Tuesday, May 31, 2011

BRING THE GLOW BACK 2 YOUR SKIN

Bring the glow to your skin, in honey mix almond paste and few drops of lime juice.
Rub gently on your face and neck. Rinse off with warm water. This acts as an excellent cleansing scrub.

few tips..

Melons are a good source of vitamin C and potassium.They have high water content are relatively low in calories, and also fat and cholesterol free.
Drink one glass of water ten minutes before meal...a healthy tip.
TIP :  Remove the stems from green chilies before storing them.
This will keep them fresher for a long time.
 
 

An Oven, a standard and the convection oven..

An oven is a thermally insulated chamber used for the heating,
baking or drying of a substance. It is most commonly used for cooking. 
Standard ovens have a heating element in the bottom of the appliance.The heating element gets hot and transmits heat throughout the oven and because of this air is not circulating and air movement is relatively slow, food cooks slower and unevenly.
The enthusiastic bakers have a desire to have a convection oven in their home or kitchens. A convection oven is quite dissimilar to the standard oven and is recognized for its competency and fast preparation time.
 With the convection ovens, you will obtain fabulous, top-quality results, which cannot be bettered by the standard oven. The merits of using a convection oven are the ease of use, fast turnaround time and the superior quality of the dishes prepared.
 A convection oven is far more fuel efficient when compared with the standard ovens. It burns less fuel .
  A convection oven will have a reduction in cooking temperature.

Monday, May 30, 2011

THE GOLDEN GLOW..


" Honey is too good for the bear. "
Don't have honey watched by a bear.
" Honey is sweet, but the bee stings. "
Every bee's honey is sweet.
Bees have honey in their mouths, but stings 
in their tails. Bees bring honey, honey brings bees.
Is the old saying... 
Honey is a sweet food made by bees using nectar 
from the  flowers.
It is a sweet, sticky, yellowish brown fluid made
by bees and other insects from nectar collected
from flowers. This substance is  used as food, 
typically as a sweetener.
Honey is composed of two main sugars, 
Levulose and Dextrose.
These sugars do not need to be broken down
by the digestive process, so honey is easily 
absorbed into the bloodstream, giving a quick 
energy boost to the body. 
It also contains protein, vitamins and minerals,
but no cholesterol.
The darker honeys have more nutrients than the
light ones.
Honey has a long history of human consumption,
and is used in various foods and beverages as a
sweetener and flavoring.
It also has a role in religion and symbolism. 
In Hinduism, honey (Madhu) is one of the
five elixirs of immortality (Panchamrita). 
In temples, honey is poured over the deities
in a ritual called Madhu abhisheka.
The Vedas and other ancient literature also
mention the use of honey as a great medicinal
and health food.
Honey has been used in many medical applications
over the years, but recent studies are now able to
prove its beneficial nature in some applications as a
antibacterial  treatment for burns and ulcers. 
The reason is because honey tends to withdraw water,
thus the  infection causing bacteria is literally
dehydrated to death by honey.
It is said that  "honey does not spoil" and it has no
expiry date. It's  because of its  unique composition
and chemical properties that  honey is suitable for
long-term storage.
Honey Facts:
The main uses of honey are in cooking, baking, 
as a spread on bread, and as an addition to various
beverages, such as tea, and as a sweetener in some
commercial beverages. 
Honey is one of the earliest forms of saccharine 
substances known to man.
It takes 50,000 bees to produce 500 pounds of honey 
in one year!
The ingredients in honey are water, pollen, fructose, 
glucose, organic acids, proteins and enzymes.
The purest of honey is from the honeycomb.
Most commercial honey has been thinned with 
added syrups.
Store honey at room temperature on  your 
kitchen shelf .
Storing honey in the refrigerator accelerates
the honey's crystallization.
Crystallization is the natural process in which 
liquid in honey becomes solid.
If your honey crystallizes, simply place the honey 
jar in warm water and stir until the crystals dissolve.
Darker honeys have more nutrients than light ones.
Honey has anti bacterial properties which have been 
shown to help clear infections in wounds, reduce pain 
and reduce scarring. Its ability to lock moisture into 
the skin is another reason for its popularity as an
ingredient for beauty products.
One of the most common medicinal uses for honey
recently is in the treatment of hay fever.
Do not give honey to children under 2 year of age 
as they can become very ill. Even when given a
small amount.

LESS INTAKE OF SALT..

Almost all foods contain some sodium naturally.
Dairy products, meats and fish are generally higher
in natural sodium than fruits, vegetables and grains.
Most of the sodium we consume comes from the  added 
salt. The salt we add in cooking and at the table, 
and salt that is added to processed foods. 
Sodium also occurs in several commonly used food
ingredients, such as baking soda, baking powder
and soya sauce, as well as in many food additives 
and preservatives such as sodium nitrate. 
To reduce amount of sodium in your diet:
Follow these simple guidelines:
1. Remove the salt shaker from the table:
2 Go easy on spices and condiments:
To increase food taste try adding new flavors 
like lemon|lime juice, onion, garlic, green chilies,
pepper, vinegar or even a pinch of 
sugar| honey|jaggery (if you are not diabetic).
3 Use less of  canned or processed foods.
4 Less of fast foods.
5 Eat less of non vegetarian food also. 
 So try to use less of salt.
Reduce Your Salt Intake, Remove the salt shaker from the table..

Saturday, May 28, 2011

“ The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” is it true ?? ?

Why do men love women who can cook?
Why do they prefer them over women who can’t?
Is it because we like to eat?
Yes. Is it because the cliché saying that, “the way 
to a man’s heart is through his stomach,”  is true? 
Definitely.
Is it because a woman who can cook reminds 
them of their mom?
Sure. But at the core of all those truths lies something
simpler, men love women who can cook because it 
means that their family will be taken care of.
Who does not love food?
Food is the main requirement in man's life. 
It does not matter if it is the basic requirement 
to keep alive, but it can be very special and 
addictive hobby.
Most people, generally, love food.
It is an ancient adage that says, "the way to a 
man's heart is through his stomach".
Men love home cooked food more than eating
in a restaurant.
It is true that there are few men who don't 
love food, but this is exceptional.
This does put a lot of pressure on women, 
as they have to keep their husbands  happy.
What  if she is not a great cook, then the  
pressure  is more  to try to live up to that mark.
So for the not so good cooks, recipe books come
to their rescue, by learning 2 cook step by step.
The husbands will encourage them  to try again 
and again. For those who are excellent cooks, 
they  can keep trying new recipes and tempt their
husbands to taste them. Soon you will realize that 
the magical outcome from those recipe books 
will have him falling for you, all over again.
 " Recipe books are made for the use and 
     assistance of women. "
Feeding someone, as a gesture of affection or an
attempt to win it. (Or both.)
The person doing the feeding may not even realize 
why they feel this desire to feed the other.
Is the Way to a Man's Heart Really Through His Stomach?
I still wonder whether or not the old adage is true:
The way to a man's or woman's  heart is through his 
or her stomach.
There's just something about eating together that
creates intimacy.
But not 4 all   food was  or even should be  the 
deciding factor for a relationship.
"But the  truth is that  feeding a man does not claim
his heart, but if you do it right,it can catch his attention.

few tips..

AVOID PEELING THE FRUITS AND VEGGIES AS THE NUTRIENTS ARE IN THE SKIN..

BEFORE STARTING THE PROCESS OF FRYING, SPRINKLE SOME SALT. THIS WILL
HELP AS THE FOOD WILL NOT STICK TO THE BASE AND WILL ABSORB LESS OIL..

MAKE THE BEST CAKES BY WEIGHING THE EXACT QUANTITY OF  INGREDIENTS.

KEEP GHEE FRESH FOR A LONGER TIME BY PUTTING IN IT A SMALL PIECE OF
JAGGERY ..

Friday, May 27, 2011

what are Poppy seeds..


Poppy seed is an oilseed obtained from the opium poppy .
The tiny kidney shaped seeds have been harvested from
dried seed pods by various civilizations for thousands
of years. The seeds are used, whole or ground, as an
ingredient in many foods. Poppy seeds have primarily 
culinary uses, as intact seeds and as a paste of ground
seeds. The seeds are used as a spice, a condiment, a
decorative garnish, a thickener, and a main ingredient. 
They are used in many baked goods, main course dishes,
and desserts.
Also known as Khus Khus are the pale seeds of the
poppy plant used to add a nutty and creamy thickness
to curries and vegetables. Many varieties of cuisine use poppyseeds, whole or ground, as a spice in sauces,
breads, and marinades.
It is also sprinkled liberally on flatbreads like sesame seeds.
Lightly roast before use. A nutty aroma and crunchy texture.
In India the seeds are  usually ground, to thicken and flavour sauces.
It is commonly used in the preparation of korma, 
ground poppy seed, along with coconut and other 
spices, are combined as the masala to be added at 
the end of the cooking step.
It taste good in sweet pastries, breads and is ideal
for garnishing vegetables.
Poppy seeds are highly nutritious, and less allergenic
than many other seeds and nuts.

few facts..

Panch phoron is a combination of five whole spices used in Bengali cooking of Nigella, Mustard, Fennel, Fenugreek and Cumin. Nigella seeds (kala jeera) Also known as black onion or black cumin seeds, these are small with a distinct bitter and peppery taste. This is stuff that gets sprinkled over naans.
  There are more than 25,000 varieties of rice. Rice is mainly consumed in two different forms: brown rice and white rice. Brown rice is unmilled or partly milled and retains the outer bran and germs and as such can be called whole grain rice...
Basmati the long grained Indian rice that is highly popular because of its light, fluffy texture when cooked.
You can get white or brown. While white rice is more traditional, Indians are increasingly enjoying the healthier brown variety also.
 
 

Did u know this..

Chiffanade is the term used when you slice something like the leaves of a herb or lettuce extremely thinly to create a garnish.
Fruit ripens due to exposure to oxygen. Did u know this.
  A Condiment is sauce or seasoning added to food to impart
a particular flavor or to complement the dish…

What is Mayonnaise....

A dressing made of beaten raw egg yolk, oil, lemon
juice or vinegar, and seasonings.
Mayonnaise is a cold, emulsification used as sauce
or as a condiment.
It is made by blending egg yolks and oil, then 
flavored with varying combinations
of vinegar, mustard, herbs and spices. 
Mayonnaise is often used as base for creamy
type salad dressings. Regardless of its origins, 
mayonnaise quickly because a popular sauce
and spread in European cuisine. 
Mayonnaise is a  dressing made from oil, eggs, 
spices, and seasonings like mustard, wine, salt, 
vinegar, and garlic that is made into an emulsion.
It is the protein in the eggs that stabilizes the 
emulsion system and other spices are used to 
season the product. Saffron can be added to both 
color and flavor.

Make tasty homemade mayonnaise. 
The recipe does not use any eggs..
Take 1\4 cup fresh cream, 1 tsp mustard powder,
1\4 tsp salt, 1 tbsp sugar, 1\4 tsp pepper powder,
2 tsp vinegar and 3 tbsp oil.
Tip: For extra flavor, try using  olive oil in 
place of vegetable oil.
Blend together the fresh cream, sugar, oil, vinegar, 
mustard, salt and  pepper powder in a bowl of ice.
Taste the mayonnaise, and adjust the seasoning 
and vinegar to taste.
Store the homemade mayonnaise in a jar or plastic
container in the refrigerator.

"Why don't you eat garlic and onions?"...

"Why don't you eat garlic and onions?"
According to Ayurveda, India's classic medical science, 
foods are grouped into three categories Sattvic, Rajasic 
and Tamasic , foods in the modes of goodness, passion and ignorance.
Onions and garlic, and the many other  plants are classified
as Rajasic and Tamasic, which means that they increase
passion and ignorance.
Many vegetarians do not eat onions and garlic for
various reasons.
Buddhists, Jains and Krishna  devotees  and practicing Bhakti-yogi, offer food as ' Bhog'  without the use of onion
and garlic. The reason for not taking onions and garlic is
very simple.
It is not at all complicated. According to the instructions 
very clearly given in the Bhagavad Gita, devotees of Lord Krishna are meant to eat only the remnants of food offered 
with love and devotion to Lord Sri Krishna.
Garlic and onions are unworthy of eating. 
Also in the Bhagavad-gita Lord Krishna advises
against pungent foods such as onions and garlic.
“Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, hot, 
pungent, dry and burning are dear to those in the
mode of passion. Such foods cause distress, misery
and disease.”
When we satisfy Krishna by offering him foods 
according to his satisfaction, we also  fully satisfied
in our eating and will go towards spiritual perfection.

GARLIC AND ITS BENEFITS..

Garlic is a bulbous plant, the bulb grows underground and sends shoots into the air.
Did u know, Why's it called the stinking rose?
We don't really know. "Stinking" is obvious, "rose" might be a reference to the shape of the bulb.
Garlic has long been considered a herbal "wonder drug", and some of the old stories of garlic's say it has healing powers. Most people associate garlic with bad breath and chewing raw parsley is often recommended to help reduce the smell. 
Eat Garlic Without Garlic Breath ,Eat parsley ,
Eat fennel or cardamom seeds, Rinse your mouth with lemon juice mixed in a glass of water or cook the garlic..
 Garlic is widely used around the world for its pungent flavor as a seasoning or condiment.
 
 

ENJOY THE TASTY SABUDANA VADAS..

Saboodana vadas is one of the recipes 
that can be made during fast also.
The vadas are very crispy and crunchy 
and melt in your mouth.
Its a mouth watering snack item.

Sabudana Vada...


Sabudana Vada from Maharashtra, 
it is a great snack and goes well 
with hot Masala Chai ..
ings :
2 potatoes boiled, peeled and mashed,
1/2 cup sabudana (sago),
1 green chillies chopped very fine,
1\8 tsp ginger grated,
1/4 cup peanuts roasted and crushed coarsely,
2 bread slices made into crumbs,
1\2 tsp lime juice,
1\2 tsp red chilly powder,
1\4 tsp sugar powdered,
salt to taste,
oil for frying.
method :
Make bread crumbs. mash boiled potatoes.
Soak the sabudana in water, but all the 
water after half an hour, sprinkle some
water and allow to puff up.
Grind roasted peanuts coarsely. 
Mix the mashed potatoes, green 
chilly, ginger, lime juice salt, sugar
and red chilly powder.
Mix half of peanut and the bread crumbs
to the above mixture.
Keep the other half to coat before frying.
Give tikki or patties shape and coat in 
bread crumbs and ground peanuts. 
Fry in oil until golden brown.
Serve with chutney and tomato sauce.

Monday, May 23, 2011

what is Sago, also known as sabudana...


"Sabudana, it is also  called sago. ,it is 
a root vegetable, the  vegetable is 
crushed, then ground and  made into 
small pellet size balls and dried. 
Sago is a starch extracted from the pith 
of sago palm stems. 
Sago is nearly pure carbohydrate and 
has very little protein, vitamins, or minerals.
In Ayurvedic medicine, it is believed that
a sago porridge can be an effective and 
simple food to "cool and balance one's 
body heat" when taking strong medicines 
or antibiotics. The health benefits of sago | sabudana are mainly to give carbohydrates. 
In India, sago is used in puddings , payasam, 
in  soups, and upma dishes. 
Sabudana is full of starch or carbohydrates
and is great for a quick boost of energy,  
and hence often served in India for 
breaking fasts during religious festivals.
Sabudana is extremely low in fat but also 
low in protein and  it's just starch.
Sago powder can be used as a thickening
agent in gravy dishes, and sago flour can 
be used to make flat-breads.
Sago can be made into vadas when boiled 
and sun-dried to make into pappadums. 
For the Sabudana khichdi, wash and soak subadana in  little water for at least half
an hour, so the hard globules can soften . 
Drain the water but sprinkle a  little water
and once softened, add vegetables to make tasty  sabudana khichdi.  
Sabudana khichdi is a traditional breakfast 
dish in India. Made by adding  sago, potatoes, and peanuts, it  is a simple and healthy recipe.
Also a  nice way to start your day with a ' filling ' breakfast.

A TASTY SABUDANA KHICHDI...

A TASTY SABUDANA KHICHDI
1 CUP ( SAGO) SABUDANA,
2 CUPS WATER TO SOAK THE SAGO,
1 BOILED POTATO CUT INTO CUBES,
4-5 CURRY LEAVES,
1\8 TSP CUMIN SEEDS,
1\4 CUP COARSELY GROUND
        PEANUTS( ROASTED),
1 TBSP OIL,
1 GREEN CHILLY CUT FINELY,
1\8 TSP TURMERIC POWDER,
1\2 TSP RED CHILLY POWDER,
1 TBSP CUT CORIANDER LEAVES,
1 TSP GROUND SUGAR,
1 TSP LIME JUICE,
SALT TO TASTE.
METHOD Soak the sabudana for half an hour.
Then drain all the excess water from the sabudana but sprinkle some water and 
allow to soften, until use.
Now grind the peanuts to a coarse powder,
and add it to the sabudana, along with 
turmeric powder, red chilly powder, salt,
lime juice and sugar, and keep it aside.
Cut the boiled potato in small cubes and
the green chilly also.
Heat oil in a pan, and add cumin seeds.
Also, add green chillies and curry leaves, 
stir for a couple of seconds, now add the potatoes. Stir for 2-3 minutes, then add 
the sabudana and mix well. 
Sprinkle a little water, cover and cook 
on medium heat for 5-6 minutes or until
the sabudana becomes translucent. 
Stir occasionally to make sure the 
sabudana doesn't stick to the bottom
of the pan. Serve hot with a lime wedge 
and a sprinkle of coriander leaves.

BAKED CHEESY MASALA PAPAD....



BAKED CHEESY MASALA PAPAD..
INGS :
2 SMALL SIZED GARLIC FLAVOR PAPAD,
2 TSP GRATED CHEESE,
RED CHILLY POWDER TO SPRINKLE,
1 GREEN CHILLY CUT.
METHOD:
SOAK THE PAPAD IN WATER, WHEN
FULLY WET, TAKE THEM OUT AND PLACE
ON A GREASED TRAY.
PLACE BOTH THE PAPAD ON THEM 
SPRINKLE THE CHEESE, GREEN CHILLY 
AND RED CHILLY POWDER.
PUT IN A PREHEATED OVEN AT 200 
DEGREES CENTIGRADE FOR FEW 
MINUTES.
KEEP A WATCH ON THE PAPAD'S 
WHEN THEY ARE BAKING . AS THEY
MIGHT SUDDENLY BEGIN TO BURN.

Friday, May 20, 2011

What is Bean curd, also known as the 'Tofu.'...


What is Bean curd, also known as the 'Tofu.'.
Tofu or the Bean curd is a soft white food
made by coagulating soy milk, and then
pressing the resulting curds into blocks. 
It is of Chinese origin. 
Also known as tofu is a soft vegetable 
cheese prepared by treating soybean milk
with coagulants. Tofu is a highly versatile
and nutritious food that is made from 
soybean curds. Although the word "tofu" 
is Japanese, the food seems to have
originated in ancient China. 
The English word "tofu" comes from
the Japanese, meaning made from "bean" 
plus that has been "curdled" or "fermented".
Tofu has very little flavor or smell on its own,
so it can be used either in savory or sweet dishes, and it is often seasoned or marinated
to suit the dish. Tofu contains a low amount 
of calories, large amount of iron, and little fat. 
The tofu may also be high in calcium and  protein. It is healthy and an excellent source
of protein, calcium and iron for vegetarians.
TOFU is of two main categories: Fresh tofu, which is produced directly from
soy milk, and the Processed tofu, which is produced from fresh tofu.
To make bean curd, a cook curdles soy milk and presses the resulting
soybean curds into molds to firm up.
There are numerous different styles of bean curd. But the two basic types of bean curd 
are the first is silken, also called` 'Japanese style tofu' and the 'Chinese style tofu' is firm, and will hold its shape as it is worked with 
and cooked.
In some places, Chinese style tofu is called
bean curd, while Japanese style is called tofu.
The golden squares of bean curd that have
been deep-fried are a beauty and the deep-fried bean curd becomes super absorbent.
Directions for Deep fried Tofu or the Bean
curd.. Cut the tofu or the bean curd into
4 large triangles or cubes as desired.
Roll the tofu in the cornflour.
Heat oil for deep frying. When the oil is 
heated, add tofu pieces into the oil.
Fry, stirring occasionally, until the tofu 
is golden on both sides.

on top of biscuits..

   USING THE CORN BALLS RECIPES, MAKE SMALL SIZE BALLS
               AND PLACE THEM ON SALTED BISCUITS, DRIZZLE SOME CREAMY
CHEESE SPREAD AND DOT WITH TOMATO SAUCE.
     

corn pick balls..



corn pick balls..
ings
1\2 cup boiled grated corn,
1\4 cup boiled noodles,
1 small size boiled mashed potato,
1 green chilly cut,
1 spring onion cut,
1\2 cup bread crumbs,
2 tbsp grated cheese,
1 tbsp tomato sauce,
1 tsp chilly sauce,
salt and pepper powder to taste.
For garnish..
5 tooth picks,
1 tbsp cheese spread,
1 tsp tomato sauce..
method
Boil the noodles with a pinch of salt,
and oil, drain and keep aside when done.
In a bowl take grated, boiled corn, noodles,
grated potato, green chilly and mix all other
ingredients. Keep some bread crumbs to coat.
Make balls by tightly, pressing in your palms,
roll in the bread crumbs and fry in oil, until
golden brown.
Put tooth picks and on top serve with a
garnish of creamy cheese spread and a dot 

of tomato sauce.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

MEXICAN FOOD..

Mexican cuisine is a style of food that originates in Mexico.
Mexican cuisine is known for its varied flavors, colorful decoration, and variety of spices and ingredients, many 
of which are native to the country.
The cuisine of Mexico has evolved through the centuries 
through a blending of indigenous and European elements
since the 16th century.
On November 2010 Mexican cuisine was added by UNESCO
to its lists of the world's "intangible cultural heritage.
The staples of Mexican cuisine are typically corn and beans.
Maize is  known in many English speaking countries as corn,
it is a grain. Most corn  is used to make  a dough for  tortillas, and many other corn based foods. Squash and peppers also 
play important roles in Mexican cuisine.
Sweet corn also called Indian corn is a variety of maize.
Corn on the cob is a culinary term used for a cooked ear
of freshly picked maize.
Corn on the cob is normally eaten while still warm. 
It is boiled or grilled.
It is then often seasoned with salt and buttered before serving.
Next to corn, rice is the most common grain in Mexican cuisine.
Chocolate played an important part in the history of Mexican cuisine. Chocolate was first drunk rather than eaten.
Today chocolate is used in a wide array of Mexican foods, 
from savory dishes such as mole to traditional Mexican 
style hot chocolate.
Honey is an important ingredient in many Mexican dishes.
In most regions of Mexico, it is very unusual to put cheese 
in tacos or tostadas.
Mexican food varies by region, because of local climate
and geography and ethnic differences among the indigenous inhabitants.
There are  six regions of Mexico differ greatly in their cuisines.
Guacamole is an avocado based dip that originated in Mexico.
Salsa may refer to any type of sauce. In American English, it usually refers to the spicy, often tomato based, hot sauces 
typical of Mexican and Central American cuisine.
Tortilla is a Flat bread and  tortillas have been eaten for
many centuries in Mexico.
The Mexican tortilla is made from maize flour and the 
Mexican corn tortillas are eaten throughout the western 
world as tortilla chips.
An enchilada is a corn or flour tortilla rolled around a
filling and covered with a chili pepper sauce. 
Enchiladas can be filled with a variety of ingredients, 
including meat, cheese, beans, potatoes, vegetables, seafood 
or combination of ingredients.
Enchiladas originated in Mexico and traditionally ate corn tortillas folded or rolled around a  small fish.
A Taco is a traditional Mexican dish composed of a corn 
or wheat tortilla folded or rolled around a filling. 
A taco can be made with a variety of fillings, including 
beef, chicken, seafood, vegetables and cheese and it is 
eaten accompanied by garnishes such as salsa, avocado 
or guacamole, cilantro, tomatoes, onions and lettuce.
Nachos are a popular corn based food of Mexico  that 
can be either made quickly to serve as a snack .  
Sour cream, made out of cream &  gets its characteristic
tang from the lactic acid created by the bacteria.
Spanish rice, also known as Mexican Rice is a common 
side dish in Northern Mexico.
It is also popular outside of Mexico, especially in the Southwestern United States .
The Mexican rice dish is made by browning white 
rice in fat  or cooking oil.
Onions and garlic are added in for flavor while the 
rice is browning. After the rice begins to turn golden
brown, it is brought to a simmer in a combination of 
chicken broth and tomato flavoring. The tomato 
flavoring can be from tomato sauce or a  paste. 
Parsley can be added for a little color, but does not
change the taste very much. Sometimes vegetables 
are added such as chillies, corn, peas or carrots.
A burrito is  a type of Mexican food. It consists of a 
wheat flour,  tortilla wrapped or folded around a filling.
It is a small or medium white flour tortilla, filled with 
fried meat, beans, sour cream, green chilly, or a 
combination of these, and rolled.
Often served smothered with green/red chilly sauce
and melted cheese. 
Refried beans  is a dish of cooked and mashed beans 
and is a traditional staple of Mexican. Cuisine.
As they use beans of different varieties and they are
most commonly boiled and then fried.
If you are  trying your hand to make Mexican food 
then avoid too much use of chilly sauce. 
So be careful with the chilly sauce as it can over 
power the flavor of the dish, if you happen to add too much.
The native Mexicans had a very low fat and dairy free diet, 
So the idea of stuffing everything full of cheese is relatively new. 
Most authentic Mexican dishes don't use cheese at all
Typical Mexican food uses instead of cheese, they prefer
to stuff  with eggs  and  the food is topped with a creamy pumpkin seed sauce.
With the exception of a few dishes, most authentic Mexican 
food is not fried or fatty.
Most authentic Mexican food consists of slow cooked or 
grilled meat, fresh produce, fresh seafood and slow cooked 
stews also the fresh non fried tacos. 
The use of Guacamole is as one  of the most delicious toppings after the fresh salsa.
The Mexican foods that have become so popular in the United States are served in Mexico, Mexican cuisine is far more varied and exciting.
What are some fruits in Mexico?
Papaya is one fruit found in Mexico. 
It is believed to have originated there.
Avocados are native to Mexico and Central America, 
they are a fruit.
One of the most popular drinks in Mexico is tequila.
Now Mexican food is popular throughout the world.

centigrade & fahrenheit..

Oven temperatures can be in degrees Celsius (International) which was previously centigrade, degrees Fahrenheit in USA..

few facts..

what is a ' Sweet Corn Stripper ' is a kitchen tool
used to remove the kernels from the corn cob.
what is ' Baby Bok Choy' , A member of the Chinese
cabbage family, but it is smaller and has wider leaves,
it's taste is similar to spinach and it can be eaten raw also.
 

what is a ' Beverage ' ....

A drink, or beverage, is a liquid which is specifically 
prepared for human consumption.
In addition to filling a basic human need, beverages 
form a part of the culture of human society. 
All beverages contain water, water itself is not classed 
as a beverage.
The term "soft drink" specifies the absence of alcohol 
in contrast to "hard drink" and "drink".
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol 
(commonly called alcohol).
Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: Distilled, fermented & compound beverages.
A non-alcoholic beverage is a beverage that contains no alcohol.
Non-alcoholic mixed drinks (including punches, "virgin cocktails", or "mocktails"  are often consumed by children, people whose religion restricts, for alcohol consumption, 
and anyone wishing to enjoy flavorful drinks without alcohol.
Non-alcoholic drinks such as tea and coffee are also included
in this category for completeness.
Beverages such as soda , sparkling water, iced tea, lemonade, squash, and fruit punch are the most common soft drinks. 
Milk, hot chocolate, tea, coffee, milkshakes, and tap water
are not considered to be soft drinks.
A hot beverage is any beverage which is normally served 
heated.
A cocktail is an alcoholic mixed drink that contains two 
or more ingredients at least one of the ingredients must 
be a spirit.
A soft drink is a non-alcoholic beverage that typically 
contains carbonated water, a sweetener, and a flavoring 
agent. Mocktails, an abbreviation for “mock cocktails", 
are festive, non-alcoholic party drinks.
Mocktails are for any party guests who choose not to 
drink alcohol.
Mocktails are popular alternatives to alcoholic drinks 
and allow everyone to enjoy the spirit of a celebratory 
occasion in a responsible manner. 
Most mocktails are blends of fresh fruit juices and syrups,
and some contain cream, herbs, or spices.
Since mocktails contain no alcohol, people of all ages can
enjoy them.
Iced tea is tea which is served cold, classically over ice to 
ensure that it stays cold.
MAKE THE FAVORITE ICED TEA...
All one has to do is make a pot of tea and chill it.
Make it strong, so that it can be served with ice. 
As the ice melts down, the tea dilutes.
Iced tea may also be mixed with juices to make it  flavorful.
Iced tea can be  made with slivers of ginger. 
Iced tea can also be brewed with things
like lemons, strawberries, and other fruits of one's choice.
One alternative is to buy peach flavored tea bags that can 
be brewed and chilled in the same fashion as traditional 
iced tea.
Pour your mint tea mixture into an iced tea jug and fill
with water and ice. Served chilled.
For a fruit-flavored version, use half water, half lemonade.
Serve with lots of ice.
Beat the  heavy summer heat with a  pitcher of homemade
iced tea?
While it is simple to use a mix or toss a bunch of teabags
in a glass jar, iced tea recipes
allows  you to use fresh, seasonal herbs, fruits and flowers 
to capture the taste of summer in a glass.
It is important to remember that what you drink (or don't drink) also impacts your health.
If you are careful to eat well, but drink excessive amounts 
of soda, fruit beverages, coffee, black tea, and/or alcohol 
you may not be as healthy as you could be. 
That is because such beverages contain a variety of substances that, when taken in excess, are not health-giving.
TIP 4 THE DAY..
Fruit juice can be healthy when it is 100% fruit juice,
with no added sweeteners.
If going 4 the Iced  tea:  Then instead of regular iced tea,
treat yourself to a cool drink of herbal iced tea. 
Many herbs are rich as  powerful antioxidants.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

THE ACIDIC FOODS..

The Acidic foods are those have a pH of 4.6 or lower.
Acidic foods include most fruits, pickled vegetables, jams, and jellies.
Grapes contain Malic, Citric, and Tartaric acids.
Naturally found acid in grapes, is essential component
as it contributes to the crispness, sourness, sharpness,
and tartness of a wine.
Acid can balance the sweetness of a wine.
Acid is necessary for a wine to age well.
 

GHERKINS AND A TASTY PICKLE RECIPE..


Gherkins also locally known as the Tendlis or the Tindora.
Gherkins  is the  small variety of cucumber, or a young green cucumber used for pickling. The gherkin is a fruit similar in form and nutritional value to a cucumber. 
Gherkins are small green cucumbers that have been
preserved in vinegar. 
Gherkins and cucumbers belong to the same species.
Pickled gherkins are served to accompany other foods, 
often in sandwiches. The gherkins, also called tendlis 
can be made into a simple subzi or make a typical 
Goan pickle, which is very tasty.
Check out  a pickle recipe..
ings
20 Tendlis (gherkins),
1 tsp salt.
MAKE A PICKLE MIX..
10 - 12 Use  kashmiri chillies,
( whole red chillies ) ,
10 cloves of  garlic,
A small  piece of  ginger,
1/8  tsp fenugreek seeds,
5 tbsp  vinegar,
 1/2 tbsp turmeric,
2  tbsp sugar,
1 tsp dry mango powder ( amchur )
MAKE A TEMPERING :
4-5 tbsp oil,
1 tsp mustard seeds
Method:
Wash and wipe gherkins, make a slit along length of each. 
Slice gherkins into vertical fours. 
Place all gherkins, sprinkle salt on them.
Keep aside and leave it for an hour.
Drain the water. In a mixer jar grind all the 
spices using vinegar to a fine paste.
Heat oil in a pan add the mustard seeds then add
the spice paste and fry the spice paste over low heat
for a minute.
See the spice mixture does not burn.
Stir in sugar and add the tendlis, cook till just tender.
Store in a glass jar..

use herbs in cooking..

Culinary use of the term "herb" means the herbs, 
from the leafy green parts of a plant 
(either fresh or dried), and spices, from other parts 
of the plant (usually dried), including seeds, berries,
bark, root and fruit....
A herb is a plant that is valued for flavor, scent, 
medicinal or other qualities.
Herbs are used in cooking, as medicines, and for 
spiritual purposes...
Use herbs and spices by grinding the whole spices
in a grinder or mortar or pestle just prior to using. 
Roasting the spices in a pan over medium heat
before grinding will bring out more flavor.
 

GREEK FOOD AND MEDITERRANEAN FOOD..

What is Greek food..
Greek cuisine is a Mediterranean cuisine, sharing characteristics with the cuisines
of Italy, the Balkans, Turkey, and the Levant.
Greek  cookery makes wide use of olive oil, vegetables herbs, grains , bread,
wine, fish, and various meats, including poultry, rabbit and pork.
Also important are olives, cheese, aubergine, courgette, and yoghurt.
Greek desserts are characterized by the dominant 
use of nuts and honey.
Some dishes use filo pastry.
Mediterranean cuisine is the food from the cultures 
adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea..
Fish dishes are also common to the Mediterranean
cuisine because of the fisheries of the Mediterranean Sea
Olive oil and garlic are widely used in Mediterranean cuisine.