How to Use Cardamom in Cooking: Health Benefits, Recipes & Ayurvedic Tips

How to Use Cardamom in Cooking: Health Benefits, Recipes & Ayurvedic Tips

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How To Use Herbs And Spices In The Kitchen >> How to Use Cardamom in the Kitchen



How to Use Cardamom in the Kitchen

According to Ayurveda, cardamom is a tridoshahara herb, meaning it balances all three doshas (body humors), making it suitable for all body types, ages, and times of the day.
  • It serves as an appetizer, digestive aid, and palate cleanser in various dishes.
    •
  • Add a pinch of cardamom powder to milk, sweets, or dairy-based items to support digestion.
    •
  • Consume cardamom with betel leaves and betel nut powder after meals for a refreshing palate cleanse.
    •
  • In savoury dishes, use cardamom to enhance flavour, improve fragrance, and add a minty, pungent taste.
    •
  • Drinking a warm infusion of cardamom powder at night may promote better sleep.
    •



    Benefits for Different Age Groups

  • Cardamom is effective and safe for frequent coughs and colds in children. It also helps eliminate unpleasant odors from milk and other ingredients.
    •
  • It aids digestion, stimulates appetite, and relieves constipation in elders.
    •
  • For teenagers & young adults, cardamom helps manage dyspepsia and indigestion.
    •

    Recipes:

    Sweet Potato & Jaggery Cardamom Soup:
    • Ingredients:

      1. Sweet potato - 250 gm
        2.
      2. Water - as per requirement
        3.
      3. Cardamom powder - ½ t.spoon
        4.
      4. Jaggery - 3 t.spoon
        5.
      5. Milk - ½ cup
        6.
    • Recipe:

      • Boil sweet potatoes until they become soft inside.
        •
      • Peel off the outer skin and mash it well.
        •
      • Add 2-3 cups of water and jaggery to the mashed sweet potatoes.
        •
      • Boil the mixture until it blends properly.
        •
      • Serve hot.
        •
      • Ideal for winter, this dish helps combat weakness in the elderly and is an energy booster for children.
        •
    Cardamom Granola Bar (Chikki):
    • Ingredients:

      1. Peanuts (roasted) - 250 gm
        2.
      2. Cashew - 100 gm
        3.
      3. Dates(small cut-pieces) - 100gm
        4.
      4. Dry coconut pieces - 100 gm
        5.
      5. Jaggery - 500gm
        6.
      6. Ghee - 10gm
        7.
      7. Cardamom powder - 2 t.spoon
        8.
    • Recipe:

      • Grease a rolling board and rolling pin with ghee and set aside.
        •
      • In a heavy-bottom pan, melt ghee and add finely chopped jaggery.
        •
      • Stir continuously for 3-4 minutes until the jaggery melts completely.
        •
      • Allow it to boil and darken slightly in colour.
        •
      • Cook until it forms a ball-like consistency. To check, drop a little jaggery into water, if it forms a solid ball, it's ready, if it stretches, cook for another couple of minutes.
        •
      • Turn off the flame and mix in roasted peanuts, chopped dates, cashews, and cardamom powder until well combined.
        •
      • Transfer the mixture onto the greased board and spread it evenly. Smooth the top with a spatula.
        •
      • Let it cool for a few minutes, then roll it evenly with a rolling pin and cut into bars.
        •
      • Allow to cool completely before serving.
        •
      • Store at room temperature for up to a month. It serves as an energy-boosting and winter-rejuvenating bar for all age groups.
        •
    Cardamom-Wheat Warm Drink:
    • Ingredients:

      1. Wheat coarse powder - ½ cup
        2.
      2. Sugar - 2 t.spoon
        3.
      3. Water - 2 cups
        4.
      4. Cardamom powder - ½ t.spoon
        5.
      5. Ghee - 1 t.sppon
        6.
    • Recipe:

      • Roast wheat flour in ghee until it turns light brown and releases a fragrant aroma.
        •
      • Gradually add water while stirring to prevent lumps.
        •
      • Mix in sugar and cardamom powder, then let it simmer for 3-4 minutes.
        •
      • Serve hot.
      • It is beneficial for children with coughs, colds, or sneezing. Also helps provide warmth in winter and aids digestion or other stomach issues.
        •
    Cardamom Spiced Tea:
    • Ingredients:

      1. Cardamom powder - 1 t.spoon
        2.
      2. Cinnamon powder - ½ t.spoon
        3.
      3. Tea powder - 1 t.spoon
        4.
      4. Rock sugar - 1 t.spoon
        5.
      5. Milk - 1.5 cups
        6.
      6. Water - ½ cup
        7.
    • Recipe:

      • Bring water to a boil in a pan.
        •
      • Add cinnamon and cardamom, and simmer for 1 minute.
        •
      • Stir in tea powder and sugar, then boil for another 2 minutes.
        •
      • Pour in milk and let it simmer for 4-5 minutes.
        •
      • Serve hot.
        •
      • An excellent alternative to regular tea and helpful for indigestion.
        •
    Cardamom-Strawberry Oats:
    • Ingredients:

      1. Cardamom - 1 t.spoon
        2.
      2. Fresh strawberry - 5-6 (use any berries)
        3.
      3. Walnuts - 2 t.spoon
        4.
      4. Oats - ½ cup
        5.
      5. Milk - 1 ½ cup
        6.
      6. Rock sugar- optional - 1 t.spoon
        7.
    • Recipe:

      • Cook oats in milk for 5–7 minutes until creamy.
        •
      • Add cardamom powder and optional rock sugar, and stir well.
        •
      • Mix in chopped strawberries and walnuts, cook for 1-2 minutes.
        •
      • Turn off the heat and pour into a serving bowl.
        •
      • Enjoy warm or chilled, garnished with fresh berries and nuts.
        •
      • This dish is ideal for a weight-loss diet and works well as a mid-day snack or a light breakfast, thanks to its low-calorie content.
        •
    Cardamom Cookies:
    • Ingredients:

      1. Butter softened - 125g
        2.
      2. Caster sugar - 125g
        3.
      3. Self-raising flour - 200g
        4.
      4. Baking powder/soda - 1 tsp
        5.
      5. Water - 1 tbsp
        6.
      6. Cardamom powder - 1 tbsp
        7.
    • Recipe:

      • Beat softened butter and caster sugar together until light and creamy.
        •
      • Add water and cardamom powder, and mix until well combined.
        •
      • Sift in self-raising flour and baking powder, and fold into the mixture.
        •
      • Shape the dough into small balls and gently press them to flatten.
        •
      • Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 12-15 minutes until golden.
        •
      • These cookies offer a delightful blend of flavour and aroma, making them a perfect companion for tea-time indulgence while also aiding digestion due to cardamom's natural properties.
        •

     
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