WHAT ARE CAJU NUTS? CASHEW NUTS: CASHEW NUTS OIL: HEALTH BENEFITS OF CASHEW NUTS AND USES

CASHEW NUTS, CAJU IN URDU, ANARCARDIUM OCCIDENTALE

Cashew nuts, or caju in Urdu, are the seeds of the cashew nut tree (Anacardium occidentale) and are unusual as they grow under the fruit of the tree, not inside it. The fruit is highly perishable and decays after 24 hours of being picked, so is only available in the localities where the tree grows. The fruit is highly prized and used in liqueurs, jams and for preserving. There is an outer and inner shell protecting the seeds and between the two layers is a caustic oil which can blister the skin. This is why the cashew nuts are only sold shelled.

Cashew Tree

    The oil has been used to remove corns from the toes, warts, and ringworm as well as in the treatment of cancerous ulcers and elephantiasis in the past. It was used in India to rub on floors to keep white ants at bay. Apparently it is/was also used on the face to strip away the skin so that new skin could grow. This oil is known as cashew balm or cardol and is now used in varnish and insecticides. It is actually called uluresin.

    The cashew nut tree is native to Peru and Brazil, but Portuguese explorers introduced it to India, Mozambique and Tanzania, in the 16^th century. Brazil, India, Mozambique, Tanzania and Nigeria are now the main exporters of the cashew nut. The tree doesn’t grow very tall, and looks a little like a walnut tree.

cashew flower

    The leaves, bark and apple (actually more pear-shaped) of the tree are believed to have antibacterial properties, considered aphrodisiac, and used to reduce temperatures in fevers, as well as to stop diarrhoea. They are also used to lower blood sugar levels and blood pressure in areas where the trees grow. The nuts have diuretic properties and contain the minerals copper, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, iron and tryptophan so have benefits for the heart. They also contain vitamin C and some of the B-complex vitamins.

Cashew Nuts

    In modern medicine the nuts are used in creams and gels as astringents, and trials have shown that they are useful in fighting bacteria which causes tooth decay, and tooth abscesses.

    Cashews have much the same health benefits as walnuts and pistachios but should be eaten in moderation. They are good mixed with other nuts and can be eaten roasted, salted or as they come.

CASHEW NUT BUTTER

 Ingredients

2 cups unsalted cashew nuts

2-3 tbsps vegetable oil (olive oil is good)

¼ tsp salt

1 tsp sugar (optional)

Method

Blend the ingredients together to a smooth paste. Add more oil a tsp at a time, if necessary.

Put in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.

Serve as a dip or on toast etc. It’s good to spread on celery sticks too.

This has Taste and is a Treat.

BRAZIL NUTS (BERTHOLLETIA EXCELSA): AGOUTI, BEES AND PROPAGATION OF BRAZIL NUT TREES: BRAZIL NUT COUSCOUS WITH APRICOTS RECIPE

BRAZIL NUTS (BERTHOLLETIA EXCELSA)

Brazil nuts grow on Brazil nut trees but not as other nuts do. They grow in clusters inside pods which are rather like coconuts. These are the hardest nuts to crack open as they come in three sided hard outer shells. Inside the nut has a protective brown skin which prevents it turning rancid when exposed to the oxygen in the air. Once you’ve cracked the shell though, the seed or nut is packed full of nutrients and tastes delicious. If you live in the UK you’ll be happy to know that theses nuts are shelled when sold all because of another EU rule. The nuts have to be tested for ‘alfatoxin’ and it is cheaper to test nuts that have been shelled, so the supermarket chains choose to buy shelled Brazil nuts so that customers can afford to buy them. So fortunately or unfortunately as the case may be, there are no more problems trying to crack them open, and having to resort to a hammer. (Nut crackers tend not to do the job in all cases.)

     Brazil nuts grow in the Amazon rainforest and the Brazil nut trees tower above the canopy, reaching 165 feet. The flowers blossom once a year and are pollinated by the Euglossine bee which is powerful enough to force open the hood which protects the store of nectar. The trees have been planted in plantations, but these bees are not plying the cultivators game and don’t like being kept in hives near the trees as they don’t produce enough flowers for a year’s honey production. They aren’t the most social of bees apparently.

photo:Andrew Bartschi

  When the flowers have been pollinated the fruit or pod begins to form and this can take up to 15 months to become ripe. The harvesters allow the pods to fall from the trees naturally and have to wait until they have all fallen to harvest them. No one wants to get hit on the head by one of them as they can weigh up to 2.5 kilos. The little rodent, the agouti, is the only animal that can crack open the pods with its teeth and the trees have to rely on this animal to propagate. Fortunately it hides the pods and like the squirrel forgets where it has hidden them, so after a year (it takes the pods that long to split open naturally) the seeds inside can begin to sprout. There can be as many as 300 pods on one tree and each pod will contain 10-25 seeds (Brazil nuts), which grow like the segments of an orange.

   The fate of the Brazil nut was very much tied to the rubber market as harvesters would collect the pods in the rainy season (December to March) and then from May to November would harvest rubber. That was in the mid 19^th century. Now the rubber business has moved to Asia and harvesters have a tough time if they only rely on harvesting Brazil nuts for a living. However there are moves to cultivate these trees in South America, as the trees grow not only in Brazil (which is not the main exporter of them) but also in Guiana, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia and Colombia.

  The Spanish and Portuguese explorers found these nuts in the 16^th century and they were called “almendras de los Andes” in Spanish or almonds of the Andes. The sailors used them as a useful source of protein and fibre on their long voyages.

    In the 1930s it was discovered that Brazil nuts contain barium and later in the 1950s radium was also discovered in these seeds. However there is as yet no evidence that either substance is secreted by the body; it seems able to flush these out of the system. However it is not wise to eat too many Brazil nuts. One or two a day is fine, but don’t go mad over the winter’s festive season and gorge on these nuts.

    Having said that, these seeds are very beneficial for our health as they contain calcium, magnesium, phosphate, zinc, potassium, manganese, copper, iron, selenium, phosphorous, Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, vitamins C, D and E as well as the B-complex vitamins,riboflavin, niacin, thiamin and B6, Pantothenic acid, choline, Betaine, and folate. Like walnuts, and cashews they are high in protein and fibre and are good for lowering cholesterol levels. They are gluten free as are almonds and pine nuts and the high level of selenium present in these nuts may help protect against breast cancer, prostate cancer and lung and bowel cancers. It also helps protect against heart diseases and thyroid problems.

   Brazil nuts are also a source of the essential amino acid methionine which is lacking in most protein foods. This helps to break down dietary fats and convert them to energy. It in turn promotes the production of the antioxidant glutathione, which combats the free radicals which are responsible for premature ageing and some chronic diseases such as cancer. The glutathione recycles vitamin C which in turn recharges vitamin E and so boosts the immune system, helping it combat diseases.

    Brazil nuts are used not only as a ‘snack’ food but are also made into an oil which is great for salad dressings. They are also used in the cosmetics, paint, timber and lubricants industries.

    If you are allergic to mangoes, cashews, or pistachios, you may also be allergic to Brazil nuts as they are all related.

BRAZIL NUT COUSCOUS WITH APRICOTS

Ingredients

2 tbsps olive oil

200 gr couscous

30 gr dried apricots, chopped

30 gr Brazil nuts, chopped

1 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves shredded

salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

300 ml hot chicken stock

coriander leaves or basil leaves for garnish

Method

Heat the olive oil in a pan and add the couscous stirring so that it is all well coated. Cook on a low heat for 2-3 mins, stirring all the time. Add all the other ingredients and cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally until all the stock has been absorbed and the couscous is tender.

Fluff up with a fork, and garnish with the leaves and serve.

This has Taste and is a Treat.

CATNIP OR CAT MINT: HOW TO USE CATNIP FOR HEALTH: CATNIP TISANE

CAT MINT, CATNIP, NEPETA CATARIA

Cat nip or catnep or cat mint is a member of the mint family as its name suggests, and there are more than 200 varieties growing around the world. Nepeta cataria grows wild in Britain in fields and hedgerows and wherever it can get a hold. Other Nepeta varieties grow in the Indian subcontinent in temperate and tropical zones; are common in North America, where catnip is not thought to be an indigenous plant, and throughout Europe.

   You may have thought that its purpose on the planet was to keep cats happy, but as it turns out you would be wrong in assuming this.

 To our non-feline sense of smell it is a bit like mint or perhaps like pennyroyal, but the essential oil it produces is very attractive to moggies. The main constituent of this oil is nepetalactone which is an effective mosquito and cockroach repellent. It is also an effective antimicrobial and works against fungi and bacteria. Rats are said not to go anywhere near catnip, although this might be because of the frequent feline visitors to it, but it acts as a good deterrent to these rodents, whatever the case. Cats are attracted to plants whose leaves have been bruised and exhibit signs of sexual excitement when they get a whiff of it. They rub against the plant then roll around on it so destroying the plant in the process. If you have an old pet cat or an obese one, don’t plant catnip in your garden. The stimulation might be too much for it.

   There is an interesting old rhyme; -

      “If you set it, the cats will eat it,

       If you sow it, the cats don’t know it.”

Catnip Seeds

This has been observed to be true. If you transplant catnip, cats will soon destroy it, but if you plant it from seeds they don’t seem to bother with it. This might be because the smell of a transplanted catnip plant will exude because of bruising caused to the plant and leaves in the transportation of it.

    Before the introduction of tea to the British Isles, people used to make catnip tea, and this was used for a variety of purposes. For one thing it is hallucinogenic (mildly) and has been smoked with tobacco or alone as a substitute for marijuana. These days as cannabis is more easily attainable, it has fallen into disuse as a drug of this kind, but it does produce a state of calmness apparently, and has been used as a “cigarette” for respiratory ailments, including asthma.

   Catnip leaves may be chewed to relieve toothache, and if you chew the roots you may become quarrelsome and fierce. There is an old tale about a hangman who was a very mild person and who had to chew the root to get up his courage to hang someone.

    It has been used to relieve hysterics and insanity in the past and Sydenham (1624-1689) wrote that its effects were probably because of its “strong and noisome smell, to recall the exorbitant and deserting Spirits to their proper Stations.”

Culpeper wrote that “the juice drunk in wine is good for bruises” and the fresh juice can be used as an emmenogogue and for stomach pains. Culpeper also wrote that “the green leaves bruised and made into and ointment is effectual for piles” and “the head washed in a decoction taketh away scabs, scurf etc.”

    The flowering tops of the plant have traditionally been used in medicine, and they have a refrigerant or cooling effect on the body, as well as being useful as a mild emmenogogue especially used for stomach cramps. It induces sweating so is a diaphoretic, and is mildly stimulating to humans. It has been used to cure sleeplessness, restlessness, colic, headaches and the young tops are good to stop nightmares. The tea or tisane helps with flatulence problems and to produce sweat during fevers.

  If you use equal parts of saffron and catnip tisane it is allegedly good for smallpox, scarlet fever, colds and hysterics. The plant has also been used traditionally to relieve yellow fever and jaundice.

   Catnip can also be found in toys for pet cats, and the powdered roots, seeds and dried or fresh leaves are good in tisanes, to help in the cases of the illnesses mentioned above. You can add catnip leaves to soups, stews and sauces for their flavour.

   There is a story about a restaurateur in the Loire valley (France) who was keen to get a highly coveted Michelin star when the Michelin man visited the region. A friend gave him a tip off to say which day the man would come and he prepared a dish especially for him. One man went to the restaurant and the owner assumed this was the person who recommended restaurants for the Michelin Guide. Unfortunately most things that could go wrong did and the man walked out of the restaurant in high dudgeon. The owner, who was also the chef, yelled at his wife and kicked his heavily pregnant cat, which ran off. Later when he had calmed down he apologized to his wife, but couldn’t find the pet cat. Determined to make amends, he cooked a chicken dish for the cat to entice it back and laced it liberally with catnip. Off he went with some of this dish, leaving the rest in his kitchen. When he got back there was the actual man from Michelin who was enthusing about the chicken dish. He said that he would give the restaurant two stars on the quality of the dish alone, but three if the man would tell him his secret ingredient. The man declined to do so, as he didn’t want the Michelin man to know it had been cooked with a feline in mind, and might withdraw the offer of the stars. The man was delighted and awarded the restaurant three stars because good chefs never reveal their culinary secrets. Now the man had to decide what to call the dish and as he was pondering the cat came back carrying a kitten in its mouth. The cat went away again and came back eventually with twelve more kittens. So the dish was called “Chicken Surprise Thirteen Kittens”.

  I don’t know if this is true or not, but it’s a good urban legend and apropos to this post.

CATNIP TISANE

Ingredients 

1 oz fresh leaves or flowering tops

1 pint boiling water

Method

Pour the boiling water on the catnip and leave to steep, covered, for 15 minutes. You can drink it like a tea, but this might have sedative effects or hallucinatory ones (visual and or auditory) depending on its strength.

For medicinal purposes adults should have a tbsp dose three times a day for headaches, to induce sweating during colds or fevers etc. Children with colic can have 2 tsps.

This has Taste and is a Treat(ment).

WHAT IS GUGGUL? INDIAN BDELLIUM OR FALSE MYRRH: HEALTH BENEFITS OF GUGGUL AND USES

GUGGUL, INDIAN BDELLIUM, COMMIPHORA MUKAL

Guggul in Urdu, Indian Bdellium of false myrrh in English, and is known by several botanical names, Commiphora mukul and wightii, or Balsamodendron mukul. It is related to myrrh and is sometimes added to it to adulterate it. Interestingly, bdellium is the only word in the English language to begin with ‘bd’. Guggul is a tree or shrub with thorns on its branches, which is native to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and parts of Africa, although different genuses grow there. It has an ash-coloured bark which flakes off to reveal an under bark which also peels off in thin paper-like rolls.

   Pliny, in his “Natural History” describes guggul in this way: -

    “Adjoining India in the Bactrian country, in trees of which is produced the highly esteemed bdellium. The tree is black in colour and the size of the olive (tree), its leaf resembles that of the oak and its fruit that of the wild fig… It ought to be transparent like wax, to have a scent, to exude grease when crumbled and to have a bitter taste, though without acidity. When used in religious ceremonies it is steeped in wine, which makes its scent more powerful. This tree is native to Arabia and India, but also to Media and Babylon…Almonds are used to trade adulterated Indian bdellium”

  You have to remember that Pliny never actually saw a tree such as he describes here, but had to rely on descriptions of travellers and traders.

   In the Middle Ages Indian Bdellium reached Europe with the Radanite traders, the “wandering Jew” described by Shakespeare and Marlowe. Without these traders, who took long routes to sell their spices, incense and other wares, Europe would have been cut off from the rest of the world, as it had been in the Dark Ages. The commodities which entered Europe were often brought only by these traders. This changed during the Renaissance as Europe redeveloped and reestablished links with the Arabs, albeit that this was through their conquering of parts of the Iberian Peninsula.

    The tree is tapped so that it exudes an oleo resin which has been found to help, in laboratory in vivo trials, to protect against atherosclerosis. It has anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory properties and can help lower cholesterol levels.

     Guggul has been used in traditional medicine for centuries in the Indian subcontinent and the Arab world, and is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It has astringent, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, and aids the digestive processes as well as stimulating the appetite. It is a diaphoretic, expectorant, diuretic and emmenogogue, and is used in lotions for skin problems such as acne and as a gargle for chronic sore throats, including pharyngitis, and chronic tonsillitis as well as for ulcerated throats. Because it is an emmenogogue and useful in the absence of, or to control irregular, menstruation, pregnant women should avoid it as a medicine.

     Its extract has been used as an aphrodisiac for centuries and it can help with erectile dysfunctions and increase the sperm count and the quality of sperm, so helping infertile men.

   Indian bdellium is moister than myrrh and comes in irregular dark brown masses which soften in the heat of the hand. If you chew a piece it will stick to your teeth and it smells a little like myrrh. The wax-like pellets resemble pearls and were carried by ancient Egyptian women as perfume.

Guggul powder

   The United States Food and Drug Administration have classified it as Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) and today it is viewed as a possible health booster. It is also believed that it boosts the action of sluggish thyroid glands, but trials are still ongoing.

    You can buy it in capsule form, as there are guggulsterones supplements on the market which claim to lower the levels of unhealthy cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL) which builds up in the arteries and may lead to heart problems. It is thought that these guggulsterones may also reduce levels of triglycerides (a type of fat which accumulates in the blood and causes cardio-vascular diseases.

WHY WE NEED MINERALS IN OUR DIETS: WHAT THEY ARE AND FOODS THEY ARE IN

MINERALS WE NEED IN OUR DIETS

Electrolytes are salts and minerals that can conduct electrical impulses in the body. They control the fluid balance in the body and are important in muscle contraction, the generation of energy, so preventing fatigue, and almost all major biochemical reactions in the body. These include sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, sulphate and others.

   Free radicals are compounds that have an unpaired electron which makes them extremely reactive and are linked to the causes of cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. They damage the cells and cause oxidation damage. They are also associated with the aging process and can age the skin, for example. The foods we eat can combat free radicals, and so help fight the ageing process by helping to make the skin smoother, preventing the wrinkles we get as we get older and rejuvenating the skin. Antioxidants protect us from the ravages of free radicals. These are substances which have the ability to convert free radicals into more stable substances, limiting the damage they do. So we need foods which have antioxidant properties such as kiora water, morels, leeks, chilgoza etc.

   Astringent properties: - if a foodstuff has astringent properties and is used for these in traditional or natural medicine, it causes contraction of the tissues and can control bleeding, so stopping the flow of blood from wounds; myrrh has astringent properties as well as antiseptic ones, for example.

  Calcium: - this is essential for healthy bones, teeth, nails and the normal functioning of the heart, nerves and muscles. It is found in dairy products, green vegetables such as broccoli, and in almonds, sesame seeds etc. It helps to prevent osteoporosis and perhaps colon cancer and is used to treat PMT/PMS, colon polyps, and may help to lower blood pressure.

   Magnesium: - this is essential in our diets and is required for enzyme activity in the body. It is important for neurochemical transmissions and muscular excitability. It is found in nuts, seeds, grains and greens. It is used in medicine to help reduce hearing loss which was produced because of noise; heart disease, painful menstruation, symptoms of PMT/PMS, migraines and high blood pressure. It is important for healthy bones and tooth formation; lack of it may affect the heart adversely and skeletal muscle.

    Manganese: - This is found in grains, nuts and is used to treat painful menstruation and osteoporosis as well as to alleviate deficiencies associated with seizures and diabetes.

    Phosphate: - is an organic compound which is extremely important for healthy cells, the storing and use of energy and it is a transmitter of genetic information within cells as well as from one cell to another. It is continually being excreted through faeces and urine so needs to be replaced.

    Phosphorous: - is found in bones and teeth and is essential for the health of the cell membranes. It helps convert food into energy and is found in nuts such as pistachios, and walnuts, legumes, cereals, grains and dairy products.

     Potassium: - this mineral is found in whole grains, meat, legumes, and some fruit and vegetables, such as ash gourd, mushrooms, pumpkin seeds and figs. It is important for the normal functioning of the nerves and muscles, kidneys and heart. It acts as an electrolyte and functions in nerve signal transmissions, muscle contraction, blood pressure regulation and maintenance of the body’s pH balance. Lack of it may result in moodiness, diarrhoea, nausea and weakness.

    Selenium: - a trace mineral with antioxidant properties in its selenoproteins which help to prevent cell damage from free radicals. It helps to regulate the functions of the thyroid gland and plays a role in the healthy function of the immune system. It is found in nuts, meat, bread, mushrooms and salmon. It is thought to help women during and after the menopause.

      Zinc: - a mineral found in eggs, meat, nuts, seeds, whole grains and brewer’s yeast. It is used medically to prevent infection and treat upper body respiratory problems. It can also help treat oral herpes, acne, anorexia nervosa, macular degeneration (weak eyesight and cataracts) male infertility and erectile dysfunctions and sickle cell anaemia. It is toxic if taken in high doses.

WHAT IS ANJEER FRUIT? FIGS ( FICUS CARICA): HEALTH BENEFITS OF FIGS USES AND HISTORY: FIGS RECIPE

FIGS, ANJEER (FICUS CARICA)

Figs (anjeer in Arabic and Urdu) are related to the banyan tree (Ficus bengalhensis) and are in the mulberry family, although they are not closely related. There is also a wild variety of fig which grows in Pakistan's Punjab province and is called the Punjab fig. We have one on our roof thanks to a small bird we once rescued. The fig is believed to be indigenous to western Asia, (Iran, Syria and Turkey) and was taken by early humans to the Mediterranean areas where they flourished. The Greeks got their figs from Caria in what was then Asia Minor, and improved them until they were considered the best in the ancient world. Greek figs were so renowned in the ancient world that there was a law which forbade the export of the best figs. Greek athletes had a diet full of figs and so did slaves in ancient times, as they provide us with energy.

   Pliny writes that he knew of 29 varieties of fig, now there are approximately 800 varieties. He praised those that came from Herculanaeum, Tarant and Caria and archaeologists found dried figs in Pompeii and wall-paintings with them in, along with other types of fruit. The fig was dedicated to Bacchus, the Roman god of wine (Greek equivalent Dionysus) and used in religious ceremonies. It was believed by the Romans that Saturn discovered the fruit, although the Greeks had other myths about its origins.

The Roman writer Ovid tells us that gifts of figs were traditionally given on the first day of the new year, and the legend has it that the wolf that suckled Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, rested under a fig tree.

Black fig

    In Greek mythology, the fig was associated with the satyr Priapus (the figure portrayed on modern Greek postcards with a huge erection and half goat and half man), who symbolized sexual desire. Another myth says that one of the eight Hamadryads, Syke, the daughter of the forest spirit Oxylos, was the nymph of the fig tree. These nymphs lived on Mount Oita in Phthiotos according to myth. Another myth says that Sykeus, one of the Titans who went to war with the gods had to flee the wrath of Zeus, father of the gods, and was changed into a fig tree by his mother Gaia (the Earth) and so hidden from Zeus.

   Figs are mentioned in many places in the Bible and the Qu’ran, and in the bible Adam was said to have hid his nakedness with a fig leaf.

    Fresh figs may be black or green, but the black ones taste better, although they may be difficult to find.

Dried figs

    Figs are reputed to be aphrodisiacs and have a high potassium content as well as containing the vitamins A and C, and some of the B-complex ones including  niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, as well as having calcium, iron, phosphorous, manganese, sodium and chlorine plus traces of selenium. They also have Omega-6 oil and the highest fibre content of any fruit. This means that they are a mild laxative, and good to help prevent colon cancer and piles, and can help with weight loss. They may also help prevent post-menopausal breast cancer. They are also to control blood sugar levels as they are high in potassium, so are good for diabetics. The low sodium content and high potassium levels present in the fruit means that they are good at preventing hypertension, and they help halt macular degeneration, so are good for the eyes. They also heal and protect sore throats as they have a high mucilage content. They can aid digestion and are good if you have a fever, and help relieve respiratory problems such as whooping cough and asthma. Syrup of figs is taken as a laxative and some cough medicines are made from them. The best dried figs these days are reputedly the Elemi ones from Turkey, but this is a matter of taste. In traditional medicine in the Indian subcontinent, they are used to treat STDs, liver complaints as well as earache, boils and abscesses. The milky sap from the leaf stalks is used to remove warts. They are rich in antioxidants which combat the free radicals in the body which damage cells and may cause cancer.

     The fruit of the fig is made up of hundreds of flowers which grow inside the skin of the fruit. They are pollinated by a wasp with which the fruit has a symbiotic relationship. The seeds are all from the flowers, each of which contains only one seed, so the fig is a very unusual fruit.

CHICKEN WITH FIGS AND PORT

Ingredients

3½ lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts

1 tsp coriander seeds, dry fried and then ground

1 tsp cumin seeds, dry fried and ground

½ tsp cayenne pepper

10 garlic cloves sliced

2 onions, sliced

2 bay leaves, torn

12-15 fresh figs, washed and halved

1 cup ruby port

1 lemon or 3 Indian/Pakistani lemons, juice and grated zest

½ cup fresh parsley or coriander, shredded

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Rub spices into the chicken pieces then place in a roasting pan. Put the sliced onions, garlic, figs and bay leaves on top. Cover with a lid or foil and bake for 50 mins.

Remove from the oven and stir in the lemon juice and zest. Put bake in the oven without covering and bake for a further 10-15 mins until the chicken is really tender.

Remove from the oven sprinkle with parsley or fresh coriander leaves and serve on a bed of rice.

This has Taste and is a Treat.

WHAT IS KIORA OR KEWRA OR KEWDA? SCREW PINES:USES OF KIORA WATER

KIORA (IN URDU) OR KEWRA OR KEWDA (HINDI) WATER

Kiora water is distilled from the male flowers of the Pandanus odoratissimus tree. There are over 70 varieties of Pandanus trees, but here we mention only two, as there is much research to be done on the health benefits of these trees. The fragrance of kiora water is similar to rose water, but it has a fruitier flavour.

   In English the trees are known as Screw Pines, although they are not pine trees, and they are also called Umbrella Trees because of the shape some of them grow in.

   Leaves from Pandanus amaryllifolius are used as a spice in South East Asia to flavour curries and desserts. These trees grow in tropical Asia, Australia and the Pacific islands. The ripe fruits of Pandanus trees have their distinctive aroma because of the essential oil they contain.

Fruit

    Pandanus odoratissimus grows all along the eastern coast of India and is particularly famous in Orissa where a lot of the distilled water comes from. This tree flowers in the monsoon season and is harvested in the early morning before the flowers open as they lose their fragrance quickly when they open. Sandalwood is added to the distillation to produce attar kewra which is used in the perfume industry, and ruh kewra is the essential oil that is produced, not mixed with anything and expensive. This name is interesting as ruh means soul in Urdu so the name could mean refresher of the soul. The aroma of this oil has a calming effect and is good as an aid to mental relaxation, as well as having anti-oxidant properties.

    Kiora water is a cheap by-product of the distillation process, but flowers of lower quality are also used to make the water which is used for cooking. In India and Pakistan it is used to flavour sweets and rice dishes. For a recipe using it go to our rare beef biryani one.

Flower

  In traditional medicine the powdered anthers and tops of the flower bracts are used to cure headaches and to treat rheumatism and epilepsy. The powder obtained from inside the anthers is inhaled or smoked like a cigarette as a cure for sore throats. It is believed that the root boiled in milk can cure female sterility and can prevent a miscarriage. In the Asian subcontinent it is thought that the oil is an aphrodisiac, and a decoction of the bark is said to help wounds heal quickly. Seeds from the plant are used to strengthen the liver and heart, and the oil is used for earache. It has antiseptic qualities similar to eucalyptus oil and the roots are diuretic, and used as a tonic and a purifier, so the whole of the tree is beneficial to our health.

  Pandanus amaryllifolius leaves are used in South East Asia to flavour meat dishes as they have a nutty taste. They are also used to wrap food in (after they have been steeped coconut milk) and to weave baskets which food is served in. They can also be used to weave mats and in the past were used as roofing material and to make grass skirts. In traditional medicine these leaves have been used to treat chest pains, reduce fevers, and inflammation from arthritis. Chewing the leaf helps oral health and stops bleeding gums. The leaves are also used to ease stomach cramps and spasms, and are given to women recovering after childbirth. It is thought that they might have anti-cancer properties too and trials are being carried out to see if they are effective against cancer. Extracts of these leaves may be added to bath water for skin problems and relief from sunburn.

    The leaves contain a natural insecticide which has been effective in killing mosquitoes.

  In the islands of Mare and Grande Terre which are part of New Caledonia, in the Pacific, ornithologists have found that New Caledonian crows make tools with the thorny edges of the pandanus leaves that grow there. They make hook-like tools in a three-stage process to dig insects out of holes in trees etc. The tools are sophisticated and the behaviour is learnt, so these crows are one of the few animals, along with chimpanzees that make tools. The pandanus trees are clearly not just for our benefit.

HOW TO MAKE RARE BEEF BIRYANI: KACHAY GOSHT KI BIRYANI

RARE BEEF BIRYANI

Ingredients

1 kg beef, fat removed and cubed

½ cup oil

2 large onions, sliced and fried

2 cups natural yoghurt

2 tbsps garlic pounded to a paste

2 tbsps ginger root pounded to a paste

4 tbsps papaya crushed with skin

1 tbsp chilli powder

½ tsp turmeric

salt to taste

1 cup mint leaves

3 tbsps green cardamom powder

6 green chillies, finely chopped

½ handful coriander, shredded

2 tbsps garam masala

2 tbsps kiora

For the rice: -

750 gr basmati rice

4 cloves

1 cinnamon stick

2 black cardamom pods

2 star anise

1 tbsp fennel seeds

1 tsp grated nutmeg

1 tbsp cumin seeds

1 tbsp salt

Method

First of all marinate the meat cubes in 1 cup of yoghurt and papaya, garlic, ginger, chilli powder, chillies, salt and half of the fried onions for 4 hours.

Clean the rice and soak for half an hour. Drain and add fresh water.

Put the spices under the rice ingredients in a piece of muslin and tie. Put this in the pot with the rice and cook until the rice is almost cooked, but still a little hard inside.

Remove from the heat and strain.

Put a quarter of the meat in the bottom of a pan, then a quarter of the rice on top of it. Next sprinkle a quarter of the coriander, mint, garam masala and the green cardamom powder over the rice. Then add another layer of meat and repeat the process.

Mix the remaining cup of yoghurt with the ½ cup of oil and cover the top with this.

Cook for 10 mins on high heat then put the lid on the pot and weight it down so that no air escapes and cook on a very low heat for 30 mins.

Serve with salad or raita.

This has Taste and is a Treat.

WHAT IS PETHA? ASH GOURD: MEDICINAL USES AND HOW TO MAKE LAHORI PETHA MITHAI DESSERT

ASH GOURD, PETHA, BENINCASA HISPIDIA

The ash gourd (Benincasa hispidia) is called petha in Urdu and is also known in English as wax gourd, white gourd and Chinese preserving gourd. It is sometimes called the winter melon or white melon. It is native to tropical Asia and Africa, although it grows in other parts of the world including Polynesia.

   The ash gourd has been used since ancient times as a medical plant and a vegetable, although it is also the main ingredient of a sweet which we give the recipe for below.

   In traditional Asian medicine it has a number of uses and is good for diabetics as it is low in calories and a diuretic and detoxifier. The juice is the part primarily used in medicine and this has traditionally been taken from old ash gourds. If you grate the flesh of one of these gourds and collect the water that exudes from it, and then squeeze the flesh, you should add an equal amount of water and drink this on an empty stomach every morning three hours before you eat anything to get rid of peptic ulcers. The juice also gets rid of intestinal parasites and will increase tissue growth especially if you mix it with coconut milk. It’s good for the digestion too and cures constipation. If you mix the juice with a teaspoon of gooseberry juice or lime juice and take it in small sips rather than gulping down, it stops bleeding in the lungs and will stop blood being emitted in urine.

    The juice can also be an effective mouth wash, and gargle, helping to sooth mouth ulcers, gingivitis (bleeding gums) and will protect the teeth and gums from bacteria.

     In Ayurvedic medicine it is used to banish sleeplessness, to help with epilepsy, asthma and lung diseases, as well as a diuretic to prevent urine retention, and to stop internal haemorrhages. Apparently it is good for coughs, colds, sinusitis, and flu and it is not reported to have any side effects. It can help lower cholesterol levels and is effective in treating Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate enlargement. For this you should boil 50 gr of chopped seeds in 250 ml of water for 30 minutes, strain and drink 50 ml (small sips) three times a day for a week. The inflammation will be reduced in 2 days and should have disappeared after a week.

   It is rich in dietary fibre, calcium, phosphorous, sodium, vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and contains magnesium, potassium, copper, zinc, iron, manganese, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, Vitamin B6 and folate. It also contains the essential amino acids, tryptophan, lysine and methionine. It also contains fatty acids and traces of selenium. It has been found that the seed has anti-angiogenesis properties, which means that there is a substance in them which can stop the growth of tumours and the progression of cancers by limiting the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis).

  So the ash gourd is good for our health and tastes good too. It can be used in vegetable dishes, and in preserves and pickles. Below is a famous dessert recipe.

LAHORI PETHA MITHAI

Ingredients

1 kg ash gourd, skin and seeds removed and flesh cut into cubes

750 gr sugar

1 tsp alum powder

1 cup water

1 tbsp lemon juice

4 green cardamom pods, seeds removed and crushed

1 stick of cinnamon

Garnish

30 gr chopped pistachio nuts

30 gr desiccated coconut

Method

Prick the cubes of the ash gourd flesh with a fork, put in a pan and cover with water (just).

Add the alum powder and boil for 10-15 minutes.

Remove from the heat and wash under running water.

Now put the cup of water in a pan with the sugar and heat until the sugar has dissolved; add the lemon juice and cardamoms.

Reduce the heat to medium and add the boiled ash gourd cubes. Cook until they are soft and the syrup hangs off a spoon leaving three strands when raised from the pan.

Remove from the heat, remove the petha and place them separately on a plate or tray so that they don’t stick together.

Allow to cool then sprinkle with the garnishes and serve.
This has Taste and is a Treat.

THE 8 ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS AND SEROTONIN AND MELANIN

AMINO ACIDS

Amino acids are molecules that can be synthesized by the body, but the protein needed to do so must come from our diets. The amino acids are the building blocks for all proteins and some are used by the body to manufacture hormones. There are many amino acids, but here we concentrate on the 8 essential amino acids we need in our diets. These 8 amino acids are necessary for normal growth of babies and infants, and adults need them because they maintain the correct level of nitrogen we need in our bodies.

Isoleucine

Leucine: - This one can’t be synthesized by the body; it is obtained by hydrolysis of food protein during the digestion process.

Lysine: - This is found in dairy and meat products, wheat germ and brewer’s yeast and is used to treat cold sores, herpes simplex infections, Bell’s palsy, and rheumatoid arthritis. It cannot be taken during pregnancy or during the lactation period by breast-feeding mothers.

Methionine: - This is obtained from proteins and contains sulphur.

Phenylalanine: - This is converted by the body to tyrosine which is a protein building-block used to make melanin. Phenylalanine is involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters and used to treat sleep disorders, enhance cognitive functions and alleviate the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

   Melanin is the dark insoluble pigment which is present in our skin, hair, and the choroids layer of the eye and in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra. It protects the skin from the harmful rays of the sun, and variations in skin colour are produced because of the levels of melanin present in our bodies. (If we live in hot countries there will be more melanin in our bodies.)

Threonine: - This is naturally present in our bodies and is derived from hydrolysis of protein.

Tryptophan: - This is used in the treatment of insomnia, depression, behavioural disorders, stress and PMT (PMS). Serotonin is formed from tryptophan and this occurs in the body’s tissues especially in the brain, blood serum and gastric mucous membrane. It is active in the stimulation of the smooth muscles, transmission of impulses between nerve cells and regulation of cyclic body processes (e.g. menstruation).

  If the levels of serotonin in the body are low, you may suffer from mood disorders, especially depression, as serotonin reduces irritability and depression as well as blood pressure and it also inhibits gastric secretion, thus keeping the digestive process functioning normally.

Valine: - this is another essential amino acid which is necessary for normal growth in babies and infants and which helps maintain the nitrogen balance in adults’ bodies.

WHAT IS SHAREEFA FRUIT? CUSTARD OR SUGAR APPLE: RHUBARB AND CUSTARD APPLE COMPOTE

SHAREEFA, CUSTARD APPLE, SUGAR APPLE, ANNONA SQUAMOSA/RETICULA

The custard apple is native to the Amazon rainforest, and was taken from the South American continent to other tropical parts of the world by the Spanish and Portuguese explorers in the 16^th century. It now grows in many countries including the Indian subcontinent, Spain and Taiwan. In southern Spain there is a custard apple festival during the 11^th – 14^th October in Almunecar in Granada and in Madeira the custard apple festival is held in Faial as part of the regional Folklore Festival.

   When I first saw a shareefa, I thought it was a variety of small pineapple because of its shape and outer skin, but inside were seeds surrounded by soft flesh, which is sweet and nothing like the taste of a pineapple.

   This fruit is relatively expensive in Pakistan, fitting perhaps for a fruit that was mainly eaten at the courts of the Moghul Emperors because it was too expensive for ordinary people to afford. The very wealthy are the ashrafiya (the superior ones) and it is from this word that the shareefa gets its Urdu name. Today people seem to prefer to eat amrood (guava) which tastes a little like the custard apple.

   The custard apple not only tastes good but has many health benefits and uses, although the seeds are toxic and should not be eaten. The roots and seeds have abortifacient properties, so the fruit should only be consumed in moderation during pregnancy to be on the safe side. A paste of the powdered seeds is applied to the scalp to get rid of headlice, but is not a recommended treatment as it will irritate the eyes a lot if it gets into them and can cause blindness. In Mexico the leaves are strewn on the floors of chicken coops to repel lice and other insects. An extract of the dried leaves has proven to be an effective insecticide and a natural way of inhibiting the breeding of the dengue carrying mosquito in the Indian subcontinent.

   Lac-excreting insects live on the bark of the tree as they do on the banyan tree so it plays host to these and gives us even more financial benefits. Fibre from the bark can be used to make ropes, and if diarrhoea occurs then a tonic made from it is given. If the diarrhoea is chronic or someone has dysentery, the bark, leaves and unripe fruit can be boiled together in a litre of water for 5 minutes to make an effective remedy. 

   On its own, the root bark is used to stop toothache, and is said to be an abortifacient too.

   The leaves can be crushed and made into a paste to be applied to ulcers, boils or abscesses on the skin and the crushed leaves will heal wounds. A decoction made from the leaves is said to be effective in removing intestinal parasites. In India the crushed leaves are sniffed if someone has a fainting spell or becomes hysterical, in much the same way that smelling salts were used in Britain in the 18^th century. If a decoction of the leaves is added to bathwater it is said to alleviate the pains associated with rheumatism.

   The fruit contains a little carotene, a lot of calcium, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and ascorbic acid as well as the amino acids, tryphopan, methionine and lysine. It is good for people who are recovering from an illness, and satisfies hunger too, so is a good dessert if you still feel hungry after a meal! It aids digestion too, and is sieved and made into ice cream in Malaysia. It is naturally cooling and will relieve any burning sensation in your body. Medicinally the fruit is used to stop a bout of vomiting and to cure diarrhoea. It is believed that if you leave a shareefa outside at night so that the dew falls on it and then eat it in the morning, it will cure inflammation even better than if you just ate the fruit. However, that seems strange, as you’d have to suffer the discomfort all night. Be that as it may, the fruit is also used as an expectorant, stimulant, and for anaemia.

  If you’ve never tasted it, you don’t know what you’re missing. It’s delicious. You can grow your own custard apple tree indoors, although they grow from 3 metres to 8 metres high.

Rhubarb and Custard Apple Compote

2 custard apples cut in half, seeds removed and flesh reserved only

1 bunch red rhubarb, cut into cubes

3 cloves

1 stick cinnamon

2 tsps soft brown sugar or misri

the juice of half an orange

Method

Stew the rhubarb with the sugar, orange juice, cloves and cinnamon. (Approx.20 mins)

Allow to cool and add the flesh of the custard apples.

Mix together and serve as a dessert, topped with vanilla ice cream.

This has Taste and is a Treat.