Category: Drinks

Probiotics : Teaming Up With Good Microbes

When Homo sapiens came into existence, the food they had, only came from plants. Gradually, people started eating animals. And today, we eat almost everything that is not harmful to us. That includes even the teeny- tiny micro-organisms, that are not even visible to us unless and until we have a good 40X microscope. When we think of these microbes, the first picture that comes to our mind is that of diseases; as they are the prime disease-causing agents in the environment. And if you’re told that having a microbe-rich food is quite beneficial for our digestive system and immunity, you’ll probably think of me as a crazy person. But, this is now scientifically proven. Everybody is not bad, even at the microscopic level. There are some good micro-organisms which, when consumed by us in adequate quantity, are very good for our health. And this is where I introduce a commonly-heard-yet-rarely-understood term- “PROBIOTICS“. Probiotics are foods which have live micro-organisms, mostly bacteria and yeasts, which are very good for our health, specially for lactose-intolerant people and those who are on antibiotic dosage. Our gut harbors millions of good micro-organisms and probiotics replenish them, when their balance gets disturbed. They also boost our immunity as our body teams up with these good microbes.

Fermented foods are a rich source of probiotics, as they are made by the growth of healthy micro-organisms in optimum conditions, like warm and moist environment. Fermented foods should be included in our diet as they are the most natural and healthiest way for consumption of probiotics.

So, on the whole, for people who don’t know which probiotic foods to take, here’s a small list of some of the common ones:

Fermented milk and milk products:

Fermented milk and its products are loaded with lactic acid bacteria, which are also found in yogurt. Live-cultured yogurt is one of the best known probiotic foods available. And because it comes from milk, we get a dose of animal protein ( about 9 grams per 6- ounce serving), and several other nutrients found in dairy foods, like calcium, vitamin B₂, vitamin B₁₂, potassium and magnesium. Other famous fermented milk product brands in India are Yakult and Dannon.

Miso Soup:

Popular in Japanese restaurants, miso is a tofu and vegetable broth soup, that is made by adding a tablespoon of miso to some hot water, which is low in calories and high on probiotics. It is a healthy and delicious break from the normal canned soup.

Sauerkraut:

It is a probiotic dish made from fermented cabbage or other vegetables. It is extremely rich in healthy live cultures and also reduces allergy symptoms. It is also rich in vitamins B, A, E, C. It is generally eaten as a side dish or with a hot dog.

Kefir:

It is a fermented dairy product and similar to yogurt. It is a combination of goat’s milk and fermented kefir grains. It is also rich in anti-oxidants. It is taken as a flavored or plain over healthy granola fruit, or as a smoothie-like drink.

Kombucha Tea:

It a type of fermented dark tea, that has lots of healthy gut bacteria. It increases your energy, enhances your well-being and also helps to lose weight. It can be tried hot or iced .

Tempeh:

Tempeh is a fermented, probiotic rich food made from soy beans, and is a great substitute for meat or tofu. It is a great source of vitamin B_12.It can be sautéed, baked, or eaten crumbled on salads.

Kimchi:

It is an Asian form of pickled sauerkraut, and is an extremely spicy and sour fermented cabbage, typically served as side dishes in Korea. It is a great source of beta-carotene, calcium, iron, and vitamins A, C, B₁ and B₂, besides beneficial bacteria.

Some really popular natural probiotics found in Indian cuisine are :

Dosa:

Dosa is a very famous South Indian dish which requires a perfect combination of rice and black lentils, in the form of a fermented batter. They have a crispy, savory crepe like texture and the sour kick comes from the lactic acid bacteria formed during the fermentation process. They are very easy on your tummy, even when you are feeling under the weather.

Dhokla:

Dhokla is an essential part of the cuisine of Gujarat, India. It is made by mixing lentil flour with buttermilk or yogurt followed by their fermentation overnight. These are then steamed and served chilled. Dhoklas are very famous and healthy snack in India, specially Gujarat.

Idli:

Idli is a South Indian dish and a popular Indian snack, made by steaming the fermented batter of rice and black lentils. They are served with sambhar or as a part of salad, called idli salad.

If you don’t have access to these foods, then the best natural and easily available probiotic is homemade curd or buttermilk, which is a boon for our digestive system. It should be consumed at least once a day. Remember, we have a large biome of microbes in the gut flora and its very important to maintain a respectful relationship with them.

May 31, 2014
Bring Out the Teapots!
Every time I come home to Assam for the holidays, I notice just how much the Assamese people love their tea. It is that first warm sip in the morning that gets them going for the day – and not without reason. Regarded for thousands of years in the East as a key to good health, happiness, and wisdom, tea has finally caught the attention of researchers in the West, who are discovering the many health benefits of this potent elixir. But before you start chugging, making sure that your “tea” is actually tea. “Tea”, in layman’s language, is the name given to a number of brews. But “real” tea, according to experts, includes only four varieties – green, black, white, and oolong – all derived from Camellia sinensis, a shrub native to China and India. Anything else, like herbal “tea” for instance, is an infusion of a different plant and isn’t technically tea.

Katherine Tallmadge, spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, says, “There doesn’t seem to be a downside to tea. I think it’s a great alternative to coffee drinking. First, tea has less caffeine. It’s pretty well established that the compounds in tea – their flavonoids – are good for the heart and may reduce cancer.” Indeed, teas have been studied to be chock full of the powerful antioxidants called flavonoids, the most potent of which (known as ECGC) may help prevent cancer, heart disease, and clogged arteries.

Experts suggest that to maximise the benefits of tea and minimize the calorie and sugar content, it is best to brew your own rather than buy it bottled. Here are a few simple recipes to help you get started on that journey down tea lane.

Green Ginger Tea

Green tea is a wonderful beverage. But if you’re not familiar with a few basic techniques, you can wind up with a tea that’s grassy, bitter, or just too strong. Don’t worry, though – with patience and practice, you’ll perfect your own recipe. Here’s a simple one for you to try out.

Ingredients:

(Makes one cup)
- 1 tsp. (or 5 g) green tea leaves
- Ginger or dry ginger powder
- 1 cup water
Directions:
- Place the green tea leaves and the ginger (or ginger powder) in a tea strainer or sieve.
- Fill a non-reactive pot or pan (glass or stainless steel) with water. Heat it to about 180°F. You can either use a candy thermometer to watch the temperature or simply keep an eye on the water to make sure it doesn’t boil.
- Place the filled tea strainer or sieve into an empty mug or cup.
- Pour the heated water into the mug, over the tea leaves.
- Steep the tea leaves for 2 – 3 minutes but not any longer, or else your tea will become slightly bitter.
- Remove the tea strainer from the mug.
- Let your tea cool down for a few moments and enjoy your perfect cup of green tea.
Lemon Black Tea:

Here’s a blend for those of you who love a lemony flavour. You will notice that unlike the almost overpowering sourness of the commercial lemon teas, this brew has a subtler, more restrained in its lemony taste. But it’s still got the tang!

Ingredients:

(Makes 1 cup)
- 1 tsp. black tea leaves
- ½ tsp. dried lemon peel
- ½ tsp. coriander seed
- 1 cup water
Directions:
- Heat water to about 180°F.
- Add the black tea leaves, dried lemon peel, and coriander seeds.
- Steep for about 10 minutes.
- Strain out your tea; discard residue.
- Let cool for a few moments before serving.
White Tea

Containing up to three times as many antioxidants as green tea, this least-processed tea is arguably the healthiest of all teas. It has a mild and sweet flavor that is velvet-like in smoothness, and has none of the grass-like flavors some green teas can produce. The best white teas come in loose-leaf form. Like green tea, white tea is best brewed with pure water that is very hot, but not boiling. Follow the steps below to make sure your white tea retains all its fine qualities while brewing.

Ingredients:

(Makes 1 cup)
- 2 tsp. white tea leaves
- Pure water
Directions:
- Bring water to a boil and remove from heat.
- Warm your spotlessly clean teacup with hot water. Pour away the water.
- Add the white tea leaves
- Fill the cup with pure water. Cover and steep tea for about 5 minutes. For stronger flavor, steep for a few minutes longer. Re-steep the leaves once or twice to extract all the nutrients.
- Serve as it is, unadulterated. Pouring milk or sugar will drown out the already subtle flavour of the tea.
Traditional Oolong Tea

Preparing Oolong tea correctly is an art. While the ritual can be very detailed and complicated, here is a simplified recipe for your daily cup.

Ingredients:
- Good quality oolong tea from a company you trust
- Water Boiler
- Teapot with a built-in strainer
- Ceramic drinking cups
Directions:
- Bring water to rolling boil, then rinse and warm up the tea set.
- Add oolong tea leaves to the teapot. Tea leaves take approximately 5 percent of space in the teapot.
- Pour rolling boiled water (212°F) into the teapot.
- Use the cover to push away the white floating bubbles.
- Cover the teapot and steep for a couple of minutes. Pour the tea into the cups.
- The last few drops are the richest in flavor. They should be carefully and evenly distributed across all cups.
- This tea is as much enjoyed for its aroma as its taste. Remember to smell before you sip.
Now that you have the recipes down, go brew yourself a cuppa. Sip your way to health!
May 31, 2014
Coffee or tea which is better?

In order to set off good start for the day, everybody wishes to drink a nice hot cup of coffee or tea. Ofcource the choice of the drink varies between different households and individuals. Most of the adult men and women feel that it is tea which actually energizes their body and makes them ready to carry out the work planned for the day while the younger generation prefers coffee.

Coffee is a beverage which is prepared from the roasted seeds of the evergreen shrub called coffea. Once the coffee berries are ripe, they are collected and dried and processed. The seeds inside the berries are then collected and roasted in different temperature, depending upon the flavour, taste and colour required before being grinded and brewed to create the final product. Coffee plantation takes place around the world but major contribution is given by Africa, Latin America followed by Southeast Asia. Research states that coffee cultivation originated in Arabia during the 15th century, where coffee was associated with both religious and rebellious political activities. According to Ethiopian culture it’s believed that Kladi, who was a goat herder, had first found the seeds when he noticed that his goats became excited after consuming the beans. Some of the Arabian culture attributes the discovery of coffee beans to Sheik Omar, who was known to have the ability to heal the sick and was exiled to a desert near Ousab. There he found the berries but were bitter in taste so he tried to roast them so it turned hard. It’s believed that Omar then boiled the berries to soften the seed which resulted in creation of a dark liquid. The liquid, when he drank it, it revitalized him sustained him through the period of exile. When Omar came back home, he had bought with him this miracle drug and that how coffee was introduced into Arab and travelled through Egypt and Yemen. Today coffee is considered an important agricultural product and also is regarded as an important export commodity.

Tea on the other hand is prepared by simply mixing tea leaves into boiling water. Tea is considered to be the second best preferred drink after water. It’s cool and astringent flavour is what attracts so many people, making it the world’s most widely consumed beverage. Tea is considered to have its origin in china where it was used as a medicinal drink. According to the Chinese legend, the discovery of tea was done by a Chinese inventor named Shennong who invented a tea shredder. During the Tang and Qin dynasty, the popularity of tea was at its peak and also had spread to other regions of Japan, Korea and Vietnam. The Portuguese were introduced to tea when they were in china during the 16^th century. The cultivation of tea together with jasmine and mallow gave it a distinct taste and aroma. During the 17^th century, the British started consuming tea and also introduced it in India. The practice of drinking tea in Britain was only seen during special occasions like marriages and anniversaries and religious festivals. It was mostly consumed by the royals as tea was expensive and could not be afforded by all. This gave rise to tea smuggling which made tea available for the lower section of the society as well. By the 19^th century, tea was consumed by all the sections of the society. When the British had captured India, they wanted to cultivate tea and in order to do that they sent Robert Fortune to china to get some tea seeds. However the plan to cultivate them in India failed due to different weather conditions. However they later found that regions like Assam and the Northeast regions of the country could house the cultivation of this crop and so using the Chinese techniques of cultivation created a tea market in India from where tea was exported to other parts of the world. The price of tea in Europe began to fall with large import of tea from India.

After knowing so much about both the beverages we still don’t find ourselves in a position to decide which one’s a better choice. So in order to make our task a little simple let’s see which one’s better when it comes to our health and growth. Tea can be of two types, black or green tea. However both theses goods contain a high level of antioxidants called flavonoids. Antioxidants are chemicals which protect tissues from oxidants. Oxidants may damage cells and reduce the immunity. According to a survey done by American Dietetic Association, one in five adults in America prefer tea to other beverages; however these people gained 20 times more antioxidants than non tea drinkers. Other than the benefit of receiving antioxidants, drinking tea also helps in reducing cholesterol levels, blood clots and helps fight inflammation, cancer and various allergies. Green tea is considered the very healthy and is responsible for reducing breast cancer and death rates due to heart diseases.

Researchers claim that like tea, coffee also contains antioxidants and helps in lowering the risk of liver and colon cancer and diabetes. Some people believe that coffee might not be good for the heart, however it’s not been proved till now and further study in this field is required. Since caffeine content in coffee is high, it’s not recommended for pregnant women and even overdose among youngster may not be a healthy option.

So according to me tea wins the battle to be a healthy choice when compared with coffee. But this does not mean that coffee can be completely rejected. Controlled quantities of coffee can be consumed for a healthy living.

May 29, 2014
Drink Light, Drink Right
When the summer sun is up with a vengeance, there’s nothing like a cool, delicious drink to refresh you. But beware. Every time you reach for your favourite juice/soda/latte/shake, you may be ingesting more calories than you might be prepared to bargain for. So what do you do then? Would you put your weight loss plans on hold and gulp down a sugary drink and a guilty conscious? Or would you simply sigh and pass on that glass of sweet, chilled delight? Thankfully, there’s a way out of the dilemma. A little creativity can take you a long way. Put some thought into your ingredients, play around, and before you know it, you’ll have a healthy summer drink you can sip on with a smile.

Here’s a list to help you get started:
- Iced Tea: Give the sweetened iced tea that comes in cans and bottles a miss. Brew your own instead. Steep your favourite herbal tea and chill it. Once chilled to perfection, add mint, lemon, and honey, for an additional jolt of refreshing taste.
- Flavours and colours: Avoid all artificial/nature-identical flavouring substances and chemical colours. They contain added sugar and the chemicals present may pose a threat to your well-being. Add real fruits, such as oranges, lemons and limes, or even berries to your water for a more honest, healthier taste. If you like a pretty hue in your glass, try using 100% fruit puree.
- Fizzy drinks: Each can of your favourite soda not only contains high levels of sugar, but can also potentially dehydrate you. Add a hint of mint or ginger to sparkling water to create a healthier substitute.
- Added sugars: Added sugar means empty calories. Avoid adding sugar to your drinks. Use natural sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup instead.
- Cream or milk based beverages: These are loaded with fat, and often, lots of sugar. If you feel like something creamy, try making a smoothie or latte using almond milk or rice milk.
Here are a few simple recipes to help you make better-for-you beverages in a snap:

Fresh Ginger Beer

With a flavor similar to ginger ale, this ginger beer is a fizzy, non-alcoholic mixture of sparkling water, lime juice and fresh ginger. Ginger has been used as a home remedy for years to combat stomach aches and morning sickness. Studies also suggest that ginger may help reduce knee pain in people with osteoarthritis.

Requirements:

(Makes 8 servings)
- 2 cups cold water
- 1 cup fresh lime juice
- 4 teaspoons ground fresh ginger
- 1 ½ tbsp. honey
- 3 cups sparkling water
- Lime slices (optional)
Preparation:

Combine water, juice, and ginger in a blender; process until blended. Line a strainer with cheesecloth. Strain mixture over a pitcher; discard solids. Add honey to pitcher; stir until well mixed. Add sparkling water just before serving. Serve over ice. Garnish with lime slices, if desired.

Citrus Tea Punch

Tea itself offers significant health benefits because of its antioxidant compounds, but you can double the antioxidant benefits by stirring in some orange juice.

Requirements:

(Makes 12 servings)
- 6 cups water, divided
- 2 tbsp. honey
- 3 whole cloves
- 2 family-sized tea bags
- A 3-inch cinnamon stick
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 cup fresh lime juice, undiluted
- Ice
- Lemon slices (optional)
Preparation:

Combine 4 cups of water with honey in a heavy saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add cloves, tea, and cinnamon; steep for 5 minutes. Strain mixture through a sieve into a pitcher; discard the solids. Add the orance juice, lime juice, and the 2 remaining cups of water. Stir well. Chill. Serve over ice, and garnish with lemon slices, if desired.

Strawberry Aqua Fresca

Spanish for “fresh water”, Agua fresca is a refreshing, fruit-infused drink that is served throughout Mexico. Drinking a fruity water-based drink is a great way to stay hydrated in the summer while getting some extra vitamins and flavours.

Requirements:

(Makes 8 servings)
- 4 cups water
- 1 ½ tbsp. honey
- 6 cups hulled strawberries
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
Preparation:

Place strawberries in a blender and process until smooth. Add water, honey, and juice to the strawberry puree. Stir well.

Watermelon Cooler

Watermelon is a top source of lycopene, a compound that has been suggested to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Enjoy a glassful of health! And what’s more? It tastes amazing!

Requirements:

(Makes 6 servings)
- 8 cups chopped seedless watermelon
- 1 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- Dash of salt
Preparation:

Place half of watermelon in a blender; process until smooth. Strain watermelon through a sieve into a pitcher; discard solids. Repeat procedure with the remaining watermelon. Stir in lime juice, sugar, 1/2 cup water, and dash of salt. Serve over ice.

Spicy Mango-Orange Slush

Kick up the flavor of this fruity frozen drink with a sprinkle of ground red pepper and a splash of lime juice. It’s healthy, too. Orange is an excellent anti-oxidant, while mangoes are a good source of fibre and contain enzymes that help with digestion.

Requirements:

(Makes 2 servings)
- 2 cups cubed peeled ripe mango, frozen
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- ½ cup sparkling water, chilled
- 1 tsp. grated lime rind
- 2 tbsp. fresh lime juice
- A pinch of ground red pepper
Preparation:

Place all the ingredients in a blender; process until smooth. Serve chilled.

Now that you know the tricks, drink your way to refreshing health this summer!
May 26, 2014
5 Disasters To Ditch : A Step Towards A Healthy You
Most people think of their fridge as a nutritional safety zone, home to minimally- processed foods like fruits and veggies, milk, curd and condiments. But nutrition in the fridge is just confined to veggie box or main shelves. But look around inside the fridge, the door, the chill zone and the freezer, those small shelves, which, ironically, turn into the biggest attraction the moment you open the fridge. And they have the stuff that is the most dangerous. Candy bars, chocolates, mayonnaise, fizzy beverages etc. all these are nothing but calorie factories.

How to get rid of this stuff?

Well, the only way is to dispose them off, by tossing them into a trash can. But the problem here is, what and what not to dispose off. Every food item has a group of ingredients, and catchy captions, which make you think it is healthy, which is why you bought it in the first place. Now what, getting confused? Here’s a short and sweet list of the top 5 worst foods in that refrigerator of yours, and healthy alternatives to these sugar and fat bombs.
1. Worst Staple – White Bread : you may think a loaf of reliable white bread is a harmless vehicle. White bread is made up of refined flour, which is robbed of the protein, key nutrients and bran. Refined grains can be dangerous to your heart besides being lower in protein and fibre than whole wheat bread.
Quick Tip: whole wheat bread/multigrain bread/chapattis.
1. Worst Quick-Fix Side Dish – Frozen French Fries : If you think that having frozen fries and ‘smileys’ is a better alternative for having a healthy serving of potatoes, then you are gravely mistaken. Most frozen potato products are flash fried and contain a higher quantity of fat and salt contents than if you did it yourself. Also, they also help you pack on the pounds faster than you think. And out of all the available frozen fried foods, the worst culprit of weight gain are, ironically, the thinnest potato pieces – French fries..!! Eating one serving of French fries per day results in approximate 1.5 kg weight gain in 4 years. Many of these foods also contain as much as 1000 mg of sodium per serving (which is half your daily intake). No doubt, they are one of the main reasons for cardiovascular diseases all over the world
Quick Tip: make your own French fries. A much better option is to bake them by cutting them into small pieces , dipping them in olive oil, adding a pinch of salt, and keeping them in oven.
1. Worst Condiment – Mayonnaise : Love it or hate it, there’s no denying that mayonnaise is a common staple in fridges. But with 100 calories per tsp, this condiment can turn your typical sandwich into a calorie bomb, no matter how savory it is to your taste buds.
Quick Tip: Mustards are a great alternative to mayonnaise and add a whole new flavor to your snack, but if you really crave that creamy flavor and texture, pesto should be your pick.
1. Worst Spread And Cooking Fat – Butter: one tablespoon of butter contains 100 calories, 8g of saturated fat and 30 mg cholesterol, so it is not hard to see why this could be a diet danger if used too often. Using margarine in its place, isn’t better as well, because it contains cholesterol-raising trans fats. If you sauté your vegetables in butter, the flavor disappears even though you still get the calories.
Quick Tip: Olive oil. This is a healthy substituent to butter, because it contains heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fats that make it a better bet.
1. Worst Beverage – Fizzy Drinks: Your typical can of aerated drinks contains about 140 calories and 10 teaspoons of sugar – not exactly what a thirst quencher should contain. And diet cola isn’t any better, because both of them have been linked to adult metabolic syndrome, which increases your odds for developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes. These are not suitable even for children and teenagers, as they are a big reason for childhood obesity.
Quick Tip: Water/fresh juice/ iced tea. They are healthier and have less sugar and more nutrition.

So, here were some of the worst foods in your fridge that could set you off track and healthy options to stock instead. Passing up these foods, and having the healthy ones instead, can help to prevent many lifestyle diseases like cardiovascular diseases, obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Always remember if you don’t have it, you’re not going to eat it or use it, it is as simple as that.
May 26, 2014
The Way to a Man’s Heart is through his Stomach

“I think careful cooking is love, don’t you? The loveliest thing you can cook for someone who’s close to you is about as nice a valentine as you can give “

-Julia Child

The age old saying, ‘The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’ has proved to be true time and again. I don’t really know what it is between a man and his food, and the maker of his food. But nevertheless, the equation always works!

Be it a birthday or Valentine’s Day dinner/ lunch or simply, one making up after a teeny tiny fight – cooking a lovesome meal is the right way to do it. Now, imagine your man, after a hard day’s work, coming home to a surprise candle lit dinner – all planned, set and cooked by his better half. Wouldn’t he feel elated? I know my man would. Show a man you love and he will return it double. Yes, men are such adorable creatures.

The small things matter a lot. Be it a simple Cheesy Garlic Bread or a spicy Schezwan Paneer or the healthy alternative of a Mexican Omelette or plain old Chocolate Brownies – he will gobble it up like it is the best thing he has ever tasted.

Men are simple. Men are easy to please. And men definitely know and love their food. So, for all the damsels out there, here is an easy step- by- step romantic dinner to ease your way into his heart.

~~~~~~~

Menu

Drinks

ü Alcohol of your choice

ü Sweet Lime Soda

Starter

ü Italian Bruschetta

Main Course

ü Roasted Chicken with Lemon, Garlic and Thyme

Dessert

ü Red Velvet Cup Cakes with Cream Cheese frosting

~~~~~~~

Drinks

As far as alcohol is concerned, feel free to choose whatever you two like.

Sweet Lime Soda

Total Time- 5 minutes

Serving – 4 glasses

Ingredients – 1 cup lime juice (that has been refrigerated), 1/3 cup powdered sugar(Splenda can be used) , 3 cups club soda, crushed ice, mint leaf (for garnish, optional)

Directions – Mix lime juice and sugar together till the sugar dissolves. Add the club soda and stir lightly just to mix. Place the crushed ice in 4 glasses and pour the soda over it. Garnish with mint leaves and serve at once.

Starter

Italian Bruschetta

Total Time – 6 minutes

Serving – 2

Ingredients – 4 baguette or crusty bread slices, 2 garlic cloves (peeled), 2 tomatoes (cored and chopped), salt (to season), 8 basil leaves (torn or chopped), 1 or 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Directions – Place the bread on a baking tray and toast both sides under the grill until golden brown. While the bread is still warm, rub one side of each piece of toast with a garlic clove, top with chopped tomatoes, a little salt and fresh basil. Drizzle olive oil over the top and serve.

Main Course

Roasted Chicken with Lemon, Garlic and Thyme

Total Time – 1 hour 45 minutes

Serving – 6

Ingredients – 1 (6 pound) roasting chicken, 4 tbsp unsalted butter (softened), 3 tbsp minced fresh thyme (plus 1 handful for stuffing), 4 cloves garlic (chopped), 2 tsp fresh lemon zest, Salt, freshly ground pepper, 1 lemon (quartered), 1 onion (coarsely chopped), 3 celery stalks, 3 carrots (unpeeled cut into thirds), 1 onion (cut into quarters), 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth, 2 tsp all- purpose flour

Directions – Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Rinse the chicken and pat it dry.

In a small bowl, make a compound butter by combining the softened butter, minced thyme, garlic cloves, lemon zest, salt and pepper.

Season the cavity of the chicken generously with salt, and pepper. Stuff the cavity with the lemon quarters, a handful of fresh thyme leaves, and the quarterd onion. Place the carrot, celery and onion in the bottom of a roasting pan and place the chicken on top of the vegetables. Cross the legs and tie with kitchen twine.

Gently lift the skin away from the chicken and spread 2 tbsp of the softened butter mixture underneath the skin, distributing it evenly. Spread the remaining butter over the entire surface of the chicken and season generously with salt, and pepper.

Place the chicken in the oven and roast for 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F and roast the chicken for about 45 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the inner thigh, not touching the bone registers 160 to 165 degrees F. transfer the chicken and vegetables to a cutting board to rest for about 15 minutes. Tent the chicken with aluminium foil to keep warm.

Pour the pan juices into a large glass measuring cup. Spoon the fat off the top. Add the chicken broth to the roasting pan and place over high heat. Bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Return the pan juices to the pan. Whisk the flour into the broth mixture and bring to a boil until slightly thickened, for about 2 minutes. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Serve alongside the roast chicken.

Dessert

Red Velvet Cup Cakes with Cream Cheese frosting

Total Time – 40 minutes

Serving – 24 frosted cup cakes

Ingredients –

For the cake: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups sugar, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp cocoa powder, 1 ½ cup vegetable oil, 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature), 2 tbsp red food colouring, 1 t sp white distilled vinegar, 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the frosting: 1 pound cream cheese (softened), 2 sticks butter (softened), 1 tsp vanilla extract, 4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar, chopped pecans and fresh raspberries or strawberries(for garnish)

Directions –

For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12 cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers. In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy. Garnish with chopped pecans and a fresh raspberry or strawberry.

Recipe Courtesy: allrecipes.co.uk, foodnetwork.com

Image Courtesy: southernplate.com, thekenebunkkim.com, marhaba.com

May 23, 2014
For Impatient Souls- Food you can cook within 20 MINUTES!!

Food. Food. Food.

Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?

I grew up watching my grand moms and my mom cook food with a glint in their eye, a smile on their face. And along with the dose of MasterChef that imbedded itself in my brain (you can almost visualize an obese teenager sitting in front of the TV gawking at the delicacies being cooked, half mouth open, dazed eyes, with a hopeful future culinary dream), I gradually (not-so-gradual) fell in love with food. From Tandoori Chicken to Sweet Corn and Mushroom Pasta, from Mutton Biriyani to Risotto Primavera, from Misti Doi to Rhubard and Lemon Curd Cake, from Sweetened Kesari Lassi to Double Berry Smoothie, from Spicy Samosas to Cheese Scones – I opened my arms to all. Or, should I say stomach?

I learned to cook, as most children do at one point or the other.

I make the best Gajar ka Halwa(a Carrot sweet dish) in my family. No kidding. But that ‘hopeful future culinary dream’? Well, that’s taken a standstill.

Because, there’s a small glitch.

I don’t have much patience. I love food. I really do. But after the first half hour of cooking time, all my patience is lost. This usually ends in two ways: either I’ll leave the kitchen(an utter mess by now) heart wretched and defeated, be awfully thankful for my SuperMom who’ll clean up and finish cooking the meal in a jiffy, OR I’ll be irritated as hell, yet seize the damned crockery and continue cooking- the end result being a half burnt cake or inedible chicken curry or under seasoned fish or… oh, you get the drift.

And as usual, SuperMom to the rescue – a couple of weeks later, a couple of recipes (short ones) down, I was ready to take on the world.

WOO-HOO!

So, for similar souls like me, here are a couple of under-20-minutes recipes to try out and impress your family, friends and more.

(My YUM-shake)

Chocolaty Banana Milkshake

Time: 3 minutes

Ingredients: 2 ripe bananas, 2 tbsp honey, half a bar of good quality chocolate (I used one whole DairyMilk. I love that chocolaty gooiness), 450 ml of milk, vanilla ice cream

Directions: Put bananas, honey, chocolate, milk and 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream in a blender. Blend until smooth and frothy. Pour it in a glass. Put 2 more scoops of vanilla ice cream on top. Serve chilled.

(A sick-day savior)

Cauliflower Soup

Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients: 1 chopped onion, ½ thinly sliced leek, 2 crushed garlic cloves, 1 roughly chopped cauliflower, 750 ml of milk, 50g grated Parmesan, chives, butter to cook

Directions: Cook onion, leek and crushed garlic cloves in a knob of butter until soft. Add chopped cauliflower and the milk. Cover and simmer until the cauliflower is tender.

Place everything into a blender and blitz until smooth. Stir in grated Parmesan, ladle into bowls and finish with a few snipped chives scattered on top.

(A filling snack)

Egg and Raisin Sandwiches

Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients: 3 eggs, 1-2 tbsp mayonnaise, 2 tbsp raisin, white bread, butter

Directions: Hard boil the eggs. Let cool before peeling and finely chopping. Mix with mayonnaise, raisin and some seasoning. Spread 2-3 slices of white bread with 2 tbsp softened butter, top with the egg mix and sandwich with 2-3 more slices of bread. Cut into mini triangles and Serve.

(Something I can eat a dozen of)

Apple Muffins

Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients: 200 ml buttermilk, 1 large egg, 1 tbsp vegetable oil, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 200 g flour, 100g caster sugar,1 tspn baking powder, 1 tspn bicarbonate of soda, 2 small apples

Directions: Heat oven to 170C and line 8 holes of a muffin tin with muffin cases. Whisk together the buttermilk, egg, oil and vanilla extract. Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda in a bowl. Peel, core and roughly chop the apples. Quickly fold the wet ingredients and apple into the dry ingredients. Spoon the batter into the muffin cases and bake for 20 minutes. Cool for a couple of minutes in the tin before moving to a cooling rack. Serve warm or cold.

(A twist to the ever-popular omelette)

Omelette

Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients: ½ chopped onion, 1 diced red pepper, 1 diced tomato, 50 g chopped mushrooms, 1 finely diced potato, 4 eggs, a pinch of oregano, oil and butter to cook

Directions: Heat 1 tsp vegetable oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add potato, mushrooms, onion, tomato and red pepper. Cook for 8-10 minutes to soften, and then tip out the veg. Lightly beat the eggs. Sizzle a small knob of butter in the pan, add the eggs, allow to set and then spoon the vegetables over the egg. Cover with lid. After 2 minutes, open the lid and sprinkle a pinch of oregano. Serve hot.

(And my personal all-time favourite)

Pancakes

Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients: 300g flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tbsp caster sugar, 2 eggs, maple syrup, 300 ml of milk, butter to cook and a pinch of salt to taste

Directions: Mix flour, baking powder, caster sugar and salt in a large bowl. Crack in the eggs and whisk until smooth. Add 1 tbsp maple syrup and the milk while whisking. Heat a splash of oil and a small knob of butter in a non-stick frying pan until sizzling, Add spoonfuls of batter to make the pancakes. Cook until bubbles start to form on the surface, then flip and cook the other side. Keep the pancakes warm in a low oven while you cook another batch. Serve them drizzled with extra maple syrup.

Image Courtesy-www,gizmag.com

May 23, 2014
Fruit Juice Better than Soft Drinks – Myth or Reality

We mostly hear from health expert and parents that soft drinks are not good for health and as a substitute for that recommend fruit juices which are in comparison fresh and good for the body as they do not have any preservatives in them but in reality apart from a few vitamins and minerals there is not much of a difference between the two beverages as both give you almost the same calorie and sugar hit. However it is not correct to see both the drinks in the same platform as fruit juices have few redeeming health benefits that make it better than soft drinks, for example, Prune juice can remove or slowdown issue of constipation while cranberry juice helps lower the risks urinary infections.

One of the biggest assumptions regarding fruit juice is that it is healthier than soft drinks because of its natural sugar content. Even though the above statement is true, it does contain natural sugars which are a composition of fructose, sucrose and glucose, but the sugar quantity is much more than in soft drinks which are not good for humans. Moreover study states that this ‘natural sugar’ is also found in soft drinks in the form of sucrose because it comes from sugar cane. The difference here is in the quantity of sugar we consume which more in proportion in fruit juice than in soft drinks.

According to the ‘National Diet and Nutrition Survey’ young people aged between 11-19 years intake about 47% sugar from fruit juices, cereals bars, biscuits and should therefore limit their juice consumption to once in a day because of its high calorie content. Secondly children below or equal to 10 years of age exceed the acceptable limit of sugar intake to about 34% and as a result in the long run when these children would grow up to become adults but do not bring any change in their eating habits, about 48% of them would suffer from obesity, higher levels of cholesterol and type 2 level of diabetes.

Another study conducted a similar research by comparing the calorie content in three components namely juices, soft drinks and coconut water and came with the conclusion that as previous study states, drinking juices is definitely not a healthy option as the fructose content makes the glucose level in the blood rise above the acceptable level, however being said this it should be also noted that rather than preferring for juice, consuming the whole fruit itself is a much healthier option. Study of coconut water reveals that the drink contains only 46 calories which is far less than other fruits and definitely less than the soft drinks and therefore is a nature’s energy drink provided to man to keep him hydrated.

Next time you check your weight and find it has increased, study claims fruit juice might have contributed to this increase. According to a study conducted by Deakin University among a group of school children, it found that children who consumed more fruit juice were overweight than those who did not consume. The reason behind this observation was given as when we drink juice rather than eating the fruit as a whole, we miss out on the fibre. Fibre is an important component which controls body weight and keeping the digestive track clean and healthy. Fibre also protects against colorectal cancer, the second biggest cancer killer after lung cancer. The World Cancer Research Fund show that there is high correlation between foods containing fibre with protection against various forms of cancer and therefore for someone struggling to reduce weight, drinking a lot of fruit juice or soft drinks would not help rather usage of water is the best remedy and instead of juice preference of the fruit itself is a better option.

Talking only about juices does not give us any clear picture. Coming to the other side, soft drinks also do not seem so good friends after all. According to a study done in the Imperial College London, drinking carbonated beverage a day results in an increase in your chances of suffering from diabetes by 20%. In addition to this we also have issues of weight gain and an increase in insulin resistance. The soft drink issue when discussed in court, the Supreme Court of India directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to check and monitor all carbonated drinks and to regulate the drinks to protect the public from its ‘deleterious effects’. According to Professor Barry Popkin from the University of North Carolina, other risks associated with consumption of such items can also increase the kidney and liver failure and development of cancer. Studies also have shown a positive correlation between soft drink consumption and increased heart disease and hypertension risks. The sugar content recommended for adult men is 37.5grams per day and for women its 25grams per day, however a 350ml of soft drink might contain 31.5gram of sugar. So its upon us to see whether we are within the limits or exceeding it.

Now that we know about the effects does this change our consumption pattern?? The answer is no for many and the reason behind this is that most of the adults and children are influenced by the advertisements done by these companies, who are very much successful in attracting the public by using their favorite movie stars or sportsmen for promotional purposes. However one thing is clear, the claim that fruit juice are better than soft drinks is not true to some extent as various studies show that both the beverages have more harm than benefits and that a check should always be kept on the amount of consumption of these food items especially in the case of children.

Georgie Rajan

May 23, 2014
Beverages To Keep You Cool This Summer

The 40 F plus temperatures, the scorching Sun, the long vacations, the sweaty bodies, the fast metabolism rates, the urge to sip-in or bite into something soothing – this and much more defines Summers. And here we are again! Can’t eat a whole lot at one go in Summers, the hunger pangs claw into your tummy post-dinner and post-lunch. What to sip? What to nibble? Something to cool you off! Something that would make Summers not just about bearable but enjoyable! These are the trademark summer-time cool-offs that we all look forward to and are always up for!

9. Carbonated Drinks/ Soda

Local Soda Shops are sprouting everywhere. They offer orange, kaala-khatta, lemon and various flavored sodas. There are bottled sodas and then there are packaged sodas! You can opt for the multinational variety of carbonated drinks too – be it cola or mango based. It sure feels good to feel that fizz in your mouth as the sun brews up the temperature around you. Open a can of happiness! Indeed!

8. Mocktails/ Cocktails

A concoction of few of your favourite drinks/items and you’ve got a mocktail/ cocktail in your hand. What’s more! It’s so easy that anyone can prepare one! You get to add everything you want, right from soda to that big jug of beer sitting snugly in your fridge! If you happen to be a teetotaler, you can always avoid the alcoholic beverages and opt for fresh fruit juices – pineapple, kiwi or sweet-lime. So get a glass of drink in your hand and get transported to a Hawaiian Beach this summer.

7. Milkshakes/ Smoothies

Bored of your glass of Bournvita? Want to add flavours to your drink? Go get that glass of milkshake! Be it banana, chickoo or mango! Oh well, if chocolate if your thing, then so be it! Are milkshakes too thick for your taste? Opt for smoothies! All it takes is a few ice-cubes to smooth your milkshake out. Remember to do your shake-dance before you decide to sip your glass full of awesomeness!

6. Cold Coffee/Iced Tea/ Cold Cocoa

Are you a Caffeine junkie who has to have a cup, no matter the temperature of the room? Well, discard the hot boiling cups of Coffee and Tea. Switch to Cold Coffee and Iced Tea. Try flavours like Irish Coffee, Frappe. Sip a lemon, ginger or mint Iced Tea! And if you got a sweet-tooth to cater to, opt for cold cocoa and go to choco-land! These drinks are sure to up your energy levels and help you while you get through a hot day.

5. Falooda

Want to try something new? Falooda is a rose flavoured, milk-based cold-drink with variants like khas and strawberries. A perfect sweet drink to turn to during summers! It contains scoops of ice-cream and once you have had it, you can be sure to feel content. It leaves a syrupy taste in your mouth thanks to rose. Falooda goes on to prove that rose by any name tastes the same!

4. Thandai

Thandai has loads of dry fruits, masala and malai! And milk! It’s a popular drink during Holi and Mahashivaratri, when a bit of bhang is added. For day to day basis, it is a glassful of calories but all in good taste! Kesar is added to thadai to give it the original taste. You may select your favourite dry fruit and prepare a version of thandai by adding just crushed almonds/walnuts to your glass of cold milk like kesar milk, badam milk and so on. Let thandai cool your soul and senses!

3. Chaas/ Lassi

Do you like yogurt? If so, these are the drinks for you! Many people chug glasses of Chaas and Lassi as part of their staple diets. Masala Chaas with coriander leaves is a light dairy-based cold-drink to sip anytime, anywhere – with or without a meal. A lassi on the other hand is a bit on heavier side. It comes in flavours like salt, sweet and fruity additions. A glass of buttermilk is enriching and fulfilling at the same time.

2. Sharbats/ Fruit Juices

So many flavours to choose from! Rose, Kokum, Saunf, Nimboo, Pudina? What do you want? They come in bottled flavours and all you got to do is add a spoonful of liquid to a glass of chilled water. The other option is to blend the fresh fruits – be it watermelon, pineapple or pomegranate. The raw mango juice is a one of a kind which helps you to face the hot summer winds and adds to your stamina, keeping you hydrated. The question now remains, to sip or not to?

1. Barf Ke Gole/ Slushie

That grated ice on a stick, which you quintessentially get on the roadside lorries is a thing to enjoy during Summers. The more the ice absorbs the juice, the better it is to slurp! It has the same flavours as the sharbats, and more! The gola-waalas have taken it a step further by adding grated fruits, chocolates, dry-fruits, coconuts to your gola, with a slice of cream! This is unofficially the best slurpie ever! So, what are you waiting for? Go! Slurp on! Sip on!

May 16, 2014