A Lil' Chit Chaat: Fenugreek

One of the distinct flavors at the Navroz dinner will be methi (fenugreek) leaves, a distinct pungent herb that is popular in many Indian, Pakistani and Persian dishes. You may have tasted in dishes like Aloo Bhaji (potato spinach) or Gormeh Sabzi (green herb stew), a popular Persian stew with kidney beans. Methi  is enjoyed  as a spice in seed form or  as an herb in leaf form often called Methi Bhaji. A small amount of methi in either form goes along way adding a sweet and pungent flavor. The pungent flavor of methi makes it a great herb/spice for the spring season. Plus it also packs in some great health benefits!

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Methi has a warming energy, pungent taste and a light quality helping to balance the cold, damp and heaviness that comes with the Kapha season in spring. Incorporating foods into our diets that have opposite qualities to the current season can help to counteract what is already sufficient in our environment. By decreasing similar qualities and increasing opposite qualities we can achieve better balance - a yin and yang effect that helps to create a better harmony.  For example, let's say it's a hot and humid day are you going to reach for a cup of hot tea or a glass of iced tea?  The hot choice will only increase the feeling of heat as like will likely increase like. On the other hand,, choosing the opposite temperature as the outside climate will than more likely cool me down. Similarly, we can use foods, herbs and spices in the same way to help keep us in balance with the season or to balance an imbalance that might be present in our constitution.

methi health benefits
antibiotic, anti-diabetic, anti-fatigue, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant,antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent  

increases agni (digestion), breast milk for mothers who are breast feeding.   
decreases ama(toxins), cholesterol, glucose levels, PMS, menopause symptoms, phlegm. 
source of vitamin c, potassium, niacin,protein, iron

How Do I Incorporate Methi Into My Diet?

Spice it up!

methi water

soak 1 teaspoon in a half a glass of water at night & drink the water first thing in the morning. It has a sweet roasted molasses flavor. A good way to help lower glucose levels

methi tea

slightly roast the seeds and grind the seeds. Add 1t to a cup of boiling water and enjoy!

methi vagar

next time you stir- fry some veggies like greens or potatoes, or make a soup add a about 1/2 tsp of methi seeds to a small amount of hot oil/ghee, when it release the aroma add your veggies/broth. You can also take the hot methi oil & drizzle it in on top of your dish as a finishing touch.

methi sprouts

sprout it in the summer. a great way to incorporate methi into your summer salads.

Herb it up!

just like you would use cilantro, or rosemary... chop it up! and add methi leaves to your soups, veggie curries, omelettes, pastas or veggie sautes. It's great with potatoes, spinach, greens, chicken, lamb, lentils, eggplant.

Where can I get it? 

Indian, Pakistani, Iranian grocery stores or on the Internet try Mountain Rose Herbs.

Methi Supplements

I do not recommend taking methi supplements without seeing an herbalist or an Ayurvedic practitioner to see if methi would be the best herb for your constitution. Methi is a pungent, heating herb and large amounts maybe too strong if not balanced correctly.  However, incorporating methi to your diet or making teas is a good way to get its nutritional benefits in small amounts. It's all about balance!

Feel free to e-mail me if you have questions or would like more information.