Mango Lassi

  

Ingredients

1cup mango pulp, 240 ml, from 2 to 3 sweet mangoes else can use canned mango pulp

1 cup yogurt, 240 ml, plain whole milk yogurt

1/2 cup milk (cold), to thin out the lassi or use water

2-3 tbsp sugar, or adjust to taste

1/4 tsp cardamom pdr

saffron strands, to garnish, optional

pistachios, to garnish, optional

 

Preparations

To a blender, add 1 cup of fresh mango puree. I pureed the flesh of 2 large sweet mangoes in a blender to get this fresh mango puree. You can also use canned mango pulp if you can't find sweet mangoes or they are not in season.

To the blender now add the yogurt. I have used plain whole milk yogurt here.

Followed by milk (I have used whole milk). I add this to thin out the lassi a bit. Also, add sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder.

Blend for around 60 seconds until everything is well combined. Pour the lassi into serving glasses and top with saffron strands (optional). You can also garnish with nuts. Serve immediately!  

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  

https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com  for info on cancer and health related topics

https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs

 

 

Avocado Mint Dip

 

Blend avocado with fresh mint leaves, yoghurt, garlic, and a pinch of salt. This cooling dip pairs well with kebabs, chips, or even as a sandwich spread. The mint adds a refreshing burst that makes it ideal for summer snacking.  

 

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  

https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com  for info on cancer and health related topics

https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs

 

Anti-Inflammatory Cherry, Beet & Kale Smoothie

  

 Ingredients 

1 cup frozen sweet or tart cherries

1 cup packed stemmed and torn curly kale leaves

1/2 cup sliced frozen banana

1/3 cup chopped cooked beets

1/2 cup unsweetened plain almond milk

1/4 cup nonfat vanilla strained (Greek-style) yogurt 

1 tbsp unsalted roasted pistachios or 1 1/2 tsp pistachio butter

Chopped pistachios for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Place cherries, kale, banana, beets, almond milk, yogurt and pistachios (or pistachio butter) in a blender.  Process until smooth, about 20 seconds. Garnish with chopped pistachios, if desired.

   
   

   https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
   
   https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement
   
   https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com  for info on cancer and health related topics
   
   https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs

   
   

Leftover Samosa Chaat

  

Crumble leftover samosas and layer them with boiled potatoes, yogurt, chutneys, and sev. Garnish with coriander leaves and pomegranate seeds for a tangy, crunchy, and satisfying chaat experience.  

 

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  

https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com  for info on cancer and health related topics

https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs

 

Besan Laddu/ barfi Smoothie

 

Crush leftover besan laddus / barfi and blend with milk or yogurt, a touch of honey, and ice. This protein-rich, creamy smoothie is perfect for a quick breakfast or an indulgent snack.

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  

https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com  for info on cancer and health related topics

https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs

 

5 Smoothies that Can Help You Lose Weight

 We all know that losing weight requires a change of diet in combination with physical exercise, but a change of diet doesn’t have to be unpleasant. One of the best ways to begin a weight-loss diet is by adding specialized smoothies to your usual breakfast. What these delicious drinks do is help your body wake up without overloading it with heavy foods, while giving it the energy to start the day and boosting your metabolism.

1.  Chocolate-Strawberry Smoothie

 

Ingredients 

 

1 Handful Spinach 

6 Strawberries 

1½ Cups Unsweetened Almond Milk 

¼ Beet 

1 tbsp Protein Powder (optional) 

2 tsp Raw Cacao Powder 

 

Preparation  

Place all the ingredients in a blender and run until smooth. Serve and enjoy.

 

2. Mood-Boosting Smoothie

Ingredients 

 

½ Cup Oats 

5 Walnuts 

1 Banana 

¼ Cup Blueberries 

Almond Milk 

 

Preparation 

Place all the ingredients in a blender, except for the milk. Add the milk until it reaches the 1-cup level. Run until smooth. Serve and enjoy. 

 

 

3. The Jolly Green Smoothie

 

Ingredients 

½ Cup Spinach 

 ½ Cup Kale 

¼ Cup Greek Yogurt 

1 Banana 

10 Grapes 

1 Kiwi 

1 Cucumber 

½ Stalk Celery 

½ Apple 

Water 

 

Preparation 

Place all the ingredients in a blender, except for the water. 

Add the water until it reaches the 1-cup level. 

Run until smooth. Serve and enjoy.

4. Papaya and Ginger  Smoothie

 

Ingredients  

1 Cup Papaya 

 ½ Peach 

½ Pear 

1 tbsp Flax Seeds 

1 tsp Ginger 

4 Mint Leaves 

½ Cup Greek Yogurt 

1 Handful ice Cubes 

Water 

 

Preparation 

Place all the ingredients in a blender, except for the water. 

Add the water until it reaches the 1-cup level. 

Run until smooth. Serve and enjoy. 

 

5. Hearty Oats Smoothie

Ingredients 

1 Handful Spinach 

¼ Cup Oats 

½ tsp Ginger 

1 Cup Blackberries 

½ Cup Strawberries 

little Honey 

3 Ice Cubes 

Almond Milk 

 

Preparation  

Place all the ingredients in a blender, except for the milk. 

Add the milk until it reaches the 1-cup level. 

Run until smooth. Serve and enjoy.

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  

https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com  for info on cancer and health related topics

https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs

Pistachio Cake

  

 Ingredients

Pistachio cake 

130 grams ( 1 cup) whole pistachios shelled not salted

150 gm / 3/4 cup  sugar  

140 gm / 1 cup all purpose flour

lemon zest of 1 large lemon

veg oil 120 ml / 1/2 cup

vanilla essence 1 tsp

eggs 2 large

baking pdr 2 tsp

salt 1/4 tsp 

60 ml/ 1/4 cup full fat milk

60 ml  / 1/4 cup yogurt 

Mascarpone cream frosting

1/2 cup thickened / heavy cream 

1/2 cup mascarpone cheese

vanilla essence 1/2 tsp

blackberry jam 2-3 tbsp 

Instructions

Pistachio cake

Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F) standard / 160 C (320 F) fan-forced. Grease and line an 8" cake pan with baking / parchment paper.

 Pulse pistachios till they becomes fine crumbs, don't over mix to become a paste. 

In a large mixing bowl, add pista crumbs, sugar, flour, lemon zest, baking pdr and salt, combine briefly.

 

In another bowl add oil, vanilla, eggs, milk and yogurt, whisk briefly just to break up the egg yolks. 

 

Add wet ing. to dy ing. and gently mix with a spatula until combined- be careful, don't over mix.  Spoon the batter into the prepared pan.

 

Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 

 

Mascarpone cream frosting

1. In a medium mixing bowl, add cream, mascarpone and vanilla. Beat using an electric mixer on medium speed until mixture thickens. 
2. Dollop a couple of teaspoons of blackberry jam into the cream and gently swirl using a spoon. Spoon frosting over cake and use a small spatula to spread it out into one even layer. 
3. Add a few extra teaspoons of jam and swirl it into the frosting. 

Notes

Pistachios: You can use either raw or toasted pistachios as long as they are NOT salted. Blitz them into small crumbs using a food processor. Don’t over-grind them or they will turn into a paste. See photo for visual reference. 

Lemon zest: Or you can use orange zest if you prefer.

Thickened cream: Look for a cream that is at least 35% fat and it should say on the product that it is suitable for whipping. Do not use light or low fat cream.

Mascarpone cream: If you don’t have access to mascarpone cheese, creme fraiche is the next best thing. Or you can leave it out entirely and just have a whipped cream frosting.

Storage: Once frosted, this cake is best kept covered in an airtight container in the fridge. Without frosting, the cake itself can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature. 

Cake pan size: You can use this recipe to make a one layer 8-inch cake, or a two layer 6-inch cake. 

 

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  

https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com  for info on cancer and health related topics

https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs

 

Eggless Orange Bundt Cake

 Ingredients

1 Cup Butter 

2 Cups Powdered Sugar

1/2 cup  Yogurt  

1 tsp Almond Extract

1 tsp Vanilla Extract  

1/2 cup  Orange

1/2  Cup Milk  

2 Cups Maida

2 tbsp Dry Fruits 

1 tsp Baking Soda

1 tsp Baking Pdr

a pinch of Salt

1 tsp Orange zest 

 

Preparations

Pre-heat oven at 180°C

Grease a bundt tin with butter and sprinkle some flour to coat the inside of the tin.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar, until turns light and fluffy. Add yogurt and beat it well. Add the extracts too and beat again.

In another bowl mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and orange zest, set it aside.

To the cream butter mixture, add the flour and orange juice alternating between each ingredient and beat after each addition.

Add chopped dry fruits and mix well.

Pour the batter into the baking tin and tap it on the counter to break air bubbles.

Bake it in the oven 35 minutes in 180 C  or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.

Once done remove the cake tin and place it on a cooling rack.

Heat a pan in low medium flame, add 4 tablespoons sugar, once it caramelizes, add orange juice and boil it for 5 minutes.

Now, drizzle the cake with the prepared orange glaze and set aside for few minutes.

Cut into desired pieces and serve.

 

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  

https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com  for info on cancer and health related topics

https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs

Creamy Almond Cauliflower

  

 Ingredients

1 large head cauliflower (about 1 1/2 pounds; 680 g), halved, cored, and cut into 3-inch florets (see note)

1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil, divided

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 medium yellow onions (about 1 pound; 450 g), finely chopped

1 cinnamon stick, broken in half

4 cloves

1 star anise pod

1 (1-inch) piece ginger, peeled and grated (about 1 ounce; 30 g)

5 medium cloves (25 g) garlic, grated or minced

2 tsp  cumin pdr

2 tsp coriander pdr

1 tsp dried chili flakes

1 tbsp garam masala

1/4 cup ground almonds (30 g; can be ground in a food processor from about 1/3 cup slivered raw almonds)

1 cup (240 ml) Greek yogurt

1 cup (240 ml) homemade quick veg. stock ( see my next post)

1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream

1/2 cup (75 g) golden raisins

1 tbsp light brown sugar

1/4 cup (45 g) toasted slivered almonds, for garnish

Coriander leaves and tender stems, for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C) and place rack in middle position. Place cauliflower on a rimmed baking sheet and toss with 2 tablespoons (30ml) oil. Season with salt and pepper. Roast until golden brown on one side, about 10 minutes. Turn and roast until brown on second side and just tender, 7 to 10 minutes longer. Remove from oven and set aside.

In a large cast iron skillet or stainless steel sauté pan, heat remaining 2 tablespoons (30ml) oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onions, cinnamon stick, cloves, and star anise and cook, stirring, until onions are soft and lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, chili flakes, garam masala, ground almonds, and 1/2 cup (120ml) water. Cook, stirring often, until water is absorbed and ground almonds begin to look and smell toasted, about 5 minutes.

Stir in yogurt, stock, cream, raisins, and brown sugar. Season lightly with salt, then lower heat and simmer until sauce thickens to a creamy glaze, about 10 minutes. (If it gets too thick, stir in a little more water or stock.) Stir in roasted cauliflower and toss until cauliflower is warmed through and coated in sauce, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove cinnamon stick pieces and star anise. Transfer to a warmed serving dish and scatter with toasted slivered almonds and coriander. Serve with roti, rice, jeera rice, puri.

. 

 

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  

https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com  for info on cancer and health related topics

https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs

 

15 Foods to Eat If You Have High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a common problem in today’s societies, especially where people are living a fast life, eating fast food and are always on the go. High blood pressure can be prevented with regular exercising and healthy eating, but if you already have a little bit higher level, it’s important to pay attention to your every day habits and keep your health from declining. We have gathered 15 foods which you should eat if you already have high blood pressure or you just want to do something for your own health.

1. Yoghurt

  

 A box of yoghurt contains the suggested daily amount of calcium and also a lot of magnesium. It’s a good idea to start your day with a yoghurt, maybe eat some fruits with it.

2. Spinach

 

Green leafy vegetables, for example spinach or ruccola has a high amount of kalium, which is essential for keeping the balance of blood pressure.  

3. Salmon

Salmon is rich in omega-3-fatty acids, which helps to normalize blood pressure and also has a role in controlling the normal heart rate. 

4. Honey

Paying attention to your blood pressure is hard if you also have problems with your blood sugar. Try eating honey instead of sugar, but be careful, it’s better, but still sugary and leads to obesity if you eat too much. 

5. White beans

 

A plate of white beans contains enough magnesium, calcium and kalium for a day for an adult person. You can eat them in a soup, as a side dish or in salads also. 

6. Blueberries

 

Almost every kind of berries are good for your blood pressure because of the flavonoids they contain. Flavonoids can reduce high blood pressure, so don’t be afraid to eat them as snacks also.  

7. Raspberry

 

Almost the same as blueberries but it’s also good for blood vessels because of the antioxidants it contains. Researchers have proved that eating red berries regularly can reduce high blood pressure. 

 8. Potatoes

It might be surprising but potato is also good to reduce high blood pressure. We have discussed how important is the magnesium and kalium to keep a balanced blood pressure, and this vegetable happens to contain both.  

9. Kale

 

Kale, just like spinach and ruccola is a green leafy vegetable, therefore contains a lot of kalium, which is essential for our body to keep itself balanced. 

10. Kiwi

 

Speaking about kalium, magnesium and calcium may became boring now but they are still the best things to eat if you want to keep your blood pressure in balance. 

11. Banana

Banana contains the biggest amount of kalium, therefore it’s really good to reduce high blood pressure. Perfect for a quick breakfast if you don’t have time to prepare complicated meals. 

12.  Dark chocolate

You are sweet-toothed? No problem. Have you ever thought that dark chocolate is healthy? Of course, don’t eat too much because it will cause constipation, but it can reduce high blood pressure and it’s great against cardiovascular diseases. 

13. Beetroot

Beetroot is quite divisive amongst everyone. You love it or you hate it. It contains nitrat which becomes nitrit and then nitrogen-oxid and it widens the blood vessels, therefore reduces blood pressure. Try eating it with some roasted meat, or as a side dish.  

14. Garlic

Garlic is good for a lot of things, since it has antibacterial effect but it also contains allicin which can prevent high blood pressure. It doesn’t matter how you eat it; raw or prepared. Either way it’s healthy.

15. Avocado

 

Avocado is the ultimate superfood nowadays, and not only because it’s popular. It contains a lot of good kind of fatty acids and a lot of vitamins also, and the best thing: magnesium, kalium and antioxidants. Perfect for your blood pressure. 

 

 

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  

https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com  for info on cancer and health related topics

https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs