Welcome aboard!

Indian cuisine is a riot of colours, flavours, and spices. Every state has its own unique culture- ingrained taste bud. And, to many of us staying within familiar tastes is a sacrosanct act. Of course an occasional trip to a speciality restaurant that serves another fare is ok. But, as a matter of routine ...at home...NO!

One of the benefits of being born to parents who dared an interstate marriage (am talking about India of the 70's) was being able to widen a regional taste bud to accept, experiment and, relish eclectic cuisines :-)

I love food! Be it traditional or fusion, cooking is all about turning out fare that is tasty and healthy.I welcome all lovers of good food to come on aboard and share your kitchen adventures.

If you like what you see, do leave a comment. If you don't, please leave a suggestion to help me make this better.

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Happy cooking!

Dershana

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Fenugreek potion for PMS and Fenugreek (Vendhaya) Idli for a healthy meal

Fenugreek (vendhiyam/uluva/methi) is as bitter and as healthy as it gets. Back home in India, fenugreek is often a recommended household remedy for alleviating menstrual cramps (Post Menstrual Syndrome), curing indigestion, promoting lactation , and preventing diabetes.

It's efficacy in lessening severe menstrual discomfort is something I have first hand experience in. In fact I got this little secret from my friend Bhooma who worked with me at my very first workplace, Indian Express.


First, the PMS remedy:

Fenugreek seeds - 1 teaspoon (5 gms)
Milk - 1/2 cup

Rinse seeds and place them in a cup.Boil milk and pour over the fenugreek seeds.Cover and let stand for an hour or so. Warm the milk again, chew the swollen seeds, and drink the warm milk. Alternatively blend it and gulp down. Add sugar if you absolutely must. Do this everymonth commencing 2-3 days prior to the date of menstruation and continue till second or third day.

Alternatively soak the seeds overnight in water. Next morning blend them with warm milk and drink.

Now, for a fenugreek based breakfast recipe:




I learnt this from my mom's aunt, Valli paatti with whom I shared an apartment during my work stint at Chennai.

Idli rice (Raw rice or par boiled rice works as well) - 2 cups
Fenugreek seeds - 1 small fistfull
Sesame oil (gingelly oil/ellenna/nallennai)- 1 teaspoon
Salt to taste

Soak rice and fenugreek seperately for about 3 hours.Grind fenugreek into a smooth, fluffy paste as you would grind black gram (urad/uzhunnu) for ordinary idli batter. Grind rice too into a smooth batter. Whisk both batters together along with the sesame oil and salt. Let ferment overnight or a minimum of 8 hours (depending on the climate). Pour into idli moulds and steam till done.

The PMS fenugreek remedy is off to the Home Remedies 1 event on at A2Z Vegetarian Cuisine





The fenugreek idli is off to my friend, Yasmeen's Health Nut Challenge 4 - Bitter Better Health on at Health Nut

18 comments:

Unknown said...

That sure is a very useful remedy. Thanks for participating.

Malar Gandhi said...

Vedhaya idly sounds wonderful, yeah traditional recipes are always very good for health. Yet to try this version. Thanks for thi informative post, Dershana:)

Chitra said...

I make vendhaya dosa .I shud try making idly too :) Thanks for sharing !

Tina said...

Looks yummyyyyy...

Priya Suresh said...

Wow Dershana, thats so nice of u for sharing so many interesting things about fenugreek, idli looks too soft and yumm..

Unknown said...

nice tips..good post

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing this valuable remedy dear dershana :D

Usha said...

Very informative post !

Rachana said...

This is a very useful and informative post dear...

Cheers,
Rachana

Sushma Mallya said...

Idli looks so soft and nice post abt fenugreek seeds....

AnuSriram said...

Nice post and sure is a wonderful remedy! Idlis looks soft and fluffy! Yumm..

Preety said...

that's a great entry

Ramya Vijaykumar said...

Thats a perfect remedy... My Grandma makes these idlis but I for some reason think its full of carbs and take less but in anycase I love idlis... They look soft and glossy!!!

Cynthia said...

Hey D, thanks for this very useful info.

Jaishree Iyer said...

I make vendhaya dosa..idly sounds wonderful..looks soft and fluffy! Yumm..

MeenaArun said...

Hi ,r u from muscat,me too residing here only email me @ tomeenu@gmail.com

Hema said...

Idli looks fluffy and soft.Yummy! Will try soon.

Simplyfood said...

This is an interesting home remedy.A must try.My 1st visit here following your blog.Do drop by simply.food some time.

 
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