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Toor Dal and its Recipes

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A staple food item in every Indian kitchen and a meal is incomplete without the addition of the protein-packed dals and legumes. Being the powerhouse of protein, it is packed with essential vitamins and minerals. There are various types of dals that can be cooked into different delicacies. Toor, urad, masoor, moong, and chana dals are some of the commonly used dals.    One such dal which finds a prominent place in the kitchen is the toor dal. Toor dal or pigeon pea belongs to the Fabaceae family.  It is a common food in Asia, Africa, and America and has been cultivated for 3500 years. Toor dal is a native crop of India and is mostly accompanied by roti or rice. Toor dal seed pods are flat, sickle-shaped. They grow to a length of 5-9cm with a blend of color ranging from white, cream, yellow, purple, and black and this annual grown plant is drought-resistant. Toor dal or arhar dal is protein-rich and filled with carbohydrates and fiber. Consuming this lentil helps fulf...

How can Coriander Seeds help the Body?

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Coriander comes from the plant Coriandrum sativum and belongs to the family of parsley, carrots, and celery. In the United States, Coriandrum sativum seeds are called coriander and its leaves are called cilantro. They’re called coriander seeds and coriander leaves in the rest of the world. It is also known by the name of Chinese parsley. Coriander is used in several dishes like soups and salsas and cuisines like Indian, Middle Eastern, and Asian. Coriander seeds are mostly used in dried or ground form.  Coriander is filled with antioxidants that have many culinary uses and health benefits. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber, iron, manganese, and magnesium.  Coriander seeds may help your body in the following ways:     Helps lower blog sugar levels Helps control cholesterol levels Aids in curing cold and flu Helps promote digestion Coriander seeds cannot be easily substituted with anything else due to their distinct flavor.  These seeds can be...

Urad Dal and its Healthy Recipes

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The smooth, cylindrical, and oval-shaped black gram beans have a botanical name called Vigna mungo and are commonly known as Urad Dal in Hindi, Minapappu in Telugu, and  Vulundhu in Tamil. These beans are native to the Indian subcontinent and are mostly grown in the coastal region of Andhra Pradesh in India. In Punjab, Urad dal is used to make Maa Ki Daal and it is also popularly used in South Indian cuisine to prepare dosas and more. Urad dal is available in the whole, dehulled, and split bean forms. As per a source , India is the largest producer of black gram in the world with 1.5 million tonnes of seeds produced annually, followed by Fiji, Mauritius, Africa, and Caribbean countries. Black gram is a rich source of protein, Vitamin B, potassium, calcium, iron, niacin, thiamine, and riboflavin.  In few parts of Southern India, eating crispy vadas made from urad dal is a tradition during Sankranti or Pongal. Urad dal, when soaked in water exhibits a mucilaginous texture and is...

Turmeric and its Amazing Benefits

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Turmeric is extracted from the turmeric plant. This spice is quite popularly used in Asian food. It is used as a primary spice in curries. It consists of a warm, bitter taste and is often used to flavor or color curry powders, mustards, butter, and cheese. But turmeric is not just used as a spice, the root of turmeric is also used to prepare medicines. Turmeric consists of curcumin, a yellow-colored chemical, which is healthy and often used to color foods and cosmetics.  Curcumin is filled with powerful biological properties and acts as an active ingredient in turmeric. While turmeric is a nutritious and flavorsome spice for consumption, it has also been traditionally been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat inflammatory conditions, skin diseases, wounds, digestive ailments, and liver conditions. Turmeric is recommended in Ayurveda for a variety of health conditions like chronic pain and inflammation and Western medicine has begun to study turmeric as a pain reliever an...

Fenugreek Seeds: Uses and Health Benefits

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  Fenugreek seeds are one of the most popular spices used in South Asian and African cuisine, particularly in Ethiopia. Despite their popularity, people often get stumped about their uses and health benefits. Does this sound like you? If yes, keep reading to learn more about fenugreek uses and benefits. Fenugreek Seeds Health Benefits Fenugreek seeds are a potent spice with a bitter flavor, a strong aroma, and powerful nutrients. They are an excellent source of iron, protein, folic acid, vitamins, and plant compounds - to name a few. In addition, they have anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties.  All these nutrients present in fenugreek seeds are known to provide amazing health benefits including, but not limited to: Helps Reduce the Risk of Diabetes Compounds in Methi Seeds have anti-diabetic properties that improve gluten sensitivity, reduce the absorption of intestinal glucose, and concentrations of lipid-binding protein.  Aids Weight Loss The fibe...

Health and Nutritional Benefits of Sesame Seeds

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  When you think of sesame seeds, you probably think of white sesame seeds that often are incorporated into bread or meditterranean recipes. But there is actually another type of sesame seeds: black sesame seeds. The difference between black and white sesame exists in the color, flavor, and texture. Here are some differences between white and black sesame seeds: White sesame seeds have their hull removed which exposes the white inner parts while black sesame seeds are unhulled.  White sesame seeds are sweeter and nuttier than black sesame seeds. Black sesame seeds are crunchier than white sesame seeds since their hull is intact.  However, sesame seeds benefits and sesame seeds nutrition surpass their surface-level differences. Let’s take a look at sesame seeds benefits, sesame seeds nutrition, and uses so you can be more conscious of what you consume and elevate your meals.   Sesame Seeds Nutrition Sesame seeds are packed with essential nutrients like B vitamins...

5 Quick and Easy Rice Flour Recipes

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Are you bored of eating the same thing every day? Here are 5 nutritious rice flour recipes to feed your inspiration in the kitchen. Rice flour is a great staple to have, irrespective of your diet. It is so versatile that it can be substituted into any recipe. Plus, it is an excellent source of dietary fiber, choline, complex carbohydrates, and calcium, nourishing your body and keeping you full at the same time.  Rice Flour Sugar Cookies These rice flour cookies are great for days when you want a little sweet treat but you don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Even if you are extremely health conscious, you can enjoy these sugar cookies guilt-free! It’s affordable, easy to make, and incredibly nutritious - can’t beat it! Rice Flour Pancakes Next time you’re rushed in the mornings, try these nutritious, flavorful rice flour pancakes. They are a nutritious spin on a classic comfort breakfast dish! It’s also a great recipe for experimenting. You can tinker with ingredients ...