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

Tapioca masala/Kappa ularthiyathu

Tapioca masala/Kappa ularthiyathu

Why should you include tapioca on your family table once in a week?

• Easy to digest and has a good amount of fiber helps to prevent constipation
• The high amount of carbohydrate helps to gain weight 
• Contains calcium and iron helps to prevent bone fracture
• Contains potassium and helps to control blood pressure
• Folic acid and Vitamin B in tapioca help to prevent birth defects and pregnant mothers and those who are planning to get pregnant should have this once in a week.
• Gluten free

Tapioca masala/Kappa ularthiyathu
Preparation time- 5 mins
Cooking time-   10 mins 
Total time- 10 mins

Ingredients :

1. Chopped tapioca- 500 gm
2. Finely chopped onion- 50 gm
3. Oil- 3 tsp
4. Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
5. Garlic and ginger crushed- 1 tsp each
6. Tumeric powder- 1 tsp
7. Chili powder- 2 ntsp.
8. Salt- as needed 
9. Dried chili- 1 no. 
10. Curry leaves- as needed 

Method:

Step 1: Wash chopped tapioca well. In a bowl, pour three glasses of water and add tapioca and allow it to boil on medium flame. After five minutes, check the status of tapioca. A cooked tapioca should be soft like cotton and have a feathery appearance. 

"It depends on the variety of tapioca. To select a good quality of tapioca, you have to keep some unique features in your mind. You can go for the tapioca, which is firm, fresh and the outside skin will be red in color and dry in nature."

Step 2: After that drain the water and keep it aside. Take a pan, pour oil, splutter mustard seeds, red chili, and curry leaves. Add onion, garlic, and ginger and sort it well. When it becomes golden brown color, add turmeric and chili powder and mix it well. Then, add tapioca and salt, and mix it well.

Let it cooked for a few minutes by open, in between stir it well.

Suggestions

Diet for kids

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity

Antenatal diet

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil, as it increases cholesterol level
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure
• Add plenty of curry leaves, as it is a major source of Iron and increases hemoglobin level

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
• Add plenty of curry leaves, as it is a major source of Iron and increases hemoglobin level

Postnatal diet

• Reduce chili, as it contributes to acidity
• Reduce oil, as it increases cholesterol level
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure
• Add plenty of curry leaves, as it is a major source of Iron and increases hemoglobin level

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

• 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)

Plain Mexican sweet coffee buns

Plain Mexican sweet coffee buns

Plain Mexican sweet coffee buns

Preparation time- 2 hour
Baking time- 20-25 minutes

Ingredients (for 4 servings):

1. Whole purpose flour/maida- 1cup
2. Salt- as needed
3. Egg- 1
4. Yeast- 7 gm
5. Sugar- 1 Tsp
6. Milk-5 Tsp  

Method:

Step 1: Add yeast and sugar in lukewarm milk, and keep it aside for 5 minutes.

Step 2: In a bowl, put flour, add salt and sugar and mix it well. Then add egg and yeast solution and mix it well till the entire flour is wet. Do not add extra flour and knead it for 5-7 minutes. 

Step 3: In the same bowl, apply oil and keep the kneaded dough. Cover with a wet cloth (should not touch the dough) and keep it for 1 hour for fermentation. After 1 hour, take a baking tray and dust with butter and flour. Knead the dough very well and take a portion of dough and make balls and keep it on the tray. Keep it for 45 minutes. Preheat the oven to 200-degree Celsius. 

Step 4: After 45 minutes, brush egg mix (mix yolk and white) on top of the dough.  Sprinkle sugar and sesame seeds, and keep it carefully (don't shake the tray) in the preheated oven in 220-degree Celsius for 20-25 minutes in a medium height metal rack. After that, allow it to cool.

Tips and warnings

• For baking bread, use medium height metal rack

Suggestions
Antenatal diet

• Drink plenty of water to prevent constipation due to refined flour
• Reduce sugar, as it increases blood sugar level
• Reduce yeast too.
• Suggested limited intake
• Reduce butter, as it increases cholesterol level
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure

Diet for lactating mothers

• Drink plenty of water to prevent constipation due to refined flour
• Reduce sugar, as it increases blood sugar level
• Reduce yeast too.
• Reduce butter, as it increases cholesterol level
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure

Postnatal diet

• Drink plenty of water to prevent constipation due to refined flour
• Reduce sugar, as it increases blood sugar level
• Reduce butter, as it increases cholesterol level
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure

Diet for diabetic persons

• Drink plenty of water to prevent constipation due to refined flour
• Reduce sugar, as it increases blood sugar level
• Suggested limited intake
• Reduce butter, as it increases cholesterol level
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure

Diet for hypertensive persons

• Drink plenty of water to prevent constipation due to refined flour
• Reduce sugar, as it increases blood sugar level
• Reduce butter, as it increases cholesterol level
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure

Diet for cardiac persons

• Drink plenty of water to prevent constipation due to refined flour
• Reduce sugar, as it increases blood sugar level
• Reduce butter, as it increases cholesterol level
• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure

Diet for kids

• Drink plenty of water to prevent constipation due to refined flour
• Reduce yeast too.

Sprouted ragi koozh_a healthy drink for all age groups

Sprouted ragi koozh_a healthy drink for all age groups

Sprouted ragi koozh_a healthy drink for all age groups

Preparation time-  12 hours for fermentation

Cooking time-20 mins

Ingredients:

1. Raw rice- 1 cup
2. Ragi seeds- 200 gm
3. Curd- 1/2 cup
4. Green chilly sliced- 1 no. 
5. Onion sliced- as needed
6. Salt- as needed

Methods
For sprouting ragi

Step 1: Wash ragi/Panjapul very well and soak it in drinking water for six hours. Drain the water completely and allow it to dry at room temperature or keep under the fan for two hours. Take a towel, keep ragi in the center of the towel and, cover and tie it properly. Make sure that no water should be there. Keep this in a vessel and cover with a lid. Keep it for overnight. Next day morning, you can see sprouted ragi. If any foul smell is there, discard it and try another one.

Step 2: Grind sprouted ragi seeds as a smooth paste by adding water slowly. Cook raw rice in a thick vessel by adding two cups of water.

Step 3: Add ragi paste to cooked raw rice and stir it well low flame. Add water slowly and cook it on low flame for ten minutes. Then, turn off the flame and keep it in the same vessel for 6 hours. After that, add curd, onion, green chilly, salt and water as needed and smash it nicely without any lumps. You can serve it after garnishing with curry leaves.

Tips and warnings

• Cook ragi koozh in low flame.
• Don't forget to use thick vessel
• You can store it under refrigeration for 2-3 days.
• Cook ragi very well in order to avoid stomach upset. 
• You can add sliced ginger (optional). 

Suggestions
Antenatal diet

• Do not add chili, as it contributes acidity and heartburn

Diet for lactating mothers

• No suggestions

Postnatal diet

• No suggestions

Diet for diabetic persons

• Reduce raw rice, as it increases blood sugar level

Diet for hypertensive persons

• Reduce salt, as it increases blood pressure level

Diet for cardiac persons

• No suggestions

Diet for kids

• Do not add chili, as it contributes acidity

Tutti frutti sponge cake

Tutti frutti sponge cake

Tutti frutti sponge cake

Preparation time- 10 mins
Cooking time-  20mins 
Total time- 30mins

Ingredients :

1. Corn flour-3 tsp
2. All purpose flour/Maida- 1 cup
3. Baking powder-1 tsp
4. Salt-1/2 tsp
5. Egg-3 no.
6. Powdered sugar- 1 cup
7. Vanilla essence-1 tsp
8. Butter- 20 gm
9. Tutti frutti-100gm

Method:

Step 1: Take maida, corn flour, baking powder and salt in a strainer, sift it two times and keep it aside.

Step 2: In a bowl, beat sugar and butter using a handheld electric mixer. Then, add eggs slowly one by one and beat it. Add vanilla essence and beat it. Add the strained powder and mix it well. Finally, you add tutti frutti and mix it well.

Step 3: Take cake pan, apply butter liberally and dust it with maida and spread butter paper. Pour the prepared mixture into the cake pan and tap it on both sides to expel the air bubbles.

Tutti frutti sponge cake

Step 5: Pre heat the oven at 180 Degree Celsius and bake the cake in conventional mode at 180 Degree Celsius for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, insert a long stick into the baked cake and withdraw it. If the stick is sticky, you have to bake it for another 5 minutes.

Step 6: Take the pan from oven and allow it to cool.

This cake is very soft and even if you keep it in a refrigerator for 2-3 days, still it will be very soft....really!!

Tips and warnings

• For baking cakes, use medium height metal rack

Suggestions
Antenatal diet

• Reduce sugar to half amount, as it increases blood sugar level
• Suggest for minimum intake
• Reduce butter, as it increases cholesterol level

Diet for lactating mothers

• Reduce sugar to half amount, as it increases blood sugar level
• Suggest for minimum intake
• Reduce butter, as it increases cholesterol level

Postnatal diet

• Reduce sugar to half amount, as it increases blood sugar level
• Suggest for minimum intake
• Reduce butter, as it increases cholesterol level

Diet for diabetic persons

• Reduce sugar to half amount, as it increases blood sugar level
• Suggest for minimum intake
• Reduce butter, as it increases cholesterol level

Diet for hypertensive persons

• Reduce sugar to half amount, as it increases blood sugar level
• Suggest for minimum intake
• Reduce butter, as it increases cholesterol level

Diet for cardiac persons

• Reduce sugar to half amount, as it increases blood sugar level
• Suggest for minimum intake, as it contains egg yolk
• Reduce butter, as it increases cholesterol level

Diet for kids

• Suggest minimum intake for kids, as it contains baking powder.