Recipe: Poppy and Flaxseed Chutney Powder- Healthy and Nutrient Rich

Spices, seeds, herbs….there are so many staples we use in Indian cooking on a daily basis.  Given that Indian food is a melting pot of flavours and aromas, these ingredients are truly the essence and back bone of our cuisine.  The best part about these ingredients is that most of them not only enhance the taste of the dish, but also lend medicinal properties that provide a world of health benefits.

Considering this fact, I decided to use a host of nutritious staples lying in my kitchen to create a mixture that is not only healthy and delectable but also easy to prepare.  Here is the simple recipe:

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup Poppy seeds
• ¾ cup Flax seeds
• 1 tsp whole pepper corns
• 1 tsp fenugreek seeds or methi
• 1 tsp nigella seeds or kalonji
• 1 tsp carom seeds or ajwain
• 1-2 tsp cumin seeds or jeera
• 1-2 tsp dry mango powder or aamchur 
• 3 tbsp powdered jaggery
• Salt to taste

METHOD

• Dry roast each of the ingredients till they aromatic and lightly coloured.
• Combine into a mixture and blend to a fine powder.
• Add jaggery, salt and dry mango powder in the end and blend once.
• Add coconut oil or ghee to mix while serving. Tastes well with hot rice, chapatis or bread. 

Poppy and flaxseed chutney powder

Summary of health benefits: 

Poppy and flaxseed chutney powder

• Poppy seeds: apart from adding the right crunch to any dish, it is nutrient rich and has sizable amounts of minerals including calcium, iron and zinc. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber and B-complex vitamins.
• Flax seeds: often described as one of the most nutritious plants, it are a rich source of Omega-3 essential fatty acids and fiber.
• Fenugreek: known for its anti-inflammatory properties it is known to help regulate cholesterol and sugar levels in the blood.
• Jeera, Nigella seeds and Pepper: all these not only aid in digestion but also help keep sugar levels in control.
• Carom seeds: are a perfect remedy for acidity and indigestion.
• Jaggery : is a rich source of antioxidants and minerals like zinc and selenium apart from being a detox. It aids in digestion and is known to be excellent for liver health.

To read about more recipes with a healthy twist, click here and here.