Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Two most dangerous characteristics of a kitchen ..... ?....

They are: Knives and Other Sharp Edges, and Fires
and Other Hot Things.
Cooking is fun, but kitchen safety is very important. 
Think about it: Knives! Fire! Bacteria!
Observing basic rules of kitchen safety is most important.
What's more important than kitchen safety?
Don't leave sharp knives loose in a drawer.
Do not  toss a dirty knife  in the dishwater. 
But wash the knives separately.
Avoid, never  put knives or other sharp objects
into a full sink. 
Fire hazards and most of the kitchen fires are from
the oil,as the oil gets hotter and hotter, smokes a bit,
and then bursts into flame, so be careful.
Watch the electrical cord.  Don't use appliances near
the sink or other water.
Cooking is the number one cause of home fires. 
Families spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
Always stay in the kitchen while cooking on the gas
stove, especially when frying food.
Tip .. if a doorbell or phone starts to ring, then switch off,
only then leave the kitchen.
Never leave cooking unattended. 
Always turn pot handles toward the back of the range
to prevent small children from reaching and pulling 
down a hot pan.
Make sure all the electric appliances & burners are
turned off before you leave the kitchen. 
Keep electrical appliances away from water to avoid
electrical shock.  Make sure all wires, cords and plugs 
on your appliances are not frayed and that the plugs 
have 3-prong grounded connections.
This would include coffee makers, toasters, blenders, microwaves, mixers, etc.
Never touch anything electrical with wet hands.
Don’t use extension cords  Keep things you use a lot
where you can reach them easily.
Avoid reaching over the stove for anything while cooking.
Do not engage in any other activities like attending phone 
calls, watching TV while cooking.
Always store salt and baking powder, as they are natural
fire extinguishers.
Throw lots of baking soda or salt on it.
Never use flour, which can explode or make the fire worse.
It is important to carefully supervise your child in the
kitchen as he or she begins to walk and become curious.
Cleaning your kitchen while you cook, wash and put away
the  knives that you use, clean utensils when you’re done
with them,  wipe down counters and return food to the refrigerator.

A LOT OF INFORMATION PUT TOGETHER....

Paan is a breath freshener taken after a meal usually
consisting of a mixture of aromatic seeds, often garishly colored. 
Leafy vegetables will remain fresh longer, if wrapped in
news papers when you are storing..
' Dsp ' is a dessert spoon. It is bigger than a teaspoon 
(twice the quantity - 10ml approx) but smaller than 
a tablespoon. 
Vegetables are the chief source of vitamins, minerals,
proteins, fats, fibers.

Buy fresh vegetables which are available in plenty .
They help improve digestion, stimulate the appetite,
intensify the activity of salivary glands and pancreas 
and encourage secretion of gastric juices. 
This ensures assimilation of foods like fish, meat, bread
and cereals eaten with the vegetables.
Paneer is made by curdling milk with the assistance of 
some acid.

Khoya is made by cooking milk slowly where about 85% 
of the moisture in the milk is reduced.
Strawberries have multiple health benefits similar to 
blueberries and red wine , thanks to a naturally occurring 
flavonoid called fisetin. 

Fisetin, found most abundantly in strawberries and to a
lesser extent in other fruits and vegetables..
It's often called the wonder fruit. Now, a new research 
has revealed that eating strawberries could help stave 
off ageing and even prevent cancer.
Chocolate is a high-calorie comfort foods. 
A study led by the University of Texas Southwestern
Medical Centre suggests that Ghrelin , the so-called 
`hunger hormone` is involved in triggering this response
to high stress situations. 
This hormone then plays a role in sending hunger 
signals to the brain, according to a Texas statement.

Aloo, Parwal Subzi....


Aloo, Parwal Subzi..
ings :
8 - 10 Parwal, peeled
n cut
into long slices,
2 Potatoes, boiled n peeled
and cut into long slices,
1 Onion cut into slices,
3 tbsp Oil,
1\4 tsp Cumin seeds,
1\2 tsp Turmeric powder,
3\4 tsp Red chilly powder,
4 - 5 tbsp Coconut milk,
1 Green Chilly cut,
1 Tej patta, [bay leaf ],
1 tsp Coriander powder,
1 tsp Curd,
Few pinch of Sugar,
Salt to taste.
Method
Peel both parwal and boiled potatoes.
Cut into long slices, remove seeds of the parwal.
Put a pan to heat add one spoon oil and saute
the parwal, until soft, sprinkle some salt.
Now remove the parwal and saute the boiled
potato slices, until gloden brown.
Remember to sprinkle some salt.
Remove the potato slices, add oil, add some cumin seeds, green chilly and tej patta, stir.
Now add masalas like turmeric powder, red chilly powder and coriander powder, also add curd n salt.
Add the parwal, potato slices and the coconut milk, sugar, cook for few minutes on slow flame then serve with a garnish of coriander leaves..

Monday, June 27, 2011

what is ' Gelatine '....

Aarthy Sriram asked whether , gelatine is taken 
from animal fat, isnt?
Gelatin plays a key part in both culinary and nutritional
aspects of those not on a vegetarian diet; however, a number
of vegetarians and all vegans choose not to consume gelatin
in any form. This leaves vegetarians with an ingredient
gap when a recipe requires a thickening or gelling agent.
Gelatin is not vegetarian but agar and pectin are. Gelatin
(or gelatine) is a translucent, colorless, brittle (when dry), tasteless solid substance, derived from the collagen inside
animals' skin and bones.  It is commonly used as a gelling 
agent in food.
Gelatin (US spelling) or gelatine (British spelling) is used
to make Jell-o and other desserts  is made from the boiled
bones, skins and tendons of animals.
An alternative substance is called Agar-Agar, which is 
derived from seaweed. Agar-Agar is sold in noodle-like 
strands, in powdered form, or in long blocks, and is 
usually white-ish in color. 
So the question is..
As a vegetarian, if one  don’t use gelatin.
But  don’t know what to substitute when come across it
in a recipe. The answer could be try using..
There are a number of vegetarian-appropriate setting
agents on the market .
Among them agar-agar (powder, strips, or flakes from
a sea vegetable), arrowroot (a starchy powder from the
tropical tuber of the same name), guar gum (the product
of East Indian seed), Xanthan gum (a corn extract), kudzu
(a starchy powder from the plant’s tuber), and certain 
ground nuts and seeds. Most (but not all) kosher gelatins
are also vegetarian. Follow the directions on the package
to see that your food sets up correctly.
For best results, grind the agar-agar in a coffee grinder 
or food processor and then cook it, stirring it regularly 
until it dissolves. When used in a recipe, agar-agar sets 
in about an hour.
Substitute powdered agar-agar for gelatin using equal
amounts.
Agar- agar  has the same effect as gelatin. It comes
from seaweed and has no flavor in and of itself, takes
the flavor of the dish well.
Many kosher gelatins are vegan. Soy-based gelatin
can be used as a  alternative.
Try using pectin to thicken jams and jellies.
A rice starch alternative to gelatin could also be used.
Luckily, there are plenty of easy gelatin alternatives 
available in the market.

a simple tip...

what substitute can we use for eggs in cakes and desserts?
Try using, for eggless cakes you can use condensed milk or thick
curd and for eggless desserts you can use gelatin..
Aarthy Sriram 
  " gelatine s taken from animal fat, isnt? "
Usha's Kitchen 
Dear Aarthy, thxs a lot to bring to my notice such
a interesting point, which i may have overlooked..
thxs a million.. my note on 'gealatin' is dedicated 2 u...
  

The Pointed Gourd, Parwal....

coming up with a parwal n aloo recipe...

Parwal, a vegetable belonging to the same family 
as cucumber and squashes, is also known as pointed gourd. 
The pointed gourd has a green skin, sometimes with white stripes. Harder parts of the skin  should be peeled and 
discarded before cooking. The vegetable can vary widely
in length and thickness.
From the ayurvedic point of view, parwal is a tridoshic vegetable and is excellent for
the balancing of all five fundamental elements.
It is easy to digest and assimilate into the physiology.
Parwal is generally available at Indian grocery stores 
that sell fresh vegetables.
In India, it is often called green potato. It is widely
cultivated in the eastern part of India, particularly
in Bengal, Assam, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. It is a
good source of carbohydrates, vitamin A, and vitamin C.
It also contains magnesium, potassium, copper, sulphur,
and chlorine, which are needed in small quantities, for
playing essential roles in human physiology.
It is a perennial fruit, similar to cucumber and squash.

Ayurveda the science of life....

Life is a combination of the body, senses, the mind
and the atma (soul).
They cannot be separated from each other and none 
can be neglected.
From this combination ensues 'Ayur'- the span of life.
Ayurveda the science of life is the knowledge of this
association and of how to maintain it as long as possible.
Ayus- means life which is a proper combination of body,
mind, sense organs and the soul.
Veda- means knowledge. This system of medicine evolved around 600 BC in India. 
Ayurveda is known to promote positive health, natural
beauty and long life.
Ayurveda believes that human beings and nature should
be in perfect harmony and that disease occurs when the equilibrium between these two is disrupted.
Ayurvedic treatments are person specific rather 
than disorder specific.

Friday, June 24, 2011

How to select fruits n vegetables.. Useful tips...

One of the best tips for choosing veggies and fruit is
to know what is in season.
If the  fruits n vegetables  that comes from further 
away, it is likely that it is not so fresh.
Smell  and feel the food to discover how old it is.
You do not have to taste food to get a good idea 
of if it is ‘ fresh ‘ ?
Vegetables are crisp for a while after harvesting ,
before they go soft or mushy.
You can see and feel how old or fresh the veggies are ?
The fresh fruits and veggies look better.
Always look for bright colored Apples, which do not
have  any  bruises.
Store in the refrigerator in a plastic bag.    
Buy crisp Beans, don't buy bumpy beans as  they will
be tough.
Buy Bananas that  are firm and yellow,  they should
not have any dark bruises.     
Buy carrots that  are medium sized , they are the best.  
Beetroot that have are  firm and round shape. And have a smooth surface and rich red color are the best buy.
Buy garlic that has plump n  firm bulbs.  
Choose Tomatoes that appear firm, plump, well shaped 
and smooth.
Cucumber should be green, straight, and of medium size.
Buy  Pineapples should have large eyes.
Buy Peaches that feel heavy for their size.
Buy Broccoli that has bunches with slender stems.  Vegetable if are wrapped in a news paper or  in 
aluminum foil while storing will keep fresh for a
longer time. Also will remain fresh if  refrigerated.

some facts..read few interesting info..

In cooking, the adjective 'al dente' describes pasta and(less commonly) rice that have been cooked to be edible but still  firm, or vegetables that are cooked to the "tender crisp" phase..
Aemono means a Japanese phrase for "dressed foods".
A Japanese salad served with dressing, or the dressing itself.
Japanese method of cooking, Agemono means deep-frying...
Ade is a fruit drink made by combining water with sugar, boiling until the sugar dissolves, then adding a citrus juice and ice.
Pineapple.. is a versatile fruit than can be eaten raw, sauteed, or baked. It contains Vitamins A and C,it also has an enzyme that breaks down the proteins in the gelatin. Every variety of Pineapple has a rough, diamond-pattern skin.  
The Top Ten Fruits based on the amount of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients, Kiwi, Papaya, Cantaloupe, Strawberries, Mango, Lemon, Orange, Red currant, Mandarin oranges n Avocado.. 
Captain Hanson Crockett Gregory was the inventor of the doughnut with a hole in the middle. 
Atta flour , also know as a chapatti flour, it is whole wheat flour
Besan is also known as gram flour..
Colam rice is the short-grain polished rice widely used in Western India.
Galangal, also called Laos ginger , Siamese ginger and Thai ginger, is the best known and most widely available.
 
 
 
 

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Handavo.. a simple recipe..


Handavo..
a simple recipe..
ings..
Soak dals n rice  for the batter..
1 cup or small glass thick quality Rice,
[also available as dhokla, idli or dosa rice,]
1 cup or small glass of mix dals like chana dal,
tur dal, moong dal, urad dal.
1\2 cup grated Bottle gourd, [with all its
juice squeezed out,]
1 small sized onion cut,
Grind to a paste..
2 green chillies,
a small piece of Ginger,
3-4 cloves of Garlic.
1 tsp Red chilly powder,
1\2 tsp Turmeric poeder,
1-2 tbsp sugar,
1\2 tsp Baking powder,
1\4 tsp soda-bi- carb with few drops
of lime juice.
2 tbsp White sesame seeds, roasted,
Salt to taste.
Tempering ...
2 tbsp Oil,
1\2 tsp Mustard seeds,
Few Curry leaves,
1\4 tsp Red chilly powder.
Method..
Soak the rice n dals together, overnight.
Drain the water, next morning and grind in
a mixer, little coarsely, use some curd while
grinding. Keep in sunlight to ferment for 4-5
hours at least.
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees centigrade.
Grate the bottle gourd n squeeze all juice,
then add to the batter, also add finely cut

onion. Now add the ground paste of ginger, 
garlic n green chillies, add all the masalas
n the baking powder, soda.
Prepare a tempering and take it off the heat 

before adding  the chilly powder. Add the
tempering to the batter, mix well.
Check salt and whether all other ingredients

are okay.
Pour into a greased baking dish n sprinkle the

roasted sesame seeds.
Put in hot oven to bake at 200 degrees centigrade,

for 30- 45 mins, check in bet'n.
Serve with a green chutney with a touch of garlic..

Gujarati food, the Handavo a mix of Rice n Dals...

Gujarati food has its unique blend of sweet and spicy flavors.
Handvo and Dhokla are very famous Indian dishes specially 
in Gujarat.
It’s a well known Gujarati dish. There are ready made flours easily available in stores.


Handvo Flour/ Dhokla Flour is made from mixing proportional quantity of Rice and Dal.
Handvo and  Dhokla flour is useful in making various types 
of Dhokla and Handvo.
There are various types of Dhokla and handava popularly
made in  marriage and other functions,  such as Sandwich Dhokla, Baked Handvo.
It is type of Farsan in Gujarati Dishes, also called snacks
items. The flour of haandvo is prepared from mixing balanced quantity of rice and dal.
It also comprises goodness of vegetables and lentils along 
with other spices. 
Most people call lentils or pulses by the name of dals in India.
The history of lentils, beans, rice, and legumes is very old in India. These foods are actually in the tradition of India.
Lentils is a type of pulse. Lentils and beans are the most common food ingredients used in Indian cooking.
Lentils are tasty and nutritious. Lentils are easy to prepare 
and store.
Lentils are a good source of protein, phosphorus, vitamin B, calcium, and iron. Beans and lentils have a lot of health benefits. Most dal recipes are quite simple to prepare. The standard preparation of dal begins with boiling a variety of dal (or a mix) in water with some turmeric, salt to taste, and then adding a tadka (also known as tarka, chaunk or baghaar) at the end of the cooking process. 
Legumes or Pulses are the edible seed of certain leguminous plants like chickpeas, beans, lentils, peas and split peas. Legumes are wonder foods as they are low in fat and absorb
the flavor of spices and herbs, making them fun and tasty to eat. People have been eating legumes for thousands of years and these foods are the main source of protein for people in many cultures..

some information n tips..

Arborio is the classic risotto rice from the north Italian region .
It is probably the best all-rounder for cooking.It is a medium to long grain rice that can absorb a lot of cooking liquid yet still retain a good ‘bite’ when fully cooked.
Apply some lime juice before peeling garlic and wish 2 avoid the smell..
Rub your hands with vinegar before you start to cut the onions, if you wish
to avoid the smell....###... tip..tip..####
  Tip 2..rub olive oil on fingers before peeling the garlic, if do not want the smell 2 linger..
After peeling onions, cut in half and soak in water for about 10 minutes,
before cutting to avoid crying... cut the onions without tears.. happy cutting..
 

CHOCOLATE ALL THE WAY.. Dark chocolate is good for your heart...

There's gourmet chocolates for those serious chocoholics.
Chocolate is the flavor of love, of Valentine's Day, Mother's  Day, Easter, almost any special occasion....
Chocolate is the voice of passion and love, whether it is 
the love of chocolate itself or as an expression of love for 
another human being. Valentine's Day or Saturday,
chocolate is the perfect gift for those we care about or
just want to impress.
Who does not love the ' chocolates'...
whether you are young or old, all love chocolates.
Today we get to enjoy chocolate in a great variety of forms
and variations of tastes.
All love and enjoy to eat chocolates. Many old myths are 
being replaced  by new medical and scientific facts regarding health and chocolate. We now know that eating modest amounts of chocolate and cocoa products  is not adverse to good  nutrition.
There really are health benefits to eating this delicacy.
Not only is chocolate delicious, there are numerous
health benefits of chocolate from the compounds in the
cocoa fruit. Chocolate of today has been eaten for at least
2500 years in various forms.
Chocolate is made from the bean of a tree which is native
to the tropical areas of Central and South America.
Cocoa makes you feel happy and is a natural anti-depressant.
Cocoa is good for your heart. It is also  considered by many 
to be an aphrodisiac..
Are you a chocolate lover? Recent studies show that adding
a little chocolate to your diet is a good thing.
Chocolate  may help decrease blood pressure and also 
boosting our immune systems.
 

Monday, June 20, 2011

Have you had your salad today?....

Have a healthy heart, so include physical activity in your daily routine.
Try walking, swimming or other physical activities.
Eat a healthy diet,
including plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains
Broccoli low in calories, is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K and a good source of iron, folate, fiber, and calcium. ..
  TIP 4 THE DAY...
Making one simple change to your diet is adding a salad
almost every day, it can pay off with plenty of health benefits.
Have you had your salad today? Eating salad almost every 
day may be one of the most healthy eating habits you can
adopt  and one of the simplest, experts say.
Eating salads is a super convenient way to work in a couple
of servings of vegetables and/or fruit.
Green salads are on the menu of almost every restaurant.
Salads are cool, crunchy, and fun to eat (lots of textures,
colors, and flavors).
Most people enjoy eating salads, even kids! You can customize them to include the fruits and vegetables that appeals  to you. Have salads because.....
Eat Salads for the Fiber, eating lots of fruits and vegetables
and lower risks of many diseases.
Foods found to be particularly protective include beans 
and peas, string beans, peppers, tomatoes, carrots, apples, nectarines, peaches, plums, pears, and strawberries.
Another reason to eat salads is  to Cut Calories and
increases satisfaction.
 

Are u living alone....it means cooking for oneself....

Are you living all on your own? Are most of
the meals taken care  by yourself?
Do you face problems in cooking food where
you often end up with more than required
and having to eat leftovers most of the time
in order not to waste money?
Whoever finds  themselves cooking for one 
or two people. Not only are the recipes
absolutely wonderful, the recipes for using 
left overs can also come to help.
A majority of single people have stated that
it is not at all easy to cook for one person.
A number of cookery books for people enthusiastic about healthy cooking for 
singles are available. How about trying out some  healthy cooking for singles that will benefit a lot. Many of them do not comprehend that there is more to healthy cooking for singles than simply chewing on a fruit or picking on a salad.  We are all aware of the significance of healthy cooking and eating. The desire to keep 
a healthy cooking lifestyle means to experiment for healthy food recipes.
The  biggest issue is keeping ingredients on hand. If you  try to stock fresh ingredients
for cooking.  One big issue with cooking for
1 is time and to  stock your pantry and freezer. You don't have to be a chef to be able to prepare some quick easy meals for 1. Just try 2 master some basic cooking skills and to be successful with cooking for 1 person, all it takes is a little planning. A helpful shopping tips and a guide
to stocking and storing ingredients helps the single chef. The key is not to spend a whole
of a lot of time cooking every day, but to cook some items, which can be used in a variety of ways.
Storing food that you have already cooked in
the freezer section for later use.
While the soup is cooking, prepare tomato
sauce recipe. When done, portion out and freeze.
Use some for a homemade pizza for sauce; 
add your toppings.
Shopping wisely is another key to success. 
Have a plan of what to cook and accordingly 
make a list. One can always  purchase foods
like pasta, rice and oatmeal in bulk.
These foods are versatile and can be 
combined with other simple ingredients 
to create a multitude of meals.
Grain products  have a long shelf life.  
The Non perishable items, are ones
that have to be carefully picked. 
The Pasta, Beans and tinned items 
you can easily  get and store in your
food cupboard until you need them.      
Don't you think that as a single person 
you have a lot of freedom to try out new
things.
 A simple cooking tip is to experiment 
with food. The benefits of cooking more 
and eating out less, You will gain better nutrition, greater value for your money.
But if you think of ways you can make
recipes last for more than one meal and
learn simple ways to assemble last minute meals, you may find cooking to be a rewarding experience also.
Look for recipes that freeze well so that  
you can turn leftovers into homemade frozen dinners…
You can bake some muffins, which taste good for two to three days. They make great snacks too and are easily eaten on the run.
Frozen vegetables are much better than
canned because they are frozen at the peak 
of freshness.
Plan rather select an  easy single serving menus,so that  you   have a stress free and satisfying dinner, without any unwanted leftovers!
A single people can convert any recipe 
to accommodate any number of people,
even a ' single person '.
But cooking solo doesn’t need to be a chore.
It can be a pleasure and can be learnt as an 
art.

Baby Potatoes & Apple Salad

ings :
10 Baby potatoes, boiled in salted 
water n peeled,
1\2 apple cut into small cubes,
1 onion cut into small cubes,
2 tbsp capsicum cut into small cubes,
1 tsp butter,
salt n pepper powder to taste.
Dressing :
1\2 cup mayonnaise,
1 tbsp olive oil,
1 tbsp fresh cream,
2 tbsp cheese spread,
1 tbsp milk,
1\8 tsp oregano,
1\8 tsp chilly flakes,
1\2 tsp ginger n garlic paste,
1\8 tsp vinegar,
1\4 tsp sugar powdered,
salt n pepper powder to taste.
Garnish of spring onion.

method :
In a pan with little saute the onion
and capsicum for few seconds, also 
add salt n pepper powder to taste.
In a bowl take cut pieces of apple
 (with the skin ), baby potatoes
that have been boiled in water in 
which salt has been added.
Peel the potatoes and add to the salad
bowl, also put the onion n capsicum that 
have been sauted.
Beat the dressing ingredients well and add
to the salad.
Put in the fridge section, serve cold with
a garnish of spring onions...

READ SOME MORE TIPS..

Rub your hands with vinegar before you start to 
cut the onions, if you wish to avoid the smell....
###... tip..tip..####
After peeling onions, cut in half and soak in water for
about 10 minutes, before cutting to avoid crying...
cut the onions without tears.. happy cutting..  
Tip 2..
Rub olive oil on fingers before peeling the garlic, 
if do not want the smell 2 linger..
TIP 4 THE DAY...
Making one simple change to your diet is adding a salad almost every day, it can pay off with plenty of health benefits.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Carambola, or Starfruit, or Kamrak...


Carambola, or starfruit, is the fruit 
of Averrhoa carambola, a species of 
tree native to Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka.
The carambola is a tropical and subtropical 
fruit. In India, it is called kamrak.
Carambola, or starfruit, is the fruit of 
Averrhoa carambola, a species of tree 
native to the Philippines , Indonesia
Known as the “star fruit” because of its
shape when cut cross-ways.
The fruit has ridges running down its
sides (usually five) which in cross section resembles a star, hence its name.
It is also popularly called starfruit because 
of the unique shape of its fruit that resembles
a star. It is crisp, juicy and golden in color, 
and is used in desserts or salads. 
The fruit is entirely edible, including the 
slightly waxy skin.
Carambola is rich in antioxidants and
vitamin C and low in sugar, sodium and
acid. It's a good source of potassium,
vitamin C, and a source of dietary fibre.
Fresh carambolas are often eaten like
most fruits, as well as in salads, although
the most popular use by far in the U.S. is
for garnishing. Try substituting star fruit 
for citrus in both savory and sweet recipes.
The carambola fruit is extremely diverse in
its usage. Because if its attractive appearance, many people like to use the fruit as a decorative piece in their home or, as an edible adornment to buffet and luncheon platters. 
Carambola fruits are fairy hearty fruits and,
if stored and used properly, will enhance 
any dish for which they have been added.
Store green fruit at room temperature. 
Once it turns yellow, store in the fridge.
Tip Slice this fruit ' crossways'.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Tasty Methi Paratha with Cheese n Paneer...


Tasty Methi Paratha with Cheese n Paneer filling..
ings :
make the dough..
1 cup Wheat flour,
2 tsp Bengal gram flour,( besan),
4 tbsp Methi leaves,
1 tbsp Coriander leaves,
1 tbsp Curd,
1 tbsp Oil,
1 tsp Sugar,
1\2 tsp Red chilly powder,
1\2 tsp Ginger\Garlic paste,
1\4 tsp Turmeric powder,
Salt to taste.

for the filling..
4 tbsp grated Cheese,
4 tbsp grated Paneer,
1 Green Chilly cut,
1 tsp Coriander leaves,
Salt, Red Chilly powder n Chaat Masala to taste.

method for making the dough..
Mix all ingredients well and use water to
make a soft dough.
Mix all filling ingredients well.
Now put a tava to heat to make the paratha.
Take a lemon size dough, roll a little put 
some filling in it, seal well, roll some more
and put on the tava, use ghee or oil to make
the paratha, until golden brown.

METHI, PANEER AND CHEESE...

  

METHI, PANEER AND CHEESE..
Fenugreek is used both as a herb , the leaves  and as a spice  the seed, often called methi.
The cuboid yellow to amber coloured fenugreek seeds are  used in the preparation of   pickles,curry powders, and pastes, and the spice is often encountered in the cuisine of the Indian subcontinent. The dried leaves  also called kasuri methi (or kasoori methi in India). 
Methi Leaves is a  wonder herb, a very
popular vegetable in India. Rich in protein, calcium, phosphorus and iron in their natural forms, its mineral and vitamin contents are
also very high and this is easily assimilated
by our body. Both the leaves and seeds of 
this bitter tasting vegetable are fit for consumption. The seeds are generally
used as a condiment and for flavoring . Researches have shown that the regular
long term use of methi seeds reduces 
deposits of fat in the body and lowers cholesterol.
Methi seeds are nourishing and rejuvenating. Consuming fenugreek leaves which are a rich source of iron is highly beneficial for those  suffering from anemia.
Paneer;  the Indian cheese is prepared by boiling whole cream milk and adding acid
or lemon to it to separate the thick contents. When the milk coagulates the water is
removed and pressed to get paneer. 
Paneer  can be  prepared by  the most simple method and  has many health benefits to know all. It is full of nutrition.  It is easy to digest and can be used in a number of preparations and is used in most Indian homes. It can be used in sweets, savories, and in gravies of dishes too.
If paneer is in one’s daily diet it helps to give the health benefit of providing the protein required by the body for growth and renewal. 
Paneer is also called  the storehouse of calcium .
Cheese is everyone’s favorite foods.  Cheese consists of proteins and fat from milk, usually the milk of cows, buffalo, goats, or sheep. Cheese has high content of fat, protein,
calcium, and phosphorus. Cheese is definitely one of the most nutritious dairy products that can be eaten in a variety of ways. Aside from having a delicious taste, it can also help in strengthening one's  bones and in maintaining the proper functioning of your body as long 
as it is eaten in moderation.
Cheese is great for your teeth and it is even better for your bones.
Cheese is Calcium rich food, so it is great 
for pregnant women. 
Cheese can prevent or reduce some of the symptoms associated with PMS.  
Combining the above three coming with a stuffed paratha recipe.
Parathas are Indian flat breads  made of 
whole wheat which can be stuffed with
almost anything under the sun!
Not only is it tasty but very filling. 
They can be eaten with yoghurt or a simple helping of tangy spicy pickle, they are treat 
for anytime of the day.

few cookery terms..

White chocolate is technically not real chocolate as it doesn't contain any cocoa solids, but it is made primarily of cocoa butter, sugar and milk solids.
' Julienne' is the French name for a method of cutting vegetables into thin strips.
Cherry tomatoes are a smaller variety of the common garden tomato that
are generally sweeter than larger fruits.
 
The Pine nuts have a very delicate taste and texture and are high in protein which makes them especially useful in a vegetarian diet, best known for their use in pesto sauce..
 
Store the Pine nuts in the fridge.

 
An extremely pungent spice extracted from a plant of the giant fennel family, Asafoetida is frequently used in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking. Did u know..
 

Are u living alone....it means cooking for oneself....

Are you living all on your own? Are most of 
the meals taken care  by yourself?
Do you face problems in cooking food where
you often end up with more than required
and having to eat leftovers most of the time
in order not to waste money?
Whoever finds  themselves cooking for one 
or two people. Not only are the recipes
absolutely wonderful, the recipes for using
left overs can also come to help.
A majority of single people have stated that
it is not at all easy to cook for one person.
A number of cookery books for people enthusiastic about healthy cooking for singles are available. How about trying out some  healthy cooking for singles that will benefit 
a lot. Many of them do not comprehend that there is more to healthy cooking for singles
than simply chewing on a fruit or picking on
a salad.  We are all aware of the significance
of healthy cooking and eating. The desire to keep a healthy cooking lifestyle means to experiment for healthy food recipes.
The  biggest issue is keeping ingredients on hand. If you  try to stock fresh ingredients
for cooking. 
One big issue with cooking for 1 is time and
to  stock your pantry and freezer.
You don't have to be a chef to be able to 
prepare some quick easy meals for 1. Just try 2 master some basic cooking skills and to be successful with cooking for 1 person, all it 
takes is a little planning. A helpful shopping
tips and a guide to stocking and storing ingredients helps the single chef. The key is
not to spend a whole of a lot of time cooking every day, but to cook some items, which can
be used in a variety of ways.
Storing food that you have already cooked in 
the freezer section for later use.
While the soup is cooking, prepare tomato 
sauce recipe. When done, portion out and freeze. Use some for a homemade pizza 
for sauce; add your toppings.
Shopping wisely is another key to success.
Have a plan of what to cook and accordingly 
make a list. One can always  purchase foods 
like pasta, rice and oatmeal in bulk.
These foods are versatile and can be combined with other simple ingredients to create a
multitude of meals. Grain products  have a 
long shelf life.  The Non perishable items, are ones that have to be carefully picked.
The Pasta, Beans and tinned items you can easily  get and store in your food cupboard 
until you need them.      
Don't you think that as a single person you
have a lot of freedom to try out new things.
 A simple cooking tip is to experiment with 
food. The benefits of cooking more and 
eating out less, You will gain better nutrition, greater value for your money.
But if you think of ways you can make recipes last for more than one meal and learn simple ways to assemble last minute meals, you may find cooking to be a rewarding experience also.
Look for recipes that freeze well so that  you can turn leftovers into homemade frozen dinners…
You can bake some muffins, which taste good for two to three days. They make great snacks too and are easily eaten on the run.
Frozen vegetables are much better than
canned because they are frozen at the peak
of freshness.
Plan rather select an  easy single serving menus,so that  you   have a stress free and satisfying dinner, without any unwanted leftovers!
A single people can convert any recipe to accommodate any number of people, even a ' single person '.
But cooking solo doesn’t need to be a chore.
It can be a pleasure and can be learnt as an  art.

What is ' Ayurveda ' ..

Ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words āyus, meaning "longevity", and veda, meaning "related to knowledge" or "science".
Ayurveda is grounded in the physics of the "five elements" ;Prithvi- (earth), Jala(water), Agni (fire), Vaayu (air) and Akasha (ether)) — all of which compose the Universe, including the human body.
Ayurvedic practitioners approach diagnosis by using all five senses.
Ayurveda stresses the use of plant-based medicines and treatments .

GET RID OF BAD ODOR IN THE AIR, FRIDGE, DRAIN.....

Get Rid of Bad Smells in Your Fridge.
If any bad smell in your refrigerator that you can't seem
to get rid of, then try then try some  of these tips..
Try to clean the fridge with soap and water, Clean all the shelves and drawers with soap and water.
Try 2 keep spoons of coffee in freezer, on a plate and baking soda after the coffee.
Also, I was told a couple of drops of vanilla essence would
work. So no harm if you try this out. You can soak a cotton
ball in vanilla and place it on a plate in the fridge until the
bad  odor is gone.
A sewer odor coming from the drain means it  is produced
by  the sewer gas. Use cut lemons, oranges in the kitchen 
sinks, bathrooms to get rid of the smell.
If any garbage odor in your home, then wash  your garbage
cans on a regular basis. keep  them outdoors on a sunny day.
Get rid the air of the smell of burned food in the oven, 
sprinkle cinnamon in a baking dish and place it in  the
oven while it’s still warm.
Pouring vinegar down the drain is an effective means
of eliminating odors.
Try to use some Essential oils can be used for cleaning 
almost any part of the home.
There are many air fresheners in the market today that 
will keep your house smelling fresh.
Heat the water, add ground cinnamon, nutmeg and
vanilla extract into your boiling hot water.
This smell will freshen the air in your house.
Try vanilla, lavender, lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit,
clove or cinnamon in various forms such as potpourri, simmering pots and diffusers for the air and sachets for 
the laundry room, closets, drawers and in between sofa
cushions. Open windows to allow  fresh air in your home
and remove odors.
If you want to remove cigarette odor from a room  burn
a candle.
Lastly on cotton balls, few drops of your choice of essence 
will do wonders. Like peppermint, rose, chocolate, the list
is endless, u have to come up with a nice fragrance of your
own...
Mina A Joshi says 
You can use any kind of coffee granules to get rid of orders from your fridge. You only need a couple of spoonfuls on a plate and it works fine.