Author: aisiri amin

Sweet Potato: Delicacies you cannot miss

SWEET POTATO DISHES

Sweet potato is the healthier replacement of our beloved potatoes and it is loved by most of us. Packed with important vitamins and other nutrients, sweet potato helps us stay fit. They are also a good source of potassium and iron which are two most important minerals for our body. Sweet potatoes are not only delicious but they also come with long list of health benefits. So, head to the nearest grocery store now and grab some sweet potatoes. Here are a few dishes to get you started.

1. Sweet Potato Biscuits

Ingredients:

• 1/2 kg of all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon salt •

I cup butter

• 1 sweet potato

• 4 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 cup buttermilk

• 1/4 -1/2 cup unsalted butter

• 3-4 tablespoon maple syrup

Method:

• Cook and mash the sweet potato.

• Now, add buttermilk to mashed sweet potato and blend it well.

• In another bowl add the all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt. Add the butter to this and mix it well.

• Add the two mixtures and mix it well into soft dough.

• Roll out the dough on a smooth surface to about a thickness of 1 inch. Use a biscuit-cutter to cut into your desired shapes.

• Bake it for 15 minutes approximately and your sweet potato biscuits are ready.

For the Maple Butter:

• Mix the maple syrup with the butter to get a smooth mixture.

• Serve with the warm biscuits.

2. Sweet Potato Patties

Ingredients:

• 4 sweet potatoes

• 3 eggs

• 1 cup of chopped onion

• 1-2 teaspoons of chilli powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

• 1 teaspoon pepper

Method:

• Grate the sweet potatoes and keep it aside.

• In a pan, sauté the cumin seeds until brown.

• Whisk the eggs and add the grated sweet potato, chopped onion, chilli powder, pepper, salt and the cumin seeds.

• Heat oil in a frying pan. Now put spoonful of batter into it and fry until golden brown.

• Serve it with sauce or chutney.

3. Sweet Potato Pancake

Ingredients:

• 1 cup wheat flour

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 sweet potato

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 4 teaspoons baking powder

• 2 cups of milk

• 2 eggs

• Butter

• Maple Syrup

Method:

• Cook the sweet potato and peel it. Now, puree it and keep it aside.

• Take a bowl and whisk the eggs. Add wheat flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder and milk.

• Heat a pan and butter it properly. Cook a spoonful of the batter until golden brown on both the sides.

• Serve the hot sweet potato pancakes with maple syrup and enjoy!

4. Sweet Potato Pasta Ingredients:

• 1 cup of whole wheat pasta

•1 sweet potato

• 1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced)

• 1 cup diced tomatoes

• 1 teaspoon crushed garlic

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 2-3 tablespoons of chopped parsley

• 1/2 cup cheese

• Salt

Method:

• Peel and shred the sweet potato and keep it aside.

• Cook the pasta until tender.

• Take a skillet and add 1 tablespoon of oil along with garlic. Keep stirring until you get the aroma of the garlic. Now, add the sweet potato, tomatoes, bell pepper and water. Cook until the bell pepper is crisp and tender. • Drain the pasta but keep half of the water it was cooked in. Now, put the pasta back into the vessel and add the sweet potato mixture, 1 tablespoon oil, parsley, lemon juice, salt and cheese. Add the retained pasta water and combine the mixture well. Your delicious sweet potato pasta is ready!

5. Sweet Potato Chocolate Pudding

Ingredients:

• 1 large roasted sweet potato

• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup

• 1/4 cup milk

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method:

• Peel and puree the roasted sweet potato until smooth.

• Combine all the ingredients and blend it well until smooth. It should in a puree form. Your easy-to-make sweet potato chocolate pudding is ready to serve!

6. Sweet Potato Wedges

Ingredients:

• 2-3 sweet potatoes

• Pepper

• Salt

Method:

• Peel the sweet potato and cut into wedges.

• Mix the wedges with some oil, pepper and salt. Blend it well.

• Roast the wedges in the oven for around 15 minutes until they turn golden brown.

• Sprinkle some pepper on the top and serve them hot with ketchup.

7. Sweet Potato Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 sweet potato (peeled and diced)

• 1 chopped onion

• 1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic

• 3-4 carrots (peeled and sliced)

• 1 red pepper, sliced

• 1 teaspoon ginger

• 1/4 cup yogurt

• 1 cup chicken broth

Method:

• Heat oil in a pan. Add chopped onion and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes.

• To this add the chicken broth and two cups of water. Stir well.

• Now, add sweet potato, carrots, red pepper and ginger. Cook it well.

• Once it is done, keep this mixture in the fridge for around 25 minutes. • Next, remove the vegetables from the mixture and puree them until thick.

• Put this puree into the soup and blend them well. • Cook until the soup thickens. When it almost finished, add yogurt and mix it well. Serve and enjoy!

November 9, 2014
10 Foods That Ease Anxiety

In today’s fast paced world, anxiety and stress have become a part and parcel of our lives. Nowadays, we find ourselves irritated, overtired and unnecessarily anxious about everything. Mediation and exercise have been known to help ease anxiety but sometimes all it takes to relax your mind and body is the right food. Add these foods to your diet and beat that rising levels of anxiety.

1. Asparagus

If bad mood has been ruining your days then maybe your body is calling out for folic acid. Anxiety and depression have been linked to low levels of folic acid and one plant that packed with mood-enhancing nutrient is asparagus. You might not be a fan of green things on your plate but add this to your omelette or use it as dressing for your favourite snack to get your jittery nerves to calm down.

2. Avocado

Next time you stop by a store to pick up that delicious, full-fat ice-cream or those tempting deserts just to calm your nerves, pick up a pack of avocados instead. Why you ask? Well, if binge eating is the solution then you might as well eat something that will help your body and leave you guilt-free the next morning. B vitamins are needed for healthy nerves and brain cells and lack of this can cause feeling of anxiety. Avocados are rich in stress-relieving B vitamins. Moreover, they help lower blood pressure as they are high in monounsaturated fat and potassium. So, cook up some avocados and eat all you want!

3. Blueberries

These tiny balls are filled with the much needed antioxidants and vitamin C for repairing and protecting cells. Blueberries are one of the best stress-busting foods out there and not only are they tasty but are also low in calories. Grab a handful of them, add to your yogurt, freeze them, bake them or just eat them fresh.

4. Salmon

Eat this pink fillet to put your anxiety at ease. Rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, salmon helps in keeping cortisol and adrenaline at check when you are feeling anxious. As an added bonus, salmon also protects against heart diseases by helping in lowering the blood pressure.

5. Milk

When children complain of insomnia, mothers are armed with one sure shot home remedy; milk. Even today when we are anxious or tensed, a glass of warm milk does wonders. If you are a Friends fan you will remember Rachel gulping down a bottle of milk after Phoebe tells her the truth about Paolo in the first season? You might ask why milk. Milk is high in antioxidants, vitamins B2 and B12, as well as protein and calcium. The protein, lactium has a calming effect on the body by lowering blood pressure and reducing the levels of cortisol, a hormone released when the body is stressed. Also, the potassium in milk helps in relieving muscle spasms which are triggered when you are feeling tense. Next time you are feeling anxious, pour yourself a tall glass of milk and feel yourself calming down.

6. Chamomile Tea

If you are feeling anxious or stressed, make yourself a cup of chamomile tea for a soothing relief. This herb relaxes muscles and has a calming influence on nervous system. The aromatic tea helps in revitalizing and rejuvenating the body and one of its flavonoids, apigenin acts as an effective natural sedative relieving anxiety and stress. Brew up some chamomile tea to get that much needed good night’s sleep.

7. Spinach

Ever wondered why on earth Popeye eats so many cans of spinach? Well, not only it gives him the strength but is packed with magnesium, a mineral that helps in regulating cortisol levels and promotes feelings of wellbeing. So, next time you are anxious, eat a bowl of spinach or just put it in your soup and relax.

8. Green Tea

Green tea contains L-theanine which helps in controlling a rising heart rate and blood pressure. After a stressful day, a cup of green tea can provide calming effects like no other. It eases the tension in the muscles and helps you stay alert for a long time.

9. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is made from the oat plant, Avena sativa, a nutritive plant that strengthens the nerves and helps them stay resilient at the time of stress and anxiety. It is also high in minerals like magnesium and phosphorous that helps the brain stay calm and the muscles stay relaxed. Oatmeal also helps in activating the calm-inducing hormone serotonin. Start your day with a bowl of simple, delicious and filling breakfast of oatmeal and experience its calming effect throughout the day.

10. Almonds

Munch on almonds and get some stress relief as they are rich in vitamins B2 and E. These nutrients boost the immune system during times of anxiety and stress. Almonds also contain zinc which helps in fighting some of the negative effects of stress. So whenever you feel anxious or exhausted, grab a handful of almonds and let them relieve some of your stress.

Next time you feel yourself flooded with anxious thoughts, soothe yourself with some green tea or blueberries or oatmeal.

July 15, 2014
Taste Some Magic

All the Harry Potter fans out there would understand the craving that I get when the famous trio enter The Great Hall or go for a walk in Hogsmeade. The delicious Pumpkin Pasties, Butterbeer, Chocolate Frogs and other magical treats sound too delicious to resist. So, if you haven’t got your Hogwarts letter yet but can’t wait to join the feast at the Great Hall then create your own Hogwarts feast wherever you are! Here are few recipes of the famous delicacies from the magical world of Harry Potter. So it’s time to treat your taste buds with some fiction.

BUTTERBEER

Ingredients:

1 cup of sugar

2 tablespoons of water

6 tablespoons of butter

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1/2 teaspoon of cider vinegar

3/4 cup heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon of rum extract

Cream soda

· Boil a mixture of sugar and water while stirring often.

· Now, in a bowl add the butter, salt, vinegar and 1/4 heavy cream. Set aside to cool. Add the mixture to the rum extract once it has cooled down.

· Take a bowl; combine 2 tablespoons of the sugar mixture with 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Beat until just thickened, but not completely whipped.

· To serve, fill 1/4th of 4 tall glasses with the sugar mixture. Add 1/4 cup of cream soda to each glass, and then stir them together. Fill it till top and serve.

PUMPKIN JUICE

Ingredients:

2 cups chopped edible fresh pumpkin chunks

2 cups apple juice

1/2 cup pineapple juice

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ginger

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

3/4 teaspoon allspice

Preparations:

· Grind the pumpkin pieces and squeeze out juice through a fine mesh strainer.

· Blend all ingredients together. Keep it in fridge and serve it with ice.

CHOCOLATE FROGS

Ingredients:

Plastic Frog Moulds

One package of melting chocolate

· Boil a pot of water, place a heat proof bowl on the top of the pot and put the chocolate inside.

· Stir the chocolate until melted.

· Pour your melted chocolate into your plastic moulds. Use a wooden spatula to help pour chocolate.

· Place moulds in the freezer and let it cool. Remove chocolate frogs and turn mould upside down onto a plate.

CAULDRON CAKES

Ingredients:

For the chocolate cupcakes

Butter

Chocolate chips

½ cup cocoa powder

¾ cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

Salt

2 eggs

3/4th cup sugar

For the Cauldron Cupcakes

1 dozen cupcakes

1 cup chocolate chips

4 teaspoon butter

½ cup melted chocolate

½ cup icing

Preparations:

· Melt the chocolate chips, cocoa powder and butter.

· Use a mixer to beat the eggs and vanilla together. Add sugar, baking powder, salt, and flour and mix them well. Now, add the melted chocolate mixture and stir well.

· Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil the cupcake tins and fill them with the mixture. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Take it out and allow them to cool.

· When the cupcakes have cooled, use a sharp knife to carve a small cone in the middle of it. To make the cauldrons, flip the cupcake and serve it bottoms up.

· Melt one cup of chocolate chips and 4 teaspoon of butter slowly. Dip the tops of the cupcakes in the glaze to make the cauldron bottom.

· Once the cupcakes are cooled, fill the core with the icing.

· To make the cauldron handles, take some melted chocolate in a Ziplock bag. Cut a small corner and make the handles on a wax paper. After it has cooled, attach them to the cupcakes.

· Serve your very own Cauldron cakes!

PUMPKIN PASTIES

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup salted butter

1 cup water

3/4 cup sugar

2 cups fresh pumpkin

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon of ginger

1/4 teaspoon of cloves

1 ½ cups of milk

1/2 teaspoon of allspice

Preparations

· Whisk together the flour, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl. Add the butter until it resembles coarse yellow mixture.

· Add around 4 to 5 tablespoons of water and mix it until it starts clumping together.

· Now wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for an hour.

· Grind the pumpkin to get a thick paste. In a mixing bowl add sugar, milk, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. Mix it well.

· Now make small balls out of the dough and roll it out on a flat surface. Using a small bowl cut out circles out it.

· Place the filling inside, fold over like a taco and crimp the edges together with a fork.

· Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown.

LICORICE WANDS

4 ounces of white chocolate

20 licorice twists

Sprinkles

· Melt the white chocolate, stirring frequently.

· Dip the ends of the licorice twists in the white chocolate. Put the sprinkles on it and let it cool. Serve it and taste the magic it creates!

ACID POPS

12 sour lollipops

4 packages pop rocks

1/4 cup honey

· Put the pop rocks in a bowl.

· Heat the honey for 20 to 30 seconds

· Coat the lollipops in the honey and roll in the pop rocks. If the honey thickens, heat it again.

· Place the lollipops on wax paper until dry.

· Prepare these as closely as possible to the serving time. If kept aside for a long time the pop rocks might become soft by absorbing some of the moisture in the honey

I bet these recipes got you excited to do some experimenting in your kitchen. Go on; turn your muggle kitchen into a portkey to the magical world of Harry Potter!

July 15, 2014