Tag: health benefits

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Barnyard Millet and Foxnuts Savoury Pancakes- Protein Rich Gluten Free

I try to have atleast 2 gluten free meals in a day. I don’t have any gluten allergy but I think it keeps my system in check. There are exceptional days when all my meals have gluten but mostly I prefer breakfast and dinner to be gluten free. 

Millet, an ancient grain has gained quite a well deserved popularity in recent times. Traditional millets have found their way back into households quickly winning hearts. It’s naturally gluten free and offers tremendous health benefits. There are countless reasons why you should have 1 meal in a day that contains millets. 

There are several types of millets you can choose from like foxtail millets, sorghum millet, pearl millet or finger millet. But today we will use Barnyard Millet. In addition to millets, these pancakes also include foxtnuts (makhana), flattened rice (poha) and buttermilk which is a great source of protein.

Benefits of Barnyard Millets 

  • Barnyard millet or Sanwa rice as it is popularly known has high levels of protein, calcium, iron, minerals, and vitamin B complex.
  • It is also low in carbohydrates making it a boon for those with type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
  • It contains high amounts of iron- richest amongst all millets and cereal grains.
  • It is low in calories and a good source of highly digestible protein

Benefits of Foxnuts/Makhanas 

Makhanas were previously so under-appreciated. They have become more popular in recent years as people have become more health conscious. 

  • Foxnuts are a fabulous source of protein, magnesium and potassium. Just 100 grams of foxnuts can give your 9 grams of quality, easy to digest natural protein.
  • They have high calcium content.
  • Studies have shown that foxnuts aid in management of blood sugar levels.
  • Fox nuts are high in astringent properties and can help prevent kidney problems.

I tried these pancakes for the first time today and surprisingly they came out so nice and flavourful. Even my 10 year old son loved it and ate 4 of these for breakfast. They are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. I paired it with my Tangy Spicy Peanut Chutney for more flavour and to add more protein in my diet.

For more savoury pancake recipes you can check out my Semolina Pancake recipe or this Iron Rich Pancake recipe.

Main Ingredients list: (check the full list below)

  1. Barnyard millet: It tastes like broken rice and is also a fabulous substitute for rice. They are also ideal for summers as this millet has cooling properties. In case you can’t find barnyard millet flour, you can substitute it with other millets like pearl millet or sorghum flour.
  2. Flattened Rice/Poha: It is a delightful and nutritious breakfast option with numerous health benefits. It is also an exceptional vegetarian source of Iron. If you can’t find poha, you can use rice flour. 
  3. Foxtail Nuts/Makhana: Makhanas add a great nuttiness and chewy texture to these pancakes. 
  4. Buttermilk: It is a great source of protein. In addition to that, it easy to digest and also adds a natural tangy flavour which tastes delicious. I used homemade buttermilk which was freshly made while making cultured ghee at home. You can check out the recipe here- Homemade Ayurvedic Cultured Ghee. If you can’t find buttermilk, use yogurt or homemade curd.

Recipe: makes 12 pancakes

Ingredients

  1. Barnyard Millet flour: 1 cup
  2. Flattened Rice/ Poha: 1/2 cup
  3. Foxnuts/Makhana: 3/4th cup
  4. Buttermilk: 2 cups
  5. Water: 1/2 cup or as required 
  6. Ginger: 1” long
  7. Green Chilli: 1
  8. Salt to taste
  9. Baking soda: 1/2 tsp
  10. Chopped Vegetables- Onion, Capsicum, Tomato: 2 cups
  11. Chat masala: a pinch (optional)
  12. Curry Leaves: Handful
  13. Oil/Ghee for cooking

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, add foxnuts, barnyard millet flour and poha. Now add buttermilk and mix well. 
  • Cover and let it rest for 20 minutes. The foxnuts and poha will soften and absorb the buttermilk. At this point it will have a thick consistency. 
  • Now add everything to the blender. Add salt, ginger and green chilli. Then add water and blend to a smooth consistency batter. Add more water if required but add little at a time. Do not make a runny thin batter.
  • Empty the batter in a bowl and add baking soda. Mix gently.
  • Add chopped vegetables and curry leaves in about bowl. Sprinkle some salt and chat masala if you like and mix well. Keep aside.
  • Heat a non-stick pan or cast iron pan. Bring it to medium heat. Spread one ladle full of pancake batter on the pan. Add oil/ghee around the edges.
  • Now add some vegetables on top and press the vegetables gently. Cook on medium flame for 3 minutes or till the edges brown. Carefully flip and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes or till it becomes nice and golden brown.
  • Cook the remaining pancakes in the similar way. Serve hot with chutney of your choice.

Notes:

  1. Always remember not to add Eno as a leavening agent. It’s an antacid and it’s bad for health. Baking soda will do the similar job and is not harmful when taken in moderation.
  2. Cook these pancakes on medium heat patiently. Do not increase the flame or the pancakes will not cook evenly and might remain raw from the middle. 
  3. You can store the remaining batter in the refrigerator and consume within 2 days.
  4. You can use vegetables of your choice like grated carrots, baby spinach, beetroot etc.
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Nutritious and Delicious: Green Moong Dal Chilla with Veggie Stuffing

As the seasons change, so does our craving for nutritious and delicious meals. Today, I’m excited to share with you a recipe that’s perfect for breakfast or a light dinner – Stuffed Green Moong Dal Chilla. This recipe is packed with protein and veggies, making it a wholesome choice for everyone in the family.

Ingredients:

For the Chilla Batter:

1 cup soaked green moong dal
2-3 garlic cloves
2 green chillies
Salt to taste

For the Stuffing:

1 carrot, grated
1 capsicum, finely chopped
1 beetroot, grated
100g paneer, grated
Instructions:

Soak the green moong dal overnight or for at least 6 hours.

Drain the soaked moong dal and add it to a blender along with garlic cloves, green chillies, and salt. Blend until you get a smooth batter. You can add a little water if needed to reach the desired consistency.

Grate the carrot, beetroot, and paneer. Finely chop the capsicum. Mix all the grated and chopped vegetables together. Add a pinch of salt if desired.

Heat a non-stick pan or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease it with oil. Pour a ladleful of the chilla batter onto the pan and spread it in a circular motion to form a thin pancake.


Cook the chilla on one side until it starts to turn golden brown. Flip it over and cook the other side.

Once both sides of the chilla are cooked, place a generous amount of the vegetable and paneer stuffing on one half of the chilla.


Fold the chilla over the stuffing to make a semi-circle. Press down gently with a spatula to ensure the stuffing is secure and the chilla is cooked through.

Serve the stuffed green moong dal chilla hot with a side of your favorite chutney or yogurt.

Health Benefits of Green Moong Dal Chilla:
Protein-Rich: Green moong dal is an excellent source of plant-based protein, essential for muscle repair and growth.

Fiber-Filled: The vegetables and dal provide a good amount of dietary fiber, aiding in digestion and keeping you full for longer.

Nutrient-Dense: Packed with vitamins and minerals from the carrots, capsicum, beetroot, and paneer, this dish supports overall health and well-being.

Give this delicious and nutritious stuffed green moong dal chilla a try, and don’t forget to share your feedback! If you have your own variations, we’d love to hear them in the comments below. Happy cooking!

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5 Herbal Teas for Better Health- Gut Friendly

Whether you are reading a book, watching your favourite show, chatting with a friend or just having a quiet me time, who doesn’t love the warmth of a good tea. 

Unlike real tea (green, yellow, white, black, oolong, and post-fermented tea) which comes from Camellia Sinensis, herbal teas are made from dried flowers, dried fruits, fruit peels, herbs and spices. They are not only delicious but have soothing, calming and health-promoting properties. Most herbals contain no caffeine, and do not have tea’s special antioxidants EGCG or the amino acid tea theanine.

Whether you are struggling with recurring bouts of bloating, acidity, indigestion, or flatulence or are looking to give your gut a much-needed break these herbal infusions can give you relief and strengthen your digestion and metabolism. In addition to that, certain herbal teas can help strengthen your heart and liver health. 

Human beings have been experimenting with herbal teas for centuries. In historical records, the Sumerians were the first group to use herbs dating back to 5,000 years ago. 1,000 years later, records mention China and India using herbals as well. India has been considered as a treasure house of medicinal and aromatic plant species. According to WHO (2000), 65% of the world’s population integrate the medicinal plant for treatment and 80% of the Indian population used plant product for treating many diseases. 

Which herbal tea you should use will depend upon your needs and body condition that will make you choose one herbal infusion over another. According to Chinese medicine, all herbals teas are separated into two categories: cooling and warming. Some herbals have stronger cooling properties, helping cut down inflammation. Warming properties help you with better blood circulation. 

Herbal teas have become very popular over the years because it is almost always caffeine free, and with gentle and mild flavors there are many choices. In this post we will discuss 5 Herbal Teas from which you can choose based on your requirement, availability and body needs. If you are an expectant mother and morning sickness is one of your major concerns give this Ginger and Herbal Blends: 5 Blends for Morning Sickness Relief a try.

To understand more about what kind of herbal teas you can have when you are pregnant, this post will give a detailed understanding about ‘why’ behind each recommendation- Herbal Teas in Pregnancy: Navigating Safety and Embracing Benefits

5 Herbal Tea Infusions 

1. Blue Tea:

Blue tea is made with Butterfly Pea flowers or Aparajita flowers. It’s not a new fad. This concoction is centuries old and has its origin in South East Asia. Thanks to travel shows and food blogging, this caffeine free tea became famous worldwide

  • Helps to aid digestion. 
  • When consumed before bedtime, it helps to promote healthy sleep.
  • Antioxidants present in blue tea can help improve skin health. 
  • Stimulates hair growth
  • Stimulates collagen production 
  • Helps to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation due to its potential interaction with neurotransmitters in the brain.

How to brew it? 

Just add 4-5 dried or fresh flowers in a cup of hot water. Cover and let it seep for 10 minutes. You can add a cinnamon stick, cardamom, star anise or honey to enhance the flavour. Finish it with some lemon juice. 

2. Rhododendron Tea: 

Rhododendron is naturally occurring plant which originated in the valley of Himalayas, Kashmir, Assam and Manipur in India and in some regions of Bhutan. This plant is acquiring a special place in the cultural as well as economic life of the people. It possess various health benefits, such as prevention and treatment of diseases associated with heart, detoxification, inflammation, bronchitis and asthma. The leaves possess effective antioxidant activity. Due to these reasons, the flower has been entitled as the national flower of Nepal and state flower of Himachal Pradesh (India)

  • It provides protection against stress and inflammation reduction
  • Helps safeguard against chronic diseases
  • Regular consumption of rhododendron can help strengthen your immunity making you less susceptible to illnesses.
  • Contribute to maintaining healthy heart. They assist in reducing cholesterol levels and lowering blood pressure.
  • Provide relief from symptoms such as bloating, indigestion and constipation.
  • Possess properties which help in congestion, ease coughs and improve overall respiratory health.

How to brew it?

Put 1 tsp of dried rhododendron flowers in a cup of hot water. Let it steep for 3-4 minutes or longer as per your liking. Add lemon juice if required. For cold infusion, let the steeped tea cool down.

Aside from the above mentioned advantages, rhododendron juice extracted from the flowers or leaves of this plant is widely used to harness its benefits. It is renowned for its properties and contributions to health. It is a hydrating beverage that proves especially beneficial in hot climates or during physical exertion. For days when hot beverages are not your thing, you can try out Masala Monk’s Rhododendron Squash (Buransh ka Sharbat) which is produced from fresh Rhododendron Flowers that are hand-picked in the foothills of the Himalayas.

3. Spiced Tea:

If you are struggling with bloating, indigestion, flatulence, acidity, or gas, this will calm down your digestive system. This tea will help to strengthen your metabolism and will help in better digestion. All these spices below have a calming effect on your digestive system. You can have it either in the morning or 30 minutes after a heavy meal.

How to brew it?

Ingredients: 

  • 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
  • 1/2 tsp Fennel Seeds
  • 1/2 tsp Coriander Seeds

Take 2 cups of water. Add all the ingredients above. Let it boil till it reduces to half. Sieve and sip warm. You can add lemon juice to it once it is off heat.

4. Lemongrass Tea:

I love lemongrass flavour- mild, slightly lemony and sweet. It’s not only a delightful drink but has great health benefits too. If you have lemongrass plant at home, make the most of it. It’s full of antioxidants and it’s a great healthy drink if you have water retention problems. 

  • It aids digestion due to its cooling effect esp if you have bloating problems. 
  • It can help in controlling chronic cough and cold by reducing congestion
  • It’s an amazing immunity boosting and stress relieving concoction.
  • It is a powerful diuretic, stomach and gut cleanser and helps fight water retention.

How to brew it?

Add 2-3 stalks of lemongrass in 2 cups of water. The best way to squeeze out maximum flavour from lemongrass is to use its bottom stalk and bruise the stalk slightly with a rolling pin before adding. To enhance the flavour you can try adding 2-3 pods of cardamom and 1 star anise. Reduce the infusion to half and sip warm. You can add honey or lemon slice to it while serving.

5. Orange Peel Tea:

This is one of my favourites. There is nothing more comforting than a cup of freshly brewed hot tea with citrus fragrance. Oranges are one of the healthiest fruits and their peels have great medicinal properties. There’s proven research around the effectiveness of orange peels in boosting metabolism and immunity.

  • A natural decongestant, in clearing lungs and phlegm and in also reducing allergy-causing histamine.
  • It has diuretic properties that help to eliminate excess body fluid and reduce abdominal bloating.
  • It has excellent amounts of hesperidin, a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which improve blood circulation.
  • Because it contains excellent amounts of antioxidants, orange peel tea helps improve the function of insulin.
  • It’s anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidants can protect and improve liver function.

How to brew it? 

Take a tbsp of fresh or dried orange peel without the white part. It is recommended to prioritize organic versions of the fruit, as these are less likely to contain pesticides. Boil the water in a kettle or pot. Turn off the heat, and add the orange peels. Infuse for 5 to 10 minutes and then strain and drink without adding sugar or sweetener. To enhance the taste I like to add a small piece of cinnamon stick to it.

Takeaway

All these herbal infusions have tremendous health benefits when made a part of your lifestyle. But these herbal infusions are in no way a magic potion or a replacement for your medication. If you are suffering from some ailment, keep your doctor in loop before trying anything new. While you have these infusions, keep in mind that you must make necessary changes in your lifestyle to reap the health benefits. Eat smart and move more to stay healthy. 

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Nourish Your Summer: Sattu Chokha – A Bihari Delicacy with Health Benefits

Sattu Chokha, a humble yet flavorsome dish, embodies the essence of simplicity. With no cooking involved and no intricate techniques required, it’s a true testament to the beauty of minimalism in cooking. Made primarily from roasted gram flour (sattu), this dish celebrates the natural flavors and nutritional benefits of its core ingredient. Mixed with an array of aromatic spices and fresh ingredients like onions, green chilies, and coriander leaves, Sattu Chokha is a delightful medley of textures and tastes. Whether enjoyed as a standalone snack or paired with your favorite accompaniments like rice or dal, this dish offers a taste of comfort and tradition in every bite.

Sattu chokha is a staple food in Bihari households, especially during the scorching summer months. This simple yet nutritious dish is known for its cooling properties and delightful taste. Traditionally enjoyed with dal chawal, sattu chokha is a perfect blend of flavors and health benefits.

Experience the wholesome goodness of Sattu Chokha – simple yet satisfying, and bursting with authentic flavors

Ingredients:

1 cup chana sattu
1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
2 green chillies, finely chopped
A handful of coriander leaves, finely chopped
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp roasted cumin powder
1 tbsp mustard oil
Salt to taste

Instructions:

In a mixing bowl or plate, add chana sattu, roasted cumin powder and salt.

Now add finely chopped onion, finely chopped coriander leaves, green chillies and mustard oil.

Now pour in the lemon juice and Mix everything together thoroughly until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Serve the Sattu Chokha with rice or dal chawal. Enjoy the rustic flavors of this simple and nutritious dish!


Note: You can adjust the quantity of green chillis and lemon juice according to your taste preferences. Additionally, you can also add finely chopped coriander leaves for extra freshness and flavor.

Sattu chokha is not just a dish; it’s a tradition passed down through generations, offering a perfect blend of taste and health. Enjoy this Bihari delicacy and relish the goodness of sattu!

You can make your own sattu at home or you can buy from numerous brands available online as well as offline. In case you are looking for a homemade, preservative free and authentic experience, without getting into hassle of grinding your own, you can always explore Masala Monk’s Sattu Mix, which ships all over India also you don’t have to add roasted cumin powder and salt separately in this mixture.

Do try the recipe and let me know in comments how it turns out. If you end up adding your own twist and experimenting, let me know as well – maybe I will try it that way and see how it feels.

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Energize Your Mornings: Kale Chane Chila for a Protein Punch

Kale chane, or black chickpeas, are a powerhouse of nutrition, packed with protein, fiber, and essential vitamins. Incorporating them into your diet can significantly boost your energy levels and overall health. One delicious and wholesome way to enjoy kale chane is by making chila, a protein-packed breakfast that is both tasty and nourishing.

Ingredients:

For the Chila Batter:

1 cup soaked and boiled kale chane (black chickpeas)
1 cup rava (semolina)
1/2 cup curd (yogurt)
Handful of coriander leaves, chopped
2-3 green chilies, chopped (adjust to taste)
1/2 inch ginger, grated
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
Salt to taste

For the Stuffing:

1 cup grated carrot
1/2 cup grated cheese (use your favorite variety)
Handful of coriander leaves, chopped
Oil or butter for cooking
Water, as required

Instructions:

In a mixer grinder, combine the soaked and boiled kale chane, rava, chopped coriander leaves, chopped green chilies, grated ginger, cumin seeds, curd, and salt. Blend until you get a smooth batter. If the batter is too thick, you can add a little water to achieve the desired consistency, similar to regular dosa batter.

Transfer the chila batter to a bowl and set it aside.

For the stuffing, mix together the grated carrot, grated cheese, and chopped coriander leaves in a separate bowl. This will be the delicious filling for your chila.

Heat a dosa or a non-stick tawa over medium heat. Once the tawa is hot, drizzle a little oil or spread a small amount of butter on it. Pour a ladleful of the chila batter onto the center of the tawa. Using the back of the ladle, gently spread the batter in a circular motion to form a thin chila. Allow the chila to cook for a couple of minutes until the bottom side turns golden and crispy. Spoon a portion of the prepared stuffing mixture onto one half of the chila.

Carefully fold the other half of the chila over the stuffing to create a half-moon shape. Cook the stuffed chila for another 2-3 minutes, pressing gently with a spatula to ensure even cooking and to melt the cheese. Flip the chila over and cook the other side until it becomes crispy and golden brown. Once both sides are cooked to your liking, remove the stuffed chila from the tawa and place it on a serving plate.

Repeat the process with the remaining batter and stuffing to make more chilas.

Enjoy your nutritious and flavorful chila that’s packed with protein, cheesy goodness, and the health benefits of kale chane!

We hope you enjoy making and eating this nutritious and delicious Kale Chane Chila as much as we do! Give this protein-packed breakfast a try, and let us know how it turns out for you. If you have your own unique twist on Kale Chane Chila, we’d love to hear about it. Share your feedback and your versions in the comments below or tag us on social media. Happy cooking!