FoodVerse (Herbal Cuisine)

<p style="text-align: center;"> Tuck Into Goodness With Herbal Platters

With many urban hermits voluntarily going off-grid to lead a herbal life, there seems a growing tendency among young and old alike to depend less on public utilities and live organically. From food habits to habitats to clothing, more and more people are now turning to green supplies to take care of their bare necessities. Nature with its bountiful sprouts is providing raw materials to mankind to enable the former to shape and convert the latter into useful goods and services. A herbal food spread with wholesome snacks, sweets and drinks could be a perfect start to your day, keeping you fresh, healthy and energetic all the way.


By PRAMITA BOSE

Sweet Indulgence

In Indian confectionery, shares Chef Harry Closepet: “Herbal sweets like sandesh can be prepared using ingredients like jaggery, coconut and medicinal herbs, namely tulsi or ashwagandha (Indian winter cherry or Indian ginseng). Similarly, herbal laddus can include ingredients like dates, nuts and spices, such as cardamom and saffron.”

Snacks Packed With Nourishment

Herbal snacks often contain a variety of greens like spinach or kale, nuts like almonds or walnuts and grains like quinoa or amaranth. While they may have some medicinal qualities, they're not meant to cure diseases but rather provide nutritional benefits.

Green Bites

Closepet assures that “herbal snacks can be part of a wellness regime for weight control and a healthier lifestyle owing to their nutrient-rich ingredients and low-calorie content compared to conventional snacks.” “However, moderation is key, and they should be consumed as part of a balanced diet,” he reminds.

Think Herbal & Drink Healthy

Before you fish out those stark white outfits from your wardrobe, stock platters of mithais (sweets) and gulaals (colours), pile up coloured water balloons and coloured water guns, observe the traditional ritual of Holika Dahan by dancing around a bonfire (lit up to symbolise the mythological triumph of good over evil) to usher in the merry festivity of Holi and join a flurry of ensuing activities, make sure you go earthy and play a green rangotsav this year.

After being drenched in liquid colours throughout the day and post a cleansing hot shower in the evening, your body needs relaxation and your mind, some refreshing energy. Why not sample the ceremonial Japanese tea called matcha? A steaming hot cup of finely ground powdery tea leaves brewed into a frothy drink can make a helluva difference!

Herbal teas or beverages boiled in water and infused with therapeutic herbs, spices, dry fruits, flowers and other plant material could be rejuvenating too. Add to this list what you call infused water. You may start your day with a concoction of sliced or mashed fruits, vegetables and herbs mixed with plain water at normal temperature. This will keep your body adequately hydrated and healthy, and help prevent your craving for carbonated cold and soft drinks.

Mull Over Milk

Vegan diets are usually free of dairy products. Can then herbal chocolates be prepared without milk? “Definitely yes! You can use different substitutes for the milk. Oatmilk, almond milk, soy milk can replace dairy milk, retaining the same texture and creaminess of the chocolate. Also, you may use different ingredients to flavour the chocolates as well, like adding lots of nuts, fruit peels and dry fruits to the goodies,” highlights Chef Konnark Sharma, culinary director at the Neighbors Goa restaurant.

Closepet too answers in the affirmative, saying that “herbal chocolates can certainly be prepared without milk by using ingredients like cocoa butter, coconut milk powder, almond milk or soy milk powder as dairy alternatives. These elements provide a creamy texture and softness to the chocolates.”

Candy Craze

It is a popular tendency to harp on herbal tablets or candies nowadays. But why is it so important to health? In today’s fast-paced world, people are palpably encountering common health complaints related to stress, indigestion, hairfall, low immunity levels due to unhealthy lifestyles. “At this juncture, I can fathom the importance of herbal tablets and candies constituting natural ingredients with medicinal properties. They include sufficient herbs, roots, flowers and other plant-based substances, offering various health benefits, such as providing support to the immune system, cushioning the gut, helping release stress and aiding in hair growth. Herbal tablets contain lots of vitamins, antioxidants and minerals, contributing to overall wellness,” explains Sharma.

He admits that “the body needs a certain amount of nutrition everyday, which we tend to miss and it is these herbal candies and gummies (with a big market to tap) that play a major role in filling that gap.” However, he alerts to “always consult a healthcare professional before incorporating herbal elements into one’s regular diet.”

Closepet opines that “herbal tablets or candies are important for health because they often contain medicinal herbs and natural ingredients that offer various health gains, such as boosting immunity, aiding digestion and promoting overall wellness.”

Crucial Cocoa

When enquired if the cocoa content in herbal chocolates is good for the kids and their milk teeth as these will be considered dark chocolates, which are generally meant to woo an adult palate, to that, Sharma responds, explaining: “Kids can enjoy chocolates with cocoa in moderation, derived from the cacao seeds. Higher amount of cacao will make the chocolates taste even better. These chocolates have tons of medicinal merit as they contain magnesium and have prebiotics (high-fibre foods), which support the overall health. So, I’d recommend a measured cocoa consumption for kids to keep the chocolate intake within limits.”

Closepet also supports the view, commenting that “the cocoa content in herbal chocolates can be beneficial to kids when taken in moderation or with regulation, as it contains antioxidants and minerals”. “However, excessive consumption should be avoided to prevent potential dental issues as dark chocolates may stick to the teeth,” he warns further.

Colours & Flavours

Edible colours and flavouring agents derived from natural sources are typically free of harmful chemicals. “Nevertheless, it's essential to check the ingredient list to ensure that they are truly natural and safe for consumption,” cautions Closepet. “Eatable colours and flavouring agents can vary in their composition as some are acquired from natural resources like flowers, plants, vegetables, herbs, fruits, while others may contain synthetic and chemical components. Therefore, I will suggest that while buying, you should always check the labels if they are organic and chemical-free,” insists Sharma.

Foodologists remark that consumable colours and flavouring agents consist of chemicals — both natural and synthetic — to enhance the appearance and taste of food products. “While natural colourants like carotenoids, chlorophylls and anthocyanins exist, synthetic dyes derived from coal tar are also common. These synthetic pigments undergo regulation to ensure safety,” informs Gagan Anand, founder, Scuzo Ice ‘O’ Magic dessert café.

In the food industry, candies, tablets, wafers, coatings and chewing gums are often coloured to entice consumers. “Natural colourants are preferred wherever possible but their stability under various conditions is a concern. For instance, natural red tints like cochineal extracts may change colour depending on pH levels, while beet juice offers less heat stability. Orange shades can be obtained using paprika oleoresin or β-carotene (beta-carotene pigment found in plants and fruits that gives them their rich colour), while a stable brown hue is sourced from caramel,” notes Anand.

Manufacturers also use synthetic hues for their cost-effectiveness, especially in coatings for candies. However, there's an increasing interest in natural alternatives like turmeric, carmine and β-carotene. Different food products require specific tinges and application methods, such as dispersing colourants in hot candy slabs or using oil-based coatings for fat candies.

Oil and Salt-Free Herbal Treats

Herbal snacks often harness the vibrant flavours and textures of various herbs and spices to elevate their taste profiles. “Herbs bring in a fresh burst of flavours, while spices can add depth and a hint of heat, transforming simple snacks into culinary delights. A notable advantage of incorporating herbs and spices into snacks is their ability to reduce reliance on salt during cooking,” volunteers Anand.

While it is true that all herbal snacks may not entirely eschew oil and salt, many are crafted with minimal use of these ingredients. “They rely on the natural essence and aroma of herbs and spices to create delicious and satisfying snacking options. When perusing herbal snacks, it's advisable to scrutinise the ingredient catalogue to ensure that they align with dietary preferences, including considerations for oil and salt intake,” Anand lays an emphasis.

Closepet imparts that “herbal snacks can be oil and salt-free depending on the recipe. However, some may contain small amounts of healthy oils like the coconut or olive oil for flavour and texture.”

He exemplifies herbal snacks in the form of kale chips (made with kale, nutritional yeast and spices), almond date energy balls (made with almonds, dates and spices), and quinoa granola bars (made with quinoa, nuts, seeds and dried fruits).

Advantage Ayurveda

The Ayurveda diet is significant for its holistic approach to health and well-being, focusing on balancing the body and mind through natural foods and herbs. “While it can be useful, it's essential to consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner before making major dietary changes as it may have different effects on individuals based on their physical constitution,” stresses Clospet.

Organic Holi Hues

A host of food, flowery and fruity extracts can be concocted to create an array of non-chemical herbal Holi colours. A whole lot of food items are available to make festive hues to smear and play with. For instance, turmeric, carrots, spinach, beetroot, etc. are used as natural ingredients to create healthy colours.

“Flowers like marigold, hibiscus, blue pea, rose and lavender are rightly blended to produce beautiful and fragrant colours. Fruits, namely strawberries, blue berries, orange and lemon peels or zest could be sun-dried, powdered and mixed with water to be used as colouring ingredients, and applied directly on the skin to avoid harmful side effects like skin damage, darkening, blemishes or hot rashes,” affirms Sharma.

Closepet repeats that “non-toxic herbal Holi colours can be created by mixing food extracts like turmeric, beetroot, spinach and hibiscus to produce vibrant yellows, pinks, greens and blues, respectively. These natural dyes are safe and eco-friendly alternatives to artificial or synthetic dyes.”

Anand concedes that “by utilising the given natural ingredients, individuals can create chemical-free colours for Holi celebrations. Embracing homemade natural pigments promotes environmental sustainability and ensures a safe and enjoyable festive experience.”

Among the rainbow of colours on the Holi palette, red could be created from red hibiscus or red rose petals, beet or carrot juice, pomegranate peel and red sandalwood. Yellow can be produced by boiling marigold petals, mixing turmeric powder with gram flour or rice flour. Blue can be conjured by boiling blue pea, jacaranda or other blue flowers. Pink is produced from rose, rose periwinkle (nayantara) or four o’ clock flower (godhuli gopal), mixing finely chopped beets with water or boiling onion peels in water. Green is obtained from boiling different green leafy vegetables, such as spinach (paleng), mustard greens (laai), coriander (dhania), etc. or using neem leaves and other green leaves with medicinal values. Orange is fashioned out of bastard teak (palash), jetuka leaves (henna) and so on. Other options could be tried with Indian gooseberry (amlokhi), Terminalia chebula (hilikha) and Java plum or Indian blackberry (jamun).

 

Herbal Recipes: 

Herbal Jaggery Laddoo

By Chef Harry Closepet

Ingredients:

1 cup powdered jaggery

1 cup roasted sesame seeds

1/2 cup desiccated coconut

1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios)

1 teaspoon powdered cardamom

2 tablespoons of ghee (clarified butter)

Direction:

In a pan, heat ghee and roast sesame seeds until golden brown. Let it cool.

In a bowl mix powdered jaggery, roasted sesame seeds, desiccated coconut, chopped nuts and powdered cardamom.

Mix well and roll the mixture into small balls to form laddoos.

Allow them to cool and store in an airtight container. Enjoy these herbal jaggery laddoos as a healthy sweet treat! 


Refreshing Green Apple Mint

By Mrs Anagha Ramakant Desai, home chef and author of the cookbook titled From Aajis Kitchen

Ingredients:

Green apples (preferably Granny Smith): 2

Mint leaves: ½ cup

Celery stalks: 3-4

Cucumber (preferably green English): 1

Lemon juice: 1-2 tablespoon

Ginger: 1”

Water if required: ½ cup

Toppings:

A few slices of cucumber and lemon

Method:

Core and chop apples. Cut celery lengthwise and then cut into small pieces. Chop cucumber. Peel and chop ginger. Blend together and strain. To facilitate blending, use a little water.


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