Month: January 2015

Stuffed Parathas from North India !!!

When I talk about stuffed parathas I might tickle your memory of Old Delhi’s famous “Parathe wali gali” if you have been there any time. If not then do not waste your time and plan a trip to the capital city of India and do visit this awesome place with narrow and bust lanes full of colours and amusing personalities. And if you have little time to spare with me then read this article and make few at your home itself and enjoy the parathas of heavenly taste. Do oil your jammed tread mill as you are going to need that badly after having these heavy loaded stuffed parathas . You have unique range and varieties and each of them is standing out on its own in taste. You just cannot ignore a single variety. Not only Delhi the whole of North India just eats it on a day to day basis. Its yummy taste to compel you to cook more and more for your loved ones and you will be there master chef for sure.

Gobi Paratha :

For filling : 2 cups of grated cauliflower, 2 tablespoon of coriander chopped, 1 teaspoon of red chilly powder, 1 teaspoon of cumin powder, salt to taste, 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon of coriander powder, 1 tablespoon of roasted gram flour (besan). 1 teaspoon of finely chopped green chillies, oil for cooking and shallow frying.

For the dough : 3 cups of whole wheat flour, 1 teaspoon of carom seeds, 1 teaspoon of oil , Luke warm water for kneading the dough.

Servings : 4 parathas

Method : Firstly kneed the dough mixing all the ingredients for the dough. Kneed it with gradual addition of Luke warm water making a soft dough. Keep it for half an hour so that dough absorbs moisture for soft texture.

For filling heat a pan and add oil and all other ingredients together and cook it until grated cauliflower looses all the moisture and all the spices get cooked well, lastly add chopped coriander and mix well and keep it aside till its cold as hot mixture wont stuff well for neat looking parathas. Now make equal portions of dough and take one portion and flatten it with the help of the rolling pin. grease the upper layer with oil and put in the stuffing at the top . Seal the edges of the round shaped chapati holding the stuffing carefully and make a ball shape out of it. Now flatten it to a certain limit with hands with light pressure and then slowly make a bigger round with the help of rolling pin. Be careful about the edges as the loads of pressure might rupture it from corners and stuffing may come out. Once its made shallow fry it in a flat pan and serve with butter topping and curd .

Muli/Radish paratha :

Ingredients :

For filling:2 cups of grated Radish, 1 teaspoon of crushed pomegranate seeds, 1 teaspoon of dry mango powder, 1 teaspoon asafoetida , salt to taste, 1 teaspoon red chilly powder, 1 teaspoon of cumin powder, 2 tablespoon of coriander chopped, 1 teaspoon of finely chopped green chillies, oil for cooking and shallow frying.

For the dough : 3 cups of whole wheat flour, 1 teaspoon of carom seeds, 1 teaspoon of oil , Luke warm water for kneading the dough.

Servings : 4 parathas

Method : Firstly kneed the dough mixing all the ingredients for the dough. Kneed it with gradual addition of Luke warm water making a soft dough. Keep it for half an hour so that dough absorbs moisture for soft texture.

Heat a pan heat oil and add all thee spices along with green chillies and grated muli . Sauté it till dries out completely and then stir in chopped coriander and mix well. Keep it aside to cool of in room temperature and then its ready for stuffing into the dough prepared earlier.Make equal portions of dough and take one portion and flatten it with the help of the rolling pin. grease the upper layer with oil and put in the stuffing at the top . Seal the edges of the round shaped chapati holding the stuffing carefully and make a ball shape out of it. Now flatten it to a certain limit with hands with light pressure and then slowly make a bigger round with the help of rolling pin. Be careful about the edges as the loads of pressure might rupture it from corners and stuffing may come out. Once its done shallow fry it crust gets crispy and serve it with coriander chutney.

Green Peas Paratha / hare matar ke parathe :

For filling : 2 cups of boiled and mashed green peas, 1 teaspoon red chilly powder, salt to taste, 1 teaspoon green chilly paste, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon asafoetida, 1 teaspoon of cumin powder, 1 teaspoon of coriander powder , Oil for shallow frying.

For the dough : 3 cups of whole wheat flour, 1 teaspoon of carom seeds, 1 teaspoon of oil , Luke warm water for kneading the dough.

Servings : 4 parathas

Method : The process is same for dough making .Firstly kneed the dough mixing all the ingredients for the dough. Kneed it with gradual addition of Luke warm water making a soft dough. Keep it for half an hour so that dough absorbs moisture for soft texture.

Heat a pan and saute all the filling ingredients till the green peas are totally dry and become darker in colour. Cool it off for a while until it is ready for stuffing else it will d- shape the parathas.Make equal portions of dough and take one portion and flatten it with the help of the rolling pin. grease the upper layer with oil and put in the stuffing at the top . Seal the edges of the round shaped chapati holding the stuffing carefully and make a ball shape out of it. Now flatten it to a certain limit with hands with light pressure and then slowly make a bigger round with the help of rolling pin. Be careful about the edges as the loads of pressure might rupture it from corners and stuffing may come out. Once its done shallow fry it crust gets crispy and serve it with sweet mango chutney Or Mango pickle.

January 1, 2015
Top 10 Temples in India

Top Indian Temples

Temples are the sacred places where gods receive human offerings.Many temples have great architecture that resembles a palace for god.Generally, temples are dedicated to one primary god, but few temples are dedicated to more than one god.Temple walls are decorated with stone carvings that depicts the story or history regarding the god being worshipped.People entering the temple must remove their shoes to pay respect to the god within the temple.The innermost area contains the idol of god and the priests offer prayers to god.India is a land of temples and the list of top ten temples are mentioned below.

1) Khajuraho Temple in Madhya Pradesh

Khajuraho Temple in Madhya Pradesh:

The Khajuraho group of monuments are one the UNESCO world heritage sites in India.Because of the famous sculptures and large number of Hindu and Jain temples, tourists from various parts of the country visit this place.These temples were built by Chandela kings during the period of 950 to 1050 A.D.The Hindu temples in Khajuraho are dedicated to Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and also different goddesses.These temples are mainly famous for their wonderful carvings.The carvings on the external walls are bold artistic type, but the carvings inside the temples are decent and represent simple facts of life.Most of the carvings on the walls show the everyday life of a common man at that time when they were made.

2) Somnath Temple in Gujarat

Somnath Temple in Gujarat

The Somnath temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva with a moon on his head.This temple is situated in Saurashtra.There is a saying that the Moon God Somraj has built this temple himself by using gold.This is a Hindu temple, but has Jain influences in the architecture.This temple has one of the 12 jyothirlingas and faces the east direction.This temple has the biggest dome that is ever made in this century.The temple has a large central hall with entrances on three sides.The sculptures and carvings speak about the artistic taste of the craftsmen of that century.It is believed that till now 200 priests have served this temple.The first temple of Somnath existed before the Christian era, the second was built by Maitraka kings, the third Somnath temple was built by Pratihara king.This temple was destroyed six times and re-constructed.The present temple was built and taken care by Shree Somnath trust.

3) Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi

It is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.There is a belief that every Hindu, at least once in his lifetime, must visit the holy place.Hindus believe that mixing ashes of the deceased in the Ganges will make the soul rest in peace.This temple is situated on the western bank of the Ganges and is one among the 12 jyothirlingas. During religious occasions like Shivratri, no person is allowed to enter the temple till the priest offers prayers to god.

4) Lord Jagannath Temple, Puri

Lord Jagannath Temple, Puri

Puri Jagannath temple is one of the biggest temples in Orissa.This temple is established in the 12th century and is dedicated to Lord Jagannath.The temple foundation was laid by Raja Ananta Varman Chodaganga Dev.From Bhubaneswar, the temple is located at a distance of 60 kilometers.The king Indradyunna saw Lord Jagannath in his dreams and constructed this temple to fulfill the Lord’s wishes.The pillars of the temple are decorated with pictures that depict the life of Lord Krishna.Ratha Yatra that is organized once a year is one of the major attractions of the temple.

5) Venkateshwara Tirupati Balaji, Andhra Pradesh

Venkateshwara Tirupati Balaji, Andhra Pradesh

Tirupati is one of the most visited temples in India and second most visited temple in the world.This temple is situated on the seventh hill in Chittoor district and is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara.It is one of the richest temple in the world.Many facilities are available to visit this temple either by plane, train or by bus from almost all parts of the the country.It is one of the most visited pilgrimage by Hindus.

6) Meenakshi Temple, Madurai

Meenakshi Temple, Madurai

Meenakshi temple is one of the holy Hindu temples and is located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.The temple has 14 magnificent Gopurams, including two golden Gopurams.The temple is one among the 51 shakti peethams.The golden lotus tank in the center is surrounded by corridors and the walls of them are covered with paintings that depicts the miracles of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati.

7) Siddhivinayak Temple, Maharashtra

Siddhivinayak Temple, Maharashtra

Lord Ganesh is worshipped in this temple.It is built in 18th century and is located in Mumbai, Maharashtra.The present temple was re-constructed five years ago.The idol of Ganapathi is also known as Chaturbhuj as the idol has four arms.The idol of Lord has lotus in the upper right hand and a small axe in the upper left hand.The lower right hand has a jampala and the lower left hand has modaks.On some special Tuesdays, the queue for Darshan will be about 2 kilometers long.

8) Akshardham Temple, Delhi

Akshardham Temple, Delhi

Akshardham is a massive temple with more than 20,000 statues, arches and carved pillars.This temple was constructed in the year 2005 and was dedicated to Swaminarayan.The temple has a unique architecture and represents Indian culture.The temple has more than 100 acres decorated with water fountains and beautiful constructions.The amount spent on this massive structure was 2 billions and it took nearly two years to complete.The fountain dance is one of the major attraction of this temple.

9) Golden Temple, Amritsar

Golden Temple, Amritsar

The Golden Temple in Amritsar is one of the major pilgrimage place for Sikhs and one of the well known tourist destination.Until 2005, it is called as Golden Temple and later it was officially renamed as Harmandir Sahib.The temple has a great historical and architectural interest.Every year, many visitors from different places around the world visit this place.

10) Brihadeshwara Temple, Thanjavur

Brihadeshwara Temple, Thanjavur

Brihadeshwara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.This temple was built by the Chola king Raja Raja 1.This temple is declared as one of the world heritage sites by UNESCO.The temple has a Mahalingam of 4 meters height and another major architectural attraction of this temple is the Nandhi chiseled out from a single rock.This temple depicts the Chola architecture because of the style of construction and the carvings on the pillars.

January 1, 2015
Delicious Smoothies…!

The lovely, fruity, refreshingly cool smoothies are almost everyone’s favorite. Available in all varieties, be it fruity or veggie contained green smoothies, served with straw. So popular now, are found in all restaurants, grocery stores and even coffee shops, there’s nothing not to love about smoothies. They may sound like healthy option above all which they are undoubtedly but yes, there are some aspects to it which make not so good. They are considered healthy and come under this umbrella term because most of the time they are made of soy milk, yoghurt, frozen fruit or skim milk. They make a really good options for meal or snack when made with natural fruits. Well, let’s enumerate the health benefits of smoothies;

Smoothies keep you hydrated: Having smoothie in breakfast helps in keeping you hydrated for the whole day. This is what something like soda, tea or coffee won’t do. The body do gets water from many foods and resources, so one doesn’t need to drink water while having smoothie. As milk and yoghurt are largely water, it will quench your thirst eventually. In hot weather, it is preferable to add some extra ice cubes for extra water and the chillness.

Smoothies are perfect or Breakfast: Breakfast needs to be king size, I know you know that. Smoothies make up an excellent choice for breakfasts because they make you feel fuller and are heavy as fruits and veggies are blended together with milk or yoghurt. The classic breakfast of bread, peanut butter, jam and any fruit smoothie is easy-to-make and perfect for any day. Sipping smoothie in the morning prevents you from indulging in unhealthy urges like donuts or drive through. Also, if you have problem taking in those cod liver oil directly, you can add some drops in your smoothie and this will make it all the more nutritious.

Smoothies are Easy, Portable and Custom-made: Smoothies are really easy to make and are really good on-the-go choice. Just pick some fruits, throw them in the blender, put some milk and drink the mixture. If you own a blender, it will be ready in no time. Also, they can be stored and will stay fresh for 24 hours if kept cool and sealed in a right container and you can carry it anywhere in the car or train or gym to have it anytime you like. A vacuum flask is a right choice if you want to keep your smoothie cool and fresh on the move. Moreover, the fun part is you can add all types of ingredients you like in your smoothie and make it as per your taste and mood.

Smoothies are blend of Vitamins and Minerals: They are way better than Multi-vitamins. Drinking fruit smoothie every day is more healthful than taking those multivitamins, even recommended by nutritionists. As just a glass full provide us with enough fiber and loads of all the required vitamins and minerals. Smoothies are a true blend of nutrition. This in turn helps in digestion and may help in control blood sugar and lower cholesterol.

Smoothies are Nutrient-dense and source of calcium: Smoothies are best when they are all natural made with real fruits and veggies. The nutrient –dense ingredients provides vitamins and oils necessary for complete nutrition. A truly healthy smoothie is the one that has dietary fats in the form of cream for the body to use in assimilating the vitamins and minerals. Just simply blend bananas with skim milk or yoghurt or soy milk and get a great deal of benefits and nutrients. And yes, the milk or any base you use is a rich source of calcium, giving it all the more richness.

With all the pros of smoothies, let’s have a look on the ingredients that probably you shouldn’t be using but are preferable to put into your smoothie to make it really rich, which are like,

Aloe Vera, Pomengranate juice, Kefir, Coconut Milk, Chia seeds, Moringa powder, Milled flax seed, Spirulina etc. Well, the great news if you want to know is that if you want to lose weight, smoothies can be used as a meal replacement not an addition to it, so just take it this way and enjoy the results. Like, sip a dairy based smoothie for breakfast or water-based smoothie as a snack. All the fruit or veggie smoothie can be a healthy additional meal plan as long as you maintain proper meal portion. Its better to incorporate smoothies in your diet plan by consulting your dietician or doctor.

Some Awesome smoothie recipes:

Coconut Water-Mango smoothie:

2 cups unsweetened coconut water

Pinch of cayenne powder

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 cups ripe mango chunks

Blend all the ingredients in blender till smooth. Gulp them and enjoy the delicious smoothie.

Now, Here’s is what a really healthy green smoothie will contain, just perfect for your body;

¼ cup water

1 banana

¼ cup orange juice

1 cup spinach

¾ cup strawberries

½ cup blueberries

Blend till smooth and enjoy the green richness of the drink.

All these less calories, full of refreshment and deliciousness smoothies make up really good combination in breakfast or as a evening snack. Basically, smoothie is perfect for a busy life like present time, counts as an ideal on the go drink and is really easy to make, ready in no time. Smoothies are now-a days everywhere, people are talking about it a lot on the internet or in general. Why? Because it is Healthy. Yes, It definitely is healthy. There’s more to green smoothies but smoothies or protein shakes in any form is healthy. Though, taking fruits and veggies straightforward form is also healthy, but sipping on smoothie gives a new refreshing touch to them.

Healthy Eating. Happy Life.

January 1, 2015