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Originally uploaded by chikache

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Just to keep the blog alive with yummies

Ginger, in urdu we call it ADRAK, is said to be the most beneficial food/spice … a few of its benefits are mentioned here via this site

Ginger is an herb, which originated in China and later, spread to India, Southeast Asia, West Africa and the Caribbean. It is basically the rhizome of the monocotyledonous perennial plant Zingiber officinale. It has been in use since ages, both as a spice as well as an herb. The nutrients present inside ginger, especially its volatile oils - gingerols and shogaols, accord a number of health benefits to its users. Infact, ginger has also been found to be effective in fighting against some fatal ailments like cancer. In the following lines, we have provided information on nutritional value and health benefits of eating ginger.

Nutritional Value of Ginger

Ginger has been known to comprise of the following nutrients:

• Calcium
• Carbohydrate
• Dietary Fiber
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Potassium
• Protein
• Selenium
• Sodium
• Vitamin C, E and B6

Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Ginger

• Ginger has been found to be helpful in blocking the harmful effects of prostaglandin, a substance that can lead to inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain and even cause migraines.
• Ginger has been associated with alleviation of the feeling of nausea, even in case of pregnant women.
• The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger make it effective in alleviation of the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
• Ginger helps to promote warmth in the upper respiratory tract and thus, is quite effective in treating cold and flu.
• Those suffering from cramps, caused by stomach gas, have found ginger to be quite effective.
• Ginger makes the platelets less sticky and is thus, pretty helpful in case of circulatory disorders.
• The cineole content in ginger has been found to be a mood enhancer and can help in relieving stress.
• Even ginger tea is said to be a great stress buster and has been found to have refreshing properties.
• Ginger is a natural and effective mouth freshener and also aids digestion.
• Ginger reduces inflammation and also helps lower cholesterol.
• Ginger is good for those suffering from gas and bloating.
• Ginger is believed to have anti-cancer properties.
• Ginger has been associated with easing of menstrual cramps and mitigation of headache.
• Ginger is quite effective in treating diarrhea.

Nutritional Value: 178 calories, 22.1-gram proteins, 10.8-gram carbohydrates and 4.9-gram fats.

• Cooking Time: 1 hour

• Ingredients
  • 150g chicken (boneless)
  • 1/4 tablespoon salt
  • 1/4 tablespoon red chilli powder
  • 1/4 tablespoon pepper powder
  • 1 tablespoon Worcester shire sauce
  • 1/2 egg white
  • 40g capsicum
  • 40 g cucumber
  • 40g onion
    • 1 tablespoon oil
  • (For sauce) 1/2 tablespoon garlic (chopped), 1/2 tablespoon vinegar, 2 tablespoon water, 1/3 tablespoon salt, 1/3 tablespoon sugar 1/2 tablespoon soya sauce, 1/4 tablespoon pepper powder

• Method:
  • Take the chicken and wash it properly. Now let it dry.
  • Add salt and chilli powder along with Worcester/shire sauce to the chicken and leave aside for half an hour.
  • Mix arrowroot powder with egg white and marinate the chicken with this paste.
  • Set the oven at a temperature of 400′ F and roast the chicken for about 40 minutes or till the chicken gets completely cooked.
  • Heat oil and saute all the vegetables. Add a little sauce.
  • In that mixture, add chicken and all the sauce ingredients and stir properly.
  • Simmer for about 10 minutes, till the sauce coats the chicken pieces well.

Via Here

Nutritional value of tomato soup: it contains about 3.5 gram proteins, 23.7-gram carbohydrates, 8.3-gram fats and 180 calories.

• Cooking Time: 35 minutes

• Ingredients
  • 150g tomatoes
  • 1small onion
  • 1/2 cup skimmed milk (or boil milk twice and cream it off)
  • 1 cup water/stock
  • Salt/ pepper
  • 1 teaspoon (10g) white butter

• Method:
  • Take a pan and put half the butter in it for heating purpose.
  • Put the chopped onion and tomato in the pan and fry them for about 5 minutes.
  • Add some water or stock to it and simmer the vegetables for 15 - 20 minutes, until it softens.
  • Take a blender and put the mixture in it for the purpose of liquidizing. Now strain the soup mixture.
  • Pour the left out butter into the pan and heat it. Cook for 2 minutes.
  • Take the pan off the fire and add milk to it. Now put the mixture on heat again. Bring it to a boil and cook for about 3-4 minutes, until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
  • Whisk the tomato puree into the white sauce. Heat to the serving temperature.

Via Here

1. Drink lots of water - take a 1.5 litre (2.5 pint) bottle of water to work with you and try to finish it all by home time.
2. Eat five portions of fruit and vegetables every day.
3. Never skip breakfast.
4. Plan your meals the week ahead. Write a shopping list and stick to it - use the internet where possible and never shop when you’re hungry.
5. Keep a supply of healthy snacks to hand (fresh and dried fruit, wholesome cereal bars, rice cakes, low-fat fruit yoghurts and wholemeal pitta and hummus are some ideas).
6. Remove all visible fat from food before you cook it - take the skin off chicken and trim the white fat off any meat. Don’t eat sausages (the fat’s not visible from the outside but it’s certainly there).
7. Limit stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol and refined sugar.
8. Limit the number of times you eat out to once a week. Take your own packed lunch to work or choose soup in the canteen (non-creamy ones).
9. Take your time. Don’t cut out food groups all together, such as carbohydrates, in a bid to lose weight quickly - your body needs balance. And don’t do denial - you’ll only end up cracking.
10. Only eat things you like the taste of - find what works for you and don’t force yourself to eat things just because they’re good for you.
11. And finally…enjoy these lovely recipes - cooking should never be stressful and eating should always be a pleasure.

Via BBC

Bignè, alla crema e al cioccolato, con salsa alle fragole all’aceto balsamico tradizionale

Originally uploaded by teresa_gennarino

coffee-designer.pps

Ingredients:

• 1/2 kg Chicken
• 5 tsp Pepper corns
• 200 gms Onion
• 2 Garlic Cloves
• 2 Cinnamon
• 2 Cardamom
• 1 tsp Ginger garlic paste
• 200 gms Tomato
• 1 Lemon
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
• 2 Green chilly
• Salt To taste
• Few bay leaves
• Oil

Cooking Instructions:

•    Chop the onions and tomato. Cut the green chilly. Crush the peppercorns.
•    In a pan heat the oil and saut? the onions, when they are soft mix the ginger garlic paste, garlic flakes, tomato, turmeric powder and mix them well.
•    Then add little water till the onions and tomato cook well. Add chicken and water. To this add the crushed pepper and salt. Stir it well and cook till the chicken is cooked. Lastly add green chilly. When the gravy is thicken remove from the fire.

via here

 

Ingredients:

• 200 gms Meat (Lamb)
• 1/2 Cup curd
• 2 Ginger
• 5 Garlic flakes
• 1 Large onion
• 1 tsp Coriander powder
• 5 tsp Red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp Cumin seed powder
• 6 Cloves
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions:

•    Wash the meat and cut into cubes.
•    Grind garlic, ginger, onion, coriander, cumin, red chilli, turmeric powder and curd to make a mixture.
•    Marinate the meat cubes in this mixture for 1 hour.
•    Stick the meat onto skewers.
•    Grill it for 20 minutes.
•    Garnish it with onions.

Via here

Its an hyderabadi dish.

Ingredients

750 gms roughly chopped Mutton

1 tbsp. Poppy seeds/khashkhash -

6 Almonds

1 tsp. each of garlic and Ginger paste

1 Garlic chopped

1 tsp. Peppercorns

4 Cardamom

3 Cinnamon

A small piece of Green papaya/ any meat tenderizer will do too.

A small bunch Coriander leaves

Oil to fry

Salt according to taste

Serve with

        Serve with Naan / Parathas.

Method

1.Roast poppy seeds and almonds and grind them to a paste.
2. Grind cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, papaya and coriander leaves with salt.
3. Wash meat and beat on a grinding stone. Mix all the grounded masalas and marinate meat pieces in it for an hour.
4. Heat oil, fry meat pieces for 10 minutes. Pressure cook for 20 - 25 minutes. Serve hot.

Via here