I've finally decided to board the Organic food train and here is my first recipe , many more to follow this week :)
On an average we all consume over 1000 chemicals/pesticides invariably through the food that we eat and cosmetics women apply on their skin. You might have suddenly seen a surge in organic products thats available across stores. Pesticide free, healthy, natural way of cultivation that preserves the highest amount of nutrition, are some of the benefits that organic produce brings to our table. Well, I am no expert in nutrition or diets, but I do personally believe that the less processed food is - the more healthier it is in comparison to the others. Example Cheese vs fresh milk or veggies.
Recently there was a huge millet fair in Bangalore, addressing the health benefits, promoting farmers and their techniques who cultivate this super food. One such millet is Foxtail.
Now the Foxtail millet has some major health benefits like -
It aids in controlling diabetics (Controls Blood Sugar Level)
Keeps your digestive tract clean
Reduces the risk of cardiac arrest
High in Anti-Oxidants
Helps in weight loss
Reduces gastric problems
What's even better, you ask ? . Well when it gets delivered right at my door step along with a list of other organic products that an online website called The Eco Store in HSR layout boosts of. This was my first order through them, site's user friendly wherein one can browse through categories, place an order, choose a delivery slot and voila! you're done.
Well to be honest, it is surely going to take some time to move from the normal lentils/rice to a millet mode, since we are more use to the former. But think about the health benefits that these super food have? And its a huge myth that healthy and organic foods cost more money. Browse through the store and take a look at its prices for yourself :)
I have also used one more Eco store's organic product - Pulav masala from Phalada Pure & Sure, to add an awesome amount of flavour that will surely delight your tastebuds.
INGREDIENTS :
1 Large cup of foxtail millet rise, soaked for 5 mins in water
1 tbsp - Pulav Masala
3-4 sprigs of mint leaves
1 Carrot
1 medium size Onion
2-3 Green Chillies
1 medium size ripe Tomato
3-4 French beans
5-6 Button Mushrooms
2-3 tbsp Green peas
3 Green Cardamon
4 Cloves
1/2 inch of Cinnamon stick
1/2 tbsp - Ginger garlic paste
1/2 tsp - Turmeric powder
1 tsp - Coriander powder
1/2 tbsp - Red chilli powder (adjust as per your spice preference)
Salt to taste
3-4 tbsp oil for cooking
PROCEDURE
1.Pressure cook the foxtail millet rice for 2 whistles on a low flame, set aside.
2. In a non stick vessel, heat some oil and add whole spices (cardamon, cinnamon & cloves.
3. Next add the chopped onion, green chillies and ginger garlic paste. Saute for 3-4 mins of a low flame.
4. Once the onions are cooked, add carrots,beans, tomato, mint leaves and peas. Cook till the veggies are done on a low flame, with a closed lid on.
5. Add the spice powders (turmeric, red chilli and coriander) plus salt to taste. Stir well to marry all the ingredients.
At this stage if you find that the mixture is sticking at the bottom and the veggies are undone, add in 1/4 cup of water and cook with a closed lid on for 2-3mins on a low flame.
6. Add the Pulav masala, check for spice and salt levels - adjust basis your taste requirement.
7. Remember the pressure cooked Foxtail millet that we had set aside in Step#1, now is the time to add this to the pulav gravy and give it a good stir. Also add in the button mushrooms (I've added them last, since I didn't want the mushrooms to be over cooked).
8. Cooked with a closed lid on for 5 mins , before dishing it out.
Garnish with coriander leaves, serve hot with Onion & lemon juice salad.
DISCLAIMER - This is not a paid review. I had placed the order for Millets and cooked it basis my preference and liking. Recipe, pictures and views mentioned in this blog post are of my own.