Called corn or bhutta, all you need are these crunchy, fibrous kernels to beat your boredom on a lazy weekend. Savour it dry-roasted, boiled, tossed and seasoned with salt and chilli, like popcorn or simply digging into it like corn on the cob, there is no denying that it is always up for grabs. Also Read: Fun Flavours For Your Healthy Popcorn Snack
Corn, in recent years, has even found a reputable space in star hotel menus, in the form of salads, fritters, soups and sizzlers, not only for its crumbly texture and ease of cooking but also for its immense nutritive values and health benefits.
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Also known as maize, corn is often mistaken for a vegetable, when it is, in fact, a cereal grain, with a wealth of nutrients concentrated in its seeds or kernels. This highly nutritious crop is abundant in calories, carbs, fibers and proteins, making it an energizing meal that regulates digestion, enhances growth, development, besides increasing body mass in those who are underweight.
The profuse quantities of vitamins C, B1, B5, B6, B9, minerals like iron, zinc, potassium in corn kernels, in addition to antioxidants like anthocyanins, flavonoids, further promote immunity, metabolism, besides preventing chronic diseases like cardiac ailments. In a nutshell, corn is nothing short of a superfood with plenty of health benefits.
So, what are you waiting for? With corn flooding the markets, go ahead and try these simple, tasty and nourishing corn recipes, that will guarantee enriched overall health and wellbeing, for you and your family.
Crispy Corn Kebab
Ingredients:
3 cups corn kernels
2 big potatoes, boiled and peeled
1 medium onion, finely cut
½ cup grated mozzarella cheese
3 tsp ginger garlic paste
2 tsp garam masala
2 tsp pepper powder
1 tsp cumin powder
Salt, as per taste
5 - 7 tsp groundnut oil
A sprig of coriander leaves
Method:
Shred the corn into fine bits using a good vegetable cutter.
In a large bowl, mix the shredded corn along with the boiled potatoes, onion slices and grated cheese, to form a uniform, mashed meld.
Add the ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, pepper powder, cumin powder and salt to the bowl, with a little bit of water and mix well, until the spices are absorbed into the corn blend.
Shape this homogenous corn fusion into even-sized, circular patties.
In a pan, heat the oil on medium flame and shallow fry the corn patties until they turn golden brown.
Switch off the flame and transfer the cooked corn patties to a container.
Garnish with some fresh coriander leaves and serve the crispy corn kebabs hot, alongside some tangy mint chutney.
Nutrition:
Corn is loaded with calories and carbohydrates, serving as an instant source of energy, thereby alleviating lethargy and boosting metabolism. Mozzarella cheese contains ample proteins, for muscle strength, as well as calcium and phosphorus, for fortified and robust bones. Coriander leaves are bestowed with useful antioxidants such as alkaloids and flavonoids, which detoxify the body and maintain optimal liver functions. Also Read: Coriander Leaves: 5 Excellent Health Benefits Of Adding These Aromatic Leaves To Your Daily Diet
Corn Masala Chaat
Ingredients:
1 cup boiled corn
1 medium tomato, sliced
1 small onion, cut into tiny pieces
1 small cucumber, finely chopped
A sprig of mint leaves
1 tbsp tamarind extract
3 tsp chaat masala
Salt, as required
½ lime
Method:
In a bowl, add the boiled corn, tomato slices, onion pieces, cut cucumber and mix well.
Sprinkle the chaat masala and salt, along with the tamarind extract and blend well, until the flavours of the spices are infused with the corn and vegetables.
Squeeze the juice from the lime into this mixture, top it off with some aromatic mint leaves and serve the corn masala chaat as a salad before meals or as an evening snack.
Nutrition:
Blessed with the goodness of vitamin B1 and vitamin B9, corn confers wonderful advantages for brain activity, nerve signalling, red blood cell synthesis, energy mechanisms and healthy pregnancy. Tomatoes are a treasure trove of the antioxidants’ lycopene, carotenoids and flavonoids, which augment heart wellness. Touted for their high-water content and elevated levels of dietary fibers, cucumbers are a remarkable food for ensuring smooth digestion.