Secrets of Healthy Living

More than ever before, people are now striving to live longer and stay healthier. The secrets of healthy living are hidden gems, which are presented in the following content. If you are desirous to stay healthier, be advised to make sure that the food you eat is healthy. It's important to combine food types to create a well balanced diet. As we learn to understand how the food that we eat interacts in our body, the better we can decide, as on what to keep in our daily diet to stay healthier.

The food we take can be broadly classified as:

Alkaline and Acidic

Acidic environment favors development of harmful bacteria, while the alkaline environment potentiates the development of good ones. Food that we typically take is 70% acidic and 30% alkaline, which in fact should be opposite for a healthy living. As the human body is Alkaline in nature so; it has to maintain slightly alkaline plasma. The insufficient intake of alkaline food compels body to restore balance by extracting calcium from bones and other places like teeth. Furthermore, the deficiency of Vitamin D due to lack of sunlight and animal food are the main reasons for continual increase in Dental diseases, fragile bones and Arthritis.

Hence, the nutritious food includes 70%alkaline and 30% acidic food. A few points should also be taken care of for a healthy living:

-        The intake of Fats and oils should not exceed 10-15 ml per day (that is; 3 tea spoons) 

-        Increased intake of organic food, whilst the carbohydrate based foods should be minimized as much as possible

-        Avoid sugar and salt

-        Drink lots of water

-        Use mouthwash at night to avoid dental problems

Vegetables and Fruits

These should be the major portion of the food you eat each day. These are very rich in nutrients and would give your body the essential minerals and vitamins it requires. It doesn't make any difference if they are fresh or frozen. The only fact that they are eaten is more than enough. Eating salad regularly is one of the best ways to consume these. An olive oil dressing mixed with lemon and some pepper can make them taste even better. For instance, following should be eaten;

- Green leafy vegetables: for example spinach, cabbage & cauliflower

- Red color vegetables: for example tomato, carrots, beetroot and reddish

- Seasonal Fruits: including bananas, berries, mango, apple, grapes, oranges and so on

Cereals

Dieticians recommend that cereals should make up one third of your daily food intake. Generally, people have misconceptions about this group. Therefore, they consciously avoid eating rice or starchy foods with a mindset that these will increase their waist line. However, this is poor set of information that is prevalent and should be corrected.

Actually cereals contain essential carbohydrates that work wonders. The only thing you have to keep an eye on is the quantity. The bread that people normally think increases weight actually gives them wholesome nutrients required by the body. However, the extra spoon of jam or butter can produce negative effects. Controlling the amount of whatever one takes is another step towards a healthy diet.

The noteworthy examples of cereals good for health include;

- Rice & breakfast cereals

- Whole meal multigrain fresh bread and noodles

- Sweet potatoes, beans and lentils

Dairy products

These are very important in the daily diet. They do contain lots of fats, but still hold great importance. In this regard, the low fat versions of foods like skimmed milk, reduced fat cheese and low fat yoghurt are healthier choices.

Sweets

Anyone can do well if consume these items in moderation. Despite the fact that these foods are almost everyone's favorite, these must be avoided to ensure healthy living. This doesn't mean to completely give up eating them forever; in fact simply decrease the frequency of intake from everyday to once in two a week period or month. Some common examples of these foodies are;

- Fried food

- Chocolates & candies

- Cakes and cookies

- Creams, drinks and soda pop etc.

Meat

Meat is undoubtedly rich in proteins and vital for our body. They should be eaten as a part of diet but in moderation. The good part of it is that you can remove the fat in the meat quite easily. One should take fish at least twice a week and be assured that you eat different kind of fish every time. Some of the examples of healthy meat include; White meat, in which chicken without skin should be used.

Along with a healthy diet, exercise is also an essential part of a healthy living. It is said that one-third of body toxins are removed by sweating only, which would otherwise will have heavy burden on Liver and Kidney.

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Grilled Stuffed Pork chops with cranberries, goat cheese and walnuts

This is a high end restaurant quality food made just within the time you would start the car and go to the nearest food joint :)

Ingredients:

4 Boneless pork chops
Salt and black pepper
1/2 cup cranberries
1/2 cup fresh goat cheese
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp fennel seeds, chopped

Method:

1. Preheat grill over medium heat
2. Use a sharp parking knife to cut a pocket in the side of each chop. Cut it deeper. Stretch out the pocket.
3. Season the chop all over with salt and pepper.
4. Combine the stuffing of cranberries, goat cheese, walnut and fennel seeds.
5. Stuff the mixture in the pork until full and  secure them with toothpick.
6. Grill them for 15 min each side closed.

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8 ways to better your grilling

1. You need to cook your food perfectly every time:  Everything else is just frosting over the cake. If the steaks are not properly cooked, they are not worth eating.  Although everyone has their own liking but generally for burgers and steak it should be medium - rare, a little beyond medium for pork and fishes and chicken until the pink color disappears.  Flip Burgers Once and Only Once. Cook 2 minutes per side for rare, 3 for medium-rare, 4 for medium, and 5 for well-done. Keep grill at a steady heat.

2. Apply salt strategically: One way is to cure the meat by seasoning salt overnight. Sat will slowly extract water from meat thereby concentrating its flavors. The other way is to treat the meat, especially pork and poultry with brine water. This imparts moisture and flavor to the meat. Although it is used by cold cut manufacturers and high end restaurants, you must give it a try. I bet you will be highly satisfied. (Will give the basic brine recipe in the next post).

3.  Have hotter and cooler side of the grill:  Build your charcoal fire and once the charcoal is burned, its ready for grilling. Then move all the charcoal to one side of the grill and just very few on other side. This way we can grill big meat on slow side of the grill covered. Small meat can go on the higher heat side.

4. Smoke effect: You can give the smoke effect by adding small wood-chip tray to the grill setup. Charcoal grill can take wood chips directly but electric grill can have small wood-chip box or a packet.

5. Spices give life to grilling: Have your own blend of spices to add flavor to the meat. as much possible make spice blend from scratch and not use the store bought ones, which are no match to home made ones. It can be slat, pepper, cumin powder, cayenne pepper, crushed fennel, coriander seeds, etc are some examples.

6. Home made sauces are the best: Make sweet sauce with ketchup,honey, brown sugar. Salty by soy sauce, peanut butter. sour with vinegar, lemon, orange juice and spicy with chili sauce, Dijon mustard, etc. Thick sauce is good for small pieces of meat but thin sauce can be coated to big meat pieces that are slow cooking.

7. Mopping is essential: Basting over open flame with liquid constantly is important to tenderize the meat. It can be any liquid you can imagine like beer, booze, oil, juice, etc.  I generally use Worcestershire sauce for beef, vinegar for pork and orange juice for chicken.

8. Don't waste the heat: Instead of wasting the big heating surface with just a few pork chops or sirloin, try to add skewers of mixed vegetables, fruits (grilled) for desserts, etc. It will help us save money and time too.

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Pork Chops (chinese style)

4 pork chops
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon wine
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
pinch of pepper
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 egg
6 tablespoons cornstarch
oil (for frying)


Method:

1. Cut pork chops into pieces. Mix together all the ingredients except cornstarch and oil and pour over pork. Allow to marinate for 30 minutes (preferably for 1 day).

2.Before frying, pour cornstarch on top of pork and stir into marinade.

3. Heat enough oil in a large skillet to cover bottom. Place pork in pan when oil begins to shimmer. Cook pork chops over med-high heat until cooked through.

4. Serve hot.

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Lemon garlic Beef (Take it easy cooking special)

Its the easiest beef and flavorful recipe I have ever experienced! 

1 pounds sirloin tips, cubed into equal bite size pieces
11/2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Ingredients:

2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup finely chopped  parsley
1 small lemon juiced
1/2 cup white wine

Method:

1. Meat should be marinated with salt and pepper at room temperature for 2 hrs.

2. Heat the olive oil in large, heavy skillet over medium-high to high heat.

3. When the oil is heated, add the meat and caramelize before turning. Once evenly browned all over, about 5 minutes, season to taste with salt and pepper, add the garlic and mix with flat spatula, the meat for 2 minutes.
4. Stir in the parsley and a little lemon juice and cook for another minute.

5. Add the white wine and cook for 1 min. Turn off the heat. Transfer to a serving platter and serve immediately.

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Almond Chocolate cake

For the Cake:

4 ounces chocolate melted with 2 Tb coffee
1/4 lb. or 1 stick softened butter
2/3 cup granulated sugar
3 egg yolks
3 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 Tb granulated sugar
2/3 cup almonds
1/4 tsp almond extract
1/2 cup cake flour turned into a sifter

For the Icing:

2 ounces  semisweet baking chocolate
2 Tb coffee
5 to 6 Tb unsalted butter


Instructions:

For the Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Butter and flour the cake pan. Set the chocolate and coffee in a small pan, cover, and place in a larger pan of almost simmering water; let melt while you proceed with the recipe. Measure out the rest of the ingredients. Cream the butter and sugar together for several minutes until they form a pale yellow, fluffy mixture.

3. Beat in the egg yolks until they are well blended.

4. Beat the egg whites and salt in a separate bowl until soft peaks are formed; sprinkle on the sugar and beat for 15 mins.

5. With a rubber spatula, blend the melted chocolate into the butter and sugar mixture, then stir in chopped almonds, and almond extract. Immediately mix one fourth of the beaten egg whites. Delicately fold in a third of the remaining whites and when partially blended, sift on one third of the flour and continue folding untill all the eggwhites are added.

6. Pour the batter into the cake pan. Bake in middle level of preheated oven for about 25 minutes.  Sprinkle chopped almonds on top of the batter when its almost half done. Cake is done when it has puffed, and when a needle is plunged into that area comes out clean; the center should move slightly if the pan is shaken, and a needle comes out oily.

Allow cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes and serve.


Yield: For an 8-inch cake serving 6 to 8 people

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Bruschetta

Thanks to the Italians who gave us this 'Ready in 10 mins' appetizer which is as easy as a pie and has flavors that are simple yet delightful. Also thanks to people who added so many kinds of variations to the toppings. Ideally Italian bread should be grilled over hot coal to get real Italian flavor, but in regular homes bread is toasted or broiled to make it. I am gonna write my recipe here:


Ingredients:

1  can Italian Diced Tomatoes
6 cloves Garlic
4 TB Olive Oil
3/4 cup basil
1 long french bread

Method:

1. Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix right before serving.

For easy bread pieces to go with the bruschetta, here is what to do:

2.. Buy french bread loaf. Cut in slices and place on a cookie sheet.

3. Butter slices and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Broil on HIGH for 2-5 minutes (dependent on how fast and hot your oven is).

4. Serve the bread pieces with your bruschetta.

It is a family favorite that can be made so easily and tastes so good!

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Double Chocolate cake

Ingredients:

 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
 1 1/2 cups white sugar
 2 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, melted
 2 eggs
 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 1 cup milk
 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
 1 teaspoon salt
 1/2 cup butter, softened
 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
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Method:

1. Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, and salt together into a large bowl.
2. Add the butter or margarine, milk, and vanilla to the dry ingredients in the bowl. Beat for 300 strokes, or for approximately 2 minutes at low speed with an electric mixer or with hands upto 15 mins.
3. Add the eggs, melted chocolate, and red food coloring to the batter. Beat an additional 300 strokes or 2 minutes at low speed or with hands 15 mins.
4. Pour into two greased and floured 8 inch layer pans. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 30 to 35 minutes, or until done.

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Spring Rolls

Mainly part of East Asian Cuisine like China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore, but now is famous worldwide :) This recipe tells you how to prepare the covering as well, so you don’t need spring roll sheets available in the market. You can experiment with the stuffing, though we’ve used an assortment of vegetables and sprouts.

Ingredients:

For spring roll sheets:
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup cornflour
3/4 cup milk
2 tsp melted butter
a pinch salt


For The Stuffing
1 tbsp oil
chopped chicken breasts
1/2 cup chopped spring onions whites
1 1/2 cups mixed vegetables (french beans , carrots , cabbage) , cut into thin strips
3/4 cup bean sprouts
1/2 cup boiled and roughly chopped noodles
1/2 cup chopped spring onion greens
2 tsp soy sauce
salt to taste

Also:
3 tbsp All purpose flour  dissolved in 1/4 cup water
oil for deep-frying

Method :

For the sheets:
1. Combine the plain flour, cornflour, milk, salt and ½ cup of water in a bowl and mix well till no lumps no remain.
2. Grease a non-stick pan with butter, pour 2 tbsp of the batter into the pan and tilt it around quickly to make a 4 inch diameter thin circle.
3. When the sides begin to peel off, turn the pancake and cook on the other side for 30 seconds.
4. Make others out of remaining mixture.


For the stuffing:
1. Heat the oil in a deep frying pan on a high heat till it smokes.
2. Add the spring onion whites, mixed vegetables, bean sprouts and sauté on a high for 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Add the noodles, spring onion greens, soya sauce and salt and chopped chicken breasts and sauté on a high flame for another 2 minutes.
4. Divide the stuffing into equal portions and keep aside.

Final assembling and frying:
1. Place a sheet on a flat, dry surface and place a portion of the stuffing on one of its edge
2. Apply a little flour paste along the edges of the pancake.
3. Fold the top edge over the mixture to seal it firmly.
4. Fold the left and the right side of the pancake in order to get a rectangle.
5. Roll the pancake downwards tightly sealing the ends securely with the flour paste.
6. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make more rolls.
7. Heat the oil in a deep frying pan and deep-fry in batches till they turn light brown in color.
8. Cut each roll into 2 equal portions and serve hot with schezuan sauce.

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Crostini or Italian Croutons

Crostini is Italian croutons. Its a nibbly party food. I tried to make it for a potluck party where Italian food was the theme. It is real simple yet has elegance of Italian food.


Ingredients:

1 French baguette, sliced  approximately 1/3” thick
2-3 tablespoons olive oil or olive oil spray
Salt and pepper, to taste

Toppings: There are as many variations for toppings as the number of people making it. I am going to mention some of my favorite:

mozzarella cheese slices
chicken breasts
salted fish slices
parsley
cut mushroom slices

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly brush or spray both sides of each bread slice, then arrange on a baking sheet.

2. Season each piece with salt and pepper.

3. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and let cool before topping with ingredients.

4. Load it up with toppings right before eating it. Garnish it with salt and pepper.

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Chili Chicken

Mexican style stewed tomatoes, picante sauce, and chili powder help to flavor this hearty chicken chili recipe. Its easy slow cooker recipe.

Ingredients:

6 boneless chicken breast halves, cut in 1-inch pieces
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped bell pepper
2 garlic cloves
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 cans Mexican stewed tomatoes
1 can chili beans
2/3 cup picante sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt

Method:

1. Saute chicken, onion, pepper, garlic in vegetable oil until vegetables are slight cooked.
2. Transfer to slow cooker; add remaining ingredients.

3. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours.

4. Serve hot with rice.

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Black Forest Cake

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch process
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup neutral vegetable oil, such as canola, soybean or vegetable blend
1 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs

Toppings:

1 lb fresh or frozen dark sweet cherries (I used a jar)
1/2 cup kirsch
3 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup sugar
chilled chocolate curls

1. Refrigerate cherries and kirsch ahead of time. Refrigerate for several hours or up to several days. Before use, drain the cherries well.

2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottoms and sides of  9-inch round/square cakepans. Line the bottom of each pan with a round of parchment or waxed paper and butter the paper.

3. Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Whisk to combine them well. Add the oil and sour cream and whisk to blend. Gradually beat in the water. Blend in the vinegar and vanilla. Whisk in the eggs and beat until well blended. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and be sure the batter is well mixed. Divide among the 3 prepared cake pans.

4. Bake for 25 minutes, or until a cake tester or wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean. Let cool in the pans for about 20 minutes. Invert onto wire racks and let cool completely.

5. In a large chilled bowl with chilled beaters, beat the cream until it mounds lightly. Add 1/4 cup sugar and the vanilla and whip until the cream forms peaks.

6. To assemble the cake, place cake on a cake stand or serving plate and sprinkle 2 to 3 teaspoons of the reserved cherry brandy evenly over the top to moisten. Cover the cake with 2/3 cup of the whipped cream, spreading it all the way to the edge. Arrange half of the cherries on top of the cream. Cover the cherries with another 2/3 cup whipped cream.

7. To decorate, gently scoop up the chilled chocolate curls with your hands and press them into the sides of the cake, covering them completely with curls. Decorate the top, if desired, with rosettes of whipped cream and some extra cherries.
8. Refrigerate the cake for few hours before serving.

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Garbanzo beans/Chick Pea Salad to reduce your waist line

I am watching my waist right now and here is my favorite recipe which is kind of making me jump miles ahead whenever I go for it :)

There you go with the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 cup dried chickpeas (200 grams)

1 jalapeno pepper

3 – 4 tablespoons minced shallot (about ½ large shallot)

½ cup chopped cilantro leaves

Salt – to taste

Juice of 1 lime

1 tablespoon mild-flavored oil (I used light olive oil)

¼ teaspoon dried mango powder (optional)

Method:

1. Soak the chickpeas overnight. (Or, if you didn’t think to soak them ahead of time, put them in a pot and cover with at least 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let them sit, covered, for 1 hour. Then proceed with the recipe.)

2. Drain the chickpeas and cover with plenty of water again. Bring to a boil and boil for 10 minutes. Lower the heat, cover and simmer for 40 minutes. Add 1½ teaspoons kosher salt (1 teaspoon of table salt) and simmer until tender, an additional 10-15 minutes.

3. Drain the beans well.

4. Cut the jalapeno pepper in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with a spoon. Mince the pepper.

5. Whisk the lime juice, oil, and mango powder together.

6. Combine all of the salad ingredients with the lime juice dressing.

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Guacamole

Guacamole is an avocado-based sauce that originated in Mexico. In addition to its use in Mexican cuisine it has also become part of American cuisine as a dip, condiment and salad ingredient.

Ingredients:

2 medium ripe avocados 
1/2 small onion chopped
1/2 of a 4 oz can diced green chile peppers
1 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
1 Tbsp. lime juice
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 medium tomato, seed removed and chopped


Method:

1. Cut avocados in half.  Remove seed (set the seed aside).  Dice and scoop out of skin.
2. Place avocado in a bowl and mash to desired consistency.
3. Mix in remaining ingredients.  Serve immediately or place in the fridge with pits added to the bowl.  Putting the pits in the bowl will keep the guacamole from going brown.

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Ice cream Sundae

Summers are not easy without Ice creams and Sundaes, especially in Texas :).  I usually make this real simple dessert to sooth the sweet tooth after dinner.  This is the right season to share it with you :)

Ingredients: 

1 cup fruits like cherries, grapes, berries. Some more for garnishing.

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

4 scoops nonfat vanilla Ice cream (you can use yogurt as healthy option)

strawberry syrup or chocolate syrup

Method:

Puree fruits with sugar and lemon juice in a blender. Serve over frozen Ice cream and top with fruits and syrup of your choice. Well I was serious when I said that its easy!!!!

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Donuts The All time family favorite recipe

The extra shiny donuts are always exciting and enticing.Donut or doughnut  is a type of fried dough confectionery or dessert food. Here is a simple Donuts Recipe to make at home :

Ingredients:

2 tbsp dry yeast
2 cups milk
1/2 cup unsalted butter or any shortening
2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 eggs
6 cups flour

Method:

1. Dissolve yeast in 3/4 cup luke-warm water. Set aside.

2. Heat 2 cups milk in microwave for 2-3 minutes.

While milk is heating add shortening to a large bowl. Pour hot milk over it and whisk until mixed. Add salt, sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Mix well with a wooden spoon. Add 4 eggs and mix well.

3. Add yeast mixture to batter and mix. Add 2 cups of flour and mix with a wooden spoon. Mix well. Add 2 more cups and mix. Add 2 more cups and mix. At this point, the batter should not be runny. Add 1 more cup of flour, give or take 1/2 cup.  Mix until your dough is smooth.

4. Sprinkle flour onto a clean surface and pour batter onto it. Gently knead dough batter until the surface is not sticky to the touch. NOTE: The dough should be very soft but not sticky that you can't handle it fairly easily. Place the soft dough into a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl and let rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Dough should be almost double in size when done.

5. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and roll out to about a 1 inch thickness. Cut the doughnuts out as closely as possible. You can save the middles for doughnut holes. Move donuts and holes to a clean surface. Cover and let rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

6. Once the donuts and holes are done rising, fry them in a large frying pan with vegetable oil until golden brown.

7. While donuts are frying make your Glaze. To make glaze mix 7 cups powdered sugar with 2/3 cup water and 2 tsp. vanilla. Add donuts to glaze as soon as they are done frying and make sure both sides are covered.

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Bhatura Panjabi style

 Bhatoora is a fluffy deep-fried bread from North India. It is often eaten with chickpea curry, chole or channe, making the traditional dish chole bhature.  This is a combination of may recipes I researched over the internet. The best part is that it uses more of whole wheat flour than all purpose flour. My family liked it, so thought of sharing with you :)

Ingredients:

21/2 cups atta or whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt or as required
1 tbsp oil or ghee or butter
½ or ⅓ cup warm water
vegetable oil for deep frying
¾ cup yoghurt
½ tbsp sugar
½ tsp baking powder
¾ cup all purpose flour/maida


Method:

1. In a bowl take the yoghurt, sugar, baking powder and all purpose flour.
Mix well for overnight fermentation.

2. If the yogurt is thick, then to thin the batter, add ¼ cup water.
Cover the bowl with a cloth and set it aside in a warm place overnight or for 8 hours to allow natural fermentation to take place.

3. The next day you will see tiny bubbles on the surface of the mixture. The mixture is ready for the next step when tiny bubbles appear on the surface.

4. Take another bowl, mix together the wheat flour with salt and rub the ghee or butter into it with your fingertips. Into this bowl, add the fermenting mixture and the warm water. Form a dough with these two mixtures.

5. Knead the dough for 5 to 10 minutes or until it is silky smooth. Add a little flour if it is too wet. Gather the dough into a compact ball and cover it with a damp cloth. Again set it aside in a warm place for 2 hrs.

6. Knead the dough again.

7. Form it in to 15 balls and roll them into 5-6 inch discs. Heat oil or ghee and deep fry the bhaturas. 

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Tomato Chutney for Dosa, Idli

Its a very spicy Tamil style chutney :)

Ingredients:

Tomato - 1 / 4 kg
Onion - 200 g
Garlic - 5 pallu
Ginger - 1 piece
Red Chilli – 3
Broken urad Dal - 2tsp
Toor Dal (Lentil) – 2 tsp
Coconut - 1 / 2 cup
Salt - the quantity

Merhod:

1. Take a pan and pour oil. Heat oil, fry Toor Dal and  Urad Dal.

2. Fry on medium heat until you get the pleasant aroma of the grains.

3. Add onion, fry until it becomes golden brown. Then add ginger.
Add garlic and dry red chillies. Fry for a minute. Now add the chopped tomatoes.

4.Fry the tomatoes until the raw smell went off. Keep in low heat for ten minutes.

5. Add required salt and leave it for a minute, switch off the stove and add the grated coconut.

6.Leave it to cool and grind, should not grind it way to smooth paste.
Tomato chutney is the best side dish for idli, Dosai and  masal dosai.

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Pickled Jalapeneo

First I would like to show you pictures step by step, to make it really clear to you guys :)

Ingredients:

Jalapenos - 3 cups, sliced nacho style

Salt – 1.5 tbsp

Asafoetida - 3 pinches(optional)

Lemon Juice - 6 tbsp

White Distilled Vinegar – 1.5 tbsp

Vegetable Oil - 3 tsp

Bay Leaf 1

Method:

Wash the Jalapenos and slice them.

Put the Jalapenos in a clean, dry jar.

Add the Salt, Bay Leaf and Asafoetida and mix well.

Keep aside for 4-6 hours and let the spices seep into the

jalapenos.

Next add the Lemon  Juice, Vinegar and  Oil.

Cap the jar and give it a really good mix.

Keep aside for a day but don’t forget to keep mixing the

pickle every once in a while.

After a day, it is ready to eat. Store in the refrigerator after

that.

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25 Best Nibbles to eat with Champagne

1. Almonds

2. Walnuts

3. Salted pistachios

4. Toasted pumpkin seeds

5. Croutons topped with sour cream and salmon roe

6. Little rolls of cured (but not smoked) salmon

7. Plain oysters

8. Thinly sliced, lightly seared scallops

9. Shrimp with light mayonnaise

10. Shrimp vol-au-vents

11. Diced lobster on potato salad

12. Crab pâté on toast

13. Taramasalata on thin crackers

14. Anchovy straws

15. Light-textured chicken liver pâté on toast

16. Chicken and leek vol-au-vents

17. Slices of white pork sausage

18. Rolls of mortadella ham

19. Small sausage rolls

20. Sliced quiche Lorraine

21. Sliced flamiche (leek tart)

22. Goat cheese wrapped in Parma ham

23. Mini gougères

24. Mini potato tortilla

25. Cubes of crumbly white English cheese

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Tortilla wrap Roll-ups

2 8 oz. packages of cream cheese (room temperature)
1 24 oz. container sour cream
2-3 T taco seasoning
10-12 large tortillas

Toppings

Peas
Diced carrots
Diced green peppers
Chopped green onions
Finely grated cheddar cheese
cucumber slices
chopped mushrooms

Be creative with what you like!
Its just that tomatoes can make the wrap soggy so may be you should not add them :)

Blend cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Mix in taco seasoning.

In the center of each tortilla, put a small stripe of refried beans. On the rest of the tortilla spread the sauce making sure to get the edges. You want a decent amount to make sure all your toppings will stick. Sprinkle with toppings and roll up. Tuck in the ends and wrap in plastic wrap, but don't overfill. Refrigerate over night.
Slice before serving and serve with salsa.

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Black Bean Salad ...... best dinner to reduce waist and tone tummy

Black beans has most fiber among beans, it helps tummy remain full for long, fight constipation, prevents bloating and also tones tummy. To top it all its sooooo yummy that you will not go for anything else at dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup minced onion
• 1tbs ginger garlic, pressed
• 2 cup black beans or 1 15 oz can (without BPA), drained and rinsed
• 1 tomatoes, chopped 
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tbs fresh lemon juice
• green thai pepper or chilli chopped
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 
  

Method:

1. Mince onions and press garlic and let sit for at least 5 minutes to bring out the flavour.
2. Mix all ingredients together and serve. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for awhile.

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Desi/Indian Diet plan For Diabetics

I prepared this chart for my dad and he liked it a lot. It definitely will help keep sugar level and weight in control. Its almost 2000 cal diet plan... Lets fight diabetes with this plan :)

What is Diabetes
Diabetes, often referred to by doctors as Diabetes Mellitus, is a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin, or it can be both the reasons. Patients with high blood sugar will typically experience polyuria (frequent urination), they will become increasingly thirsty (polydipsia) and hungry (polyphagia).

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general information purposes only. The materials contained within this blog do not constitute medical or pharmaceutical advice, which should be sought from qualified medical and pharmaceutical advisers. Also, the chart provided should be consulted with qualified Doctor or Nutritionist before you actually start the said diet plan. Results may vary from person to person. We do not guarantee to any results whatsoever.

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Spicy or Masala Kaju (cashew nuts)

Here is another desi snack with Cashew nut :) Easy n royal, what can you ask for more????

Ingredients:

amchoor or dry mango powder     tsp 1/4
black pepper powder  tsp 3/4
cashewnts about 1 lb
chat masala tsp 1 1/2
garam masala 1 tbsp
red chillies powder 1/2 tsp
Clarified butter or desi ghee  1 tbsp

Method:

1. Mix all masala together and keep ready. Heat 2 cups oil for frying. reduce heat. Add kajus and stir fry continuously till they start changing colour and turn light golden. Take it off from stove.

2. Immediately sprinkle the masala while the kajus are still hot. mix thoroughly with the fingers. mix again after 2-3 minuties. let it cool down.

3. When cool, store in air tight container. Serve with drinks.

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English breakfast with Baked Beans Toast

Actually you can eat Baked beans as breakfast, lunch or dinner in UK.  Baked Beans on Toast is so easy to make, and it's cheap and nutritious too :) This is even more healthier version as it has vegetables and chicken too :) Its up to you what to mix with beans. 

Ingredients

Brown bread 4 slices

Baked beans 1

Onions 2 medium

Green capsicum 1 medium

Butter 2 tablespoons

Garlic,sliced 6 cloves

Red chilli flakes 1/2 teaspoon

Red chilli sauce 1 tablespoon

Fresh coriander leaves,chopped 3 tablespoons

Fresh parsley a few sprigs

Carrots chopped 1

Chicken pieces chopped finely   1 breast

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. 

2. Finely chop one onion. Separate the rings. 

3. Finely chop half a green capsicum and cut the rest into small triangles. 

4. Cut the brown bread slices with a cutter into smaller pieces. Place them on a baking tray and toast in the oven till crisp. 

5. Heat butter in a pan, add garlic and chopped onion and sauté till transluscent. Add red chilli flakes and stir. Add chopped green capsicum, carrot, chicken and stir. 

6. Add red chilli sauce and stir. Add baked beans and stir till well mixed. 

7. Turn the bread pieces and toast for two more minutes. Take them out of the oven and place them on a serving plate. Add chopped capsicum, carrot and chicken and coriander leaves to the baked beans and stir. 

8. Place a little of the topping mixture on each of the bread piece.  Garnish them all with a parsley leaf and serve immediately. 

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Lime or lemon Pickle or achaar ..... A must in Indian household kitchen !!!!

This is going to be the spicy savory version of lemon or lime pickle. Also I don't believe in the instant version. This recipe will take 1 month to pickle up .

INGREDIENTS:

Limes 25 

whole red chilli 8-9

turmuric powder 1/2 tsp

Fenugreek seeds 1/2 tblsp

Mustard oil or any oil 1/4 CUP + 3 Tblsp

mustard seeds 1/2 tsp

salt 1/2 Tblsp+ 2 tsp

asafoetida 1/2 tsp

METHOD:

1. Wash the limes and pat dry them nicely with help of towel.

Ensure that there should not be any moisture.

2. Wash and clean a glass bottle with air tight cover and nicely dry this without even a drop of water.

3. Cut the limes into two and slightly squeeze out the juice. Do this very gently, else the pickle will become bitter.

Gently remove the seeds with the help of a knife.

4. Cut the limes into small  size pieces.

5. Immediately add salt and asafoetida and mix well.

6. In a pan dry roast the fenugreek seed till they become slightly brown.

Do not roast too much as this will make the pickle bitter.

7. Dry roast the red chilies  in a pan.

8. Grind the red chillis and fenugreek seeds together into a fine powder.

9. Throw this onto the cut lemon and mix nicely using a dry spoon.

10. In a pan heat the oil and throw in the mustard seeds.

Add this to the pickle and add turmeric powder and mix well.

11. Transfer this to the glass bottle and cover this with a thin muslin cloth and tie this with the help of a rubber band.

12. Keep this in sunlight for 3 –4 weeks ( in bright sunlight)

Every day with the help of a dry spoon mix the pickle nicely and close it.

No need to keep in the refrigerator.

13. After 4 weeks the skin of the limes  will be soft and the lemon must have absorbed the spices.

14. Now keep in fridge and enjoy :)

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Eggplant Parmesan Pizza

Its a healthier pizza !!!!

Ingredients:

Pizza Dough (recipe in another blog post 'Pizza Dough') prepared
2 small eggplants
2 Tbsp. olive oil
4 medium tomatoes
2 Tbsp fresh basil chopped
1 clove garlic chopped
salt and fresh ground black pepper 
flour for dusting
4 oz.  mozzarella cheese
1 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 450 F. 

2. Lightly spray a oven tray with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Slice eggplant widthwise into thin strips and place on oven tray. Brush with the olive oil, then bake for up to 10 minutes each side. Remove from oven and transfer to a plate to cool.

3. Increase oven temperature to 500 F. 

4. Cut tomatoes in half and gently squeeze out and discard seeds and excess liquid. Chop tomatoes and combine with basil and garlic. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Dust a baking sheet with flour. Flatten one ball (half of recipe) on a lightly floured surface. Handling it gently and turning frequently, pat or stretch dough into a 10 inch circle. 

6. Quickly put half of the tomato mixture over dough. Arrange half the eggplant and half of the cheeses over top. Place on lowest rack in oven and bake for 6 to 7 minutes or until crust is golden brown and crisp.

7.  Cut into wedges and serve.

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