Patra Recipe - M.M.Mithaiwala

The finest tinned Patra from M.M.Mithaiwala, a delicious Indian vegetarian crunchy snack. 

Making time: 1 hour
Makes: 20-25 patras

Note: The patras may also be deep fried if desired.

Ingredients

15-20 large patra leaves (colocasia leaves)
1/2 cup tamarind extract (juice)
1 cup gramflour (besan)
3 tsp. chilli powder
1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
3-4 pinches asafoetida
1 tsp. crushed cumin seeds
3/4 cup grated jaggery
1 tbsp. oil
salt to taste

For Tadka
1 tbsp. oil
1/2 tsp. each cumin & mustard seeds
1 tsp. sesame seeds
1 tsbp. coriander leaves finely chopped
1 tbsp. coconut grated fine

For the Besan Mixture

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, add water 9approx 1 cup) and mix thoroughly till the jaggery melts and the mixture becomes smooth & thick paste. Keep aside

Method

1.    Clean, wash and wipe leaves. Cut thick veins with a pair of scissors.

2.    Roll lightly with a rolling pin. Keep aside.

3.    Place a leaf backside up on a flat worksurface.

4.    Take a little paste (Besan Mixture) and apply thinly all over leaf surface

5.    Place another leaf over it. Repeat.

6.    Get a set of 3-4 layered leaves, top layer being that of paste.

7.    Fold in the edges and roll the leaves, starting with their base towards tip.

8.    Make the roll tight and seal sides with some paste.

9.    Place in the perforated vessel of a double boiler or steam cooker.

10.  Repeat for all the leaves and paste.

11.  Steam in the cooker for 30-40 minutes till cooked.

12.  Cool, and remove. Cut into 1/2" thick slices.

13.  When cooled well, give a tadka

14.  Heat oil, add seeds, allow to splutter.

15.  Add sesame, coriander, and coconut.

16.  Mix well, serve hot or cold.

 

Health Benefits of Peaches - M.M.Mithaiwala

 

Peaches are a characteristically fuzzy fruit native to northwest China. They are a member of the stone fruit family, meaning that they have one large middle seed, along with cherries, apricots, plums and nectarines 

1. Protects Eye Vision 
Beta-carotene is responsible for eye health and peaches contain a good amount of this antioxidant, along with vitamins A and C. Regular consumption of peaches can improve your vision health by increasing blood circulation throughout your body.

2. Promotes Skin Health 
Peaches area great source of vitamins A and C, which are highly essential for skin health. Vitamin A provides moisture to the skin, which improves the skin’s texture making it soft and supple. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage.

3. Maintains Body Weight 
Peaches are fat-free and contain an average of only 68 calories. If you are on a weight-loss mission, having peaches handy will help you avoid more fattening and processed snacks.

4. Prevents Cancer 
Peaches are rich with antioxidants that help prevent cancerous cell growth. Peaches are known particularly for effectively protecting the body against lung, colon and oral cancers.

5. Controls High Cholesterol 
Eating peaches on regular basis may help control high cholesterol and problems that lead to diabetes and heart disease. Also, foods rich in beta-carotene like peaches are good for lowering the cholesterol level in the blood stream.

6. Improves Cardiovascular Health 
The antioxidants in peaches benefit your heart by destroying free radicals that start chain reactions within your body and can damage or kill cells.

  A Healthy Food, for a wealthy mood!!