Eat right

They say you are what you eat and how very true. If you eat fresh, light food you will have a healthy constitution and if you eat junk food or stale food or too much meat you will have sluggish feeling and your body will lose its balance. More than ever more people are realizing that what we eat does make a difference in our lives not only in terms of how we look and feel but also the quality of our life. Everyone these days is aware of the importance of exercise and healthy diet. But what is a healthy diet? Eating lot of vegetables, nuts and greens? Or eating meat and greens? What if greens cause gas in your stomach or meat causes constipation for you?

Our body converts carbohydrates into glucose which is the fuel for us to sustain prolonged, rigorous exercise. It also is the fuel for our brain. Protein builds and repairs our tissues. Fat are the least efficient form of energy and they take the longest time to get digested. So excess of any of these is harmful for us.

Sri Krishna says in Bhagwat Geeta that a balanced person-‘Sthitpragya’ does not each too much or very less, does not eat too hot or too cold, does not too sour or too bland and does not eat too salty or too sweet. He does not sleep too much or too less. So balance is the main thing. Balanced food is an important aspect of Indian food. A typical Indian meal would consist of protein- meat or some lentils, vegetables, raita,-curried yogurt, chapatti and rice which is carbs.

Food plays an important part in Indian culture. The whole routine in a day involves food. Even as a child I remember my grandmother lighting the tandoor in the morning and evening to make rotis. And after lunch was cooked she would place daal in a heavy bottom pan on top of the tandoor and by evening that daal would be slowly cooked. I still miss that taste. But now I have discovered slow cooker and I think Betty Crocker should now include Daal makhani in her cook books. I am quite tempted right now to go on about tandoor but since tandoori recipes can fill one month of my blog I will start that tomorrow which is a very special day for me. It is my wedding anniversary and I will tell you tomorrow’s menu the day after. Actually it is now because my husband just reminded me that it is past twelve o’ clock. But before I go I will give you the recipe you can make on your special day and any day to make it a special day.

Paneer Makhmali

This is paneer(Indian cottage cheese) cooked in an aromatic paste of herbs and cashews. A rich, but an excellent dish for that ‘special’ effect.
You will need
3 cups of paneer cubed in triangles
1 medium onion finely diced or grated
1 bunch coriander (cilantro) leaves
1 bunch mint leaves
5 green chilies
1 cup heavy cream (35percent)
3 tbsp cashew paste
½ tsp garam masala(recipe on the previous blog)
¼ tsp elaichi powder( cardamom powder)
2 tbsp ghee or butter
Salt to taste

Make a paste of green chilies, coriander and mint leaves in a food processor. Heat ghee in a skillet .Add onions. Sauté till golden pink. Onions should not brown. Add cashew paste and sauté for 2-4 minutes. Now add the green paste and paneer cubes. Sauté for a couple of minutes. Add cream. Simmer for 6-8 minutes. Sprinkle garam masala and elaichi powder. Serve hot with laccha parantha, naan or roti.

Bon Appétit!!!