Pavakka Achar (Bittergourd pickle)

When we think about Bitter gourd ahh…it tastes bitter than any thing. But it is the vegetable packed with nutrients and health benefits. It contains essential minerals such as calcium, potassium, copper, iron, and also vitamins A, b1 and b2. Bitter gourd has many therapeutic properties and so it is widely used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Research studies have shown that bitter gourd contains hypoglycemic principles in it and thus it helps to lowers the blood sugar levels just like insulin. It is noted to be an effective component in ayurveda herbal medicine, and so it is known to treat the symptoms of rheumatism and gout and ailments of the spleen and liver. Bitter gourd is a blood purifier, activates spleen and liver and is highly beneficial in diabetes. It is useful in reducing hypertension, eye disorder and cough and enhancing digestion, metabolism and immunity. The juice of bitter guard is used for relieving constipation.

Ingredients
Bitter gourd - 3 nos
Chilly powder - 1 tbsp
Garlic pods - 7-8 nos
Ginger - 2" piece (cut finely)
Red Chilly- 10 nos
Green chillies - 7 -8
(cut lengthwise)
Fenugreek - 1 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Asafoetida - A pinch
Tamarind juice (concentrate) - 1 tbsp
Vinegar – 1 tbsp
Oil - 5 tbsp
Salt - As reqd
Curry leaves- As reqd

Method of Preparation

• Cut bitter gourds into thin round pieces and to it add a tbsp of salt and a tbsp of chilly powder. Mix it well and keep it over night.
• Drain the water and squeeze out the excess water from the bitter gourd and keep it in sun light for a day.
• Fry fenugreek and red chilly without oil. Grind it and make the masala powder.
• Heat oil in a pan. Splutter mustard seeds and add curry leaves.
• Then add green chilly, ginger and garlic.
• When it gets half fried add the masala. Powder.
• To it add the bitter gourd pieces and vinegar and mix well.
• Add salt as required.
• Finally add Asafoetida and heat till bitter gourd is cooked.
• Remove from flame.

Bitter Gourd Pickle

Now it’s ready. Eat along with steamed rice.
Mmmmm………what a taste. I am sure that you will like it.

Christmas Special Red Grape Wine

Wine is the important part of drinks with delicious foods in many memorable occasion or celebration. And when your food has matching wine the dinner will be delicious and colorful. Red wine has an antioxidant called resveratrol which is found in the skin and seeds of red grapes. Both red wine and grape juice do contain antioxidants called flavonoids, which have been shown to increase your high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good") cholesterol and lower your risk of clogged arteries (atherosclerosis) and also helps to lower blood pressure.

Ingredients:

Black grapes-1 kg
Sugar-3/4 kg
Boiled Water-6 bottles
Cinnamon-2 pieces
Clove- 5 nos
Yeast- 5 gm
Egg white -1

Method of Preparation:

Clean and wash the grapes. Dissolve 5 gm yeast and 10 gm sugar in 100 ml lukewarm water and keep it for half an hour.

Smash the grapes with a wooden ladle.
Add the remaining sugar, water, prepared yeast, cinnamon and clove and stir well.

Store in a mud vessel (only up to 3/4 level) and tightly close the mouth of the vessel.

After 10 days filter the wine.
Beat egg white and add to the wine.

Keep this again in the vessel for 12 more days and stir the content once in four days.

Filter it and add 250 gm caramelized sugar to the content.
Dissolve it thoroughly.
Now its ready to use.

PS: To prepare the caramelized sugar, spread the sugar evenly in the fry pan and heat with low flame. After the sugar begins to melt, watch carefully the liquefied sugar is turning from golden to brown, remove the pan from the heat. Over heating the sugar will quickly turn too dark and taste bitter.