By community reporter Jan Calvert
Dark November nights call for a delicious, immune boosting curry.
Many ingredients of a traditional curry are good for your health and may keep colds and ‘flu at bay. Garlic cleanses the blood, onions are rich in antioxidants, like quercetin and both are antibacterial. Fresh ginger and turmeric root have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
A winter dal is cheap, nourishing and a good source of protein.
Rimpu Bains, of Leeds City Libraries, shared her Mum’s recipe for Punjabi Dal.
Prepare the lentils:
Wash and pre- boil your lentils then add finely cut ginger, green chillies, a little salt and turmeric.
Simmer on a low heat.
Cook the tarka:
Fry onions and garlic in ghee or butter, add cumin, curry leaves and mustard seeds.
Add fresh tomatoes when the onions begin to turn brown.
Cook well on a low heat adding cinnamon powder or sticks.
Serve with rice or chapati and yogurt.
Proportions to suit.
“Dark lentils tend to be linked to autumn and winter in India, whilst orange lentils are considered lighter”. Recipes vary across regions, but Rimpu added: “That’s how my mum cooks. l have followed her style.”
Traditionally honey is used to soothe sore throats and its antibacterial properties are well researched. Honey and lemon with hot water is an old ‘medicinal’ drink for winter colds and Echinacea drops may be added.
Alternatively, you can make your own ‘Fire Honey‘!
Add a teaspoon of cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric to a jar of honey with half a teaspoon of ground black pepper and cayenne pepper for fire. Some folk add a clove of raw garlic.
Stir well.
Take a teaspoon daily or add to warm water for an immune boosting drink.
Cayenne is thought to boost the metabolism and also the immune system.
‘Fire Cider’ is made with apple cider vinegar as its base as it is thought to help fight infection and clear the sinuses.
Leeds city libraries have information about healing foods and medicinal cookery – food which is tasty and can be used to keep the family healthy!
Rimpu added: ‘Browse recipe books for ideas and further knowledge at Armley, Bramley or Horsforth Libraries.”
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