Indian Food Information

A native to India and other parts of Southeast Asia especially Indonesia, turmeric is integral to Asian cooking. A member of the rhizome family, besides imparting a yellow colour and a characteristic flavour to food, it has a long history of use in India Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.

Health Benefits of Turmeric Botanically known as Curcuma longa, derived from the Arabic name for kurkum plant, known as saffron, turmeric is often confused and substituted with the same. Totally unrelated to saffron, a member of ginger family, the root of the turmeric plant in its dried form is used as spice. Mildly aromatic with a pungent bittersweet flavor, it was called “Indian saffron” as its shares the deep yellow orange color of the saffron. Turmeric is used as a condiment, textile and culinary dye.

Turmeric is used extensively in Indian, Middle East, Moroccan, African and Southeast Asian cookery, especially in curries, vegetables, rice, fish and meat dishes to add color and flavor. For the traditional ayurvedics, turmeric is a very important herb. Considered a cleansing herb for the whole body, it gives energy and grants prosperity. The finger like stalk is scalded, dried and used for medicinal preparations. An excellent natural antibiotic, it strengthens digestion, prevents the formation of gas and helps to improve large intestinal flora.

It purifies the blood, aids digestion of protein, promotes proper metabolism in the body, correcting both, excess and deficiencies. It is used in treatment for fever, mild stomach upset, infection, arthritis, dysentery, jaundice and other liver problems. Ancient Chinese physicians used turmeric to treat chest congestion, menstrual discomforts and many more ailments. Turmeric may help to relieve carpel tunnel syndrome, joint inflammation and prevent cancer. Add a pinch or two of turmeric to warm milk to soothe respiratory aliments such as cough or asthma.

Sprinkle a bit of turmeric with honey (optional), on cuts, bruises, or scrapes after a thorough wash, as the anti bacterial action will prevent wound infections. One should be careful while using turmeric since its deep color can easily stain. Quickly wash the soiled area with water to avoid further staining. Turmeric powder should be kept in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark and dry place. Fresh turmeric rhizome should be kept in the refrigerator.

About the Author

Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which have information on home based natural cures and remedies for cold and cough and benefits of turmeric and other natural herbs http://home-remedies-for-you.com.

Researchers in America have found conclusive evidence that Curry has profound health benefits. Their research shows that the ingredient turmeric; which happens to be an essential component of the entire curry preparation, prevents diseases like cancer.

Previously Curry and bear drinking went hand in hand according to the bear drinkers association of Wales. There were numerous claims that a hot curry after a heavy drinking session minimized the chance of a big hangover. Additionally it was claimed that Curry soaked up the alcohol and thereby reduced damage to the stomach lining. These claims remained unsubstantiated for a long time until Welsh bear drinkers association decided to fund a study/survey. Surprisingly, out of a sample of 100 bear drinkers who very kindly volunteered to take part in this survey responded to the questions listed below as follows:-

Preferred choice of food after a drinking session? 84% not only preferred a hot curry but they said it was a must.

….. James comments … I drink between 10 to 15 pints on Friday and Saturday night. Saturday may be a bit more because of football. I make a point of having some food before I start drinking every time. But, around 11pm when the pubs shut… I nip down to the local India and order a very hot curry. I find that it sobers me up fairly quickly and the morning after, as it were, is not so bad….. I put this down to what is in the curry…..

Are you an avid curry eater? 87% only eat curry after they’ve had few bears.

…. Their general consensus appears to be that… amongst side effects… it makes people sweat when they eat a hot curry… Profuse sweating during the course of a meal lasting say an hour or 45 minutes lowers the alcohol content in the blood stream. The statement that curry “sobers me up” therefore stands to reason and so the claim is a valid one…..

By far the biggest endorsement for curry having health benefits and to an extent healing properties comes from the American study. The study demonstrates that curry and in particular the ingredient turmeric contains properties which prevent certain type of cancer from growing and developing. The type of cancer that the turmeric is proving beneficial in preventing are:-

1)Colon cancer 2)Pancreatic cancer 3)Skin cancer 4)Leukaemia

Finally, curry and its ingredients are not only benefiting drinkers in pubs across the country in the UK but in Europe as well. The real exciting news is that serious medical conditions such as the ones above (1 to 4) which threaten peoples lives can also be eradicated, curtailed or even prevented altogether. I suggest that you dig out your old Indian recipe books and start cooking healthy curries for yourself and for your family straight away.

About the Author

Curry is back in vogue and this time for health & healing properties. For your better future health check out our site for wonderful Curry recipes and information. http://www.indianrecipessite.com

When people talk about being vegetarian, many usually think that they do not have many recipes to choose from. Furthermore, being vegetarian in several countries like United States would only require them to eat raw or uncooked vegetables.

However, that is not the case for vegetarian Indian recipes. Vegetable lovers will find delight in eating the delectable Indian food recipes without the need to have the same old, boring, and dull taste that they have with the typical vegetarian cuisines. The vegetarian Indian Food has a wide array of choices when it comes to flavor. You can still taste that mouth-watering zest even if there is no chicken, lamb, or any kind of meat used in the main ingredients.

Generally, Hindus are vegetarian by nature. This is because they believe that by saving the lives of the animals, they will get to cleanse their souls. Because of this, they have integrated several ways (and spices) to enjoy Indian cooking with vegetables so that they can still have a tasty and healthy meal at the same time.

Most of the Indian cooking recipes for the vegetarians not only have vegetables but lentils, fruits, beans, legumes, and sprouts as well. Vegetarian Indian cuisines are considered the healthiest since the vegetables and the fruits that they use have low or even zero calorie. Moreover, they only use oils that are low in fat when cooking. No wonder why there are still Indians who can live up to 90 years old or more.

In a vegetarian Indian cuisine, one of the most served foods is the Chapati. Even non-vegetarians also eat Chapati especially as an appetizer. Chapati is a flat and baked wheat bread that is served with lentils or dahl and other vegetables of your choice.

But if you want a meal that is heavier in your stomach, then it is a must that you eat rice instead. The Tava Pulao or the Griddle Fried Rice is the choice of many vegetarians in India who have a big appetite. This is considered as the most famous street food in the country and also served in fine-dining restaurants as well. The Tava Pulao is made not only from rice but served with mixed vegetables too. All of the ingredients are cooked in one big pan. As a result, it creates one well-blended flavor and rice, vegetables, and spices.

Other popular vegetarian Indian recipes include the Murukku, Paan, Puri, and the Thosai.

You know that Indian food is wide ranging in variety, taste and flavor. The strong flavors in Indian recipes are derived from spices, seasonings and leafy vegetables. Indian recipes have become famous world wide and it is liked by non-Indians too. Most of the spices included in the free indian recipes are used not only for their flavor, but because it has been found out from olden days, that they contain medicinal value.
Each state in India has its own style and combination in making Indian recipes. The Indian food is renowned for its gravies, which is a tasty attraction for a newcomer. The North Indian recipes differ from South Indian recipes. In Indian cuisine, food is categorized into six tastes – sweet, sour, salty, spicy, bitter and astringent.

The perfect combination of spices and depth of flavor in Indian recipes and with cooking techniques, has made it a gastronomic delight and it also fulfills today’s requirement for healthy eating.

Indian food recipe is a platform to share Indian recipes with the world. Indian food recipe include vegetarian recipes, non-vegetarian recipes, South Indian recipes, Gujarati recipes, Punjabi recipes and more different types of Indian recipes.

Indian recipe – Vegetarian dish: Gobi Aloo (Potato and Cauliflower curry) 1 cauliflower 2 potatoes 2 onions sliced 1 tsp whole cumin 1 tsp coriander powder 4 dried red chilies 2 tbsp garlic-ginger paste ½ tsp chili powder Salt to taste 1 tsp turmeric 2 fresh green chilies (opt) 2 tbsp chopped cilantro

• Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the cumin, dried red chilies, stirring to mix. • Add the onions and stir occasionally, until golden brown. • Add the garlic-ginger paste, chili powder, salt, turmeric and finely chopped green chilies (optional). Stir-fry for 2 minutes. • Add the chopped potatoes and cut small florets cauliflower to the mixture, stirring to coat the vegetables in the spice mixture. • Reduce the heat, add water. Cover the pan and let simmer for 10-15 minutes. • Transfer the vegetables to warmed serving plates and serve immediately.

Indian recipes are diverse and extraordinary, based on religious beliefs, climate, culture and availability of ingredients. Indian food recipe provides a guide to the food of India and every Indian recipe will interest and inspire you.