Makar sankranti & Happy Lohri

Makar sankranti & Happy Lohri

Makar Sakranti is also known as KHICHADI (Indian dish made from rice and lentils) Sakranti because on this day the injunction to eat Khichadi , is generally observed by people. Seasonal crops become available. Ghee, and spices are used for making tasty nourishing Khichadi. Winter loosens its grip on shiver producing cold, admitting springtime that brings with it the chance for all round health improvement.

Also called- Til Sakranti
In addition to Khichadi, great importance is attached to the use of TIL (Sesame seeds) during Makar Sakranti. Therefore, this Sakranti is also called TIL Sankranti. People make Laddoos (round balls) from Til. Til oil is used for massaging.

It is said that Til emanates from Vishnu’s body and that the above described usage wash away all kinds of sins. Sakranti period is held to be very auspicious and any good deeds during this time will produce merits. Gifts of clothing, blankets etc., on this day are productive of merits in both this life and in the next life...

Meethe gur mein mil gaye til,
Udi patang aur khil gaye dil,
Har pal sukh aur har din shaanti,
Aap sab ke liye laaye 
Makar Sankranti & Happy Lohri

Culinary uses of Sesame seeds (til)

Culinary uses of Sesame seeds (til)

Sesame seeds have delicate nutty flavor. Their flavor indeed becomes more pronounced once they are gently roasted under low flame just for few minutes.

-Use it as the traditional seasoning to enrich the taste of your food.

-Sesame seeds add a great touch to steamed broccoli that has been sprinkled with lemon juice.
-You could make a paste of sesame seeds, add crushed garlic, lime juice and salt and use it as a dip for raw vegetables.

- Grind the seeds fresh shortly before using them.
-Sprinkle whole or  ground seeds over cereals, vegetable dishes, salads or fruit. 

- Can be added  to parathas
-Also in Tamil Nadu, 'Milakai Podi', a ground powder made of sesame and dry chili is used to enhance flavor and consumed along with other traditional foods such as idli.
-Dry fried sesame seeds ground to a thin light brown color paste known as tahini. Tahini is one of the main ingredient in famous middle-eastern dip, hummus.

-Dry fried seeds sprinkled over toasts, biscuits, breads, cakes, salads, stir fries etc.

Just a hand full of sesame a day provides enough recommended levels of phenolic anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins and protein.

Go ahead enjoy sankranti with til ladoo, til gajjaks, til chikki…..just control the portion size and have it in the earlier part of the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SESAME SEEDS (TIL)

SESAME SEEDS (TIL)

                              Sometimes, small seeds can sprout large health benefits. This can certainly be said about til (sesame seeds). In addition to their popular use in making crunchy til ladoos, gajjaks, as dips or as a garnish for breads and desserts, these seeds are abundant in lesser known health promoting properties.

Lets have a look at its health benefits.

Did you know that half a cup of sesame seeds contains three times more calcium than half a cup of whole milk? Just 100 gm of white sesame seeds provides approximately 1,000 mg of calcium.

In addition to being an excellent dietary source of calcium, sesame seeds are also a good source of manganese, copper, magnesium, zinc, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1 (thiamin), zinc, vitamin E, healthy protein, and fiber.

Sesame seeds contain methionine and tryptophan — two important amino acids that most other vegetarian foods such as peas, groundnuts, rajhma, chowli and soya bean are deficient in. These fine quality amino acids are essential for growth, especially in children.

Sesame seeds are rich in EFA’s(essential fatty acids) that are of help to prevent dry skin, mood swings, PMS, pain and inflammation.

Black and red sesame seeds are particularly rich in iron, folic acid and are effective in treating anaemia. 100 g of sesame contains 97 mcg of folic acid, about 25% of recommended daily intake. Folic acid is essential for DNA synthesis. When given in expectant mothers during peri-conception period, it may prevent neural tube defects in the baby.

In addition to these important nutrients, sesame seeds contain two unique substances: sesamin and sesamolin. Both of these substances belong to a group of special beneficial fibers called lignans, and have been shown to have a cholesterol-lowering effect in humans, and to prevent high blood pressure and increase vitamin E supplies in animals. Sesamin has also been found to protect the liver from oxidative damage.

Watch out for Culinary uses of Sesame seeds (til) in the coming post

Garlic corriander paratha

GARLIC CORRIANDER PARATHA

Garlic corriander paratha is a phytochemical rich recipe, that helps boost immunity. A great paratha for people suffering from heart disease like BP, cholesterol. Garlic with its blood thinning property is complimented by cooling and digestive corriander.

Ingredients

1 cup wheat flour

1/4^th cup jowari flour, 1/4^th cup jav (barley flour)

1 ½  tbsp besan

1tbsp oats

½ cup curd

1tbsp oil
1 bunch coriander (wash and spread on paper towels, let dry completely)

2 bunches fresh green garlic (hara lehsun)

1 tsp. poppy seeds,1 tsp. sesame seeds, 1tsp saunf
2tbsp paste of green chilli, ginger and onion
1 tsp. garam masala
1 tsp. chili powder, chat masala
1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
Lemon juice and salt to taste

Method
Chop the coriander leaves n green garlic  very finely.
Lightly roast the sesame seeds, saunf and poppy seeds.
Mix together  all the above ingredients
Knead into a soft dough .
Roll into parathas.
Roast on greased tava adding little oil.

Serve hot with yogurt, cucumber raita or green chutney.