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  • Food Myths Exposed!

    Food Myths Exposed!

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    There is like crux of truths behind so many food and nutrition myths and now, this articles will help you separate science from silliness and uncover some most common Food myths. Yes, some conventional food wisdom you think makes you so wise, is well, not so wise. And that’s why you need to clear up your cluttered mind and here’s are some real food myths busted, only for you. Go through them and get yourself amazed…

    Chocolate lifts up mood and is Antidepressant: The most common aspect we believe in, these delicacies help in upliftment of mood and makes us feel better when you are feeling low. Like Really? The story behind it is that chocolate has been touted as possessing this ability to boost serotonin levels. But there’s a problem with this theory as per researchers. First being, that your mood changes without change in serotonin levels. Finally, when you eat chocolate as comfort food, it is more likely to prolong your depression rather than bringing it to an end and this is why the joy you receive from eating chocolate is short and sweet as a pleasure of anticipation.

    Calories eaten at night have more fattening than the calories eaten in morning: Well, this is funny to think that calories have effect on your body system as per time of the day. As told by Dr. John Foreyt,” Calories are calories and it doesn’t really matter what time you eat them. What actually matters are the total calories that you take in.” So, better to keep check on the amount of calories rather than on time.

    Fresh is always better than Frozen: Not a truth as Frozen can be as good as fresh food with all the nutrients intact. The frozen produce can be as nutritious as fresh and this is because it is frozen shortly after picking, which says that it retains more nutrients than if it has to travel, unfrozen for days before being sold and consumed. Also, there is cost benefit as frozen is often cheap as compared to fresh.

    Apples are as good for you now as they always were, like in 19th century: Apples are awesome and are an excellent wholefood and source of nutrients and Vitamin A, of course. But unlike in 1940s, when apples were known to contain three times as much of iron as one of today’s apple, which was due to growing of the same crops in the same soils. It removes the nutrients and that’s why crop rotation is so important.

    Dark or Brown Bread is always better than White bread: A very common perception that people have, that white bread holds no good and dark one is better. While the truth is slightly different as dark bread may just have caramel colouring and be no better than white bread. Rather look at such words on the packaging like, ”whole wheat bread” “whole grain” ; that means bread is made from unrefined wheat, which has more than double the fiber and also has high potassium, manganese, selenium content. So, break this myth.

    Eggs are bad for your heart health: Well, Labeling eggs as bad for the heart is wrong notion as many studies show that healthy people can eat an egg a day without any problem. Though it is true that it contains substantial amount of cholesterol in their yolks which is about 211 milligrams per large egg. But the good thing for most of us is, that the cholesterol we eat in eggs or any other food, doesn’t have a huge impact on raising our blood cholesterol as the body compensates by simply manufacturing less cholesterol itself. Only trans fats and saturated fats are the chief culprits for heart disease. Make sure that eggs can fit in as long as you make a room for them in the rest of what you’re eating.

    Carbohydrates make you fat in some way: The famous low carb/no carb manifesto is generally followed by many people thinking carbohydrates are fattening while there’s nothing inherently in them that make them a fat food. Undoubtedly, refined carbohydrate rich food such as white bread, pasta can raise the risk of gaining weight and other health problems but is you cut so called, good carb from your diet such as whole grains, beans , then you are missing out the main source of fuel for your body.

    Radiation from microwave zaps nutrients in your food: This is a misguided thinking as according to many researchers, it is the heat and the amount of time you are cooking that affects the loss of nutrient and not the way you cook it. The right perception is; because microwave take less time to cook and hence minimize the nutrient losses. Microwave cooking is no different than any other method of cooking that supplies heat to food. You just need to make sure that you use microwave-safe containers only and not just pick any of the plastic container.

    Craving certain food because there is deficiency in one of the nutrients they provide: Nope! It’s not true that you crave certain because you have gotten deficient in nutrients they provide to your body. The basic reason behind human food craving tends to be more about satisfying emotional needs than the actual hunger. Generally, cravings occur when you have a boring diet or you are restricted to eat something. If there is any nutrient deficiency then it is of “iron” and that lack of iron might somehow affect the body’s mechanisms.

    MythBuster

    All these food facts or food myths busted here might surprise you and change your ways and perceptions about it. But it is for your good, if taken into consideration. Now, relish food more.

    Healthy Eating. Happy Life.

  • Christmas Celebrations in Different Parts of India

    Christmas Celebrations in Different Parts of India

    Christmas is a festival that falls in the month of December.The whole world will be eagerly waiting for this festival till the end of the year.In India, people from different parts celebrate this festival in different manners.Christmas celebrations in India is similar to western countries, but it has its own flavor.Here are the few places in India and the way the Christmas festival is celebrated.

    Christmas celebrations in Goa:

    Christmas celebrations in Goa
    Christmas celebrations in Goa

    Goa,situated on the western coast of India is also called as Beach Paradise of India.It is one of the best place in India for Christmas celebrations.During Christmas time the whole city,homes,cathedrals and churches are fully decorated with lights and flowers.On these special days,beach shacks and restaurants serve special western dishes and also play live festive music which is an additional attraction for many tourists.Beaches like Anjuna,Mapusa and Candolim are known for long night parties.Goa also hosts internationally acclaimed sunburn festival during this festive season and New Year.For this sunburn festival,many music lovers around the country come here to watch DJ’s live performances.By providing all these exciting features,Goa is an excellent place to visit during Christmas.

    Christmas celebrations in Mumbai:

    Christmas celebrations in Mumbai
    Christmas celebrations in Mumbai

    Mumbai, also known as Financial Capital of India is one of the biggest party hubs during Christmas.During Christmas season,the hill road is fully decorated with lights and Christmas trees are spotted on the sidewalks.In Mumbai,there are many popular churches which host midnight masses.Bakeries in the city are filled with goodies and all the city malls are decorated well to give a festive feel to the customers.After Christmas,there are firework celebrations at Marine lines on the night of New year.It is one of the best place to visit during Christmas.

    Christmas celebrations in Pondicherry:

    Christmas-in-Pondicherry
    Christmas-in-Pondicherry

    Pondicherry ,also known as India’s Little France.The spectacular beaches,beautiful buildings and pleasing French Cuisine makes it one of the best tourist destinations.There are many old churches in Pondicherry which include the magnificent churches like ‘The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception’ and ‘The Sacred Heart of Jesus Church’.These are the most interesting places to visit during festive time.The city is filled with French style monuments and buildings.During the festive season, the city looks bright and excitement and joy are found everywhere in the city.

    Christmas celebrations in Kerala:

    Churches in Kerala during Christmas
    Churches in Kerala during Christmas

    Kerala is a perfect place to visit during Christmas season.In Kerala, there are vast number of churches that celebrate this festival with lot of dedication and interest.Streets are fully decorated and Churches remain open almost all night.On these festive days,restaurants provide discounts on food and drink for customers.The beautiful beaches,beach resorts,boat houses are fully decorated on these festive days.It is a beautiful place to enjoy Christmas along with the family.

    Christmas celebrations in Manali:

    christmas-places-in-manali
    christmas-places-in-manali

    Manali is one of the beautiful hill stations in India.During Christmas season,the snow fall takes place and when the snowfall is moderate people enjoy playing snow fights and build castles with their friends and family.During this season,there are many tourist packages available offered by various travel companies.Places like Rothang pass and Solang valley are additional attractions too.

    Christmas celebrations in Shillong:

    shillong-church
    shillong-church

    This state has a large number of Christian population and they celebrate this festival with more joy and glory.On this festive season all the streets,houses and churches are fully decorated with colorful lights.There are many local troops that perform dances to the traditional music.Most of the churches have their own local music band.Food offered at this place is a bit unique and is not liked by many of the people.There are not many travelers that frequently visit this places.So, one can enjoy this festival without worrying about the crowds.

    Christmas celebration in Daman and Diu:

    Oldest Churches of Daman and Diu
    Oldest Churches of Daman and Diu

    These Islands are located at the coast of Gujarat.These Islands have many old and beautiful churches like St.Paul’s church,Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and many more.The beautiful sand beaches,palm grooves makes this place a best holiday spot.Here Christmas is celebrated with great joy and people perform many cultural programs like Portuguese dance and many more fascinating events.The festival is celebrated by playing wonderful melody tunes and accompany with music.Houses are fully decorated with bright and colorful lamps all over the Island.Many night parties and events are performed in Daman during this festive season.

    Christmas celebration in Dadra and Nagar Haveli:

    dadra_nagar_haveli_festival
    dadra_nagar_haveli_festival

    This place has beautiful hills,waterfalls and lush of green forests to walk through.This place has beautiful old churches with magnificent architecture and people celebrate Christmas with full of spirit.The festivals celebrated will have their local impact.This place is great for shoppers with a lot of hand made products available.This is a peaceful place to visit and enjoy the Christmas celebrations.

    Christmas celebrations in Bangalore:

     

    Christmas in Bangalore
    Christmas in Bangalore

    Bangalore is one of the biggest cosmopolitan cities in India celebrating Christmas with great joy and spirit.On this festive season, various events are celebrated throughout the city.Many of the restaurants,malls,houses,streets are fully decorated with colorful lights and flowers that brings a festive look to the entire city.In Bangalore, there are around 40 churches and in few areas there is a domination of Christians.During nights of Christmas season,masses are held at churches that draw huge crowd to attend the ceremony.During this festive season many restaurants and malls offer discounts to the customers.

    Christmas celebrations in Kolkata:

    Christmas celebrations in Kolkata
    Christmas celebrations in Kolkata

    In Kolkata ,Christmas is celebrated in a different manner.For the people of Kolkata, Christmas is a festival with full of yummy cakes and pastries.Not only Christians, but also people from many other communities attend midnight masses at various churches,sing hymns and offer prayers thanking god.On these festive days, malls and restaurants offer large amount of discounts.Many attractions can be seen like street lights full of colors,rock music,sound exhibition,shimmering lights,delicious food and many more.

  • Fish Mania !!!

    Fish Mania !!!

    Two years ago I got married to my lovable Bong boyfriend and the very next day, I was introduced to this favourite cuisine of every bong family – “Mach Bhaat “.Its a tradition in the families to love Fish . I was a little scared as I just couldn’t tolerate the smell of it, few might relate to my situation .Bengali’s are just crazy about fish and I was just the opposite. They can write their own food bible about their favourite food “Mach “.If you ever had interacted with a Bengali, within a few minutes of your conversation you will know the love they have for Fish.I have seen crazy Bong friends of mine in alien cities travelling to every nick and corner of the city… Guess what? Just to have mach bhaat. Gosh! I can write loads of stories about their fish mania, For instance, its a tradition in Bengali families to judge a would be son-in laws character by letting him buy a fish and the quality of the

    fish he buys determines his character (Its true. I am dead serious). The only thing which can deviate a Bengali’s mind from fish is football (May be politics sometimes).Its not easy for a bengali to live without mach a single day  and for some even one single meal. When I started cooking after marriage I had this huge challenge in front of me of not having fish and still cooking it.But I took up this challenge and
    have made so many recipes thanks to my mother-in-law and sometimes you tube too. You wont believe I started liking fish and now, eat it for every single meal. This is how crazy you can be when you marry a Fish Maniac. Its lovely to pen down my initial cooking days – horror stories which eventually turned out to be fairy tales and bring a smile on my face every time I recollect those memories. Today I am
    going to share a two of my favourite fish recipes which I cooked for my first anniversary party and they turned out to be a big hit. I hope it rocks your parties as well.

    Fish Biryani !!!

    fish biriyani

    Yes! I am discussing biryani with a twist . This dish is delight to have and very simple recipe to try at home. For a fish maniac its heaven on a platter.

    Ingredients : 400 g Basmati Rice washed and soaked for 30 minutes., 400g Bhetki fillet or Talapia Fillet (Both easily available in markets), 2 cups finely sliced Onions (Preferably red Onions),1 cup finely chopped onions ,1 cup chopped tomatoes, 1 tablesopon Ginger and garlic paste ,1 1/2 cup Whipped Yoghurt, 1/2 cup Coriander and mint finely chopped, 8 to 10 Small green chillies slit from one side, 2 tablespoon Lemon Juice ,2 to 3 black cardamom, 2 to 3 cinnamon sticks, cloves, black peppercorns, 1 /12 teaspoon cumin powder, 1 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder, 1 1/2 teaspoon kashmiri red chilly powder , 1 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, Salt to taste, 1 teaspoon of rose water, Oil as required.

    Servings : 4

    Method :

    Marination of fish :
    Mix Lemon juice , ginger and garlic paste with all the powdered dry spices ( cumin , coriander , kashmiri red chilly , turmeric, Salt) . Apply apply the mixture to the fish fillets and keep it aside for 30 minutes so that spices get properly soaked into the fish for a even taste.

    For Biryani Preparation:
    Cook the basmati rice previously soaked in water until its half cooked. Once the Rice is done spread the rice in a flat tray so that it doesn’t get overcooked in its own heat.
    Take a small deep pan add oil for deep frying and fry sliced onions till they are golden brown and keep it aside plating on paper napkins to strain extra oil.

    For biryani handi preparation take a deep pan with a lid. Heat it on medium flame . Add oil in a generous amount, heat it for for 30 secs and then add whole spice ( black cardamom , cloves , cinnamon, black peppercorns). Stir it for 30 sec so that oil gets the spicy flavour and add chopped onions . Sauté it for 3 to 4 minutes, add – salt, turmeric powder, chopped tomatoes and sauté it for another 3 to 4 minutes until tomatoes separate oil. Now add whipped yoghurt and marinated fish. Stir it gently so that it doesn’t breaks fish fillets. Close the lid for 8 to 10 minutes and turn the gas on slow flame. Now to have layered biryani take out half of the cooked fish in a bowl . Spread the remaining
    fish in the pan and add half of the rice quantity, layering it with half of the deep fried onion slices and half of the chopped coriander and mint leaves ,flavouring it with few drops of rose water. Repeat the same layering with the remaining ingredients and keep the deep pan on top of a flat tava ( Flat )pan on a medium flame for 5 more minutes. This process creates dum in the biryani giving a nice aroma to the dish.
    Once done Plate the dish in desirable bowl or platter and serve it with love.I am sure you will please a fish maniac.

    Doi Mach : 

    DoiMaach
    Another dish which is a delight to have, a traditional bengali recipe and currently my favorite “Doi Mach”. Fish cooked in yoghurt marination .

    Ingredients : 8 pieces of Rui Fish , 2 medium sized onions , 2 to 3 chillies made into fine paste, 1 tablespoon garlic paste, 1 & 1/2 cup of whipped yoghurt, 1 cup Tomato purée,1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 bay leaf, few green cardamom, little cinnamon stick ,cloves, 1 teaspoon cumin powder, 1 teaspoon coriander powder, 1 & 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon of red chilly powder, 3 to 4 green chillies slit from one side, oil to cook, salt and sugar to taste , coriander leaves chopped for garnishing.

    Servings : 4

    Method : Marinate fish with salt , sugar, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder and half of ginger and garlic paste and keep it aside for 30 minutes. Heat a pan , add oil and heat it for 30 seconds . Add bay leaf , whole spices and cumin seeds along with onion and chilly paste. sauté it for a minute and then add rest of the ginger garlic paste. Sauté the entire mixture for 2 to 3 minutes until onions turn transparent. Add tomatoes , salt, and dry powdered spices and stir it for another 3 to 4 minutes until it separates oil. Add the marinated fish and stir it gently mixing every ingredients well. Cover the pan with a lid and slow the flame and cook it like this for another 10 minutes. Open the lid if the fish is tender enough to eat , Switch of the flame plate the dish into a platter and garnish it with coriander leaves . Serve Hot with loads of love.

    Happy Eating !!!

  • The Taste of Real India !!!

    The Taste of Real India !!!

    We all binge on fast food stalls laid near our college , homes, offices and schools. Its why Indian cities are famous for .We all love to have chaat , pakoras and sandwiches whenever we are out for some fun time ( Or…..a time out!) . Roadside food though seems unhygienic to few (specially our mom’s) but still we all have indulged ourselves to commit this tasteful sin.Students would agree with me if I say we survive college or school days because the “bhaiyaji” who sits outside our campus who makes much more better stuff than our “canteen wale uncle” , its true right ! Roadside food is relief to all those who survive to just eat and to those who believe wasting money on a high class pizza is a waste. Don ‘t we all cherish those after school bhel puri and kala khatta . I always had this sigh of relief to treat my friends with this heavenly food outside my college campus on my birthdays ( it saved my pocket money a lotttt) .

    Boys still surviving with this strategy of saving money on dates ,by taking their lady love to marine drive or Victoria Memorial and having bhel puri or pani puri & trust me these dates are very romantic with minimum expense. Those who are still wasting money on” Hi Fi ” dating try out my way of wooing a girl after all “WE” love attention not food. I have spent many years as a student in Pune ‘s FC road ,a very famous place even as Brat Pitt along with Angelina Jolie were spotted there some years ago (Yeah !!! its a big deal for Hollywood crazy puneites) and if you have ever visited that place you will relate to each and every word in this article written so far . Steamed momos, Bun Maska , Irani chai , corn cutlets you name it and you will get it in FC road. And not only Pune I believe and you all will agree with me every city has a highlighted food street where often people our seen having the best time of their day chatting ,gossiping, singing , shopping and most importantly Eating with their family and friends.We all get annoyed when unable to pass a footpath without pushing or when see our streets get dirty with rotten food spilled every where and easily blame the roadside food shops , But this question itself raises the debate are we going to survive without these people serving us with best tasteful yummy delights generations after generations (Yes its an long affair trending through many generations ). I vouch for their existence as they are part of me, my city, my country.On this note will share few yummy recipes of my favourite roadside Platter.

    grilled-chocolate-sandwich_300

     

    Chocolate Cheese Sandwich :

    Ingredients : Square shaped breads 4 Pieces, 1 cup processed grated cheese, 1/2 cup chocolate syrup, 1 teaspoon honey , 1 tablespoon roasted nuts( Depends on your preference But I prefer Almonds ).

    Servings : 2

    Method : Take a Bread slice apply chocolate syrup evenly . Spread the grated processed cheese too in similar way .Make it a sandwich adding another plain bread slice . Grill it until it has toast like texture . Top it with honey and roasted nut . Serve hot. Enjoy this sandwich with a hot cup of coffee. It will make your day .

     

    sprouted-salad-large

    Sprout Chaat :

    Healthy , tangy , spicy, & tasty yet roadside . Yes its a delight for those who diet but still want to hang on roadside junk.

    Ingredients : 1/2 cup sprouted moong (small green legume), Sprouted kala chana (Black chickpea) , 1/2 cup tomato finely chopped, 1/2 cup cucumber finely chopped, 1 teaspoon chaat masala, 1 teaspoon roasted cumin seed powder, half a lemon juice, salt to taste, 1 teaspoon green chilly finely chopped, Little coriander leaves finely chopped for garnishing.
    Servings : 2 ( The more the merrier )

    Method : Mix all the ingredients and stir well. Garnish it with coriander and serve the diet freaks of your gang( They wont skip your party now) .

     

    moong dal vada

    Moong Daal Vade with tangy Mango Chutney :

    Ingredients : Soak 2 cups Moong Dal overnight and make it into a paste (not very smooth), 2 teaspoon ginger and green chilly paste , 1 teaspoon red chilly powder, Salt to taste, cooking oil for deep frying.

    For Tangy Mango chutney : 1/2 cup green mango made into fine paste , 1/2 teasppon green chilly paste, 1/2 teasppon lemon juice, Salt to taste.

    Serving : 2

    Method : Mix moong dal , salt , ginger and green chilly paste &red chilly powder very well with the help of hands . Take a pan heat oil for deep frying . Fry small vade shape and size not specific ( Its a way you feel comfortable ) till golden brown. Take out from the oil, dab it on a tissue paper and sprinkle black salt (a bit )  before serving.

    For Chutney : Mix all the ingredients well listed above for the chutney and serve as a dip with moong vade.

     

     

     

    IMG_8218

    Mumbaiya Vada Paav :

    Considered as staple food in maharashtra .My favorite so I saved it for the last to share with you all. Its a very simple recipe to try at home .

    Ingredients : 2 large potatoes boiled and mashed ,2 teaspoon Roasted coriander seeds , 1 cup soaked poha ,mashed just like potatoes, 1 teaspoon chaat masala, 1 teaspoon chilly powder, 1 teasppon garam masala, 1 tablespoon coriander finely chopped,1 teaspoon chopped green chillies, salt to taste, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 cup gram flour, half cup ric e flour, Oil for deep frying , Paav to serve with vada.

    Servings : 4

    Method : mix well boiled mashed potatoes, mashed Poha, chaat  masala, green chillies , red chilly powder, coriander seeds, chopped coriander leaves, salt and pinch of turmeric powder into a fine smooth lump free mixture . To coat  this mixture we need to make a thick paste of gram flour , rice flour , turmeric powder& salt .Once the coating is ready , we will take out  equal portions from the mixture , give it a round shape and dip it in the coating mixture and deep fry it. Once the vada’s are done sandwich it between the paav and serve hot with tamarind Chutney . Enjoy it when it rains and you feel hungry.

    Its ironic that I am writing all about roadside food  while enjoying Tikki Chaat on my couch  ( Idea to pen down few recipes clicked with the first bite itself).

  • Easy Sandwich Recipes

    Easy Sandwich Recipes

    Sandwich is the product of the modern world which was introduced in the western world. Later it spread to other parts of the globe. This simple, easy to make dish is a favourite among children and adults alike. Sandwiches are good for our health since it includes vegetables that we won’t take otherwise. It is a widely popular lunch food is easy to carry and is usually taken to picnics, offices and schools.

    HISTORY

    sandwich history

    The history of modern sandwiches using sliced bread dates back to 18th century Europe. But historians argue that sandwich or sandwich like dishes were used in different cultures.

    The famous Jewish religious leader, Hiller the Elder, is said to have wrapped Paschal lamb or the Passover lamb in soft Matzah (flat, unleavened bread) during Passover ceremony (a religious ceremony of the Jews). Predecessors of sandwich can also be found in Europe during middle ages and also in Netherlands during 17th century.  Initially, sandwiches were considered to be the food of men who shared it while gaming and drinking at night. But slowly, it entered to the aristocratic homes and became a part of their diet. The popularity of this simple food increased due to industrialization and the rise of the working class. Sandwiches became popular in Spain and England during 19th century. This popular and quick meal became part of American culture during 20th century and from then on became a staple diet.

    THE STORY OF THE NAME ‘SANDWICH’

    download

    It is considered as the namesake of John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, 18th century English aristocrat, who is considered as the eponymous inventor. Before being known as sandwich, it was known as ‘bread and cheese’ or ‘bread and meat.’

    In Spain, sandwich is also known as ‘bocadillo.’ Hamburger is one of the popular varieties of hot sandwiches.

    EASY SANDWICH RECIPES

    A)     HAKKA NOODLES SANDWICH

    download (1)

    INGREDIENTS

    1)      1 Hakka noodles packet

    2)      Capsicum (finely chopped)-1

    3)      Spring onion (finely chopped)

    4)      1 carrot (chopped)

    5)      1 tbs cabbage

    6)      1 tbs  beans (chopped)

    7)      Soya sauce and chili sauce- as per requirement

    8)      Oil

    METHOD

    1)      Boil water and add Hakka noodles and 1 tsp oil.

    2)      Remove the pan and pour the content to a plate and let it cool.

    3)      In another pan, add oil and let it become hot.

    4)      Add chopped vegetables and fry (the vegetables should be crunchy)

    5)      Add soya sauce, chili sauce and also noodles to it and mix well.

    6)      Garnish it with chopped spring onions and serve it hot.

     

    B)      CHILI PANEER TOAST SANDWICH

    images (1)

    INGREDIENTS

    1)      1 tbs oil

    2)      1 finely onion

    3)      1 crushed green pepper

    4)      2 bread cubes

    5)      ½ cup grated paneer

    6)       tomato ketchup

    7)      chili sauce

    8)      ¼ tsp pepper powder

    9)      Salt- to taste

    10)   Coriander leaves

    11)   ¼ cup grated cheese

    METHOD

    1)      Heat oil in a pan and fry onion and capsicum for 5 minutes.

    2)      Add bread cubes, grated paneer, tomato ketchup, chili sauce, salt and pepper powder to it and mix it well.

    3)      Apply butter on toasted bread.

    4)      Spread the above mixture and sprinkle some grated cheese on top of it.

    5)      Grill until the cheese melts.

     

    C)      GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH

    grilled cheese sandwich veg

    INGREDIENTS

    1)      Cooking oil

    2)      2 slices of whole grain bread

    3)      2 slices of cheese

    4)      ½ tomato-sliced

    5)      ½ cup baby spinach

    METHOD

    1)      Layer cheese, tomato and spinach between the bread slices.

    2)      Heat a large skillet over medium low heat. Add oil to it.

    3)      Heat the sandwich till the bottom becomes light brown in color. Flip to the other side and heat it in the same way.

    4)      Cut the sandwich to half and serve it hot.

     

    D)     GRILLED AMERICAN CHEESE SANDWICH

    grilled cheese sandwich

    INGREDIENTS

    1)      2 slices of bread

    2)      1 slice of American cheese

    3)      1 tbs mayonnaise

    METHOD

    1)      Heat the skillet over medium heat.

    2)      Spread half the mayonnaise to one side of the bread. Heat this side of the bread in the skillet.

    3)      Now add cheese on top of it.

    4)      Spread mayonnaise to one side of another slice of the bread. Keep this side on top of cheese.

    5)      Heat the sandwich till the cheese melts.

    6)      Turn the bread and repeat.

    7)      Cut the sandwich into half and serve it hot.

     

    E)      ITALIAN STYLE GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH

    italian style

    INGREDIENTS

    1)      2 slices of white bread

    2)      1 tsp margarine (softened and divided)

    3)      1 slice American cheese

    4)      ½ tsp Italian seasoning

    5)      ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

    6)      2 slices of tomatoes (thinly sliced)

    METHOD

    1)      Spread ½ tsp of margarine on one side of each slice of bread.

    2)      Place the bread (with the margarine side) on a skillet.

    3)      Place cheese on top of bread and sprinkle it with Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes.

    4)      Lay tomato slices on seasoned cheese, overlapping tomato slices.

    5)      Place the other slice of bread on tomato, with butter side up.

    6)      Cook on medium flame till the bread turns a golden brown color.

    7)      Remove the sandwich from the skillet.

    8)      Serve it hot and enjoy the food.

     

    F)      GRILLED CHEESE AND TOMATO SANDWICH

    grilled cheese and tomato sandwich

    INGREDIENTS

    1)      2 slices of bread

    2)      2 slices of tomato

    3)      2 slices of Swiss cheese

    4)      2 tsp of mayonnaise

    5)      1 pinch salt

    6)      1 pinch pepper

    7)      1 pinch Italian seasoning

    8)      1 pinch garlic powder

    9)      1 pinch minced garlic

    10)   2 tbs butter

    METHOD

    1)      Spread mayonnaise on both sides of bread.

    2)      Put slices of cheese on one piece of bread.

    3)      Add tomato slices.

    4)      Sprinkle it with pepper, Italian seasoning and salt.

    5)      Add cheese on top of tomatoes and cover it with another piece of bread.

    6)      Heat a pan with butter and garlic powder or minced garlic.

    7)      Spread butter on top of each side of bread.

    8)      Grill it until the bread turns golden brown color and the cheese melts.

     

  • Assamese Taste!!

    Assamese Taste!!

     

    Assam is a very important part of our India, Its famous for its culture, dresses, food etc. Here we are going to have a look at its food culture, Assamese cuisine is a style of cooking which is a confluence of cooking habits of the hills that favor fermentation and drying as forms of food preservation and those from the plains that provide fresh vegetables and abundance of fish from its many rivers and ponds, both of which are centered on the main ingredient – Rice. So here are some Assamese dishes which can give you a taste of Assam.

    BOR MANIMUNI MAASOR JHOL-

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    Ingredients-

    1. Bor manimuni (with roots):150 gm

    2. Hot water – I normally use double the amount of curry I need.

    3. Small fish: 200 gm any fish you like.

    4. Salt and Turmeric – To your taste.

    5. Mustard oil – To fry the fish and a little for the curry.

    6. Fenugreek seeds: a pinch

    7. Black pepper powder: 1/4 tsp

    8. Garlic: 3/4 pods (crushed)

    Recipe- Grind the bor manimuni greens root and all.  Strain and keep the juice aside. If you are good with hands strain with hands by squeezing. My grand ma used to keep those lums tie them with a thread and drop in the curry, to be later taken out before serving.

    Wash and clean fish and marinate with salt and turmeric. Fry them 80% in a wok and in mustard oil, keep aside.

    In the remaining oil, add the fenugreek seeds to crackle. Add crushed garlic pods, salt, turmeric, manumuni extract and let it come to boil .Add the hot water and drop the fried fishes into the curry.

    Let it simmer until the water is half in quantity. Just before turning off the fire, add the pepper powder.  Serve with steamed hot rice.

    ALOO KONIR DOM-

    ALOO KONIR DOM

    Ingredients-

    4 eggs, 1 onion, chopped, 5 small potatoes, quartered, 2 tomatoes, sliced, 1 tblsp ginger-garlic paste, 1 whole red chili, 1 bay leaf , 2 cardamoms, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 inch stick of cinnamon, 3 cloves , 1 and 1/2 cumin powder, 1 tsp turmeric powder and a little extra for frying the eggs, 1 tsp garam masala powder, 1/2 tsp coriander powder.

    Recipe- Boil the potatoes along with the eggs till done. Peel the potatoes and keep aside. Make small incisions on the eggs, lengthwise. Rub a little turmeric and salt on them, fry in a tblsp of oil till brown and keep aside. Be careful and keep a distance while doing this as the eggs may splutter at times. Heat 2-3 tblsp of oil in a pan. Add the cumin seeds, bay leaf, whole red chilli, cardamoms, cinnamon and cloves. When the seeds splutter and the oil begins to leave an aroma, add the onion and stir for a minute. Add the ginger-garlic paste and fry till the onions are translucent.

    Add the tomatoes along with the cumin, turmeric and coriander powder, season with salt and cook over low heat till the tomatoes are mushy.

    Mash one or two pieces of the potatoes to thicken the gravy. Add all the potatoes and stir for a couple of minutes till they are nicely coated in the mixture.

    Add a glass of water and bring the gravy to a boil. The amount of water can be reduced if a thicker gravy is desired.

    Now add the eggs and simmer for a minute. Add the garam masala powder and simmer for a further minute. Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped coriander. Serve hot with rice or chapatti.

    LABRA-

    labra 1

    Ingredients-

    3 chopped butternut squash/pumpkin

    2 chopped aubergine

    1 chopped mooli ( Radish)

    2 medium sized potatoes, chopped

    A paste of 1 small onion (chopped), 4 cloves of garlic (chopped), 2 inches of ginger (chopped) and 1 whole red chili

    2 tbsp mustard oil

    1/2 tsp sugar

    Salt to taste

    3/4 tsp turmeric powder

    1 tsp cumin powder

    3/4 tsp garam masala powder

    1 and 1/2 C water

    For the tempering-

    1 tsp paas puron

    1 bay leaf

    1 whole red chili, halved

    Recipe-

    Heat the oil in a pan and add the ingredients for tempering. When the seeds splutter, add the onion-ginger-garlic-chili paste. Keep stirring till the moisture evaporates and the mixture is lumpy.

    Add the vegetables, mooli, potatoes, butternut squash and aubergine, in that order, stirring well after each addition till everything is nicely coated with the spices.. Add the sugar and season with salt.

    Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook till the vegetables are done 3/4ths of the way, stirring every now and then.

    Add the turmeric and cumin powders, stir well for about a minute and add the water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook till done, stirring every now and then. The aubergine should have lost its shape, the squash and potatoes very soft (no sharp edges) and the mooli slightly firm.

    Add the garam masala powder.

    Increase the heat and stirring continuously, reduce the gravy, but do not let it dry out completely.

    Serve hot as a side dish with plain rice and dal.

  • Going around Magnificent Libraries

    Going around Magnificent Libraries

    High ceilings, minimalist yet statement furniture and rows of bounded paper from various eras screaming wisdom! Doesn’t a library stimulate your mind so much that you could stay there for days altogether reading as many books as you might? What Wikipedia defines as ‘an organized collection of sources of information and similar resources, made accessible to a defined community for reference or borrowing’ is actually a gateway to knowledge and culture.

    library-483s

    Libraries have witnessed human civilizations grow culturally, technologically and intellectually. Right through the Renaissance, Industrialization and ages of intellectual evolution, libraries have witnessed it all and hold scores of written and visual records of the series of events that have occurred in these processes. Libraries not only boast of utmost cultural significance but also have answers to most questions of human existence. They also have the best accounts on most technological, economic, political and cultural subjects. From some great autobiographies to some great technical research papers, libraries house it all under one roof.

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    Libraries are synonymous with learning opportunities and they can fuel the holistic development of an individual or societies alike to a great extent. Aphra Behn once said, “That perfect tranquility of life, which is nowhere to be found but in retreat, a faithful friend and a good library.” A good library is like the oasis with refreshing greenery and sparkling water amidst a vast stretch of the desert of ignorance and mundane civilization.

    The Long Room in the Trinity Library, Duiblin, I have been here Kathy Zynda Just Plain Pretty

    Some of the worlds’ greatest libraries are listed below. The description of the grandeur of these magnificent structures is beyond the capability of words; yet this is a brave attempt to succinctly chronicle these splendid structures.

    1.)    Wiblingen Monastery Library, Germany

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    The library modeled in the Baroque style has a charm of its own. It was completed in 1744. Just outside the library it is inscribed “In quo omnes thesauri sapientiae et scientiae,” which directly translates to “In which are stored all treasures of knowledge and science.” The interesting thing about this library is that most of the elements that appear to be marble such as the pillars are actually painted wood.

    2.)    Clementinum National Library, Czech republic

    klementinum-library-prague-czech-republic

    This National Library comprises of a series of buildings that owe their design and conception to an 11th century chapel dedicated to Saint Clement thus lending it its’ name. The Clementinum National Library was founded in 1781. Constructed in a Baroque style, the library has served as a copyright library since the year 1782. The collection housed in the magnificent walls now includes historical examples of the mesmerizing Czech literature, special materials relating to Tycho Brahe, along with a unique collection of Mozart’s personal effects.

    3.)    Virgilio Barco Library, Colombia

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    This one boasts of a modern architecture along with a labyrinth of books on a multitude of  subjects. Designed by the famed architect Rogelio Salmona, it was completed in 2001. It features red brick walls, blue water pools and green lawns that adds to its architectural splendor. This creative design looks like a maze of colors.

    4.)    Library of Parliament, Canada

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    The Library of Parliament in Canada has been called the ‘most beautiful room in Canada’. It was once a part of the city’s original Parliamentary headquarters that was constructed in the late 19th century. The building had been under construction for around a decade before it was finally revealed that the builders engaged could not create a domed roof as shown in the plans. The Tomas Fairbairn Engineering Company of England was then commissioned to create a pre-fabricated dome to solve the issue. Hence, the building had the vivid distinction of being the first building in North America to possess a wrought iron roof. The unique Gothic building is so fabled that it even features on the Canadian ten-dollar bill.

    5.)    Jay Walker’s Private Library, USA

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    This gorgeous wooden library is filled with an array of historical and pop culture artifacts and has been called ‘the most amazing library in the world.’ The gorgeous etched glass, the labyrinthine design and the many stories of book shelves lend it an impressive characteristic. As if this was not enough, the collection of rarities housed in this gorgeous library is completely magical. With books bound in rubies, a Sputnik, a chandelier from ‘Die Another Day’, and a list of plague mortalities from 1665, this place attracts scores of tourists on a regular basis.

    6.)    Palafoxiana Library , Mexico

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    This Puebla library was established in 1646. It was the first public library in Mexico. Some even claim that it was the first library established in the Americas. Its’ name is now mentioned in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register and is definitely one of the biggest collection of texts with its 41,000 books and manuscripts including an array of rare and antique titles.

    7.)    Raza Library, India

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    The Rampur Raza Library is located in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, India. The library was established in the year 1904. It is a repository of Indo-Islamic cultural heritage and a treasure-house of knowledge established in the late 18th century. It was built by successive Nawabs of Rampur and is now managed by the Government of India. Rampur’s Raza Library also boasts of printed works in Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, Pashto (having the original manuscript of the first translation of the Qur’an in addition to other important books/documents), Tamil and Turkish, and approximately 30,000 printed books in a plethora of indigenous and international languages.

    8.)    The Tianyi Pavilion Library, China

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    Boasting of the majestic traditional Chinese architecture, you need to visit the Tianyi Pavilion Library located in the Ningbo City. It is the oldest private library in Asia. Built in 1560, it is the third oldest private library in the world. It is a proud abode to a collection of 300,000 ancient books, including a number of woodcut and handwritten titles.

    9.)    The state library of New South Wales, Australia

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    It is the oldest library in all of Australia, and was started as the Australian Subscription Library in 1826. The current building was built in 1845. The most popular and beautiful part of the library is the Mitchell Wing, construction of which was completed in 1910. This wing was named after David Scott Mitchell who had a collection of old books like the original journals of James Cook. The library now contains over 5 million items, including 2 million books and 1.1 million photographs.

    10.) Trinity college Library, Ireland

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    This library is absolutely gorgeous with two story dark wooden arches. It is also the largest library in Ireland. It serves as the nations’ copyright library, where a copy of all new books and periodicals should be sent when being applied for copyright protection. The library is also home to the famous Book of Kells.

    11.) Abbey Library of St. Gallen, Switzerland

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    The Abbey Library of St. Gallen is not only the oldest in Switzerland, but also one of the oldest and most important monastery libraries in the world. It boasts of a holding of over 160,000 volumes many of which date back as far as the 8th century. The Rococo-styled library is considered to be one of the most perfect libraries in the world and has earned the Abbey recognition as a World Heritage Site.

    12.) The Library of the San Francisco Monastery, Peru

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    This library built in Lima’s San Francisco Monastery is one of most ancient and most gorgeous in the continent. The majestic convent was built in 1672, with renovations and improvements continuing up until 1729. The 25,000 volumes housed here are extremely rare, registering a massive variety of knowledge ranging from the 15th to the 18th centuries.

  • Spirituality And Music

    Spirituality And Music

    Every religion or spiritual faith depends on music to create an atmosphere of spiritual longing, beauty and refinement. This kind of music can be ennoble and inspire our spirit to divine aspirations and express our longing to live a more spiritually conscious life in the physical world.

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    No matter what religion, physical setting , or language in which a religious service or spiritual meeting may be conducted, spiritual music is used in the same way and for the same reasons throughout religious and spiritual groups throughout the world. The greatest musical compositions are those that celebrate God, building a melodious bridge between the human being and the divine spirit. Music that speak of God’s glory or expresses our deepest spiritual aspirations can elevate and center our attention in the divine.

    The Greek philosophers, Plato, Plotinus and Pythagoras, in their writings described the existence of a universal harmony called ” The Music Of The Spheres”. They believed that the planets, as they orbited throughout the universe, produced a perfect music that could be heard by the enlightened beings. Those whose lives were lived in the harmony with divine laws could ” tune in” to this universal music. Many philosophers since then have also theorized about the music of the spheres.

    In the 17th century, the great English playwright, William Shakespeare, made reference to the Music Of The Spheres in his romantic comedy, The Merchant Of Venice. At the end of the play, one of the main character laments that this divine music can only be heard by ” immortal souls “, but those who are constrained inside the human body are unable to hear it.

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    Religion has two aspects, an inner or esoteric side and an outer or exoteric side. The inner or esoteric side of religion is the aspect that deals with the spiritual experience in which our soul recognizes itself and reunites with the God. It is reached through inner spiritual practices such as meditation, prayer, or inverting one’s attention within to contact the divine. By going within through meditation we can connect with the inner light and sound, or celestial music of God, called the word, naam, the light and sound current, harmony of harmonies, nad, jyoti and sruti, kalma or voice of silence. It is a music or sound that emanates from God and is not made by any instrument. It is the vibratory principle of God that created all religions of creation, this physical world, all life, including the human beings, and resounds within each being. To listen to it requires inner spiritual practices such as meditation.

    Each religion also has an outer or exoteric side, which involves rites, rituals, outer services, outer recitation of prayers, and various customs. Outer music is often an integral part of the outer aspect of any religion. It forms the part of the many of the customs, religious services, or rites and rituals in various religions. It also has the effect of inspiring, creating a spiritual mood, and helping to focus attention on spiritual goals.

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    Devotional music is always performed in Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist religious services. Such music is considered an offering to the divine, or to deities, Gods and goddesses- an offering that is believed to summon the grace and protection of God or any chosen deity. These hymns are called shabds or shabads, bhajans and kirtan are integral to private and group worship. Another aspect of Eastern spiritual music, in Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism particularly, is the role of mantras. A mantra is a ” sacred utterance”- a syllable, a word, or a verse considered to posses great mystical power. Some mantras are intoned out loud and others are repeated silently, by the ” tongue of the thought”. Some mantras have no apparent meaning in terms of the human language and yet are thought to carry a deep spiritual significance. Some mantras are repeated until they produce a trans-like state. Those mantras that are considered to be  the most powerful are those given verbally by a spiritual master.

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    Buddhist music revolves around the Buddhist traditions. In general, Buddhist monks encourage music related to one’s spiritual exercises. Buddhist chants, especially Tibetan chants are famous for producing vocal overtones and harmonies with the use of drums.

    Christian spiritual music covers a vast field. During a religious service, spiritual hymns from the Bible are sung. There are also original songs that are sung and accompanied by the music written on the christian themes.

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    The holy scripture in the Islam is the Koran. Music in Islam centers mostly on the chanting of the Koran in the forms of call to prayer, pilgrimage chants, eulogy chants of praise, and other noble themes. The Koran is written in Arabic, so the reading of the scriptures, done in the melodious way, is also in Arabic.

    Music of the Sikhs is largely devotional, often accompanied by the harmonium and tablas. These hymns prepare one for meditation and simran.

  • A tryst with Sicilia’s soul -PASTA!!

    A tryst with Sicilia’s soul -PASTA!!

    Did you know that over 600 pasta shapes are produced around the world?

    Or that 2.75 million tons of pasta is made in Italy every year?

    Or that to cook one billion pounds of pasta, you would need 2,021,452,000 gallons of water – enough to fill nearly 75,000 Olympic-size swimming pools (one billion pounds of pasta is about 212,595 miles of 16-ounce packages of spaghetti stacked end-to-end – enough to circle the earth’s equator nearly nine times).

    Fascinated?

    Pasta is a simple dish and it is available in such diverse varieties merely because it is a versatile food item.

    “Not only are pasta dishes delicious, but they are also great, easy options for a quick dinner during a busy weekday”

    -Marcus Samuelsson

    So why not cook some?

    Here are 5 Speedy Pasta dishes for the home-cook:

     

    Numero Uno –

    Pasta Carbonara

     carbonara

    Time: 30 minutes

    Serves: 4

    Ingredients: 1 packet spaghetti, 100 g bacon (cut in strips), 3 eggs, 1 egg yolk, 100 g Pecorino Romano or Parmesan (grated), 1 Tbsp olive oil, black pepper (coarsely crushed), Salt

    Directions: In a big pan, heat the oil and fry the bacon till crisp. Set the fried bacon aside. In a mixing bowl, beat the whole eggs and the yolk. Stir in the grated cheese. Set aside the mixture. Boil the spaghetti in salty water. Drain the pasta. Reserve the cooking water. In another saucepan, toss the pasta with the egg mixture, bacon and any fat rendered from cooking the bacon, over very low heat. Add salt and the pasta water. Remove from the heat. Serve right away with lots of pepper, freshly crushed in a pepper mill, and more Parmesan (optional).

     

    Numero Dos- 

    Pasta with Mushroom Sauce

     mushroom

    Time: 25 minutes

    Serves: 2

    Ingredients: 50 gm shitake mushroom, 100 gm fresh mushroom (sliced), 1 tbsp chopped onion, 1 clove garlic, 1 tbsp fresh thyme or fresh parsley (chopped), 30 ml white wine, 100 gm whole wheat pasta-penne or linguine, salt, pepper

    Directions: Put the pasta in boiling salted water. While the pasta is boiling, you should prepare the sauce. In a saucepan, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil. Add mushroom and wine into it. Once the wine has evaporated, add some of the water in which shitake mushroom was soaked. Add salt, herbs and cook for 5-6 minutes. Once the pasta is cooked, add to the sauce with a little bit of pasta water. Serve hot.

     

    Numero Tres- 

    Pasta Con Pomodoro E Basilico

     pasta pomodoro

    Time: 30 minutes

    Serves: 4

    Ingredients: 1 packet Penne, Parmesan cheese, 1 kg large red ripe tomatoes, 40 ml extra virgin olive oil, 3 cloves garlic (peeled and minced), A handful of fresh basil, a pinch of red chilly flakes, salt

    Directions: Cut the tomatoes in half crosswise and remove most of the seeds. Then quarter the tomatoes. Heat the oil in a large skillet, and add garlic and chilly flakes. As soon as the garlic gives off its aroma, add the tomatoes. Cook over high heat until the tomato begins to thicken. Use a wooden spoon to stir and help break the tomato pulp. Add the basil and some salt. When the sauce is cooked, remove it from the heat and run it through a food processor for a minute. Cook the pasta in abundant boiling water and drain. Place in a serving bowl with the sauce. Drizzle a little olive oil over the pasta and mix well with the sauce. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

     

    Numero Cuatro-

    Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli

     ravioli

    Time: 40 minutes

    Serves: 2

    Ingredients:

    For the Dough – 2 1/2 cup flour, 2 eggs, 1 tsp olive oil, salt
    For the Filling – 1 cup spinach (blanched), 1 cup ricotta cheese, 3 tbsp parmesan cheese.

    Directions:  Grind all the ingredients for the filling and keep aside.  To prepare the dough, take a bowl and add the flour, eggs, salt and olive oil. Add some water and knead it to make the dough. With a rolling pin, roll out the dough into thin sheets. Take the spinach mixture and make small portions of it. Place this mixture on the dough sheet, cover and press the sheet around the filling. Cut it in desired shapes and boil them till done. Serve hot.

     

    Numero Sinco-

    Four Cheese Pasta

     cheese

    Time: 40 min

    Serves: 2

    Ingredients: 1 cup macaroni (pasta), 15 gm parmesan cheese, 20 gm cheddar cheese,15 gm brie cheese, 20 gm swiss emmental cheese, 12 cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup milk, 1 sprig rosemary, 1 sprig thyme, 1 spring onion, 2 cloves garlic, 10 gm chopped onions, 10 gm chopped leeks, 10 gm chopped celery, 1 bay leaf, 60 gm butter, 30 gm flour, 1 pinch white pepper, 1/2 tsp nutmeg grated, pinch of chilli flakes

    Directions: Boil the macaroni in salted water.  Strain and put in a bowl with olive oil. Melt the butter with flour in a saucepan along with olive oil. Boil milk with rosemary, thyme, bay leaf and spring onions. Strain the milk in with the flour and butter, whisking slowly. Season with salt and pepper. Grate parmesan, add cheddar, some chunks of brie and emmental. Put in the sauce and mix it in. In a hot pan add some slice garlic, cherry tomatoes, chilli flakes and a pinch of salt. Saute well and deglaze with a touch of white wine. Mix the macaroni with the sauce. Serve hot.

  • Let’s have some RAINBOW!!

    Let’s have some RAINBOW!!

    Who doesn’t love a rainbow? That magical moment when Tlaloc is being generous and yet the sun is peeking from behind the clouds, hop scotching and letting fall its warmth here and there – that exact moment, a jolly young rainbow is born.

    Rainbows had always fascinated me as a kid. It had that fairytale aura that I looked for in anything and everything then.

    That fascination – well, I incorporated it in my culinary creations and the outcome was more than satisfactory.  The food looked fun, my little cousins loved them and to top it all, they were delicious!!

    My first recipe is a rainbow cake –

    Rainbow Cake

    cake

    Time: 1 hour

    Serves: 18 slices

    Ingredients:

    [ 125g butter (softened, plus a little extra for greasing), 225g plain flour, 150g golden caster sugar, 3 fresh eggs, 1 tsp baking powder, pinch of salt, 1 tsp vanilla extract, edible food colouring (red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple)

    For the icing- 1 tsp vanilla extract, 3 x 250g tubs cream cheese, 350g icing sugar ]* 3 for 6 sponges

    Directions: Heat the oven to 180C. Grease the pan and line the base with baking paper. Tip all the sponge ingredients (apart from the food colouring) into a mixing bowl, and then beat until smooth.

    Weigh the mixture into another bowl, and then weigh exactly half the mixture back into the mixing bowl. Pick 2 colours and stir a little into each mix. Scrape the different batters into the tins, trying to spread and smooth as much as possible. Bake on the same oven shelf for 12 minutes until a skewer poked into the middle comes out clean.

    Repeat the same process to make all the coloured layers. Leave them all to cool.

    To make the icing, beat the vanilla and cream cheese until smooth. Sift in the icing sugar and gently fold in with a spatula.

    Smear a little icing on your plate to stick the first sponge. Start with the red, and then spread with some icing right to the very edge. Repeat, sandwiching on top the orange, yellow, green, blue and finally purple sponges. Spread the remaining icing thickly all over the sides and top of the cake. And voila! Your RAINBOW CAKE is ready!!

     

    The Rainbow Cake is a massive hit in my family and I bake it every time my little sister comes to Kolkata for a quick visit. To quote her, “It is yummilicious!”.  Kids are going to love it so bake away! Moreover, who said, us, adults can’t have a bit of our colourful fun? Gorge on folks!

     

    The second rainbow-y recipe which I absolutely love to bake is –

     

    Rainbow Cookies

     rainbow cookie

    Time: 1 hour

    Serves: 48 pieces

    Ingredients: 8 ounces almond paste, 1 cup butter (softened), 1 cup white sugar, 4 eggs (egg white and yolk separated), 2 cups all-purpose flour, 6 drops red food coloring, 6 drops green food coloring, 1/4 cup seedless red raspberry jam, 1/4 cup apricot jam, 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (melted)

     

    Directions: Preheat oven to 175 degrees C.In a large bowl, break apart almond paste with a fork, and cream together with butter, sugar, and egg yolks. Stir in flour to form dough. In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold egg whites into the dough. Divide dough into 3 equal portions. Mix one portion with red food coloring, and one with green food coloring. Spread each portion into one of the prepared baking pans.Bake 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly browned. Carefully remove from pan and cool completely.Place green layer onto a piece of plastic wrap large enough to wrap all three layers. Spread green layer with raspberry jam, and top with uncolored layer. Spread with apricot jam, and top with pink layer. Transfer layers to a baking sheet, and enclose with plastic wrap. Place a cutting board on top of wrapped layers to compress. Chill in the refrigerator overnight.In the morning remove plastic wrap. Top with melted chocolate chips, and refrigerate for 1 hour. Slice into small squares.

     

    These Rainbow Cookies are great to snack on are one of the tastiest cookies ever. Try ‘em!

     

    Rainbow Jello

    jello

    Time: 20 minutes

    Serves: 7 cups

    Ingredients: 6 packages of Jello (rainbow colours), 3 cups of yogurt or light sour cream, whipped cream ( this is optional but if added, it takes the rainbow jello to a whole different dimension)

    Directions: To make each layer of jello, add 1 cup of boiling water to each package of Jello one at a time. Stir briefly and dissolve the Jello. Set half of the Jello aside. Use a whisk and stir ½ cup yogurt or sour cream into the other half of the Jello. Pour the creamy Jello layer into clear clean plastic cups or any other form of utensil you prefer. To the other half of Jello, add 3 tbsp water. Set aside. After the first layer is set, pour in the second layer. Repeat process for all the other layers of Jello. Add a dollop of whipped cream over the Jello (once it is set) at the end. And this is how the awesome Rainbow Jello is created.

     

    The bobbly wobbly Rainbow Jello is a personal favourite. Since it needs mainly two ingredients, it is convenient and is the easiest of the lot to make. And again, it is simply delightful!