In the field of superfoods, amla (or Indian gooseberry) has tons of properties and is one of the fruits with the highest content of vitamin C. It can be eaten in different forms and is considered a key element of Ayurveda, a holistic practice used in India since ancient times. Amla is great on its own, but it can also be incorporated into many delicious dishes or used in powder form, for example added to a fruit juice or smoothie.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Using Fresh Amla
Step 1. Slice it and sprinkle it with salt to accentuate the taste
Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt or pink Himalayan salt on the amla slices to enhance their sweetness and flavor. The salt also serves to mask the intense acidity of the fruit.
- It is not necessary to peel the amla before slicing and eating it.
- You can buy amla at your city's multi-ethnic groceries. The amla season starts in December and lasts until April.
How to Choose Ripe Fruits
Select firm fruits
Amla should be slightly firmer than grapes.
Select the round and plump fruits
Those that have an irregular shape tend to be unripe and less flavorful.
Select the fruits of green-yellow fluo color
If they are completely green, it means they are not yet ripe.
Discard bruised or stained fruit
Damaged fruit could become moldy or already moldy internally.
Step 2. Dry the amla slices in the sun to eat them as a snack
Amla is a superfood that you can eat even at aperitif time. Slice the fruits, put them on a plate, season them with salt and lemon juice and let them dry in the sun for a few days, until they are completely dehydrated.
- The thinner the slices, the faster they will dehydrate.
- Alternatively, you can dehydrate them in the dryer.
Step 3. Boil the amla with salt and turmeric to reduce its acidity
Boil the water in a saucepan, add the amla, a pinch of turmeric and salt to taste. Let it cook until it becomes soft and then drain it.
- Make small cuts in the peel before cooking the amla to allow the salt and turmeric to penetrate the pulp.
- If you prefer the fruit to stay firmer, cook it for less time.
Step 4. Store the pickled amla to make it last up to a year
The salinity of the preservative liquid will neutralize some of the bitter taste of the fruit. Pickle the amla and store it in the refrigerator. Make sure it stays completely submerged to prevent it from spoiling.
- Serve the pickled amla over rice or lentil dal (a typical Indian dish).
- Pickled amla has the same detoxifying properties as kimchi (fermented cabbage). Promotes digestion and the expulsion of waste and toxins from the body.
Recipe for Pickling Amla
Ingrediants:
250 ml of vinegar
250 ml of water
1 tablespoon (15 g) of sea salt
Pour all the ingredients into a saucepan and bring the water to a boil. Stir until the salt has dissolved completely. Put the amla in a glass jar, pour the mixture of water, vinegar and salt over it and screw the lid tightly.
Step 5. Use chutney to flavor your dishes in a healthy way
Amla chutney generally contains ingredients such as coriander, green chillies, ginger, garlic, and sea salt. Use it as a sauce for dressing vegetables, meat, tofu or rice. You can buy ready-made chutney or make it at home.
- Look for a product without preservatives or chemical additives.
- Chutney is often paired with some typically Indian dishes, such as idli, dosa and kebab.
Method 2 of 2: Using Amla Powder
Step 1. Drink amla juice in the morning to improve digestion
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties it helps the body digest food better during the day. Dissolve the powdered amla in a glass of water and drink the juice as soon as you wake up on an empty stomach.
- You can add honey and lemon juice to make it more palatable.
- You can buy packaged amla juice. However, it is likely to contain sugars and other added additives.
Step 2. Sprinkle the fruit with amla powder to ensure an extra dose of antioxidants
You can spread the amla on the slices of banana, apple or melon to mask the typical bitter taste. Fresh fruit will also provide the body with a large dose of fiber and vitamins.
Do not combine amla with citrus fruits or acid-rich fruits, such as pineapple, as they are both sour
Step 3. Mix the amla powder with honey if you don't like its bitter taste
Amla has multiple beneficial effects, but it can't be said to taste good. To mask the bitter taste, mix one teaspoon (5g) of amla powder and one teaspoon (5g) of honey. The sweetness of the honey will cover the bitter taste of the fruit.
- This combination is also known as a remedy for relieving colds and nasal congestion.
- Use raw honey which, not being pasteurized, brings greater benefits.
Step 4. Add amla to a fruit and vegetable smoothie
One of the simplest ways to mask its sour taste is to add the powder to a smoothie. Start with regular ingredients, like bananas, almond milk, spinach, and ice, then add a pinch of amla powder before blending.
- The trend of the moment is to serve the smoothie in a bowl and decorate it with fresh fruit, coconut flakes and granola, for example.
- The amla will give the smoothie a brown hue.
Recipe for a Simple and Healthy Smoothie
Ingrediants:
250 ml of milk (vegetable or not)
A handful of spinach leaves
A handful of cabbage leaves
A banana
475 g of berries
A couple of dates
A pinch of cinnamon
One tablespoon (15 g) of amla powder
Blend the listed ingredients until well blended. Pour the smoothie into the glass and get your fill of taste and health.
