Amazing Food Festivals of India

Unity in diversity, this clearly defines India. With more than 415 languages, diverse religions and geographical differences, India is rich in its culture and heritage. The cultural fiestas, thus, are equally extravagant and colourful. Of late, yet another trend is on the rise, that of conducting utterly flavourful, larger-than-life food festivals.

As such, every well-known restaurant in the country is cashing in on the trend and hosting one or the other food festival to give its guests a taste of authentic delicacies from different parts of the nation. However, there are some that stand out from the rest.

The next time you want to visit a food festival and can’t decide which one, the below guide to 5 of the most amazing food festivals, in India, can be of great help.

National Street Food Festival, Delhi

How happy you would be if you could get the most delicious Kachoris of Jaipur, the delightful Puchkas from Kolkata and some lip-smacking Pav Bhaji from Mumbai, that too at the same time and place. Yes, you heard it right; the National Street Food Festival, conducted by NASVI in Delhi, will entice you with Indian street favourites that will make your taste buds span the length and breadth of Indian local food. In this festival, you will be able to explore the rich and diverse roots of genuine Indianism. You can also get to know some interesting cooking tips from the experts.

Make in India Festival

This festival is India’s favourite gastronomic do. This food fiesta exhibits various Indian cuisines with conventional recipes reverberating regional cultures. The food market in this food festival also has items from local entrepreneurs and NGOs. This festival is an authentic foodie heaven that one can get pleasure from while listening to music and enjoying diverse Indian flavours.

Asian Hawkers Market

The joy of being taken on a marvellous culinary trip from China & Japan to Bali & Vietnam, that too without stepping out of India, is unmatched. Alas, India’s foremost food festival mainly focusing on Asian cuisine makes its first appearance in the Capital. Be prepared to engage at New Delhi’s 17 different eateries including the 5-star ones. Also, trendy food-conveyer services resembling Asian Haus as well as The Pho Kart distribute delicious delicacies.

Sattvik : Traditional Food Festival

Sattvik was started twelve years back to endorse preservation of agro-biodiversity and create demand for wholesome crops that are rarely cultivated these days. The absurdity of growth is such that wholesome food is still eaten in the most developing regions. This festival tries to bring the lesser known, but supplement rich sustenance from these ranges to the urban masses. The celebration likewise plans to urge farmers to grow such products and increase their income.

Organic Food Fest, Chennai

Who says natural food is dull? Varagu/saamai cutlet, sola maavu dosai and thinai halwa were a portion of the dishes that enticed the taste buds of guests at the organic food festival at the Organic Food Fest, Chennai. The goal was to draw out the advantages of natural sustenance and pass it on to the society at large.

We’re sure you’ll love to make your taste buds travel in these food fiestas that blend diverse cultures on beautifully served platters. Don’t forget to try some, this year.

Health benefits of Whole Wheat Atta and Wheat Grass Powder

Whole wheat atta is used for various purposes, right from making delicious rotis, to moist bread and cookies as well. Whole wheat atta contains some of the healthiest fats, carbohydrates and even proteins. These nutrients are essential in lowering the risk of developing metabolic disorders.

It also contains vitamins and minerals along with antioxidants and vitamin E. Whole wheat atta is considered as high-fibre food which helps in boosting the metabolic rate. In this way, it contributes to keeping the body weight under control. It provides a good amount of insoluble fibre which helps in preventing gallstones.

Consumption of whole wheat atta is believed to protect the body against the risk of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance may lead to visceral obesity, low levels of protective high-density lipoprotein, cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Thus, it aids in maintaining a healthy heart by providing sufficient protection against cardiovascular disorders.

Researchers have proven that whole wheat is linked to lowering the risk of diabetes mellitus Type-2 disease. Hence, daily consumption of whole wheat atta is recommended. When frozen, the whole wheat flour can last up to 6 months. Freshly milled whole wheat atta is to be used and it should be stored in airtight containers in cool place.

Wheat grass has therapeutic and healing properties. It contains those chemicals which are anti-inflammatory and antioxidants which are helpful for the body in varied ways. The wheat grass powder can help in killing bacteria present in the body because of infections. Surprisingly, while wheat contains gluten, wheat grass & its powder does not contain gluten. So those with gluten sensitivity or Celiac disease can safely consume wheatgrass powder.

Consuming wheatgrass powder helps in increasing red blood cells in the body. It dilates the blood vessels and helps in lowering high blood pressure. It eliminates food debris from the digestive stomach and cleanses the blood. Wheatgrass powder stimulates thyroid gland and aids in dealing with obesity and other problems associated with endocrine glands.

Wheatgrass powder contains huge amounts of amino acids and enzymes which are essential in fighting various diseases and thus helps to build immunity. It detoxifies the liver and thus helps in removing toxins from the body. Regular consumption of wheatgrass powder is known to be important in increasing vitality and vigour. It is also known for helping in conceiving. Wheatgrass has antiseptic properties and promotes healing. This property is used for curing cuts, poisoning, burns, insect bites, athlete’s foot, etc.

Wheatgrass powder is used for increasing production of haemoglobin. It is also used in the treatment of various infections including urinary tract infection. It improves digestions and maintains the health of the digestive system and help to combat colon problems. Wheatgrass powder helps with acne and skin related problems. Skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis are also cured by regular application of wheatgrass powder. Also, application of wheatgrass powder mask on face increases blood circulation. A spoon of wheatgrass in the bathtub or daily consumption can help you get rid of body odour.

In the case of fatigue and weakness, wheatgrass powder rejuvenates the body cells and reduces fatigue symptoms. Gargling with the wheatgrass powder shot helps to prevent tooth decay.

Tangy pickles to make the meal complete

With the heated summer season, the work process to make some interesting recipes which can be preserved throughout the year starts in many houses. Amongst these recipes is the tangy pickle ones. The delicious, crunchy pickles make the meal complete.  In the majority of Indian homes, it is a common sight to find a jar of freshly made pickle kept on terrace or windowsill. This process eventually helps the pickles to develop flavours by maturing the ingredients.

In this fast moving world, where women are flying with vibrant colours may not find time to recreate their mother’s or grandmother’s recipe. She has to rush to the office and deliver presentations. As the process of preparing pickle is time-consuming and tedious, hence, a majority of people are now attracted towards the easily and readily available pickles in stores.

In the process of making the pickle, the most important ingredients are salt and oil, apart from the farm fresh vegetables you choose. Salt inhibits bacterial growth in the pickle by absorbing moisture and thus, acts as a preservative. Oil keeps the ingredients in the pickle moist and prevents them from drying off.

Pickles are made from carrot, chillies, blueberries, etc. as main ingredients. But the most popular are tomato and mango pickles. Mango pickle is the all-time favourite amongst the pickle lovers. The tangy tomato pickle is irresistible.

Recipe for Mango Pickle:

Ingredients:

Raw Mangoes	1 kg
Salt	100 grams
Fennel Seeds	2 tbsp
Fenugreek Seeds	1 tbsp
Turmeric Powder	2 tbsp
Red Chilli Powder	2 tbsp
Asafoetida	1/2 tsp
Oil	250 ml

Procedure:

1. Wash and cut the raw mangoes into small pieces.
2. Take a pan and preheat. Add fenugreek seeds and fennel seeds into it. Roast for a few minutes, to remove the moisture present in the spices.
3. Allow the spices to cool by switching off the flame and removing them into a plate or bowl.
4. Grind the spices coarsely.
5. Heat the oil and then add the grounded spices, salt, asafoetida, turmeric powder and red chilli powder.
6. Then mix it well with the mango pieces.
7. Store this pickle in a glass jar and keep it under the sun for few days for ageing.
8. Mango pickle is ready.

Recipe for Tomato Pickle:

Ingredients:

Tomatoes	1 kg
Fenugreek seeds	2 tsp
Mustard	2 tsp
Mustard seeds	2 tsp
Red chili	2 tsp
Curry leaves	5-10
Salt	As per taste
Asafoetida	1/2 tsp
Oil	250 ml

Procedure:

1. Dry roast fenugreek seeds, switch and allow to cool
2. In a hot pan, add mustard, allow it to cool and powder them separately.
3. Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, curry leaves, red chili and asafoetida.
4. In another pan, add tomatoes and salt.  Stir, cover, and cook.
5. Then add the oil seasoning to the tomatoes.
6. Cook for 10 minutes, till the moisture is evaporated.
7. Cool and store in an airtight container.

Homemade pickles are the best in taste. It is hard to find some really delicious and mouth-watering pickles as many brands fail miserably in terms of taste. To have really exquisite and tempting pickles, choose from the best makers. The fresh ingredients used in the pickles impart an authentic and refreshing taste to the pickles.

While buying the pickles choose from the farm fresh organic manufacturers. Apart from giving the quintessential taste, pickles are a great dose of probiotic required by the body every day. Instead of drinking probiotic drinks, it is best to eat a few pickles along with the meal.

Explore the limitless goodness of Jowar

In our country where people from different religion, caste and creed reside under one roof; Jowar has different names. It is called Sorghum in English, Jowar in Hindi, Cholam in Tamil; Jonna in Telugu. It is one of the most ancient crops of India.

It is known for its immense health benefits. However, nowadays we see several chemicals being used to grow crops. So, grains like Jowar, if grown organically have several health benefits. This makes it a worthy addition to your diet.

Benefits of Jowar:

Jowar is produced in ample quantity in India. Even though the country has the richest source; people seldom prefer to include this grain in their daily diet. It is a staple food of India. Less water is needed for its plantation.

Nutritional Value of Jowar:

• Ample source of Nutrients

• Is a good source of all forms of Vitamin B such as Thiamin, Niacin & Riboflavin

• Has high level of magnesium, iron, copper, calcium, phosphorous and potassium

• Has more antioxidants when compared to Pomegranates and Blueberries

Which health issues can be solved?

• It is a boon for people with Gluten sensitivity: Wheat and wheat products contain gluten. And if a person is allergic to it, then he is supposed to avoid all wheat made products, which seriously drains one of nutrition. Jowar is an angelic rescuer for people with gluten sensitive people.

• Helps in managing diabetes

• Improves heart health

• Improves Digestion

• Keeps your bones healthy

• Works as a shield against osteoporosis and arthritis

• Lowers the possibility of Cancer

• Improves blood circulation

• Enhances energy level of your body

• Prevents constipation, gas, and diarrhoea

• Enhances the development of red blood cells.

100 gram of raw jowar includes 329 calories, 25% carbohydrates, 5% fat and 23% protein. It is rightly said to be the food for poor but then you see why they are much healthier; because the majority of their diet includes this golden grain.

Being neutral in taste; it improves the recipe texture. There are various Jowar recipes available that can help you get its benefits completely.

• Jowar Khichadi

• Vegetable Jowar Upma

• Jowar Laddu

• Jowar Paratha

• Jowar Vada

• Jowar Rice

• Jowar Dosa

It is also used in making alcohol beverages as well as popcorn. There are many healthy options available which when consumed help us to stay healthy. However, these health products are not easily available.

But don’t worry; you can find agricultural firms who are involved in the production of organic Jowar flour. Hence, it’s a good time to do a fresh start and begin using organic grains.

Predominantly rice and wheat are included in the diet and other grains like Jowar, Millet, Bajra have been ignored significantly. In order to have sufficient benefits of Jowar, it can be consumed in several forms. Jowar flour is used to make laddus, chapati etc where as Jowar Rava is used for making Upma.

This flour or Jowar Rawa is easily available in the market at affordable rates. So, from now on try different varieties of Jowar and enjoy its benefits as well as taste.

Explore the richness of Green Moong and Chana Dal.

Green moong whole is a very healthy food. Whole green moong is the cheapest and easiest way to add nutrition to your food. This tiny food is loaded with high protein and low calories.

They are packed with minerals and vitamins. They are high in fiber too, which is good for the digestive health. The high fiber content helps lower cholesterol. Thus, they are good for heart health.

When consumed regularly, green moong reduces bad cholesterol and improves the flexibility of veins and arteries. The fiber content prevents constipation and keeps the stomach full, thus reducing the constant urge of grabbing snacks. Green moong has low calorie and low fat.

Whole green moong are powerhouses packed with nutrients.  They have low sodium content. Sprouted green moong produces live enzymes which are good for health. Due to their low Glycemic Index (GI), they are a smart option for diabetic patients. The high fiber and protein content in the whole green moong help regulate the blood sugar.

Consuming green moong makes you look young. The anti-ageing properties of the tiny food stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid, elastin, and collagen which are essential for healthy and radiating skin. Unlike other beans, green moong whole possesses oligosaccharides which prevent problems like bloating and gas. They are easily digestible and tasty too.

Add these green powerhouses in the diet in powdered form and mix with wheat flour. Prepare dosa from the green moong or have a bowl of sprouted whole green moong.

Chana Dal is nutritious and delicious too. It is also known as Bengal gram or chickpea. It is basically split and polished baby chickpeas. It is the most popular legume in India and is used in varied ways to make the food really tempting. This dal is a popular source of vegan protein.

Chana Dal helps in weight loss. This is due to its high fiber content which makes you feel full and thus keeps hands away from grabbing more food and thus extra calories.  The fullness of stomach helps in controlling appetite. It helps maintain low cholesterol levels, thus aiding in having a healthy heart. The regular consumption of chana dal can prevent stroke and other cardiac diseases.

It helps to regulate blood pressure and is good for those who suffer from hypertension. The potassium and magnesium content in chana dal provide electrolytes much needed to lower the high blood pressure levels.

Like green moong, chana dal has low Glycemic Index and hence is a superfood for diabetic patients. It helps to release glucose slowly and steadily into the bloodstream which is beneficial for the diabetics.

Apart from protein, chana dal is a rich source of zinc, folate, and calcium. The phytoestrogens present in the chana dal helps to regulate hormones in women. Due to its high iron content, chana dal is highly recommended in the diet in case of anemia. On a daily basis, chana dal is recommended for pregnant women, elders, and young children too. It can be mixed with rice and a plain khichdi can be prepared, or in grounded form can be used for several purposes.

Why Millets ruled the Kingdom in India?

Millets – heard of them, haven’t you? While millets aren’t a very common kitchen or meal staple globally, they ought to be, considering the numerous health benefits they carry and the fact that India is one of the primary producers of this grain crop! Cultivated mainly in developing countries, its quick growing season and ability to survive in harsh arid environments and high nutritional content makes it one of the perfect crops.

The versatile grain can be used in cereals, porridge, breads and snacks. A rich source of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and organic compounds that are beneficial for health, millets are receiving their due credit lately due to their inherent gluten-free nature, making them perfect foods for those with Celiac disease. Besides this, millets possess the ability keep other health issues and diseases at bay.  It is no wonder that millets are popular health grains in India!

1. Improves heart health:
Millets is one of the best possible grains to include into your diet, if you seek heart health protection and maintenance. Rich in magnesium, millets help in reducing blood pressure and therefore reduce the risk of heart attacks or strokes. Moreover, millets are a great source of potassium that works as a vasodilator to keep your blood pressure in check.

2. Keeps cholesterol levels in check:
Their high-fibre content makes millets the ideal food for lowering cholesterol levels in the blood. Furthermore, the dietary fibre in millets work to eliminate bad cholesterol or LDL from the system, while simultaneously promoting the influence of good cholesterol or HDL.

3. Boosts digestive health:
Incorporation of millets into your daily diet can improve your digestive health by keeping gastrointestinal problems like gas, bloating, constipation and cramps at bay, due to their high fibre content. Improvement of digestive health assists your body’s nutrient retention and absorption ability, thereby reducing the risk of serious problems such as gastric ulcers and even colon cancer. Moreover, proper digestion optimizes the health of kidneys, liver, the immune system and other organs that have a close relationship with metabolic activities of the body.

4. Provides protection against diabetes:
The magnesium-rich millet is beneficial in reducing the risk of Type II diabetes. Magnesium is considered one of the most vital minerals for increasing the efficacy of insulin and glucose receptors in the body, thereby preventing diabetes.

5. Keeps the risk of cancers at bay:
According to a recent research, dietary fibre is one of the best ways to prevent breast cancer, so much so that by consuming at least 30 grams of fibre a day, women can reduce their chances of breast cancer by at least 50%! Millets are loaded with dietary fibre goodness, so including them into your diet in various forms can greatly assist in preventing cancers.

6. Detoxifies the body:
Millets are rich in antioxidants – they work to neutralise free radicals which could be cancer-causing and further flush out other toxins from the body. Beneficial catechins found in millet such as quercetin, ellagic acid and curcumin help in ridding the body of toxins and foreign agents, thereby promoting healthy digestion, elimination and neutralisation of enzymatic activity in the liver and kidneys.


7. Benefits the respiratory system:
Modern research explains the benefits that millets can have on the respiratory system, particularly in improving the quality of life of those suffering from childhood asthma. An early incorporation of millets can also help prevent childhood asthma from developing further. Moreover, millets are a safer bet as they do not contain the allergens as wheat does, which can aggravate wheezing and asthma; millets do not have this negative effect.