Makara Sankranthi is celebrated for three days. The first day is Bhogi. North India is known as Lohri. The second day is Sankranthi which is dedicated to worshipping Surya (the Sun god), Varuna (the rain god) and Indra (king of gods). The third day is Kanuma which is dedicated to cleaning cows, farm animals, and farm equipment and also offering prayers to them for helping with a successful harvest season. Sweets called nuvvula laddu, sakinalu, ‘ariselu’ and ‘bobattlu’ are made and offered to family and extended families. Pongali made of fresh harvest rice and jaggery is made. For this reason, in Tamilnadu, it is called Pongal. Since Sankranti falls in winter, consuming sesame seeds mixed in jaggery is beneficial to keep the body warm. Eating sesame and jaggery is believed to take away the bad elements of the minds and hearts of people. Sesame helps retain the Shakti (Divine Energy) and Chaitanya. It is known to eliminate sins if used in drinking water, bathing, applying til oil on the body and other uses. It is said sesame seeds have a greater ability to absorb and emit sattva (One of the three components in the universe, signified by purity and knowledge) frequencies.
Dates, poppy seed and walnut laddus
Dates are sugars with sweet benefits. They are nutrition powerhouse. Dates are wonderfully delicious super fruits which carry natural sugar and high fiber. A natural toffee without plastic wrap. If you are like me – not keen on sweets made of white sugar, flour, and other low-quality ingredients, while maintaining a healthy lifestyle, then meet your new BFF. Adding dates to your diet is the smart decision. With some planning and knowledge, you can safely replace white sugar with dates in several recipes. Cutting down processed sugars is tough. Scoring the health benefits, dates make your life sweet.
Bok choy and tomato kadi
Most of the people know kadhi as Punjabi kadhi. Though the kadhi base is made of yogurt, many variations of kadhi is made in different states. Some states make plain kadhi with besan and tampering. In some states, little jaggery is added to make it sweet, some regions make with sour yogurt, some regions add vegetables. Some areas add besan deep-fried fritters called pakora. Many types of veggies are used to make kadhi. Okra (bendi), drumsticks, tomatoes, kaddu (bottle gourd) etc. Besan is made of channa dal/ Bengal gram. It is used widely in many Indian dishes. It is vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free. Besan thickens the gravy, adds a smooth texture. By adding besan to yogurt, yogurt is thickened and transformed into a smooth texture.
Turai, coconut chutney
Turai aka Ridge guard is well known in Asian countries, especially in India, China, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan. All of these cuisines have such a unique way of transforming this plain tasting vegetable into something amazing. Today, I introduce you to South Indian state Telangana way of transforming turai (beerakaya) into an amazing chutney (beerakaya pachadi). Not a lot of non-Indians know about chutney. Not just Indians, but non-Indians can enjoy chutneys too. Chutneys are so versatile, they can be eaten with rice as South Indians do or use as condiments for sandwiches, burgers. It also can be used as pasta sauce. Vegans all over the world or those who are struggling to find delicious and tasty meatless recipes should know about chutneys. Also those looking for diabetic friendly recipes, low carb, low sugar recipes, chutneys are rejoiced. Chutneys are all-natural, clean, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and paleo. No regrets.
Mixed vegetable cutlets
In India, Cutlets are everyone’s favorite evening snack. On a rainy evening, all you need is a cutlet. Whether they are for you or your family, or for entertaining guests, cutlets will always hit the spot. Cutlets are flat and round shaped, small patties rolled in breadcrumbs and deep fried. Cutlets are usually made of potato, or meat and spices. They are then dipped in an egg or cornstarch, then in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried. Ultimately producing a most satisfying snack. When you are in the mood of eating a snack, don’t think of which restaurant to go. Instead look into your refrigerator. You probably have a lot of veggies. If you don’t use them on time, they will be spoilt. Use them up.
Masala peanuts
Masala Peanuts!! An easy, healthy Indian snack, a great side to cocktails. Masala peanuts are such an easy and perfect snack with optimal crunch, spice, nutrition, and satisfaction. It will be ready in just minutes. When you are hungry on weekdays, when you want to keep a clean snack ready after school for your kids, when you have surprise guests, when you want to munch on vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free snack, when it is raining and you want to eat something, or in any other difficult situation, Masala Peanuts will rescue you.
Coconut, blue poppy crab cakes
Presenting clean crab cakes with an Indian twist. Adding Indian twist to crab cake will make everyone’s jaw drop. Are you that person who likes to make special food for family and friends? Then this recipe is for you. Crab cakes recipe typically includes mayonnaise. You can make clean crab cakes without mayonnaise. I replaced mayonnaise with healthy fat in coconut. To replace mayonnaise creamy texture, I used poppy seed paste, and egg for binding. You will not miss mayonnaise, on the other hand, you will enjoy healthy, fresh, clean crab cake made of least processed ingredients. No artificial flavors, chemicals. You can safely replace blue poppy seeds with regular white ones.
Lotus root curry in onion, poppy seed sauce
Yet another delicacy and an absolute Vegans and vegetarians heaven. Farmer’s market and local markets carry far more varieties of veggies than you think. Some are rarely found veggies. Lotus root one of them. It is found abundantly in summers. If you find one, don’t miss it. Lotus root is a versatile vegetable. You can make an appetizer, veggie taco, veggie bowl, saute or curry out of lotus root. Vegetables or Chicken simmered in gravy with spices is most commonly known Indian westerners. This time, cook with a twist by adding lotus root. Adopt ancient Indian clean recipes. Indian cuisine offers many dishes than just naan and chicken butter masala as most of westerns see in Indian restuarants. There are many vegan, vegetarian curries made of vivid ingredients.
Moth bean chaat salad
Have you ever experienced salivation unattractively? That’s what happens when you think of Indian Chaats. Chaat can be best described as salty, sweet and tangy savory Indian snack. Chaats are India’s street food. India has some of the best street food in the world. Chaats were my and most of Indian’s all-time favorite kind of food. For children eating at chaat street cart is a great memory, for teens, they are great flirting places. No matter where Indians immigrate, they always cherish Street food moments. Besides curries, Indian cuisine offers a number of Vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, nut-free dishes. Customize the Indian dish to your taste buds and it will hit the spot every time. Moth bean chaat is Vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, nut-free. Not just for Indian food lovers, this chaat salad is must eat dish for everyone who wants to try meatless, healthy, clean recipes.
Instant Rava and flax meal dosa
For those who don’t know what Dosa is, it can be described as Indian crunchy sourdough crêpe pancake. A breakfast which is light in carbohydrates and sugars, high in protein, fiber is categorized as healthy breakfast. Traditional Dosa has high carbohydrates, no sugar, moderate in protein and fiber. Most of the western breakfasts are not in the healthy category. There are instant versions of dosa’s which are made of semolina. Since semolina is high in carbohydrates, this modified version with little semolina is low in carbs, high in omega-3. Instant flax dosa is a vegan, vegetarian, nut-free and paleo recipe, which gives you 100% nutrition. With a few changes in the recipe, traditional rava dosa is made with low in carbohydrates and no sugars, high in protein and fiber. A well made Dosa is wonderfully delicious, and is a healthy breakfast for busy mornings.
Usual western breakfasts are made of meat, highly processed all-purpose flour, sugars and topped with whipping cream. Choosing savory breakfast over sweet has many benefits. It cuts down a lot of sugars to your daily intake. Adding peppers in breakfast gives you essential minerals which keep you active all day. Instant Rava and flax meal dosa is one of the best Indian meatless option. Choose this best out of vegetarian Indian breakfast dish.
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