Soft and tasty kallappam- A Kerala style foolproof recipe

Soft and tasty kallappam- A Kerala style foolproof recipe

Soft and tasty kallappam- A Kerala style foolproof recipe
Preparation time- 10-12 hours for fermentation
Cooking time-  5 mins 

Ingredients :

1. Raw rice-2 cup
2. Coconut-1 cup
3. Cooked rice-1/2 cup
4. Sugar- 4 tsp
5. Salt-1 tsp
6. Yeast-1 tsp
7. Milk-3 tsp
8. Shallots- 5 no.
9. Garlic- 2 no.
10. Cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp

Method:

Step 1: Soak raw rice in water for 4-6 hours.

Step 2: Mix yeast and one teaspoon of sugar into lukewarm milk, stir it well and keep it for 10 minutes before you start grinding.

Step 3: Take a mixer grinder jar, put soaked raw rice, cooked rice, and coconut, and grind it as a paste by adding water slowly.

Step 4: Take a steel bowl or glass bowl, put this mixture, add sugar, salt, and yeast solution, mix it well and keep it for 12 hours for fermentation. 

To be noted: Make sure that the mixture should have a mildly sweet taste for the yeast to ferment well.

Step 5: Take a pan, warm it on medium flame. By the time, in a mixer jar, take 1 cup of coconut, garlic, shallots and cumin seeds and crush it. Do not grind it. Add this mixture to the fermented paste and add one pinch of sugar and salt to balance the fermented taste. Pour the mixture into a pan, wait for a few minutes and flip into another side. Then, transfer to a serving plate. Serve as warm.
Suggestions

Diet for kids

• No suggestions 
  

Antenatal diet

• Reduce sugar, as it increases blood sugar level
• Suggest limited intake, as raw rice is simple sugar and increases blood sugar level
• Reduce coconut, as it increases cholesterol level
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure

Diet for lactating mothers

• No suggestions

Postnatal diet

• No suggestions

Diet for diabetic persons

• Reduce sugar, as it increases blood sugar level
• Suggest limited intake, as raw rice is simple sugar and increases blood sugar level
• Reduce coconut, as it increases cholesterol level (It's a precautionary measure)
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure (It's a precautionary measure)

Diet for hypertensive persons

• Reduce sugar, as it increases blood sugar level (It's a precautionary measure)
• Suggest limited intake, as raw rice is simple sugar and increases blood sugar level (It's a precautionary measure)
• Reduce coconut, as it increases cholesterol level (It's a precautionary measure)
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure

Diet for cardiac persons

• Reduce sugar, as it increases blood sugar level (It's a precautionary measure)
• Suggest limited intake, as raw rice is simple sugar and increases blood sugar level (It's a precautionary measure)
• Reduce coconut, as it increases cholesterol level
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure

Paneer masala

Paneer masala

Paneer masala

Preparation time- 5 mins
Cooking time-  20 mins 
Total time- 25 mins

Ingredients :

1. Paneer- 100gm
2. Oil-3 tsp
3. Mustard-1/2 tsp
4. Ginger chopped- 1 tsp
5. Garlic chopped-2 tsp
6. Chili Powder- 1 teaspoon
7. Turmeric Powder- 1/2 teaspoon
8. Onion- 2 no. (Medium size, sliced)
9. Curry leaves- as needed
10. Coriander leaves- as needed
11. Coconut grated- 1 cup 
12. Salt - as needed

Method:

Step 1: Soak paneer pieces in boiled water for 30 minutes to make it very soft.
Take a pan, pour oil and add mustard seeds when it gets warm in low flame. Add ginger, garlic, onion and curry leaves and fry till onion gets golden brown color.

Step 2: Add turmeric and chili powder and mix it very well on low flame.

Step 3: Then, add coconut, curry leaves, coriander leaves and salt, mix it very well. In a mixer jar, take this mixture and grind it as a smooth paste by adding water slowly. Pour this mixture into the same pan, add paneer pieces and warm it on low flame. Do not boil it. 

Suggestions

Diet for kids

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension
• Reduce oil and salt also
• You can add plenty of curry leaves, as it increases Haemoglobin level

Antenatal diet

• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension
• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil and coconut, as it increases cholesterol level
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure
• Cook on low flame
• You can add plenty of curry leaves, as it increases Haemoglobin level

Diet for lactating mothers

• Reduce chili powder, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil and coconut, as it increases cholesterol level
• Cook on low flame
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension
• You can add plenty of curry leaves, as it increases Haemoglobin level

Postnatal diet

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil and coconut, as it increases cholesterol level
• Cook on low flame
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension
• You can add plenty of curry leaves, as it increases Haemoglobin level

Diet for diabetic persons

• Reduce chili powder, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil and coconut, as it increases cholesterol level (It's a precautionary measure)
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure (Its a precautionary measure
• Cook on low flame
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension

Diet for hypertensive persons

• Reduce chili powder, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil and coconut, as it increases cholesterol level (It's a precautionary measure)
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure (Its a precautionary measure
• Cook on low flame
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension 

Diet for cardiac persons

• Reduce chili powder, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil and coconut, as it increases cholesterol level (It's a precautionary measure)
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure (Its a precautionary measure
• Cook on low flame
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension

Beef chili pickle

Beef chili pickle

Beef chili pickle
Preparation time- 5 mins
Cooking time-  15 mins 
Total time- 20 mins

Ingredients :

1. Beef (cube sized) - 500 gm
2. Gingely Oil- 50ml
3. Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
4. Turmeric powder- 3 Tsp
5. Chili powder- 6 Tsp
6. Garlic- 20 no.
7. Ginger- 1 no. (Chopped) 
8. Salt- as needed
9. Vinegar- as needed 
10. Pepper powder- 1tsp 

Method:

Step 1: In a pressure cooker, take washed beef pieces, add salt and keep it on medium flame till you get 4-5 whistles. 

Step 2: Take cooked beef pieces and marinate with chili powder (1 tsp), pepper powder(1/2 tsp),garam masala(1/2 tsp) and turmeric powder(1/2 tsp). 
Pour oil into a pan and warm it on medium flame. Fry marinated beef pieces and keep it aside. Add mustard seeds in the same pan, after a few seconds, add garlic, ginger and curry leaves, and fry it well. Add turmeric powder and chili powder and sort it well for a few seconds. Add fried beef pieces and salt, mix it nicely.

Step 2: Let it cooked for a few minutes, in between stir it well. Do not cover with a lid. Switch off the flame. Finally, add vinegar and mix it well.

Tips and warnings

• Keep it in an airtight glass jar
• Use a dry spoon for serving
• Avoid contact with water 

Suggestions

Diet for kids

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil and salt also
• Suggested very limited intake, as it contains vinegar

Antenatal diet

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil, as it increases cholesterol level
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure
• Suggested very limited intake, as it contains vinegar

Diet for lactating mothers

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil, as it increases cholesterol level
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure
• Suggested very limited intake, as it contains vinegar

Postnatal diet

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil, as it increases cholesterol level
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure
• Suggested very limited intake, as it contains vinegar

Diet for diabetic persons

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil, as it increases cholesterol level
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure

Diet for hypertensive persons

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil, as it increases cholesterol level (It's a precautionary measure)
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure (It's a precautionary measure

Diet for cardiac persons

• Suggested very limited intake
• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil, as it increases cholesterol level (It's a precautionary measure)
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure (It's a precautionary measure)

Banana wheat bread/ Banana wheat chapathi

Banana wheat bread/ Banana wheat chapathi

Banana wheat bread/ Banana wheat chapathi

Preparation time- 5 minutes
Cooking time- 10 minutes

Ingredients (for 4 servings):

1. Wheat flour- 1 cup
2. Boiled banana (Nendran)- 1 no.
3. Salt- as needed
4. Warm water- as needed to prepare a dough 

Method:

Step 1: In a mixer jar, grind boiled banana as a paste.

Step 2: In a bowl, put flour, add salt and banana paste and mix it well. Then add water slowly and mix it well till the entire flour is wet. Do not add extra flour and knead it for 5-7 minutes. Then, take a portion of dough in the hand and make lemon sized balls.

Step 3: On a flat surface, sprinkle refined flour, take a dough ball and spread it with a chapathi roll. Take a pan and keep it on the low flame. Keep the flat chapathi on pan on one side and after a few minutes, turn to another side. Serve as lukewarm with sauce.

Suggestions
Antenatal diet

• Recommended 

Diet for lactating mothers

• Recommended 

Postnatal diet

• Recommended 

Diet for diabetic persons

• Recommended 
• Reduce the amount of banana paste

Diet for hypertensive persons

• Recommended 
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure

Diet for cardiac persons

• Recommended 
• Reduce the amount of banana paste

Diet for kids

• Recommended 
• Can add ghee/butter for the kids

Banana stem kitchadi/ Banana stem curd gravy

Banana stem kitchadi/ Banana stem curd gravy

Why should you include banana stem and curd on your family table?

Benefits of banana stem

• helps to regulate blood pressure (very good for hypertensive patients and include twice in a week in your diet)
• rich source of iron and vitamin B6 and treats anemia(very good for pregnant women)
• helps to flush out toxins and kidney stones by increasing the amount of urine
• helps to regulate the blood sugar
• relieves heartburn and acidity
• helps in digestion and reduces fat in the body
• prevents constipation    

Benefits of curd

• is a probiotic, means it contains live bacteria and eases digestion
• prevents diarrhea
• boosts the immunity power
• antiaging properties and keeps you young
• keeps skin smooth
• reduces blood pressure
• prevents osteoporosis
• reduces the chance of memory loss disorders.

Banana stem kitchadi/ Banana stem curd gravy
Preparation time- 5 mins
Cooking time-  10 mins 
Total time- 15 mins

Ingredients :

1. Chopped banana stem- 1 cup 
2. Garlic chopped-1/2 tsp
3. Green Chili- 1 no.
4. Turmeric Powder- 1/2 teaspoon
5. Sambar Onion- 5 no. (Medium size, sliced)
6. Cumin seeds-1 tsp
7. Curry leaves- as needed
8. Grated coconut- 1 cup
9. Coconut oil- 2 tsp 
10. Dried chili- 2 no.
11. Mustard seeds-1 tsp 
12. Salt - as needed
13. Curd- 1 cup

Method:

Step 1: Take a pressure cooker, add the banana stem, salt and pour a glass of water, and cook it on medium flame. After 3 whistles, open the cooker and mash it very well.

Step 2: Take coconut, garlic, green chili, turmeric powder, sambar onion and cumin seeds and grind it as a paste.

Step 3: Add this mixture and to cooked mixture, stir it well and keep it closed with a lid for five minutes on medium flame.

Step 4: Take a pan, pour oil. Put mustard seeds, dried chilly, pieces of shallots and curry leaves into the oil. Add this to cooked mixture. Allow it to cool and then, add curd and mix it well. Add salt as you needed.
Suggestions

Diet for kids

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension
• Reduce oil and salt also
• You can add plenty of curry leaves, as it increases Hemoglobin level

Antenatal diet

• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension
• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil and coconut, as it increases cholesterol level
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure
• Cook on low flame
• You can add plenty of curry leaves, as it increases Hemoglobin level

Diet for lactating mothers

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil and coconut, as it increases cholesterol level
• Cook on low flame
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension
• You can add plenty of curry leaves, as it increases Hemoglobin level

Postnatal diet

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil and coconut, as it increases cholesterol level
• Cook on low flame
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension
• You can add plenty of curry leaves, as it increases Hemoglobin level

Diet for diabetic persons

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil and coconut, as it increases cholesterol level (It's a precautionary measure)
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure (It's a precautionary measure)

• Cook on low flame
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension

Diet for hypertensive persons

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil and coconut, as it increases cholesterol level (It's a precautionary measure)
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure
• Cook on low flame
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension

Diet for cardiac persons

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil and coconut, as it increases cholesterol level
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure (It's a precautionary measure)
• Cook on low flame
• Add garlic, as it relieves abdominal distension.

Apple banana puree for babies/infants/ 7-12 months old

Apple banana puree for babies/infants/ 7-12 months old

(Please continue exclusive breastfeeding and you should never feed a single drop of water to the baby till 06 months of age)

Apple banana puree for babies/infants/ 7-12 months old

Why should you include apple and banana in baby's diet

Benefits of apple

• Helps in digestion, as it is rich in fiber
• Rich source of Iron and prevents anemia
• Provides energy for growth and development
• Improves eyesight
• Boost the brain development

Benefits of banana (Nendran)

• High in fiber content and prevents constipation among babies
• Helps to ease digestion
• Contains essential vitamins and minerals and helps in optimum physical growth and development for the baby
• Iron content in banana stimulates blood production.

Preparation of articles

Articles needed are:

1. Cooking bowl-1
2. Cooking spoon-1
3. Feeding bowl-1 
4. Feeding spoon-1 
5. Big pan-1
6. Covering lids-3
7. Mixer grinder jar-1 (Only for baby)
8. Scrubber-1 

• Keep all articles separately for the baby and do not use for other purposes. (Rationale- To prevent bacterial contamination)

• Wash all articles with tap water and soap. Take drinking water in a big pan, put all the articles (except scrubber) and boil it for five minutes by covering with a lid. After 10 minutes, you can take it for cooking. Use this method at early morning and do not skip this method to prevent further infections for the baby.

• Mixer grinder jar is the best source of bacterial growth, so that mother should clean it well. Take the white paper, dish wash solution and 50 ml of water in the grinder, grind it for 1 minute and wash it very well (do it weekly) (Rationale- To remove food stain and dirt). Then, pour boiling water and cover it with lid for ten minutes (do it early morning every day) (Rationale- To kill bacteria completely). And keep it dry.

Preparation of apple banana puree

1. Sliced banana-10 pieces
2. Sliced apple- 10 pieces
3. Drinking water-100 ml

Method:

Wash hands with soap and water.
In a bowl, take the sliced apple, banana, and water. Then, keep on low flame and cook it for 10 minutes. Keep it covered with a lid for another five minutes to cook it very well. Take cooked items in a jar and grind it by adding water as needed.

How to cool the porridge (Double cooling method): (Rationale- To prevent bacterial growth)

Take water in a big bowl and keep the cooking bowl in water. Stir it continuously. This step is crucial for rapid cooling to prevent bacterial growth. Feed the baby immediately, when the porridge is lukewarm.

Preferred feeding time: 7-8pm

The position of the baby:
Wash hands with soap and water.
I have tried many positions including sitting positions, but I am not able to feed the full amount of food.

Best position is- Make mother sit on a floor with supported back and stretched legs. Keep the baby on your legs and head of the baby facing towards your legs. So that you can get a control on face and arms of the baby. Keep the head of the baby slightly elevated.

How to feed the baby: Give a spoon of food and allow ample time for the baby to swallow it. If the baby does not open the mouth, give a mild pressure on one side of the cheek and give food. You can feed the full amount of food by keeping the baby engaged with toys. Avoid the third person with you otherwise, you and baby might be distracted.
It is essential to expel the gas from the stomach to prevent vomiting for the baby. After a few spoons of feeding, make the baby sit and gently pat on the back from bottom to top, till you hear the 'burp' sound.

To be noted: While feeding the baby, make sure that food should not spill over the nose and eyes. If it is spilled on the nose, gently wipe the food with a towel. If it is spilled on eyes, immediately wash the eyes until the baby is comfortable.

Aftercare of the baby: Keep the baby in the same position for at least 10 minutes in order to prevent projectile vomiting. Wash the face with clean water and dry with a towel.

Aftercare of the articles: After feeding, immediately wash the articles with the soapy solution and rinse it very well and, keep it for dry till the next feeding to prevent bacterial growth.

To be noted: 

• Watch the stools of the baby for any color change and you can see the level of digestion of food. 
• Do not compromise on cleaning and hygiene of the food, otherwise, you have to see the little one is suffering from infections.
• Continue breastfeeding along with solid foods.

Reliability of the information 

"We live in the midst of so many answers, suggestions, and options to one question itself. During my motherhood period, I found very difficult to opt the best do's for my baby, despite being a professional nurse. After a lot of readings, observations, brainstorming discussions with my colleagues who are nursing experts, health professionals, and experienced mothers, and I have opted the best things for my baby, implemented and succeeded to have a happy motherhood period without a single episode of fever, cold or diarrhea for the baby and sleepless night too. In spite of committing trials and errors during your parenting time, you can read, understand and implement it. If you have any queries or suggestions, a great welcome to my blog."

                                                                                  Mrs.Ponnambily Jobin

Cucumber, carrot, pumpkin porridge for babies/infants/ 7-12 months old

Cucumber, carrot, pumpkin porridge for babies/infants/ 7-12 months old

(Please continue exclusive breastfeeding and you should never feed a single drop of water to the baby till 06 months of age)

Cucumber, carrot, pumpkin porridge for babies/infants/ 7-12 months old

Why should you include cucumber, carrot, and pumpkin in baby's diet

Benefits of cucumber

• Rich in protein, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium helps for the physical development of the baby
• Rich in antioxidants. help the baby to save from infections
• Promotes hydration of the baby
• Helps in bowel and bladder movements

Benefits of carrot

• Rich in vitamin C, fiber, calcium and iron help for the physical development of the baby
• Rich in Vitamin A helps to improve their vision
• Enhances immunity power of the baby

 Benefits of pumpkin

• High in fiber, helps the baby to pass stools without the struggle
• Rich in Vitamin A helps to improve their vision
• Rich in tryptophan, helps the baby to get a good sleep

Preparation of articles

Articles needed are:

1. Cooking bowl-1
2. Cooking spoon-1
3. Feeding bowl-1 
4. Feeding spoon-1 
5. Big pan-1
6. Covering lids-3
7. Mixer grinder jar-1 (Only for baby)
8. Scrubber-1 

• Keep all articles separately for the baby and do not use for other purposes. (Rationale- To prevent bacterial contamination)

• Wash all articles with tap water and soap. Take drinking water in a big pan, put all the articles (except scrubber) and boil it for five minutes by covering with a lid. After 10 minutes, you can take it for cooking. Use this method at early morning and do not skip this method to prevent further infections for the baby.

• Mixer grinder jar is the best source of bacterial growth, so that mother should clean it well. Take the white paper, dish wash solution and 50 ml of water in the grinder, grind it for 1 minute and wash it very well (do it weekly) (Rationale- To remove food stain and dirt). Then, pour boiling water and cover it with lid for ten minutes (do it early morning every day) (Rationale- To kill bacteria completely). And keep it dry.

Preparation of Cucumber, carrot, pumpkin porridge

1. Sliced veg pieces together- 1 cup
2. Freshly cooked rice-50gm (optional)
3. Drinking water-100 ml

Method:

Wash hands with soap and water.
In a bowl, take the sliced veg, cooked rice, and water. Then, keep on low flame and cook it for 10 minutes. Keep it covered with a lid for another five minutes to cook it very well. Take cooked items in a jar and grind it by adding water as needed.

How to cool the porridge (Double cooling method): (Rationale- To prevent bacterial growth)

Take water in a big bowl and keep the cooking bowl in water. Stir it continuously. This step is crucial for rapid cooling to prevent bacterial growth. Feed the baby immediately, when the soup is lukewarm.

Preferred feeding time: 1-2pm or 4-5pm

The position of the baby:
Wash hands with soap and water.
I have tried many positions including sitting positions, but I am not able to feed the full amount of food.

Best position is- Make mother sit on a floor with supported back and stretched legs. Keep the baby on your legs and head of the baby facing towards your legs. So that you can get a control on face and arms of the baby. Keep the head of the baby slightly elevated.

How to feed the baby: Give a spoon of food and allow ample time for the baby to swallow it. If the baby does not open the mouth, give a mild pressure on one side of the cheek and give food. You can feed the full amount of food by keeping the baby engaged with toys. Avoid the third person with you otherwise, you and baby might be distracted.
It is essential to expel the gas from the stomach to prevent vomiting for the baby. After a few spoons of feeding, make the baby sit and gently pat on the back from bottom to top, till you hear the 'burp' sound.

To be noted: While feeding the baby, make sure that food should not spill over the nose and eyes. If it is spilled on the nose, gently wipe the food with a towel. If it is spilled on eyes, immediately wash the eyes until the baby is comfortable.

Aftercare of the baby: Keep the baby in the same position for at least 10 minutes in order to prevent projectile vomiting. Wash the face with clean water and dry with a towel.

Aftercare of the articles: After feeding, immediately wash the articles with the soapy solution and rinse it very well and, keep it for dry till the next feeding to prevent bacterial growth.

To be noted: 

• Watch the stools of the baby for any color change and you can see the level of digestion of food. 
• Do not compromise on cleaning and hygiene of the food, otherwise, you have to see the little one is suffering from infections.
• Continue breastfeeding along with solid foods.

Reliability of the information 

"We live in the midst of so many answers, suggestions, and options to one question itself. During my motherhood period, I found very difficult to opt the best do's for my baby, despite being a professional nurse. After a lot of readings, observations, brainstorming discussions with my colleagues who are nursing experts, health professionals, and experienced mothers, and I have opted the best things for my baby, implemented and succeeded to have a happy motherhood period without a single episode of fever, cold or diarrhea for the baby and sleepless night too. In spite of committing trials and errors during your parenting time, you can read, understand and implement it. If you have any queries or suggestions, a great welcome to my blog."

                                                                                  Mrs.Ponnambily Jobin