Lemon and Coriander Soup

The ultimate way to live a fit and happy life despite this daily inconvenience is to boost your natural immunity, and including vitamin C rich foods in your diet is one way of obtaining this. That’s all the more reason to relish this delightful Lemon and Coriander Soup made with vitamin C rich ingredients like a squeeze of lemon juice, coriander, carrots and cabbage. The vegetable stock used in this recipe can help boost vitamin C levels of each bowlful. Vitamin C is also helpful in relieving cold and coughing, so enjoy this soothing soup piping hot on days you really feel, or any cool winter’s day for that matter.

Preparation Time: 10 mins | Cooking Time: 7 mins | Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 tbsp lemon juice

1/4 cup finely chopped coriander (dhania)

2 tsp oil

2 tsp finely chopped garlic (lehsun)

2 tsp finely chopped green chillies

1/4 cup finely chopped onions

1/4 cup finely chopped cabbage

1/4 cup finely chopped carrots

3 cups basic vegetable stock

2 tsp corn flour dissolved in 2 tbsp water

Salt to taste

Method:

• Heat the oil in a profound non-stick dish; include the garlic and green chillies and saute on a medium flame for a few moments.
• Add the onions and saute on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add the cabbage and carrots and saute on a medium flame for 1 minute.
• Add the essential vegetable stock, a squeeze of lemon juice, salt and corn flour-water blend, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Add the coriander and mix well.
• Serve quickly.

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7 Incredible Cashew Nut Health Benefits

A popular ingredient finding its way into many Indian flavors, cashew – a herb originating from Brazil, is a nut high in minerals. Delivered to India by traders, the cashew tree grows up to exceptional heights having a somewhat irregular trunk. Swinging from the branches are extensive delicious apples at the base which are attached the cashew nut. Made available round the year, the nut has an incredible time span of usability if put away legitimately.

The nut and the fruit, both have multiple uses. The nut, often known as the lay man’s plantation although now it is sold for steep costs, it can be used to make delicious and abundant curries furthermore broiled and eaten dry. A while ago when wanderers had no idea how to ingest the fruit, the nut was discarded as the fruit was given more significance.

In opposition to the prevalent view that it can make you increase fat, a significant amount of cashews in your diet provides you with numerous health benefits -

1. Heart Health

The National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) in their case study brings up that nuts are liable to be good for health, keeping a beware of various illnesses, such as heart disease. Research show that nut consumption has a cholesterol-lowering effect, in the situation of healthy diets, and there is emerging proof of helpful consequences for oxidative anxiety, aggravation, and vascular reactivity. Cashews help lower LDL and improve the carrying capacity of HDL. HDL is responsible to absorb the cholesterol from the heart and take it to the liver where it can be separated.

In 2003, the Food and Drug Administration had explained that a fistful of nuts every day as a feature of a low-fat eating regimen may diminish the risk of  cardiovascular diseases. The heart association suggests 4 servings of unsalted, unoiled nuts a week and cautions against eating too much, since they are dense in unhealthy calories. Another study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), also ensures a substantial association between the intake of nuts and a lower frequency of death because to heart diseases, cancer and respiratory diseases. The study expresses that supplements in nuts, for example unsaturated fatty acids, protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants may consult heart-defensive, against cancer-causing and mitigating properties.

2. Prevents Blood Disease

The intake of cashews on a regular basis and limited manner may help in keeping away from blood diseases. Cashew nuts are abundant in copper, which assumes a vital role in the disposal of free radicals from the body. Copper inadequacy can result in iron insufficiencies, such as low blood count (Anemia). Thus our eating regimen ought to contain suggested amount of copper. And cashew nuts are a great source.

3. Protects the Eye

In the urban environment coordinated with its exorbitant contamination, our eyes frequently suffer from various infections. Cashews consist of a powerful antioxidant pigment called Zea Xanthin. This kind of pigment is promptly and specifically consumed by our retina. This then sorts a protective layer over our retina which inhibits the harmful Ultra (UV) rays and small quantities of Zea Xanthin helps prevent age-related macular deterioration in elderly and thus keeps up eye health.

4. Good for the Skin

Based on the cashew seeds, "Cashew oil does wonders for your skin,” Cashew nut oil is rich in selenium, zinc, magnesium, iron and phosphorous. Also, they are great sources of phytochemicals, proteins and anti-oxidants. The high percentage rate of selenium in cashews is useful for your skin but "helps prevent cancer as well “.

5. Weight Loss

When compared to diets excluding the consumption of nuts, people eating nuts on the moderate and regular basis lose weight faster. In view of the confirmation from epidemiological and controlled clinical studies, nut intake is not associated with higher body weight. The research done by the Journal of Nutrition expresses that the epidemiological proof shows reliably that nut consumers have a lower BMI than non-consumers. As for clinical studies, the facts are practically uniform that their consideration in the diet leads to little or no weight gain. Moreover, nuts like cashews are "packed with Omega3 fatty stomach acids that leads play a role in giving a boost to the metabolic process to burn extra fat”. Nuts are a good snack for many who are looking to lose weight and more fit as they are nutritious and usually tend to keep you full for a longer period. "Nuts should always be eaten raw and unsalted, so they are really beneficial for weight loss very well.

6. Source of Dietary Fibres

According to studies, cashew nuts has a great percentage of dietary fibres. The two crucial dietary fibres required by our body are, oleic acid and palmitic acid. "These fibers are not made by our body consequently they need to be consumed externally,” says nutritionist. Cashew nuts are great sources of these fibres. Dietary fibers help digest food better, however excessive intake may lead to bloating and huge intestinal gas creation. Consumption of nuts like cashews has been related to decreased incidences of several digestive diseases.

7. Healthy and Shiny hair

Specialists say that the intake of cashews as well as the application of cashew oil on your scalp ensures healthy hair. "Copper present in cashew nut oil which assists the production of skin and hair pigment called melanin,” say nutritionists. It also improves hair colour and provides a silky-smooth surface due to the occurrence of linoleic and oleic acids.

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Moong Sprout Salad Recipe

Moong sprouts salad or Chat is a very easy as well as a very healthy salad recipe. And also it is very colourful spicy, tangy and nutritious dish. A chat is usually associated with fried foods but the sprouted Moong chaat is a healthy version of chat with refreshing flavour. Sprouted Moong is usually mix in taste yet by including tomatoes, sweet potatoes, onions and spices or herbs can makes it an awesome dish which is very tempting to eat.  They can be served for breakfast or as an evening snack.

In this salad recipe, we need to steam or boil the sprouts till they are completely cooked. The water which we use for boil sprouts is generally discarded. But that water is very healthy and can be used for cooking or can be given to your plants or herbs which you are growing in your kitchen garden.

This salad made from moong sprouts is especially good for folks who do not have much time for cooking. Although you can get ready made sprouted moong beans from market but it is always better and healthy to sprout moong beans at home.

Ingredients (measuring cup used, 1 cup = 250 ml)

2 cups of sprouted moong beans

1 small or medium sized onion, finely chopped

1 medium size tomato, finely chopped

1 green chilli (optional), finely chopped

¼ tsp red chilli powder

½ or 1 tsp chaat masala (optional)

1 tsp lemon juice or as required

1 boiled potato or boiled sweet potato (optional)

Few coriander leaves and lemon slices for garnishing

Rock salt or black salt as required

Method:

Step1: Wash and rinse sprouted beans.

Step2: In a pan add sprouted moong beans and half cup of water and boil for 10 to 15 minutes or until beans become tender, but not mushy. If you like crunchy then boil only for few minutes. 

Step3: While beans are boiling chopped the vegetables and keeps them aside or places them in the refrigerator.

Step4: Once the beans become tender transfer them into a colander to drain the hot water out and rinse them with cold water so that they do not cook any more. Leave the cooked sprouted beans in the colander for few minutes and let all the water drains out. If you are not making chaat immediately then transfer the beans in the bowl and place them in the refrigerator.

Step5: Just before serving chat add chopped tomatoes, chopped sweet potatoes, and chopped cucumbers, chopped onions and chopped green chillies and mix well with the beans. 

Step6: Lastly, season with salt and add few drops of lemon juice. Garnish with lemon slices or coriander leaves.

Step7: Serve moong sprouts salad immediately.

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Sweet Corn Fried Rice Recipe

Sweet corn fried rice recipe using very few ingredients. This fried rice is made without the sauce or vinegar. It gets a good flavor from the extra virgin olive oil, fresh pepper powder, capsicum and sweet corn. Also you can add soya sauce, vinegar or any one of them, if you like.

Preparation Time: 20 mins | Cooking Time: 15 mins  

Recipe type: Main 

Cuisine: Indian

Serves: 2

Ingredients

Basmati Rice - 1 cup
Sweet Corn Kernels - 1/2 cup
Carrot - 2 small finely chopped
Cabbage - 1/4 cup chopped finely chopped
Garlic - 1 tbsp finely chopped
Green Chilli - 1/2 tsp finely minced
Capsicum - 1/4 cup chopped finely
Soya sauce - 1/8 tsp
Pepper powder - 1 tsp
Olive oil - 2 tbsp 

Sugar - 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste

Coriander leaves to garnish.

Method:

Step1: Soak basmati rice for 30mins then pressure cook for 3 whistles in medium flame in the proportion ratio of 1(rice):1.5(water) cups. Spread it in a plate and lighten it up with a fork include a tsp of oil and enable it cool down. In pan heat oil - add garlic, green chillies, garlic - saute for a minute till it turns slightly browned. Then add carrot and cabbage in medium high flame, fry till the veggies shrink and raw smell takes off.

Step 2: After that add capsicum and saute for a minute then add sweet corn along with pepper powder and add required salt. Stir well in medium high flame.

Step 3: Add cooked rice and give a quick blend. Then add sugar and give a quick stir. Switch off.

Step 4: Serve hot with your choice of side dish.

Health Benefits of Corn:

Health benefits of corn include controlling diabetes, prevention of cardiovascular ailments, lowering hypertension and prevention of neural-tube defects at birth. Corn or maize is one of the most popular cereals in the world and forms the staple food around the globe, including the United States and  many African countries.

The kernels of corn are what hold the majority of corn’s nutrients, and are the most commonly consumed parts of the vegetable. The kernels can come in multiple colors, depending on where the corn is grown and what species or variety they happen to be. Another genetic variant, called sweet corn has more sugar and less starch in the nutritive material. It has rich source of calories & vitamins, it also reduces the risk of hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer.

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Benefits of Drinking Water on an Empty Stomach

We regularly rush to drink water if we are dehydrated, or after meals, or after eating something hot and spicy. But did you know when precisely you ought to drink water? The answer is - on an unfilled stomach.

Almost 70% of our bodies are comprised of water, and its advantages are unquestionable for good well-being. Water is the king of our body and is crucial for the typical and smooth working of the considerable number of organs.

Water is the best drink that can extinguish your thirst, and drinking it on a vacant stomach can get rid of all issues in your body. Said beneath are 10 advantages of drinking water with an empty stomach:

1. It Speeds Up Metabolism.

In case you are on a diet, taking-in water with an empty tummy can give your diet plan a support as it can help enhance the metabolic rate by nearly 25%. Speeding up the metabolism assists with faster digestion of food, and this helps in reducing your weight in the long term. It’s always preferred to drink at least 4 liters of water every day for best results.

2. It Boosts Your Immunity.

We know about the way that water is vital for our general health and well-being. What we additionally need to know is that water is important to keep up the liquid equalization in the body. Making it a habit of consuming water frequently on a vacant stomach can turn out to be advantageous for our immune system. This kind of can help you protect against infections.

3. It Clears Your Bowels.

Drinking water on an unfilled stomach can help in regulating the digestive tract. Also, when you drink a considerable measure of water, you feel the inclination to flush out your bowels. Rehearsing this every day can help in regular bowel movement and furthermore adds to disposing of waste from your body routinely.

4. It Also Helps In Expelling Toxins From The Body.

At whenever you pee, you remove poisons in the fluid form. The more you drink water, the more you go to the restroom. In this manner, you purge and detoxify your body. It likewise counteracts bloating.

5. It Prevents Migraine Attacks.

One of the essential reasons people experiences the ill effects of regular migraine pains and headaches is because of absence of water in the body. Lack of hydration is underlying the root cause of headache, and drinking water at regular intervals, particularly on a vacant stomach, can get rid of severe headaches normally. Not just has this, drinking adequate water also helped in keeping oral or dental issues under control.

6. It Helps In Weight Loss.

Drinking more water while on an eating routine can help you get fit and quick weight loss as water has no calories at all, and drinking it at regular intervals will help in keeping your stomach full. Also, it has no negative outcomes. Since consuming a lot of water aides in accelerating the digestion system, it helps in burning calories quicker.

7. It Makes You Feel Hungry.

As drinking water helps in clearing your bowels routinely, it also makes you feel hungry in the morning with the goal that you can have your breakfast on time.

8. It Clears The Complexion.

Drinking a lot of water is the simplest approach to get a clear and sparkling skin. Flaws or dark patches are generally caused due to the accumulation of toxins in the body. Water can expel these unwanted toxins from the body. Regular bowel movements also help in accomplishing perfect and clear skin. Drinking water on a vacant stomach can help in accelerating the procedure.

9. It Helps In Boosting Energy.

If you feel sleepy or sluggish, drinking water on an empty stomach can make you feel active immediately. It fortifies the red platelets to develop speedier, which results in more oxygen and vitality.

10. It Cleanses The Colon.

Drinking a glass of water on an unfilled stomach can dispose of the gathered ooze and empowers speedier ingestion of supplements. This outcomes in a more beneficial colon and an overall healthy body.

In this way, drinking water on an empty stomach has numerous benefits.

This helps you keep many diseases at bay, and you can notice a new energy and freshness within a few days. The water therapy has the power to heal blood pressure, gastritis, constipation, and diabetes with no side effects at all.

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Pudina Paratha Recipe / Mint Paratha Recipe

Pudina Paratha Recipe is a scrumptious healthy Indian paratha made from mint (pudina) and few spices. Paratha can be made with anything; it will taste great as usual. I had some mint leaves lying in fridge, so I thought of make paratha with it. Mint has an aroma that cannot be locked up! Added to the dough, this pundina paratha is quite a treat. They can also be packed for lunch, or even a longer trip.

Mint Paratha is awesome and delicious that kids would also love to eat with plain curd. Apart from its aromatic taste, the mint paratha offers a number of health benefits that we get from mint/ whole wheat flour/ cumin and pepper powder hence making this dish very healthy and nutritious.

Ingredients:

For dough

1 cup - Atta/Wheat flour

1 cup - Maida

Salt and water as needed

1 tbsp - oil

Pudina mix for stuffing

1 Bunch - Mint leaves (Pudina), finely chopped.

1 - Green chilli, chopped

Ginger, finely chopped

1/2 tbsp - Cumin (Ajwain/Vaamu) seeds or powder

1/2 - Pepper powder

Salt as needed

Method:

·         Knead a soft dough with Maida, Atta, salt, and water. Cover the dough with a wet cloth and keep it aside for about 10 minutes.

·         Grind pudina, ginger, chillies, cumin seeds and salt with some water to make a paste.

·         Make small balls of the dough.

·         Roll out into round chapattis.

·         Spread 1/2 tbsp pudina mix on the rolled out chapatti and fold from all sides to cover.

·         Roll out, dusting with atta into round parathas.

·         Repeat the same procedure with the rest of the dough.

·         Heat a non-stick tawa, place the paratha on it and spread some oil and allow it to golden brown in color from both the sides.

·         Repeat steps 3 to 5 to make 5 more parathas.

·         Serve hot Pudina Parathas with raita or chutney.

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Punjabi Dal Makhani Recipe

Punjabi Dal Makhani Recipe is a spicy and heavy dal preparation made with a blend of rajma and urad dal.

Dal makhani as it is prominently known in the punjab, with its smooth composition and dazzling flavor is a delicacy that is especially a dish of the punjab. Dal makhani is traditionally prepared on a low fire overnight and in order to thicken. Using a pressure cooker cooks the dal in a jiffy. Serve hot with naans.

Ingredients

3/4 cup whole urad (whole black lentils)

2 tbsp rajma (kidney beans)

salt to taste

3 tbsp butter

1 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)

2 slit green chillies 

25 mm (1") piece cinnamon (dalchini)

2 cloves (lavang)

3 cardamoms pods

1/2 cup finely chopped onions

1/2 tsp ginger-garlic paste

1 tsp red chilli powder

1/4 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)

1 1/2 cups fresh tomato puree

2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves

1 tbsp fresh cream for the garnish

Method

·         Clean, wash and soak the whole urad and rajma overnight.

·         Drain, add 2 cups of water and salt and pressure cook for 7 whistles or till the dals are overcooked.

·         Allow the steam to escape before opening the lid.

·         Whisk till the dal is almost mashed. Keep aside.

·         For the tempering, heat the butter in a deep pan and add the cumin seeds.

·         When the cumin seeds crackle, add the green chillies, cinnamon, cloves, cardamoms, and onions and sauté till the onions turn golden brown in colour.

·         Add the ginger-garlic paste,chilli powder, turmeric powder and tomato puree and cook over a medium flame till the mixture leaves oil.

·         Add the dal, salt and approx 2 to 3 tbsp water if required and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.

·         Add the cream and mix well. Simmer for 2 to 3 more minutes.

·         Serve hot garnished with coriander and fresh cream.

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Amazing Home Remedies for Grey Hair

Premature graying of hair is a frequent concern among younger adults since it can make them look older. Factors like poor nutrition, hormones, medical conditions, stress and pollution can cause grey hair. Similarly, deficiency in vitamins and minerals can lead to grey hair as well. If you already have greyish hair, it is best to avoid chemical hair colors, instead, use some natural home remedies for grey hair.

Curry Leaves and Coconut Oil

One of the most common herbs used to temper Indian curries, curry leaves have amazing benefits for hair as well. It’s the most effective natural grey hair solution. It is rich in vitamin B, restores the functions of the natural pigment in the hair follicles that provides a shining dark black color to the hair strands and prevents further greying of hair. It also supplies essential nutrients to the hair and heals damaged hair roots. As being a rich source of beta-carotene, it stimulates hair growth and prevents hair fall. The benefits associated with coconut oil for hair and skins are numerous as well. It is the best natural conditioner for dry & rough hair that smoothen the open hair cuticles besides making hair lustrous, bouncy and manageable.

Ingredients:

Coconut Oil – 1 Cup

Curry Leaves – Handful

Add the curry leaves to the oil and boil it for 6 to 8 minutes, or till the leaves turn black. Remove from flame and let it cool. Strain the oil in a container and massage your scalp and hair with this oil 3 to 4 times per week before going to bed. Wash off with a mild herbal shampoo in the morning.

Coconut Oil and Lemon Juice

Coconut oil works wonders for your hair. It nourishes your hair, stimulates hair growth, fights infections, and gives shine to your hair. When used for a prolonged time, it also helps reverse gray hair because it is filled with antioxidants.

·         Mix three teaspoons of lemon juice in some coconut oil, enough for the length of your hair.

·         Apply it to your hair and massage it into your scalp. Leave it on for at least an hour before shampooing your hair.

·         Repeat on a weekly basis.

Black Tea Massage

The benefits of black tea for cancer prevention and improving cardiovascular health are well known. But it also has great benefits for skin and hair. Packed with antioxidants and caffeine, black tea stimulates hair growth and boosts strength and elasticity of the hair strands to stop brittleness and damage of hair. It adds an organic dark color shade to hair and brings a natural shine to it.

Ingredients:

Black Tea Powder - 2 tablespoons

Salt - 1 Teaspoon

·         Boil 2 tablespoons of black tea and 1 teaspoon of salt in water for 2 minutes.

·         Let it cool and strain the liquid. Wash your hair with this liquid and let it dry, don’t rinse with shampoo. Repeat it 2 to 3 times per week for best results.

Shikakai

Soak 3-4 pieces of shikakai and mix it with 10 - 12 nut seeds in a bowl of water over night. Boil the mixture next day and keep it in a bottle. Use the mixture as your shampoo. For your conditioner, soak some amla leaves and boil. Use a strainer to remove the amla and use the left water as your conditioner.

Indian Gooseberry

It is one of the home remedy solutions for grey hair is Indian gooseberry, otherwise called Amla. It is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which can give ant-aging benefits. You can apply the amla oil or amla mash to your hair and abandon it overnight. Wash your hair the next morning.

Blackstrap Molasses

Blackstrap molasses can minimize grey hair issues. It can provide 14% of the daily-recommended amount of copper. Copper is vital since it can help in producing hair pigment. Eat 1 tbsp. of blackstrap molasses every morning for several months to see good results.

Buttermilk Pack

Mixing of buttermilk and curry leaves is an age old solution for treating premature grey hair. Other than being a amazing source of probiotics that enhances digestive well-being, it is additionally a rich source of lactic acid that acts as a organic conditioner for hair. It expands the smoothness of hair and makes it more sensible. It likewise helps in preventing untimely turning gray of hair.

Ingredients:

Curry leaves - A handful

Buttermilk - 1/4th cup

·         Crush the curry leaves well to form a smooth paste.

·         Add the buttermilk to it, mix well & apply as a pack on scalp, hair from root to tip.

·         Leave it on for 30 minutes and wash off hair with a mild herbal shampoo.

Onion and Lemon Juice Pack

Onion is an age old solution for treating issues of hair loss and thinning hair. It is one of the best grey hair remedy that assistance in anticipating premature greying of hair. Research demonstrates that inadequacy of antioxidant and deposition of hydrogen peroxide in the hair roots are the two explanations behind premature hair greying. Onion juice helps up the level of catalase, thus restoring the natural color of the hair strands. Lemon juice adds a healthy shine to hair and removes excessive oil from hair.

Ingredients:

Onion Juice - 3 Teaspoon

Lemon Juice - 2 Teaspoon

·         Mix onion and lemon juice in a glass bowl and apply on scalp and hair evenly.

·         Leave it on for 30 minutes and wash off with a mild herbal shampoo.

·         Repeat it 4 to 5 times a week for 2 weeks.

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Ajwain/Vaamu/Omam/Carom Seeds Rice Recipe

This is one of the easy and healthy rice recipes which you can make in a very short time. Carom seeds are helps in free digestion. Whenever there was left over rice from night dinner, the next day morning my mom used to make this ajwain rice. Here I cook fresh rice just for the purpose making this ajwain rice (Hindi)/Vamu (Telugu). Mostly this rice is special for its medicinal effects. It helps in digestion and reduces flem; garlic removes gas and lowers cholesterol.

So with all those good qualities of Ajwain and not to mention good taste this is one of healthy rice recipe to include in our menu once in a while. 

Medical Benefits of using Carom Seeds or Ajwain:
Carom Seeds to Treat Digestive Problems
Carom Seeds to Lose Weight
Carom Seeds to Control Asthma
Carom Seed Oil to Treat Arthritis Pain Symptoms
Carom Seeds to Fight against Cough, Flu Symptoms
Carom Seeds to Fight against Toothache

Ingredients:

·         4 Cups Cooked Raw Rice (Basmati or Sona-masoori)

·         2 tsp Sesame oil

·         1 tsp grounded Ajwain/Vaamu/Carom seeds

·         5 Red/Green chillies broken into pieces

·         10 - 12 Curry leaves

·         1 Medium Onion cut into thin strips

·         1tbsp Ginger & Garlic paste

·         Salt to taste

·         Coriander leaves (to garnish)

Procedure:

·         Heat oil in a Kadai, add curry leaves and after the spluttering noise stops. Then add green chillies, wait a few seconds, add ginger & garlic paste, fry a little till raw smell is gone.

·         Now add chopped onions and fry them till they should change color to golden brown.

·         Then add freshly grounded Ajwain/Carom seeds powder mixture.

·         Now add rice and salt and mix well for about 1 to 2 min, so that every morsel is evenly coated with the tempered seasoning.

·         Remove from heat and serve after 15 min for the rice to observe the flavours.

Serve by itself or with a choice of sweet.

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