Kamis, 31 Juli 2008

Meeta's Ginger Mango Bread



I was look for something sweet to try from Meeta's blog before the T&T "What for lunch honey"? event ends tonight.With mangoes fresh in season at this time of the year , i found the Mango Ginger Bread very tempting to try and taste.I never used ginger before in my breads ,it was exciting to try this healthy ingredients in a bread recipe. I added few of my other favorites like Almonds,Olive oil and plump dried cherries.
Dry Ingredients needed
11/4 all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients
1 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup firm packed brown sugar
2 Organic eggs
1/2 cup Olive Oil
1 large ripe mango, cubed

1/2 cup Plump dried cherries
1/4 cup chopped roasted almonds



To make the bread
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and place rack in center of oven. Grease with cooking spray a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan. Set aside.
In a large bowl sift the dry ingredients and mix well.set aside.In another bowl ,beat eggs ,oil and Sugar. Stir in the cubed Mangoes grated ginger ,nuts ,cherries and transfer mixture into the greased loaf pan.Bake in the middle rack until the crush is lightly brown about 70-75 minutes.Cool and before flipping the pan to get the bread out ,loosen the sides using a table knife. Slice and serve.

The cake tasted just delicious with chunks of mango and hint of ginger in every bite.

Rabu, 30 Juli 2008

Spicy Veggie Buns

These Veggie buns are spicy much tastier than plain dinner rolls. Make them for dinner or lunch you'll family will love it.

Ingredients for dough
1 cups All purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 tablespoon Olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 green chillies
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 pack active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
pinch of sugar

For Stuffing

2 cups Chopped Any fresh vegetables like carrots, french beans,broccoli ,cauliflower or peas
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon chilly powder
1 garlic clove finely chopped
1 tablespoon Olive oil
1/2 teaspoon Salt

To make the Bread
Make the Dough
In warm water mix in the dry yeast and pinch of sugar. Let sit for 15-20 minutes.
In a bowl start mixing the flour ingredients along with the yeast. Make a smooth dough and place in a greased bowl and cover. Allow to rise for an hour until double its size.

Make the filling
Heat oil in a pan and saute vegetables with garlic and spices for few minutes. Don't cook for more than 5 minutes to retain the crunch of vegetables. set the stuffing aside to cool.
Shape the buns
Knead the dough for few seconds and divide in to about 6 portions. Take one portion of the dough and roll in to ball and roll it using a rolling pin. Place some stuffing in the middle and close to make the shape of bun. Lay on greased cookie sheet and finish make the remaining buns,place them about 1/2 inch apart from each other. Cover with wrap and allow to rise for another hour.
Bake the Buns
Preheat Oven to 450F. Bake for about 18-20 minutes until crush turns lightly brown.
Serve warm .

Zucchini Banana Bread




Light flavor of zucchini along with sweet grated apple and ripe banana give a lovely moist texture to this lightly sweet bread.



Dry Ingredients needed are
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup Whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup dried cranberries or cherries,chopped
1/4 cup toasted chopped almonds or cashews or walnuts or pecans
Wet Ingredients list
3 large Organic eggs
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive oil or vegetable oil
1/2 cup firm packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cup grated zucchini
1 medium Apple Grated with peel on.
2 medium very ripe banana, mashed

To make the bread
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and place rack in center of oven. Grease a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan. Set aside.

In a large bowl whisk together the dry ingredients and set aside.

In another bowl ,beat eggs ,oil and Sugar. Fold in the grated zucchini ,apple and mashed banana.
Mix the wet mixture in to the dry mixture and transfer in the greased loaf pan.

Bake in the middle rack until the crush is lightly brown about 45-55 minutes.

Cool for atleast 30 minutes and to get the bread out,loosen the sides using a table knife and flip the pan in to the serving plate or cutting board. Slice and serve with drizzle of pure honey. Stays good in fridge for a week.I enjoy this bread in my breakfast with a glass of milk.



I love to spread some home made blueberry preserves



This bread recipe has been sent for the WBB Summer feast Event

Selasa, 29 Juli 2008

Marvelous Meeta's Murgh Makhani (Creamy Buttery Chicken)

I couldn't wait to try Meeta's "MurghMakhani" for Dinner. This Spicy chicken has mark of authentic Indian flavors and spices. Considering how nuts I'm about nature's best food, this one particular recipe caught my eye because of the Nature's Best nut "Almonds" in it. I'm thankful to the Talented lady Zlamushka,who has given us this opportunity to try and taste some of the best recipes on web.

Ingredients you'll need are
2 lbs Free range Skinless chicken cut in small pieces
1 medium Onion Finely chopped
20-25 almonds blanced ,skinned and pureed
2 table spoon butter
2 tablespoon cream
2 table spoon Olive Oil
1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste
1 cup yogurt
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 tablespoon garam masala(Powdered Spices like Cloves,Cinnamon
and Cardamom)
1 teaspoons red chili powder
1 tablespoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves(Kasturi methi)
3-4 each of Whole cloves,Cinammon sticks and cardamom
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon Salt
1/4 chopped coriander\cilantro

To make this Spicy Murgi
Marinate Chicken
Trim any excess white fat from the chicken and Clean meat by running it through cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.Mix chicken with the spices chilly powder,turmeric and let marinate for about an hour.
Bake The Chicken
Pre-heat oven to 400 F.

Heat the Oil in a pan and add the finely chopped onions. Saute for 2 minutes and then add the ginger garlic paste. Add the whole spices ,garam masala,coriander powder,dry fenugreek leaves and cumin powder. Roast for a minute then add the chicken pieces. Reserve the marinade. Let the chicken cook for about 10 minutes. Now transfer the chicken in to an oven proof dish. Stir in the reserved marinade ,1/2 cup of water and bake for about 30 minutes until chicken is tender.
Reduce the temperature of oven to 300F. Mix in Almond paste,Butter and cream. Allow to bake for another 15 minutes.Before serving garnish with chopped cilantro. Tastes best with Flat breads,Pita,naan or Rice

Senin, 28 Juli 2008

Avocado Mango Cream(Creme De Abacate)

Avocado Creme De Abacate is originally a Brazilian dessert . I made my Avocado Creme De Abacate with a little tropical twist by blending in sweet ripe mango.

Ingredients you'll need are
1 Ripe firm Avocado
1 ripe mango(2-3 canned apricots or peaches)
1 tablespoon honey(optional)
1 cup cold milk(2% or whole milk)


To make this creamy delight
Slice the Avocado. Get the seed out by hitting it couple of times until you can grip the knife on seed then twist it to remove the seed . Score the halves and scoop out the flesh using a spoon.
Squeeze few drops of lime and start blending along with chopped mango(or other fruit). Pour in the milk ,honey and blend until smooth and creamy. Serve cold with cherry on top.
Enjoy your summer with this cool creamy delight .

Sabtu, 26 Juli 2008

The Evergreen Vegetable Biryani



Are you craving for flavorful rice with Your Favorite Mix of Vegetables? Make this easy biryani from Hyderabadi Cuisine.

Ingredients you'll need are
4cups Basmati rice
1/2 Cup Each of Chopped Cauliflower,Broccoli,French Beans and Carrots
1 teaspoon Ginger garlic paste
1 teaspoon Ground spices cloves, cinnamon ,coriander seeds and cumin seeds(aka Garam Masala)
Few Whole Spices Cloves,Cumin seeds,Cinnamon sticks and cardamom
1 cup Chopped cilantro and mint
1 medium Onion Thinly Sliced
1/2 a lemon\lime, juiced
2 green chillies
1 teaspoon red chilly powder
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoon salt
pinch of saffron dissolved in 2 tablespoon warm milk
3 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil


To make the Vegetable Biryani

Heat EVOO in a Saucepan with lid .Fry the thinly sliced onions until lightly golden brown. Remove the fried onions and set aside.Add the cumin seeds ,whole Spices and saute for a minute .Stir in the chopped Veggies and other spices. Cook Veggies while covered for another 10 minutes.
Cook Rice
Meanwhile wash and soak rice for 15minutes. Boil about 8 cups of water in another large Skillet with lid and add salt and whole cloves. Drain the water from rice and add to the boiling water. Cook until its 70% done.
Make Layers and Cook Some more
Gather all the ingredients(Chopped Mint\Cilantro,Lime Juice ,Cooked Veggie mixture and crispy fried onions) to make the layers promptly.Drain the rice in a strainer. Real quick before the rice cools. Keep the same skillet used to boil rice back on heat. Add a table spoon of EVOO. Spread half the rice in the skillet.
Spread the vegetable mixture,Sprinkle the lime juice,crispy fried onions and chopped greens around the first rice layer.


Lastly layer the rest half of rice .

Sprinkle with onions,saffron mixture on top and cover. Cover tightly and cook for another 10 minutes until you see steam escaping from the lid. Wait another 10 minutes before removing the lid.
Mix Layers
Before serving properly mix all the layers and serve with cooling yogurt chutney or Tomato Chutney.


Health Nut Note
Add a cup of brown rice along with white rice to make this biryani healthier.

Yogurt Chutney
Whip 2 cups of yogurt. Mix in finely 1 small onion, 1 green chilly ,1/4 cup chopped cilantro and season with Salt.

Other Yummy Biryani recipes Posted here
Soy Biryani

Hyderabadi Lamb Biryani

Fish Biryani

Shrimp Biryani(Prawn Biryani)

Rabu, 23 Juli 2008

Lentil Sprouts Cutlets

Do you hate or avoid milk due to Lactose Intolerance ? Then make Urad lentil part of your diet regularly .It has good source of Calcium and protein. Few other Urad lentil recipes in my blog are Tangy Urad Lentil ,Shallow fried Indian Doughnuts and Sweet Lentil balls.
Ingredients you'll need are
3/4 cup White Ural Lentil
1/2 cup Rice flour
1 cup Moong Lentil Sprouts(or any other kind like alfa alfa)
1/2 cup chopped spinach
2 green chillies finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive oil for shallow frying

To Grow your own Sprouts
Wrap soaked Whole green Moong lentil in a wet kitchen towel and place in a warm dark corner. Sprinkle some water on the towel everyday.The lentils sprout beautifully in 3-4 days. Rinse them in cold water and use in salads or noodles or just for munching. sprouts are low in calories and fat and provide substantial amounts of key nutrients, such as vitamin C, folate and fiber

To make the Cutlets
Soak and cook the Lentils

Wash and soak lentil for about 20minutes. Drain all the water and cook with a cup and half of water until tender. It takes about 40 minutes in a partly covered saucepan and 10 minutes in a pressure cooker. cool and mash the lentils.
Mix all the Ingredients
In a bowl combine mashed lentils with other ingredients besides the Oil until dough come together. Do not add any water.
Shallow fry the Cutlets

Heat Olive oil in a small pan. Shape the Cutlets and shallow fry in a the medium hot oil for about 2 minutes on each side. Do not let them turn brown because the sprouts lose there nutrients if overcooked. Serve Warm with hot sauce.


To make Spicier Cutlets
Add 1/2 teaspoon each of Chilly powder ,coriander and cumin powder.

Health Nut Note
If you are suffering from gluten intolerance or celaic disease. Make this recipe using gluten free rice flour. This could be one more tasty addition to the list of gluten free recipes.

This calcium rich recipe is my entry for Sangeeta's Eat Healthy:Calcium rich Contest

Almond Cherry Banana Cookies(Eggless)

The tartness of cherries and nutty flavor of almonds along with sweetness of ripe bananas make these cookies my all time favorite.
Ingredients you'll need are
1 cup Whole Wheat flour
2 table spoon Wheat Germ
1 tablespoon butter
2 table spoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 table spoon Pure Honey
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 Ripe Banana Coarsely mashed
1/2 cup Tart dried Cherries
1/2 Blanched Chopped Almonds


To make the cookies
Into a large bowl,mix flour, melted butter, Olive oil,honey,baking powder, baking soda,cherries and almonds. Stir in mashed Banana and combine until the dough come together.
Make flat rounds of the dough with palm of your hands and lay on greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350° for about 20-25 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove and let cool completely on a rack.


Makes about 8-10 cookies.

These snacks are my entry for Hima's Sunday Snacks Event

Senin, 21 Juli 2008

Nutty Fruity Granola

Nutty Fruity Granola
Do your body good have a healthy start of your day by eating this nutritious mix of whole grains, nuts , dry fruits and above all wheat germ. Wheat germ is the best kind of protein, high in magnesium ,an essential anti-inflammatory food. People suffering with inflammatory conditions like heart disease ,asthma ,allergies and arthritis should include such nature's best food in their diet.

Ingredients you'll need are
2 cups of whole oats(Quaker)
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup rice puffs(optional)
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon Corn or Sunflower oil
1/3 cup pure Honey or Maple Syrup(exclude honey for vegan granola)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup roasted almonds or cashews or Walnuts or any nut you like
1/2 cup dried cherries or raisins or dates

To make Granola
Simple! just mixing and baking at right temperature.
Preheat oven to 275F.
Take a big size bowl . Start mixing all the ingredients besides nuts and fruits. Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper or Al Foil. Grease with any healthy oil, i prefer Extra virgin Olive oil(EVOO). Bake for 20 minutes and remove the tray , use a spoon to stir them around. Bake for another 8-10 minutes.

Let cool then mix in the nuts and dry fruits. Store in air tight container. This crunchy delight is sure to become kids favorite. Top with some fresh blueberries or sliced strawberries ,eat with or without milk.

Granola is delicious with fat free yogurt.Make a yogurt ,granola and blueberry parfait.


Health Nut Twist
To make it more nutritious add 1/4 cup of pomegranate or orange juice concentrate. You can prepare juice concentrate by simmering the a cup of juice until it reduces to just quarter cup. This adds a hint of tartness to the granola and also much needed Vitamin C.

Kamis, 17 Juli 2008

Step to Improve Diet and Health with Nature's Best

Step to Improve Diet and Health with Nature's Best
Step 1 Eat lot of Fresh and Whole Foods

Eat foods that are in or close to their original state. They have not been altered or processed beyond refrigeration,kitchen preparation and cooking. In other words such foods lokk pretty much the way they did in nature(which is not how processed food looks)
Examples to clarify meaning of fresh and whole foods

A freshly broiled piece of fish looks,smells and tastes like a piece of fish. It is very different from breaded and deep fried fish, coated with refined flour and cooked in mix of vegetable and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils

A baked potato looks like a potato, which french fries(boiled in hydrogenated or oxidized oils) do not.

Strictly limit foods canned foods. The reason is canned foods involve some sort of processing or alteration from food's original state,plus addition of unwanted ingredients such as sugars, refined grains, preservatives,flavor enhancers,texturizers and more.


So as you stare in to your cupboard, you must be wondering what you'll eat. It's simple: lots of vegetables,some fruit, fresh(or frozen)fish,lean meats,spices and herbs for seasoning. such foods are straightforward,uncomplicated and to prepare and vary.

Step 2 Eat a lot of Vegetables, the more Colorful the Better.
Vegetables and many fruits are the best dietary source of antioxidants ,which help dampen overactive immune responses.
In addition,vegetables and fruits are also rich sources of carotenoids,another class of powerful antioxidants. These include alpha-carotene,beta-carotene,lutein and lycopene.
The rule to follow is diversity. Eat at least 5 servings of vegetables or fruit daily and make a point of eating different types.

Step 3 Use Spices and Herbs to flavor Foods

Salt and pepper should not be your only flavor enhancers of food.Use of herbs and spices to intensely flavors of your food. The benefits of basil,oregano,garlic,turmeric,ginger,cilantro and other spices go beyond taste. Culinary herbs are rich in antioxidant flavonoids and natural Cox-2 inhibitor(anti-inflammatory).

Step 4 Use Olive oil as your Primary Cooking Oil

Extra virgin olive oil should be your main cooking oil. Its rich in anti-inflammatory Oleic acid(an omega-9 fatty acid),vitamin E and polyphenolic flavanoids.

Step 5 Avoid Coventional Cooking Oils

Conventional cooking oils ,such as corn,peanut,safflower and sunflower,soybean and cottonseed oils, are high inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids(which can cause inflammatory condition such as heart disease, arthritis ,asthma,allergies and many more) and virtually no anti-inflammatory omega-3 or omega-9 fatty acids. These oils are enormously used in processed and packaged foods,including microwave meals,breakfast bars,salad dressings and many restaurants.

The worst are partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.All partially hydrogenated oils have trans fatty acids,which are considered more dangerous than saturated fats. Vegetable shortenings and hard margarine are among the worst of such products,but you will find partially hydrogenated vegetable oils in most salad dressings,non diary creamers,bakery products and many processed foods.
Its always safe to carefully read the label of a food package.

Step 6 Identify and Avoid Food Allergens

Food Allergies or allergy like food sensitivities can rev up the immune system and contribute to chronic inflammation. It is relatively easy and inexpensive to obtain a "food allergy panel" using a simple blood test.

It may be easier to assess your likelihood of being allergic to certain foods when you don't already have an obvious reaction after eating a particular food. In addition,food allergies often take the form of a food addiction- such as a food you crave or cannot imagine living without. If you avoid a suspect food and all related foods(such as all foods with dairy) for a week and if you are in fact allergic to it,you will feel better. However, you also might notice any difference in how you feel until you add that food back to your diet,when you suddenly feel worse.
In Going Against the Grains Melissa Diane Smith writes that as many as half of Americans have some degree of gluten intolerance. The gut damage from gluten can predispose people to numerous other food allergies. A damaged ,or leaky gut,gut can allow undigested food proteins to enter the bloodstream,where they trigger an immune response . The most common sources of gluten are Wheat,rye,barley and Oats.


Night shades are another problematic group of foods for many people with rheumatoid arthritis. These foods include tomatoes,potatoes,egg plants and peppers. Nightshades contain a variety of mildly toxic compounds and by some estimates,one of every arthritics has allergic sensitivities to nightshade foods.

Step 7 Avoid or Strictly limit Sugars

Refined sugars are the ultimate in empty calories. They provide Carbohydrates and calories but no vitamins,minerals or protein. And sugars appear on labels by different names:sucrose,high-fructose corn syrup,dextrose and glucose .Even boxes of salt contain little sugar,many popular sugar substituites contain some sugar in the form of maltodextrose.
Consuming empty calories can lead to obesity. High sugar and highly refined carb diets in general elevate levels of inflammation in body,even in thin people.

Soft drinks may be the worst single source of sugar and high-fructose corn syrup.The Center for science in the Public Interest,a consumer organization ,has accurately described soft drinks as "Liquid candy".
Some morning cereals have loads of sugar in them. May not be a healthy start of the day eating such sugary cereals. Buy cereals with less than 4g of sugar.

Step 8 Avoid and Limit Refined Grains

Like sugars,refined grains provide mostly empty calories,even though many grain products have been "enriched" with a few vitamins. The most common grain in Western diet is wheat, used to make bread,pasta,muffins ,bagels,cookies and a near-infinite variety of pastries.Many processes foods contain a combination of refined grains,sugars and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

White rice is similar to refined white bread in that most of its important nutrients have been refined out and mostly carbohydrate is left.Brown rice is far superior ,its high in carbs,also contains vitamins,minerals,protein ,fiber and no gluten.

Step 9 Limit your intake of Dairy products

Cow's milk is also a common allergen. It provides considerable saturated fat and homogenization alters the size and metabolism of milk fat,making it more likely to promote heart disease.
Small amounts of cheeses may be alright for many people,unless they are allergic to dairy. Cheese do provide concentrated protein, but most of their fat is saturated because cow are fed grains rather than simply allowed to feed on grass.

Step 10 Snack on Nuts and seeds

So what do you do with your sweet tooth? Try eating more nuts, such as almonds,cashews,filberts,macadamias and pistachios,as well as seeds such as pumpkin seeds. Nuts are high in good fat. Studies have shown that regularly eating nuts reduces risk of heart disease. Also ,nuts and seeds are rich in many minerals such as magnesium that are necessary for heart health.
Step 11 Buy and eat Organically raised foods

Oranic foods are produced without any synthetic pesticides in an environmentally sustainable fashion. That means,essentially, that the soil quality is preserved and enhanced, which is in sharp contrast to conventional farming practices.Organic foods are generally a little more expensive than conventional foods.Consider organics as a desirable option when you can afford them.
Several small research studies have found that organic vegetable and fruits tend to have higher vitamin and mineral levels, compared with conventional produce. Many people feel that organic taste better than conventional fruits and vegetables.

Step 12 To lose weight ,Reduce both carbohydrates and Calories



Step 13 Eat more Fish ,especially cold-water varieties

An ideal amount of dietary omega-3 fatty acids is about 7 grams a week, which you can obtain in two or three servings of fish.
The fish with the highest concentration of omega-3 fatty acids are mackerel,Pacific herring,anchovy,lake trout,king salmon and Atlantic Salmon.
Although fresh fish is always better than frozen most fish is delivered frozen to supermarkets. You may broil,bake,poach,grill or pan fry the fish in Olive oil.

Step 14 Eat meat from Free range or grass fed animals

When farm animals are fed corn and other grains instead of grass and leaves, their muscles contain no omega-3 fatty acids and substantial amounts of saturated fats

It is important to avoid, or strictly limit your intake of, meat from corn-fed animals. This caution often applies to meat or eggs from "Vegetarian-fed" animals,which may be corn-fed. Similarly ,chicken,turkey and duck should come from animals that were allowed to peck around for their natural diet,not fed corn or other grains.

Step 15 When Thirsty ,Drink water.

Water is a beverage virtually all animals-again,except people consume for life.If you live in an urban area and the quality or taste of tap water leaves a lot to be desired,drink filtered water. Both brita and Pur systems filter out chlorine,heavy metals and unfortunately even some of the dietary minerals(such as calcium and magnesium). Buy a brand of sparkling mineral water with high mineral content. Scientist have found that drinking high-mineral water immediatly triggers a series of bone-building biochemical reactions.
While water should be you main drink,another beverage option is tea.Various teas-black,green and herbal-provide antioxidant polyphenol flavonoids,which have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.
The best guidance is to drink mostly water and a little tea. And avoid all soft drinks and other beverages(including energy drinks and so called quick thirst quenchers) that contain sugar,high fructose corn syrup or other caloric sweeteners.