patches

Turmeric is very effective in the treatment of ringworm. The juice of raw turmeric should be applied externally to the parts of the skin affected by ringworm. Simultaneously, one teaspoon of turmeric juice mixed with an equal quantity of honey should be taken orally

Raw vegetable juices, especially carrot juice in combination with spinach juice, have proved beneficial in the treatment of ringworm. The formula proportions considered helpful in this combination are 300 ml of carrot juice and 200 ml of spinach juice to make 500 ml or half a litre of juice

Sinusitis


The liberal use of mangoes during the season is considered an effective remedy for prevention and treatment of sinusitis. Mangoes contribute towards formation of healthy epithelium, thereby preventing frequent attacks of common infections like sinusitis. This is attributable to a high concentration of vitamin A in the fruit

The use of pungent foods like garlic and onion is one of the most effective remedies for sinus problems. One should begin with small mild doses and increase them gradually. Beneficial results can also be achieved by adding these herbs in moderate amounts to regular meals

The seeds of fenugreek are another effective remedy for sinusitis. A tea prepared by boiling one teaspoon of seeds in 250 ml of water till it is reduced to half, will help the body to produce perspiration, dispel toxicity, and shorten the period of fever in the acute stage of the disease. Upto four cups should be taken daily. The quantity should be reduced as the condition improves

A teaspoon of black cumin seeds tied in a thin cotton cloth can provide relief when inhaled. The condition can also be relieved by taking a mixture of 100 gm of roasted and ground cumin seeds and 200 gm of pure honey

Carrot juice, taken separately or in combination with juices of beet and cucumber, or with spinach juice, has been found beneficial in the treatment of sinus trouble. In the case of combined juices, 100 ml each of beet and cucumber juices, or 200 ml of spinach juice, should be mixed with 300ml of carrot juice to make 500 ml or half a litre of the mixed juice

A diet rich in vitamin A is the best insurance against cold and sinus trouble. Vitamin A is the 'membrane conditioner' and it helps build healthy mucous membranes in the nose and throat. Some of the valuable sources of this vitamin are whole milk, curds, egg yolk, pumpkin, carrots, leafy vegetables, tomatoes, mangoes, and papaya. When the sinus trouble has already developed, relief can be obtained by taking vitamin A in large therapeutic doses of 25,000 IU per day. Vitamin C has also proved beneficial in the treatment of sinusitis and the patient should take one gram of this vitamin per day in two therapeutic doses of 500 mg each