ഇഞ്ചി വൈന്‍ (Ginger Wine)

This was broadcast in Amrita TV's 'Taste of Kerala' on 12.09.2010

A special recipe by 'Achan'
Ingredients:
Ginger: 1 kg
Sugar: 1 kg
Jaggery: 500 gms
Grapes (red): 500 gms
Oranges: 2 nos
പൂവന്‍ പഴം: 6 nos
Lemon: 2 nos
Yeast: 10 gms
Water: 5 ltrs

Clean up can/ container (ഭരണി) of adequate capacity. Pour two liters of water into the container. Put the sugar into the can and mix well. Add crushed ginger followed by jaggery paste. Smash the oranges and put into the can, so do the lemons. Peel of one orange and one lemon shall also be added. The bananas shall also be added. Mix well all the ingredients (preferably with a dry stick). Add remaining water to the can. Mix the yeast in water and add to it.

Keep the container intact for one day after the yeast is poured. DO NOT close the cap tight. Ideally the mouth shall be closed with a cloth on the first day. Mix the fruits on the second day once again and close it. Remember not to close it tight. Keep it in a dark place for 60 days.

Seggregate the clear wine first. The remaining shall be filtered using a cloth and shall be allowed to settle. Next day you will get the clear wine from that too.

Sri.Achan was using a plastic black container to make it. But I would recommend you a ceramic pot (ഭരണി).

I am going to make it. And you?

Aaloo Methi

Hi.. today I prepared this dish for roti. Its a dry dish of potato and methi. Its very simple n yummy. Also good for your health.

Ingrediants

Potato : 4nos. (medium)
Methi Leaves(uluva cheera) : 1 bunch
Onion : 1 (Chopped)
Coriander powder : 1/2 teaspoon
Chilly powder : 1/2 teaspoon
Turmeric Powder : 1/4 teaspoon
Garam masala : 1/4 teaspoon
Jeera : a pinch
Sunflower Oil : 1 tablespoon
Salt as required
Coriander leaves

Preparation

Boil and mash the potatoes. Wash the methi leaves with salt and turmeric. Chop the leaves. In a kadai pour the oil and put the jeera. When the jeera splutters add onion. When the onion turns light brown add the powders. Add the chopped methi leaves. Saute for 2 minutes and add the potato. Add salt and mix well. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot with rotis or white rice.

I use sunflower oil for North Indian dishes. You can use any oil. This dish is very easy to make. Do try and let me know.

जिंदगी एक सफर

ये जिंदगी क्या हैं !!!
कितना अच्छा लगता था
मुझे लिखना ... अब कांप
रहा हैं हाथ ....
शायद लिखना भूल गयी
पांचवी लाइन पर हाथ में दर्द
हो रहा हैं ...
अपना हस्ताक्षर भूल गयी
क्या इसी के लिए मैं पढी ..
बेचारे मेरे माता- पिता
कितने त्याग सहकर हमें पढाये ..
अब सब कुछ भूल गयी ...
क्या हैं ... यह सभी स्त्रीयों का
ज़िंदगी ऐसा हैं क्या ???
नहीं ... मेरे वैसे कुछ भाग्य दोषी
लोग ही शायद ज़िंदगी जी रहे
होंगे !!!

നെല്ലിക്ക അരിഷ്ടം (Goosberry Tonic)

Hi! I had seen this on Amrita TV's Jeevadhara. Dr.Rosemary Wilson of Kandamkulathi Ayurveda advised this one. Really interesting and we can easily make it at home. Goosberry, from olden times is known to be rich in iron and is excellent rejuvenator. Very good for anaemia.

Preparaton:

Goosberry (നെല്ലിക്ക): 1 Kg
Jaggerry (ശര്‍ക്കര): 1 Kg

Cardamom (ഏലം)
Pepper (കുരുമുളക് )
Ilavarnam (ഇലവര്‍ണ്ണം) (I do not know what exactly this is, I'll have to buy it from the nearby Ayurveda shop)
Powder these three together and keep ready.

Dried Grapes (ഉണക്ക മുന്തിരി )

Lets start. Wash and dry goosberry and dried grapes using a cotton cloth. Ready your china-clay jar (ഭരണി). Put the goosberries as a layer at the bottom of the jar. Over that make a layer with jaggerry pieces. Make the next layer with dried grapes over which you can sprinkle the masala powder mix. Repeat the same till the entire materials are finished. Close the jar airtight and keep it for 41 days. You can open the container after 41 days. You must be overwhelmed by the smell. You can filter the tonic using a good cotton cloth (നല്ല vella thorthu). Ensure that your hand doesn't come into contact with the syrup at any time. Pour the syrup to a good container and keep it for use.

Dosage: about 15ml for kids twice a day and about 30 ml for adults

Do inform me after preparing and using it. I am starting my hunt for Goosberry now! Good Day!