Bitter gourd helps in regulating the blood sugar. Hence, diabetics can include this gourd in their diet daily or at least three times a week.
Here is a recipe using this gourd that can be used as a side dish for flat breads or rice.
Ingredients:
Bitter gourd -200gms
Onion -2
Tomatoes -3
Turmeric powder -1tp
Chilli flakes -1tsp
Brown sugar -3tblsps(optional)
Dosa podi -3tsps
Curry leaves -few
Salt and oil - as required
Method:
Wash and chop the bitter gourd into small pieces. Rub some salt and set it aside for 10 minutes. Then wash it in running water for few seconds. Puree the tomatoes. Chop the onion finely and fry in little oil. When it turns translucent add the bitter gourd pieces, turmeric powder, chilli flakes, salt and little water. Close and cook till the gourd is half done. Then add the tomato puree and brown sugar. Cook for another few seconds till is blended. Next, add the dosai podi and little oil. Stir fry till it dries up. Garnish with curry leaves.
This cake is simple to make and uses beetroot puree to colour the cake. It tastes delicious when eaten alone or with a topping of whipped cream.
Ingredients:
Beetroot -100gms
All-purpose flour -11/2 cup
Baking powder -1tsp
Cocoa powder -2tblsps
Sugar -1cup
Salt -1/4tsp
Melted butter -100gm
Curd -1/2cup
Milk -1/2cup
Mixed fruit essence -1tsp
Method:
Wash, peel and puree the beetroot. Keep it aside.
Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa powder. Sieve this mixture twice. Keep it aside.
Mix melted butter, curd, milk, sugar, salt, beetroot puree and the mixed fruit essence. Slowly add the flour mixture to the beetroot mixture to make a smooth batter.
Spoon the batter into greased cupcake mould. Bake them in a pre-heated oven at 180°C for 15-20 minutes. Remove the mould from oven and cool to room temperature.
In India ivy gourd is known by different names like tindora, kovakai, tondli, giloda etc. This gourd helps in regulating sugar metabolism and hence is recommended for diabetics.
Here is a curry made of ivy gourd that goes well with rice and flat breads alike.
Ivy gourd
Ingredients:
Ivy gourd -250 grams
Tomatoes -3
Onion -2
Turmeric powder -1tsp
Curry powder -2tsps
Brown sugar -2tsps
Chopped coriander -2tsps
Salt and oil - as required
Method:
Wash and chop the ivy gourd length wise. Chop the onions finely. Puree the tomatoes.
In a frying pan fry the onions till it turns translucent. Then add the turmeric powder, salt and the chopped ivy gourd. Stir fry for few seconds. Add little water. Close and cook till it is half done. Then add the tomato puree, brown sugar and the curry powder. Open and cook for another few seconds stirring occasionally. When the liquid in the gravy is completely absorbed stir in the chopped the coriander leaves and remove from the flame.
