My life is too spicy..

My life is too spicy..

I am proud to be Indian. I like to follow the age old traditions and culture of my country. I am not orthodox and don't believe in dogmas but residing in various areas of my country and being a part of the modern world I like to connect the traditions and beliefs with science.

India is full of spices. Most of the spices of the world are grown here . And I like to use the spices in my daily routine.

My day starts with a big glass of lukewarm water with turmeric , then a cup of hot tea in which ginger , tulsi , liquorice , black pepper is added. Breakfast consists of rice flakes or semolina tempered with curry leaves , mustard seeds , turmeric , chat masala 

Lunch is pulses tempered with cumin seeds , asafoetida, bay leaf, turmeric , red chilli powder and garam masala. Green leafy vegetable sautéed with a little bit of poppy seeds. Vegetable curry added with garlic , ginger , cumin turmeric powder , coriander powder , chilli powder , dry mango. Hand rolled breads in which caraway seeds are added.Curd has a pinch of black salt .

Evenings are mostly khakra or roasted puff rice or rice flakes or dhokla tempered with curry leaves , mustard seeds , asafoetida, turmeric powder , red chillies , fenugreek seeds.

Dinner non veg or cottage cheese or pulse preparation and the spices used are green cardamom, cinnamon, black cardamom,cloves , black pepper, star anise , bay leaf, nutmeg, mace , all spice , cumin , ginger, garlic, turmeric, coriander, aniseed, caraway . Along with rice or hand rolled breads with a vegetable sautéed or curried with turmeric, coriander , garam masala and chillies. Dessert is mostly pudding seasoned with bay leaf and green cardamom and saffron. Mouth freshener is fennel seeds.

Day ends with a glass of cumin and fennel water.

So am I not a spicy Indian.

These are the normal days , but ..if I have a tooth ache, I chew cloves or a garlic pod and the toothache is gone. If I feel tired or hurt I drink a glass of lukewarm milk with turmeric powder . If someone is having menstrual cramps , I suggest having a cup of ginger tea. If the stomach is not cleared the next morning I will chew curry leaves,  the list is endless. Indian households have so many jars of a variety of spices which are used as remedies for health problems.

Proud to be so spicy.

There is a strong bond between North Indian, winter months and...

Sarson da saag and Makki di roti…

Sarson aka MUSTARD aka Rai

Travelling to India in the winter months gives a mesmerising view of vast yellow fields of mustard plants. There are varieties of mustard harvested in India such as black , yellow, brown, white , torai Indian rape , rugosa or Indian mustard. Mustard is the most important oilseed crop of India. The cultivated mustard in the country is a mixture of three spices Brassica compestris , Brassica jincea , Brassica nigra. Most of the mustard grown in the country is in the northern states. Uttar Pradesh is the leading producer of mustard

Earlier mustard oil was the oil of importance of Indian dishes . Pickling is incomplete without mustard oil . After globalisation, other oils are available in the market and people ignore this valuable mustard oil.

This is a spice which has connected whole India by various mouth-watering dishes. Be it the sarson ka saag (mustard leaves )from Punjab , shorshe (mustard paste) maach from West Bengal , kashundi (bottled mustard sauce ,south Indian mustard green curry, Laixaak gahori (pork in mustard greens) of the North East India

Mustard belongs to a phytochemical rich vegetable named for their cross shaped flowers. Cruciferous vegetables are touted for their powerful healing compounds that exhibit cancer fighting activity in laboratory studies.

Mustard seeds have a pungent , slightly smoky flavour. It is an essential part of curry powder.

The spice value of mustard seeds is due to the glucosinolates , a class of anticancer phytochemicals. Glucosinolates when ingested are metabolized into various beneficial compounds as indoles , isothiocyanates and sulforaphane. Thiocyanates which are present in them as glycoside are released by the action of the enzyme in the presence of moisture under suitable conditions.

Indoles and isothiocyanates are partially responsible for the strong taste of the leaves.

Indole -3-carbinol offers protection against hormone dependent cancers such as breast cancer.

The protective value of mustard against the effects of chemical carcinogens was assessed in rats. It was observed that mustard powder caused elevation of those enzymes which reduce the toxicity of harmful chemicals or protects the cells against their effects. It also prevents damage to the DNA or the genetic material of the cell. It was found to reduce the change in cell caused by benzopyrene.

Mustard seeds and leaves both contain allyl isothiocyanates. Inhibits the growth of cancer cells. They may short circuit the enzymes that activate carcinogens as well as stimulate the production of natural anticancer enzymes.

Mustard seeds are useful in arthritis.

The seeds are helpful for prevention of baldness.

The volatile oils of the seeds may clear the congestion due to colds and flu.

To relieve aches and pains due to cold , apply a mustard plaster , a traditional congestion remedy. Crush a few tablespoons of mustard seeds , add the powder to about 100 g flour and mix it with a little water to form a paste. Apply to the chest and leave on for 15 minutes.

For treating head cold , spice up the food with hot mustard. It can remedy congestion and make the nose run.

To remove earache, stir mustard powder into warm water to form a thin paste, spread onto a handkerchief and place behind a sore ear for 15 minutes, it may work.

A mustard bath may help people with heart and circulation problems. It will increase circulation, open pores and stimulate sweat glands. Mix mustard with cold water, after a few minutes, strain the mustard water and pour it into a hot bath.

Mustard green contains lutein , a carotenoid, that is linked to a reduced risk for macular degeneration and cataracts. Lutein is under investigation for its potential to inhibit atherosclerosis and to prevent lung and colon cancer.

Mustard greens have goitrogens so when it is eaten in large quantities and basically uncooked, it has the potential to interfere with the absorption of iodine and slow thyroid function.

Welcome to India during the winter months, travel and enjoy the mustard sauce , gravy , leaves curry and benefit from the phytochemicals stored in it.

"Be a happy and healthy foodie".

CUMIN SEEDS or JEERA

My day ends with a cup of fennel and cumin tea. It helps me to start my next day in a refreshing way. I feel light after having it. My stomach is clear and free of water retention.

The dried fruits of Cuminum cyminum contain thymol.

Cumin is available as the whole seed or ground.

It's a major ingredient of curry powder.

Cumin water is used as a carminative.

It is also given to children to prevent intestinal colic.

Wards off bacteria and food borne microbes, such as E.coli. May be a potential antioxidant and may have anticancer effects.

Cumin is a spice , overcooking cumin remains in the body's excretion and secretions for hours after eating and can impart body odor.

Make plain rice interesting by adding cumin "jeera rice". Use it in savory , soups , stews , curries , marinades , salsas , chutneys, relishes , grills , non veg dishes as lamb or chicken dishes. Or roast it and powder it and sprinkle on fresh curd "raita". It is loved by Indians.

TAMARIND :A SPICE ? OR A FRUIT ?

How many of you remember those lickable moments of eating tamarind and getting scolded for it. Tamarind chutney is inseparable from pakoras , samosas , dahi bhalle , tikkis , papri chats and many more.

Tamarind is really tasty and nutritious. It is the major ingredient of sambhar , rasam and south Indian dishes.

Tamarind connects North India to South India.

T.indica is a cheap and easily available plant. The whole plant has nutritional benefits. The root ,body , fruit , seeds are used as medicine and have industrial use as well. Tamarind fruit is a rich source of essential amino acids except tryptophan. It contains pectin, organic acids , minerals, polyphenols , flavonoids , phytochemicals and vitamins. It contains phenolic compounds like catenins, procyanidin, vitamin B2 , epicatechin, tartaric acid, mucilage, pectin, arabinose,xylose , galactose, glucose,uronic acid, triterpene. The seeds have a good amount of protein so it can be used in consumable form where protein malnutrition is common. It has many health benefits in traditional medicine. It can also be used for treatment of many ailments.

It may be used as a laxative because of its high malic acid , potassium and tartaric acid content.

The dried seeds have antioxidant properties.

For diarrhoea, the leaves are useful. For constipation, the fruit is useful. For abdominal pain , the soft bark is useful.

Tamarind fruit causes smooth muscle relaxation via calcium channel blockage. In this way it helps in diarrhoea.

The seeds extract may be effective against renal cell cancer and acute nephrotoxicity.

It may be able to protect from peptic ulcer.

It has been reported that tamarind is effective in allergic asthma and cough via antihistamine , adaptogenic and mast cell stabilizing effects.

The xyloglucan obtained from tamarind seeds may serve as suitable media for degenerated nerves and may aid nerve regeneration. Xyloglucan is suggested as a natural additive compound in sunscreen because it has immunoprotective and DNA protective effects from ultraviolet damage.

Mixtures obtained from bark and leaves help in wound healing.

The polysaccharide in T.indica seed may be used in eye drops to increase its effective time period because of its mucoadhesive properties. The mixture with hyaluronic acid in xerophthalmia and with timolol decreases intraocular pressure.

Tamarind fruit increases iron bioavailability.

Tamarind is hypolipidemic , anti atherosclerotic , antioxidant, immunomodulatory effect.

Tamarind fruit is antiparasitic , antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antinematodal. Antibacterial properties are due to its lupeol content. The bark extract has shown inhibitory effect on Salmonella typhi.

The leaves, seeds and other parts of the plant have mild anti-inflammatory effects. Polyphenol and flavonoid content of T.indica associated with anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects.

In acute alcohol induced liver toxicity, the leaves showed anti apoptotic and liver protecting effects. It causes membrane stabilisation and decreases glutathione consumption. Additionally, it prevents CASP -3 activation and DNA fragmentation and causes histopathologic amelioration.

Tamarind fruit has a weight control effect.

Tamarind has an anti diabetic effect.

The plant and the fruit are effective in fluoride toxicity.

Children are often scolded for eating too much tamarind. The raw fruit is not easily digested and causes stomach pain. Too much of it can cause dental erosion. It should be boiled in water and then used in the culinary preparation. So it is better to use in moderation like any other foodstuffs. Ibuprofen and acetyl salicylic acid when used with T.indica increase their bioavailability and increase the blood levels of them.

At this time when pollution level is too high and deforestation is a major problem, tamarind trees can be planted for the rescue. It is such a wonderful tree which gives all its part for health care. It's not just a spice, enjoy tamarind fruit , sow the seeds in the garden and enjoy the benefits but consult a health professional for the proper guidance.

CARAWAY or SHAH JEERA

It is part of the carrot family and is available as a whole seed.

It is used as a spice for culinary purposes.

Limonene,a monoterpene in caraway, may prevent cancer. Small amount of perillyl alcohol, which may have the potential to prevent breast cancer.

Caraway seeds are a good remedy to cure flatulence. Mix fennel, anise , caraway to boiling water, steep , strain and drink. Or grind caraway seed and coriander with a little water before every meal.

We Indians use caraway in curries. It is used to season and flavour the food to aid digestion and to reduce flatulence and bloating. Caraway seeds can be chewed daily as an aid to digestion.

Caraway tea soothes nervous heart ailments and it is very easy to prepare.

Caraway oil can be used as a lightening tooth powder.

Add caraway to your kitchen and use it to season bread , cabbage dishes , casseroles and curry or chew half teaspoon of it after a heavy meal.

POPPY SEEDS

Politically, India is divided into many states and all the states are unique. They are unique in their language, costume, traditions and of course the food. They are totally different but connected with unique similarities.

For instance, Bengal is famous for its love for fish. It is the vital ingredient of their cuisine. But on some days and for some people, fish are restricted so what do they do? Interesting part of the culture is that fish or meat is offered to God but onion and garlic is prohibited so how do they cook? They depend on a spice for the rescue. That spice is poppy seeds.

Poppy seeds are an integral part of vegetarian cooking. It is used in Kashmir. In Himachal Pradesh , it is used in Kullu siddu , paratha , femada and many others. In the extreme South of India, poppy seeds have found their place in Chettinad chicken. It is used in Andhra cuisine as well.

In many areas , poppy cultivation is banned due to the production of opium from it .

But , otherwise , poppy seeds add a taste and have numerous health benefits. It has good amounts of vitamin B , calcium, iron , magnesium , manganese, phosphorus and potassium.

Poppy seeds may take care of

Asthma

Constipation

Cough

Diarrhoea caused by infection

Difficulty sleeping

And to diagnose vesicoenteric fistula

May help prevent some type of cancer from developing.

Poppy seed oil is used to make soap, paint and varnish.

The outer coat of poppy seeds can contain morphine so excess of it can be injurious to health. Excess can block the bowel movements.

People who are allergic to poppy seeds may be allergic to hazelnut, rye , kiwi , sesame or buckwheat.

So enjoy the spice in moderation and I am sure there are no delicious dishes like Aloo posto (potatoes in poppy seed paste ) , jhinge posto (ridge gourd) , bati chorchori , shukto ( mixed vegetable in poppy paste) . Welcome to India, visit West Bengal, you will definitely love the food.

Black cumin or kalonji

Black caraway or black cumin or kalonji has been used for centuries to promote health and fight disease. It is the seeds of Nigella sativa. It is an essential part of panch phoran . It is also sprinkled on naan and other breads . Essential part of Bengali cuisine. The seeds taste like a combination of onion , oregano and black pepper .Used to add flavours of curries , veggies and dal.

It contains linoleic acid , oleic acid , palmitic acid and trans anethole. The aroma is due to thymoquinone , thymol , etc.

It may lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

It helps to support a twitchy immune system.

Drinking herbal tea by steeping seeds in boiling water may help from hay fever.

Sautéed Black cumin works as galactogogues.

It is believed to cure intestinal worms.

The oil of black cumin seeds contains beta sitosterol , it helps to increase hair growth.

Enjoy black cumin in your food by adding it to potatoes or naan or as a part of "panch foran" (a mixture of five spices used for tempering ) . Local application of black cumin powder mixed with coconut oil on hair is really helpful for thick hair growth. I have tried it.

CLOVES

As kids , we used to pierce two cloves on a boiled potato or boiled egg and were so happy about our artwork, giving eyes to the potato or egg. Then we used to challenge each other to chew the cloves . It's such a strong and highly fragrant spice but having its own uniqueness. Clove oil is an essential part of the medicine cabinet till now. Any individual suffering from toothache must have put a minute drop of clove oil into his affected tooth. In India, it is served with betel leaf or as a garnish on sweets or in rich curries, rice , sweet rice or in royal dishes.

Cloves are the dried flower buds of the clove tree (Eugenia caryophyllata).

Clove is the second most important spice of the world from a commercial point of view. Clove buds contain essential oils, especially eugenol. The spice value of clove oil is mainly due to its volatile oil.

It is an important ingredient of Indian food. It is used for imparting flavour to food.

In medicine,

Clove oil may fight off bacteria, such as E.coli , that can cause food poisoning.

Eugenol in cloves may prevent heart disease by preventing blood from forming too many clots.

Cloves are also used as a natural breath freshener. Eugenol in cloves is thought to neutralise bad breath. Cloves can be steeped in boiling water , strain and made into mouthwash and then gargled several times a day or a tiny pack of cloves can be carried to chew after odorous meals.

It is used as an aid to digestion. It has carminative action.

Cloves in powder form are believed to be very helpful in tropical sprues.

It's antiseptic.

It has antimicrobial properties for the cure of toothache. Toothache improves quickly when a little clove oil is poured on a cotton wool ball and holds it to the painful tooth. Or a clove bud may be placed on an aching tooth and bit down carefully.

Clove oil may relieve ear pain. Putting a few drops of clove oil onto a cotton wool ball and placing it on the entrance of the ear canal may relieve pain. But it should be followed under expert supervision. 

Cloves with other spices applied on the temple , forehead and neck may relieve headache but it is not suitable for people with neuro dermatitis or children.

A compress of cloves placed on the head for a few minutes is believed to relieve eye strain.

Clove helps from sore throat.

Hot water with a few cloves and some salt may be effective against the common cold.

Clove oil can be applied to the wart.

Clove oil can be mixed with a base oil like almond oil to create a massage oil for cellulite patches.

Skin anaesthesia can be produced by spillage of oil of cloves. It is too strong so Clove oil should not be taken orally.

Welcome to Benaras , enjoy the city and lavang lata, the sweetness and the zing of clove on it.

CARDAMOM :The queen of spices

Indians love get-togethers. And get-together means good food. We have a tradition of offering cardamom, fennel , betel leaf or betel nut to our guests after the meal is over.

Offering cardamom has a reason.

The chewing of this spice masks bad breath and prevents dental decay. It also helps to digest the food.

It's an important Indian spice

Two distinct varieties of cardamom are used. The small or green and the big or the black one. The minor variety constitutes the second most important spice of India and is known as the "queen of spices" coming next to pepper. India is the major cardamom producing country in the world.

It has a pleasant aroma and a characteristic pungent taste.

Different systems of medicine employ cardamom for the cure of many human disorders.

Small cardamom may be beneficial for people suffering from Ischaemic Heart Disease 

It helps to fight heartburn, intestinal spasms , irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhoea , liver and gallbladder complaints and loss of appetite. It has a carminative effect so helps in digestion.

It also cures the common cold, just add to your regular tea. It cures bronchitis, cough , sore mouth, throat infections, epilepsy, headache, high blood pressure, urinary problems.

So add cardamom to your regular routine, you can have it after a heavy meal as a mouth freshener. or add to your Indian food like curries , pulao , tea , etc but keep the amount moderate. Overdose of any food item is harmful for health

Ginger has a brother! !

 I am a great fan of ginger. I buy ginger in bulk and use it in my tea and in vegetable preparation, meat and fish preparation. In Fact I have loved eating all types of food items since I was a kid.

My mother used to plant many types of herbs and plants in the kitchen garden for us so that we have practical knowledge of what we are eating. One day I was very happy to see that the ginger tree had become tall and strong . But my mother told me that the plant is not ginger but Ginger's brother!!

Now what's that!!

Doesn't it look like ginger? Yes, but it smells of mango. It's Mango ginger. My mother makes chutney and pickles with it .

It may have Anti cancer properties . The extracts have shown cytotoxic activity on antifungal human cancer cells. The extract showed no cytotoxic activity on non cancerous cells. So it's effective.

Unani medicine has been using mango ginger as a part of the remedy for centuries.

It is Aphrodisiac.

It is Antioxidant .

It is used to treat . Helps to detoxify the body and improve skin complexion , get rid of acne and other skin problems.

It is a good appetiser , a calming agent , its enzymes help down the protein to organic compounds that are easier to digest. This root also helps to detoxify the body . It relieves gas , improves appetite and promotes digestive strength. It is a laxative.

It works as a diuretic.

It is anti allergenic.

It is an analgesic. Works as an expectorant and relieves from cold and cough. Helps to relieve bronchitis and asthma.

It works as a calming agent, which helps to relieve pain in the body. It is anti-inflammatory.

It is antibacterial, antifungal ,antimicrobial and can even be used in medicine to remove head lice and can get rid of dandruff .

It can be grown in pots or in the kitchen garden. So just love Indian cuisine and have some mango ginger chutney or pickle with your bread .