Fresh amla can be used to make amla juice, amla candy, or amla chutney, all of which are great for boosting immunity due to amla's high Vitamin C content. These recipes are simple to prepare at home and offer a delicious way to incorporate amla into your diet.
Here are three simple recipes using fresh amla to boost your immunity:
1. Amla Juice:
* Ingredients: 4-5 fresh amla, 1 cup water, a pinch of black salt or honey (optional). * Instructions: 1. Wash the amla thoroughly. 2. Chop the amla into small pieces, removing the seeds. 3. Blend the amla pieces with water until smooth. 4. Strain the juice using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth. 5. Add black salt or honey to taste, if desired. 6. Consume fresh.
2. Amla Candy:
* Ingredients: 500g fresh amla, 250g sugar (or jaggery), a pinch of cardamom powder (optional). * Instructions: 1. Wash and steam or boil the amla until slightly soft. 2. Remove the seeds and chop the amla into small pieces. 3. Mix the amla pieces with sugar (or jaggery) in a bowl. 4. Let it sit for 24 hours, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the amla is coated. 5. Spread the mixture on a tray and sun-dry for 3-4 days, or until the pieces are no longer sticky. Alternatively, you can dehydrate them in a dehydrator. 6. Sprinkle with cardamom powder, if desired. 7. Store in an airtight container.
3. Amla Chutney:
* Ingredients: 2-3 fresh amla, 2-3 green chilies, 1 inch ginger, a handful of coriander leaves, salt to taste, a squeeze of lemon juice. * Instructions: 1. Wash the amla, green chilies, ginger, and coriander leaves. 2. Chop the amla, green chilies, and ginger into small pieces. 3. Combine all the ingredients in a blender. 4. Add salt to taste and a squeeze of lemon juice. 5. Blend until you achieve a smooth consistency. Add a little water if needed. 6. Serve fresh with your favorite meals.
To reduce the tartness of amla, blanch it in hot water for a few minutes before using it in your recipes. This helps to mellow the flavor without significantly reducing its nutritional value.