Kaima Pepper Poriyal:

Keema Fry used as filling in Indian bread or as topping on Dosa. Minced meat fry.

Dopamine: There are 3 important neurotransmitters (Endorphin, Serotonin & Dopamine)in our brain. But I always fancied about reading this neurotransmitter ‘ Dopamine’. Which creates awareness and alertness and also responsible for the state of well-being (being happy/excited). Yeah…..most of the neurotransmitters are produced by our brain cells….our brain chemistry is responsible for our state of behavior/attitude.

So whatever….this Dopamine production increases on excitement/gift/reward/praise something like that…..Although, it produced when we are rewarded….As a kid(the production is more, like when a kid is rewarded he gets more excited – (as 3 parts of the brain produces this neurotransmitter). But when we age the excitement comes down….as the dopamine production comes down. Maybe due to the wear and tear of the cells….as we age, cell degenerative process too can a be a reason. Prolong stress, hatred feelings, loss of loved people……a real life philosophy made us, not to get excited/slow production of dopamine??? Is still a question? But I have seen people who are at their ebb(aged) too…..fancy about little things and being competitive with kids….maybe the emotional well being comes from the diet???
Maybe, that could be. As we are, what we eat? Certain food is said to have an affect our brain chemistry!!!

Anyways….today let me just stick to one neurotransmitter, and that is DOPAMINE!!! Protein rich food, could have an effect on dopamine production. As our brain cells uses L-Phenylalanine as a raw material (precursor) to produce this neurotransmitter!!! If one eats a diet rich in Phenylalanine could possible bring some changes in the Dopamine production. Phenylalanine are rich in High Protein food like ‘ Meat ‘, ‘Cottage Cheese’. Well other study says ‘quercetin’ found in apples, on overall prevents the neurodegenaration! Tyrosine is an amino acid that gets converted into neurotransmitters, Dopamine. Eating a diet rich in tyrosine, banana could be beneficial too! Since dopamine is also oxidised quickly….to prevent the free-radical damage, eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Keep the fatty foods, refined sugar, refined flour, sat-fat, caffeine rich food at bay. All this may affect the neurons that carry the dopamine. Well…..these neurotransmitters are greatly affected by addiction(coffee, nicotine & alcohol) so plan yourself to give up! Besides this, ‘Sitting Straight’, certain asana in Yoga and regular Meditation does have an effect on Dopamine production, naturally (Have seen any wise people, saints…whose diet is so simple, they achieve their memory power and attitude by practising meditation. I think these areas should be studied extensively)!!!

What is Dopamine? that I am lecturing so much! To understand quickly,

High Dopamine – Creates Awareness, Alertness, concentration, Thought process/Memory power. Feeling of happiness, bliss and pleasure.

Low Dopamine – Droopy, Sad, Depressed feelings, whole world looks hollow and hopeless…..

Today I intended to give minced meat recipe in a old fashioned way, using only few basic spices. While talking about Dopamine, it became necessary to give a recipe that is rich in Phenylalanine! Use a whole steak or minced meat to create this recipe.

Ingredients:

Goat’s Meat 1/2 kilo well minced
Ginger 2″ grated
Garlic 15 peeled
Country tomato 1 small
Salt
Turmeric powder 1/4 spoon
Chili powder 1/4 spoon
Peppercorns 2 spoons(powdered freshly)
Sesame oil few spoons
Curry leaves few
Cumin seeds 1 spoon.

Method:

Pressure cook meat along with little salt in it. Maybe till tender for about 6 whistles. Then remove from pressure and retain its water.

In an iron wok, heat oil. Add cumin seeds, wait till they pop.

Then add curry leaves, ginger, garlic and tomato. Fry real good till aromatic.

Now stir-in cooked meat along with its water. Continue cooking over high heat without lid.

Add salt, turmeric, chili and pepper powder and fry real good. Once the moisture is completely evaporated…remove from heat.

Use this as a filling for Roti, Burrito or as a toppings for ur Dosa. Serves well.