Sunday, November 17, 2013

Pav Bhaji All in one


Pav Bhaji All in one
INGREDIENTS
2 Hot dog rolls or Pav bhaji pavs,
Butter to apply.
1 Onion cut into slices,
2 Tbsp Cheese grated, processed cheese.
For the stuffing is pav bhaji a dry form with less
moisture because with this stuffing it is grilled.
1 Potato,
1 Carrot,
4 - 5 French beans,
1 - 2 Florets of Cauliflower.
All these cut in medium size pieces put in pressure cooker with little salt.
Saute . . .
1 Onion cut in square pieces,
1 Capsicum cut in square pieces,
1 Tomato cut in small pieces.
1 Tbsp Oil or Butter,
1 - 2 Cloves of Garlic cut in small pieces,
1 Green chilly cut in pieces, opt,
1\2 Tsp Pav bhaji masala,
1\8 Tsp Turmeric powder,
1\4 Tsp Red Chilly powder,
1\8 Tsp Sugar,
1\8 Tsp Chaat masala,
Salt to taste.
Put a pan to heat add oil, garlic, green chilly and
cut onion. Stir.
Now add capsicum and tomatoes, stir on low flame.
Also add turmeric powder, red chilly powder, pav bhaji
masala.
This is time to add the pressure cooked vegetables,
check salt and add sugar lastly chaat masala.
Apply butter on slit pav or hot dog roll put the pav bhaji,
place onion rings and top with cheese.
Put in a heated griller toaster and do until golden brown.
Generally we serve pav bhaji, pav with onions but try all in one..

Catch this Great Cajun seasoning!

PICTURE IS OF FILE POWDER..

Catch this Great Cajun seasoning!

A Cajun spice mix is . ..
Mix together salt, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes until evenly blended. 

Store in an airtight container.
or 
Another cajun mix could be . . .
For a good Cajun spice take in equal amounts cumin, coriander and paprika. Also mix oregano, salt and cracked pepper.
or
Cajun spice, just try this one.. 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander,
1 tsp paprika, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp cracked pepper, 1/3 tsp oregano. Mix all together..
Generally recipes for this spice mix can include any of the following Paprika, Ground cumin, Salt, Garlic powder, Onion powder, Black pepper, Dried thyme, Dried oregano, Cayenne pepper, Cardamom, Caraway seeds, Dried basil, Dry mustard or Filé powder.
Now what is File powder?
A File powder is a Creole seasoning made from ground sassafras tree leaves. File powder, also called gumbo file, is a spicy herb made from the dried and ground leaves of the sassafras tree (Sassafras albidum), native to eastern North America. Choctaw Indians of the American South (Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana) were the first to use dried, ground sassafras leaves as a seasoning, what is now called file, or gumbo file, used in Creole cooking. It is used in the making of some types of gumbo, a Creole and Cajun soup/stew often served over rice; other versions of gumbo use okra or a roux as a thickener instead. Sprinkled sparingly over gumbo as a seasoning and a thickening agent, it adds a distinctive, earthy flavor and texture. File can provide thickening when okra is not in season.

What is Nougat?

What is Nougat?
The word “nougat” is French and comes from the Old Provencal word “nogat”, meaning “nut cake”. Nougat is known to have been around since around the 9th century in Greece. However, it was unpopular sweet until the 17th century in France.
Nougat is a family of confectioneries made with sugar and/or honey, roasted nuts (almonds, walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, and recently macadamia nuts are common), whipped egg whites, and sometimes chopped candied fruit. The consistency of nougat can range from soft and chewy to hard and crunchy, and it is used in a variety of candy bars and chocolates.
Learn about . . . There are three main types of nougat:
There are three basic kinds of nougat. The first, and most common, is white nougat, made with beaten egg whites and honey; it appeared in Cremona, Italy in the early 15th century and in Montélimar, France, in the 18th century. In other words it is ..
White nougat is made primarily from whipping egg whites, sugar, nuts (usually almonds, pistachios, or hazelnuts), and honey together.
The second is brown nougat ("mandorlato" in Italy and nougatine in French) which is made without egg whites and has a firmer, often crunchy texture.
The third is the Viennese or German nougat which is essentially a chocolate and nut (usually hazelnut) praline. German nougat, also known as “Viennese Nougat”, is generally made with only sugar, chocolate, and almonds.
How to Make Nougat . . .
http://candy.about.com/od/nougatcandyrecipes/ss/sbs_nougat.htm

Friday, November 1, 2013

DIWALI GREETINGS 2 ALL


Diwali the festival of lights begins from November 1st which is Dhanteras. Diwali or Deepavali is the Indian festival of lights. 
Dhanteras is celebrated on the thirteenth day of the month of Karthik according to the Hindu calendar. This day falls two days prior to the Diwali.
Dhanteras is the day it is believed Goddess Lakshmi visits all houses and blesses them with wealth and prosperity. People buy gold, silver, and steel utensils on this day. Dhanteras comes from “Dhan” or wealth and “Teras” means thirteenth. 
November 2nd is Naraka Chaturdashi. This is the day it is believed Goddess Kali killed Narakasura the evil demon. 
November 3rd is Diwali the main day when we worship Goddess Lakshmi and pray for a better world. 
November 4th is Govardhan Puja when it is believed Lord Krishna defeated Indra. A mound of grain is kept signifying the Govardhan mountain and worshipped. 
November 5th is Bhau Beej when brothers are worshipped by their sisters for a long and happy life.
Wishing u a fantastic,
Super-duper,
Zabardast,
Xtra-badhiya,
Xtra special,
Ekdum mast n dhinchak,
Bole to ekdum jhakaas
“Happy diwali” . . .

Was wondering what a calorie is?

Was wondering what a calorie is?
When people talk about the calories in food, what do they mean? 
A calorie is a unit of energy. In nutrition and everyday language, calories refer to energy consumption through eating and drinking and energy usage through physical activity. For example, an apple may have 80 calories, while a 1 mile walk may use up about 100 calories.
The human body needs calories (energy) to survive, without energy our cells would die, our hearts and lungs would stop, and we would perish. We acquire this energy from food and drink.
Are Calories Bad for You?
Calories aren't bad for you. Your body needs calories for energy. But eating too many calories and not burning enough of them off through activity can lead to weight gain.
If we consume just the number of calories our body needs each day, every day, we will probably enjoy happy and healthy lives. If our calorie consumption is too low or too high, we will eventually experience health complications. Not everybody requires the same number of calories each day. Now all foods have calories and different foods have different amounts of calories. Calories are provided by fat, carbohydrate, and protein.
How the Body Uses Calories
Some people mistakenly believe they have to burn off all the calories they eat or they will gain weight. This isn't true. Your body needs some calories just to operate to keep your heart beating and your lungs breathing.
Now a days Calorie has become a household word, although exactly what a calorie does is a mystery to many.

VEGANS pronounced as ' VEE guns '. What do vegans eat?

VEGANS pronounced as ' VEE guns '.
What do vegans eat?

A vegan diet includes all grains, beans, legumes, vegetables and fruits and the nearly infinite number of foods made by combining them. 
What is a Vegan?
Vegans do not consume animal products, including meat, fish, fowl, eggs, dairy, honey or gelatin. Instead, vegans eat grains, beans, nuts, fruits, vegetables and seeds. While the diet may seem severely restricted compared to the standard American diet (often abbreviated "SAD"), it's not just salads. 
Veganism is the practice of minimizing harm to all animals, which requires abstention from animal products, such as meat, fish, dairy, eggs, honey, gelatin, lanolin, wool, fur, silk, suede and leather. Some call veganism a moral baseline for animal rights activists.
A Vegan Diet ...
Vegans eat plant-based foods, such as grains, beans, vegetables, fruits and nuts. While vegans have a wide variety of foods to choose from, the diet may seem very restrictive to those who are used to an omnivorous diet. “You just eat salad?” 
did u know this . . 
A person who is vegan is generally understood to be someone who abstains from animal products for animal rights reasons. A vegan may also be concerned about the environment and their own health, but the main reason for their veganism is their belief in animal rights. Veganism is a lifestyle and a philosophy that recognizes that animals have a right to be free of human use and exploitation. Veganism is an ethical stance.
Because veganism is about recognizing the rights of animals, it's not just about food. Vegans also avoid silk, wool, leather and suede in their clothing. Vegans also boycott companies that test on animals, and do not buy cosmetics or personal care products that contain lanolin, carmine, honey and other animal products. Zoos, rodeos and circuses with animals are also out, because of the oppression of the animals.
The world has been celebrating World Vegan Day on 1st November since 1994. Every year the celebrations get bigger and bigger. . .

Molecular gastronomy is a . .

Molecular gastronomy is a subdiscipline of food science that seeks to investigate, explain and make practical use of the physical and chemical transformations of ingredients that occur while cooking, as well as the social, artistic and technical components of culinary and gastronomic phenomena in general.
Molecular gastronomy is a modern style of cooking, which is practiced by both scientists and food professionals in many professional kitchens and labs and takes advantage of many technical innovations from the scientific disciplines.
The term "molecular gastronomy" was coined in 1992 by late Oxford physicist Nicholas Kurti and the French INRA chemist Hervé This.
More about Molecular gastronomy ....
How ingredients are changed by different cooking methods
How all the senses play their own roles in our appreciation of food
The mechanisms of aroma release and the perception of taste and flavor
How and why we evolved our particular taste and flavor sense organs and our general food likes and dislikes
How cooking methods affect the eventual flavor and texture of food ingredients
How new cooking methods might produce improved results of texture and flavor
How our brains interpret the signals from all our senses to tell us the "flavor" of food
How our enjoyment of food is affected by other influences, our environment, our mood, how it is presented, who prepares it, etc.
Initially the term molecular gastronomy was originally intended to refer only to the scientific investigation of cooking, though it has been adopted by a number of people and applied to cooking itself or to describe a style of cuisine.
A Must read 4 all ..... 
http://www.molecularrecipes.com/molecular-gastronomy/

do u know . . . Lebanese cuisine

do u know . . .
Lebanese cuisine
includes an abundance of starches, whole grain, fruits, vegetables, fresh fish and seafood; animal fats are consumed sparingly. Poultry is eaten more often than red meat. When red meat is eaten it is usually lamb on the coast, and goat meat in the mountain regions. It also includes copious amounts of garlic and olive oil, often seasoned by lemon juice.; olive oil,herbs, garlic and lemon are typical flavors found in the Lebanese diet.
Most often foods are either grilled, baked or sautéed in olive oil; butter or cream is rarely used other than in a few desserts. Vegetables are often eaten raw or pickled as well as cooked. Herbs and spices are used and the freshness of ingredients is important. Like most Mediterranean countries, much of what the Lebanese eat is dictated by the seasons.
What is Meze or mezz?
Meze or mezz is a selection of small dishes served in the Middle East and the Balkans as breakfast, lunch or even dinner.
In Levantine cuisines, in the Caucasus region, and in parts of Balkans, meze is served at the beginning of all large scale meals.
Baba ghanoush is a Levantine dish of eggplant (aubergine) mashed and mixed with olive oil and various seasonings.
The Arabic term means "father of pestle" ("baba" means father and "ghanuj" derives from "ghan", stone for pressing cheese or grain). A popular preparation method is for the aubergine to be baked or broiled over an open flame before peeling, so that the pulp is soft and has a smoky taste. Often, it is eaten as a dip with khubz or pita bread, and is sometimes added to other dishes.
A Mutabbal, which also includes mashed cooked aubergines and tahini, and mixed with salt, pepper, olive oil, and anar seeds. Moutabel is sometimes said to be a spicier version of baba ghanoush.
Pita or pitta is a slightly leavened wheat bread, flat, either round or oval, and variable in size. Flatbread in general, whether leavened or not, is among the most ancient of bread.
Hummus is a Middle Eastern and Arabic food dip or spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic.
Falafel is a deep-fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas, fava beans, or both. Falafel is a traditional Arab food, usually served in a pita, which acts as a pocket, or wrapped in a flatbread known as lafa; "falafel" .
The Lebanese cuisine is an ancient one and part of the Levantine cuisine, which include the Egyptian cuisine, Palestinian cuisine, Israeli cuisine, Syrian cuisine,etc. Many dishes in the Lebanese cuisine can be traced back to thousands of years to Roman, and even Phoenician times.

The word Idiyappam

The word Idiyappam translates to 'steamed rice flour'....
Iddiyappam or 'Putu mayam' in Malay is a Tamil dish. It is popular in southern India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.
The process for making putu mayam (also known as string hoppers 
in English) consists of mixing rice flour or idiyappam flour with water and/or coconut milk, and pressing the dough through a sieve to make vermicelli-like noodles. The noodles are served with grated coconut and jaggery. This is a sweeter version and when this dish is eaten for breakfast it can be had with a vegetable stew or aviyal, or a fish curry.
Also known as String hoppers is a traditional Tamil , Sri Lankan and Kerala food consisting of rice flour pressed into noodle form and then steamed. Idiyappam is culinary specialty in Kerala, Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu and coastal areas of Karnataka.
The ingredients to make Idiyappam are rice flour, salt and water.
The best way to make Idiyappam is to soak the rice in water for about 4 hours and then drain it. After, spread the rice on on newspaper and allow to dry for about 30 mins. Then dry grind to find powder and roast for about 10 minutes.
Make a dough using luke warm water only. Also season with salt. Knead into a smooth dough. Fill an 'idiyappam' press or a sieve with the dough and press the noodles onto banana leaves or directly into an idli steamer. Add a little grated coconut if desired. Steam for 5–10 minutes. Whether they are steamed well just press with your two fingers, if they don't stick together then done.
CATCH THIS RECIPE . .
http://www.recipes.in/click/index/5417818/?site=foodbetterbegood.blogspot.in

Veg Korma


Veg Korma
Vegetable Korma is the best with rotis, parathas or if served with idiappam.
Remember the choice of veggies is entirely your choice.
INGREDIENTS
1 Cup Pressure cooked vegetables like
Potato, Carrot, Beans, Cauliflower, Cabbage,
Sweetcorn, Baby corn, any other of your choice.
Pressure cook the small size cut veggies with little
salt and only for one whistle..
Tempering..
1 Tbsp Oil,
1 - 2 Cloves,
1 Cardamom,
A small piece of Cinnamon..
1 Onion cut into small pieces.
1 Tbsp Fresh Cream,
1\2 Tsp Sugar,
1 - 2 Tbsp Milk..
Soak for an hour
1 Tbsp Poppy seeds,
3 - 4 Cashews,
1 Tbsp Coconut milk powder,
1 Tbsp Curd,
1\4 Tsp Turmeric powder,
1\4 Tsp Red chilly powder,
1\2 Tsp Coriander powder,
1\4 Tsp Garam masala.
Grinnd
Grind all the soaked ingredients with some water in 

which they are soaked along with . . .
3\4 tomato cut into pieces,
3\4 green chilly,
1- 2 cloves of garlic and
a small piece ginger..
METHOD
Put a pan to heat and do the tempering as mentioned.
Then add the cut onion stir for few seconds.
Now add the ground paste.
Stir on low heat for few minutes.
It is time to add the pressure cooked veggies..
Also add as much water required to make a gravy.
Add salt and sugar cover and cook.
Lastly add one table spoon fresh cream and 1 - 2
table spoon milk..
Serve with hot parathas with a simple garnish..