Weed With Benefits

Weed With Benefits

It's officially called Purslane and is a superfood. It has always been regarded as an unwelcome guest in the gardening world, but it actually has numerous health benefits that one shouldn’t ignore. It’s actually a superfood because of the vast assortment of vitamins and minerals that can be extracted from this herb. It is unique with a tangy taste and can be cooked just like other leafy vegetables.

Quick Stir Fry with Chickpea Flour (Besan)

Ingredients

Ghol leaves with tender stems - 250 gms

Coriander-Cumin powder – 1 tbsp

Red Chili powder – 1 or 2 tbsp (adjust according to taste)

Oil – 2 tbsp

Asafoetida (hing) – 1 tsp

Turmeric powder (haldi) – ½ tsp

Roasted gram flour – 3 tbsp

Salt – to taste

Method

Heat 1 tbsp oil

Add the veggie, salt and stirfry

Cover and cook for 5 mins

Add the rest of the masalas and stirfry for 2 mins

Add the flour and mix well

Add the rest of the oil and stir fry for 5 mins

Serve with bhakri or roti

Dal

Ingredients

Mixed dal (cooked) – 2 cups

Ghol leaves with tender stems – 1 cup

Asafoetida (hing) – 1 tsp

Mustard seeds – 1 tsp

Cumin seeds – 1 tsp

Ginger-Garlic paste – 1 tbsp

Green chilies – 3 or 4 (adjust according to taste)

Coriander-Cumin powder – 1 tsp

Red Chili powder – 1 tsp

Turmeric powder (haldi) – ½ tsp

Oil – 2 tbsp

Peanuts (raw) – 1 tbsp

Curry leaves – 1 sprig

Method

Heat oil

Add mustard seeds

Let it splutter

Add cumin seeds

When they splutter, add curry leaves and ginger-garlic paste

Fry for a minute

Add the veggie and stirfry with all the masalas

Add ¼ cup water and salt, cover and let it cook

 Add the mixed dal and peanuts

Cover and let it cook for 5 mins more

Serve hot with steamed brown rice

Ghol Dumplings with Flat Green Beans

Dumplings

Ingredients

Onion (medium) – 1

Ghol  leaves with stems – 150 gms

Garlic-Green Chili paste – 2 tbsp

Garam masala – 1 tsp

Red chili powder – 2 tsp (adjust according to taste)

Chickpea flour – ¼ cup

Jowar flour ¼ cup

Oil – 1 tbsp

Method

Mix all the ingredients well except the flours and oil

Add the flours and mix well

Add water If required

Add oil to form smooth dough

With oiled palms, make dumplings and steam

Cool

Sabzi

Ingredients

Beans – 250 gms

Mustard seeds – 1 tsp

Cumin seeds – 1 tsp

Ajwain (bishops weed) – ½ tsp

Asafoetida (hing) – 1 tsp

Oil – 2 tbsp

Method

Heat oil

Add mustard seed

Let it splutter

Add cumin seeds

When it splutters, add ajawain seeds and asafetida

Add the bean and mix well

Cover and cook

Add the rest of the spices and dumplings

Cover and cook for 10 mins till well blended

Serve hot with phulkas

Health Benefits

• It has antibacterial, antiscorbutic (combats scurvy), depurative (detoxifying and purifying), diuretic (increases amount of water in the body), and febrifuge (reduces fever) properties.
• Its leaves contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are responsible for helping to prevent high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Omega-3 fats also play a role in lowering the risk for the development of heart disease by combatting inflammation.
• Contains zinc, phosphorus, manganese, copper and calcium.6 Zinc is responsible for maintaining and improving immune system function. It is also responsible for fighting off free radicals that may cause cancer.
• Phosphorus and calcium are responsible for bone and dental health. The latter is also essential for nerve, muscle, and blood function
• An excellent source of vitamin A