12th fia fia cooking--Sponge Gourd Chicken Salad(20/04/2012)

 <<<To Eat is To Be Healthy>>>   20/04/2012

TODAY SPECIAL: Sponge Gourd Chicken Salad (10 Servings)

PLACE:Nukulaelae Maneapa

RECIPE 

Ingredient	Condimen
500g sponge gourd	Salt
3 chicken legs	Soy sauce
1 chili	Sugar
3 cloves of garlic	Black pepper
Cool water	Corn flour
	Sesame oil

                                 photo by Tracy

                                 photo by Lader

                                 photo by Tracy

                                 photo by Lader

       

         DIRECTION:

1.     Bone the chicken legs, cut them into strips, and marinate with salt, black pepper, some sugar, and corn flour.

2.     Peel the sponge gourd, remove the seeds, and cut into strips.

3.     Boil the sponge gourd for 10 seconds, and put them into cool water to keep them crunchy.

4.     Boil the chicken.

5.     Cut the garlic and chili finely.

6.     Mix the sponge gourd, chicken, garlic, chili, 2 teaspoons of soy sauce, salt, some sugar, and sesame oil before serving. 

Health Benefits of Ridge Gourd (Loofah/Turai)

       The Ridge Gourd is an extremely popular vegetable in the African, Asian and the Arabic countries. It is also known by other names such as loofah, luffa, turai, turiya, tori etc. Originally believed to be originated in the Arabic desserts, this vegetable has spread throughout the world. It is a dark green, ridged vegetable having white pulp with white seeds embedded in spongy flesh. All species of ridge gourd/loofah are edible, but they must be consumed before they mature, or else they will be too woody and fibrous to eat.

      It has many health benefits such as:

•      A nutrition powerhouse: Ridge gourd is loaded with nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamin C, riboflavin, zinc, thiamin, iron and magnesium. It is also low in fat and calories.
•      An ideal weight loss food: Being low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in dietary fiber, it becomes the ideal choice for anyone who wishes to lose some weight quickly. It also has a very high water content, making it a very low calorie vegetable (only 60 calories in 100 gm of cooked ridge gourd).
•      Cure for jaundice: The juice prepared from ridge gourd is a natural remedy for jaundice. The juice can be prepared by pounding the bitter ridge gourd and squeezing it through a cloth.
•       Blood purifier: Because of its blood purifying properties, it helps to purify, restore and nourish liver protecting it from alcohol intoxication.
•       Lowers blood sugar level: It contains insulin-like peptides, alkaloids and charantin, which help to lower blood and urine sugar levels without altering blood insulin levels.
•       Good for stomach: Cellulose in ridge gourd helps to overcome constipation and also aids in curing piles.
•       Skin care: When ridge gourd/loofah is allowed to mature and dry on the vine, it can be harvested as a sponge. Loofah sponge has been used traditionally as an exfoliating product when bathing. They are very good for removing dead skin cells leaving the skin smooth and conditioned. They can also help stimulate the skin thus making it healthier and more vibrant.

    The blood purifying properties make sure that you stay away from pimples and acne.

    Loofah sponge can also help control body and foot odor.

•       Strengthens immune system: A glass of Ridge gourd juice mixed with other healthy vegetables in the morning can help to strengthen your immune system against any infection.