It was cloudy sometime back and so immediately thought of some warm creamy soup. Nothing cheers me more than either going for something which is fried/cheesy or else something healthy like soup. I know I seem to intone completely opposite characteristics..oh well , I have been known to go extremes. So coming to this overcast day where the clouds looked like they were wrapped up in a cosy shawl, I craved for some rich soup, rich not by way of calories but rich by way of taste. Since it was time for me to start food shopping with an almost empty fridge, wondered what I had to make a hearty soup.
Opened the freezer- some corn (naah), coconut(calories!!), dried blueberries (in soup..mmm..thats for some other crazy time), teff flour (umm..!), peas..(Yes! This is it!). Coming to lower rack - assortment of cheese (not today), yeast (x), milk (oh yes), yoghurt (yes yes), Mint (yes yes yes).......and..and..oh well guess that's it in the fridge! Well its another matter altogether that I dint have anything else .
Mint is my favourite herb next to cilantro. Mint = Aroma. The minty smell is pleasantly overpowering and one of the easiest one to grow at home. Mint is extensively used in India and Middle east. One of the famous culinary uses would be in Mint chutney, Mint Raita or in middle eastern Tabbouleh.
(source :internet)
Types of Mint : Peppermint, Spearmint and many other distinct types like apple,lemon and pineapple mint.
Benefits : Mint is highly beneficial since its been used as a traditional cure for nausea and indigestion. It is known to also be useful for cleansing the system. It is used for Chest pains and is considered very good for skin. So its not surprising that it is used in many face packs and sometimes even hair packs.A little research will also throw light on Mint being used as insecticide esp. mosquito's.
How to store : Mint should be refrigerated and if possible, used within a week's time. As soon as you buy just dry out excess moisture, wrap in a paper towel and place in a plastic wrap. Or else you can place the stems of the herbs in a half filled jar of water and then cover it with a plastic wrap.
This soup comes alive with the use of mint and with some breadsticks by the side, you can beat away the gloom and the cold outside.
Ingredients
1 onion, chopped
1 large potato ( I had some red potatoes in hand, so used 2 small ones)
2-3 garlic cloves,minced
1 inch ginger,grated
1 tsp fennel seeds
2 tsp ground coriander-cumin powder
1 cup milk
1/2 cup yogurt
1 cup peas
3-4 tbsp mint , chopped
salt and pepper to taste
Method
1.In a tsp of oil, saute onions,garlic,ginger,potatoes along with salt for 2-3min.
2.Add the ground cumin-coriander powder, fennel and saute for some more.
3.Add 1 cup of vegetable stock/water and cover cook for another 5 min. Then add frozen peas,mint and milk and cook till soft.
4.Let it cool for few min and process it till creamy. Pour it back in the saucepan and add the yogurt. Season it with some pepper and salt if needed. Garnish it with some mint and serve with breadsticks. I served it with home made fresh Basil Grissini.
Other Simple Minty Ideas :
1) Mint Infusion :- Boil some water, switch off and then steep some fresh mint for some time. This can be used for gargling for easing throat soreness and also as a mouth freshner. It can also be drunk in case of indigestion or irritable bowl symptoms. Drink after a meal.
2) Mint Tea :- Boil some water and pour it in a bowl with some peppermint and fennel seeds. Cover and let it stand for 10min, then strain the liquid and mix with some honey and drink. Can use tea leaves too.
3)Mint Face pack :- Mix 1 tbsp of mint powder,yogurt,multani mitti with some rose water. Apply on face till dry and then rinse off with some lukewarm water.
This Minty Post goes off to WHB Eventguest hosted by Divya .
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The deadline for AWED : Italian is coming 15th, so if you have been meaning to make that bookmarked Italian dish or thinking of getting creative and wild with the theme, then its now time to get it done in a jiffy.
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Who doesnt love credit cards? I do too, but this friendship card "credits" a friendship for ever and never expires . In short it is as priceless as any and this has been bestowed on me by dearest EC of Simple Indian Food. her blog(s) speak for her and her myriad interests and to be her friend is my good fortune.
Thanks EC. Love this :)
