Easy recipes: April 2014

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Lemon Tart

Ingredients

pastry shell recipe see the previous recipe Apple pie

the smaller part of the dough, roll out into 1/4 "thick to fit 6-8 tart tins
bake blind, i.e. prick lightly with fork, sprinkle some beans, bake for 15-20 minutes or until delicately brown. remove beans, cool and fill with lemon curd

Lemon curd
butter 60 gm
eggs 2
sugar 4 tbsp
lime juice 1 1/2 tbsp
combine lime juice, sugar, butter and mix well
add egg yolks, stand over a bowl of simmering water and cook stirring until the mixture thickly coats the back of a spoon. fill the pastry shells with lemon curd and allow to set.

for crisper pastry shells
butter 85 gm
castor sugar 3 tbsp
egg yolk 1
cold milk 2-4 tso
flour 140 gm
cream butter and sugar, mix egg yolk and flour, add milk
gather the dough into a ball
if the dough crumbles, add cold milk drop by drop uotp 2 tsp
dust the dough with a little flour and wrap in a wax paper
chill for at least an hour.

those interested in cancer & health related topics are free to see my blog-

http://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com/

for crochet designs, my blog, those who like a particular design are free to mail me

http://My Crochet Creations.blogspot.com

For info. about knee replacement, be free to view my blog-

http://knee replacement-stickclub.blogspot.com

Apple Pie

Ingredients
for pastry shell
all purpose flour 2 cups
salt 1/2 tsp
butter 2/3 cup/ 155 gm
ice water 6 tbsp approximately

Method

in a large mixing bowl combine flour and salt.
chop the butter with a knife and mix into the flour using fingertips only, till it resembles bread crumbs
add enough ice water to make the dough, roll into a ball. bang the pastry ball a few times onto a floured board. it gets compressed and becomes a smooth ball.
wrap in a wax paper and chill for 2 hours.
divide the dough into 2 parts, one larger than the other.
place the larger ball of dough on a floured board, pat it lightly and roll into a circle to 1/8" / 1/3 cm thickness, the thinner the better, and a diameter of 5 cm larger than the top of the pie dish.
fold gently into quarters, place in a 9"pie dish and unfold, leaving it slack in the middle.
press the dough against the dish without stretching it.
it should be slightly larger than the outer edge.
brush lightly with melted butter
prick the bottom of the pastry all over with a fork
chill for an hour.
pre-heat oven to 420 deg. F
put some kidney beans or aluminum foil across the pie dish and bake for 10 minutes
remove the weight

for filling
apples 1 kg
sugar 1/2 cup/ 115 gm
lime juice 1 tbsp
cinnamon stick 1 1/2 cm broken into small pieces
butter 1 tbsp
water 1 cup/ 230 ml

Method

peel, core, slice apples
sprinkle lime juice over the slices
combine apples, half the sugar, butter, cinnamon and water in a pan, cook covered on low heat stirring occasionally, until apples become soft and liquid is absorbed
beat the apples with a fork, cool.
spread apple mixture uniformly on the pie crust, sprinkle remaining sugar and prepare the topping

Topping
flour 1/2 cup/ 60 gm
brown sugar 80 gm/ 1/3 cup
butter 1/3 cup / 80 gm
mix all the above ingredients until the mixture is like small peas
sprinkle the mixture over the apples and bake the pie in the middle of the oven for 40-45 minutes, or till the topping is golden brown and set.
serve warm with whipped cream if desires or just plain also tastes good.

ps- for the remaining half of the pastry dough, see my lemon tart recipe

Cereal & Berry Bowl

1 cup 1% or skim milk
1/2 cup oatmeal with 1-2 Tbsp of chopped walnuts
Or 1 serving of cold cereal, with 5 or more grams of fiber and 8 or less grams of sugar
1 cup raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries on top

Egg Sandwich

1 whole egg, 2 egg whites, or 1/4 cup egg substitutes
1 cup or more of diced tomatoes, spinach leaves, minced onion, and mushrooms
1 tsp olive oil
2 slices whole wheat toast
1 orange in sections or 1/4 cantaloupe on the side

those interested in cancer & health related topics are free to see my blog-

http://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com/

for crochet designs, my blog, those who like a particular design are free to mail me

http://My Crochet Creations.blogspot.com

For info. about knee replacement, be free to view my blog-

http://knee replacement-stickclub.blogspot.com

Yogurt Parfait

1 cup low-fat or nonfat yogurt
1 cup high-fiber cereal
1 sliced banana, 1 cup mango, or 1 peach
A small handful of almonds on top

those interested in cancer & health related topics are free to see my blog-

http://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com/

for crochet designs, my blog, those who like a particular design are free to mail me

http://My Crochet Creations.blogspot.com

For info. about knee replacement, be free to view my blog-

http://knee replacement-stickclub.blogspot.com

Soup & Salad- Lunches to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Attack

Soup & Salad
1 cup vegetable, black bean, or lentil soup (or any low-fat or vegetarian soup)
5 whole-wheat crackers
2 cups salad made with dark greens, like spinach, mixed greens, or radicchio
1 cup of any combo of colorful, chopped veggies: broccoli, carrots, red bell peppers, sugar snap peas, snow peas, tomatoes
1 cup fruits: apples, grapes, kumquats, pears
1 Tbsp salad dressing made with olive oil or canola oil (or nonfat dressings)

those interested in cancer & health related topics are free to see my blog-

http://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com/

for crochet designs, my blog, those who like a particular design are free to mail me

http://My Crochet Creations.blogspot.com

For info. about knee replacement, be free to view my blog-

http://knee replacement-stickclub.blogspot.com

Sandwich With Double Crunch

2 slices whole-wheat bread or 1 hamburger bun
2 oz tofu
1 Tbsp low-fat mayonnaise
Minced onion
Dill pickle relish or sugar-free sweet pickle relish
Top with thin slices of apple or pear for crunch (1 medium piece of fruit)
Add this crunchy side:

Finger Salad
1 cup veggies like baby carrots, grape tomatoes, and red pepper strips mixed with fruit such as apple, grapes, or pear (with peel)

those interested in cancer & health related topics are free to see my blog-

http://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com/

for crochet designs, my blog, those who like a particular design are free to mail me

http://My Crochet Creations.blogspot.com

For info. about knee replacement, be free to view my blog-

http://knee replacement-stickclub.blogspot.com

Chinese Delight good for heart

1 cup veggie stir-fry with 2 oz tofu (request olive or vegetable oil)
1/2 cup whole-wheat pasta or rice (brown or wild)
1 cup pineapple chunks

those interested in cancer & health related topics are free to see my blog-

http://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com/

for crochet designs, my blog, those who like a particular design are free to mail me

http://My Crochet Creations.blogspot.com

For info. about knee replacement, be free to view my blog-

http://knee replacement-stickclub.blogspot.com

Pasta Night- recipe for lowering triglycerides

1 cup whole-wheat pasta or spaghetti squash
1 can of Italian diced tomatoes
1 cup or more of sauteed zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms, peppers, or onions – veggies you like best
Add 3.5 oz. tofu
Add basil, oregano, or rosemary, whichever flavor you prefer that night
1 Tbsp Parmesan cheese, dry grated, reduced fat

those interested in cancer & health related topics are free to see my blog-

http://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com/

for crochet designs, my blog, those who like a particular design are free to mail me

http://My Crochet Creations.blogspot.com

For info. about knee replacement, be free to view my blog-

http://knee replacement-stickclub.blogspot.com

Vegetarian Night - to lower triglycerides

1 (8 inch) corn tortillas
1/3 cup refried beans (fat-free or vegetarian)
2 Tbsp salsa
1 oz low-fat or fat-free cheese
1/2 cup slices of avocado
2 oz crumbled veggie sausage

Fit in with your favorite meals by following these basics to lower your triglycerides.

Plan for a “moderate” amount of whole-grain carbohydrates. Use portion sizes on packages as a guide. Another way to estimate a healthy amount is to visually divide your plate into 4 equal parts. Fill half of it with fruits and vegetables, and fill a quarter of it with a whole grain. Fill the last quarter with a low-fat protein.
Limit “white” carbs and sugars. Keep foods made with white flour, desserts, candy, juices, and fruit drinks to a minimum.
Serve healthy fats because they can help lower your triglyceride levels. They are the unsaturated fats, especially omega-3s found in fatty fish, flaxseed, canola oil, and walnuts.
Don’t keep around tempting, unhealthy fats -- saturated fats found in red meat and baked goods and trans fats found in some packaged foods. If a food label says hydrogenated oil, don’t even open the bag.
Choose low-fat proteins, including chicken, fish, seafood, lean meats, and tofu.
Pour low or nonfat milk and choose low or nonfat dairy -- yogurt, cottage cheese, and cheese.
Limit how much alcohol you have each day. That’s 1 drink if you’re female and 2 if you are male. But even a small amount of alcohol may raise triglycerides in some people, so ask your doctor what’s right for you.

Having trouble adapting to low-triglyceride meals? See your doctor or a dietitian for help. Together you can put together a healthy meal plan that will lower your triglyceride levels and help you lose weight if you need to.

those interested in cancer & health related topics are free to see my blog-

http://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com/

for crochet designs, my blog, those who like a particular design are free to mail me

http://My Crochet Creations.blogspot.com

For info. about knee replacement, be free to view my blog-

http://knee replacement-stickclub.blogspot.com

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

CANTALOUP(rock melon)/ Karbuja-GRAPE SWEETNESS GREEN SMOOTHIE

Ingredients

2 cups spinach, fresh
1 cup almond milk, unsweetened
1/2 cup water
1/2 cantaloupe, ripe and rind removed
1 cup grapes
2 tbs coconut oil

Method

Blend spinach, almond milk and water until smooth. Next add the remaining fruits and blend again with some crushed ice.

PEACH COCONUT DREAM GREEN SMOOTHIE

Ingredients

2 cups spinach, fresh
1 cup coconut water
2 cups grapes
2 peaches

Method

Blend spinach and coconut water until smooth. Next, add the remaining fruits and blend again. Serve at once, if preferred with some ice cubes.

POMEGRANATE CITRUS PUNCH GREEN SMOOTHIE

Ingredients

2 cups spinach, fresh
1 cup orange juice, fresh squeezed or 2 oranges peeled, deseeded
1 cup water
1 cup pomegranate seeds
1 bananas

Method

Blend spinach, orange juice and water until smooth. Next add the remaining fruits and blend again.

Spinach-Cilantro-Banana Smoothie

Ingredients

1 1⁄2 cups spinach, fresh
1⁄2 cup fresh cilantro/ coriander leaves
2 cups water
3 bananas
1 lime
1 inch ginger, fresh

INSTRUCTIONS

Blend spinach, cilantro and water until smooth. Next add the remaining fruits and blend again.

CILANTRO/ Coriander Leaves-MANGO DETOX GREEN SMOOTHIE

Ingredients

1 1⁄2 cups spinach, fresh
1⁄2 cup fresh cilantro/coriander leaves
1 1⁄2 cups mango
2 cups water
1 cup pineapple
1⁄2 avocado

Method

Blend spinach, cilantro and water until smooth. Next add the remaining fruits and blend again.Serve at once.

Chocolate Sundae

Ingredients

chocolate ice-cream 6 scoops

vanilla ice-cream 6 scoops

bananas sliced 2

walnut roasted few pieces

fresh cherries to decorate

for chocolate sauce

milk 3/4 cup

corn flour 1 tbsp

cocoa pdr. 1 1/2 tbsp

vanilla essence 1/4 tsp

butter 1/2 tbsp

Method

take a bowl, put 1 scoop of each ice-creams, side by side

top with banana slices and walnut pieces

pour chocolate sauce and decorate with cherries

to make chocolate sauce

take all ingredients together, heat, stirring continuously till it thickens

cool a little before using

Chocolate Nut Balls

Ingredients
1 day old bread break into tiny pieces 2 cups
walnuts chopped 2 tbsp
glazed cherries chopped 2 tbsp
cashew nuts chopped 2 tbsp
butter melted 1 tbsp
drinking chocolate 4 tbsp
cocoa pdr. 1 tbsp
icing sugar 4-5 tbsp
milk little to mix
desiccated coconut 2 tbsp
nuts to decorate

Method

take all the ingredients in a vessel, except the coconut
mix well, keep on fire, stirring gently on medium heat
mixture should becomes soft and mix evenly
stir till it leaves the sides of the vessel
remove, cool a little
make small balls, roll in desiccated coconut and serve with a nut pressed on top

Chocolate star biscuits/ cookies

Ingredients
butter 115 gm or 4 ounces
castor sugar 115 gm/ 4 ounces
self raising flr. 7 ounce /200 gm
custard pdr. 1 tbsp
cocoa pdr. 1 ounce/ 28 gm
vanilla essence 1/2 tsp
milk little to mix

Method

cream butter and sugar till light and fluffy
sieve together flour, custard pdr., and cocoa pdr.
mix in lightly to the butter mixture
add vanilla and milk just enough to make a piping consistency
fill into a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle
make stars on a greased baking tray
bake at 175 deg. C for about 20 minutes or till done.

Choco-chip Ice-cream

Ingredients

milk 1 1/2 litres

cocoa pdr. 3 tsp

drinking chocolate 3 tsp

custard pdr. 3 tsp

sugar 1- 1 1/4 cups

fresh cream 200 gm

gelatin 1 tsp melted in little water

vanilla essence 1 tsp

milk chocolate small pieces 1/4 cup or chocolate chips

Method

boil milk for 20 minutes on low flame, keep stirring from time to time

dissolve cocoa, drinking chocolate and custard pdr. in little cold milk

add to the boiling milk, stir for 5 minutes

add sugar, boil for another 5 minutes

remove, cool thoroughly

mix melted gelatin, also add fresh cream, chocolate chips/pieces, vanilla

set ice-cream in aluminium tin with a lid in the freezer

to get a perfect ice-cream, once it is half set, i.e. roughly after 2 hours, remove, beat well, cover and set again till done for another 3-4 hours

Egg-less Chocolate-Cherry Cake

Ingredients
all purpose flour/ maida 2 cups
salt 1/4 tsp
baking pdr. 2 tbsp
drinking chocolate 2 tbsp
cocoa pdr. 2 tbsp
castor sugar 1 cup
butter 6 tbsp
milk 1 cup
vanilla essence 1 tsp
glazed cherries chopped 1/4 cup

for filling- chocolate cream
butter 4 tbsp
icing sugar 6 tbsp
cocoa pdr. 2 tbsp
vanilla essence few drops

for glazed icing
butter 2 tbsp
milk 2 tbsp
icing sugar 85 gm/ 3 ounces

Method

sieve flour, baking pdr., cocoa, drinking chocolate, salt
cream castor sugar and butter with a wooden spoon till light and fluffy or with a beater
add flour, cherries and milk gradually, mix to a dropping consistency
add vanilla essence
grease 2 round cake tins of the same size
pour half the mixture in both tins, bake in a pre-heated oven at 200 Deg. zc for 25-30 minutes or till done, i.e., insert a knife/ toothpick in the centre of the cake, if it comes clean, then done
remove from the oven, cool for few minutes
invert on a wire rack and cool completely
prepare filling by beating butter, icing sugar, cocoa and vanilla together with a wooden spoon
make it light and fluffy
apply between 2 layers of the cake
for glaze icing, melt butter, milk together in a small vessel, placed over hot water
beat in icing sugar, remove, once the mixture is cool, still of flowing consistency, pour it over the cake, level it, allow to settle down to form a shiny layer, decorate with cherries

Palak Paneer ( Spinach with cottage cheese)

Ingredients

spinach 1/2 kg

paneer 100 gm

onion 1

butter 3 tbsp

bay leaves 2

jeera 1 tsp

salt to taste

pepper pdr. 1/4 tsp

ginger-garlic paste 1 tsp

green chilli paste 1 tsp

oil as needed

garam masala 1 tsp

Method

wash and chop spinach

mic ginger-garlic and chilli paste with some water, mix with spinach

pressure cook it for 7-8 minutes just before the first whistle, cool and grind to a fine paste

cut paneer into small cubes, keep 3 cubes aside for garnishing

fry the paneer on medium heat till they're light brown

keep them aside

heat 2 tbsp butter, fry bay leaves and jeera

add chopped onion, fry till onion turns pink

add salt, pepper pdr., garam masala, stir well

add paneer and ground spinach, mix well

put on a baking tray, add rest of the butter, bake for 30 minutes at 180 deg C

decorate with grated paneer cubes set aside

serve hot with roti/ bread/ rice

Chilli Paneer Fried Rice

Ingredients

oil 1 tbsp + 1 tsp

paneer cubed 175 gm

dry red chilies 4-6

onion thinly sliced 1 cup

capsicum sliced 1 1/2 cups

cooked basmati rice 3 cups

soya sauce 3 tbsp

vinegar 1/2 tbsp

pepper pdr. 1/2 tsp

spring onion few chopped

coriander leaves chopped little

ketchup

salt to taste

Method

heat 1 tsp of oil in a large wide wok/ kadai

add paneer cubes, toss gently till the oil coats the cubes

cook on medium heat till it is lightly browned on all sides, remove and keep aside

wipe the wok clean, heat 1 tbsp oil, when it is hot, add broken red chillies, once it darkens, add onion and capsicum saute for 1/2 a minute

increase the heat, add rice, soya sauce, vinegar and pepper, salt

briskly saute the rice for a minute, keep stirring so it doesn't burn

remove, add ketchup, paneer, mix well, garnish with spring onion and coriander leaves

serve hot with cucumber or potato raita and roasted papad

Panna Cotta

Ingredients

fresh cream 1 kg
sugar 200 gm
lemon grass chopped 75 gm
gelatine 25 gm
iced water 75 ml
fruits for garnishing

Method

soak the gelatine in ice water
boil fresh cream, sugar with chopped lemon grass
melt the gelatine in a double boiler in the microwave for 20 seconds
add to the boiled cream, mix well
strain the cream, cool it in ice bath
pour into a bowl, set in the fridge below 5 deg. for 4-5 hours
serve chilled with chopped fruits

Mango Halwa

Ingredients

mango juice fresh/ tinned 2 cups
bread 6 slices
sugar 1 1/4 cup
mawa 1 cup
nuts

Method

remove the crust from the bread slices and break into pieces
soak them in mango juice for 15 minutes
add sugar, cook on medium flame, stirring till it becomes thick
add mawa, cook till it leaves the sides of the pan
spread on a greased plate, sprinkle nuts, press them down
once set, cut into desired shape

Fig/ anjeer halwa

Ingredients

dry figs chopped 1/2 kg
milk 2 litres
sugar 1/4 kf
coconut grated 1 cup
cardamom pdr. 1 tsp
slices of nuts to decorate

Method

wash, clean and chop figs
add milk, cook on low flame
when milk reduces, crush the figs with a hand blender
add sugar and coconut, cook till it leaves the sides of the pan on medium flame, stirring continuously
spread on a greased plate, sprinkle nuts on top, press down when still hot, once set, cut into desired shape and serve.

Boondi Halwa

Ingredients

plain saltless boondi 2 cups
milk 2 cups
mawa 1 cup
sugar 11/4 cups
little saffron soaked in warm milk
few nuts

Method

soak boondi in milk for 15 minutes
add sugar and bring to a boil
simmer till it starts thickening
add mawa and saffron
mix well, simmer till the halwa leaves the sides of the pan, you've to keep stirring time to time, and continuously once it starts thickening
spread in a greased plate, sprinkle nuts on top
once set, cut into desired shape and serve

Bottle Gourd/Ghia Or White Pumpkin halwa

Ingredients

grated tender ghia/ white pumpkin 2 cups
sugar 1 1/2 cups
mawa 1 cup
cardamom pdr. 1/2 tsp
rose essence few drops

Method
grate the tender pumpkin/ ghia, don't squeeze out the water put in a heavy pan, cook on slow fire, stirring often till soft and all the water is absorbed. add sugar, mix well, simmer till it thickens add mawa,add cardamom, cook for few more minutes, stirring well spread on a greased plate, once it sets, cut into desired shapes.

Monday, April 28, 2014

7 Common Food Myths Debunked!

Everyday we are fed new and different information about the things we eat. One day we think we are eating right, then a new disturbing fact is revealed about a major part of our diet. In order to control the chaos, we have sifted through some of the most common food myths that will help you get the facts straight once and for all. Clearing the air on nutrition starts here:
1. Eggs Should Be Avoided Many are told that because eggs are high in the kind of cholesterol thought to increase the risk of heart disease, they should be avoided whenever possible. However, the truth is that, while eggs are definitely high in cholesterol, they are rich in good cholesterol and definitely not the kind that causes heart disease. Eggs are also an excellent source of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, a special kind of antioxidant good for eye health and choline, a nutrient that boosts brain function.
	2. Saturated Fat is Unhealthy Saturated fat is believed by many to be another major cause of heart disease, but this conception is surely a myth. New nutritional studies show that there is no connection between saturated fat and the risk for heart disease and in fact saturated fats increase levels of good cholesterol, known as HDL, in the bloodstream. So there is really no reason that you should shy away from butter, meat and coconut oil, all in moderation of course.
3. Protein Isn't Good For You Over the years, protein has become associated with bone diseases and damage, but this is entirely a myth. Protein actually improves bone density over time and lowers the risk for osteoporosis and bone fragility in old age. Another myth about protein is that it contributes to kidney failure, but this is only true for those with an established kidney disease. For those without a history of kidney disease, protein can actually reduce the risk for other diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.
	4. You Should Limit Your Coffee Intake Besides the downsides of its addictive factors, drinking too much coffee is believed to elevate blood pressure to unhealthy levels. This, it seems, is too a complete myth because it has been shown that drinking 1-2 cups of coffee a day may decrease the risk for serious diseases by over 50 percent. For instance, coffee drinkers have a 67 percent lower risk of Type II diabetes, a much lower risk of contracting Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and have up to an 80 percent lower risk of liver diseases. Coffee is also an excellent source of antioxidants that help clear the bloodstream of harmful toxins.
5. Vegetable Oils Are Healthy Some people swear by vegetable based cooking oils like soybean, sunflower and corn oils, but don't let their vegetable base fool you. These oils are full of polyunsaturated fats like Omega 3's and Omega 6's that are healthy, but in moderation. New studies show that too much Omega 6 fatty acids can cause inflammation in the body and can increase the risk of heart disease. So, next time you are frying, make sure you use other oils like olive and coconut oil instead of vegetable oils.
	6. Whole Wheat is The Way to Go Although we are told that whole wheat a healthy way to consume carbs, recent studies show that this food myth is the contributing factor to a number of modern health problems. One such problem is an increasing rate of individuals with gluten allergies, known as Celiac Disease. Other studies suggest that whole wheat may contribute to various brain disorders, including schizophrenia and autism, as well as a slew of cardiovascular diseases.
7. Sodium is Dangerous Sodium is associated by a number of doctors with high blood pressure and is seen as a factor that can increase the risk for heart attacks. Although it is important for those with abnormally high blood pressure to watch their sodium intake, new studies show that sodium does not immediately affect an individual's chances for developing a cardiovascular disease. It is also important to note that consuming too little sodium can be extremely harmful and lead to diseases like diabetes. ps- this is only for info., pl. ask your physician about your need, according to your other problems. those interested in cancer & health related topics are free to see my blog- http://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com/ for crochet designs, my blog, those who like a particular design are free to mail me http://My Crochet Creations.blogspot.com For info. about knee replacement, be free to view my blog- http://knee replacement-stickclub.blogspot.com