Monday 23 March 2015

A bowl of goodness

Salad is a very important part of a diet. Every nutritionist or a dietitian would advise you to include raw vegetables, fresh fruits and nuts in your diet. A very interesting book that i am reading now by the name of "Curry" talks about how food culture evolved in India. Though there was a significant influence of the Portuguese who invaded the southwest India, the Great Mughals who invaded the North of India and the British Raj who ruled us, the importance of "Ayurveda" and "vegetarianism" was very much rooted in the country who preferred and ate "Saatvik" food. Saatvik food is basically "pure food" - that which doesn't impure your body, and is hence able to improve your thoughts making you more kind, generous and calm. It was also believed that growing vegetables or fruits and eating them raw was much more beneficial, as it captures the essence of the soil and water and connects you to your roots.




So, a normal saatvik diet would consist of seasonal foods, fruits, vegetables, oil, dairy products, nuts, whole grains and legumes - basically a non-meat diet. It becomes a little difficult to follow a saatvik diet when we are overpowered with the cravings of eating "masaaledaar" and "lajjatdaar" food :) But to maintain a balance, having a salad is always helpful. Even if one or two fruits a day, and a simple cut vegetable salad is added to our meals, it balances out all the sinful cravings that we indulge into otherwise. 

Normally, i always have a koshimbir in our meal. Some of the koshimbir posts from before : Kakdichi koshimbirTomato carrot koshimbirFruit salad .




But at times, i make a wholesome salad which serves as a complete meal. Here i have added boiled peanuts and boiled chana, but you can get as creative and replace/add/reduce the nuts and other ingredients according to personal preference.


Ingredients:

Peanuts - 1/2 cup
Kala chana (Black chickpea) - 1/2 cup
Lettuce leaves - to garnish ( or you can even chop them and add to the salad)
Walnuts - 3-4 chopped (optional)
Almonds - 3-4 chopped (optional)
Onion - 1 small chopped
Tomato - 1 small chopped
Green chilli - 1-2 chopped
Red chilli flakes - to taste (Add red chilli powder if you don't have flakes)
Oregano - to taste
Black salt - to taste
Pepper - to taste
Lime juice (optional) - 1/2 tsp
Pomegranate - 1/4 cup (optional)


Recipe:

Wash the black chana and soak it overnight.

Drain the water, pat them dry and keep it in air tight container at room temperature or in refrigerator if you want them to sprout. 

Even if they are not sprouted, they taste great.

Wash the peanuts.

Boil the black chana and peanuts till they become soft. The peanuts will start losing colour and become pale. Alternatively, you can also pressure cook them for one whistle.

In a mixing bowl, mix the boiled chana and peanuts. Add the chopped tomatoes, onions, green chillies, salt, pepper, pomegranate, walnuts, almonds and mix it all well.

Line the serving bowl with washed lettuce leaves. Add the salad into the bowl. Now sprinkle oregano and chilli flakes and finish it with some lemon juice.

Mix it all well and enjoy the bowl of goodness as one wholesome nutritious meal.



Happy Cooking :)




18 comments:

  1. I must get my hands on that book you are reading. So nicely you have described the INDIAN food culture. It made for very interesting reading. Coming to your bowl of salad it is simply gorgeous. You kept the health factor intact by not adding regular salt but opting for black Salt. I have bookmarked this recipe as it came right in time when
    I was running out of ideas for my evening snacks. Loved it.

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    1. Its a lovely book Piyali, do try to get a copy if you can. Author is Lizzie Collingham. Glad you liked the salad recipe :)

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  2. Salad wisdom. I suddenly feel a little guilty about that mac and cheese I was planing to make for lunch. Well, I do serve it with a salad at least!

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    1. Hahaha, i love Mac and cheese though :)

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  3. wholesome and delicious salad...love it anytime!

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  4. I love salads too. Simple to make yet full of nutrients. This one you made looks heavenly.

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    1. Thanks a ton Nava, glad you liked it :)

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  5. wow!Thanks for the recipe.I must try it and sounds all the healthy tastes...

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    1. It tastes absolutely great :) Let me know your feedback :)

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  6. Pass me that bowl Gauri:) Its too tempting.. delicious!!

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    1. Hahaha, all yours dear :) Glad you liked it

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  7. I can finish off the gorgeous bowl of healthy salad:)....Very tempting dear:)

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  8. Awesome presentation. It is a super tempting bowl of healthy salad. I can finish it in one go. Love it :)

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    1. Happy that you liked the presentation, thanks :)

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  9. Great article, Gauri, we need this kind of ancient wisdom, and attitude to food in today's world more than ever before:)

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    1. I agree with you Peri :) Thank you for appreciating :)

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Appreciate your comments, Thank you so much for for dropping by :)!!!