The ginger chutney is a healthy and tasty dish to add flavor to any recipe. In ancient India, ginger was the given the name "universal medicine". Ginger is used as a wonderful digestive stimulant and tonic around the world along with being remarkably effective against parasites. Ginger has benefits for the heart as well and in Cornell Medical School researchers published its benefits in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1980. Ginger has aspirin-like effects, anti-oxidant effects and strengthens the heart muscle and lowers cholesterol. Ginger also reduces fevers and chills. Ginger relieves inflammation in joints while protecting the digestive system from ulcers.

POTATO RICE

Ingredients:

1 cup rice
3 Medium size potatoes (preferably organic)
½ inch piece of ginger (chop into small pieces)
Small piece of green pepper (chop into small pieces)
½ teaspoon cumin seeds
½ teaspoon mustard seeds
1 tablespoon olive oil (not extra virgin)
3 branches of cilantro (chopped)
Pinch of turmeric
1/8 teaspoon celtic sea salt

1. Cook the rice in 2 cups of water.
2. Wash the potatoes well and if the potatoes are organic do not remove the skin.
3. Cut the potatoes into 1-inch pieces.
4. Heat the olive oil on medium heat then:
   a.) Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds.
   b.) When the mustard seeds start to pop, add chopped ginger and pepper and stir well.
   c.) Add potato pieces, salt and turmeric and cover.
5. Cook on medium heat for 15 minutes.
6. As soon as the potatoes are soft mix them well.
7. After the rice is cooked add the rice to the potatoes.
   (Tip: Do not add all of the rice at once. Add ¼ of cooked rice and mix, and continue adding small amounts of rice and mix it well).
8. Garnish with chopped cilantro.

GINGER CHUTNEY

Ingredients
2" piece of fresh ginger (chopped in half)
6- 8 dates (Soak them in 1 cup of hot water for 15 minutes)
Lemon Juice (made from ½ lemon)
Celtic Sea Salt (to taste)
Pinch of turmeric

Blend all of the above ingredients together and this makes delicious chutney. You can eat it with the potato rice. Enjoy!!

Mrs. Mani Chari is a professional Indian classical dancer and musician. She introduced Indian vegetarian cooking at a University in Ohio and has taught cooking classes in San Diego and Los Angeles. She offers cooking classes where she teaches the cooking techniques and explains the health benefits of the spices and nutritional benefits of the dishes. Mrs. Chari can be reached at (619) 275-8073 or please visit their website at http://www.charicenter.com.