ANGAYA PODI

This podi or powder is a treasure chest......of various ingredients, which have superb health benefits, but , unfortunately are not used in our daily food. We must, without forgetting, try to use this great Angaya Podi, atleast once a week, eat with brown or white rice,and......... without hesitation,  drizzle a dash of ghee, and consume, and it does miracles to your stomach. You won't then complain of a heavy stomach,  gas problem or indigestion.
This Podi contains
1. Neem flowers, dried, which treats digestive disorders, improves eyesight, treats skin rashes or problems, is used for aromatherapy, is used in ayrveda with honey to lower blood pressure level and to treat diabetes, and  strengthens  liver.
2. Curry leaves, which are packed with dietary fiber, iron and vitamins, helps enliven hair and skin vitality
3. Coriander seeds,   the plant of which in Europe,  is referred to as the "Anti-diabetic" plant, controls blood sugar, cholesterol
4. Dry ginger has always been used in traditional medicines, gives relief to gastrointestinal distress, prevents motion sickness, reduces dizziness, nausea and vomitting, helps reduce knee-pain with the regular consumption of ginger-powder, is an anti oxidant, keeps the stomach clean and the body healthy
5. Black pepper, an excellent source of many vital b-complex groups of vitamins, is a wonderful anti-oxidant and treats colds and coughs
6. Jeera, also knows as cummin seeds are an excellent source of dietary fiber, helps augment digestion, contains iron, magnesium, copper,  calcium and many more
7. Manathakkali vathal, though slightly bitter,treats mouth ulcers,  also fortifies intestines and stomach
7. Sundakkai vathal, called Turkey Berries.......many people do not know its medicinal properties. It can be  easily grown  in our house garden, and though bitter, contains many minerals, vitamins and a good source of calcium.
8. Hing, aka asafoetida,  very good for digestion.

We must make it a practice to make use of this great medicinal powder atleast once a week, and then you will wonder , how you don't get any stomach disorders!!!


                                        These are the medicinal ingredients listed above!!!!! They not only have good qualities, don't they look beautiful and attractive too??? Feast for the eyes....and also good for a tummy which has had a feast!!

Ingredients

Coriander seeds - 1 cup

Curry leaves - 1 cup

Dried neem flowers - 1/2-3/4 cup

Black pepper - 4 tsps

Jeera - 6 tsps

Dry ginger - a small piece

Manathakkali vathal - 1/4 cup

Sundakkai vathal - 1/4 cup

Red chillies - 6

Hing, solid ones - 4 pieces

1/2 tsp ghee to roast the hing pieces

Salt to taste

Recipe Cuisine: South Indian; Category: Accompaniment to Lunch

Prep time: 10 mts; Cooking time: 15 mts

Yields roughly 450 gms of powder

All the ingredients have to be dry roasted one by one and piled in another vessel separately.

Dried neem flower roasted

Coriander seeds and red chillies roasted

Curry leaves microwaved till they become dry, microwaving for 30 seconds, then stopping and then continuing

Dry roasted ingredients piled in a vessel

Black pepper and jeera, being roasted

I first powdered the dry ginger, otherwise it will take a long time. Roast it along with both the vathals

Now you come to the last part. In 1/2 tsp ghee, slowly roast the hing pieces

All the roasted ingredients, salt added

Allow to cool, and powder. Store in airtight comtainer. 

This post first appeared in www.malpatskitchen.com

Notes

*In our home, eating this powder is a must once or twice a week.

*I normally refrigerate the powder, so that it will not lose its aroma and taste.

*If you do not have solid hing pieces at home, then 1/2 tsp of hing powder can be roasted along with pepper and jeera. 

*Nowadays, dried, cleaned neem flowers are available in stores.

Categories: Healthy Cooking, Pickles-Preserves & Podis