brain foods

Brahmi Dal Fry (Brain Food) / Vallarai Paruppu Kootu

Get ready to improve your memory power with an ancient Indian recipe straight from the pages of Ayurveda - Brahmi Dal Fry or Vallarai Paruppu Kootu.

Get ready to improve your memory power with an ancient Indian recipe straight from the pages of Ayurveda - Brahmi Dal Fry or Vallarai Paruppu Kootu. This dish is not only delicious but also known to have immense benefits for the brain and liver. Brahmi leaves or Pennywort leaves are the star ingredient that has been used in Indian kitchens for generations. This dish is a brain tonic and is especially good for young students. If you are gearing up for long study sessions and all-nighters, having this dish once a week can do wonders for your memory power.

Not just that, vallarai or Brahmi leaves are known to have several health benefits. It can protect and rejuvenate brain cells, improve memory, and concentration span. According to Ayurveda, vallarai has a cooling effect on the body, which can pacify Pitta and relieve hyperacidity, ulcers, diarrhea, and dysentery. It can even reduce depression and anxiety caused by chronic stress. Some studies suggest that Brahmi may be a promising therapy for Alzheimer’s.

To make this dish, simply follow the recipe for Brahmi Dal Fry / Vallarai Paruppu Kootu. It's easy to make and perfect for your kids during their 12th grade or any time of the year. Try giving them this dish at least once a month and let us know how you and your family enjoy it!

Brahmi Dal Fry (Brain Food) / Vallarai Paruppu Kootu

Serves 3
Prep Time: 00:15
Cook Time: 00:20
Total Time: 00:35

Ingredients

50 gm Moong Dal
2 Green Chilies
1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
1/4 tsp Asafoetida Powder
1 tsp Oil
1&1/2 cup Water
1 large bunch Vallarai Keerai / Brahmi Leaves
10 shallots or 1 medium sized onion Shallots or Onion
2 Red Chilies
2 tsp Ghee
1/2 tsp Mustard and Urad Dal
1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
to taste Salt
a few Curry Leaves

Instructions

Wash the moong dal and soak it in water for 30 mins.
In a pressure cooker, add the soaked moong dal along with the water, turmeric powder, oil, 2 slitted green chilies and asafoetida, cook it for 2 whistles or until fully cooked.
Meanwhile, pick the Brahmi leaves from their stem and wash it twice.
Then chop the onion finely.
Heat a pan with oil over medium heat, when the oil heats, add Brahmi leaves, stir-fry for 1 minute.
Then add 1/2 cup of water, cover the pan with a lid and cook for 2 mins over low heat. Switch off the stove and let it cool down.
When it cools, place them in a blender and blend until a smooth paste.
Meanwhile, heat a pan with ghee, when the ghee melts, add mustard and urad dal, heat until it splutters.
Then add cumin seeds, red chilies, curry leaves and chopped onion, stir-fry until the onion becomes golden brown.
Finally, add the cooked dal, vallarai paste and salt, mix it well until well combined and cook it for another 2 mins. Switch off the stove and add some ghee.
Now healthy brahmi dal fry is ready to serve, Serve with white rice or rotis.