Vegetables form the biggest portion of my plate for every single meal! You could say that I fill myself with veggies!Almost all of my meals have a salad included. Our traditional Indian salads are known as kosumbaris and are not only tasty but extremely healthy with minimal amount of fat in it. One of the regular kosumbaris that Amma ( mother) used to make was the carrot or cabbage Kosumbari. My mother cooks the healthiest meals!! She always drummed into us the importance of vegetables! Of course, she is a vegetarian! She would urge me to eat carrots because it is good for the eyes! I would protest/ resist, do everything I could so as to not eat it! But like they say: Mother knows best! Now I religiously make them an integral part of my meals in a quest to better my health!
Servings: 2
Ingredients:
Grated carrots: 1 cup ( about 2 medium sized carrots)
Shredded cabbage: 1 cup ( small piece of cabbage, chopped /shredded )
Green chilli: 1 small, finely chopped
Lemon juice: 1-2 tbsp ( 1/2 medium lemon)
Freshly grated coconut: 1 tbsp ( optional)
Salt to taste
Cilantro ( coriander leaves) : 1 tsp for garnishing.
For tempering :
Coconut oil: 1 tsp
Mustard seeds: 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves: 1 sprig
Hing ( asofoetida)powder: a pinch
Method:
In a bowl, mix together shredded cabbage, grated carrots, freshly grated coconut, chopped green chilli,lemon juice & salt.
Tempering:
Heat coconut oil in a small frying pan. Add the mustard seeds. Once they splutter, add curry leaves and hing. Turn off the flame immediately. Add it to the above bowl and mix well.
Garnish with cilantro( coriander leaves).
Serve as an accompaniment to any meal or enjoy it just like that!
Enjoy!
Cooking made easy:
This salad can be made with just shredded cabbage or grated carrots too. If using both, then the proportion of each one can be varied based on individual taste and preference. I have used equal amounts of cabbage and carrot.
Tip for healthy living:
My mother was right! Carrots are a great source of beta carotene! Beta carotene is converted into vitamin A in the liver which in turn is transformed into rhodopsin in the retina. Rhodopsin is essential for night vision! Hence, yes, carrots help improve vision! Beta carotene has also proved important for preventing macular degeneration and senile cataracts.
Carrots are also purported to have anti-aging and anti-cancer properties. Vitamin A is also important for healthy, glowing skin.
Food for thought:
Friendship often ends in love; but love in friendship-never. Charles Caleb Colton
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