FOOD SPECIAL ......Superfoods of 2016

Superfoods of 2016   Quinoa and kale chips are so 2015, it's cringe-inducing. Brace yourself for Bentonite clay, kohlrabi and teff You made your peace with the semi-bitter aftertaste of kale chips.You even adapted to the flaky bite of quinoa, for these were the superfoods stacked high in the supermarket. But like fashion, food trends need to come with an expiry date, so that you're prepared for their eventual departure from food aisles and your cupboards.While coconut oil and chia seeds rocked diets last year, 2016 is all about the underdog. Packed with that extra zing of health, black rice, maca root and nigella sativa will headline mainstream superfoods this year. So the next time you go grocery shopping, here are some must-buys you need to include in your list: Kohlrabi At a glance, kohlrabi looks like a cross between a turnip and a radish, but its roots can be traced to the cabbage family. The stout vegetable is native to German-speaking countries and can be eaten raw or cooked. The texture is similar of broccoli, but tastes mildly sweeter. The stem has a crunchy aftertaste, like that of an apple. Kohlrabi suits salads and blends with slaw. Its juicy flesh can be made into fries, pie or risotto. Kohlrabi is a perfect diet food, as it has almost no calories and is rich in fibre. It also satisfies the appetite, reducing the urge to snack in-between meals. Incidentally, kohlrabi has for long been a staple in Kashmiri cuisine. Black rice Often called longevity rice or forbidden rice, black rice is native to China and southeast Asia. Even though its brown and red counterparts are wide ly popular, this lesser-known variety is still shrouded in mystery. Black rice has astonishing levels of anthocyanin antioxidants (even more than blueberries). It's highly revered in China and was set aside historically for royal consumption alone. Its low yield makes it a premi um product. Black rice is loaded with dietary fibre which helps prevent bloating, constipation and other digestive issues. It is also gluten-free, which slows down the absorption of sugar in the blood, making it ideal for pre-diabetics. The rice has a wild, nutty flavour and takes roughly the same amount of time to cook as brown rice.; Teff The world's smallest food grain, is the size of a poppy grain. About 1 gm of teff is about 3,000 grains. Native to Ethiopia and Eritrea, the tiny, reddish brown grain is rich in dietary fibre, iron, and also calcium. It is cooked like millets and its granular form allows for speedy cooking and conserves energy. It can be also be ground as flour and used to bake pie crusts, bread and cookies. It can also be eaten as a whole grain and can be boiled or steamed. Its gluten-free nature makes it ideal for people with gluten allergies. Birch Water Much has been written about the benefits of coconut water and its life-saving abilities. But birch water -harvested from  the bark of birch trees -is the new cool. The sap has a thin, water-like consistency and is known to possess macronutrients, potassium and electro lytes. Birch water regulars swear by its rehydrating properties. The water is a known diuretic that helps flush out toxins from the body. Birch water contains saponin, which lowers cholesterol. It is colour less and odourless with a shelf life of about three days. Give the soda a miss, try birch water instead. Avacado oil Uniquely, this edible oil is not extracted from the seed of an avocado, but rather obtained from the flesh of the tropical fruit. The oil is loaded with potassium and vitamins A and D, apart from a very high concentration of monounsaturated fats.Though avocado oil is new to the culinary world, it is ideal for cooking and frying as it has a very high smoking point -about 249 degree Celsius. The oil can also be used for salad dressings and as a condiment. It is a healthier substitute to butter in baking and other preparations. One can successfully treat heartburn and indigestion by introducing avocado oil in one's diet. The oil is rich in vitamin E, which is known to moisturise and keep the skin looking youthful. Sweet potato flour Sweet potato flour is made after sweet potatoes are dried and powdered. The resultant flour contains a hint of orange or pink colour. The flour is very versatile and can be used to make crepes, pancakes, cookies, cakes and bread. It is also used to thicken soups, gravies and sauces. And it works well with both sweet and savoury dishes. Sweet potatoes are known for their high calorie and starch content. But they do not contain any cholesterol, making them a viable food option for people with heart problems. It is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. It is also gluten-free and a great source of Vitamin A. Maca root Maca root can be traced to the Inca civilisation, where it was used as an aphrodisiac. It was used to enhance sexual stamina and performance.This brownish-yellow root is often referred to as the Peruvian ginseng owing to its naturally stimulating properties. The root is also known to provide relief to menopausal women as it alleviates the symptoms of hot flashes, mood swings, cramps and depression. It is known to help athletes as it strengthens endurance, energy levels and stamina. The native Peruvians ate it in baked or cooked form. It can also be dried and consumed as a powder. Bentonite clay The grey-cream clay has been used since ancient times for detoxing. The `healing' clay traps all the impurities in the body -heavy metals, bacteria and antibodies -and flushes them. It's loaded with magnesium, calcium, sodium, iron and potassium. The clay also relieves constipation, gastroenteritis and bloat ing. It should not be kept in a metal container or used with a metal spoon, as the clay will absorb the metal. Nigella sativa Native to south and southwest Asia, nigella is also known as black cumin. Called kalonji in Hindi, it is a staple ingredient in many Indian pickles and curries. The tiny black seeds contain a bioactive agent -(thymoquinone), which benefits people suffering from epilepsy, Type 2 diabetes and colon cancer. These seeds also boost the immune system. You can make them a part of your daily diet by using it to temper a curry, or gulp it down with a hint of honey. Lupin These yellow beans are legume seeds native to the Mediterranean and Latin America, where they are traditionally eaten as a snack. They contain no starch whatsoever -a rarity for any edible bean. The high alkaloid content results in a slightly bitter taste. The beans are also high in plant protein content -one bean packs in four times more protein than whole wheat. Lupin beans are easy to digest apart from being cholesterol-free. They should be soaked overnight and rinsed for long in running water to make them fit for consumption. They can be added to any salad, or be eaten boiled as a standalone snack.

Ektaa Malik MM10APR16