All About Food - Best Recipes, Restaurants, Sites to order food online, arrange parties in India

Fruits for Good Health

2009-05-08T10:49:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows eating fruits is good for health, but many persons do not know the real benefits of different fruits. There are many benefits of consuming fruits like eating fruits make your skin glow and your hair healthy. Fruits are generally high in fiber, water and Vitamin C. Yellow fruits are rich in Vitamin C.

Let’s see some benefits of different fruits:

APPLE:
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away”

Apples lower the cholesterol level in the body
Helps in digestion, thereby prevents constipation
Strengthens gums & teeth and promotes hair growth
Apple juice destroys viruses in the body
Apples reduce the risk of breast cancer in women

WATERMELON:

Watermelon is a rich source of Vitamin A
It reduces the risk of prostrate & colon cancer, asthma & heart disease
It is rich in sodium, potassium and magnesium which protect our body from many diseases

ORANGE:

Orange is rich in beta-carotene, which makes one energetic and active
It is a rich source of Vitamin C
It is also rich in Calcium and Potassium
It also acts as a Cleanser and makes your skin glow

We will cover benefits of some more fruits in future articles. Till then keep on eating these fruits and stay healthy.

Ordering Food Online

2009-02-06T09:15:00.000-08:00

Has anyone tried ordering food online! I think most of the persons would say ‘No’, even though they must have used Net-Banking, or done other online transactions. But many persons even do not know that such kind of service even exists. Actually they never tried searching it on google or any other search engine.

As this blog is for all about food, it would be good to know whether people in India will use this service when they will come to know about this. Well many restaurateurs in India do not think this way at least in cities like Ghaziabad, even in Noida that has vast number of IT majors and large manufacturing units. As per them, people like to order food on phone rather online.
These were the words that I heard from many restaurant owners/managers when I went to list their menu on our site. Some says still people do not have internet connection in this area or nobody connects to net to order food.

I do not know whether our foodies also think the same way. But if you will ask me, may be on the first go, I may not chose it but after knowing the benefits, I may not turn to my phone till the time I have my net connection on my PC/smart-phone.

Now you may think what is that big deal in ordering food online, well there are many, trust me.

First, you have access to complete menu of the restaurant in front of your eyes with the prices and you do not have to ask on phone the prices for each dish, so if you think any dish is costly you can simply chose another one, but on phone, normally you do not ask which dish is less expensive so that it will be as per your budget. Also you will have your complete bill in front of you as you add the dishes of your choice. So you have total control on the billed amount. You are also saving on your telephone bill as you do not have to call anywhere, and get the updates/status on the site itself.

Another advantage is you have large number of options with you, you will find menu for different restaurants instead of one you called on phone. So you can just look for different options and can read/write the reviews if this facility is available on the site.

And if site offers online payment facility, you can order food for your friends and family and give them a surprise gift. So even you are in US or any other country, and your mother’s birthday falls during your visit, you can always order food and cake for her and let her feel special.

And most sites also offer reward points, so whenever you order food, you also get some reward points, which always you can claim for some exciting gifts or discount coupons.

So let us see when people in India will start using these online services to make their life even much better and hassle-free.

Moong Dal ka Halwa - Recipe

2009-02-05T10:31:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Ms. Shipra for sending this sweet recipe.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup Moong dal (Soaked)
1 cup Sugar
3/4 cup Mawa (Khoya) well crumpled
1/2 tsp Saffron soaked in a little milk
1 litre Milk
4 Cardamoms powdered
7 tbsp Ghee

Preparation:

1. First grind the moong dal coarsely and get the ghee in a thick bottomed kadai (frying pan) and fry the dal till it turns golden brown.

2. Mix the milk and heat till the milk has been absorbed.

3. Add mawa and cook on a low flame, stirring continuously till the dal and the mawa are well blended.

4. Remove it from the flame and keep aside.

5. Now make sugar syrup and add saffron and cardamom powder to it. Now add the dal mixture to the syrup and stir quickly till it mixes completely.

Now your MOONG DAL KA HALWA is ready to serve & enjoy the great taste.
You may also add some dry fruits...

Dhokla - Recipe (Gujarati)

2009-02-03T09:59:00.000-08:00

This time we will have one of the Gujarati’s favourite dish, ‘Dhokla’ or ‘Khaman Dhokla’.

Ingredients:

2 cup(s) Bengalgram flour (besan)
1 cup yoghurt beaten till smooth
1 cup warm water
salt to taste
½ tablespoon sugar powder
1 teaspoon soda bi-carbonate OR Eno (1 sachet – Lemon flavour)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons oil for seasoning
1 teaspoon(s) each of mustard and sesame seeds
finely chopped coriander leaves and green chilly to garnish

Preparation:

1. Place the gramflour in a bowl. Mix in the beaten yoghurt and warm water. Keep mixing well so that no lumps remain and the batter is smooth.

2. Mix in salt to taste and ½ tablespoon sugar powder.

3. Boil water in the steamer/cooker (without whistle). Grease a metal dish (thali) or something like a cake mould.

4. Now mix the soda-bicarbonate (Eno) and the lemon juice into the gramflour batter. Pour the batter immediately into the greased dish (do not fill it to the brim as it will rise) and place it in the hot steamer.

5. Steam for about 11-12 minutes or till done and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into it. Once it has cooled, cut into squares and place in a serving dish.

6. Heat the oil for seasoning in a pan. Toss in the mustard seeds and fry till they splutter. Add the sesame seeds and chopped coriander leaves & green chillies and fry briefly till they are light brown and aromatic. Pour this over the steamed dhoklas.

And your yummy dhokla is ready to eat and serve...

Benefits of Honey

2008-11-05T22:33:00.000-08:00

Honey is a sweet fluid produced by ‘honey bees’. Honey is known for its effectiveness in instantly boosting the performance, endurance and reduces muscle fatigue of athletes.
Most bacteria do not grow in honey because of its low water content.

Honey contains ‘botulinum endospores’, so it should not be given to childrens under 1 year of age.

Here are some of the benefits of honey:

MEDICINAL

Honey is beneficial in the cases of allergy
It is very effective in the treatment of ulcers
It is useful in diarrhea and vomiting
Honey is a natural antiseptic; thereby helps in preventing wounds and infections
It helps in blood formation in the body
It helps in teeth cleansing and treating sore throats

COSMETIC

Honey can be used as a moisturizing mask for skin as well as hair
Honey mixed with olive oil can be used as hair conditioner
Honey mixed with grated almonds makes an excellent facial cleansing scrub
Honey in warm water makes an excellent mouthwash
Honey taken along with lime juice daily helps in reducing weight

So also enjoy the benefits from the honey apart from its great taste.

Lemon Rice - Recipe

2008-10-07T22:06:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Mrs. Abha for sending this recipe. Rice lovers will definitely be finding it interesting and tasty.

Ingredients:

Rice - 1½ cup
Oil - 2 tbsp
Mustard seeds - ½ tbsp
Red chillies (dried) - 2 to 4
Chana Dal - 1 tbsp
Peanuts - ½ cup
Turmeric powder - ½ tsp
Salt - To taste
Lemon juice - ¼ cup
Coconut (grated) - 1 tbsp
Curry leaves - 8-10

Preparation:

1. Wash & soak rice for about 30 minutes. Drain & then boil in plenty of water. Drain & allow it to cool.

2. Heat oil in a pan. Add dried red chillies & chana dal. Cook until the color of dal changes to light brown.

3. Add peanuts, turmeric powder & mustard seeds. Let mustard seeds crackle, & then add curry leaves. Fry for 1-2 minutes.

4. Add cooked rice, salt & lemon juice.

5. Garnish with grated coconut.

Your Lemon rice is ready to eat and serve...

Cholai ke Laddu - Recipe

2008-09-25T02:10:00.000-07:00

Well we got this recipe from our first male user, so a special Thanks goes to Mr. Balwant for sending this recipe. So let’s have some sweet this time…

Ingredients:

250 gm Ramdana/Cholai (Amaranth)
750 gm Jaggery (Gur)
3 1/2 cups water

Preparation:

1. Heat a pan to very hot and add the cholai.

2. It will start popping up almost immediately. When popped up, remove from pan and keep aside.

3. Place jaggery and water in a pan, and dissolve jaggery over low heat.

4. When dissolved, increase the heat and boil it and cook over high heat till a "two" thread consistency is reached.

5. Mix cholai into the mixture.

6. Take it off the heat.

7. Let it cool enough to handle, make round balls moistening the hands if sticking.

8. Leave to cool.

And your cholai Laddus are ready to serve...

So our male users, get up and atleast post comments for this recipe...

Chicken Manchurian - Recipe

2008-09-22T02:19:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Ms. Priyanka for sending this recipe. So finally we have some Non-Vegetarian taste especially for Chicken-lovers.

Ingredients:

1 kg small pieces of Chicken
Cooking oil for frying
1½ tablespoon All-purpose flour (Maida)
2 tablespoon Corn flour dissolved in ½ cup water
1 table spoon Soya Sauce
½ table spoon White Vinegar
1 Beaten Egg
1 tablespoon crushed Ginger
1½ tablespoon crushed garlic
1 tablespoon crushed green chillies
2 tablespoon chopped Coriander leaves
2 Onion cut into long pieces
¼ teaspoon Ajinomoto
Chilli powder, salt, black pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. Mix the all purpose flour, beaten egg, salt, chilli powder, black pepper powder to make a paste.

2. Dip the chicken pieces into the paste for few minutes; deep fry till golden brown.

3. Now for Manchurian sauce, heat a little oil in a pan and fry the onions, ginger and garlic pieces.

4. Add green chillies. Fry for a minute.

5. Reduce heat; add soya sauce, vinegar and ajinomoto and let it boil for 4-5 minutes.

6. Add corn flour mixed with water and give one boil.

7. Add the fried chicken pieces to the boiling mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes.

8. Add coriander leaves. Serve hot.

Comments for the recipes are highly welcome…
Looking forward to have more delicious recipes from the users…

Tomato Paratha

2008-08-28T03:12:00.000-07:00

Today, let’s try another taste of paratha. This one would be a bit sweet but will taste really good with some spicy chutney or pickle.

Ingredients:

Wheat flour - 2 cups
Tomato Sauce (paste) – 1 cup
Red Chilly powder - 1tsp
Cilantro (Hara Dhania Patta) - ½ cup
Salt to taste
ghee or oil to shallow fry

How to Prepare…

1. Boil the tomato sauce, chilly powder, cilantro, salt for 10-15 minutes till it turns to a paste.

2. Add this paste to wheat flour little by little and make a soft smooth dough.

3. Roll a lump of dough as for paratha.

4. Cook the paratha on the tava (pan) from both sides.

Your tomato paratha is ready to serve and eat.
You can serve it with some pickle, chutney or with any vegetable.

Malai Paratha (Cream Paratha)

2008-08-11T02:21:00.000-07:00

Today, let’s taste some different paratha. For this paratha, you do not have to spend time to make some stuffing, still it will taste differently.

Ingredients:

Wheat flour -1/2 kg
½ litre water
2 tbsp. ghee
1 cup malai (Milk-cream)
1tsp Red Chilly powder
2tsp Salt
ghee or oil to shallow fry

How to Prepare…

1. Put 2 tbsp ghee in the flour and make a soft smooth dough using water.

2. Roll a lump of dough as for paratha.

3. Put 2 tsp malai over it.

4. Spread a pinch of red chilly powder and salt.

5. Roll again to full size.

6. Cook the paratha on the tava (pan) from both sides.

Your malai paratha is ready to serve and eat.
You can serve it with some pickle or curd or with any vegetable.

Chilled lassi - Recipe

2008-08-08T03:09:00.000-07:00

Now let’s have some recipes and mostly you would find instant ones, that one can make easily and without spending much time…

So lets start with chilled lassi (yoghurt shake).

Ingredients:

2 cups yogurt
1 cup water
8 tablespoon sugar (or as per taste)
6-8 Ice cubes

How to Prepare…

1. Pour a cup of water with yogurt.

2. Add sugar.

3. Churn yogurt till it becomes smooth.

4. Add crushed ice.

5. Again churn it for few seconds (10-20 seconds).

Your chilled lassi is now ready to serve.
To add taste you may also add some small pieces of Pista (Pistachio Nuts) while serving.

Eat right as per your blood-type

2008-07-14T21:47:00.000-07:00

Eat less in order to lose weight and more to gain some. Well now that’s not true as per one of the theory proposed by Dr D’Adamo. This theory says that you have to eat right food in order to gain or lose weight. And that depends on your blood-type.
A chemical reaction occurs between your blood and the foods you eat. So if you eat improper food or some food that is not best suited as per your blood-group, it may have some negative reaction on your body and digestive system.

By following a diet designed specifically for your blood type, your body digests and absorbs food more efficiently, resulting in good health.

There are four blood types that we have, Blood Group O, Blood Group A, Blood Group B, and Blood Group AB.

As per Dr D’Adamo, below is the diet for each blood types that one should follow to remain fit and to have a sound health.

Blood Group O:
Type Os should follow a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet with lots of meat and fish but limited dairy products, wheat or grains. Eat more vegetables that are high in Vitamin K, which helps the clotting factor which is weak in Type Os. Because of the high acidity stomach, Type Os should eat fruits of alkaline nature such as berries and plums.
Food that helps to maintain weight: seafood, salt, liver, red meat, spinach, broccoli.
Food to avoid in order shedding weight: wheat, corn, kidney beans, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, mustard greens.
Foods you can eat freely include meat, fish and olive oil; foods you can eat in moderation include eggs, nuts, seeds, certain vegetables and fruits; and foods to avoid include dairy products, beans, cereals, bread, pasta and rice.
Some exercises are thought to be best for blood type O’s such as aerobics and running.

Blood Group A:
Type A’s should follow a vegetarian diet but still avoid dairy products. Vegetables are vital to the Type A’s Diet, providing minerals, enzymes and antioxidants.
Food that helps to maintain weight: vegetable oil, soy foods, vegetables, pineapple.
Food to avoid in order shedding weight: meat, dairy, kidney beans, wheat.
Foods you can eat freely include nuts, seeds, beans, cereals, pasta, rice, seafood, fruit and vegetables.
Some exercises are thought to be best for blood type A’s such as yoga or golf.

Blood Group B:
The Type B Diet is balance and wholesome, including a wide variety of foods. The only foods that need to be avoided are processed foods, although nuts and seeds aren’t recommended and only small amounts of carbohydrate-rich foods should be eaten.
Food that helps to maintain weight: greens, eggs, liver, tea.
Food to avoid in order shedding weight: wheat, corn, peanuts, sesame, seeds, buckwheat.
Foods you can eat freely include meat (no chicken), dairy, grains, beans, vegetables and fruit.
Dr D’Adamo recommends activities that have mental component, such as hiking, tennis and swimming.

Blood Group AB:
Type ABs should follow a veggie diet most of the time with some meat, fish and dairy products occasionally.
Food that helps to maintain weight: seafood, dairy, greens, pineapple.
Food to avoid in order shedding weight: red meat, corn, kidney beans, seeds, buckwheat.
Foods you can eat freely include meat, seafood, grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, beans.
Type AB should begin each day by drinking a glass of warm water with the freshly squeezed juice of half a lemon.

It is best to follow this diet for just a short time (one week or so) and can use it to kick-start a longer-term, healthy, weight-loss plan. One can combine the foods to eat and some foods that need to be avoided to lose weight to maintain a healthy body or to put-on some weight.