IRISH STEW : MY VERSION

IRISH STEW: MY VERSION

Lately, I was down with pharyngitis and laryngitis. My job calls me to speak for hours and I was becoming in-audible with the progress of the infection.

Saturday night, I thought of re-inventing the recipe of Irish stew for my sore throat.

My version is a bit easier and suited for Indian grocery ( as most of the traditionally used ingredients are not available in Indian stores).

Ingredients required: (serves 2)

250 gm boneless chicken cut into one-inch cubes ( lamb can be used )

200 gm spring onion ( my take on one medium onion and 100gm celery)

200 gm of carrot chopped in bigger cubes 

2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into bigger cubes.

olive oil for sauteeing

Coarsely chopped parsley and thyme

pepper and salt for seasoning

shavings of ginger (optional)

water 2 cups

Preparation

1. On medium heat, take oil in a pan and cook the chicken on one side until brown and cook it on another side. No need to cook it properly.

2. Add the chopped spring onions in the same pan. and stir them in the oil until caramelized.

3. I added the shavings of ginger for that little spice and the medicinal property of it for a sore throat.

4. Add the potatoes and water to the pan. (alternately we can use chicken or beef stock if available)

5. Add the salt and pepper. Cover the pan with a lid and let it cook in its steam for about 20 minutes.

6. At this moment when potatoes are still tender add chunks of carrots, fresh thyme, and parsley. 

7. let it cook for another 10 minutes. and there, it is ready to serve.

Serve it with your bread loaf and butter. or just eat it alone. The wholesome dish full of proteins, minerals, and carbohydrate for those winter nights when immunity is at its low.

On those days when I crave for some extra calories, don't hesitate to put a generous serve of full-fat cream in the stew. 

 

Haldi ka doodh (Turmeric milk)

It’s been a fortnight I had an accident and damaged the shoulder.  I am succumbed to bed and mercy of lord. Though my kind and lovely friends are there, all the time to look after me. Yes am blessed with good friends. Some make me laugh, some keep me distracted from pain, few keep worrying about my health and there is one who doesn’t hesitate to apply his medicinal knowledge on me. These days, every morning am being fed with haldi wala doodh (turmeric milk). I googled the properties and medicinal benefits of turmeric in healing.Here are 20 reasons to add turmeric to your diet:1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.3. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.4. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.5. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.6. Is a natural liver detoxifier.7. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.8. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.9. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.10. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.11. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.12. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.13. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.14. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.15. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.16. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.17. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.18. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.19. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.20. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.

I was having doubts about the recipe of turmeric milk i was given. I inquired with a colleague working in ayurveda section of my hospital. He told me there are various ways to make haldi ka doodh.Here is the recipe he told me for my healing:In a pan take 2tsf of desi ghee (pure ghee), heat it. Add 2tsf of turmeric powder. After 30 sec add 200ml of milk and sugar(as per your taste). Boil and serve.You can add ginger bud in ghee for sore throat.Add cardamom or saffron for flavourAdd ajwain for gastric problems.