The most favorite of all North Indians is Paneer

The most favorite of all North Indians is Paneer (cottage cheese)
and if wish to make it quickly at home then...
Put to boil 1 litre Milk to which have to add 11/2tsp vinegar or citric acid diluted in water. Add to the milk.
When the milk curdles take it off the heat.
Pour into a cotton/muslin cloth and tie it with a tight knot.
When all the water is drained then put heavy weight on the tied paneer for 1 to 2 hours, paneer is ready..
From one liter milk you can get 150 grams paneer[ approximately ]

Stuffed Besan Ka Chila

Stuffed Besan Ka Chila
Ingredients
1 Cup Besan / Bengal gram flour,
2 Tbsp Paneer grated,
2 Tbsp Tomato cut finely,
Salt, Turmeric powder and Red Chilly powder
to taste.
FOR THE STUFFING..
2 Tbsp Paneer grated,
3 Tbsp Sweet Corn, boiled,
2 Tbsp Tomato cut in very small pieces,
2 Tbsp Cucumber cut very finely,
2 Tbsp Onion cut finely.
Add Salt, Pepper powder, Chaat masala to taste.
METHOD
Mix all well, use water to make a thick batter.
Put a non stick tava to heat.
Put a spoonful of batter and spread to make
small size pancake.
Sprinkle drops of oil and after few seconds, flip
the side.
Again spread some oil, allow to cook golden
color.
Serve with few spoons of the stuffing and fold into half.

Dumplings are .

Dumplings are cooked balls of dough. They are based on flour, potatoes or bread, and may include meat, fish, vegetables, or sweets. They may be cooked by boiling, steaming, simmering, frying, or baking. They may have a filling, or there may be other ingredients mixed into the dough. Dumplings may be sweet or savoury. They can be eaten by themselves, in soups or stews, with 
gravy, or in any other way. While some dumplings resemble solid water-boiled doughs, such as gnocchi, others such as wontons resemble meatballs with a thin dough covering. There are many different types of dumplings.
The Chinese dumpling which generally consists of minced meat and finely chopped vegetables wrapped into a piece of dough skin.
The heavier type is used in soups and stews. Fried dumplings can be served with other foods or eaten alone.

Pizza is truly a universal food

Pizza is truly a universal food that almost everyone enjoys.
Basic pizza most likely began in prehistoric times, with bread cooked on flat, hot stones. Pizza is a baked pie of Italian origin consisting of a shallow bread-like crust covered with seasoned tomato sauce, cheese, and often other toppings such as sausage or olive. The word pizza is believed to be from an Old Italian word meaning "a point," which in turn became the Italian word "pizzicare," which means "to pinch" or "pluck." Pizza is an oven baked, flat, round bread typically topped with a tomato sauce, cheese and various toppings. Pizza was originally invented in Naples, Italy, and the dish has since become popular in many parts of the world. October is traditonally national Pizza month.
The ancient Greeks covered their bread with oils, herbs and cheese. Modern pizza originated in Italy as the Neapolitan flat bread. The bottom of the pizza, called the "crust", may vary widely according to style could be thin as in a typical hand-tossed pizza or Roman pizza, or thick as in a typical pan pizza or Chicago-style pizza. 
The most popular cheeses to use on pizza are mozzarella, provolone, cheddar and parmesan. Romano and Ricotta are often used as toppings and processed cheese manufactured specifically for pizza is used in mass-produced environments.
few facts..
Pepperoni is America's favorite topping and the other popular pizza toppings are mushrooms, extra cheese, sausage, green pepper and onion.
Ever wondered why is pizza round?
What could the answer be? ?
If you'd ever seen an American chef prepare it, after the dough has been mixed, kneaded and has risen, the dough ball gets formed into a flat disc in the air by rapidly spinning it and flattening it with the chef's hands. The round spin imparts a circular shape on it.
In Italy they will toss them, spin them and then reshape them into a rectangle or square and cut them in square pieces to serve to guest. Also when the pizza is round for the heat to spread evenly.
The second answer searched was .. Round is the easiest shape to make the dough. When you toss dough, it doesn't form a square, corners take a little more work. Sheet pizzas are rectangular but you may have never seen one locally.

Paneer is an ancient

Paneer is an ancient Indian word that simply means ‘cheese’. Indian cheese making traditions are simple. Paneer can be made from any milk, homogenized or un-homogenized, full fat or low fat though a high fat milk will yield more cheese because of its higher solids content. Paneer is a close cousin to Ricotta. 
Paneer is an Indian cheese which is used in many recipes for appetizers, main courses and desserts. It does not melt when heated. Paneer is very easy to make at home.
To make paneer, all you have to do is bring milk to a high temperature, then add an acidic ingredient to it.
Which could be any vinegar or lemon juice that will yield a different paneer. But Paneer made with lemon juice will be softer and more difficult to strain then when made with vinegar.
But in India, paneer is made traditionally by adding yoghurt to the hot milk. Yoghurt is much less acidic than vinegar or lemon juice.
How to flavor paneer .. When milk curdles and it is strained through a muslin cloth..
If you wish to flavor the Paneer with herbs or spices, this is the time to do it. Add in dried or fresh herbs to give the cheese another level of flavor. Or add fresh edible flower petals.
The paneer should be pressed with weight for approx 30 minutes at least. Salt can be added to the paneer after it has been pressed and Knead it well.
The whey which remains while making paneer can best be used to knead chapatti dough or as a stock for soups and curries.

SAFFRON MORE EXPENSIVE THAN GOLD

Sugarcane juice is the juice

Sugarcane juice is the juice extracted from pressed sugarcane. 
It is consumed as a beverage worldwide, and especially in regions where sugarcane is commercially grown such as Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Brazil.
This is a popular drink in India especially in states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. It is known as "Oosacha Ras" or "Ganneka Ras" in Maharashtra in Marathi and Hindi accordingly ('Ras' translates to 'juice', whereas the former in both terms, 'Oos' and 'Ganna' translate to 'Sugar cane'. 
It is called Roh in eastern Punjab. People usually like this drink in the summer months. Some other additives are added to the fresh juice like lemon,ginger, mint, and ice. Most of the vendors prepare fresh juice quickly by passing sugarcane through a juice making machine.
Sugar cane juice is the national drink of Pakistan, where it is called Roh and more commonly referred to as "gunney ka rus".
Do you feel exhausted after a small walk in the scorching heat during summers? So to quench your thirst and replenish the lost liquids, sugarcane juice comes as the best rescue during summers. The sweet, fresh cane juice not only feels heavenly but also offers dozens of health benefits. Apart from quickly refilling your body fluids and sugars, it also provides instant energy that is required to keep yourself active and on the go. Though it consists of only sugar, it contains the right sugar i. e the unrefined sugar.
Cane juice contains sugar in raw form which is good for health.
It contains essential nutrients and minerals.
Since cane juice can be easily digested, it provides instant energy to the body and hydrates the body.
Cane juice is very helpful in preventing and treating sore throat, cold and flu.
Fresh and natural, cane juice is a great alternative for aerated drinks and cola which contain artificial sugars.
Cane juice contains several essential nutrients, such as calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium and phosphorous, which are necessary for the normal functioning of the body.
Sugarcane is a tall grass with a stout, jointed and fibrous stalk that looks similar to bamboo. As a member of the grass family, its juice has a high potency equivalent to wheat grass juice, only with less chlorophyll and more sugar content. However, counter to what you might think, sugarcane juice contains only about fifteen percent total sugar content, all of which is in a raw unrefined form. The rest of the juice consists of water brimming with an abundance of vitamins and minerals. Sugarcane is rich in calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium and zinc. It also contains iron and vitamins also. Several scientific studies have revealed that sugarcane is extremely high in a unique mix of compounds called polyphenols. Polyphenols are a large class of phytonutrient compounds with powerful antioxidant properties and numerous health benefits.
The reason raw sugarcane juice is so healthy is because of all of the life-giving nutrients contained in it.

Saffron the dried stigma

Saffron the dried stigma looking tiny threadlike strands ..
Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the saffron crocus.
Each saffron crocus grows to 20–30 cm (8–12 in) and bears up to four flowers, each with three vivid crimson stigmas, which are each the distal end of a carpel. Together with the styles, or stalks that connect the stigmas to their host plant, the dried stigmas are used mainly in various cuisines as a seasoning and coloring agent. Saffron, long among the world's most costly spices by weight, is native to Greece or Southwest Asia and was first cultivated in Greece.
So what exactly makes saffron the world's most expensive spice?
It has been estimated that approximately one acre of purple crocuses, the flower from which saffron threads are harvested, will yield only one pound of saffron. This is because each crocus flower only produces 3 threads of saffron. About 14,000 threads (actually the dried stigmas of the crocus flower) equals one ounce of saffron, so that should give you an idea of the labor intensive process that goes into harvesting saffron threads.
It is the most expensive spice in the world because of the labor-intensive methods to collect and process it. For it being so very expensive many people seek out less expensive substitutes. These include spices such as paprika, annatto and turmeric.
But most of the spices typically used as a saffron substitute replicate the color of the spice only. There is no spice or combination that can duplicate the flavor and aroma of this spice.
Saffron has many versatile uses aside from flavoring foods. It is used as an aromatic in baths, utilized in perfumes, and can also be used as a dye. Also because its flavor and aromas are powerfully intense, it can be used very sparingly. Saffron is often added to many food products simply as a coloring, such as cheese, soups, rice, and even various alcohols.
Saffron threads can be soaked in water or in hot milk before being infused for the flavor and orange-yellow color to get to the dish.
TIP 2 USE SAFFRON ..
Just few threads can flavor and color an entire dish. Experts often recommend soaking the strands in very hot milk or water before using them to help release the bright, rich yellow tones and distinctive flavor.

A pie is a ...

A pie is a baked dish which is usually made of a pastry dough casing that covers or completely contains a filling of various sweet or savory ingredients.
Pies are defined by their crusts. A filled pie (also single-crust or bottom-crust), has pastry lining the baking dish, and the filling is placed on top of the pastry, but left open. A top-crust pie, which may also be called a cobbler, has the filling in the bottom of the dish and the filling covered with a pastry or other covering before baking. A two-crust pie has the filling completely enclosed in the pastry shell. Flaky pastry is a typical kind of pastry used for pie crusts, but many things can be used, including baking powder biscuits, mashed potatoes, and crumbs.
Pies can be a variety of sizes, ranging from bite size to ones designed for multiple servings.
Meat pies with fillings such as steak, cheese, steak and kidney, minced beef, or chicken and mushroom are popular in the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand as take-away snacks. They are also served with chips as an alternative to fish and chips at British chip shops.
A butter pie is a traditional savory pie consisting mainly of onions and potatoes. A Scotch pie is a small, double-crust meat pie filled with minced mutton or other meat. It may also be known as a shell pie or a mince pie. Cottage pie or shepherd's pie is a meat pie with a crust of mashed potato.
Pot pies with a flaky crust and bottom are also a popular American dish, typically with a filling of meat (particularly beef, chicken, or turkey), gravy, and mixed vegetables (potatoes, carrots, and peas). Frozen pot pies are often sold in individual serving size.
Fruit pies may be served with a scoop of ice cream, a style known in North America as pie à la mode. Many sweet pies are served this way. Apple pie is a traditional choice, though any pie with sweet fillings may be served à la mode. This combination, and possibly the name as well, is thought to have been popularized in the mid-1890s in the United States.

Egg bhurji ..

Egg bhurji or egg khagina (as it is known in Pakistan) or Anda Bhurji, is a dish popular in north and western India and Pakistan. 
It is often confused with scrambled eggs and the Parsi dish akuri but Egg Bhurji is a different dish in totality. The difference lies in its preparation and addition of sauteed chopped onions, chilies, and optional spices. It is usually served with rotis or bread. AlsoPaneer may be substituted for the eggs. Tomatoes can be added to the beaten eggs before adding them into the pan giving the dish a tangy flavor. Even boiled potatoes cut into small cubes are added to make the dish more filling. Peas, carrots, capsicum and other similar vegetables can be added to the dish, improving the dish's taste and its nutritional value.
Egg bhurji is a relatively simple type of scrambled egg dish that is served in India and Pakistan. It can be made with a variety of ingredients that can cause the taste to range from very aromatic and spicy to mild and neutral. The eggs in the dish are usually fried in a pan and broken into small pieces, although some preparations use hard-boiled eggs that have been shredded or mashed. The types of spices in egg bhurji can include turmeric, cumin and cilantro, or they can be more robust, such as garam masala, chili pepper flakes or coriander seeds. Variations on the dish include a version that uses fresh cheese instead of eggs, and some that include fried potatoes to create a heavier meal. Most traditional recipes for egg bhurji start by frying a finely diced onion in oil or ghee until transparent or browned. A common ingredient is a paste made by chopping garlic and ginger together with a little water and salt before frying. Once the onions are done, tomatoes are often added to the pan and allowed to cook until most of the liquid has been cooked out.
CATCH THIS RECIPE IF U WISH..
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/8575/
&
http://www.icookipost.com/2010/08/10/paneer-bhurji

Gulkand, or Gulqand, is a sweet preserve

CATCH THE RECIPE IF INTERESTED...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5BnUP4bJL4
Gulkand, or Gulqand, is a sweet preserve of rose petals from Pakistan and North India. Gul means flower in both Persian and Urdu whereas qand means sweet in Arabic.
How to make it....
Rose petals being prepared for gulkand
Place the rose petals and sugar,honey in layers in a wide-mouthed airtight glass jar. Place this jar in sunlight for 6 hours per day for around 3 to 4 weeks. On alternate days, the contents of the jar should be stirred with a wooden stick. The jar should be kept indoors once done.
Gulqand is an Ayurvedic tonic. Gulqand is commonly used as an ingredient of Paan, a popular dessert and digestive of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Gulkand has been traditionally used as a cooling tonic.
Gulkand is a kind of jam which is prepared from the petals of roses. It is also chewed with betel leaves. Gulkand is very rich in calcium and has antioxidants.
Benefits of eating Gulkand
1. It reduces hyper-acidity.
2. It strengthen the digestive system.
3. It also helps strengthen teeth and gums.
4. It helps to reduce stress, it has a calming effect on the nervous system.
5. It also controls blood pressure.

TIPS FOR THE DAY.. STORE FRESH BROKEN COCONUT. . .

TIPS FOR THE DAY.. STORE FRESH BROKEN COCONUT. . .
1 Store broken , fresh coconut in water or rub salt on the inside and keep in fridge for as many days..
2 Have u tried to grate it and store it in freezer zip lock bag in the freezer and also put a couple of green 
chillies inside.
This tip with green chillies will keep the coconut fresh. It is true, the coconut remains fresh for long.
3 Why not freeze it in cubes for easy use later on. Then
grate the coconut, make a paste by grinding in mixer grinder, fill in ice cubes tray the paste and freeze it. 
Once the paste is frozen then take it out and store in a zip lock bag in the freezer.

did u know.. Coconuts' versatility is ...

did u know..
Coconuts' versatility is sometimes noted in its naming. In Sanskrit, it is kalpa vriksha ("the tree which provides all the necessities of 
life"). In the Malay language, it is pokok seribu guna ("the tree of a thousand uses"). In the Philippines, the coconut is commonly called the "tree of life.
A typical size coconut is about three to four cups of grated or shredded coconut. The freshly prepared shredded or grated coconut should be refrigerated. 
Some people freeze fresh shredded forms also.
Now What is Toasted coconut?
Toasted coconut is coconut which has been briefly toasted at high heat to brown it and bring out a nutty flavor. It is used as a garnish on a variety of foods, and it can also be utilized in various desserts. Some stores sell prepared toasted coconut, and it can also be very easily made at home. One advantage
to making toasted coconut at home is that it can be made fresh for each use, retaining its crispy flavor rather than softening in storage.
Shredded coconut, coconut flakes, and desiccated coconut can all be toasted.
To toast coconut, the coconut meat is spread out on a large pan and either heated in a toaster oven or heated in the regular oven. It can also be heated on a stove top at high heat, as long as the pan is periodically tossed or the contents are stirred to reduce the risk of burning the coconut. Some people prefer to use cast iron for toasting coconut, because it heats more slowly and evenly, eliminating hot spots which can cause burning. To refresh toasted coconut which has been sitting too long, the coconut can be quickly tossed in a heated pan on the stove to reheat it and cause it to crisp up again. Allowing toasted coconut to cool completely before storage is also a good idea,.
One common use for toasted coconut is as a garnish on soups and curries. 
The garnish adds a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor which some people enjoy.
It can also be scattered on cakes and cupcakes for a twist.
The coconut products can also be baked into cookies, blended into icings and frostings.

What is fondant’s best recipe? Here it is ...

What is fondant’s best recipe? Here it is ...
http://thecookduke.com/fondant-recipe/
Fondant is one of several kinds of icing-like substances used to decorate or sculpt pastries.
Poured fondant is a creamy confection used as a filling or coating for cakes, pastries, and candies or sweets. In its simplest form, it 
is sugar and water cooked to the soft-ball stage, cooled slightly, and stirred or beaten until it is an opaque mass of creamy consistency. Sometimes lemon or vanilla is added to the mixture, mainly for taste. Even Cream of tartar is generally added just for stability.
Sugar, water and corn syrup are the three ingredients you will use to make poured fondant.
Now what is actually ..? ? Cream of tartar, more technically known as potassium hydrogen tartrate, is a fine white powder with many culinary applications..
Rolled fondant, fondant icing, or pettinice, which is not the same material as poured fondant, is commonly used to decorate wedding cakes. Although wedding cakes are traditionally made with marzipan and royal icing, fondant is increasingly common due to nut allergies as it does not require almond meal. It includes gelatin (or agar in vegetarian recipes) and food-grade glycerine, which keeps the sugar pliable and creates a dough-like consistency.
It can also be made using powdered sugar and melted marshmallows. Rolled fondant is rolled out like a pie crust and used to cover the cake.
In recent years, rolled fondant has become a more popular way to decorate cakes. It is seen as much easier to use, as well as to be creative with, than the butter cream icing traditionally used to decorate cakes.
DID U KNOW ...
In many British cookbooks, for instance, a soft-centered chocolate cake is called “chocolate fondant.”
For cakes fondant is most often colored with some type of dye and rolled out into a sheet that can then be draped over a cake.

Barista Fried Onion

Barista Fried Onion
Fried onions or French fried onions are a popular snack food, garnish, or vegetable accompaniment to various recipes. 
Common fried onions are cooked by basic pan frying or sautéing of sliced onions. This produces a fairly soft cooked onion, which may brown some from a Maillard reaction, depending on the length of cooking and the temperature.
TIP .. TIP ..
Onions sliced sauted in oil n add a pinch of sugar to quickly brown
the onions..
Remember to keep stirring the onions for an even browning..
The fried onions can be topped on Biryani.. 
In Indian cuisine, fried onions are one of the key ingredients for the rice dish called biryani.
Barista Fried Onion is fried onion that is prepared and stored to help quicken any recipe.
EASY TO MAKE RECIPE..
http://theyumkitchen.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/barista-fried-onion/

Bento is a single-portion ..

[ PICTURE FOR REFERENCE TAKEN FROM INTERNET ..]
Bento is a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal common in Japanese cuisine. A traditional bento holds rice, fish or meat, with pickled or cooked vegetables, usually in a box-shaped container.
A bento lunch is a compact, balanced, visually appealing meal packed in a box. Historically, it’s a Japanese box lunch, similar in concept to the Indian tiffin, the Korean dosirak, or the Filipino baon lunch. In Japanese, “bento” or “obento” refers to the packed meal, and “bento-bako” refers to the bento box itself.
Bento boxes are readily available in many places throughout Japan, including railway stations, and department stores. 
The general rule of thumb for bento make-up is 3 parts carbohydrates such as rice or pasta, 1 part protein, and 2 parts fruits and vegetables, but without candy, junk food or oily foods. Packed this way without gaps, a 600ml box holds a 600 calorie meal, although it’s simple to cut back on carbs for a lighter lunch if you like. It is to ' Think balance ', not only nutritional but also visual. Use a variety of colors and textures in the lunch.
Japanese homemakers often spend time and energy on a carefully prepared lunch box for their spouse, child, or themselves .
Bento can be elaborately arranged in a style called "kyaraben" ("character bento"). Kyaraben are typically decorated to look like popular characters from Japanese cartoons.
In the Taishō period (1912 to 1926), the aluminum bento box became a luxury item because of its ease of cleaning and its silver-like appearance.
A MUST READ STORY ...
By Paul Eide, Sun, May 19, 2013
A 32-year-old man in Kobe, Japan, turned himself in last week for stealing a wallet because he wanted to eat the prison’s food.
When asked why he turned himself in, his response was, “to eat the tasty food Nagata Precinct serves prisoners in its holding cells.”
The boxed meals are called “kamben,” and instead of being prepared in-house are ordered from local bento shops. 
The ingredients are the same as in any other bento in Japan, with meals including grilled salmon, dumplings, eggs, stir-fried veggies, and rice.
What is a Bento Box? Simple "How To" Bento Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lovw5uohkCA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md-MsFwTNU0

Make it quickly at home

The most favorite of all North Indians is Paneer (cottage cheese)
and if wish to make it quickly at home then...
Put to boil 1 litre Milk to which have to add 11/2tsp vinegar or citric acid diluted in water. Add to the milk.
When the milk curdles take it off the heat.
Pour into a cotton/muslin cloth and tie it with a tight knot.
When all the water is drained then put heavy weight on the tied paneer for 1 to 2 hours, paneer is ready..
From one liter milk you can get 150 grams paneer[ approximately ]

Baked Bread Pizza

Baked Bread Pizza
INGREDIENTS
4 Bread slices cut into round shape,
[ With butter applied on bottom side],
4 Tbsp Ready made Pizza sauce,
4 Tsp Cheese spread,
4 Tsp Butter,
4 Tbsp Cheese grated.[Processed Cheese].
Saute the pizza topping in ..
1 Tsp Butter,
1 Onion sliced,
2 Tbsp Capsicum cut,
2 Tbsp Sweet corn kernels,
1 Tsp Tomato sauce,
1 - 2 Drops of Mustard sauce opt,
1\8 Tsp Chilly flakes,
1\8 Tsp Oregano,
Salt n Pepper powder to taste..
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees for 10 - 15 minutes..
Cut round slices of the bread n apply butter on only one
[ bottom ] side.
Saute the vegetables for few minutes.
Now on the bread round upper side apply the pizza sauce,
also spread the pizza toppings and the grated cheese.
Keep in hot oven and keep a watch until the bottom side
appears golden brown..

A Garnish is an item

A Garnish is an item or substance used as a decoration or embellishment on a prepared food dish or drink.
A garnish makes food or drink items more visually
appealing. Sometimes a garnish and a condiment will be used together to finish the presentation of a dish, for example an entrée.
Garnish should be edible not just throw it somewhere after serving it's purpose. The most important thing that you need to remember is that when choosing garnish, the garnishee's color.
What’s a “cheese condiment?” A condiment is an auxiliary food product that is used to give special flavor to another food. The word is first found in print in French around 1420, and derives from the Latin condimentum, spice. Chutney, ketchup, mustard and pickle relish are prominent examples of condiments that enhance meats.
Is Cheese a ' condiment '...
CHEESE IS DELICIOUS BUT IS NOT A CONDIMENT.
Condiments are the seasonings such as salt, pepper, paprika, including spices and herbs; also used to refer to sauces such as Tabasco , Worcestershire and similar bottled seasonings.

What is a 'Shortening'? How 2 replace it ?

What is a 'Shortening'? How 2 replace it ?
It is any fat that is solid at room temperature and used to make crumbly pastry. In pastries such as cake, which should not be elastic, shortening is used. Although butter is solid at room temperature and is frequently used in making pastry, the term "shortening" seldom refers to butter but is more closely related to margarine. Shortening is made by a process called hydrogenation, which involves add extra hydrogen atoms to the vegetable fats and turns them into solids, rather than liquids. Also Shortening is a solid fat that is derived either from plant or animal sources. Shortening derived from animals comes from lard, while those derived from plants undergo a process known as hydrogenation.
Originally, shortening was synonymous with lard, and with the invention of margarine by French chemist Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès in 1869, margarine also came to be included in the term. Since the invention of hydrogenated vegetable oil in the early 20th century, "shortening" has come almost exclusively to mean hydrogenated vegetable oil. Shortening can be melted or softened and creamed into a mixture. In baking, shortening is used with pastries, pie crusts and biscuits to make them flaky. It is also used in frying or deep-frying as a liquid.
A short dough is one that is crumbly or mealy. The opposite of a short dough is a "long" dough, especially a flaky pie crust. Vegetable shortening (or butter, or other solid fats) can produce both types of dough; the difference is in technique. 
Vegetable shortening is virtually flavorless, and is used to make baked goods light and flaky. 
Shortening is used in a number of different jobs, and the substitutes depend on the job. The primary use of shortening is to "shorten" pie dough, biscuits, and other pastries, which makes them flaky. For that you can substitute butter or lard, or even vegetable oil. 
http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Common-Ingredient-Substitutions/Detail.aspx
You can substitute . . . . .
A 1 cup of butter or 1 cup of margarine minus 1/2 teaspoon of salt for 1 cup of shortening. When using butter remember that it browns easier than shortening. 
B Margarine 1 cup : 1 cup shortening plus 1/2 teaspoon salt
OR
1 cup butter OR 7/8 cup vegetable oil plus 1/2 teaspoon salt 
OR
7/8 cup lard plus 1/2 teaspoon salt.
C Butter (salted)
1 cup : 1 cup margarine 
OR
1 cup shortening plus 1/2 teaspoon salt
OR
7/8 cup vegetable oil plus 1/2 teaspoon salt 
OR
7/8 cup lard plus 1/2 teaspoon salt.
D Butter (unsalted)
1 cup : 1 cup shortening
OR 
7/8 cup vegetable oil OR 7/8 cup lard.
E When substituting shortening with cooking oil, you should use
1 cup of oil for every 1 cup of shortening needed.
F When using butter or margarine as a substitute, you should use
1 â cups of butter or margarine or 2 tbsp more than a cup for every 1 cup of shortening needed for the recipe. When using butter or margarine as a substitute for shortening, use less salt in your recipe.
G Shortening just used to grease your pan during frying, you can substitute it with cooking spray.
H You can substitute 1 cup of shortening with ½ cup of applesauce or prune puree. 
I Have u ever tried to replace one third of the shortening with a mashed up avacado. just mash it up and measure till you have a third of the amount of shortening called for. 
J Useful tip.. You can substitute mayonnaise for part of the shortening in your baking recipes. It adds moistness and makes for a tender texture. Be careful though. Try using half mayo and half shortening at first.

Common Ingredient Substitutions Article from Allrecipes.com

allrecipes.com

Use this chart to find substitutions for cooking and baking.

How 2 get ' Zebra Print Cupcakes' ?

How 2 get ' Zebra Print Cupcakes' ?
Most basic rule Preheat Oven.
Step one Mix cake mix as per packet instructions..
Then separate the cake mix into two equal parts in two different bowls. 
Mix a few drops of food coloring in one half and the cocoa powder in the other.
Put cupcake liners into the muffin tin.
Take the light colored batter piping bag and make a thin layer of batter on the bottom of one cupcake liner.
Take your cocoa batter and pipe a circle and a small dot inside the circle 
Repeat it until 3\4 done ..
Put in the oven ..

Avocados are a fruit ..

Avocados are a fruit that grows on a tree and can be technically classified as a berry. This staple fruit is also called Alligator pear, Aguacate, or Butter pear. The Avocado (Persea americana) is a tree native to Central Mexico.
The oldest evidence of avocado use was found in a cave located in Coxcatlán, Puebla, Mexico, that dates to around 10,000 BC.
Avocado or alligator pear also refers to the fruit (botanically a large berry that contains a single seed of the tree. They have a green-skinned, fleshy body that may be pear-shaped, egg-shaped, or spherical.
The avocado is a climacteric fruit (the banana is another), which means it matures on the tree, but ripens off the tree.
Avocados must be mature to ripen properly. Avocados that fall off the tree ripen on the ground. Once picked, avocados ripen in a few days at room temperature n faster if stored with other fruits such as apples or bananas.
It is used in both savory and sweet dishes, n is very popular in vegetarian cuisine, as substitute for meats in sandwiches and salads because of its high fat content.
It is used as the base for the Mexican dip known as guacamole, as well as a spread on corn tortillas or toast, served with spices.
In Ethiopia, avocados are made into juice by mixing them with sugar and milk or water, usually served with Vimto and a slice of lemon.
In Indonesia, a dessert drink is made with sugar, milk or water, and pureed avocado.
In Australia and New Zealand, it is commonly served in sandwiches, sushi, on toast, or with chicken.
Avocados are also excellent sources of minerals like iron, copper, magnesium, and manganese. Fresh avocado pear is a very rich source of potassium.
Also good in many health-benefiting vitamins like Vitamin A, E, and K. Ripe avocado have a delicate nutty flavor and butter like taste.
Cut the fruit lengthwise at its center all the way around the seed. Then rotate or twist the two halves in opposite directions.
Remove the seed using a spoon. Scoop the pulp.
Use it to butter your toasts and sandwiches.
Avocado butter spreads evenly, which is tasty, and nutritious too!
You can spice it up with herbs and toppings of your choice.
Avocado tastes good in smoothies, salads, ice creams, and as dips also. When the fruit is ripe, the outer covering feels soft. Even if the fruit has a hard outer covering, it will ripen if wrapped in a newspaper sheet.

Shikanji is a very refreshing drink,

Shikanji is a very refreshing drink, immensely popular and very easy to prepare.
Shikanji is a lemon drink, also called Shikanjvi is a type of traditional limeade or lemonade from North India and Pakistan, especially prevalent in (both Indian and Pakistani) Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Sindh.
Other names include shikanji, shikanjbi and shikanjbeen. While the base ingredients include lemon or lime juice, ginger juice, ice and water, shikanjvi often contains other ingredients such as salt, saffron and cumin. It is also known by limbu paani or nimbu pani.
Recipe for making a glass of Shikanjvi.
Ingredients:
2 lemons (squeezed to make lemon juice),
one little chunk of ginger, 
one or two teaspoons of sugar (raw if possible),
half a teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of sugar.
Process:
Pour cold drinking water in a glass. Add the lemon juice, ginger, sugar, salt and pepper.
Shake it vigorously. Your refreshing glass of Shikanjvi is ready to drink. This is a traditional recipe, however people can experiment using mint leaves, rose syrup.

Killu Pakoda also called “Pinched Onion Fritters”..

Killu Pakoda also called “Pinched Onion Fritters”..
Take in a bowl n mix well .. pakora batter ..
More of Bengal gram flour| Besan, also add 1 - 2 spoons Rice flour.
Even go ahead to add cut onion, green chilly, coriander leaves,
curry leaves, coarsely ground roasted peanuts..
Also add salt, haldi and red chilly powder.. Use water to make a
thick batter..
Put oil to heat.. add 1- 2 spoons of oil to the batter..
Pinch out small pakora type and drop into the oil.
Fry until golden brown ...
Serve with a sprinkle of chaat masala..

Cassata or Cassata siciliana is a

Cassata or Cassata siciliana is a traditional sweet from the area of Palermo, Sicily, Italy. Cassata may also refer to a Neapolitan ice cream containing candied or dried fruit and nuts. Cassata consists of round sponge cake moistened with fruit juices or liqueur and layered with ricotta cheese, candied peel, and a chocolate or vanilla filling similar to cannoli cream. Cannoli are Sicilian pastry desserts. The singular is cannolo meaning "little tube". Cannoli consist of tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough, filled with a sweet, creamy filling usually containing ricotta.
It is covered with a shell of marzipan, pink and green pastel colored icing, and decorative designs. The cassata is topped with candied fruit depicting cherries and slices of citrus fruit characteristic of Sicily. "Cassata" can also refer to a flavor of ice-cream inspired by the sweet.

Cheese on Pizza .. Tips When Using Cheese on Pizza ...

Cheese on Pizza ..
Tips When Using Cheese on Pizza ... Use cold cheese to prevent cheese from over cooking and possibly burning.
Even Cream style cheeses can be a great alternative cheese, so try using these as a spread on crust of a flat bread pizza.
Mozzarella is not the only option when it comes to cheese.
Amul, which is the largest selling brand of Cheese in India, has introduced genuine Mozzarella Cheese. When baked along with pizzas, it melts uniformly, beautifully engulfing all other ingredients of the pizza surface. Mozzarella is an excellent source of milk proteins, which are palatable.
Pizza cheese frequently consists of a blend of two or more cheeses. Low-moisture Mozzarella and Provolone is the most common blend. Pasteurized and processed pizza cheese dairy products are designed to melt well and remain chewy when used.
Kids will love the easy cheesey pizza that uses bottled pizza sauce and two kinds of cheese. One regular| Mozzarella Cheese with a
cheese spread cream style..
Pizza cheese encompasses several varieties and types of cheeses and dairy products that are designed and manufactured for use specifically on pizza, including processed and modified cheese such as Mozzarella-like processed cheeses and Mozzarella variants. Pizza cheese can also refer to any type of cheese suitable for use on pizza. Processed pizza cheese is manufactured to produce preferable qualities in browning, melting, stretch ability and fat and moisture content.
The most popular cheeses used in the preparation of pizza are Mozzarella, Provolone, Cheddar and Parmesan. Emmental, Romano and Ricotta are often used as toppings, and processed pizza cheeses manufactured specifically for pizza are used often in mass production.
What does mass production mean?
The concepts of mass production are applied to various kinds of products, from fluids and particulates handled in bulk (such as food, fuel, chemicals, and mined minerals) to discrete solid parts (such as fasteners) to assemblies of such parts (such as household appliances and automobiles).

The jalapeño is a medium-sized chili pepper.

The jalapeño is a medium-sized chili pepper.
A mature jalapeño fruit is 2–3½ inches (5–9 cm) long and is commonly picked and consumed while
still green, but occasionally it is allowed to fully ripen and turn crimson red.
Jalapeños are a pod type of Capsicum.
Stuffed jalapeños are hollowed out or scooped either served cooked or raw which are stuffed, often 
with a mix containing seafood, meat, poultry, and/or cheese.
The Pickled jalapeños are sliced or whole, are often served hot or cold on top
of nachos.
Jalapeño peppers are often muddled and served in mixed drinks.
If chopped jalapeños are a common ingredient in many salsas.

The Tinda, also called Indian round gourd or apple gourd or Indian Baby Pumpkin,

The Tinda, also called Indian round gourd or apple gourd or Indian Baby Pumpkin, is a squash like cucurbit grown for its immature fruit, a vegetable especially popular in South Asia. Green colored, apple sized fruit is flattish round in shape.
It is native to India and very popular in Indian and Pakistani cooking with curry and many gourmet dishes.
It is a good source of Vitamin A. It is considered high in fiber content.

DAILY WALI DAL

DAILY WALI DAL 
INGREDIENTS:
Pressure cook the dal 
1\2 Cup Tur Dal.
Boil the dal with ..
1\4 Tsp Garam masala,
1\4 Tsp Amchur| Dry Mango powder,
1\4 Tsp Turmeric powder,
1 Tsp Coriander powder,
Salt to taste.
Tempering...
1\8 Tsp Cumin seeds,
A Pinch Asafoetida,
1 Tbsp Ghee,
1\2 Tsp Red Chilly powder.
1 Green Chilly chopped, Opt
Few small cut pieces of Ginger, opt.
Method
Soak the dal for at least for an hour.
Then pressure cook.
Boil the dal with all the masalas mentioned..
Make a tempering and add to the dal, cover with a lid
to retain the smell.
Swith off the heat and garnish with cut coriander leaves.