I cannot believe that April 16th was my last post. I love blogging but somehow between traveling and fasting, I just didn’t get to open my laptop and got caught up with other things. Not to say that this has not been on my mind, I have been making notes on paper, regarding Nutrition advice. Sadly in the cooking department, I have been very lazy and hardly cooked till yesterday.
Hopefully over the next few weeks, I will put it all down here. My cousin Asma’s advice was just put something small down weekly, but don’t stop. Sadly I didn’t take the advice and realized now that she was absolutely right.
So most of my Muslim friends know it’s Ramadan and we fast from Sunrise to Sunset. It is hard, but by Gods Grace we get through it. The warm weather makes it harder due to thirst and it’s very important to get our fluids either from foods or liquids so we do not get dehydrated.
On a side note, please read my friend Dr. Shamaila’s Facebook page, she has taped a great video on the health related concerns on fasting. It’s called the Healing Med.
After some research, I came up with a list of foods that help with hydration.
I bought watermelon, pineapples lemons, mint, cucumbers and radishes, I also bought a lot of salad ingredients to get my leafy greens. I found some raw mangoes too.
Since I was missing Pakistan, I decided to use my raw mangoes and I remembered a recipe that an Indian friend gave me. It is a salsa made with cucumber, mint, pineapple and the raw mango. It turned out delicious and fresh and sour and sweet. My husband and son loved it, even though they do not like the taste of raw mangoes. I on the other hand can eat raw mangoes daily with salt and chili powder.
Raw mangoes are usually green in color, they are excellent sources of Vitamin C due to their citric acid. They are great in helping the liver detoxify the body and can be used in the prevention of excessive water loss. In Pakistan and India they are used to make a refreshing drink to cool the body. My mother in law even made raw mango curry!
Cucumbers are low in calories and contain a large amount of water and soluble fiber, they are amazing for hydration and weight loss.
Pineapple are rich in vitamins and enzymes. They help strengthen the immune system and help with digestion.
This salsa recipe is topped with a mint chutney, that is a bit different from the ones we make back home.
Raw Mango Salsa
Ingredients
- 2 raw green mangoes peeled and chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped pineapple
- 1 cup chopped cucumbers
- 1 cup cilantro leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
- 4 green chilies
- 1/4 cup raw peanuts
- 1/4 cup curry leaves
- 1-2 teaspoon fresh ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 teaspoons lemon juice.
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Method
In a blender or food processor, blend all the ingredients starting with the cilantro and ending with the sugar. Do not add too much water. The ginger flavor can be strong, so add less if you find it over powering.
Mix the raw mango, cucumber and pineapple and let them sit for sometime, so the flavors can mix, then add the chutney and serve.
We had it as a side to our dinner which was a ground beef with peas and khitchri which is rice cooked with with yellow moong daal. I have added pictures of my meal..l.
My photography is pretty bad, hopefully in the next few months, Saniya can help me improve!!