Sunday, March 18, 2018

ALOE VERA (KATTAARVAZHA) HAIR OIL HOMEMADE




YET ANOTHER GRANDMA’S RECIPE FOR A HEALTHY SHINY THICK DARK HAIR. DIY at home.
Go back to nature whenever you get time and explore the gifts around. Aloe Vera is a wonder herb for skin and hair.
Aloe Vera ( kattarvazha) hair oil preparation at home.
I prepared this when I was in Kerala.



Take fresh Aloe Vera Leaves from the garden.
Cut into small pieces as shown in the pic.
Grind it in a mixer grinder, till you get a green liquid out of it. Strain it with a cotton cloth (extract it properly)and pour the gel In to an iron kadai. Mix the Aloe Vera liquid with the coconut oil .The ratio of aloe vera to the coconut oil should be 2:1 Heat the mixture on the stove on low flame occasionally stirring  the mixture well. Allow it to boil. Wait till you get a solid substance from the oil and Colour of the oil will turn  dark too. Switch it off and let it cool before storing it in a glass bottle.
Benefits:
It can prevent and treat dandruff, itchy scalp, make hair shiny and also promote hair growth.












Monday, February 19, 2018

Ottada

My Grandma's and amma's recipe with a fragrance of banana leaf is here for you all

She used to prepare ottada in the lazy evenings and will serve it with hot black tea. 
It is still fresh in my memory.



INGREDIENTS :

Rice flour -1 cup
Grated coconut -1 cup
Cumin/ jeera
salt

Fresh Plantain Leaves

Make a smooth dough of rice flour pouring boiled water into it. Add in salt and jeera too 

Using the fingers, Spread small rounds of batter on the leaf which is washed and wiped,
Dipping the finger once in a while in water, at the time of flattening the dough, will prevent sticking the dough in hand. I used to observe this tip whenever my amma used to make ada. Then using your fingertips, spread  the dough onto the leaf, flatten it as a thin layer.
Sprinkle grated coconut on this. (you  can add jaggery or sugar purely optional though )
Fold the leaf from one side and put the same on a hot clay tava and roast on both sides till small golden spots appear on both the surfaces.