Friday 31 August 2018

Multi vitamin plant leaves stir fry (Sauropus androgynus,Thavasi murungai,chekurmanis)

Multi vitamin plant leaves stir fry (Sauropus androgynus,Thavasi murungai,chekurmanis)

Multi vitamin plant leaves stir fry (Sauropus androgynus,Thavasi murungai,chekurmanis)
Multi vitamin plant leaves stir fry (Sauropus androgynus,Thavasi murungai,chekurmanis) 
Multi vitamin plant (Sauropus androgynus) is a popular leaf vegetables in South Asia and Southeast Asia. Its common name, chekurmanis, is derived from the Malay name cekur manis. In Tamil it is called thavasi murungai. The leaves are high in vitamins. It is a medicinal plant.
It is believed to improve the flow of breast milk for breastfeeding mothers.It is a good source of vitamin K, vitamins B and C, protein and minerals. A study has suggested that excessive consumption of juiced Katuk leaves (due to its popularity for body weight control in Taiwan in the mid '90s) can cause lung damage, due to its high concentrations of the alkaloid papaverine. It is advisable to eat in small quantity.

Today I am going to make a stir-fry of chekurmanis leaves. This a very simple recipe. We consume this vegetable once in a way.



                 Multi vitamin plant leaves stir fry 
  (Sauropus androgynus,Thavasi murungai,chekurmanis) 


Multivitamin plant leaves
Multivitamin plant leaves

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Serves: 6

I

Preparation
Strip 250 grams  leaves from the stem. Wash and chop 
  Ingredients
Ingredients

finely.

Method
1. In a large pan heat 2 table spoon of oil. When the oil is hot reduce the heat to low and add 1 dry chili broken into small pieces and fry for 1 minute. 

2. Add  ½ tsp cumin seeds and fry for 30 seconds. 

3. Add  150 grams onion and fry for 5 minutes. 

4. Add  1 chopped green chili,  chopped 4 cloves garlic, and finely cut 10 curry leaves and fry for 2 minutes. 

5. Add chekurmanis leaves and fry for 3 minutes.

Multi vitamin plant leaves stir fry (Sauropus androgynus,Thavasi murungai,chekurmanis)
Multi vitamin plant leaves Stir fry
 6. Add ½ cup  grated coconut mixed with ½ tsp turmeric powder and fry for 3 minutes.


7.Add 1 teaspoon salt and ½ tsp pepper.

The chekurmanis leaves  stir-fry is ready.

 Serve with rice, porridge or bread. It is
said that it should be eaten in small quantity. 

        Multi vitamin plant leaves Stir fry is ready.                                                                          
Recipe follows in detail with pictures.


                     
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Serves: 6
Multivitamin plant leaves
Multivitamin plant leaves
Multivitamin plant leaves
Multivitamin plant leaves

Ingredients
Main
250grams chekurmanis leaves, finely chopped.
½ cup grated coconut

Spices
½ tsp turmeric powder
½ tsp cumin seeds
½ tsp  pepper powder.

Others
150grams onion, coarsely chopped
4 cloves garlic, sliced
1 dry red chili, broken into small pieces
 1 green chili, cut into small pieces
10 curry leaves, chopped
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp vegetable oil

Preparation
Strip the good leaves from the long stem .Wash and let it dry. Then cut the leaves into fine.
  Stripped leaves.
Stripped leaves

Shredded thavasi murungai leaves
Shredded thavasi murungai leaves
Cut the onion, curry leaves green chili and garlic.


  Ingredients
Ingredients

Method
In a large pan heat 2 table spoon of oil. When the oil is hot reduce the heat to low and add dry chilies and fry for 1 minute. 

Add cumin seeds and fry for 30 seconds. Add  onion and fry for 5 minutes. Add  green chili, garlic, and curry leaves and fry for 2 minutes. 
Frying dry chili,cumin and garlic
Frying dry chili,cumin and garlic


Add onion and fry for 5 minutes.


Frying onion
Frying onion

Add green chili and fry for 2 minutes.
Adding green chili
Adding green chili

Add chekurmanis leaves fry for 3 minutes.

Add grated coconut mixed with turmeric powder an fry for 3 minutes.


Adding the leaves
Adding the leaves
Add salt and pepper stir. The chekurmanis leaves  stir-fry is ready. Serve with rice, poridge or bread.




YOU MAY LIKE TO SEE


 August tree  leaves stir fry with grated coconut  (Agathi varai)
 August tree  leaves stir fry 
with grated coconut 
(Agathi varai)
 https://simplycookingandhealth.blogspot.com/2016/08
/august-tree-leaves-stir-fry-with-grated.html






















Thursday 23 August 2018

Powerful white vegetable salad with green apple


Powerful white vegetable salad with green apple
Powerful white vegetable salad with green apple


Salad contains mostly raw vegetables. We always go for coloured vegetables that are rich in minerals and vitamins. There are some white vegetables like cabbage, turnip that go well with coloured vegetables. 
                                     
Today I want to concentrate only on white vegetables that are healthy and nutritious and make a salad.
white vegetables and green apple
                                         white vegetables and green apple


                               Recipe summary
                                        For
        Powerful white vegetable salad with green apple.


white vegetables and green apple
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 0
Serves: 4


Preparation
Wash and peel the skin of 150 grams radish and Shred, sprinkle salt, toss and leave it in a bowl for 15 minutes as it has a pungent taste.  Squeeze   using your hand. Pat dry to remove excess water and keep aside. 
Shredded vegetables and green apple
Shredded vegetables

Wash 150 grams  cabbage leaves  put in salted water, pat dry and shred. 

Wash and peel the skins of 150 grams turnip (jicama),  150 grams cucumber and shred separately.

Wash and  peel the skin of 140  grams apple, slice and put in salted water for 5 minutes as it will get oxidized. shred it.

Peel the skin of 150 grams onion. Wash and shred.



Powerful white vegetable salad with green apple

Method 
Mix all  shredded vegetables and add 2 table spoon apple cider vinegar, 2 table spoon extra virgin olive oil, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper and toss. Sprinkle white 1 tsp of sesame seeds.

This is a crunchy salad which you can eat on its own or with rice or bread.
                                                                                        

Powerful white vegetable salad with green apple is ready.
Recipe follows in detail with pictures.
                     

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 0
Serves: 4

Ingredients
Main
150 grams Radish 
150 grams Cabbage 
150 grams Turnip (jicama)
150 grams cucumber
150 grams white onion
1 green apple 140 grams

Others
½ tsp Pepper powder
½ tsp Salt
2 table spoon extra virgin olive oil
2 table spoon apple cider vinegar
1 tsp sesame seeds

Preparation
Wash, peel the skin of radish and Shred, sprinkle salt, toss and leave it in a bowl for 15 minutes as it has a pungent taste.  Squeeze using your hand. Pat dry to remove excess water and keep aside. 

Wash cabbage leaves and put in salted water, pat dry and shred. 

Wash and peel the skins of turnip and cucumber and shred separately.

Wash and peel the skin of apple, slice and put in salted water for 5 minutes as it will get oxidized. shred it.

Peel the skin of onion. Wash and shred.
Shredded vegetables and green apple
Shredded vegetables and green apple
Method 
Mix all the vegetables and add vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Sprinkle white sesame seeds.
This is a crunchy salad which you can eat on its own or with rice or bread.

Powerful white vegetable salad with green apple
Powerful white vegetable salad with green apple

YOU MAY LIKE TO SEE MY COLORFULSALAD
Red ( Purple) Cabbage salad with baby kailan and sweet corn
Red ( Purple) Cabbage salad with 
baby kailan and sweet corn

https://simplycookingandhealth.blogspot.com/2015/04/red-purple-cabbage-salad-with-baby.html




Sunday 19 August 2018

Garlic dried in the oven and air fryer and powdered at home.




Garlic dried  in the oven and air fryer and powdered at home
Garlic dried  in the oven and air fryer and powdered at home
Garlic is a member of the Allium family with onions and leeks. It has been used in the kitchen from ancient times as ingredient for curries soups stews stir fries and dips.
 It is anti -bacterial and anti-fungal. It has medicinal properties with vitamin B 1 and 6, manganese, iron, calcium, potassium, prosperous and selenium.
Garlic
Garlic
Today I want to dry garlic in the oven and air fryer to make garlic powder  which is aromatic.



                               Recipe summary  
                                        For
      Garlic dried  in the oven and air fryer and powdered 
                                   at home.

Garlic
Garlic


Oven made garlic powder

Preparation time: 15 minutes.
Cooking time: 5 hours.
Oven temperature: 100 degrees Celsius.

Ingredients:
500 grams Garlic cloves

Preparation
Peel and wash the garlic and wipe it dry using a cloth or kitchen paper. 
I used the peeled garlic from the supper market to save time. 

Shred the garlic. I used the food processor to shred. It took 5 minutes.
 Method1. Spread the shredded garlic on a stainless-steel tray without foil or baking sheet as it easy to scrape the garlic with a spatula as  shredded garlic is sticky. 

2. Preheat the oven for 10 minutes and keep the tray in the centre. Keep watching and stir now and then. 

3. In 5 hours time it should  be done.
 you will get the smell of roasted garlic.

Oven made garlic powder



4. Remove the tray from the oven and let it cool. Dried garlic will now be in the form of granules. 

5. Grind the granules into powder.  I got 160 grams of powder.  

6. When cooled store in a glass bottle and refrigerate. 

 Garlic powder can be used in curries, stews, cutlets, and soups.

Air fryer dried garlic cloves and powder.
Garlic powder made in the air fryer

Preparation time: 15 minutes.
Cooking time: 3 hours and 20 minutes.
Oven temperature: 100 degrees Celsius.

Ingredients:
main
70 grams garlic cloves
Garlic cloves are dried

Preparation
Peel and wash the garlic cloves and wipe them dry using a cloth or kitchen paper. 
Slice the cloves into half and then cut into small pieces.
Method
1. Place the cut pieces of garlic in a small pan. 
2. Preheat air fryer at 100 degrees Celsius for 5 minutes.
3. Place the pan into the air fryer. Set the time for 20 minutes.
4. At the beginning stir every 10 minutes so it that does not stick to the pan.
5. Repeat the process 9 times giving 20 minutes every time. In my case it took 3 hours and 20 minutes to complete the process.


Let the air fryer cool for five to ten minutes in between.

6. Finally the colour of the pieces will change into light brown and it will be firm and done.

7. Powder in grinder when it is cooled. I got 25 grams of garlic powder.

8. When cooled store in a glass bottle and refrigerate.  


Garlic dried  in the oven and air fryer and powdered at home

 Garlic dried  in the oven and air fryer and powdered 

                                at home is ready.
                                                                           
Recipe follows in detail with pictures.


                     
Oven made garlic powder

Preparation time: 15 minutes.
Cooking time: 5 hours.
Oven temperature: 100 degrees Celsius.

Ingredients
500 grams Garlic cloves
Garlic cloves
Garlic cloves
Preparation
Peel the skin and wash the garlic and wipe it dry using a cloth or kitchen paper. 
I used the peeled garlic from the supper market to save time. 
Shred the garlic. I used the food processor to shred. It took 5 minutes.

Spread the minced garlic on a stainless-steel tray without foil or baking sheet as it easy to scrape the garlic with a spatula.  Minced garlic is sticky and it will be difficult to remove from the aluminium foil or baking sheet. 
Shredded garlic
Shredded garlic
Preheat the oven for 10 minutes and keep the tray in the centre. Keep watching and stir now and then. When it is done you will get the smell of roasted garlic.

Remove the tray from the oven and let it cool. Dried garlic will now be in the form of granules. Some like to use the granules. 
Dried garlic cloves
Dried garlic cloves
Grind the granules into powder.  I got 160 grams of powder.  
Oven made garlic powder
Oven made garlic powder
When cooled store in a glass bottle. I keep in the garlic powder in the refrigerator as we use only a little at a time.
Oven made garlic powder
Oven made garlic powder
 Garlic powder can be used in curries, stews, cutlets, and soups.



 Air fryer made garlic powder.

Preparation time: 15 minutes.
Cooking time: 3 hours and 20 minutes.
Oven temperature: 100 degrees Celsius.

Ingredients:
main
70 grams garlic cloves

Preparation
Peel and wash the garlic cloves and wipe them dry using a cloth or kitchen paper. 
Slice the cloves into half and then cut into small pieces.
Sliced garlic cloves
Sliced garlic cloves
Method
Place the cut pieces of garlic in a small pan. 

Preheat air fryer at 100 degrees Celsius for 5 minutes.

Place the pan into the air fryer. Set the time for 20 minutes.

At the beginning stir every 10 minutes, so it that does not stick to the pan.

Repeat the process 9 times giving 20 minutes every time. In my case it took 3 hours and 20 minutes to complete the process. Time may vary according to the air fryer.

Let the air fryer cool for five to ten minutes in between.

Finally the colour of the pieces will change into light brown and it will be firm and done.

Garlic cloves are dried
Garlic cloves are dried

 Let the dried cloves cool.  Once it is cooled  use a grinder and make the powder. I got 25 grams of garlic powder.

Garlic powder made in the air fryer
Garlic powder made in the air fryer
 After the powder is cooled store it in a glass bottle and keep in the refrigerator.


Garlic powder can be used in curries, stews, cutlets, and soups.
Garlic dried in air fryer and powdered
Garlic dried in air fryer and powdered



Garlic powder can be used in curries, stews, cutlets, and soups.

we use in small quantity as it is concentrated.


Friday 10 August 2018

Easy raw bitter melon and unripe green mango salad

Bitter melon is an ugly looking  vegetable with warty skin and bitter taste.  People turn their heads away from it due to its bitter taste. but it is nutritious. It gives phytonutrients like dietary fibber, minerals, vitamins, folates, flavonoids and anti-oxidants. It helps in digestion and bowel movement.It has many medicinal properties. Most well known use worldwide is in diabetic condition. 

We all know the sweet taste of mango. It is healthy too. It is known to assist in prevention of cancer and reduction of cholesterol, in particular LDL – the bad cholesterol. Some hate it when it is unripe  as it is sour. It will strengthen the immune system and lower glucose level in diabetics. It is also thought to help digestion.

So here I am with a delicious and mouthwatering salad using raw bitter melon and unripe mango.
Easy raw bitter melon and  unripe green mango salad
                        Easy raw bitter melon and  unripe green mango salad




                                   Recipe summary
                                             For
     Easy raw bitter melon and unripe green  mango salad

Mango and bitter melon
Mango and 
bitter melon


Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 0
Serves 3
     Preparation
1.Wash and peel the skin of 150 grams mango. Cut large pieces of the flesh and remove the seed.
Grate the flesh using a grater.

2. Wash 100 grams bitter melon cut into half lengthwise and scoop the seeds out.
Ingredients for Easy raw bitter melon and raw mango salad
Ingredients 
Grate the flesh  using a grater.

3.Slice 50 grams  cherry tomatoes into 4 pieces
4. Chop 1 onion finely.
5. Cut 1 green chili into tiny pieces.             
Method
mix all together and add salt and grated coconut.

Mango is sour it helps to remove the bitterness 
of the bitter gourd.                                                                                                                                                        The salad
 Easy raw bitter melon and raw mango salad


If you like you can add a little lime juice to make it more sour.

If you don't like to add coconut you can add grated carrot.


  Easy raw bitter melon and unripe green  mango salad is ready.

                                  RECIPE FOLLOWS IN DETAIL WITH PICTURES.
                     
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 0
Serves 3
Mango and bitter melon
Mango and bitter melon

Ingredients
 Main
150 grams raw  mango
100 grams bitter melon
50 grams cherry tomato
Others
1 onion
1 green chili
50 grams grated coconut
1/2 teaspoon salt.
1/2 lime(optional)
Preparation
Wash and peel the skin of mango. Cut large pieces of the flesh and remove the seed.
Grate the flesh using a grater.
Wash bitter melon cut into half lengthwise and scoop the seeds out.
Grate the flesh  using a grater.
Slice the cherry tomatoes into 4 pieces
Chop the onion finely.
Cut the green chili into tiny pieces.


Ingredients for Easy raw bitter melon and raw mango salad
Ingredients for Easy raw bitter melon and unripe green  mango salad 
Method
mix all together and add salt and grated coconut.
Mango is sour it helps to remove the bitterness of the bitter gourd. If you like you can add a little lime juice to make it more sour.
If you don't like to add coconut you can add grated carrot.

Easy raw bitter melon and  unripe green mango salad
Easy raw bitter melon and  unripe green mango salad

YOU MAY LIKE TO SEE



Easy Raw bitter melon salad
Easy Raw bitter melon salad



https://simplycookingandhealth.blogspot.com/2014/05/fried-bitter-melon-salad-balsam-pear.html


Fried bitter melon salad - Balsam-pear
Fried bitter melon salad - Balsam-pear