Some Uses of Cucumber

Cucumbers are just not for using in salads, but have some other uses too. For health benefits of cucumber see my cancer support blog.

1)They Are Excellent Erasers If you have pen marks on a surface or wall, then take an unpeeled chunk of cucumber and rub it across the affected area. It works well on crayons too, so if your children or grandchildren have left you with an unwanted piece of artwork on the wall, the cucumber should successfully remove it.

2)They Can Drive Away Garden Pests
Cucumber can be used in your garden to drive away those pesky critters that chomp their way through your precious plants and flowers. Simply place a few slices in an aluminum container (most empty canned products should be fine to use) and place the containers around your flower beds. The cucumber and aluminum react together and make a handy repellent.

3)They Fix a Squeaky Hinge
If you have a squeaky hinge or stubborn zipper, you probably didn't realize that you can fix it with a couple of slices of cucumber. Rub them on the defective area and you have a cheap, easy stand in for WD-40.
  
4)They Can Polish Your Shoes We don't tend to carry shoe polish with us everywhere we go, but if you are caught short with scruffy shoes and need to be somewhere important, the last slice of cucumber from your salad can do the trick for you. Rub the slice over the shoes to leave them glistening, and, as an added bonus, the cucumber provides them with water repellent properties as well.

5) They Fight Fog in the Bathroom If you like a nice, steamy bath once in a while but don't have time to de-fog all the windows and mirrors afterwards, rub a cucumber across the affected areas before you start running the taps. It will not only stop them from fogging up, but will release some relaxing aromas to help you relax while you soak.

6) They Can Make Your Stainless Steel Shine Again We all buy artificial cleaners for our metal work, and most of them contain countless numbers of chemicals and other nasties you don't really want to be breathing in. If you are looking for a 'green' way to shine your stainless steel taps and pots, rub a thick slice of cucumber over the area you want to clean. It will remove any signs of tarnish and leave the surface shiny and new. And as an added bonus, it won't harm your hands while you are using it.

those interested in cancer and 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

HEALTHY MANGO MOHANTHAL( in micorwave)

INGREDIENTS

ghee/ clarified butter 2 tbsp

besan 7 tbsp

sugar 7 tbsp

mango pulp/ puree 1 cup

nuts as desired

milk 175 ml


METHOD

melt ghee in micorwave for 30 seconds

add besan, mix well, micro high for 2 minutes, by then you'll notice your mixture is all bubbling well

add milk, sugar and mango, mix well

micro high for 10 minutes, but after every 2 minutes, you mix well again and micro for 2 minutes

Then see how thick the consistency is, you may micro high for another 3-4 minutes, let it remain in the microwave for another 4-5 minutes, sprinkle nuts on top, press down.

let it cool, then you'll be able to cut into pieces , cool and store.( I forgot to add nuts, as I got busy with some other work, by then the mixture had set well!)


Notes- this can be made over gas too, only thing, you may have to set aside all your work and keep stirring or else the mixture can get burnt.

First roast besan well, then add milk, you may cook till thick, then add sugar and mango pulp/ puree, then cook till thick adding nuts.

then spread on a greased plate, spread some finely chopped nuts,press down, cool, then cut into desired shape.

those interested in cancer and 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

5 Gluten-Free And Healthy Flours

1. Almond Flour

Made from ground up blanched almonds, this flour has got a neutral taste, yet a moist crumb. It's most suitable for muffins, waffles, cakes and can be used in savory baked good too. 

The Benefits: This flour is low in carbs, but high in protein. Almond flour is also an excellent source of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that protects cells against damaging free radicals and supports immune function. Just a quarter cup provides 40 percent of the recommended dietary allowance of vitamin E. Added to this, almond flour is also a good source of the B vitamins, folate, and niacin. Furthermore, consuming almond flour can help lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of blood clots and lower blood pressure too. 

2. Coconut Flour

Made from ground up coconut flesh, this flour has a generic, slightly sweet flavor that can be used for brownies, muffins, cakes, and also pizza crust. Recipes that contain coconut flour call for very little of the flour itself, but it does require a high amount of moisture (usually in the form of eggs). 

The benefits: The fiber content is a lot higher than that of almond flour. In fact, from 1/4 cup of flour, coconut flour contains 10 grams of fiber as opposed to almond flour, which only contains three grams. This flour will help maintain a healthy blood sugar level as it's considered to be a low glycemic food. In fact, studies show that consuming coconut flour can help lower the overall glycemic impact of food and support stable blood sugar levels. It is therefore a preferred choice of flour for people who suffer from diabetes. 

3. Cassava Flour

Also known as Yuka, cassava flour comes from a root vegetable, that is especially popular for people living in Africa, Asia and Latin America. You may, however, be more familiar with tapioca flour which also comes from the cassava plant. Tapioca is the bleached and extracted starch of the cassava root. So opting for cassava flour will provide a more natural alternative. This flour's texture resembles that of wheat flour - it is smooth, and it's taste, neutral. 

The benefits: This flour is loaded with dietary fiber carbohydrates, which have been linked to a number of health benefits including low blood pressure, reduced cholesterol levels, better control of your blood sugar levels and a lower risk of obesity. It also contains a good source of magnesium, which helps keep your blood pressure in check and reduces your risk of osteoporosis. 

4. Chestnut Flour

Chestnut flour has many uses in baking and in the kitchen. It can be used as almond flour would be, but bear in mind that almond flour has a strong, nutty flavor. 

The benefits: Chestnut flour contains high quality proteins with essential amino acids and is also a good source of dietary fiber. It also contains vitamin E, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium - which many gluten-free flours often lack. 

 5. Tigernut Flour

While it may be surprising, tigernuts are not actually nuts, rather this flour comes from a root vegetable. It's taste is rather pleasing (it predominantly has a semi-sweet flavor) and can be used in various baked goods. 

The benefits: This flour is naturally gluten free and is a great alternative to anyone allergic to nuts. It is a great source of many vitamins and minerals. In fact, Tigernut flour is high in fiber (one ounce contains 40 percent of the recommended daily intake), iron, potassium, protein, magnesium, zinc, and vitamins E and C. This flour also contains natural sugar, healthy fats and it has a high level of resistant starch, which therefore reaches the colon intact - resistant starch promotes prebiotic growth and supports a healthy immune and digestive tract. In addition to the aforementioned benefits, tigernut flour can also lower blood glucose levels and helps improve insulin sensitivity. 

 those interested in cancer and 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

Flaked rice / Avil Barfi

INGREDIENTS
thick avil/ poha   3 tbsp
milk about 400 ml
1 tsp ghee
cardamom pdr. 1/2 tsp
sugar to taste ( I may have added about 4 tbsp)

METHOD
wash, soak poha with just enough water to soak it, so you don't have to squeeze out excess water
I cooked the entire process in the microwave, as I was simultaneously making raw banana vege in the gas.
add ghee to avil, mix well, micro high for 2 minutes, stir and micro high again for another 2 minutes, this can be cooked over gas too, then keep stirring till you get a nice aroma
then I added half the quantity of milk, cooked for 4 minutes, but stirring after 2 minutes
then added rest of the milk, cooked till thick, then added sugar and cardamom pdr., mix, cook for 6 minutes, stirring well after every 2 minutes, Mine looks yellow, as I added cashew-nut based sweet, which we get to make kheer, I used 3 of that sliced it. But, it isn't needed. You may add nuts of your choice. Then I just let it remain in the microwave for a couple of more minutes, then I'ld cut into  pieces!
 Hubby also liked it.

Note- if you want you can divide into half, to one half add some strawberry or cherry crush or even cocoa powder and cook in the same way. This can be cooked in the gas too, but keep stirring from time to time till it gets thick. One can even add paneer or mawa crumbled if desired, then you may need more sugar. Mine was mildly sweet only. If cooking over gas, once it thickens, spread on a greased plate and let it set before you cut.

 those interested in cancer and 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

CHEESY CRISPIES WITH MASALA DIP

INGREDIENTS FOR CRISP

maida/ all purpose flour 100 gm

oats pdr. 50 gm

cheese grated 1/4 cup

chili flakes 1 tbsp or to taste

kasturi methi crushed 2 tsp

butter 25 gm

salt to taste

lime rind 1/2 tsp

water to knead

oil to fry

METHOD

mix all the ingredients well, then add water little by little to make a stiff dough, put oil.

roll out into a big roti, poke with fork all over and cut into desired shape, or you can roll into small puris, poke with fork and deep fry till crisp, drain and keep aside.

FOR DIP

hung curd 1/4 cup

mayonaisse  2-3 tbsp

ketchup 2 tbsp

mix all well, the combination can slightly vary too. 

 those interested in cancer and 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

QUICK TANGY CORN

 INGREDIENTS

sweetcorn 1 cup

garlic pdr. 1/4 tsp ( optional)

chili flakes to taste

mixed herbs 1/4 tsp

salt to taste

red chili sauce 1/2 tsp ( optional)

butter 1 tsp

METHOD

cook corn  in microwave or in a pan

mix all the seasonings well, micro high for 1 minutes or toss in a pan for 2 minutes on low flame. serve with roasted papad or on bread toast or you can have has salad with some cherry tomatoes halved , cucumber chopped.

OR- you may add some finely chopped ginger, green chilies, mint leaves chopped , lime juice and rock salt for a different taste.

 those interested in cancer and 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

BAKED POTATO WEDGES

INGREDIENTS

potatoes as needed

salt to taste

oil little

masala pdr as per taste or just pepper pdr. or chili pdr. with chat masala

METHOD

boil potatoes with skin till almost cooked.

cut into wedges, mix salt and masalas well to coat it with little oil

grease a baking tray, spread the potato wedges, if need be put some oil on top

bake in pre-heated oven at 180 deg. C for about 20-25 minutes or till brown and crisp.

 those interested in cancer and 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