Meals that heal- Berry that delights

Gabriel :The Hindu :3 June 2012

Gooseberry (‘amla' in Hindi and ‘nellikai' in Tamil) has medicinal properties. 

Amla is an extensively used in making ayurvedic medicines.

 It is believed to rejuvenate all the organ systems of the body. According to ayurvedic experts, regular consumption of amla increases longevity. 

Amla is a potent source of vitamin C. Amla is excellent for strengthening the hair and maintaining its colour and lustre.As a powerful antioxidant, it helps scavenge free radicals. Free radicals are unstable oxygen-based ions in the body that are linked to disease and premature aging. Amla cleanses, hydrates and nourishes the skin.  

Now, for a recipe.

Amla Delight

Ingredients 

Khoya: 500gm

Powdered sugar: 250gm

A few drops of yellow colour

For the filling

Amla grated and cooked with 2 tbsp of sugar: 1 cup

Sugar candy: 3 tbsp

Desiccated coconut: quarter cup

A few almonds finely sliced for decoration

Method:  Mix khoya, sugar and yellow colour.  Mix the ingredients for the filling together.   Take a lemon-sized portion of the khoya mixture, flatten it on your palm and place one tsp of the filling in the centre of it and again shape it like a ball. Press lightly. Roll it in the desiccated coconut and garnish it with sliced almonds.

Sous Chef Vivanta by

Taj Connemara