Fenugreek a miracle spice

Fenugreek (methi in Hindi) has played a major role in herbal healing since ancient times.  In India fenugreek is used both in the form of leaves as a vegetable casserole and as a spice in the form of seeds. Kasoori Methi is sold as dry leaves that are used for flavoring. 

In earlier Greece, fenugreek plant leaves were mixed with animal forage to cure the sick horses and cattle. As fenugreek spread around the Mediterranean, ancient physicians learned that fenugreek seeds contained great deal of mucilage.  When mixed with water, mucilage becomes gelatinous thus soothing inflamed and irritated tissues.  Hippocrates and many ancient Greek and Roman physicians recommended the herb to treat fevers and respiratory and intestinal complaints.

Ancient Chinese healers also used fenugreek to treat fevers, hernia, gallbladder problems, muscle aches and impotence.

In India fenugreek is part of curry spice blend.  Ayurvedic physicians used fenugreek for treating arthritis, bronchitis and digestive upsets.  Concoction made of fenugreek seeds and water helps women in menstrual cramps.  One study showed Indian lactating mothers ate these seeds to increase milk production.

Arab women ate the roasted seeds to gain weight and attain beautiful skin.

Some of fenugreek’s traditional uses have been supported by modern science. Studies show that fenugreek reduces cholesterol.  For that, one can take two ounces of fenugreek seeds with warm water every morning before brushing teeth and in 24 weeks it will start showing the result.

It is believed that fenugreek helps in Type-2 diabetes.  Take fenugreek seeds twice a day every day and it will lower the blood sugar level.

Fenugreek seeds have dietary fibre.  Take a teaspoon of seeds with warm water before sleeping and it will help in case of constipation and some other stomach problems.

Fenugreek seeds are swallowed raw early in the morning with warm water to have healing effect on joint pains.

Fenugreek’s soothing mucilage may help relieve sore throat and cough.  For that boil a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in a cup of water and gargle for throat ailments.

Fenugreek belongs to the Fabaceae family and other members of this family are lima beans.  Its botanical name is Trigonella foenum-graecum.  Seeds and leaves of the plant are used as healing herb.

BISCOTTI of wheat flour

Biscotti is a plural of biscotto.  The word originates from Latin word biscoctus, meaning "twice-cooked/baked." It defined oven baked goods that were baked twice, so they were very dry and could be stored for long periods of time. Such nonperishable food was particularly useful during journeys and wars.
Biscotti can be made with any dry fruits and nuts of your choice.  Here it is made with white chocolate, cherries, cashews and walnuts.

Ingredients:


1 ½ cup sugar, 2 eggs, ½ cup white flour, 2 cups wheat flour, pinch of salt, 1 ½ tsp baking powder, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup chopped cashews and walnuts, 1 cup dry cherries,  1cup white baking chocolate cut into small pieces, 1 tbsp cooking oil.

Method:


Preheat oven to 350degree F (200 degree C).  Beat eggs and sugar till well blended.  Add flours, salt, baking powder and vanilla and make the dough.  Add nuts, fruit and chocolate chunks to the dough.  Make a log of 3 inches by 9 inches but half an inch thick.  Place on baking sheet and bake for about 25 – 30 minutes.  Take it out.  Slice it and bake other side for about 20 minutes.  Cool and serve.  Dip it in a glass of milk or a cup of hot coffee to relish it.

Black Pepper for good digestion

Dried ground pepper has been used since ages as a spice and as a healing herb.  It is world’s most common spice, often found along with salt on dinning tables.  The spiciness of black pepper is due to the chemical called piperine.

Black pepper is native to India and extensively cultivated in tropical regions.  The fruit of the pepper is known as peppercorn when dried.  Peppercorns are often categorized under a label describing their region or port of origin.  There are black, white, green and orange varieties of peppercorn in the world but the most popular is black peppercorn.

 

Black pepper has been used in India since the prehistoric times.  After the middle ages, black pepper found its way to Europe, Middle East and North Africa from India’s Malabar region.  By the 16th century, due to the Portuguese influence, pepper was also being grown in Java, Sumatra, Madagascar, Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia.

Pepper became known in Greece as early as the 4^th century but it was an expensive spice which only rich could afford.  Pepper was used to both honor the Gods and to pay taxes or ransom.  During the fall of ancient Rome, the invaders were honored by being given black pepper.

Black pepper was believed to cure illness such as constipation, diarrhea, earache, gangrene, heart disease, hernia, hoarseness, indigestion, insect bites, insomnia, joint pain, liver problem, lung disease and toothaches.  There is no current medical evidence that black pepper cured all these ailments.  But in traditional Indian medicine, black pepper powdered or its decoction is used as a home remedy for relief from soar throat, congestion and cough etc.

Piperine present in black pepper acts as a thermogenic compound.  Piperine enhances the thermogenesis of lipid and accelerates energy metabolism in the body and also increases the serotonin and beta-endorphin production in the brain.  Black pepper is an excellent source of manganese, iron, vitamin K and dietary fiber.

Black pepper increases hydrochloride acid secretion in the stomach, hence, improving digestion.  Hydrochloride acid is necessary for the digestion of proteins and other foods in the stomach.  When the body’s production of hydrochloride acid is insufficient, food may sit in the stomach for extended period of time, leading to heartburn, acidity or indigestion.

Black pepper belongs to Piperaceae family and the other member almost close to this family is Indian long pepper or Java pepper.  Its botanical name is Piper Nigrum. 

Rasberry Coffee Cake

Rasberry or Rasbhari as it is called in India is a different variety of berry family.  It is yellow orange in color and is very tart for taste buds. It has lots of health benefits.  They are anti oxidants. They are rich in compounds such as magnesium, iron, copper and manganese that increase red blood cells in the body and decrease anemia.  They have low level of sodium and high levels of potassium, known to lower blood pressure.  This fruit is rich in dietary fiber and low in calories and saturated fat.
Since I could not eat too much of this tart fruit, I decided to make a coffee cake of those berries.

.Ingredients:
White flour 1 ¼ cups, wheat flour 1 cup, sugar ½ cup, brown sugar 1 ¼ cups, baking powder 2 tsp, baking soda ½ tsp, a pinch of salt, ¾ cup cooking oil, 3 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla essence, 2 cups chopped raspberries, 1 cup chopped cashews and walnuts.
Method:
Combine both the flours, both kinds of sugars, baking powder, baking soda and a pinch of salt in a bowl.  In a different bowl beat eggs, cooking oil and vanilla essence till  creamy.  Add dry ingredients and mix well.  Stir in fruits and nuts and make sure everything is well blended.  Bake in 180 degrees C (325 F) for 45- 50 minutes.  If you like you can drizzle it with sugar glaze.