WINTER RECIPES
ESCAPADA E-MAGAZINE
ESCAPADA KITCHEN:
DAL
The combination of dal and rice can be all a vegetarian needs. Amazingly, this combination represents a dish that’s nutritionally protein-perfect. The lentils in dal provide complementary proteins and some essential amino acids, grains like wheat (in chapati) or rice provide the other half of the nutritional combination. This forms a dish that is a complete protein source.
INGREDIENTS
Serves 4 ~
250 g dried yellow lentil
500 ml water
0.5 Tsp Tumeric (ground)
2.5 Tbsp Ghee
1 Tsp mustard seed Chopped
2 dried small red chillies
1 onion, sliced
2 garlic cloves (chopped)
2 slices fresh ginger root, chopped
20 fresh or dried curry leaves
1 Tsp Garam Masala (cilantro, bay leaf, anise, clove, long Pepper, Cumim)
4 small tomatoes, quartered
0.5 tsp salt
1 Tsp cane sugar
PREPARATION
Rinse the lentils thoroughly. Bring the water, turmeric and 1 tsp ghee to a boil, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 30 minutes at medium heat until the lentils are soft (time depends on the type of lentils, be careful not to overcook).
Put 2 tablespoons ghee in a pan, fry mustard seeds about 2 minutes, until they bounce. Add Chilies, onion and garlic, add ginger and curry leaves and cook for about 5 minutes, until the onions turn yellow. Stir in garam masala and tomatoes and cane sugar and simmer for 1 minute.
Stir onion mixture to the lentils, salt and leave again simmer for 5 minutes.
Garnish with tomato quarters.
CHAI ~ YOGI TEA
Ingredients
4L water
15 whole cloves
20 black peppercorns
3 sticks of cinnamon
20 whole cardamom pods (split the pods first by gently squashing them with the side of a knife)
8 slices of fresh ginger (1/4" thick, no need to peel)
1/2 teaspoon regular or decaf black tea leaves (approximately 2 tea bags)
PREPARATION
Bring water to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan.
Add the cloves and boil one minute.
Add the cardamom, peppercorns, cinnamon, and ginger. Cover and boil for 30 minutes.
Reduce the heat and simmer for two to three hours.
Remove the pot from the heat, add the black tea, and let it cool.
Strain all the spices and tea leaves out and store in the refrigerator.
Reheat when you want a cup and add the milk and sweetener of your choice to taste. You can use dairy or soy milk and honey or agave to taste.
GINGER TEA
You need grated ginger, liquorice, cloves and black pepper- all ½ tablespoon. Boil 1 cup of water and add all the ingredients to it. While keeping the lid on, steep for about 20 minutes. Now remove all the spices and keep only the water. You can sip this tea all through the day.
GINGER ~ REASONS WHY THIS ROOT RULES WINTER
1. Respiratory Problems
Natural antihistamine properties so if you are suffering from a cold, the flu or even bronchitis or something more serious, it can help. Many use ginger to treat allergies and it has been proven to inhibit contraction of the airways and to help stimulate mucus secretion so it works wonders for those who have pneumonia
2. Nausea
The next time you feel a bit nauseous, try some ginger. Chewing on the root can help to alleviate nausea and vomiting caused by a number of issues. With flu season coming up, some fresh ginger root is certainly something that you want to keep in your cupboards.
3. Cold/Flu
Ginger has been used for many years to help treat the common cold and flu. Studies have shown that steeping just 2 tablespoons of fresh ginger root in hot water and drinking it just two or three times each day will help to prevent the cold and flu.
4. Immunity Booster
Ginger can help to strengthen your immune system, again helping you to fight off the cold and flu as well as other illnesses. Just a big of ginger every day can help to prevent stroke and heart attack because it helps to inhibit the fatty deposits that normally find their way into the arteries.
5. Headaches
Ginger can help to alleviate the pain of headaches, even migraines. For headaches, you don’t actually have to eat the spice. Instead, just use ginger powder to create a paste and then apply that paste to your forehead. It helps to relieve inflammation in the blood vessels which alleviates the headache.
6. Arthritis
Because it has anti-inflammatory properties, it can help to alleviate the pain of arthritis. Achy joints and muscles are relatively common during the colder months. If you just add a few drops of ginger oil to your bath water and soak for at least 15 minutes, those aches and pains will go away.
7. Menstrual Cramps
When steeped into tea, ginger can help to alleviate menstrual cramps. Just purchase ginger tea or grind your own from the fresh root and steep it for about 10 minutes. Drinking this a couple of times throughout the day while you are menstruating will help to drive those cramps away, even those who have severe cramps can count on ginger to make them feel better.