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"I disliked this at first taste but tried it again the next day and fell in love with the sweet sour flavor. I will..." - Mitt,  SEE MORE REVIEWS & COMMENTSAbout the Author: John Immel, How to Make Coconut, Turmeric & Tomato Sambar SoupSERVINGS: 4 PREP TIME: 20 MINUTES COOK TIME: 60 MINUTES MEAL: STYLE: EAT IN: FOR OCCASION: INGREDIENTS
PREPARATIONSoups follow the adage - "Cook with oil, salt, sweetener and simplicity". A correctly salted broth tastes like a tear drop. The surface should glisten with oil. A dash of sweetener encourages merriment of any house guest. Sambar DeconstructedAlthough this soup appears complex, it is simple when approached architecturally. Black pepper, salt, limes, and sucanat provide pure pungent, salty, sour and sweet tastes. Onion, garlic and ginger form the classic tri-root combination found commonly throughout Asia. Turmeric, mustard seed and cumin form a base spice combination through much of South India, here supplemented by two additional spices coriander and fennel. Cilantro and coconut are classic garnishes for South Indian meals. The vegetables, potato, carrot and zucchini are simply standard soup vegetables from any continent of the world.1. Grind the spices into a powder. Add a small amount of water to create a paste with the spices. Let the paste sit for five minutes, during which time the water will be absorbed by the spices. When you fry the spices, this water will boil, pushing out the essential oils, and the flavor, into the frying oil for a great tasting result. 2. Heat 1 Tbsp hot oil in a small pan. When the pan is hot enough that a drop of water sizzles, add the spice paste. Sautee for 30 seconds. Remove from heat before the spices brown and lose their flavor. Do not let the oil smoke, or it will turn into trans fats. 3. In a large saucepan or stockpot, heat the remaining oil. Toss in your onions. When the onions become clear, mix in the garlic and continue frying for thirty seconds. Pour in your spicy oil from step two, and all remaining ingredients. Fill the pot with water until it covers the vegetables. Bring the entire mixture to a boil, cover, and simmer on low heat for one hour or until vegetables are tender. 4. Garnish with fresh cilantro, the squeeze of a lime wedge, and a sprinkle of fresh coconut. Serve hot with coconut rice! How Can Coconut, Turmeric & Tomato Sambar Soup Make You Feel Great?AYURVEDIC ANALYSISEvery South Indian mom has their own version of Sambar Soup, a popular dish from the heartland of Ayurveda. It can be made to suit any constitution. This spring sambar recipe, with brightly sour lime and bitter-pungent turmeric, invigorates the blood and liquefies stagnant fats and mucus. These actions relieve sinus congestion and release excess fat just when your body needs to lighten up. Sambar soup is typically served with dosas (fermented daal crepes), idlys and mint chutney. Other optional flavors include mustard seed, garam masala, cinnamon, lime, garlic, etc. Warm Fingers and ToesTurmeric is a key ingredient for clearing Kapha from the system. It thins the blood and dilates blood vessels, cleansing liver congestion and warming the blood. The heat of turmeric also pacifies Vata and clears toxicity from the lymphatic system and joints, leaving you feeling light, warm and clear. Mustard seeds, garlic and onions also strengthen circulation and build warmth in your cold, stagnant early spring body.Easy to DigestSour limes encourage secretions in the digestive tract, and release of bile from the liver for easy digestion of fats. This helps those with dry constipation and low appetite have easy bowel movements. The hot spices increase your appetite and digestive fire, making this a great soup for recovering from illness.The Deadly NightshadesTomato and potato are both nightshades. In general the nightshade plant family vitiates the blood. Tomatoes contain a residue that ultimate irritates the body, especially the joints. Crush a tomato leaf and sniff; you will experience the funkiness of nightshades first-hand. The leaves and stems contain tomatine and solanine, both poisonous substances. Use caution with tomatoes and all other nightshades if you have arthritis, are easily irritated, or have an aggressive, hot-blooded temperament.But don't worry! Moderation is the key. By eating nightshades sparingly, you may easily avoid symptoms and even enjoy the benefits of nightshade vegetables. Limit your consumption to no more than once or twice a week. This is also a great trick to maintain a varied diet. WHY SHOULD YOU EAT AYURVEDICALLY?Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. An Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body type and the specific imbalances you are working with at any given time. Foods that supplement your specific body type’s needs and digest easily create your menu. Watch as you eat less but feel more satisfied because what you are eating truly nourishes you. Since Ayurveda believes all disease begins in the digestive tract, food is your first medicine. By eating a healthy diet that’s ideal for your body, you experience optimal health.Is Coconut, Turmeric & Tomato Sambar Soup Good for Me?MEDICINAL QUALITIES
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary.
The list of actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.Bone & Joint: Antiarthritic ANTIARTHRITICHerbs that ease arthritic pain and promote joint health.Digestion: Digestive , DIGESTIVEHerbs that encourage healthy digestive.Carminative , CARMINATIVEStimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward.Antispasmodic ANTISPASMODICHerbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, colic or IBS.Cleanse and Detox: Burns Toxins BURNS-TOXINSAn herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them.Heart & Circulation: Vasodilator , VASODILATORA vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.Alterative , ALTERATIVELiterally, an herb that restores the proper function of the body. In practice, alteratives are usually blood cleansers and blood chemistry balancers. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.Blood Thinner BLOOD-THINNERHerbs that thin the blood. Helpful for people with heart disease or clogged circulation.Immune System: Anthelminthic , ANTHELMINTHICKills wormsAnti Inflammatory , ANTI-INFLAMMATORYReduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.Antimicrobial , ANTIMICROBIALAn agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals.Antifungal ANTIFUNGALHerbs that destroy fungus.Liver & Gall Bladder: Cholagogue CHOLAGOGUECholagogues stimulate the release of bile from the gall bladder for improved digestion.Lung and Sinus: Flushes sinuses , FLUSHES-SINUSESAn herb that relieves sinus congestion by flushing out mucus.Decongestant DECONGESTANTAn herb that reduces mucus congestion in the sinus or lungs by restricting blood flow to mucus membranes.Reproductive Health: Galactagogue GALACTAGOGUEIncreases production of breast milk.Skin Care & Beauty: Skin Tonic SKIN-TONICAn herb that strengthens and nourishes skin, improving tone, color, moisture and complexion.Weight Loss: Hypolipidemic HYPOLIPIDEMICScrapes fats / cleanses blood vesselsEat Well for Life With Ayurveda: Balance Your DoshaView Other Recipes for
This recipe is recommended for Spring. Check out these other Spring recipes here.
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