Category: Food

Diwali Special

Diwali is a festival of light which is celebrated with full positive energy in India. Diwali food section gives you a perfect idea about lots of delicious mouthwatering recipes across India. Here are some recipes which you can enjoy at Diwali.

DRY FRUITS BURFI-

Ingredients-

1 1/2 Cups – Anjeer/Dried Figs

1 Cup – Khajoor/Dates

1/3 Cup – Almonds/Badam

1/3 Cup – Cashew nuts/Kaju

1/3 Cup – Walnut/Akhrot

1/3 Cup – Pistachio/Pista

1/3 Cup – Raisins/Kismiss

1 tbsp – Gulkand (optional)

1/2 tsp – Cardamom Powder/Elaichi

1/4 tsp – Nutmeg Powder/Jayaphala

1 tbsp – Ghee or Oil

1 – Sliver Varq/Warq (optional)

Recipe- Soak anjeer/dried figs in warm water for 15 minutes, strain water and pat dry well. Meanwhile finely chop almonds, cashewnuts, raisins, walnut, pista and dates. You can also pulse in food processor or mixer but don’t make it powder, we need nuts in pieces. Grind anjeer/figs to smooth paste, don’t add water. Heat oil or ghee and add anjeer paste mix well and saute for a minute. Now add chopped dates and mix well, cook for 2 minutes. Add Chopped dry fruits and mix everything well, you will need another spoon or spatula to combine everything. Add cardamom powder, nutmeg powder, gulkand and mix everything well, cook for a minute and off flame. Line a plate or tray with greased butter paper and pour burfi mixture, level well with spatula and later with butter paper, allow mixture to cook completely. Add sliver varq if using and keep burfi in fridge for 20 to 30 minutes, cut in desire shape with greased knife. Store in air tight containers, this burfi stays fresh in room temperature for almost 2 weeks.

UPPU SEEDAI-

Ingredients-

Rice Flour – 1 Cup
Urad Dal Flour – 2 tbsp
Butter/Ghee – 2 tbsp
Sesame Seeds – 2 tsp
Asafoetida – 1/4 tsp
Grated Coconut – 2 tbsp
Salt – to taste
Water – To knead
Oil – For deep frying

Recipe- Heat a pan/wok and sauté rice flour for a minute or until it starts to steam. Don’t let flour change its color. Sauté for a minute urad flour and coconut. In a bowl sieve both flours and add coconut, salt, sesame seeds, salt, butter/ghee, asafoedtida and rub with hands to get wet sand like consistency. Now add water in small quantities and mix well to form soft pliable dough. Keep aside for 5 minutes. Take a pinch and make into small ball and repeat same for rest of dough, arrange in newspaper or kitchen towel. While making balls don’t apply any pressure, do it gently and don’t try to get perfect round shape. Heat oil for deep frying and add seedai in batches. Deep fry in medium-slow flame until golden in regular interval. Drain in paper towel. Store in air tight container after seedai comes to room temperature.

SOOJI GUJIYA-

Ingredients-

For Outer Layer

2 Cups – Plain Flour/Maida

4 tbsp – Ghee or Oil

Oil – To Deep Fry

For Filling

2 Cups – Sooji/Semolina

3/4 Cup – Mawa/Khoya (optional)

2 Cups – Powdered Sugar

1/2 tsp – Cardamom Powder

1/2 Cup – Grated Dry Coconut/Khopra

2 tbsp – Raisin

4 tbsp – Chopped Cashewnuts

2 tbsp – Poppy Seeds

Recipe- For outer layer, in a wide bowl take flour, 4 tbsp oil and mix well, add water in small quantity and make stiff dough same like we make for poori, cover with a damp cloth and keep aside until required. In a wok or kadai add khoya/mawa and cook in slow flame for 2-3 minutes or until its melts, loosen up, off flame, keep aside. Dry roast sooji/rawa until light brown and aromatic, keep stirring so it doesn’t get burnt. Powder sugar with cardamom seeds. In a large bowl add roasted sooji/rava, cashew-nuts, raisins, poppy seeds (I didn’t used), dry grated coconut (khopra), powdered sugar and mix well. Add khoya/mawa and mix well with hands to combine khoya with sooji well. If you are not using khoya skip this step. Knead dough again for 4-5 minutes to make it soft and make big gooseberry size balls with dough, roll into thin roti/chapatti of 5′ diameter or size depends on the size of your gujiya/karanji mold. The dough has oil or mooyan as we call enough so I didn’t applied oil or flour for rolling but if you need apply drops of oil or slightly dust with flour to roll dough and don’t worry about the same of roti/chapatti. Grease gujiya or karanji mould with oil slightly and place rolled chapatti on top of it. Place 1 tbsp of filling on one side of partition. Bring another partition together and close it. Press the edges to seal gujiya well and remove excess roti portion from mould and keep it with rest of dough. Press again to make sure gujiya/karanji is sealed well, gently open mould and take out gujiya. Repeat same for rest of dough and prepare gujiya. Heat enough oil for deep frying and drop 3-4 gujiya at time and fry in medium to slow flame until both sides golden brown, do turn 2-3 times gujiya to cook it well both sides, use slotted spoon and drain oil, keep in kitchen tissue to drain excess oil and fry rest of gujiyas/karanji. Allow to cool completely before storing in air tight container.

August 10, 2014
Egg Recipes

Eggs are among the most nutritious foods on the planet. A whole egg contains all the nutrients required to turn a single cell into a baby chicken. Here some delicious and healthy recipes of egg which you can make at your home to give a healthy and tasty diet to your children.

EGG PULAO-

Egg Pulao Recipe is the delicious Indian Egg Dish which is made from boiled eggs and basmati rice. It can be easily made with few ingredients and enjoyed at dinner or lunch.

Ingredients-

1 cup Basmati Rice

4 Eggs

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

1 green cardamom

1 star aniseed

2 peppercorns

1 onion, finely chopped

1 bay leaf

2 tomatoes, fine chopped

2 green chilies, fine chopped

1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste

1/2 teaspoon red chili powder

2 tablespoon yogurt (curd)

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 teaspoon crushed kasuri methi (dry fenugreek)

1 tablespoon oil

1 teaspoon tandoori chicken masala or garam masala powder

Few coriander leaves, chopped

Few mint leaves, chopped

1 tablespoon fried brown onions (for garnishing)

2 cloves

Salt to taste

Recipe- Soak 1 cup basmati rice in 2 cups of water for 20 minutes. Boil with some salt, drain and keep aside. Make the onions brown. Keep it ready aside, as it will be used for garnishing this Pulao. Boil 4 eggs in water, cool down and then deshell them. Cut each boiled egg in 2 pieces and keep aside.

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a deep shaped vessel and add 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 star aniseed, 1 green cardamom, 2 cloves, 2 peppercorns and 1 bay leaf. Saute for a few seconds, till the cumin seeds starts spluttering.

Now add 1 fine chopped onion along with 2 fine chopped green chilies. Saute for a while and quickly stir in ginger-garlic paste.

Cook on a low flame, till the onion turns little brown and then add 2 chopped tomatoes. Mix well and leave to cook for 2-3 minutes on low flame, till the tomatoes turns mushy and little watery. Now add 2 tbsp yogurt and mix well. Cook for one more minute. Mix in red chili powder, turmeric powder, tandoori masala powder and salt to taste. Carefully place the pieces of boiled eggs. Now stir gently and add boiled rice. Spread little oil all over on rice. It gives a nice texture to the Pulao. Finally garnish it with some brown onions, coriander leaves and mint leaves. Mix slowly and cover the vessel. Leave to cook on low flame for a couple of minutes. Egg Pulao is ready to serve with Salad and Raita or enjoy as it is.

EGG KEEMA-

Keema is traditionally a flavorful minced meat dish said to have originated in Persia but extremely popular in the Indian sub-continent.

Ingredients-

Oil – 2 Tbsp
Bay Leaf – 1
Cinnamon Stick – 1 inch piece
Black Cardamom – 1
Green Cardamom – 2
Whole Cloves – 2
Onion – 1 large, finely chopped
Ginger – 2 tsp, minced
Garlic – 2 tsp, minced
Green Chilies – to taste, finely chopped
Turmeric Powder – 1/2 tsp
Red Chili Powder – to taste
Salt – to taste
Coriander Powder – 2 tsp
Cumin Powder – 1 tsp
Tomatoes – 2 large, pureed
Hard Boiled Eggs – 6, peeled and grated
Frozen Green Peas – 1/2 cup
Garam Masala – 1/2 tsp
Water – 1/2 cup or little more
Cilantro – finely chopped for garnishing

Recipe- Heat Oil in a medium non-stick pan on medium heat. Add Bay Leaf, Cinnamon Stick, Black Cardamom, Green Cardamom and Whole Cloves. Stir for 30 seconds. Add Onions and a little salt, mix well, cover and cook for about 15 minutes stirring frequently. Add Ginger and Garlic, mix well and cook uncovered for another 5 minutes until Onions turn brown and oil starts to separate from the mixture.
Add Green Chilies and Tomatoes, mix well, cover and cook for about 10 minutes. Be sure to stir a few times in between. Remove cover and continue to cook until oil starts to separate from the mixture again. Add Red Chili Powder, Turmeric Powder, Coriander Powder and Cumin Powder. Mix well.
Add grated hard boiled eggs, salt and a little water and mix well.
Add Green Peas (cooked in the microwave for 1 minute with a little water) and Garam Masala and cook for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with fresh Cilantro. Your dish is ready.

EGG PARATHA-

Ingredients-

2 cups wheat flour

7 eggs

1 tbsp ghee

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 small tomato, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

1/2 teaspoon red chili powder

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

1/2 tsp black pepper powder

2 green chilies thinly chopped

Few coriander leaves, finely chopped

Cooking oil

Salt to taste

Recipe-Beat 6 eggs in a bowl and add 2 fine chopped green chilies, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder, chopped onion, tomato, few chopped coriander leaves and salt to taste.

Mix it well and keep aside.

Now take a big bowl and mix wheat flour, 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin seeds, ghee, coriander leaves and salt to taste. Also beat one egg in it.

Knead a smooth and pliable dough with help of water.

Heat tawa on high flame and make 6 equal sized balls from the prepared dough. Take one ball or portion and make a small roti out of it. Apply little oil, fold and roll again just like we roll Indian chapatti.

Drizzle few drops of oil on heating tawa, reduce the flame and place the rolled out roti in it.

Cook for 2 minutes and then spread some mixture all over on it. Spread only the egg mixture of one egg, so that we should be able to make 6 egg parathas out of it.

Cook on low flame till the paratha become fluffy and golden brown in color.

Fold and flip it. Cook from another side as well for 1-2 minutes.

Once the egg paratha is cooked well, that is when it is browned well, the egg mixture has also browned and cooked like an omlette, then the parathas are done.

Your egg paratha is ready. You can cut into some pieces just before serving.

August 10, 2014
Dieting or Die-Eating?
Oh, no. It looks as though you’ve had a row with the weighing machine. Again.

What was it this time? The needle pointed five kilos ahead? What other options are there apart from running, yoga, swimming and various other exercises?

Dieting, you say? Cutting down your food intake to a minimal? Are you sure you know the difference between dieting and starving?

Unfortunately, many don’t understand what dieting truly is.

The common misconception is that Dieting refers to controlling the amount of food or calories you ingest, in order to lose weight.

However, the truth runs along these lines:

Dieting is the practice of eating food in a regulated fashion to decrease, maintain, or increase body weight. That’s right, folks. Dieting doesn’t mean cutting down on your nutrition intake–it means balancing it.

To determine a proper diet for yourself, it is suggested that you visit a dietitian and have them plan it out for you, based on your body type, weight, eating habits, height, etc.

However, if you’re more of the future planner, it would help to know some of the long term effects of dieting

The Long Term Effects of Dieting:

“Success” in dieting methods has been generalized as weight loss. This implies that losing weight will lead to improved health, and yet, health outcomes are not included in diet case studies. Do weight-loss diets lead to improved cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose?

The question is not whether or not one should diet, but what exactly is it that dieting achieves.

In most case studies dieting persons show minimal improvements in the above mentioned health criteria, while none correlate with weight change.

Shocking, but true. Though weight-loss dieting might help shed those extra pounds, it only does so temporarily. In the long run, however, case studies reported that, the majority of individuals had gained almost all of the weight that was lost after dieting, if not more, regardless of continuity in their diet or exercise program. It was also revealed that after two years of dieting, up to two-thirds of dieters were even heavier than they were, prior to beginning their program!

The “Taboo” Foods

Certainly, when you are put under a weight loss dietary program, there are certain foods you would be required to give up or cut down on. These include, but are not limited to:
- Salad Dressings
- Beverages like alcohol, smoothies, coffee with cream and sugar, sweetened juices, teas, and sodas
- Certain meats like Bacon, grilled Chicken
- Cheese
- Croutons
- Burgers
- Chocolates
- Doughnuts
- Cookies
- Tortillas
- French fries
- Potato chips
The list could go o forever, but to sum it up, anything with carbohydrates or fats becomes a taboo. Though it is true that not all dietitians advise that you ban these foods, or tell you to cut down on their quantity, could you really live with feeling guilty every time you pass a packet of Lays, in a shop?

Think about what we saw earlier, about how dieting isn’t really all rainbows and ponies in the long run, and ask yourself: is all the effort really worth it? Is it honestly worth it to drown in shame every time you take a bite out of something sweet, only to find out that you’ll gain the same weight, or probably more, two years down the lane, despite your efforts?

Doesn’t seem smart.

The Ignored Side Effects

Every day, it seems there’s a new “it” diet. But now, it seems as though there’s a whole new reason not to try them all: It turns out, switching diets can drastically affect your intestinal health.

While there are studies that show the health and medical benefits of weight loss, a study in 2005 of around 3000 Finns over an 18-year period showed that weight loss from dieting can result in increased mortality, while those who maintained their weight got the best. It has also been found that in most cases, a low fat diet causes constipation. Is that something you want to deal with? I think not. In adolescents, it is noted that along with physical ones, dieting can inflict psychological and emotional harms. The stress of being thinner usually leads to eating disorders like Anorexia and low self esteem in teenagers. Sadly though, these ill effects are shadowed by the supposedly ‘fantastic’ results of dieting, that last no more than six months after the completion of your regime.

The Consequences

In many cases, normal dieting doesn’t seem to be satisfactory. Not because you’re not doing it right, but just because it isn’t normal and your body is not ready to accept such changes as you inflict on it during the course of your diet. Sadly, these simple signs are misunderstood and dieters are lead to believe that their diet lacks severity.

As a result, they monitor their eating habits even more strictly than they did before and needless to say, this only leads to more harm.
1. Binge Eating: Binge eating is sometimes the outcome of having gone too long without necessary nutrition and calories. If you consistently skip meals when on a diet, it is possible to feel deprived and eat many more calories late at night, especially if you’re unable to fall asleep from intense hunger.
2. Muscle Loss: Unhealthy dieting practices that don’t produce enough protein can lead to unwanted muscle loss. Your body needs protein to build and repair tissues, and carry out a large number of processes. When you don’t consume enough protein in your diet, your body will consume its own muscle mass. Ouch!
3. Fatigue and Nausea: Some unhealthy dieting practices include extreme calorie reduction. Juice fasts where you go for weeks without consuming solid foods often result in horrible side effects. Fatigue, nausea, dizziness and headaches are common consequences of these unhealthy diets.
4. Challenge to mental Health: Unhealthy dieting is challenging for your mental health. Many people feel grumpy and irritable when they are hungry. Not getting enough calories, not having enough energy to carry out daily tasks, feeling dizzy and nauseous can all combine to push some extreme dieters into feelings of deep sadness or even depression.
The Final Conclusion

After having thoroughly read about dieting and it’s true colours, can you really say that it is the most natural way to lose unwanted weight?

The challenge with weight loss diets is that they usually cannot be maintained in the long term. You may be able to survive on a short term basis on an extremely low-calorie diet, but eventually you will have to resume eating regular meals.

The ball is in your court then. Do you prefer dieting? Or happily Die-Eating?
August 10, 2014
Just Taste the Berries
Berries are the culinary fruits of flora which means the plant or the tree which bears fruits from the flowers. Berries are basically called as aggregate fruits beause agregate fruits are formed from one flower which contains many ovaries in it. So,berries grow in bunches from one flower of the plant . These berries doesn’t contain any seeds inside them , they are just fleshy which can be eaten raw without pitting.

Blackberry

Blackberry is a soft fruit which is mainly used as ingredient in making ice creams , jam, desserts , juice and many more interesting food stuffs. Blackberry fruit is native to Europe, Central Asia, Africa , North and South America.
Benefits:
- Blackberries are rich in anti-oxidants and are very helpful in destroying cancer radicals formed inside the cell.
- They contain many phyto -chemicals which are essential for good health and it helps in reducing inflammation.
- Taking a cup of blackberries can protects immune system and lowers the risk of getting cancer as it contains vitamin C and antioxidants.
- It also reduces of the risk of getting heart diseases and promotes good digestion.
- Eating blackberries protects the skin from damage caused by UV -Rays and repairs the skin as it contains ellagic acid an antioxidant.and also inhibits the growth of skin cancer causing tumors from spreading .
- Blackberries are considered to be rich in nutrients , Vitamin C & K and essential manganese minerals.
risk factors:
- During autumns this fruit is not recommended as the tree which bears fruits is infected by many virus and it becomes the host for many pesticides.
recipes :
- The varieties prepared with Blackberry fruits are very interesting and fun to eat.
Some of them are:
- Blackberry candies
- Desserts
- blackberry ice creams and Popsicle
popiscle

blackberry ice cream
- Blackberry cakes and pastries
- Jam and jelly
- Blackberry cupcakes
steps to Prepare Blackberry Mojito:
1. Its a soft drink which can also be prepared at home very easily within less time.
2. Just grind some required amount of blackberries and add some mint leaves in a blender and keep it a side
3. To sweeten the drink add some chilled sugar syrup or essence to the mixture and stir well
4. Next squeeze a lime into a jar and if possible add white rum which is optional
5. And now add the blended blackberry and mint leaves into the jar in lime juice and shake it with a cocktail shaker or just add them all again in a blender for just 2 minutes
6. Now take a glass and pour the required amount of prepared cocktail into it and top with some soda and ice cubes and decorate with a lime peace and blackberry and a mint leaf
7. And here it goes your Blackberry Mojito is ready to drink
Raspberries
- Raspberries are the fruits which are grown in the low temperature areas especially near polar regions. Raspberries are mostly red in color and pink also. There are many species of Raspberries ,even Dark purple colored raspberries , yellow or golden color,Blue color and Black Raspberries.
red and black raspberries

Black raspberry

Golden or Yellow Raspberries

Purple Raspberry
- Raspberries are rich in minerals, vitamin C,Vitamin K, manganese and just 4% of sugar and no starch.
- Raspberry leaves are used in making herbal tea either dried leaves or fresh. Leaves are also used in preparing herbal medicines.
  blue raspberry
- Eating raspberry can keep you away from cancer like diseases
- It has good amounts of antioxidants and phyto nutrients which is essential for human beings..fully ripened raspberries contain more amounts of antioxidants than the normal one.
- It helps in increasing metabolism of the cells and clearing unnecessary fats and helps in reducing weight.So, i must say that raspberries are the excellent weight loosing fruits.
raspberry gummi ring candies

raspberry cany

raspberry sour chewing candies

raspberry icecream

raspberry cake

blackraspberry cup cake

Steps to prepare raspberry smoothie:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of fresh raspberries
- 1 cup broken Almonds
- 1 apple
- 1 banana
- 1 cup of Non-fat yogurt
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 1 cup Sugar
- Honey
Preparation:
1. First make a paste of almonds and keep a side
2. Now add raspberries ,peaces of apple, banana into the blender
3. Now add the almonds mixture into the raspberries mixture with and sugar
4. Now at last add milk and honey and blend it for 2 minutes
5. Freeze this for about 1 hour and then serve it by pouring it into the glass by garnishing with raspberries.
Strawberry

strawberry hanging garden

strawberry smoothie

strawberry ice cream
- Strawberries are cultivated throughout the worldwide.
- Strawberries can also be cultivated in gardens at home.
- Its greatly consumed as fresh fruit or in varieties like ice creams, milkshakes, jams, pies,breads,cakes, and chocolates.
- It has same health benefits as other berries have like like reduced risk of diseases like cancer , cardiovascular , and anti -inflammatory diseases .
Blueberry
- Blueberry is another variety of fruit like blackberries and raspberries . Its native to north America . It has many health benefits .
- It is very useful in regulating blood pressure and maintaining sugar levels in blood.
- It helps in reducing depression and improves brain memory
- It contains many anthocyanins, and other pigments and phyto chemicals which helps in reducing the risks of diseases like cancer and inflammation
- Similar to other berries its also used as flavor to make varieties of ice-creams, jams, jelly,cakes,desserts, juices, smoothies etc..
blueberry yogurt ice cream

blue berry smoothie

Lingonberry or Cow berry
- Lingonberry or cow berry is cultivated mostly on ht elands of North America
- This berries are very useful in making many food products like Jam and as ingredient in some cakes, fruit juices, ice creams and breads.
- This fruit is rich in nutrients , vitamin C , vitamin A, Vitamin B,calcium, Magnesium, calcium .
- Eating cranberries can keep you away from diseases like breast cancer, diabetes mellitus,and rheumatism.
- Either the syrup or jelly of this fruit is used as traditional medicine to cure fever,disorders of gastrointestinal tract,kidneys and urinary tract.
Cranberry
- Cranberries are very similar to Lingonberry but they are little sour and bitter than lingonberries . It also has many health benefits as similar to Lingonberry .
- It is especially helpful in maintaining good immune system, cadiovascualr system and also anti-cancer agents.
- Its especially good for women health.
- Dried cranberries , cranberry ice creams and jams are the mostly consumed varieties of cranberry fruit.
cranberry juice

cranberry ice cream

Dried Cranberries
August 4, 2014
Scrumptious fruits you must eat and their benefits
Fruits are the ultimate natural source of vitamins, minerals, proteins along with some anti-oxidants and other substances which are very beneficial and essential for health to humans as a healthy diet. Humans and many animals are mostly dependent on fruits. Consumption of fruits in high amounts keeps us away from diseases like cancer,heart diseases,skin diseases etc… There are many kinds of fruits which grow in different atmospheric conditions at different regions.

Carambola:

Carambola fruit / star fruit
- Carambola is a fruit it is also called as star fruit or Carambola Apple.
- Its name differs from region to region.
- This fruit is native to the places like Indonesia, Bangladesh,India and Sri Lanka.
- The taste of the fruit is likely the mix of apple, pear,grapes and citrus family.
- It tastes differently in different stages of ripening.
Health benefits:
- Carambola contains Potassium, Vitamin C,sodium and acid.
- Its rich in anti-oxidants and contains low sugar
- It also contains Nitric oxide(NO) which varies at the ripening states
Risk Factors:
- This fruit is not recommended for those who are suffering with kidney failure, kidney stones and those who are suffering with kidney dialysis.
- The patients with kidney problems when consumed this fruit can cause hiccups , nausea, vomiting, and mental confusion.
Uses:
- This fruit when it is sour can be used for cleaning rusty materials or removing rusty stains from the clothes.
Recipes prepared using star fruits:

Carambola sour juice

Carambola smoothie

Carambola juice

Tambis
- Tambis is a fruit which is from the family of apple known famously as Rose apple .
- Its scientific name is Syzgium samarangense.
- It is also called as bell fruit, water apple, Jamaican apple etc…, and it is called with different names in different regions.
- This fruit is mainly found in the islands of Indian ocean, Andaman and Nicobar Islands .
- In India it is found in Andhra Pradesh in the dry land areas of Rajanagaram mandal ,here in Telugu it is called as Kammari Kayalu. In malyalam it is called as Chambaka.
Health benefits:
- Rose apples are very beneficial to Diabetic patients and also lowers blood pressure.
- It is considered to be good for brain, liver and blood.
- It is used as medicine in curing fever and asthma.
- Its seeds can be used to treat diarrhea
Risk factors:
- Excessive consumption of this fruit can result in certain health problems
- Excessive eating can cause itching in the throat and leads to coughing.
- Eating 3-4 apples per day can serve good excessive is not beneficial.
Litchi:
- Litchi fruits are mainly cultivated in China and India. It is also cultivated in many other countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Japan and several other places around the world. It tastes sweet and has perfume like smell in it .
Health Benefits:
- Litchi helps in maintaining good health and fat free body as it contains no saturated fats or cholesterol.
- It contains good amounts of anti-oxidants,vitamins and dietary fibers.
- Eating Litchi can help to improve flow of blood in organs, in reducing weight and protects skin from UV rays.
- Its also source for Vitamin C, Vitamin B- complex,thiamine, niacin, and also minerals like copper and potassium.
- Litchi is grown in many areas to prevent and treat malnutrition.
Risk factors:
- Eating litchi’s is not recommended for children especially during the months of May and June , as the litchi’s are attacked by deadly virus called Encephalitis.
Recipes made out of Litchi fruits:

Litchy smoothie

Litchy juice

litchy jelly ice-cream

Palm fruit:

Ice apple or nungu
- Palm fruit which is also called Palmyra fruit or Ice -Apple, known as Tari in Hindi, Nungu in Tamil and Thati munjalu in Telugu.
- This fruit is sweet in taste and looks transparent jelly like thing. Its also fermented to make Toddy called kallu .
- Palm trees which are grown bulky especially in India , Indonesia,Malaysia, Nepal,Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Africa.
- Its scientific name is Barassus Flabellifer.
- In the states like Tamil Nadu , Andhra Pradesh and some places the seeds are allowed to germinate and forms stems like structure,which are called as Palm sprouts called as Gagulu or Panai Kezhingu is eaten raw or either boiled or roasted.
- And if the fruit is fully ripened then the outer yellow layer is eaten and used in preparing varieties of recipes.
Health Benefits:
- Palm fruits are very healthy and it has been all around from many years.
- Palm fruits contain jelly like substance which is called Ice apple can be eaten or drink which is made out of it is taken as a cool drink during summer seasons.
- It gives instant energy as it contains Vitamin C and Vitamin B – complex
- The fruit pulp is used to cure many skin inflammatory conditions
- The sap which is collected from the tree is used as tonic and laxative to cure liver diseases and ulcers.
- When this sap is fermented it becomes a crazy drink called kallu(alcohol)
- The sap is also used to cure anemia, improves digestion and good for appetite.
Recipes made with Palm fruit:

steps to prepare Rose Milk Ice Apple:
- Boil thick milk in a vessel and cool it in a refrigerator for 1-2 hours
- Peel the Ice Apple (nungu) and cut into peaces
- after 2 hours mix rose syrup to the milk and add sugar and blend it for 2 minutes
- and then finally add nungu and serve it chilled
nongu paal

Sweet Tamarind / Camachile
- Camachile is a fruit which is similar to tamarind but its pulp tastes sweet and looks twisted and red in color.
- These trees are grown on streets in India and its also found grown in South America, Mexico, Philippines, Bengal , Caribbean, Florida and other places.
- This fruits are also called as Monkey pod. Its called as Seema Chintakaya in Telugu , Kodukka Puli in Tamil and Jungle Jalebi or Ganga Imli in Hindi.
Benefits :
- This fruit is used in preparing many meat dishes
- Its seeds are edible and useful in extracting oil out of them which contains only 10% seeds and good for reducing weight.
- Its also helpful in strengthening the gums of tooth ans preparing medicines
- The bark extract helps in curing diarrhea, tuberculosis and dysentery
August 4, 2014
Some easy pakora recipes

Pakora is a fried snack. When the weather is rainy and you have your family at your home then the best way to enjoy the monsoon is by making Pakoras for them. Different people of the family have different tastes so, here are some recipes for you to make the monsoon days more enjoyable.

BESAN KE PAKODE-

Besan Ke Pakode is the most delicious snack dish made with besan, onion and other spices. It is all time and any time favorite dish of elder ones and younger ones. In my home twice a week it is a compulsory tea time snack in the evening. You can serve them as an evening snack or a morning breakfast, they are all time tasty and mouthwatering.

Ingredients-

1 finely chopped big onion, 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder, freshly chopped cilantro, salt for taste, 2 cups besan, 6 finely chopped green chillies, a pinch of baking soda, and oil to deep fry.

Recipe- Combine green chillies, onion, salt, besan, red chili powder, baking soda and lots of fresh cilantro in a mixing bowl. Mix all the ingredients well and add water to make a medium thick batter. Heat up a pan and add suitable quantity of oil to deep fry. As oil heats enough, then add a big spatula of prepared batter. Turn to fry from both the sides and when half fried, then take out from the oil. Then leave it to cool. Now again pour a spatula of batter in the hot oil and take out from the oil when half fried. Leave to cool. After few minutes when the half fried big pakoda is cool enough, then make small-small pakode from that big pakoda. Again deep fry in hot oil for few seconds, lower the flame. Turn and fry from all the sides. Take out from the oil and keep on absorbent paper. In this way make small-small pakode from each big pakoda. Serve hot with Indian flat bread and accompanied by green chutney or tomato sauce.

ONION PAKODAS-

Ingredients-

5 large onions, 1/2 teaspoon minced ginger, 4 teaspoons chopped cilantro, 2 teaspoon red chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, salt to taste, 3 teaspoon rice flour, water as per needed, 3 green chillies, 2 teaspoon lemon juice, 2 teaspoon chopped curry leaves, 1/2 teaspoon coriander seed powder, 1 teaspoon cumin powder, 1/2 cup besan, 1/4 teaspoon cooking soda, oil 3 teaspoon to deep fry.

Recipe- Peel, rinse and slice onion. Finely chop green chillies, coriander leaves, curry leaves, mince or grate ginger. Meanwhile in a wok start to heat oil. In a wide bowl take sliced onion, green chillies, coriander and curry leaves, ginger, red chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander seeds powder and salt. Mix everything well. This step helps to mix onion with all spices and onion pieces gets separated nicely. Now add chickpeas flour/besan, rice flour. Mix again everything to combine flour with onion pieces. Now start to sprinkle water and mix well to bring everything together. Go easy on water as onion and salt release water too. Add lemon juice mix and then add 3 teaspoon of hot oil and mix again. Check for salt, spices and adjust anything if required. Drop around small amount of mixture in oil with hand or using a spoon, make 6-7 pakoda in a batch. Make pakoras of the size you prefer small, medium or big and cook in medium flame until all sides are golden brown. Drain pakoda in kitchen tissue and cook remaining pakoda in batches. Serve them hot with chutney or tomato sauce.

HARI MIRCH KE PAKODE-

Ingredients-

4 chillies, oil for deep frying

For the batter- 1 cup besan, 1/2 teaspoon garlic paste, salt to taste, cold water, 1/2 teaspoon garlic paste.

For the filling- 1 boiled and mashed potato, 1/2 teaspoon zeera, 1/2 teaspoon ginger paste, salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic paste, 1/2 teaspoon sugar.

Recipe- In a bowl mix all the filling ingredients. In another bowl mix all the batter ingredients. Adjust the water amount keeping the consistency medium-thick. Batter should not be too runny. Fill the deseeded chillies with the prepared filling. Dip in the batter and deep fry till golden and crisp. Serve with pudhina chutney or sauce.

ALOO PAKORA-

Ingredients-

2 large potatoes, 2 rice flour, 1 teaspoon red chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon cooking soda, water as needed, oil to deep fry, 1 cup besan, 1 sprig chopped curry leaves, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, salt and 2 teaspoon hot oil.

Recipe- Peel, wash and dice potatoes, transfer in a large bowl and add rest of ingredients except oil. Give a good stir, now add water 1 teaspoon at a time and mix until everything comes together, this doesn’t require so much of water so keep adding water only in less quantity. Heat oil, take 2 teaspoon of hot oil and mix with potato mixture. Scoop a spoon of batter and drop in oil, do this 4-5 times to get 4-5 pakoras and fry until golden brown in medium heat.
If using hand, scoop around 4-5 pieces of potato for one pakoras and deep fry. Have it with coconut chutney, sauce or just with hot tea/coffee.

PANEER KE PAKORE-

Ingredients-

1 liter milk, 1 lemon, 4 teaspoon tomato sauce, 6 teaspoon bread crumbs, 2 teaspoon flour, salt, finely chopped green chili, 2 teaspoon finely chopped green coriander, 4 big size boiled potato, 4 teaspoon green chutney, 1 packet potato wafers, oil and black pepper powder.

Recipe- First, boil the milk, add green coriander, green chili, lemon juice and curdle the milk. Remove the water, put the cottage cheese in muslin cloth and place some weight on it. When the paneer sets, cut them into 5 cm pieces. Mash the potato and add salt and pepper to it. Add water to the flour like it is done when bhajiyas are made. Now, take two pieces of paneer, apply green chutney on one side and stick them together. Take mashed potatoes on a palm and spread it. Apply tomato sauce on it. Place the paneer on it and cover the paneer with the mashed potato-sauce mix. Shape the paneer. Dip this into batter and coat with bread crumbs. Deep-fry it. Serve with green chutney and potato wafers.

August 4, 2014
Meal is incomplete without Cereals

Cereals are the staple food in our meal providing unlimited benefits to our body and mind too. If one has choices available for healthy lifestyles, then cereals are the best choice you people can opt. The nutritional value of cereal is undoubtedly so high that no other food item can replace this staple item from our meal. It is highly rich in carbohydrate, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals.

Cereals, being the main source of carbohydrates help in providing you with vigorous energy and increase the immunity of our body against cancer. It also aids in removing constipation problem and maintain the sugar level. Cereals are also supplemented with iron and fiber contents which keep your body away from any heart diseases and maintain the level of cholesterol in your body. Nothing could be better than having cereals in your breakfast as they are enriched with high protein contents. They are generally preferred to be accompanied with the glass of milk.

Cereals are also known as grains and are the most staple crops which belongs to monocot families. They are grown to gain the edible component of this fruit. The fruits are known as Caryopsis. It is largest selling crop grown all over the world and therefore it is farmed in huge quantities. The name has been derived from the word Ceres (Roman goddess of agriculture). It was firstly cultivated in South West Asia by the Neolithic founder.

According to the production statistics every country has its own staple food like wheat is mainly consumed in Europe and India; rice is famous in Japan, South East Asia, Pakistan and US; maize is widely popular grain in Africa and Northern America; millets are eaten in Africa and India.

You can find different types of cereals in your meal. It can be rice, brown rice, wheat, maize, millet etc. Let us discuss some of them. Rice is the most popular cereal eaten across the world. It is cultivated in tropical regions rather than cold regions. It is consumed in many countries with various different rice recipes prepared which are truly lip-smacking. Maize is the most staple crops found in South America and Africa. Popcorn and Cornflakes are the two other different forms in which this particular cereal is consumed. Cornflakes is counted in one of the healthiest snacks and popcorn is the favorite time pass during the movies. Wheat, this cereal needs no description. All the basic food items like bread, pastries, biscuits, pancakes, cookies, etc are incomplete without this cereal. It is mostly cultivated in agricultural zones. There are various different species of this cereal, which is grown all over the world.

Cereals are mostly eaten in breakfast meal. Breakfast cereal is a commercial food available in all the kitchens around the world. They are eaten as an individual item or sometime they are also accompanied with water or milk. According to our taste fruits are also added and some sweeteners too. Breakfast cereal is boiled or mixed with milk in order to make them soft before consumption. Some of the best examples of breakfast cereal are Corn Flakes, Porridges, oatmeals etc. Breakfast cereals are widely accepted in developing and developed countries, both as they are a single bowl of full nutrients. It provides you with full nutritional value while maintaining your health and weight.

Porridge is unconditionally the most nutritious breakfast anyone can have. It is fully rich in fibre and minerals. For making it sweet people use jaggery and it is decorated with almonds and raisins. Intake of this porridge in your breakfast helps in maintaining your sugar level. Poha is another version of rice which is generally prepared on every Sundays in the Indian households.

Cornflakes are the healthiest breakfast, loved by all the children. A bowl of this corn flake along with the milk fulfills the demand of all the nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and iron. Its intake is more effective during the time of monsoon as due to high moisture it becomes easy for your body to hold the water.

Wheat flakes are just the replacement of wheat porridge and is prepared using wheat. It is taken in the breakfast meal as it is highly rich in calcium. Oatmeal is best for those who are going through diseases like diabetes and cholesterol. There is no need to add sugar into the bowl of oats. It helps in exorcising depression from your mind. Muesli is the best choice among all the breakfast cereal as it consists of four types of grains along with almonds and raisins. It helps in the mental and physical growth of the child and keeps them fit and fine. The most amazing fact is it is served with yoghurt. Sometime people take it as their evening snack too.

Try some juicy cereals too for your child and enjoy all the nutrients in just a tiny piece of grain..!!

August 1, 2014
Potatoes: Goodness Unearthed
Potatoes are one of the cheapest crops grown all over the world. It is a tuberous and starchy crop which belongs to nightshade family or Solanaceae family. It is considered as the most comfort food, whether it is in roasted, mashed or baked form. It is the only crop available throughout the year as it is harvested somewhere in every month of the year. It has listed its name amongst the world’s largest food crop which already includes maize, rice and wheat.

Potatoes are found in different sizes, shapes, color and flavors. There are about 100 different varieties of potatoes found all over the world. Potatoes are classified in two two groups: mature potatoes and new potatoes. Mature potatoes include the White Rose and Russet Burbank while New Potatoes include Red Pontiac and Red LeSoda. The outer covering of this crop is generally red, yellow or brown in color while inside it is white or yellow in color.

As we know potato is a rich source of nutrients so to have all its nutritional value, we must consume it fully without peeling it. You can scrub the potato in the cold water so as to remove bruises or deep eyes and if needed you can use the knife. And if you are peeling it, then be careful and only remove thin covering so as to retain all the nutrients. After cutting, potatoes must be placed in a bowl containing cold water and lemon juice so as to avoid its skin from darkening. Avoid its contact with aluminium or iron pots as they are sensitive to it.

Common and popular dishes made from potatoes are: mashed potatoes, which are prepared by boiling the potatoes and then mashing it along with yogurt, butter or milk; French-fried chips, which is prepared by slicing potatoes into chips and then fried; potato pancakes; baked potatoes and many more.

Potato is one of the most substantial food sources across the world. It is almost like an ingredient in each and every dish. It is considered as the best remedy to cure blood pressure problem, but unfortunately people take its intake after covering it with butter, melted cheese to make it yummier and simultaneously adding more fat to it. This sometimes becomes a big contributor to heat related problems. Potatoes are the main source of Vitamin B6 and a very good source of copper, manganese, fiber and Vitamin C. It also contains several phytonutrients which has anti-oxidant properties and perform activities against free radicals. Recent studies show that quercetin, a chemical which is present in potatoes helps in cardio-protective activities and has anti-cancer properties. Several health benefits that intake of potatoes involve are:

It helps in lowering blood pressure: Scientist in UK found a compound called kukoamines which has a blood-pressure lowering capabilities in potatoes. Previously this compound was only identified in an herbal plant named Lycium Chinese, but now it is present in the World’s most available crop i.e. Potatoes. Potatoes in addition to this also contain several health promoting chemicals. So people who are suffering from high blood pressure problem must take a regular intake of this vegetable in any form.

It helps in building our cells and makes them stronger: Potatoes being a good source of Vitamin B6 provides strength to our cell. It is found that one potato contains a half milligram of this special nutrient in it. B6 is the most important nutrient that our body demands every time like during enzymatic reactions, formation of new cells etc. So presence of any potato based dish in our meal is enough to fulfil all the requirements of B6 in our body.

A good source of Vitamin C and iron: potatoes are the main source of Vitamin C and contain more amount of this nutrient than tomato. It helps in preventing cellular damage as it has an anti oxidizing capability. It also helps in collagen production along with the iron absorption, which keeps our gums stronger. Potatoes also help in supporting our immune system. One potato can provide 6% of the iron needed by our body. The intake of potato helps in oxygen utilization, neural development and control the overall functioning of cells.

Apart from the health benefits it has several uses too:
- Potatoes are used in the preparation of several alcoholic drinks like vodka, potcheen etc.
- Potatoes are one of the main parts of the meal of domestic animals.
- Potato starch is used in textile industry and in the food manufacturing industry too. This starch is also used in biodegradable packaging.
- Potato if taken with honey, then it is the best remedy for scratches and burns.
- It is also used in various researches involving plants.
- Various companies are recycling all the waste potatoes to polylactic acid. This acid is used in several plastic products.
So here we have seen that all the goodness of potatoes. This appetizing, family-favorite crop is not just have health benefits instead has several other uses too. So make potato a part of your meal and unearth all its comfort.
August 1, 2014
Biscuits:Easy-to-carry and Easy-to-store

In this neoteric world every person from adults to children is found to be a biscuit fan. A pack of variety of biscuits is always found to be in your handbags. The time you feel hungry and have nothing to eat around you then take this out and fulfil the demands of your stomach for once. They are usually known by their different names like cookies in Canada and United States and biscuits in Europe and India. It has derived its name from the two Latin words bis means twice and coctus means cooked (process of baking associated with them). It is the best option people used to carry on their long journeys as they are easy to store.

Biscuits or sometimes referred to as cookies are available in different sizes and shapes. They are manufactured by various different companies all around the world. The European or Indian variety is found to be more creative than English Variety. They are distinguished on the basis of sugar, cream, jams, butter, herbs, and cheese and so on while in the United States they are harder and flaky in nature. When we talk about its history the manufacturers used to create hardest cookies possible so that they can be easily stored in high temperature and during the time of humidity too. But now they are made as sweet as possible with a layer of cream sandwiched between the two biscuits to make them taste yummy.

Sweet biscuits are usually preferred in snacks in the morning time as they are made of wheat flour and oats. The taste of sweet is added with the help of honey or sugar. There a variation lies in their flavors like chocolate, jams, nuts, fruit etc. They are usually accompanied with the cup of tea. They are very hard to consume so people tend to dip this into their tea for a small amount of time so as to make them soft before consumption. It involves all the digestive biscuits and bourbon cream biscuits.

Savoury biscuits are the cookies which are consumed normally along with the meal or cheese. They are also known as crackers or matzos which involves water biscuits, cream crackers and crisp breads. These biscuits also contain some additives like melted cheese, onion seeds or olives. They are somewhat spicy in taste rather than sweet, but exception lies in Hovis biscuits. They are usually sold in the European supermarkets.

Digestive biscuits have several health benefits. They are very high in their fiber content. So if people are suffering from diabetes then they can take these biscuits and simultaneously avoid the increase of sugar content in their body. You can easily prepare these biscuits in your home too. Only a certain amount of extra ingredients like butter, brown sugar, oats, and baking powder will be required. They also help in digestion and bowel movement too. For example Nutri Choice which is high in dietary fiber is the best choice you can have.

Glucose biscuits help to address the deficiency of glucose in our body and mainly in children. The best choice is Parle-G. It is fully made of wheat flour and milk content. Parle Group is the largest manufacture across all over the world. Its nutritional value is very high and purchase cost is very low. It has several other products rich in nutrients like Krackjack which has a taste of both salt and sweet, Monaco which is a namkeen biscuit, hide and seek which is a mixture of chocolate and sweet both with chocolate chips endowed in it.

Ginger biscuits help in the treatment of nausea, vomiting and sweating. As we know ginger act as an anti-oxidants so intake of ginger biscuits helps to reduce the risk of cell damage and remove all the free radicals responsible for it. They are also preferred when glucose levels in our body are increasing.

Biscuits do have various advantages but their intake must not be so high. They must be consumed in a much planned way. Their consumption depends on the time when they are eaten. People tend to utilize them at the time of their meal sometime or sometimes as their snacks too. The best way of their consumption is they must divided into 2-3 pieces and then taken at their regular intervals during snacks or meals. Homemade cookies and cookies that are high in fiber content and low in fat contents are preferred. Before purchasing any pack you must check its ingredients and make sure that list involves whole grain, some natural preservatives and additives too. At the time of humidity you must store them in airtight boxes so as to prevent them getting stale. And if you are consuming canned biscuits, then make sure to store them in refrigerators.

Go on and consume this long-lasting item in your snacks or meal and have its all benefits along with the taste.

August 1, 2014
Food in General

“Food in general” sounds really boring as the heading of a blog-style-article and I know that most of you won’t probably want to read this mostly because the title has this weird monotony inducing vibe to it. But I want to be clear about the body of this blog-style-article that it is going to be really useful, especially for the mothers and cooks in the house who love experimenting with their food, just because it gives a sizzling sensation to their taste buds. So I am hoping for you guys to stick around and find out what I have to rant out this time of the day, or night or whatever.

People love experimenting with something they love because doing one thing regularly bores them and newness excites them at the same time. The prospect of getting into an experiment and succeeding sounds perfect, doesn’t it? Same is the case with food and today, I would discuss about how people unintentionally rip the nutritional value of their food to pieces. R.I.P. to healthy food, I feel like it’s my duty to mention a condolence.

Indian food is generally extra fried, over cooked and spicy to the point of cringing and smacking one’s lip at the same time. Now, even though the taste is highly fantastic in a lot of cases when it comes to Indian cuisine, I feel like the way of cooking such dishes is kind of unhealthy in the long run. Personally, I have a problem with fried food. I feel nauseated and can’t ingest it, which might be bad or might be good, but all I know is that fried food is not healthy in the slightest bit.

I had a sleepover last night at my friend’s place and we ate “kachori and aloo ki sabzi” at breakfast, which was too much for me but nothing for my friends because apparently, they are used to such heavy, fried food at breakfasts. It’s like a ritual for them, eating unhealthy fried food at breakfast. I promised to not have a sleepover at her place after that because the nauseated feeling was way too much for me to handle.

I would recommend that eating heavy is the correct choice at breakfast because dieticians recommend having a heavy, nutritious breakfast but I don’t think that “kachori” has any nutritional value except that it’s fatty. Having a glass of chocolate milk, some bananas or omelette or fruit salad or even some chapatti and veggies sound like a tasty and dietary breakfast. I have seen Gujarati people eating kachori and jalebi and fafda and samosas etc during breakfast time and I always wonder how they can eat something so unhealthy and oily right in the morning.

But I am just suggesting, not commanding so you can do what you want. It’s your life, not mine. But just remember one thing that health is wealth.

Other than that, no pressure!

After fried, I would like to turn to the next term in the above mentioned list which is over cooking. Indian food is considered to be over cooked by estranged people and that is apt. Over cooking leads to destruction of existent nutritional value in the food which makes the point of eating healthy ingredients so as to gain some nutrition moot. Therefore, avoid over cooking food; ensure that it’s not raw but don’t overcook because it would make the food taste exceptionally good. Trust me; I have seen people crisp their okra up until to the point of turning them into chips because they taste helluva great.

One more thing that I want to add here is that chopping vegetables excessively is another factor as to why food becomes less nutritionally rich. Chopping an apple a hundred times so to make it a food of convenience for your child won’t help him reap any dietetic value from the apple.

Spices make the food taste bloody good and we all are thankful for the almighty inventing spices. Without spice, we all would have been nothing, just starved, uncreative beasts hungry for good food. But seasoning your food with a lot of spices is not the way to be thankful to them for existing. Using them judiciously is the way to be grateful to spices because highly spiced food is not good for the human body. Spicy food can cause stomach aches and indigestion. It can cause skin damage. Please don’t touch your skin with chilli clad hands or most importantly you eyes; they can burn like nobody’s business once you rub them with you spiced hands and you don’t want to experience that burning sensation.

I know it’s not much but this is all I have in “Food in General” because these are the four thing that Indians generally do to their food in their kitchens and I know it’s unintentional because of lack of awareness but I feel good and satisfied telling you thing now. Not so spicy, less fried, or properly cooked food can also taste fine, you know. You just have to accept the fact that healthy eating is the best way to treasure your body.

So stay fit, eat hit!

August 1, 2014