Guava: How to delight in the healthiest fruit

Recently, a survey conducted by the National Institution of Nutrition voted guava to be the healthiest Indian fruit. Guava, which is a tropical fruit cultivated mainly in the Asian countries, is found to have the highest amount of Vitamin C, apart from a number of other vitamins and minerals. “Surprisingly in the research, Guava overtook other fruits like Indian Plum, mango, and pineapple. That’s because of the rich content of antioxidants. The high antioxidant level helps in combating cholesterol, cancer, diarrhea and diabetes among others,” says dietician Pooja Makhija. Chef Yatin from Rainforest says, “I do agree with the survey. Guava is one of the easiest available fruits. It’s healthy, different and tastes good.” Here are a few easy guava recipes:

Oriental Spice
Recommended by Executive Chef Yatin Wadkar of Rainforest Resto-Bar
 
Ingredients:

     Guava Juice 200 ml
    Vodka 60 ml
    Tabasco few dashes
    Worcestershire sauce 1/4 tsp
    Lime Juice 1 tsp
    Salt 1/4 tsp
    Black Pepper Powder: a pinch
    Red Chilly Powder 1/4 tsp
    Ice cubes

Preparation:
Rim the rock glass with salt and red chilly powder. Add a few ice cubes and then pour all the ingredients in the glass and stir well. Serve chilled with garnish.
 
Guava Cake
Recommended by Executive Chef Manu Chandra of Olive Bar and Kitchen
 
Ingredients:

    2 cups white sugar
    1 cup softened             butter
    4 eggs
    6 ripe guavas
    1/2 cup guava juice
    3 cups maid a
    1/4 teaspoons baking soda
    1/4 teaspoon clove powder
    1/2 tsp nutmeg powder
    1/2 tsp cinnamon powder

Preparations:

Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Prepare a 10 inch x 10 inch cake pan by greasing and flowering it. Chill before using. Peel guavas and cut in half, scoop out seeds and place the flesh in a blender and puree along with guava juice. Strain into a bowl. Keep 1 and 1/2 cups of this mixture. Sift together flour, nutmeg, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves.
In another bowl, cream together butter and sugar using a hand mixer till light and creamy. Add eggs, one at a time. Add flour mixture and guava mixture alternately to creamed mixture. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake at 180 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven, cool slightly and serve with some jam or frosting.