Day: July 15, 2014

Hello foodies! Very often, we find our stomach craving for something tangy yet tasty during some lazy evenings. It is that time of the day when you want something to casually munch on or just keep the appetite going before your yummy dinner meal is served. Even more, there are often instances of friends or relatives coming over for a short visit and you have to cater to them too. The first thought that comes to one’s mind is’ “Oh, I wish I could eat something or make something without having to do anything.” Don’t you agree? Well! The good news is that there is an endless list of tasty dishes that can be made and enjoyed with almost zilch efforts.

With a little innovation and smartness, sumptuous snacks can be made from simple ingredients that will set everybody’s tongues rolling and make you a masterchef in everybody’s eyes! Ah, dreaming already? Well, all that is needed is a list of few easy-peasy to-get stuff like chips, corn and other components to add to them. Once all this is done, all you need to do is be creative. Don’t worry friend, it’s very simple! To help you on your way, here is a list of snacks that can be made in a jiffy and still make everyone wanting for more:

Kurkure Fun –

Who doesn’t know Kurkure? By far the most popular of the commercial chips, these corn puffs are loved by one and all. The unique salty, spicy and sour flavor makes it tingle everybody’s tastebuds. Although a great snack in its raw form, Kurkure can be utilized to make some great variety of dishes too. Wondering how? Well, all you need to do is take a bowl of kurkure and add any topping that you like and think will complement the flavours. All that is needed are ingredients like chopped tomatoes, some onions, sweet corn, a few spices and sauces, and so on as per the desired taste. A few famous Kurkure dishes are Kurkure Bhel, Kurkure Chaat and Kurkure Mixture. Amazing isn’t it? This is definitely worth a try and is a lot of fun to make too!

Corn Time –

Ah! The lightest and tastiest of snacks can be made using American sweet corn as the base. Available readily in grocery stores, one should always have a few packets of this stored at home. Sweet Corn mixed with the right sauces and spices makes for a classic snack that goes down well with everyone. Another great thing about this is that it offers a lot of nutrition too. A healthy and tasty combination is certainly tempting isn’t it? Well, a great combination would be to mix sweet corn with sauces like tomato sauce, mayonnaise and add some pepper, salt and red chilli powder. A tinge of lemon syrup also does a world of good to this irresistible snack. This snack is a guaranteed winner!

Egg it up –

You might be wondering what Egg is doing in a list of easy to make snacks! Well, don’t be so surprised! Some of the best snacks can be made with this protein rich healthy food item. Well, the imminent question “how to use egg for snacks?” can be answered in many ways. The most popular way of using eggs is to boil them and add toppings on top. The toppings are generally tomatoes, onions and coriander along with pepper, salt and chilli powder to taste. It tastes even more yum when served with green chutney and sauce. Another loved egg dish is the sunny-side-up. All you need to do is break the egg on a pan and let it fry. Add the various spices to taste and you are good to go. Serving it with baked chips or a slice of bread and a glass of juice also adds to the flavor. So, if you want to have something filling and delicious, I guess you need not look further!

Cooling Drinks –

Whoever said snacks only refer to something to eat surely never tried the amazing easy-to-make drinks that can get any evening going. This is an excellent way to keep the conversation going while enjoying a tasty drink. A lot of drinks can be made as snacks. The all-time favourites that everyone is fond of are the various types of milkshakes and the evergreen cold-coffee. However, if you want to spice it up, why not try something different? You could get everyone all pepped up and going with a Masala Cold Drink, or bring out your classy self with a nice mocktail like Fruit Punch or the beloved Pina Colada. Be sure to mix it up in the right proportions and watch everyone slurp their drinks right till the bottom of the glass.

Surprised? I wouldn’t bet against it! And the even more intriguing fact is that these are just a very few of an endless possible combinations using such ready-made bases as the major components. However, remember to stick to the basics as overdoing it could ruin your chances of reigning in all the compliments. You wouldn’t want that, would you?

So, get going already! Arouse the inner creative genius in you and make some snacks that will live people speechless and make you a star. What are you waiting for?  It’s time for some Snacker Crackers!

How often is the case when you just want to forget everything and hog on the food available on the streets? I’m sure, if most us are truthful, there have been a lot of times when we have been tempted to just let go of all the hindrances and dive into the endless variety available out there. Street food is a great escape for people tired of cooking at home, those wanting to try different things and especially for the college going youngsters.

Street food has always been a hot topic for debate, with a lot of questions being raised on the hygiene and quality of ingredients used. Well! It might be true for some eating outlets, but on the other hand, some well-maintained joints, from dhabas to simple stalls, offer food with tastes that could make you feel like you are in heaven. Such is the craze and love of these round-the-corner joints that they are known all over the city for their special dishes. While these places maybe famous, the dishes that are offered are what draws people to try them. These dishes are trademark street food specials that taste best only when had in such places. Here is a list of some of these food items that will want you to get out and try them now:

Chaat –

Chaat is an Indian specialty, loved all over the country. An all-time favourite street food all across India, Chaat is so famous that it could land up being an entire cuisine in itself! The most-beloved Gol Gappa with all its varieties and the different kinds of Aloo-Tikkis are one of the most mouth-watering dishes out on the streets. The taste offered in stalls dedicated to this is impossible to replicate at home. This food is popular amongst everyone, ranging from kids to grandparents! Such is the pull of this, that you can find more than ten stalls on one busy market street. If you haven’t tried this till now, you better do it fast, before someone finds out and makes you the butt of all jokes!

Shawarmas –

A new trend in street food, the famous Lebanese dish, Shawarma has caught a lot of attention. Gaining popularity rapidly, this dish is a different take on the traditional rolls. Characterized by a trademark full-metal stall on the streets with chicken rotating on a rod, this is a hot-spot for all. Quick, clean and delicious, Shawarmas are surprisingly filling for their size. With so many constituting ingredients, people can have them made according to their own liking. Such is the craze of this that even chains of street-food restaurants, to attract the cleanliness-freak crowd, have opened up offering a large variety of Shawarmas. If you are looking for something unique and different, this is your answer!

Kulfi –

Whether you have eaten in your home or been out experimenting on the streets, no meal is complete without something for the sweet tooth. While ice cream parlours might be the most popular option, a stop at a Kulfi stall is a definite must. A different version of ice-cream on a stick, Kulfi is in a class of its own. With so many flavours available, it tends to everybody’s wants and desires. Have it from a proper stall and you might often end up coming back for more. Kulfi is undoubtedly the most popular dessert on the streets! The mouth is watering already, isn’t it?

Rolls –

Ah! How could this be out of the list? Rolls (also known as wraps) are everybody’s cup of tea. Available in so many varieties, this is the go-to dish for a quick bite as well as a nice meal. With the popular options of vegetarian, chicken and egg rolls along with the different characteristic ingredients, stalls offering these are always found full of people. Given their popularity, it isn’t surprising to find food chains selling these! Don’t want to try too much? Just get ‘Roll’ing!

Evergreen street-food specialties –

There are some dishes that are impossible to be replicated at home, however hard you try. You might still like them, but they can’t compete with the streets! The main dishes in this list would be the famous Indian ones like ‘pav bhaji’, ‘chola batura ‘ and the various types of fried food (think samosas!). So if you are ever in the mood to let your taste buds experience heaven, do try all this. And the best part about this? You can enjoy all this in very clean, famous ‘dhabas’ all around the various cities.

Catering to everybody’s taste, these are the most popular dishes from an endless list. Such is the attraction to try all this, that it won’t be surprising if it turns into addiction. Seems too delicious to ignore, doesn’t it? However, whatever might be the case, always remember to make sure that the place is hygienic enough to enjoy your meal without any second thoughts about the after-effects. Also make sure that the ingredients are fresh and clean. Even though it might not reach the standards of your homely comforts, a nice joint to enjoy all this is surely something to try. Isn’t it?

So, what are you waiting for! Get out on the streets and have a different type of meal to break the monotony. Don’t be shocked afterwards; the word “yummy” might just come out of your mouth reflexively. Happy str’eat’ing!!

So, you have been toiling for hours in the gym now in search for a hot-bod that will make everyone stand up and take notice. However, is it taking more time than you thought? Well, just increasing the time you spend in the gym stretching those muscles is not enough. What you also need along with it is a strict and healthy diet. While you need to cut out on all the extra fat, a larger intake of protein for the energy and carbs to keep the muscles strong becomes necessary for the body to keep you going and get you closer to that physique you so desire.
While everyone is aware of the instant effects of body-building supplements like Whey, Creatine and muscle-mass gainers, a lot of people don’t know about the side-effects they bring. What do you do then? Use natural food of course! With such a large variety of food items available to meet all your requirements, there is no need for a substitute at all! All you need to do is follow your diet religiously and incorporate these elements in your daily meals, and you will be surprised to see the amazing consequences. Still don’t know what to eat for your gym diet? Don’t worry my friend. Here is a list of food items that are a definite must to complement your gymming efforts:

Eggs –

One of the most important and staple food for anyone hitting the gymnasium, eggs are an excellent and unparalleled source of protein and often termed as ‘complete protein’. The egg white is the protein rich part. While the egg yolk is rich in a lot of nutrients, it should be avoided where building a body is concerned. This is because it contains more than half of the recommended intake of cholesterol per day and is also quite fattening. You wouldn’t want that, right? Simply remove the yolk and enjoy your egg raw or boiled. Also, make sure to not eat too much of it as it might have dire consequences. So, it’s time to egg it up!

Bananas –

Fruits in any and every form are a guaranteed source of health. Though it is good to have as many fruits as you want, not every food serves the purpose where gymming is concerned. One fruit that is leaps and bounds ahead of others in this is our beloved banana. Yes, a few bananas every day are a great way to supply essential nutrients like vitamins and soluble fiber. This is also a great alternative for vegetarians who do not eat eggs and meat for nutrition. You can have it raw, with a whole wheat bread or dissolve it in milk. Time to go bananas, eh?

Meat –

Meat is by far the most essential and best food item as a source for essential nutrients for people working out. Red meat, a different type of meat very commonly found and consumed is most rich in iron, creatine and vitamins. The most important of these is creatine, an organic compound which supplies energy to cells in different parts of the body, especially muscles. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? Well, with so many types of red meat, you could choose something that you prefer or in simple words ‘can eat’. Some of the popular ones are chicken, fish and beef. Remember not to deep fry it as it will increase your oil intake seamlessly. Meat seems like an unfair advantage for all the non-vegetarians out there? Well, like it or not, it is true. Go on, prepare yourself some meaty meals already!

Milk and more –

Which healthy meal or diet chart is complete without something to drink? None, obviously! While there are all sorts of drinks for every purpose, nothing serves the purpose of supplying proteins and carbs like milk. One of the most widely consumed drinks by athletes and body-builders alike, milk is a staple in the everyday diet. The best part about it is that it can be consumed by everybody with different tastes; with so many flavours and types available, there is something for everyone. Low-fat milk is a real winner in serving the purpose and is readily available too. Fresh-fruit juice is also considered a healthy option. Also it goes without saying, but water (a drink nevertheless!) should also be consumed in adequate quantity throughout the day. The best part about this food item is that it can be consumed along with working out too. A sip, here and there, will really help you go that extra mile. Gulp it down!

Well buddy! I hope you have a better idea now about what to have while working out. Make sure to have all of this in the right amount every day. Also, avoid as much as oily and junk food as possible. If you do not know how much of the above mentioned food items are okay for daily consumption, consult your gym trainer or dietician right away! There is nothing that should come in the way of you and that body that you want.

Rather than just working so hard in the gym, start eating and drinking properly this very moment too, and watch your body shape up just like you want it to. All the best, mate!

So how do vegetarians put a meal together?

It’s really not difficult at all. You may have to play around a little, until you find combinations of tastes and textures that appeal to you, or until you feel confident that you know how much food or how many dishes to prepare to feed your family or guests. But don’t overextend yourself: most vegetarian food is remarkably satisfying. If you fix two or three dishes, just as you would for a meat-based meal, you’ll be fine. No one ever left the table hungry after eating lasagna, for instance, whether it was layered with ground beef or a flavourful spinach purée.

For the most part, your vegetarian meals will consist of either an entrée and side dish, or a combination of soup and salad, or two or three “side dishes” served together. The entrées will probably be based on a bean or a grain or meat substitute such as tofu; soups and side dishes may contain beans or grains, but will usually focus on vegetables. Often you will want to serve a simple grain such as rice or bulgur wheat, or pasta, alongside or under a spicier item.

Start with an appreciation for fresh food. Read through this article and make yourself familiar with one or two new ingredients at a time. Incorporate these ingredients into your routine. Once you’ve learned how to use them simply, try a more complicated recipe. Then branch out to another new conquest (Today, tofu. Tomorrow, the world…)! You’ll soon have a repertoire of standards for every day, as well as some ideas for special occasions.

Not quite ready? Take a look at the menu suggestions that experts prescribe. Remember that these menus, like the recipes themselves, are certainly not carved in stone. Feel free to play around – substitute one vegetable for another, serve a salad instead of a vegetable. Important things to keep in mind are taste, texture, and colour. How will this meal look on the plate? Choose recipes to provide a balance of textures and a variety of colours, and recipes whose seasonings complement each other. This will not only add colour and fragrance to the food but also help create interest for the person who is about to consume it.

It is essential to find recipes and menu combinations that appeal to you, that are within your capabilities as a cook, and that will work with your routine. Otherwise changing your diet is something that will remain a good intention. You will have to be flexible, a little adventurous, and persistent, at least when you are starting out as a vegetarian. As with any other important life change, there will be days when you just don’t want to be bothered, or when you crave the comfort of the familiar. But your desire to eat well will keep you on track, and meals like the ones suggested below will be your reward.

There might be occasions where you have to decide for yourself regarding what the menu will be. But it is left to your imagination as you know what will suit you the best. Often the overlooked part of a vegetarian diet is the protein and other vitamins and minerals that are required for the body. People who have been adapted to the vegetarian diet from their birth might be ‘okay’ with it. But for the people who have recently migrated from vegetarian to non vegetarian food, or say, they have turned Vegan, might face a challenge in balancing their diet with all the necessary food components. If latter is the case, they need to consult a dietecian or learn from traditional vegetarian foods. In this age of fast internet, cars and modern lifestyle it is easy to dismiss old traditions, but the fact is they have evolved over a long time and often is time tested way of going about the matter concerned. It is good if we can take the good things from the traditional ways of nutrition and weigh them with the new scientific methods and incorporate into our lives.

What about those occasions when you’ll have both “omnivores” and vegetarians as dinner guests? You’ll have to judge your audience, as well as your own feelings, in deciding whether to serve an entirely vegetarian meal. You can always prepare a special entrée for the vegetarian(s) present, making enough for all your guests to sample. More and more people these days have stopped eating meat, must monitor their cholesterol, or suffer from food allergies. So it shows consideration of your guests to ask, when you issue an invitation, if there is anything you should avoid when planning the meal. Similarly, if you’re the one invited to dinner and mention up front that you have special needs. Why not offer to bring a dish, one that you know you can eat? Goodwill goes a long way to soothing the waters about food choices.

“Breakfast like a King, Lunch like a Prince and Dine like a Pauper” is a well-known saying in most homes and schools. How does it work? How does a king eat? How does a prince eat? Do paupers even eat?! In this very fast world, breakfast has become an almost forgotten meal for everybody. Be it a school going child or old men and women, brunch and lunch are mostly the first meals of the day. Even worse, some youngsters confuse the  phrases “skipping meals” and “losing weight.” Mind you, they are not the same.

The most important point that has to be noted by all the fitness freaks and weight conscious people is that, only a combination of exercise and regular, balanced meal can help you lose weight. Lots of work out sessions and a glass of milk or a banana at the end of the day will not help you achieve anything but a bad metabolism and an unhealthy body. There is also a converse to this. Some people who make up their minds to lose weight all of a sudden without any diet plan, often end up working out for five days in a week and hog as much as possible on the sixth day and they call it “cheat day.” Who are they cheating? Think about it. Keep your body fit only by regular intake of proper, healthy balanced food and fixed workout timings.

So, why is breakfast that important? King of all meals they say. Why is it so? Some lucky people, get 7-8 hours of sleep these days and the other manage to shut their system for at least four or five hours. After having that break, your brain needs some fuel to kick start the new day. Healthy, rich, nutritious breakfast is like adding ‘premium petrol’ to your car. Your breakfast plate must essentially contain a chunk of carb, approximately a cup of protein and lots of water. Try to supplement your breakfast with a bowl of fruits. Eating a good breakfast prevents you from munching snacks in between meals and thus helps you lose more weight.

Some people are just bored of adding milk to their cereals or are tired of making batter for their pancakes or dosas. Try making every meal different. Try roasting a handful of oats, toss in some nuts and dry fruits. Add milk to this and chop your favourite fruits and add them to this. Make your diet delicious and have a happy start to your day instead of boring your body with the same old corn flakes and idlis.

Kids are the most important people in the family who need breakfast. They have a lot of development under process in their bodies. So, it is important that you give them first priority when it comes to breakfast. Most of us know how unimpressed kids can become when you give them oats. Do not lose your heart. There is a simple recipe you can try and impress your kids with.

Ingredients:
1. 2 eggs
2. 2 slices of bread
3. ½ tbspn butter
4. Salt and pepper to taste
5. Finely chopped onions

Procedure:
step one: take a slice of bread and cut out a small portion of its middle part (square shaped)
step two: follow step one for the second slice.
step three: beat the eggs in a bowl and add the finely chopped onions to it and mix well with salt and pepper.
step four: spread butter on a pan place the bread slices.
step five: fill the middle empty portion of the bread with the egg mixture and keep it closed for it to cook
step six: turn it over carefully and let it cook for 2 minutes and serve hot.

This is a very easy dish that most kids will really like. It contains the right amount of protein, carbohydrates and fat that a child needs every morning. This can be supplemented with a glass of milk.

I know it’s pretty hard for the mothers these days to wake up in the morning, cook breakfast, lunch and sometimes even dinner for the family, feed herself and then run off to work. It is hectic. Make note of recipes that are time saving and nutritious.  Cook them efficiently. Get the help of your children and tell them about the importance of every meal. Have hearty conversations when you make food and when you eat them with your family. Studies say that, hearty talks during meals can be much healthier than eating meals alone.

Make your day bright and happy with a healthy, stomach filling breakfast. Do not count calories when you are making a healthy, rich meal. An average man needs around 2500 kcals per day. So make the most out of it. Most importantly, know what you are eating and enjoy what you eat. You needn’t eat like a king to enjoy your breakfast, eat like a man who loves food and enjoys every spoonful of it. Be it any meal of the day, make sure you eat the right amount and the right food.