Rosemary Kadha / Immunity Booster Drink

 

              This immune booster drink is the need of the time. It's refreshing as it will surely soothe your nerves and keep you going throughout the day. I skipped the mandatory basil / mint and instead, added some rosemary herb, as apart from adding a flavour to the drink, it has many health benefits. I also included some fresh turmeric. 

             You can enjoy this drink hot or chilled, along with some ice cubes, according to your preference, anytime of the day. The brown sugar (or any sweetener) can be omitted if you wish. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this traditional Indian medicine. 

          Ginger and lime contains vitamin C and other anti oxidants. The intake of ginger wards off nausea, stomach ailments and strengthens our immunity. Lime improves digestion, is good for the tummy, removes toxins from our body and relieves constipation.

           Fresh turmeric root has its own health benefits. It has anti inflammatory properties, lowers cholesterol and prevents cancer. 

          Rosemary is a fragrant herb that improves blood circulation, boosts the immune system and aids in digestion.

          Lastly, the whole spices are high in antioxidants as they lower blood sugar level / blood pressure, reduces inflammation, digestive problems and improves cholesterol, relieves indigestion and constipation.

          So a cupful of this healthy drink has a lot of healing properties. It relieves any cold during winter and boosts our energy. So it is beneficial to include kadha in our everyday life. 

• 3 cups water
• pinch of salt (opt)
• 1" cinnamon stick
• 3 green cardamoms 
• 6 cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp. fennel seeds
• 1/2 tsp. carom seeds
• 10-12 whole peppercorns
• 1" ginger
• 1" fresh turmeric
• 2 tbsp. rosemary
• lime juice to taste
• brown sugar / jaggery / honey to taste

          Crush all the ingredients (except lime & sweetener) in a mortal & pestle.

          Add water in a pan along with a pinch of salt and bring it to a boil. Then add all the crushed ingredients. 

          Simmer for 10 minutes on a low flame till it is slightly reduced. When done, switch off the flame and keep it covered for 5 minutes. 

          Then strain and serve with lime juice and brown sugar / jaggery / honey to taste.

                                 The ingredients to be crushed. 

                          Crush all the ingredients (except lime & sweetener) in a mortal & pestle.

                            Add water in a pan along with a pinch of salt & bring it to a boil. 

                                  Then add all the crushed ingredients. 

                       Simmer for 10 minutes on a low flame till it is slightly reduced. When done, 

                       switch off the flame and keep it covered for 5 minutes. 

 Strain. 

Serve with lime juice & honey / brown sugar / jaggery.

Masala Ginger Lime Tea

          This immune booster drink is the need of the time. It's refreshing, spicy and a tangy concoction that will surely soothe your nerves and keep you going throughout the day. You can enjoy it hot or chilled, along with some ice cubes, according to your preference, anytime of the day. The tea and the honey (or any sweeteners) can be omitted if you wish.

       
          Ginger and lime contains vitamin C and other anti oxidants. The intake of ginger wards off nausea, stomach ailments and of course strengthens our immunity. 

          Lime on the other hand, improves digestion, is good for the tummy, removes toxins from our body and relieves constipation.

          Lastly, the whole spices are high in antioxidants as they lower blood sugar level / blood pressure, reduces inflammation, digestive problems and improves cholesterol, relieves indigestion and constipation.

          So a cupful of this healthy drink (with all the above mentioned ingredients) has a lot of healing properties. It relieves any cold during winter and boosts our energy with or without the spices, tea or honey.

• 1 litre water
• 1" ginger, sliced 
• 2" cinnamon stick 
• 3 green cardamoms 
• 5 cloves 
• 1 tsp. carom seeds 
• 1 tsp. fennel seeds 
• pinch of salt
• 1-2 tsp. tea leaves / 2 tea bags
• lime juice to taste
• honey / brown sugar / jaggery to taste

          Bring the water to a boil in a pan. Then add all the ingredients (except tea, lime juice and honey). Simmer for 8-10 minutes on a low flame till it is slightly reduced.

          When done, switch off the flame and add the tea leaves. Keep it covered for 5 minutes. Then strain and serve with lime juice and honey / brown sugar / jaggery to taste.

Eggless Whole Wheat Apple Muffins

           My Christmas treat this year are these easy and simple Eggless Apple muffins made with  whole wheat flour / atta for a healthier version. Brown sugar can be substituted with jaggery or honey. I flavored it with cinnamon powder. 

          However, you may use only vanilla essence or cardamom powder according to your preference. So enjoy them as a tea-time snack, dessert, or serve them as an after school snack to your kids, where you can sprinkle any of their favorite dry fruits. 

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda 
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon powder
• 1/2 cup powdered brown sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1 cup grated apple
• 1-2 tbsp. chopped pistachios

          Sift together whole wheat flour, pinch of salt, baking powder and baking soda. Keep aside.

          Whisk the sugar, milk, oil and cinnamon powder to combine well. Now fold in the flour mix, followed by the grated apple. 

          Place the muffin liners on the muffin tray and spoon the batter in it till 3/4 of the liners. Sprinkle the chopped pistachios over them.

          Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees C. for 20-25 minutes. Do the toothpick test to ensure it is well done. 

           Bring it to room temperature and enjoy them as a tea-time snack, dessert, or serve them as an after school snack to your kids, where you can sprinkle any of their favorite dry fruits. 

Chia Coffee Pudding

          Chia seeds are a powerhouse of fiber, calcium, protein, healthy fats, antioxidants, etc. You can easily make simple and delicious desserts with it without any effort. Today I incorporated it with milk and added the flavor of coffee besides cinnamon & vanilla to make this amazing & yummy pudding for an after-meal dessert. You can just mix and match and add any of your favorite fruit / flavor to these wonder seeds and dish out healthy desserts / pudding for your family and friends.

• 2 cups milk
• 5-6 tbsp. chia seeds
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon powder
• 1/2 tsp. coffee powder
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla essence
• powdered sugar to taste
• 1-2 tbsp. raisins
• cashews. almonds & saffron to garnish.

          Whisk together milk, coffee powder, cinnamon powder, vanilla essence and sugar. Add the chia seeds and raisins. Mix well and refrigerate overnight.

          Garnish with the almonds, cashews, saffron and a sprinkle of some coffee powder. Serve as it is or as an after-meal dessert.

                                  Chia Seeds....

                      Whisk milk, coffee powder, cinnamon powder, vanilla essence & sugar. 
        

                                 Add chia seeds & raisins. Mix well & refrigerate overnight.

                    Garnish with almonds, cashews, saffron & a sprinkle of some coffee 
                    powder. Serve as it is or as an after-meal dessert.

Eggless Apple Loaf Cake

          A simple Eggless Apple Cake for you to enjoy with family and friends. Got apples in your refrigerator and you do not know what to do with apart from slicing and eating them? So here is a simple Eggless Apple Cake for you to relish with your evening tea or simply as it is.

          Just follow the steps below and get started. I have used brown sugar, half of whole wheat flour and canola oil instead of butter for a far more healthier version. Relish them warm or cold on its own, as a desert with a drizzle of some rabdi over it or as an evening tea-time snack. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 1 apple, grated or blended
• 1 cup powdered brown sugar
• 1 cup maida (refined flour)
• 1 cup atta (Whole wheat flour)
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon powder
• pinch of salt
• 3/4 cup oil / melted butter
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp. oil
• powdered white sugar, few apple slices & jam for garnishing

          Grease a loaf tin with oi / butter and dust some flour. Coat them all over and tap off the excess. Keep aside.

          Sieve together maida, atta, powdered sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon powder and salt. Keep aside.

          In a bowl, add together grated apple, oil and milk. Add in the flour few at a time and fold in. Lastly add the remaining 1 tsp. oil and stir to combine.

         Pour into the greased loaf tin / cake tin and bake in a preheated microwave convection oven at 180 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

          Transfer to a wired rack and cool completely. Garnish with apple slices, jam and by dusting some powdered sugar. 

          Cut into slices and serve as an evening snack along with tea or as a dessert topped with some rabri or just enjoy them as it is.

                                 Grease the cake tin & dust with flour. Keep aside.

                      Sift atta, maida, powdered sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon
                      powder & salt.

                                 Mix together blended apple, oil & milk.

                                 Fold in flour little at a time & mix well.

                                  Add in 1 tsp. of oil & stir.

                                 Pour batter into the cake tin & tap well. 

                                 Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for 35-40 minutes. 

                                 Transfer to a wire rack & cool before slicing them.

                    Garnish with powdered sugar, apple slices & jam of your choice. Serve as
                    a tea-time snack or as a dessert.