Tasty ways to health in Monsoons

After a long spell of sweltering hot weather, a splash of rain brings joy immeasurable. The tiny drops of elixir bring an incomparable relief and your inner self fills with eternal bliss. You feel like dancing, like a peacock spreading it’s wings on seeing the dark clouds. Rainy season is equally liked by all whether they are a tiny tot or an elderly person. But as every coin has two sides, same is true for rainy season. Along with the cheerfulness it brings, it also brings the risk of a number of ailments. You need to take good care of your health to enjoy this weather. For that you need to eat healthy and nutritious food. Say goodbye to street food. I’m not saying forever, at least for the season of ailments…. ummm rainy season.

Certain foods that should be avoided during this season are:-

Fried foods: As soon as it rains, the first thing that comes to mind is pakoras with a cup of hot tea without realizing that same pakoras are going to make you sick. The humidity in the atmosphere is usually high during this season; as a result the body’s digestive capabilities go down. That’s why we should try to stay away from fried food.

Leafy vegetables: These should also be avoided as the mud and dirt present on the leaves are an invitation to germs in the damp environment.

Cut fruits: Being rich in moisture cut fruits offer a conducive environment for the growth of germs.

Street food: Mouth watering street food like pani-puri, tikkis, chat, burgers, noodles etc. can make you sick as these are prepared in unhygienic environment using harmful ingredients like ajinomotto, rancid oil and synthetic colors etc.

If you crave for any of the items listed above, then make them at home taking care of the cleanliness and using the best ingredients.

Certain items that you should consume during this season are:

Tea: Tea minus the tempting pakoras not only soothes the sore throat during cold and flu but tea containing ginger, cardamom,tulsi, lemon etc. helps to fight infections as well.

Bitter and astringent vegetables such as onion and ginger should be used as these are effective  against germs and cooling foods such as barley, brown rice and oats are the stomach’s best friends during the monsoon

Soups: are the best way to get nutrition without consuming harmful bacteria. Apart from providing nutrition, they also protect you from infections and give a feeling of fullness

There are a number of soups like tomato soup, manchow soup, sweet corn soup etc. You can try french onion soup as it will provide you with the benefits of onion as well as soup. Onions are also thought to be  responsible for  French paradox i.e. low occurrence of heart disease among the French.

Onions are very popular in French cuisine which may be another contributing factor to their good health, particularly heart health. The sulfur compounds in onions, for instance, are thought to have anti-clotting properties, as well as, improve blood lipid profiles. The allium and allyl disulphide in onions have also been found to decrease blood vessel stiffness by enhancing nitric oxide release.This may reduce blood pressure, inhibit platelet clot formation, and help decrease the risk of coronary artery disease and stroke.

Onions are beneficial for bones, digestive tract, diabetes prevention, and so much more. In short, we can say that they offer whole body benefits.

Wrapping up my thoughts on maintaining proper health in monsoons with the recipe of yummy French onion soup.. here you go. ..

French Onion Soup

 

Ingredients:

• Onion                                    2, medium , thinly sliced
• Unsalted butter                    1 tablespoon
• Vegetable oil                        1 teaspoon
• Sugar                                    ½ teaspoon
• Cheese                                  3 tablespoons
• Dijon mustard                       ½ teaspoon
• Garlic                                    2-3 cloves, minced
• Salt acc. to taste
• Thyme                                  ½ teaspoon
• Pepper                                  ½ teaspoon, freshly ground
• Cornflour                              1 tablespoons
• Vegetable broth or water     2 cups
• Bread slices                          2

Method:

1. Heat butter and oil in heavy, large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions, garlic and sugar, and cook about 5 minutes, stirring often . Reduce heat to very low, and cook, stirring occasionally, 15- 20  minutes, until onions are brown. Sugar helps in better caramelization of onions.
2. Blend in broth/water and 2 tablespoons cheese. Once it starts boiling add cornflour paste. Add salt, thyme, pepper and mustard. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in vinegar..
3. Toast the bread slices, butter lightly and sprinkle a little cheese on top.
4. Pour the soup into individual soup bowls, put 1 toast piece in each bowl and sprinkle the balance cheese on top of the toast pieces.
5. Put below the grill until the cheese starts sizzling.
6. Serve hot.