Eggplant Lasagna

Ingredients:

2 medium eggplants
1 container (16-ounce) low fat small-curd cottage cheese
1 container( 15-ounce) part-skim ricotta
6 ounces part-skim mozzarella, grated (1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cups grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
 Black pepper
1 cups roughly chopped fresh basil
1/2 cups roughly chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 1/2 cups jarred marinara sauce


Directions:

1.Heat oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly oil two large rimmed baking sheets. Beat the egg and egg whites together in a shallow bowl. Place the bread crumbs and flour in separate shallow bowls. Add 1 tablespoon oil to the bread crumbs and mix to combine.

2. Slice the eggplants into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Dip the eggplant rounds in the flour, then the eggs (letting any excess drip off), and finally in the bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to help them adhere; transfer to the prepared baking sheets. Roast until the eggplant is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 400 degrees F.

3. In the meanwhile, in a big bowl, combine the cottage cheese, ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/2 cup Romano, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Fold in the basil and parsley.

4. Spread 1/2 cup marinara on the bottom of a baking dish. Top with a layer of eggplant (8 to 12 slices) and 1/2 cup marinara, and dollop with a third of the ricotta mixture (about 1 1/2 cups). Repeat eggplant, marinara, and ricotta layers twice. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup marinara. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and 2 tablespoons Romano.

5. Cover the dish tightly with an oiled piece of foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until the top is light golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes more. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

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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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Tomato soup

Ingredients:

3/4 cup Couscous

1 tbsp olive oil

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 large onion, diced

3 large cloves garlic, minced

1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated

1 (14 oz) can tomatoes, with juices

2 tablespoons tomato paste

3 cups vegetable stock

1 bay leaf

2 dried red chili peppers

2 teaspoons garam masala

1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 (16 oz) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1 tablespoon lemon juice

3 tablespoons coconut milk or heavy cream

Method:

1. Fill a pot 2/3 full with water and bring to a boil.  Add the couscous and a generous pinch of salt and cook until the couscous is done, about 5 minutes; drain and set aside.

2. Heat the oil in a medium pot over medium heat; add the bell pepper and onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add the garlic and ginger and cook 2 minutes more.  Stir in the canned tomatoes, tomato paste, stock, bay leaf, dried red chili peppers, garam masala, sugar, salt, and black pepper; turn heat up to high and bring to a boil, then cover the pot, turn heat down to simmer, and cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Turn heat off, cool slightly, and remove  and discard the bay leaf and dried red chili peppers.

Transfer 2/3 of the soup to a blender and puree until smooth.  Pour the pureed soup back into the pot, along with the chickpeas and lemon juice.  Bring up to a simmer over medium heat, then turn heat off and stir in the couscous and coconut milk or heavy cream.  Taste and season with additional salt, black pepper, sugar, or lemon juice.

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Spicy Pumpkin / Butternut Winter Squash

Kaddu ki sabji is a popular dish served with roti, puri or parathas in northern India and Pakistan and commonly served for holidays, festivals and other special occasions. It has a slightly sweet flavor that is nicely offset by the heat of the chilis and the tang of the mango powder.

Serves 4.

Ingredients

approx 4 cups of 1 inch cubed pumpkin
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2-3 chilis chopped
1/2 tsp fenugreek seed
1/2 tsp cumin seed
1 tsp tumeric
1 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp mango powder
1/2 tsp sugar
red pepper to taste
salt to taste
2 Tb oil

Directions

1. Heat the oil in small wok (khadahi) or skillet and when hot add the fenugreek and cumin seeds and let them sizzle until brown.
2. Turn the heat down a little and add onion, garlic and chilies.
3. Cook until the onions are nicely browned but take care to not burn the garlic.
4. Add the spices and pumpkin and toss.
5. Turn the heat to low and cover and cook until pumpkin or squash or kaddu is soft and mash able.
6. Toss occasionally until pumpkin is separates oil. Serve and enjoy.

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Brown Rice

Ingredients:

Brown Rice – 1 cup
Water – 2 cups
Salt – 1/2 tsp (optional)

Method 1 (Pan):

1. Wash and drain Brown Rice.
2. In a sauce pan, bring Brown Rice, Salt and 2 cups of Water to a boil.
3. Cover pan, reduce heat to a low/simmer and continue cooking for 45 minutes.
4. Switch off stove and fluff the rice with a fork.
5. Cover the pan and allow rice to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Method 2 (Pressure Cooker):

1. Wash and drain Brown Rice.
2. Add Brown Rice, Salt and 2 cups of Water to a pressure cooker.
3. Pressure cook for 2 whistles and reduce the heat to a low/simmer. Continue cooking for 30 minutes.
4. Switch off stove and allow the internal pressure from the cooker to subside on its own.
5. Open pressure cooker and fluff rice with a fork.
6. Replace pressure cooker lid and allow rice to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

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Tea Rusks

Tea Rusks:

This is served as a snack with tea. We can also eat it by dipping into the tea.

Ingredients:

Buns/ Dinner Rolls/ Hamburger Buns/ Bread slices/ Pavs
Sugar
Buttery Spread or Butter
1/2 Cardomom Powder

Method:

1. Half the buns horizontally.
2. Let butter come to room temperature naturally and add sugar and cardomom powder to it.
2. Spread a layer thin coat of butter on the inside.
4. Cut into strips.
5. Preheat the oven to 230 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. Arrange the Bun strips on the baking sheet, butter side up.
7. Place the tray in the oven and bake for 1 hour.
8. Keep changing position of the bread strips to evenly bake every 20 mins.
9. Cook till they well done and dry and crispy when we break them.
10.Once done, take them out of oven and cool down to room temperature.
11. Store in an air-tight container.

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Yummy Colorful veg Salad

Yummy Colorful Veg Summer Salad:

Ingredients:

1/3 cup white vinegar

1 tablespoon salt

1 teaspoon celery seeds

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 medium cabbage, chopped

1/2 large red onion, chopped

1 medium green bell pepper, chopped

1 medium cucumber, seeds removed, chopped

1 tomato, seeds removed, chopped

4 green onions, chopped

1 tomato chopped

1 teaspoon olive oil

Method:

1.Combine the coleslaw mix and onion in a large bowl.

2. Whisk together the salad dressing, olive oil, salt, vinegar, salt in a medium bowl; blend thoroughly. Pour dressing mixture over salad mix and toss to coat. Chill at least 2 hours before serving.

3. Coleslaw mix can be used too instead above chopped vegetables.

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