Asafoetida
This is used in Indian vegetarian cooking to promote flavor. Just a touch is good enough to avoid an overpowerful flavor.
Health Benefits:
- Promotes digestion
- Asafoetida is regularly used in Ayurvedic preparations. Ayurveda is the practice of natural medicine that originated in India. Ailments in the practice of this alternative medicine, are treated using natural herbs and spices.
back
to top
Black Pepper
It is one of the healthiest spices used mostly in southern indian cooking. Pepper is native to India and was a main attraction to invaders. It has existed since the pre-historic times. It is regularly used in natural remedies (ayurvedic medicine) for treating several ailments. Below are the main benefits I have found in my frequent use of pepper in many of the dishes.
Health Benefits:
- Improves digestion
- Helps soothe Irritating throats due to cold
back
to top
Broccoli Rabe
Broccoli Rabe is truly a magic vegetable. Low in calories and sodium, and it has no fat or cholesterol. When cooked with olive oil, it tastes great and piles on the health benefits.
Health Benefits:
- Vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K.
- Potassium, folic acid, fiber and the flavonoids
- Iiron and calcium
- Nutrients, compounds and phytochemicals
back
to top
Coconut
Fresh coconut according to health food enthusiasts and nutritionists is packed with nutritients. It is a great source of B vitamins and some important minerals.
Health Benefits:
- B vitamins except B12
- Folic acid
- Vitamin C.
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Zinc
back
to top
Dhal (a lentil dish)
Uncooked form is easy to store. Dhals do go with any mood, especially for a rainy day. A hot bowl of dhal can energize and quickly transform you. Vegetarians can thrive on this magic ingredient and dish.
Health Benefits:
- Filled with proteins with just enough carbs, plenty of minerals and vitamins
- The turmeric, garlic and onion give a dose of antioxidants
- Ginger improves digestion
back
to top
Garlic
Almost universally used in food to enhance flavors, garlic is like magic in contributing to our well being. An overdose of garlic may cause digestion problems.
Health Benefits:
- Used as a cold remedy
- Helps lower blood pressure
It is another common ingredient used as part of our daily diet. One of my favorite concoctions is ginger chutney. If you like spicy, hot chutneys this can become a quick favorite.
Health Benefits:
- Antioxidant
- Promotes digestion
- Prevents nausea
back
to top
Ivy Gourd
Ivy gourd has been classified as a medicinal herb in traditional Thai and ayurvedic medicine. It enables the body to maintain a balance, decreasing the body’s production of glucose when not necessary.
- Contains beta-carotene
- Protein
- Fiber
back
to top
Portabella Mushrooms
Any mushroom is good, but Portobello mushrooms in particular contain a serious amount of nutrition. They are also low in fat and high in fiber.
Health Benefits:
- Packed with Selenium, an antioxidant and serious cancer fighting agent
- Potassium
- B vitamins
back
to top
This vegetable is high in protein, ash, fibre, lipid, phosphorus and niacin contents. Of course the taste of the vegetable can be enhanced by the way it is prepared.
Health Benefits:
- Promotes digestion
- Helps control weight in people with Type II diabetes without loss of nutrition
- Excellent source of fibre, hence a natural laxative
back
to top
Red Chilli Pepper
Red chillies are native to the Americas and was introduced to India by the Portuguese. It has featured in our cooking big time since then that It's hard to imagine Indian cooking without these spicy hot chillies. Besides adding a kick to your dish, it also enhances the taste quite a bit. I have found that overdoing it creates irritation to the digestive system. Taken in moderation, chillies provide a lot of health benefits.
Health Benefits:
- High in vitamins B and C, and beta carotene
- Helps relieve symptoms of chronic pain
- Great food preservative
back
to top
Sprouted Moong
Sprouted lentils, are more nutritious than regular lentils. The protein content is higher because sprouting magnifies the nutritional value of the seed.
Health Benefits:
- Protein
- Vitamin B
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
back
to top
Swiss Chard
Getting the maximum amount of nutrition with swiss chard is easy since it is simple to cook and available almost around the year. The simplest recipe uses garlic, olive oil and cayenne pepper.
Health Benefits:
- Excellent source of vitamins C, E, and K, carotenes, chlorophyll, and fiber
- Excellent source of minerals like potassium, magnesium, iron, and manganese
- Other nutrients include vitamin B6, protein, calcium, thiamine, selenium, zinc, niacin, and folic acid
back
to top
This is indeed a magical spice. The powder form which is what we use is the root of the plant, dried and powdered. In its root form, turmeric looks like ginger. It has a deep yellow color, also a fresh herb smell and taste. It is used in most Indian vegetable or meat preparations.
Health Benefits:
- Has healing properties, used to heal cuts and bruises
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antiseptic
- It has been recommended for daily intake to prevent Alzheimer's and joint inflammation
- Soothes sore throat
back
to top
Mangoes
Mango is suppposedly the king of fruits. Like any other fruit, they are packed with vitamins, minerals, fibres and anti-oxidants.
Health Benefits:
- Mangoes are known to enhance skin tone
- Help rid the body of toxins
- Phenols in mangoes help prevent cancer
Mushrooms
This is an overlooked fungi that has too many health benefits.
Health Benefits:
- Fights certain types of cancers
- Rich in riboflavin, B-vitamins and potassium
- Good source of selenium
back
to top
|
