Tag: love

Chutneys are Yummy! Part 2
Chutney (also translated as Chatney or Chatni) is a family of condiments mainly associated with South Asian cuisine that usually contain some mixture of spice(s), vegetable(s), and/or fruit(s). Chutneys may be either wet or dry, and can have a coarse or fine texture. There are various types of chutneys.

Traditionally, chutneys are ground with a mortar and pestle made of stone or an ammikkal . Spices are added and ground, usually in a particular order; the wet paste thus made is sauteed in vegetable oil, usually gingelly (sesame) or groundnut (peanut) oil. Electric blenders or food processors can be used as labor-saving alternatives to stone grinding.

Let’s explore two new mouth-watering recipes of Chutneys which one can make easily at home!
- Garlic Chutney:
This is a fiery-spicy chutney made from garlic cloves and red chilies. It is a taste-enhancing must-have accompaniment for South Indian dishes like Dosa, Idli, etc. In this customized Indian Garlic Chutney recipe, garlic, soaked red chillies and coconut are first sautéed in oil, and then crushed with tamarind pulp to make delicious Chutney having a complex hot, sour and spicy taste altogether.
- Ingredients:
1) 8 chopped garlic cloves (skin removed).
2) 2 whole dry red chillies, seeded and broken into pieces.
3) ½ cup grated fresh coconut.
4) 1 teaspoon tamarind pulp.
5) ¼ cup water.
6) 2 teaspoons oil.
7) Salt according to taste.
- Directions:
1) Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a pan. When the oil is hot enough, sauté the chopped garlic over a low flame for a minute and then transfer to a plate.
2) Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon oil in the same pan and sauté the dry red chillies over a low flame for 20-30 seconds. Again, transfer them to the same plate.
3) Let the sautéed garlic and dry red chillies cool for about 3-4 minutes. Transfer the garlic and the dry red chillies to the chutney jar of a grinder or food processor. Grind them until a medium coarse paste is formed.
4) Add the grated coconut, the tamarind pulp, ¼ cup water and salt (according to taste) to the jar.
5) Grind them till a medium coarse paste is formed. Tasty South Indian Garlic Chutney to be enjoyed along with Dosa and Idli is ready to be served!
- Tips:
1) You can also use 2 teaspoons of the red chilli powder in place of the usual dried red chillies.
2) Dry Kashmiri red chillies are specially added to get that nice red color and also to make a less spicy Chutney when compared to other varieties of chillies as such.
3) Replace the tamarind pulp with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice for a slight variation in the overall taste of the Garlic Chutney.
- Preparation Time: 5 minutes.
- Cooking Time: 5 minutes.
- Servings: 6 (½ cup).
- Pudina Chutney:
Pudina (Mint) is an herb known for its medicinal benefits for indigestion, acidity, headache, dental and skin diseases. It is an integral part of Indian cuisine as well. This Pudina Chutney recipe makes for an extremely flavorsome and tempting Chutney prepared right from fresh mint and coriander leaves. However, its main taste comes from the tamarind paste which is added to give a nice tang to its spiciness. The whole texture of the Chutney is derived from the fresh coconut.
- Ingredients:
1) ¼ cup fresh Pudina (mint) leaves.
2) 1 cup chopped coriander leaves.
3) ½ cup grated fresh coconut.
4) 2 chopped green chillies.
5) ½ inch piece ginger, chopped.
6) 2 teaspoons tamarind pulp or lemon juice.
7) 1 teaspoon sugar (optional).
8) Salt according to taste.
9) ½ cup water.
- Note:
This recipe requires tamarind pulp as an ingredient. You can easily find ready-made tamarind pulp to be bought in the market. If the tamarind pulp is not available, then you can also prepare it at home by simply following the directions which are given below-

1) Soak the tamarind in hot water for roughly 1 hour.
2) Remove the seeds of the tamarind.
3) Strain the whole mixture to prepare fresh and homemade tamarind pulp.
- Directions:
1) Clean the mint leaves and the coriander leaves well by running them under fresh tap water.
2) Grind the fresh coconut, green chillies, ginger, sugar and salt together in the chutney jar of a mixer or a food processor until a very smooth paste is formed.
3) Add the mint leaves, the coriander leaves, the tamarind pulp (or the lemon juice) and ½ cup water. Grind again until a very smooth consistency of chutney is arrived at.
4) Fresh Pudina Chutney is ready to be served along with your favorite condiments!
- Tips:
1) Replace the tamarind pulp with an alternative of lime juice for an even more delicious tang of the Pudina Chutney.
2) Store it in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can then use as and when it is required.
3) You can always add more water and adjust the spices according to your own tastes so as to make the Pudina Chutney more diluted and thin, or of a concentrated and strong flavor.
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes.
- Servings: 8 (1 cup chutney).
So there you are – two delicious Chutneys which you can easily make at home by following some simple instructions. These are very good from the health point of view. They also acts as excellent taste enhancers.

Keep watching this space for more delicious recipes!
September 14, 2014
Chutneys are Yummy! Part 1
Often while having food, you find that the dish lacks a certain punch. A flavor so to speak. You wonder how to solve this problem. Well, worry no longer. There is a solution at hand which will leave your taste buds tingling in the process. What can that be you ask? One word we say in reply. Chutneys!

Chutney (also translated as chatney or chatni) is a family of condiments mainly associated with South Asian cuisine that usually contain some mixture of spice(s), vegetable(s), and/or fruit(s). Chutneys may be either wet or dry, and can have a coarse or fine texture. There are various types of chutneys.

The name “chutney” covers a wide variety of foodstuffs. The common element which makes them all “chutneys” is that they are added to meals to add flavor; the best English “translation” of “chutney” is “relish”. As such, they can be, and are, eaten with a wide variety of foods.

The word “chutney” is derived from the Sanskrit word caṭnī, meaning to lick. The first chutneys in India would have been sticky fruit based preserves. Sugar, although available in India, was not widely cultivated and honey would have been used to sweeten dishes, this leading to the chutneys being used as more of a dipping sauce rather than a condiment. It is written differently in several North Indian and South Indian languages.

Let’s have a look at some popular Indian chutney recipes!
- Peanut Chutney:
Peanut Chutney, a versatile and easy-to-make spicy chutney, is a must-have accompaniment in South Indian cuisine. It can be of two types, wet and dry. This recipe is for making wet peanut chutney for Dosa and Idli, and it can be used either as spread or as an accompaniment.
- Ingredients:
1) 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, skin removed.
2) 3 garlic cloves.
3) 1/4 teaspoon tamarind paste.
4) 4 dry red chillis.
5) 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds.
6) 4-5 curry leaves.
7) 2 teaspoons oil.
8) 1/2 cup water.
9) Salt to taste.
- Directions:
1) Put the roasted peanuts, garlic, 3 dry red chillis, tamarind paste and salt in the chutney jar of the grinder.
2) Grind them together till a medium coarse powder.
3) Add 1/2 cup water to the mixture, and grind again until a smooth paste is formed. Transfer the paste to a serving bowl, and proceed to prepare tempering.
4) Heat oil in a small pan. Break 1 dry red chilli into two pieces. Add the mustard seeds. When they start to crackle, add curry leaves and the remaining 1 dry red chilli. Sauté for 10 seconds and turn off the flame.
5) Pour the tempering over the prepared chutney paste. Peanut chutney is now ready to be served along with steamed Idli and Dosa!
- Tips:
1) If roasted peanuts are not available, then you can dry roast them over low flame in a heavy based pan for 7-8 minutes. Let them cool for 3-4 minutes and remove the skin.
2) Increase or decrease the amount of red chillis to make more or less spicy respectively.
3) You can avoid topping it up with mustard seeds tempering if you are going use it only for making Dosa.
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes.
- Cooking Time: 2 minutes.
- Servings: 2.
- Coconut Chutney:
Making South Indian Coconut Chutney for Dosa and Idli is very simple. Just blend fresh coconut with chillis, curd and ginger, and mix tempered mustard seeds. However, the real taste differentiators in this recipe are roasted chana dal, tamarind paste, cumin seeds and curry leaves. Follow this recipe and discover how good the chutney tastes. But yes, don’t blame us if you get addicted to it!
- Ingredients:
1) 1 cup roughly chopped fresh coconut.
2) 1 teaspoon grated ginger.
3) 2 green chillis, chopped.
4) 1 tablespoon roasted chana dal.
5) 1 tablespoon curd.
6) 1 teaspoon lemon juice or tamarind paste.
7) 1/2 cup water.
8) Salt to taste.
- For Tempering:
1) 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds.
2) 1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds.
3) 4-5 curry leaves.
4) 1 dry red chilli.
5) 1 teaspoon oil.
- Directions:
1) Take chopped coconut in a small chutney jar of the food processor or grinder.
2) Grind it to make a medium coarse paste and transfer on to a plate.
3) Add green chillis, roasted chana dal and ginger to the same chutney jar.
4) Grind mixture to a smooth powder.
5) Add crushed coconut, curd, lemon juice, salt and 1/2 cup water.
6) Grind them to make a medium coarse paste. If required, add more water to get the desired consistency of chutney and grind again. Transfer to a bowl.
7) Heat oil in a small tempering pan. Add mustard seeds. When the seeds begin to crackle, add cumin seeds, dry red chilli and curry leaves and sauté for 10 seconds.
8) Take the pan away from flame and immediately pour tempering over the prepared coconut paste. Mix well. Delicious Coconut Chutney for Idli and Dosa is now ready to serve!
- Tips:
1) Adjust quantity of water accordingly to make it thick or diluted.
2) Avoid the addition of green chillis while making coconut paste, and avoid dry red chillis in tempering while making white Coconut Chutney.
3) Consume fresh chutney immediately or refrigerate it, and use it for up to 3 days.
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes.
- Cooking Time: 2 minutes.
- •Servings: 6.
Watch this space for recipes of more mouth-watering chutney recipes. Coming soon!
September 14, 2014
Most popular Icecream brands

I scream, you scream and we all scream for ice cream. Ice cream is worth screaming for. Mostly all the people enjoy eating ice cream. The love for ice cream is widely growing among the people. Ice cream is served as a very common icy desert since a long time. No one can stop their mouth from watering if the favorite ice-cream is presented in front of them. So many kinds of ice-cream are available in our nearby stores and everyone has their favorites. There are many popular brands of ice-cream in the world. Based on the popularity there are some major brands of ice cream that are given below and if you are an icecream lover then make sure that you give each one a try.

Ben & Jerry’s: Everyone has certainly heard about Ben & Jerry’s as it so famous across every part of the world. This brand is available in almost each and every country. It has become the most prevalent brand of ice-cream because of its mouthwatering flavors and delectable taste. Ben & jerry’s is the first choice of every ice-cream lover. This is an American company which was started in 1978 by two friends namely jerry and ben, hence owing to its name. The headquarters of the company is situated in Vermont in United States.

Baskin-Robbins: Another brand which is globally liked by the people is Baskin-Robbins. None of the outing is completed without visiting the Baskin Robbins Store. This is an American company which was originated in California in the year of 1945 by Burt together with Irv. There are numerous outlets of this brand across the entire world. This brand is hugely recognized for its ‘31 flavors’ saying. Baskin Robbins provides their consumers with around 100 of distinct flavors, some of them are massive triumphs in the market. The most popular flavor of Baskin Robbins is “Steverino.”

Nestle: The first brand that comes to the mind when we hear about food & nutrition is Nestle. Nestle is a renowned brand especially for its ice-creams. The company was originated in Switzerland in 1905. The company was provided with the tag of biggest maker of ice-cream in the entire world in the year of 2006. The company offers employment to great number of people and it is operated in around 86 countries all over the world. The nestle ice creams are filled with so many tasty flavors and are quite reasonable to buy.

Haagen-Dazs: When taste and flavor is the priority then certainly this brand is the best choice. It was founded in the year of 1961 in New York. During the beginning the company provides their customers with mainly 3 flavors chocolate, vanilla and coffee. These days the company has its outlets in many countries all over the world. It has been found out that the company uses milk of very high quality as well as organic stuff for the different flavors of ice-cream. People love their ice-creams for its smoothness, creaminess and rich flavors.

Blue Bell Creameries: Blue bell creameries are among the best ice cream brands that are cherished by the people. It was originated in the year of 1907 and it’s headquarter is located at Brenham in Texas. Around 250 distinct frozen stuffs are produced by blue berry among which there are 66 flavors of ice-cream. In United States, blue bell creameries is the 3rd biggest ice-cream selling company. Blue bell ice-creams are available in various rich flavors and each flavor is utterly balanced. The people are fond of the creaminess of blue bell ice creams.

Amul: Amul is an Indian brand of ice-cream which has succeeded in occupying a place among the best ice cream brands. The brand has achieved remarkable love worldwide and it was founded in 1946. Apart from India, the amul ice-creams are available in many other counties too. Its popularity owes to the fact that the amul ice-creams are very delicious and reasonable in price too. Moreover ice-creams are found with no preservatives and hence it is worth eating.

Dairy Queen: When it comes to soft serving ice-cream brand, Dairy Queen is believed to be the best choice. The 1st store of Dairy queen’s started in the year of 1940 in Illinois. The admirers of Dairy Queen’s ice creams are present in various countries and consider this brand as the best soft serving ice-cream brand. The brand has earned a lot amount of fame for the consistency and tastes of their ice-creams.

Cold Stone Creameries: It is an American brand that started in the year of 1988 in Arizona. It has already created remarkable presence in United States and trying to achieve popularity globally. It is the brand of finest quality ice-creams. The company uses real honey to serve the purpose of sweetener. People admire the brand for intense and deep flavors and they also claims that the ice creams of this brand are less in calories because they don’t contain unnecessary sugar.

July 14, 2014
Stay healthy during monsoon

Rains are awaited by all and it certainly creates a wonderful environment. Rainy season is a kind of relief from hot and sunny days. Every single person cherishes the rains. But there are some areas that need our attention. With rains come health irritations like aversions, illness and stomach problems. The level of humidity is increased during the rainy season that affects the digestion. But nothing to get worried about as certain changes in our diet and nourishment can surely solves the problem. So it is very essential to keep an eye on what we eat during the monsoon to stay perfectly healthy.

Drink lot of water: It is necessary to take in extra amount of water in rainy days as the humidity level increases and it becomes difficult for the sweat to get evaporated. Consequently, the body heat is not released properly. It has been also found out that drinking water prevents the various skin problems. As a result it is recommended to keep ourselves hydrated during the rainy seasons. Carbonated and gaseous liquids should be avoided because they can result in indigestion. Drinks like tea can work as a great substitute of it. So during this monsoon do not forget to possess a water bottle with yourself all the time.

Go for fresh and hygienic foodstuff: Keep in mind to wash every single fruit before eating them. While cooking, the vegetable should be washed thoroughly and steam them to destroy the microbes which are present on them. Filthy and unclean food stuff is harmful for the body and can result in sickness. It is advisable to take in cooked foodstuff rather than eating them as raw. Soups are too very beneficial during the rainy days as it provides the body with needed nutrition. Therefore always try to go for recently cooked food stuff.

Say no to outside food: This particular point is of great importance. You should keep yourself away from eating the street food. Street foods are quite enticing to all of us but they could possibly hold many germs which results in stomach diseases. Hence take a firm decision of not eating out.

Stay away from oily food: It is greatly recommended to stay away from the oily and fatty food items. The digestion in the body gets weaker during the rainy days as the humidity level goes up. Hence the ability of body to digest the oily food items becomes feeble and thus upsetting the stomach. Therefore, try to eat light and less oily food items.

Reduce the consumption of dairy items: The dairy foods have the supreme tendency of getting contaminated by germs. As a result the consumption of the dairy products must be low. It is better to consume curd rather than milk even if the milk is filled with all the desired nutrients. Apart from that, one should try to boil and disinfect the water before drinking it.

Intake of balanced diet: As we know that digestion is weak throughout the rainy days therefore it is advised to eat reasonably. Stop taking in food stuff even when you are not starving. Perfect balanced diet is much needed to stay from stomach problems at the time of monsoon. Fruits such as apples, litchis as well as bananas must be consumed. Along with them include carrots in your diet too. Spice up the food with pepper, turmeric as they advance the resistance of the body and supports ingestion.

Avoid drinking juices: Make sure you don’t drink juices especially from outside as they may apply water which is not filtered. It is greatly recommended to drink at once the juices prepared at home.

Sea food can be harmful: During the rainy season, make sure that you stay away from the sea foodstuff. Give more attention to fishes as well as prawns and greatly avoid eating them as rainy season is the propagating season for them. Even if you are taking in the sea food make it certain about its freshness as well as cleanness.

No spicy foodstuff: There are many people who deal with skin infections throughout this season. It is advisable for them to stay away from the spicy foodstuff, as the spicy items arouse the temperature of the body that certainly results in skin illness and infections. It is better to visit to a doctor if the infection stays for long.

Some more tips: Food items such as barley as well as oats are found out to be very beneficial for the stomach during the rainy season. Garlic is also very valuable as it enhances the immunity of the body. Fruits are considered as the supreme source of energy. But make sure that you don’t eat watermelons during the monsoon. Instead of watermelons try to eat apples, pears more. It is said that taking anything in extra amount is bad for health so avoid doing that.

With the assistance of these advices try to stay healthy and strong during the monsoon and at the same time relish the rains of the monsoon.

July 14, 2014
So you love Coffee?!

Do you think yourself as a coffee freak who just feels refreshed only after having that cup of hot coffee? Don’t worry, as your love for coffee is not in vain, rather it has some good things to offer. Go on, and discover the reasons why having that refreshment cup is good for you and you can continue with it without feeling guilty for the caffeine craving. There won’t be any person in this big world who hasn’t tasted coffee. Coffee and caffeine are most common and widely used substance used psychoactive substance used in the world. Many researchers have found that drinking two to four cups of coffee has many health benefits. Coffee was discovered around 850 A.D. in Ethiopia and after that it has become the world’s most popular beverage. Coffee is believed to be a good source of antioxidants and many studies have found that it elevates the mood, stop headaches, reduce cavities, improves athletic performance and yes, of course, is also helpful in reducing the risk of cancer, diabetes, gall stones and Parkinson’s disease. Coffee is something that can be pretty amazing for your brain, skin and your body. Don’t believe me? Have a look on these brimming coffee benefits, enlisted below and know about this super awesome beverage.

Just the Smell of coffee can reduce Stress: The aroma of coffee is such a stress-busting therapy. If you have been stressed or feeling anxiety due to non-sleepy nights and sleep deprivation, just the smell of coffee can make you feel better. The fragrance is so refreshing that it will be such a boost to your mood and mind and then drinking coffee is always so good. Give it a try and feel yourself.

Coffee can fight depression and makes you feel happier: It has been found in a research study that people who drink two to four cups of coffee are less likely to suffer from depression than the ones who never had it. Coffee helps in the upliftment of mood and makes you feel happy and also reduces the chances of suicide in a human being because it has slight antidepressant properties. The proposed reason for this is the presence of those healthy antioxidants that makes you feel light and healthy and happy.

Coffee can make you more intelligent and keeps your brain healthier: Usually, one drinks coffee when he feels tired or stressed, and just a cup can make you feel lively and alert because it boosts your energy levels and makes you smart. It has been reported by CNN that coffee allows your brain to work in a more efficient and smarter manner. It is linked with intelligence because when you take your cup of coffee, you somehow feel more alert and your reaction time, vigilance, logic and attention increases; things which are associated with intelligence and that is the reason you should not underestimate the cup of coffee.
Coffee improves your physical performance and makes you good athlete: Drinking Coffee increases the adrenaline levels in the blood, which is a hormone designed to make our bodies ready for physical exertion and also releases the fatty acids from fat tissues. It is mainly helpful in endurance sports and thus helps in improving the athletic performance. Because of this reason, it is recommended to have a strong cup of coffee one or half hour before workout as it will give a jolt to your athletic performance or gym workout.
Coffee can lower down the risk of Cancer: Cancer is the most deadly disease in the world and is caused due to uncontrolled growth of cells. Drinking coffee can reduce the risk of skin cancer, especially in women and also helps in lowering the risk of liver cancer or colorectal cancer. So, drinking coffee can prove to be really good against this disease.
Coffee drinkers have lower risk of developing Type II Diabetes: Diabetes and increased levels of insulin and elevated blood sugar levels has become a most common problem in today’s world, affecting almost 300 million people in the world. But it has been found in many observational studies that coffee drinkers are at much lower risk of having Type 2 diabetes than those who don’t have it. So, it is actually good if you fancy this drink.
Coffee may protect you against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease: These diseases have become the most common neurodegenerative disorders in the people specifically above 65 years of age. Unfortunately, there’s no cure for it, but yes, with some precautions you can lessen the symptoms of these diseases. Drinking coffee is one of them and it can lower the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s by 65% if you are a regular coffee drinker. Though eating healthy is important, but coffee can prove to be incredibly effective in lowering the risk.
Well, what are you thinking now? Amazed with all these perks of COFFEE. The best part of this beverage is that almost everyone loves to have and is completely affordable and tasty too. Moderation is the key and then you are free to enjoy the benefits. Afterall, Brewing that great cup has always been Exciting.

Keep drinking it. Keep loving it.

June 28, 2014
Here is why you should stop eating bread

Bread is one such food item which we extensively use in our daily life. It is prepared by mixing flour with water. The mixture obtained is then baked. If you will look at the history of the bread you will find its existence in almost every civilization. People find bread as the easiest food option available in front of them, so whenever they feel hungry, they eat the dishes made using them. But most of the people are not aware that the white bread consumption affects the human health in many ways. It simply means that bread isn’t healthy at all and you should start avoiding bread instantly. Many research conducted on this topic have yielded the same result. It is so recommended by the dietitians to stop eating bread and instead go for other food items which are available. We will hereby give you some of the adverse effect which bread can cause on the human health.

Bread is a rich source of the protein named as Gluten which has the properties found in glue and it is responsible for the viscoelastic properties of the dough. It has been proved in various research conducted worldwide that those people who regularly eat bread have the excess amount of Gluten in their body. This in turn seriously damages the digestive tract which results in lots of pain, tiredness and inconsistency in stool. The Gluten also causes disorder in brain and people get affected by the cerebellar ataxia disease. So you should stop eating bread and go for other options that are available.

People believe that bread is made using grains and is healthy for the body but they are not aware that it is not made using actual whole grains. They are made using grains which have been pulverized so as to get fine flour. Because of this process the breads gets digested easily and moreover the starch present in the bread also breaks down and so they enter as glucose into the bloodstream. This results into the steep rise of the insulin and blood sugar which is not at all good for human body. Again when the blood sugar level comes down we feel hungry. That is why people who are dieting and those who are affected with the blood sugar disease should avoid it instantly. Moreover if the blood sugar level is above the permitted value, it results into the formation of glycation and it is one such component which results into aging.

Bread is deprived of any sort of nutrients which is beneficial for the human body. Bread contains fructose which if present in access amount affects the health. This is proved worldwide that bread has sugar in it which is not at all healthy. They also have phytic acid in it which is generally known as the anti-nutrient. This phytic acid if present in the body makes the minerals required by the human body for growth and development to get stick to each other and so they do not get absorbed. The human body produces two types of cholesterol. While one is bad for the human health, other one is actually good and its presence is required. If you are a regular bread consumer then it is likely that the LDL cholesterol of the body will increase by 60 % which is quite a big figure and for your information LDL cholesterol is in fact the bad cholesterol which we have in our body. So it makes you prone to the different diseases such as the heath and lung diseases.

In all the bottom line is bread is not at all good for you as it is not at all nutritious. If we compare bread with other food items which are easily available to us, bread lie below them in terms of essential nutrition and minerals that they provide. Since the acid formed due to the bread consumption damages the intestinal lining, the absorption of the minerals and nutrients is not carried on by the human body and consequently its deficiency causes various diseases.

While this may be a bad news for all those people who love to eat bread or the dishes made using breads, it is for their own safety and healthy body that we hereby ask them to stop eating bread. It is not that you should completely eliminate it from your diet but then the frequency with which you eat bread and bread products must be decreased. So the next time you feel like eating bread, just remember that it will not only affect the functioning of your digestive system but will also not allow you to lose weight. We have given enough evidence which clearly states the adverse effects the human body. Other than bread there are various food items which are available and if you will eat those then you will certainly have a healthy body. So go for those and stop eating bread. Stay healthy.

June 26, 2014
Street Food Made Easy Part-2

Okay, for those of you who have read the previous edition to this article, I am not going to bother with an explanation regarding what street food is, how it tastes, what are its benefits and the like. However, for those who are reading about street food for the first time, this article will surely prove to be a pleasant surprise. And dare I say both for the tummy and the mind!

Street food can be of various types. It can include heavy or light food items as per your hunger pangs. Well, in this article, I would like to satisfy those among you who prefer the former category.

Often while returning from work or from school or from college, you find your stomach rumbling. Really loudly! Well, what to do? You know that having food from the street is not really the safest bet for your health. But what is the alternative then? It is really simple actually. Just make those street food items which you have been craving for God know how many days at your own home! Follow the recipes given below to get the most satisfying and sumptuous results with the utmost amount of ease on your part. I assure you that you will not be disappointed in the least. Simply read on to find out more!

(1) Dahi Papdi Chaat:

Dahi Papdi Chaat is a very popular north Indian (Maharashtrian) street food item. Chaat essentially means a Hindi word which literally means ‘to lick’. It is now used to describe a whole range of savoury snacks and fast food items across Indian and in some places abroad as well. Papdi refers to the special crisp fried dough wafers which are made in a special way by using refined white flour and oil (mustard usually) as the main ingredients.

Ingredients:

•Crisp Papdis: 24.
•Whisked Yoghurt: 1 ½ cups.
•Salt: According to taste.
•Sugar: 1 tbsp.
•Boiled and Chopped Potatoes: 2 medium sized.
•Blanched Sprouted Green Gram: ½ cup.
•Red Chilli-Garlic Chutney: ¼ cup.
•Green Chutney: ½ cup.
•Sweet Tamarind Chutney: ¼ cup.
•Roasted Cumin Powder: 1 tsp.
•Chaat Masala: ½ tsp.
•Red Chilli Powder: ½ tsp.
•Fresh Coriander Leaves: According to use.
•Sev: As required.
•Peeled Pomegranate (Anar): 2 tbsp.

Preparation:

•Add salt and sugar to the yogurt and whisk further till it has arrived at a smooth consistency. Keep the mixture in the refrigerator till use. In the meantime, arrange the Papdis on a medium-sized plate.
•Place some of the chopped potatoes over each Papdi. Over that, put some boiled sprouted moong. Drizzle a little Red Chilli-Garlic Chutney, Green Chutney and Sweet Tamarind Chutney over those.
•Sprinkle cumin powder, chaat masala, a little red chilli powder and salt. Top it all up with the chilled yogurt mixture.
•Drizzle some more of the Sweet Tamarind Chutney and the Red Chilli-Garlic Chutney. Then add the coriander leaves, Sev and the pomegranate pearls on top at the end.
•Serve immediately.

Preparation Time: 15-20 minutes.

Serves 4.

(2) Pav Bhaji:

Pav Bhaji is an exceedingly popular Maharashtrian street food item that traditionally originated in the Mumbai cuisine. While the Bhaji part of the dish is a traditional Indian name for a vegetable dish, the Pav or Pau or Pao was the Portuguese word for bread (small rolls). Pav Bhaji is native to Mumbai and has now become popular in almost all the metropolitan areas in India especially in those of central and western Indian states such as Gujarat and Karnataka.

Ingredients:

•Turmeric Powder: ¼ tsp.
•Pav Bhaji Masala Powder: 1 ½ tbsp.
•Ginger Garlic Paste: 1 ½ tbsp.
•Finely Chopped Tomatoes: 3 medium sized.
•Tomato Sauce (Optional): 4 tbsp.
•Lemon Juice (Optional): 1-2 tsp.
•Finely Chopped Onion for Garnishing (Optional): 1 small sized.
•Coriander Leaves for Garnishing: According to requirement.
•Butter/Oil for Bhaji: 1 tbsp.
•Additional Butter for Pav: According to requirement.
•Pav (Buns): 6 to 8.

Preparation:

•Add the butter or oil in a pan and heat it up. Add the chopped onions and fry till they turn translucent. Then, add the ginger garlic paste and fry till it gets fragrant.
•Add the chopped tomatoes, the turmeric powder and then sprinkle salt. Continue to fry till the tomatoes turn soft and mushy.
•Add the chilli powder, extra salt and Pav Bhaji Masala powder. Mix well and fry for another 2 minutes.
•Pour water so that it is just enough to cover the vegetables.
•Add the coriander leaves. Mix well and mash the curry if you desire a smooth Bhaji.
•Cook till the consistency of the gravy becomes thick.
•Slit the Pav buns horizontally leaving one edge intact.
•Heat the butter on a pan. Open the buns and toast it for a minute or two. If you like to make it spicier, sprinkle some Pav Bhaji Masala Powder on the inner side.
•Garnish with onions and serve either hot or warm.

Preparation Time: 25-30 minutes.

Serves 3-4.

So, there you are. I am sure that you must be salivating by now if you have read through the recipes and seen the pictures. Especially if you are on an empty stomach! Well, then. Why the wait up? Go to the kitchen and start cooking. Nobody is going to stop you from devouring these delicious food items once you are done!

Happy snacking folks!

June 15, 2014
Street Food Made Easy Part-1

They say that temptation was the fall of man. Well, the Bible does anyway. It relates how Eve and Adam gave in to temptation when falsely lured by the Serpent and how they bit into the Forbidden Fruit. Despite being forbidden repeatedly, their greed was predominant. And this small act of temptation signified their fall from God’s grace and the Garden of Eden.
One such similar temptation when it comes to matters of the tummy is street food. It is not gastronomically appropriate for you. In fact, it is every dietitian’s worst nightmare come true. You are highly aware of all these solid facts! And yet you simply can’t stay away from these forbidden delights out on the city streets. Street food just has that certain appeal of its own, you say.
Now what comes to your mind immediately when upon hearing the term ‘street food’? Unhealthy? Unhygienic? Inappropriate? Unfit? Unpalatable? Well, there might just be a way to avoid all of the above terms and also savour these tempting snacks at the same time. How you ask? It’s impossible no longer. If you have the recipe to spruce up these cookeries at hand, you no longer have to worry about any outside problem at all. You can be your own cook and your own critic at the same time! And all while enjoying the comforts of your own little kitchen at home as well. Don’t worry even if you are a beginner at cooking. All you have to do is simply follow the recipes and voila! There you go. You have those mouth-watering and irresistible food items right in front of you all just waiting to be devoured. Now then, we ask. How much better could it honestly get?
What’s the wait up for then? Simply make a note of the following recipes. Close your eyes. And just let your taste buds do the talking. Read on to find out more!

(1) Bhelpuri:

Bhelpuri is a savoury Indian snack, and also a variant of chaat. It is typically prepared by mixing together appropriate portions of puffed rice, vegetables and a tangy tamarind sauce along with a few other ingredients on the side. Bhelpuri is thought to have originated in Gujarat. Thereafter, because of its immense popularity among the mass, the recipe has spread to many other parts of India where it has been modified accordingly to suit local food availability. The Kolkata variant of Bhelpuri is called Jhaal Muri (meaning “spicy puffed rice “). A native Mysore variant of Bhelpuri is known as Churumuri or Churmuri in Bangalore.

Ingredients:

• Puffed Rice: 2 cups.
• Sev: ½ cup.
• Roasted Masala Chana Dal: ¼ cup.
• Roasted Peanuts: ¼ cup.
• Crisp Puris: 8.
• Onion: 1 medium sized.
• Potatoes: 2 medium sized.
• Green Chillies: 2-3
• Salt: According to taste.
• Green Chutney: ¼ cup.
• Tamarind Chutney: ½ cup.
• Garlic and Red Chilli Chutney: 2 tbsp.
• Lemon Juice: 1 tsp.
• Fresh Coriander Leaves: 10-15.

Preparation:

•Peel the onion and chop finely. Clean the coriander leaves, wash well and then chop finely. Boil the potatoes. Then peel and cut into bite sized pieces. Wash and remove stems. Then finely chop the green chillies.
•Combine the puffed rice, onion, roasted masala chana dal, peanuts, potatoes, green chillies, half of the Sev and toss well in a big mixing bowl. Add four crushed puris and mix further. Add salt according to taste. Add the three chutneys as per your own taste and mix well. Add lemon juice and mix well.
•Garnish with the chopped coriander leaves and the remaining Sev. Serve immediately along with the remaining puris to eat.

Preparation Time: 12-15 minutes.

Serves 4.

(2) Panipuri:

Panipuri (also known as Golgappa, Pani ke Bataashe, Phuchka or Gupchup) is a popular street snack famous all over the countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. It basically consists of a round, hollow fried crispy puri which is filled with a mixture of flavored water (“pani”), tamarind chutney, chili, chaat masala, potato, onion and chickpeas. It is generally small enough to fit completely into one’s mouth in one go. The pleasure lies in being able to swallow it whole and thus, relish the small bite-sized snack as it is meant to be. It is an exceedingly popular street food dish especially in the regions of Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Lucknow in India. The panipuri is said to have originated from the Magadha region of India.

Ingredients:

•Crisp Puffed Puris: 40.
•Date and Tamarind Chutney: 1 ½ cups.

For the filling:

•Boiled Bean Sprouts: 1 cup.
•Boiled Potatoes cut into small pieces: 2 big-sized.
•Black Salt: According to taste.
•Chaat Masala: 1 tsp.

For Pani:

•Fresh Coriander Leaves: 20-25.
•Fresh Mint Leaves: 20-25.
•Green Chilies: 5-6.
•Panipuri Masala: 2 tbsp.
•Dried Mint Powder: 12 tbsp.
•Black Salt: According to taste.
•Salt: According to taste.
•Roasted Cumin Powder: ½ tbsp.
•Lemon Juice: 3 tbsp.
•Boondi: ¼ cup.
•Dry Mango Powder: 2 tsp.

Preparation:

•To make the moong sprout filling, combine all the ingredients in a bowl, toss to mix well and set aside.
•To make the pani, grind the coriander leaves , mint leaves and green chillies to a paste using water as required.
•Transfer the coriander and mint paste into a large bowl, add panipuri masala, dry mango powder, black salt, salt, cumin powder and lemon juice and stir to mix well. Add six cups of water to the above mixture.
•Stir to mix well and put to chill in the refrigerator. While serving, add boondi to the prepared pani and stir.
•Take a puri, break a little of the crust, fill it up with a little moong and potato filling followed up by a half a tablespoon of sweet date and tamarind chutney each.
•Dip the puri in the prepared pani and serve immediately. Similarly, prepare the remaining puris and serve.

Preparation Time: 16-20 minutes.

Serves 4.

Well then, what are you waiting for? These delicious street food items are exceedingly simple to make. Moreover, you can vouch for the food hygiene yourself. We assure that they will surely leave you craving for more. And more.

So, stop slacking! Get snacking!

June 13, 2014
Eating: All under Control

Do you feel Eating is out of control and you don’t have sovereignty over your appetite? You aren’t alone. There are many out there feeling the same and struggling everyday to overcome over-eating and stick to their diet plans. Over-eating isn’t the reason alone for obesity and other health and body shape related problems, but appetizing over junk food is the culprit of obesity and increasing weight. They seem so attractive that it becomes difficult to resist them, be it, burgers, hot dogs, French fries, ice creams, cheese pizzas and other unlimited processed and frozen foods. Overeating or uncontrollable eating is a form of eating disorder called as Binge Eating. In binge eating, people consume unusually large amounts of food. It can be characterized as feeling that eating is out of control or being secretive about what is eaten and when or eating to the point that you feel uncomfortable. Prolonged binge eating can be harmful and can lead to diabetes, heart related disease, gall bladder disease, bone and joint problems etc. If you have any symptoms like this or have fallen prey to binge eating, there is need to worry, but here are some techniques mentioned through which you can have control on your appetite.

I know for a fact that when you have a plate full of chocolaty cookies in front of you in your direct access, walking away from it sounds good in theory but in practice feels like the hardest thing to do. But Not anymore, as we have these scientifically proven strategies for crunching in moderation.
Recognize your true hunger: Sometimes, we eat out of craving or when we are famished, but most of the time we chew up because we are upset, Bored or attracted by something that looks good and irresistible. Realize and learn that Hunger is what you feel in your stomach when it’s empty, But if the feeling is coming out of head or mouth, then it’s most probably not hunger. A “tofu-test” is recommended which means if a block of tofu feels appetizing, you are likely to be hungry.
Eat that works for you in a good way: Now a days, many healthy foods are available, but this doesn’t mean you have to try and eat each one of them. Yes, its true that food which works and gives nourishment to one person can have the opposite effect on other person due to different body-types. It better if you figure out what nourishes you, suits you and energizes you and gives you pleasure.
Bring a change in your perspective: You see a piece of chocolate cake but you will convince yourself not to have it because it’s not in your diet schedule. However, your inner voice opposes you and pops up, saying “ I can have whatever I want to and here is cake and I love it” and you end up eating two slices when you were supposed to eat just half or one piece. Avoid this and assure yourself that you can have one slice to begin with, enjoying every delicious bite. This way eating the irresistible sweeter foods can be brought under control.
Always follow 25 percent rule: According to Dr. Wansink,” My research has found that if you eat just one quarter of something and then distract yourself for 15 minutes, you feel just as satisfied as when you eat the whole thing.” So if you fancy about chocolate chip cookies , better to break off a piece and put the rest of it back in box and then go to bathroom, check your mail or make a call, do anything that can take off your mind from sugary treat.
Practice positive reinforcement: Very first, create two healthy habits like trade-off a high calorie processed food for a fruit or vegetable delight or don’t use a plate larger than nine and a half inches in diameter for yourself when having food. And then positively, reward yourself for the consistent good behavior and not for the kilograms lost. For every day, you make a positive change, reward yourself with something that isn’t related to food, such a hair spa or anything you like.
Prevent Multi-tasking: When you eat, focus solely on what you’re chewing and relish each bite, you’re less likely to overeat and can control your cravings. Quit eating while driving, watching tv, standing next to refrigerator, or working at your computer, instead sit down at a table and eat with calm mind and chew every bite nicely.
Contemplate the ultimate outcome: Always think beforehand, that you have to bear the consequences if you don’t gauge your eating. When you see a really delicious, irresistible don’t savor it out of attraction and how good it will taste, rather focus how it will make you feel after you eat it. Sometimes, its better to skip the craving in order to avoid the repercussions.

If you try and put just a little extra effort, you can eat as you want and as per your taste, without even disturbing your diet cycle and can claim your control over different appetizers, no matter where you go and how lovely food you get to eat. Just be little mindful and conscious and little bit cautious. After all, its your body which demands to be maintained and yes, you can enjoy your life only when you eat in moderation and consistency is maintained. Simply, don’t be anxious about eating, be careful and love your eating.
Happy Eating. Happy Life.

June 13, 2014
Coffee Mania!

You get up in the morning and you have it. You come home tired after a day of grueling work and you have it. You want to take a break to rejuvenate and satiate yourself and you have it. Well, you may be wondering by now what this ‘it’ is. It is a very simple thing actually. A cup of steaming coffee!

Coffee is a brewed beverage prepared from the roasted or baked seeds of several species of an evergreen shrub of the genus Coffea. Coffee plants are nowadays cultivated in more than 70 countries which are primarily in the equatorial region namely the continents of Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa. In case of India, the best quality coffee plantations can be found in the regions of Kunnor Valley located in the Nilgiri Hills.

Have it hot or have it cold, pour milk into or have it without, add a dash of cream or not, take sugar with it or simply don’t – there are ample choices when it comes to sipping on this refreshing beverage. Coffee-lovers can partake of coffee in various ways. Here are some of the more popular ones:

(1) Espresso:

Espresso is a concentrated coffee beverage. It is brewed by forcing a very small amount of nearly boiling water which is about 86 to 95 °C (that is, 187 to 203 °F) under high pressure through finely ground coffee beans. Espresso often has a thicker consistency than the coffee brewed by other methods. The flavours and chemicals in a typical cup of espresso coffee are much more concentrated. Espresso often serves as the base for other coffee drinks such as a latte, cappuccino, macchiato, mocha, or americano. The usual serving size is much smaller in case of this particular beverage. But be very careful while you have this drink for a little bit too much and you will be sharing the lifestyle of certain night owls!

(2) Cappuccino:

This comes next in the line of popularity when it comes to coffee. Cappuccino is a coffee-based drink prepared with the help of espresso, hot milk, and steamed milk foam. A cappuccino usually exceeds the height of the cup it is served in. The foam is thus, visible above the side of the cup. A cappuccino is traditionally served in a Chinese porcelain cup which has far better heat retention characteristics than glass or paper. It also enhances the aesthetic beauty of this simple drink. The foam on top of the cappuccino acts as an insulator and helps retain the heat of the liquid which allows it to stay hot for a longer period of time.

(3) Latte:

A latte is a type of coffee beverage which has portions of both espresso and hot steamed milk. They are generally mixed in the beverage in a ratio of 1:3 to 1:5 espresso to milk. A latte always has a little foam on the top which acts a good insulator as well as makes the drink look extremely inviting. This beverage is very much similar to the Portuguese galão. It is immensely popular among the mass in the regions adjoining Portugal, Turkey and Spain.

(4) Mocha:

A mocha is almost identical to a latte except in the way it is garnished and for one special ingredient namely, chocolate. Mocha is usually prepared in the ratio of one third of espresso along with two thirds of steamed milk. However, a special portion of chocolate is added as garnishing later in the form of hot chocolate syrup. Some top chefs even add chocolate shavings and chips as an innovation. Mochas can contain either dark or milk chocolate. But in the current age of industrialization, other coffee vending systems across the world are designed in such a manner that they use instant chocolate powder as a ready alternative instead of the traditional chocolate syrup to marginalize profits.

(5) Indian Filter Coffee:

Coffee remains an integral part of South Indian culture in Asia. Whether it is a wedding ceremony or an occasion to entertain your house guests, coffee is an essential item on the menu. South Indian Coffee also known as Mysore Filter Coffee or ‘Kaapi’ (the South Indian phonetic rendering of “coffee’’) is a sweet milky form of coffee which is made from dark roasted coffee beans (70%–80%) and chicory (20%–30%). It is especially popular in the five southern states of India -Andhra Pradesh, Telengena, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is traditionally served in broad-based and goblet-shaped stainless steel glasses.

(6) Instant Coffee:

Instant coffee is the most popular choice of coffee drink in today’s fast-paced life. Instant coffee is a beverage which is prepared from brewed coffee beans. Through various manufacturing processes, the coffee is dehydrated into the form of powder or fine granules. These can be rehydrated when steaming hot water is added to the mixture in order to provide a drink which is almost similar (though not identical) to the conventional cup of coffee. Some popular brands of instant coffee include Nescafe, Bru, Mr. Brown Coffee, Folgers, etc. This is the most popular type of coffee in terms of preparation and efficiency for the globetrotters or even people on the move 24×7. Thus, it truly lives up to its name.

However, too much of a good thing is never beneficial. Thus, before signing off, let me caution you about the few health hazards excessive coffee consumption may give rise to. It might cause insomnia or heart ailments among some. But that is no major reason for you to get alarmed or panic. So, what are you waiting for? You now have all the necessary information which you require to make your decision regarding the type of coffee you would like to enjoy. Sit back, relax and simply enjoy your choice of hot (or cold) cup of coffee!

June 10, 2014