MEGA BLOGGING MARATHON -SEPT 2017
THEME: PROTEIN RICH DISHES
RECIPE: MINT & MORINGA ICED TEA
What Is Moringa?
Nutritional Value of Moringa Powder
- Moringa powder is a rich source of protein, 28g in every 100g. It’s one of the few plants that contains what is known as the complete protein. It easily can compete with animal based protein. It contains all the essential amino acids.
- Besides being rich in protein it is also rich in Vitamins A,C and E, calcium and potassium.
- Fights free radicals in the body to and therefore helps to keep the organs healthy.
- Also fights inflammation which is good to for inflammatory diseases like arthritis, respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases.
- And, It also helps to lower blood sugar and bad cholesterol.
- Did you know it also helps to balance hormones in the body and improves digestive health.
Include Moringa In Your Daily Diet
While it is not possible for everyone to enjoy the benefits of fresh moringa leaves, the pods, flowers or roots, one can easily include moringa powder in their daily diet. Nowadays it is easily available online, in health stores and pharmacies too. Add it to smoothies, oats, salads, soups, in milk or as a herbal tea.
In fact ever since women groups in Kenya have started drying and grinding the moringa leaves, I buy the powder and add it to my smoothie, soups or make herbal tea. Not only am I supporting these women groups but also adding nutritional value to my diet.
If fresh moringa leaves are available, add them to your pudla (cheela), muthiya, sabjis, dals, parathas. Whenever I am able to collect fresh moringa leaves (from our community hall area), I wash them, dry them and freeze them. Then as I need, add them to theplas, muthiya, handvo, sabjis, etc.
Whenever I go to the market, I buy drumsticks or the pods. These I wash and cut into about 3 inch long pieces. Most of them I use to make saragva nu shaak. Some I freeze so that I can add to sambar, dal dhokli.
Theme For Blogging Marathon – Protein Rich Dishes.
Since I decided to portray that vegetarians too have their sources of protein, I had to do quite a bit of research. It has not been easy to get 26 protein rich vegetarian dishes. I could have taken the easy path by creating dishes using beans, paneer, eggs, etc. But I have tried to include ingredients that we never thought would be protein rich. And Moringa is one of them.
By no means am I claiming or supporting any sort of fad diet that are the latest craze in the fitness world. I’m just trying to include non meat non fish dishes from which you can get your protein source.
Check Out 26 Protein Rich Dishes – Vegetarian
Mint & Moringa Iced Tea
As such moringa powder on its own has a slight bitter and somewhat spicy taste. This is because of glucosinolates which contributes to the pungent taste. When fresh moringa leaves are cooked, the taste is a bit grassy. To make the tea more palatable, I always add fresh herbs like mint or holy basil (tulsi). I prefer mint as it adds natural sweetness and flavour too. If you like matcha powder than you will like moringa powder.
If you heat moringa powder it loses its nutrients. So if you prefer hot herbal tea as opposed to cold one, then best to allow the boiled water to cool down a bit and then add the powder.
Some More Iced Tea Recipes:
Ingredients Required For Mint & Moringa Iced Tea
- Fresh Mint Leaves – I take about ½ – ¼ cup of mint leaves.
- Moringa Powder – best to use an organic one without any additives.
- Cold Water – chilled water
- Fresh Lemon Juice – add according to your taste.
- Sweetener – I prefer to use honey or maple syrup. You can add sugar, jaggery, or other sweeteners like stevia. For vegan version omit honey and instead use maple syrup, or other vegan friendly sweeteners.
- Salt – I like to add Himalayan Rock Salt or Sendha Namak.
- Ice Cubes – optional
MINT & MORINGA ICED TEA
Ingredients
- 2 cup water normal
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves tightly packed
- 2 tsp moringa powder
- 4 tbsp lemon juice
- 2-3 tbsp honey/maple syrup or any sweetener of your choice
- ⅛ tsp rock salt
- some ice cubes
Instructions
- Put the mint leaves and water in a blender.
- Process till the leaves are crushed completely.
- If you like you can strain the mint water or leave it as it is.
- After straining the mixture, return it to the blender.
- Add moringa powder, honey, lemon juice and salt.
- Process for a few seconds so that the moringa powder gets blended completely.
- Pour the liquid out into a jug and chill it in the fridge for 1-2 hrs.
- Just before serving fill 2 glasses with ice cubes.
- Pour the mint and moringa tea over the ice cubes.
- Serve immediately. Enjoy a cool refreshing healthy drink.
Notes
- Some articles claim that adding moringa powder to hot water destroys the nutrients. To be on the safe side I don't add it to anything that is really hot.
- Add fresh herbs of your choice like basil, tulsi, etc.
- Use a sweetener of your choice like sugar, jaggery, stevia, etc.
- I strain the liquid for hubby but mine I don't as I love mint.
- Process it well if you are not going to strain the liquid.
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If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
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