Simple and Fastest Snack – “Bread Toaster”

Food from Southern parts and that from the Northern parts of the country are vastly different, which proves as a vital point that makes the Indian delicacies a focal point of discussions. South Indian cuisine is more of chilly and coconut ingredients & exotic oils, with the majority gracing absence of non vegetarian food, while north Indian delicacies frequently have non vegetarian items and are fiery with add ons of spices and gravy made up of exotic herbs. Such delicacies are a result of religious beliefs among the two different regions of the country. But the effulgent part of such a difference is that people from both the regions, respect the cooking patterns of all the regions and take pride in eating them and promoting them, whenever the chance comes up.

So now let us discuss one such recipe which oozes out the distinguished Indian flavor of the Indian recipe. India Food Network is a site that provides amazing yet quick to cook recipes at a single click. Do you have a knack of cooking spicy delicious Indian cuisine?? So what are you waiting for?? Log on to India Food Network and enjoy your favorite Indian cuisines now.

Very hungry??? Cannot wait or go down or order something to eat. Here is the recipe where you require neither much ingredients nor much time as well as not tough to prepare. Just in 2 minutes a tasty snack is ready that is called as Bread toaster. Sandwich is all time favorite of everyone. Very rare people will be there on planet who don’t like sandwich. But then it is not necessary that every ingredients of sandwich is always ready in your house. But the bread toaster is a snack whose ingredients are always available at any ones house.

Ingredients for Bread Toaster

1. Bread
2. Tomatoes
3. Onion
4. Green Chilies
5. Red Chili powder
6. Oil
7. Salt

Method for preparing Bread Toaster

1. Chop the Tomatoes and Onion into very small piece.
2. Finely chop the green chilies
3. Take a bowl add tomatoes, Onion, Green Chili, Red Chili powder and salt as per taste.
4. Mix it well.
5. Take two breads and in between of two breads spread the stuff of tomatoes & Onion. Prepare like sandwich.
6. Take a pan, put Oil on it.
7. On heating put this sandwich on the pan.
8. On bread keep one plate and on top of that plate keep a heavy stone.
9. Toast that from both the side.
10. Serve it with sauce.

People who like cheese can put cheese also in bread toaster. Easier, tastier, with less ingredients, and cooked in less time is “Bread Toaster”

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Delicious Samosa's for breakfast in Evening !!

Indian food comprises of various types of cuisines from India as well as neighboring places in the sub continent. Ample amount of green vegetables, fresh fruits, fiery spices, and exotic herbs are used to create aristocratic Indian delicacies. There has been a boom in number of Indian restaurants coming up in the food market. Many popular Indian restaurants these days are generation old establishments or family-owned Indian food chains. Are you new to Indian delicacies? Are you looking to eat best delicacies that make up the perfect Indian food platter? If yes, it is very important to know what type of cuisine to order. Novelty in Indian delicacies is one of the most appreciated aspects about the food in the country.

There has been a steep rise in the use of modern methods of microwave cooking. This has resulted in the process of cooking food items becoming hassle free. There are many regions in the country that follow the conventional and traditional measures of Indian cookery. Scores of people in metropolitan cities and in developing towns cater to microwave recipes which help in bringing out a special taste. Thanks to some chefs with expertise and cooking connoisseurs, people in India are getting acclimatized to the art of microwave cooking, along with putting inputs from Indian culture and traditions. But the fact which is the talking point & still remains undeterred is the way Indian recipes are respected and get good in quality and repute amongst the world every day. The daily life of an Indian individual is never complete without a proper dose of Indian food. This has always been regarded as the essence of the Indian cuisine.

Intergeints for Samosa

1. 1 cup of boiled potato, Mash the potatoes.
2. 1/2 a cup of boiled green peas
3. 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds (jeera)
4. 2 teaspoons of ginger-green chili paste
5. 2 teaspoons of amchur (raw mango powder)
6. 1 teaspoon of coriander-cumin seed (dhana-jeera) powder
7. 1/2 a teaspoon of garam masala
8. Oil
9. Salt to taste
10. 2 cups of Maida flour
11. 2 teaspoons of Ghee
12. Carom seeds (ajwain)
13. Water to prepare Dough

Methods for preparing the filling (inside masala) of Samosa

1. Heat oil in a pan and add the cumin –seeds
2. When the cumin seeds start crackling, add ginger- green chilies paste
3. After one minute, add the mashed potatoes, green peas, amchur powder, corriander, cumin seeds powder, garam masala and salt as per taste.
4. Mix well and mash it lightly. Now the filling of Samosa is ready keep aside.

Methods for preparing the outer part (Chapatti) of Samosa

1. In bowl, take the flour of maida and sieve it.
2. Add carom seeds (ajwain), salt and Ghee in that flour. Mix it with your fingers.
3. Add water and knead it to make soft dough.

Methods for preparing the Samosa

1. Make small roll from that dough and make chappatti.
2. Divide the Chapatti in equal part.
3. Make a cone from each part and stuff with Samosa filling
4. Seal the edges by using water. Seal the edges carefully and properly.
5. Deep fry the Samosa in hot oil and cook it till it gets golden brown in color.
6. Serve the hot Samosa with the chutney.

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Sprouted Bhel- Health & taste at your doorsteps

Want to have something chaat-pata?

Are u bored of the same daily cuisine and seeking to try some new flavours? Sprouted bhel is exactly the chat you should try out.

A delicious chaat like Sprouted bhel , to satisfy your fascination for flavours helps to meet the need of all generations. The content of protein in the sprouts increases its health levels and the fruits act as a boosters as well.

A simple and fully-flavored bhel also serves the appetite of a health conscious person. Not to forget the benefits of sprouted bhel which makes it easier in preparing and serving it when there are unexpected guests at one’s place , if u have all the ingredients already refrigerated.

Preparation Time:
10 minutes

Cooking Time:
10 minutes

Ingredients:
1. 1 cup moong sprouts
2. ¼ black gram sprouts
3. ¼ cup bhel sev
4. 1 cup murmure
5. 1 onion
6. 1 tomato (finely chopped)
7. ½ cucumber (finely chopped)
8. 1 green chilly (finely chopped)
9. 3 tablespoons lime juice
10. Salt as per taste
11. Red chilly powder
12. Dry mango powder
13. 1 tablespoons oil

14. Chaat masala

15.Pomegranate for garnish.

Method:
1.One day before making the bhel , soak moong seeds and black gram for five to six hours and then put it in a wet cloth and keep it aside.
2. Next day, while making the sprouted bhel, heat oil in a pan and put the sprouts in the pan.
3.lets the sprouts heat till it becomes a bit tender and its color changes.
4. Remove the sprouts in another vessel.
5. Mix all the ingredients :Bhel sev, murmure, onion, tomato, cucumber, green chilly, lime juice, salt, red chilly powder and dry mango powder in sprouts.

6.Stir the bhel properly and add chaat masala or bhel masala.

7. Garnish the bhel with coriander and pomegranate.

Variation :

1. You can include all other seasonal fruits as well as other sprouts like raajma, chana daal, etc
2. You can also add corn to make a corn bhel.

A yummier come healthier sprouted bhel is ready to serve and asct as a best evening snacks.

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Choco Pinwheels – tempting yet easily made dessert

Choco pinwheel is a dessert that grabs the attention of kids as well as elders , not only by its looks but also by the name itself. Desserts itself are mouth watering and when it comes to something like Choco pinwheel , which is not only yummy but at the same time prepared with few ingredients within hours.

A delicacy that pleases your desire and helps the moms to get rid of from the long procedure of preparing stuffs is what that makes this recipe a super hit. The best advantage of Choco pinwheels is that , it is prepared without the use of a stove , which indeed help the kids to prepare it by themselves and enjoy the pleasure of treating their friends with their own cooked dessert.

Since it is prepared from the normal ingredients like Marie biscuits and coconut powder , it has no risk related to health. Cocoa power benefits the brain and act as an add-on in memory retention.

Preparation Time:
30 minutes

Resting Time:
30-45 minutes

Choco Pinwheels Ingredients:

For Outer Layer :

• Marie Biscuits – 25 ( 1 1/2 cups)
• Cocoa Powder – 2 tbsp
• Powdered Sugar – 2 tbsp
• Milk – 1/4 cup (as needed)

For Filling:

• Desiccated Coconut / Sweetened Coconut Flakes – 1/2 cup
• Butter – 2 tbsp
• Powdered Sugar – 1 tbsp
• Vanilla Essence – 1 tsp

Method:

1. Blend the Marie/Tea biscuits in a blender and remove the unblended biscuits from the powder.
2. Add cocoa powder and milk to the powdered biscuits and stir it into a smooth dough with the same consistency of a daily Roti dough.
3. For preparing the filling, mix the coconut powder, sugar, elaichi powder , vanilla essence and the melted butter in a mixing bowl and stir it properly to make a sticky mixture.
4. Add or decrease the sugar according to your preferences.
5. Take a small ball out of the dough n roll it into the shape of a roti with help of a rolling board.
6. Apply the previously made coconut mixture smoothly and spread it evenly all over the roti.
7. Roll the two-layered roti to form a cylinder shape.
8. Undertake the same procedure for the remaining dough.
9. For setting the rolls, refrigerate the it for about 30-45 minutes;
10. After de-refrigerating the rolls cut it width wise so that the pinwheels can be seen clearly.
11. Garnish the choco pinwheels with desiccated coconut.

Variation :

1. You can also take orange Marie biscuits to give it an orange flavor.

2. White / Dark chocolate sauce can also be used in garnishing the pinwheels.

An appealing , fascinating and delectable dessert to turn one’s head gets ready within no time and conveniently.

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In less Time, healthy, tasty snack - Fruit Sandwich

Indian food comprises of various types of cuisines from India as well as neighboring places in the sub continent. Ample amount of green vegetables, fresh fruits, fiery spices, and exotic herbs are used to create aristocratic Indian delicacies. There has been a boom in number of Indian restaurants coming up in the food market. Many popular Indian restaurants these days are generation old establishments or family-owned Indian food chains.

Novelty in Indian delicacies is one of the most appreciated aspects about the food in the country. Food from Southern parts and that from the Northern parts of the country are vastly different, which proves as a vital point that makes the Indian delicacies a focal point of discussions. Such delicacies are a result of religious beliefs among the two different regions of the country. But the effulgent part of such a difference is that people from both the regions, respect the cooking patterns of all the regions and take pride in eating them and promoting them, whenever the chance comes up.

Fruit Sandwich wraps are a great way to make a quick meal in a lesser time. With just a few ingredients you can create a meal when you are short on time or just want something simple and flavorful.

Fruit sandwich is a simple and tasty sandwich recipe with slices of fresh fruits placed between the buttered bread slices.

There are many people who don't like all fruits or dont take all fruit. Here is the best solution where all ages group can get healthy and nourished snack. For children also it is a best snack as it is not at all spicy as well as healthy. For all moms this is the best snack for their family. It can be considered as every age group's best food which is easier to prepare and tasty as well as healthy food.

It's really simple to put a wrap together. Here is a basic recipe that you can use and adjust to your taste or to whatever you have on hand in your refrigerator or cupboards.

Preparation Time:
10 minutes

Cooking Time:
10 minutes

Fruit Sandwich Ingredients:

1. Brown bread or Wheat bread

2. Jam and butter

3. Cheese

4. Slice of Apple

5. Slice of Pineapple

6. Slice of Chikku

7. Slice kiwi

8. Slice of Pear

9. Any fruit as per season.
10. Chat Masala

Method:

1. In brown bread or wheat bread apply butter them jam.

2. After that keep all the fruits on the bread.

3. Then on top of all fruits keep Slice Cheese

4. At last, put bread with butter and jam on that bread.

5. To garnish can put cheese.

6. Serve immediately with sauce or chatni (Optional).

Variation :

1. Combine the finely cut fruits with lemon juice, salt and pepper powder.

2. Place them between bread and cheese pieces.

Fruit Sandwich - India Food Network

Healthy, Tasty, Delicious in less time for snacks is best out best for any age group of people.

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Healthy and Yummy Starters

Hara Bhara Kabab

Hara Bhara Kabab - India Food Network Recipe

Spinach (palak) is one of the high nutritional leafy vegetable. It has in it Vitamin A - 52%, Folate (Vit B9) - 49%, Vit C - 47%, Vit E - 13%,Vitamin K - 460%,Calcium - 10%,Iron - 22% . Spinach is very healthy vegetable but children like him less. To convince your children you can always show them video of a famous character “Popeye, the sailor” In the serial, to regain the energy the character Popeye used to have the raw Spinach (palak) which would be very difficult for your kid to have it alone. Here we give you the recipe of one of the Spinach dish that is “HARA BHAR KABAB”

Please don’t go on the name it is a pure vegetarian item which can be cook fast as well as healthy, tasty and yummy starters or snack for your child.

This recipe could be easily cooked in few minutes and ready to be served instantly.

Ingredients required for cooking:

1. Boiled Spinach leaves (Palak) leaves (2 cups)
2. Boiled potatoes (5-6 piece)
3. Bread Slice (7-8)
4. Oil
5. Paste of Green Chilly & Ginger
6. Coriander leaves
7. Salt as per the taste
8. ½ tsp Garam Masala,
9. ½ tsp Amchur powder or Lemon (on availability)
10. ½ tsp Sugar

Method

1. Boil Spinach (palak)and remove all the water and make the paste.
2. Boil potatoes and smash it
3. Grind the bread in mixture
4. In one bowl, mix Spinach, palak, potatoes then
5. Then add all the masala, like paste of green chilly & ginger, salt , gram Masala, Amchur powder & sugar.
6. Mix all the items slowly and properly.
7. Roll each kabab into small balls or the shape you want.
8. Take a deep fry pan, heat the Oil and deep fry the kabab till it become golden brown.

Healthy and yummy food is ready to serve. Do serve it with the tomato sauce,red or green chutney or with schezwan sauce to make your starter Hara Bhara Kabab more delicious.

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Quick and Instant Recipe for Delighting Monsoons

Monsoons are the invitation to relive our taste buds with finger smacking delicacies. With the pleasant climate and good weather conditions, huge volumes of people like to enjoy delicacies of Corn during monsoons. Corn recipes are spontaneous and largely demanded by all age groups.

Corn (Makaai) does cater various needs of nutrients and vitamins that are required to revitalize our body. Corn is great source of vegetable as it supplements multiple nutrients. Corns are high in fiber and cut downs bad cholesterol from our body. It is also a great source of vitamin C. The recipes of corn are delicious. The most unique and different recipe of Corn is preparing Corn Halwa.

Corn Halwa is easy to prepare and serve. This recipe is less time consuming. Here are some guidelines from which you could receive appreciation from the incoming guest and enjoy delicious dessert made up at home

• Corn Halwa is basically prepared from mashed corn, coconut powder, sugar and dry fruit powder.

Time required for preparation: 10 minutes

Time required for cooking: 15 minutes

Serves: 1

Ingredients: 1) Sweet corn kernels (250 gms)

2) Sugar (100 gms)

3) A pinch of jaiphal powder (nutmeg)

4) Milk (1 cup)

5) Pure ghee (1 cup)

6) Mava (khoya) 1 cup

7) Dry fruit powder (2 teaspoons)

8) Coconut powder (2 teaspoons)

Procedure:

1) In a vessel, boil the corn and blend in a mixture to make it in a form of thick paste.

2) In a pan heat ghee and add the paste of corn and sauté it for 2 minutes on low flame heat.

3) When ghee starts leaving from the side, pour 1 cup of milk and sugar approximately of 100 gms and mix it well till the mixture becomes thick.

4) After it becomes thick, add 1 cup of mava, coconut powder, and Dry fruit powder.

5) Sprinkle the nutmeg powder or you could even add some elaichi powder.

6) Serve Hot

Garnish it with fine chopped pieces of almonds, cashew or pistachios.

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A key to Perfect Soups - Best Recipes

Take stock the next time you walk through the soup aisle at your local grocery store. Soup can be good and healthy food. It can be a tasty way to add healthy beans, legumes, grains and vegetables to your diet. It's a convenient, yet inexpensive way to add protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber to your diet. And soup is both comforting and filling—a hot, savory bowl can help take the chill out of the fall and winter seasons. Want more reasons to ladle up?

Soup may curb your appetite - Studies show that people who eat broth or vegetable-based soups (not creamy or high-fat ones) as the first course of a meal consume fewer total calories during their meal. In fact, study participants consumed 20% fewer calories when they started their meal with soup!

Soup can help you slow down - Eating a bowl of soup involves spooning, slurping, smelling, tasting, chewing, and swallowing. This helps you slow down your eating time instead of inhaling your food. Slower eaters tend to notice signs of fullness sooner and consume fewer calories by better enjoying their food in the moment.

Soup stimulates the senses - These warm concoctions have unique aromas, tastes, enjoyable temperatures and visual interest, which add to the pleasure you experience when eating.

While some nutrients are lost when making soup, they are still a great source of vitamins and other nutrients if they’re properly prepared. Here are a few tips to retain maximum vitamin content:

Use fresh veggies as soon as possible as they lose vitamins as they age. Don’t defrost frozen veggies to avoid losing any vitamins in the frozen liquid surrounding them. Wherever possible keep the skin on veggies as these contain the majority of the nutrients.

While chopping veggies finely will cut down on the cooking time and avoid them losing vitamins in the pot, it will also cause the veggies to lose nutrients on the cut surface. For this reason, you should use the veggies as soon as they’re chopped up. Short cooking times are better than long, slow ones, as more of the nutrients can be retained in the pot. Let us discuss a healthy soup recipe.

Mediterranean-style seafood soup

Ingredients Nutrition

1 tbs olive oil

1 large brown onion, halved, finely chopped

1 red capsicum, halved, deseeded, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, crushed

1 x 400g can diced Italian tomatoes

375ml (1 1/2 cups) fish stock

Pinch of saffron threads

1 dried bay leaf

2 x 5cm strips lemon rind

1kg skinless fish fillets cut into 3cm pieces

1/2 cup finely shredded fresh basil

Freshly ground black pepper

Method Notes

Step 1

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and capsicum and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes or until onion softens slightly. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until aromatic.

Step 2

Add the tomato, fish stock, saffron, bay leaf and lemon rind. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes or until soup thickens slightly.

Step 3

Add the fish and cook, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until fish is just cooked.

Step 4

Ladle the soup among serving bowls. Sprinkle with basil and season with pepper. Serve immediately.

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Making a Perfect Sandwich - Food Tips

"Sandwich architecture can mean the difference between a great meal and a mess that will ruin your tie," says Sisha Ortuzar, cofounder of New York City's gourmet sandwich shop,'wichcraft. The messier your ingredients, the thicker you want the bottom piece of bread to be. For a dense sandwich, like the Bistro Baguette, slice off the top third of one slice, and use the thicker piece on the bottom. Don't blast your bread in the toaster. Instead, sear it on one side in a stove-top skillet on medium-high heat until it's browned and crisp. Stack the sandwich with the toasted sides facing in—the toasty barrier will prevent sogginess and the soft outward sides won't scratch the roof of your mouth. The right sandwich can turn a bad day into a good one. Try these simple steps to the perfect sandwich. Take two slices of your favourite type of bread. Toast the bread in a toaster until the bread is slightly brown. Place three thin tomato slices, slightly overlapping, on the slice on which you spread the mayo. If you don't like tomatoes simply use ketchup. Place a lot of large romaine lettuce leaves over the tomato slices. Spread mayo on the second slice of toast, and complete the sandwich. Slice the sandwich diagonally, and use sandwich toothpicks to hold the sandwich halves together. Serve with potato chips and a dill pickle spear and a glass of milk.

How to choose the perfect fillings

Once you've picked out your bread it's time to add a great filling. Really, there are no rules when it comes to sandwich fillings, although a great melting cheese is always nice. Add to these deli meats, sliced vegetables and a range of antipasto. To make the sandwich extra tasty, add two layers of cheese. Here are a few of favourite toastie fillings:

Salami, roasted capsicum, rocket and provolone cheese

Chicken, bacon, avocado and Swiss cheese

Prosciutto, sun dried tomatoes, Gouda cheese

Roast beef, seeded mustard, sliced fresh tomatoes and mozzarella cheese

Chicken, avocado, fresh basil and Havarti cheese

Tomatoes, fresh basil and mozzarella cheese

Turkey breast, tomatoes, cress and Swiss cheese

Salami, rocket and fontina cheese

Use Perfect Combinations

There are several options to make your sandwich shine, so team up the right bread to the right heat source for an irresistible combination:

Sandwich press

This is the toasted sandwich maker of choice for delis and cafes, allowing you to successfully toast almost any type of bread. Even the biggest sandwich is no match for the sandwich press, and they are a great choice if you're watching your waistline as there's no need to add butter, oil or batter to the bread. Available either flat or griddled, the sandwich press also includes a handle so that you can apply pressure as the sandwich cooks.

Jaffle maker

The original jaffle maker was once family favourite, allowing leftovers to be transformed into a toastie treat. This handy device seals the edges of the bread, melting the cheese and heating up the goodies contained inside. This is the toasted sandwich press of choice for use with pre-sliced supermarket bread.

Grill

If you opt for an open sandwich, or you don't own a dedicated sandwich maker, you can use your grill to great effect. For an open sandwich, toast your individual slices of bread, pile up the fillings, and add a layer of cheese and then place under a preheated grill.

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Add a Dash of Iron in your Diet

     Iron is an essential mineral used to transport oxygen to all parts of our body. A slight deficiency of iron causes anemia (fatigue/weakness) and a chronic deficiency can lead to organ failure. Conversely, too much iron leads to production of harmful free radicals, and interferes with metabolism causing damage to organs like the heart and liver. Iron which comes from fruits and vegetables is well regulated by the body, so overdose is rare and usually only occurs when people take supplements. Contrary to popular belief, fruits and vegetables can be good sources of iron, in addition, vitamin C foods, which are mostly fruits and vegetables; helps increase the absorption of iron into the body. The current percent daily value for iron is 18 milligrams (mg). Below is a list of fruits and vegetables high in iron. Iron is an essential mineral that helps to carry oxygen from the lungs around the body, according to the CDC. 

The most noticeable symptom if you don't have enough is feeling tired and weak. People lacking in iron are also likely to be cold, have trouble performing at work or school and may have weaker immune systems. The Institute of Medicine recommends women ages 19 to 50 get 18 mg of iron a day (men need only 8 mg). Vegans, long-distance runners, pregnant women and women with heavy periods are all at greater risk for low levels of iron, as are people who donate blood regularly or those with digestion problems that impact how nutrients are absorbed, according to MedlinePlus. Luckily, it's easy to add more iron to your diet by eating iron-rich foods. It's also a good idea to eat these foods along with some extra vitamin C, which helps your body absorb iron, according to WebMD.

      Some people opt to take iron supplements instead, but keep in mind they can cause an upset stomach. Iron is an important mineral that is needed for the healthy growth of a child. When iron levels are low, it increases the risk of not having enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to vital parts of the body. Vital organs, muscle and tissues can be deprived of adequate oxygen intake, which could lead to a host of health problems such as learning disorders, deficiencies in growth and problems with behavior. Ensuring that we provide our children with proper nutrition requires some planning and a little extra work. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways for parents to ensure their children are consuming enough of the iron that they need to thrive. The recommended daily amount of iron ranges from 8 mg to 27 mg depending on your age, gender, and if you’re pregnant and/or nursing. Below are some easy ways to add iron to your diet to help prevent iron-deficiency anemia.

     There are many websites and online portals that provide various healthy recipes, food tips, power foods and much more. India Food Network is one such website that you can refer for various types of recipes, cooking shortcuts, food tips and much more.

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Different Types of Vinegar & its Uses

Vinegar is versatile in cooking, too: make classic vinaigrette from oil and vinegar, splash it sparingly in soups and dishes to add acidity, or make a marinade for poultry or meat. Even if you think vinegar stinks (and it literally does), we believe vinegar should have a place in your kitchen. So we've created a handy guide to help you understand the different kinds. So, what is vinegar? It's basically a sour liquid (between a pH of 2 and 3.5) that's made from the fermentation of ethanol (alcohol), typically wine, beer or cider. Throughout history, humans have made vinegar, whether by accident or purposefully, and have used it in food as well as for health remedies. Interestingly the word vinegar is actually derived from the old French vin aigre, which means sour wine. And that pretty much applies to the most popular vinegars, which are made from wine. But not all vinegars start out as wine made from grapes -- there is rice vinegar (made from rice), malt vinegar (made from barley) and cider vinegar (made from apples). Commercial vinegar is produced either by fast or slow fermentation processes. In general, slow methods are used with traditional vinegars, and fermentation proceeds slowly over the course of weeks or months. The longer fermentation period allows for the accumulation of a nontoxic slime composed of acetic acid bacteria. Fast methods add mother of vinegar (i.e., bacterial culture) to the source liquid before adding air using a venturi pump system or a turbine to promote oxygenation to obtain the fastest fermentation. Let us discuss different types of vinegar that are best for cooking uses.

Wine Vinegar

This flavorful type of vinegar is made from a blend of either red wines or white wines and is common in Europe, especially Germany. Creative cooks often infuse wine vinegars with extra flavor by tucking in a few sprigs of well-washed fresh herbs, dried herbs, or fresh berries. Red wine vinegar is often flavored with natural raspberry flavoring, if not with the fruit itself. The quality of the original wine determines how good the vinegar is. Better wine vinegars are made from good wines and are aged for a couple of years or more in wooden casks. The result is a fuller, more complex, and mellow flavor. You might find sherry vinegar on the shelf next to the wine vinegars. This variety is made from sherry wine, and usually is imported from Spain. Champagne vinegar (yes, made from the bubbly stuff) is specialty vinegar and is quite expensive. Wine vinegar excels at bringing out the sweetness of fruit, melon, and berries and adds a flavorful punch to fresh salsa.

Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic Vinegar is a salad lover’s favorite in America but it is truly an Italian specialty. In use since the middle ages, there are only two manufacturers of true balsamic vinegar. Made from a reduction of pressed Trebbiano and Lambrusco grapes, the vinegar is aged in wood barrels for at least 12 years and can cost $100 a bottle. Today there are also many great commercial versions available so you can enjoy this dark sweet delicacy no matter what your price range. In Italy, balsamic vinegar is often used in traditional desserts such as panna cotta or drizzled over fresh fruit. It can also be added to any kind of meat or seafood as a flavor enhancer and of course no culinary education would be complete without classic balsamic vinaigrette.

Rice Vinegar

Any discussion of vinegar and its varieties would be incomplete without mentioning the wide variety of rice vinegars from Asia. Made for over three thousand years from fermented rice or rice wine these vinegars come in a wide variety of colors. Depending on the region they can range from clear to red to black. Though they all vary greatly, they do tend to be milder and sweeter than western vinegars. The one we encounter most often in California culinary arts is Japanese rice vinegar, the magic ingredient in sushi rice that gives it that wonderful sweet tangy flavor; it is also a great addition to stir-fry recipes and salad dressings.

There many other types of vinegars like sherry vinegar, apple cedar and much more. India Food Network is website that provides you with various healthy veg and non veg recipes, food tips, ingredients lists and much more. Visit India Food Network for more details.

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Best Healthy Chicken Recipes

Chicken is a quick and healthy way to get dinner on the table, but there are only so many grilled chicken breasts you can eat before your taste buds beg for something else.  Every one prefers a soothing chicken soup or a grilled chicken dish on the platter. Whether grilled, baked, oven-fried or stir-fried, chicken is a lean, versatile and budget-friendly option for dinner. We’ve compiled our very best chicken recipes to please every appetite. Enjoy one of the best chicken recipes tonight, including chicken potpie recipes, creamy chicken recipes, chicken pasta recipes and more recipes for easy chicken dinners. You can try Moroccan Braised Chicken with Carrots and Golden Raisins. This version of the traditional North African dish gets its protein from both the braised chicken and the quinoa that takes the place of the usual couscous. Carrot and raisins lend a sweet flavor. Be it kids, teenagers or old people, everyone prefers a tasty chicken bite. Let us discuss couple of chicken recipes that are easy to cook and does not fail to tingle your taste buds.

Balsamico Grilled Chicken

Grilled chicken goes Italian with a cool sauce of balsamic vinegar, basil, shallots, and extra virgin olive oil. Serve over a garden salad for a fresh and light meal.

Ingredients:

    CHICKEN:

    4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each), trimmed

    1 tablespoon olive oil

    1/2 teaspoon salt

    1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    BALSAMICO SAUCE:

    3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil

    1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

    1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots

    1 teaspoon dijon mustard

    1 teaspoon honey

    1/4 teaspoon salt

    1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions

1. Prepare the grill for medium-hot direct-heat grilling (see note below).

2. To prepare the chicken, lightly pound the chicken to an even thickness using a meat mallet or the heel of your hand. Toss the chicken with the oil and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Set over the heat on a grill rack that has been coated with oil. Grill for 5 to 6 minutes per side or until the chicken is well marked and a thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 165°F.

3. To prepare the sauce, combine the basil, vinegar, shallots, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk in the oil to combine. Spoon over sliced grilled chicken breasts.

Recipe Notes

To coat the grill with a thin layer of oil, which will help prevent sticking, crumple a ball of foil, drizzle with a teaspoon of vegetable oil, and rub onto the surface of the grill with a pair of tongs.

Nutritional Facts per serving

CALORIES                     348.8 CAL

FAT                                19.5 G

SATURATED FAT         3 G

CHOLESTEROL            98.7 MG

SODIUM                        564.4 MG

CARBOHYDRATES      2.8 G

TOTAL SUGARS           2.1 G

DIETARY FIBER           0.2 G

PROTEIN                      39.4 G

India Food Network is a website that provides with many healthy chicken recipes, food tips, cooking shortcuts and much more. Turn your normal cooking routine into a healthy and tasty habit.

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Avoid too Much Fatty Foods & Stay Healthy

    Fat has rather wrongly been given a bad name; hence the huge range of low fat products available. But not all cholesterol is unhealthy. These can be found in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, and nuts, seeds and their oils. Even the 'bad' saturated F found in dairy foods and meat are necessary in moderation to keep us healthy. Saturated fat only becomes harmful if eaten in excess when they can cause serious health problems including obesity, strokes and cardiovascular disease.

By far the big baddy when it comes to cholesterol are hydrogenated or Tran’s, which are found in many processed foods such as biscuits, cakes and margarines. These are artificial and have been linked to heart problems, obesity and diabetes. Fortunately, awareness of the negative effect these fats have on our health is growing and some countries and manufacturers have banned them, although they are yet to be banned in the UK. "Needn't" foods are high in   or added sugars, prepared using a high-fat cooking method such as frying, or have a large amount of energy compared to their essential nutrient content.

    Avoiding cholesterol entirely in your diet isn't necessarily a good idea. However, reducing consumption of "bad" fats through better choices can make substantial improvements in your health. Some of the following tips can help. Exercise may not be enough when you need to burn belly. Belly fat is the toughest   to lose on your body. A variety of things influence belly, including stress. Stress is one of the biggest factors, but some foods you eat increase this type of fat as well. Before you continue to indulge in the bad stuff, here are 6 foods to avoid when trying to burn belly.

One of your favorite snacks may be giving you belly fat. Most potato chip brands are cooked in hydrogenated oils. This type of oil is called a Trans. Trans   is known to increase cholesterol, contribute to heart disease and increase weight. Chips that don't contain hydrogenated oil may have high amounts of fat from other oils they're fried in. There are baked and low   potato chips on the market that make better choices. However, be aware of the calorie count. High calories still contribute to belly. With a coffee shop on nearly every street corner, it is easy to get our daily caffeine fix but your latte habit won't be doing your   intake any favors. A large latte can contain nearly one third of a woman's daily recommended   intake. Cappuccinos are slightly more saintly as they are made with a smaller amount of milk. Frappes and hot chocolate can also score highly in the   stakes - a large hot chocolate made with whole milk can have the same   content as three hot dogs.

     It is essential for everyone to follow a healthy diet routine. India Food Network is a website that provides a wide array of healthy recipes, cooking tips and much more. Avoid the junk food and stay healthy.

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Curb down on Sugar - The Alternatives

Ok so we all know a Big Mac heads straight for the thighs, but less is said about that cheeky can of coke, a 'wholesome' cereal bar or even that bowl of 'slimming' cereal. Although excess fat leads to weight gain and obesity, sugar is proving to be just as big a player. And it's lurking pretty much in everything. Sugar has little nutritional value beyond providing energy, and there’s a lot of energy in there - 400kcal per 100g. So when you're munching through a sugary snack, those calories easily build up without you necessarily feeling satisfied. In a mid-morning sitting a chocolate bar, can of pop and a bag of crisps can make up a pretty big chunk of your daily energy needs – and that's just a snack.

The FSA guidelines state no more than 10% of our energy intake should come from sugar. For your average person needing 2000 calories a day, this translates to no more than 50g sugar – just a Snickers and a bowl of Frosties add up to that. And therein lies the shocker – 75% of our intake comes from the pre-prepared foods we buy. So how do we cut down? The simple answer is avoiding processed foods, but there are also a good few things you can use to replace sugar without going cold turkey on sweetness. Replace your white or brown sugar with an unrefined, dehydrated sugar, like Sucanat or Rapadura.

Yes, it's still sugar but that one change still makes a difference by somewhat reducing the dramatic blood sugar effect, giving your body at least a few nutrients in the process, and avoiding the high temperature and chemical process used to create regular sugar. Food and drinks that have a lot of added sugars contain calories, but often have few other nutrients. To eat a healthy, balanced diet, we should eat these types of foods only occasionally, and get the majority of our calories from other kinds of foods such as starchy foods and fruits and vegetables. Learn more in a balanced diet. Here are some alternatives to curb on sugar in your diet.

Honey

Seen as the more natural choice for sweetening, honey's actually just as calorific as sugar. However, it tastes much sweeter, and its distinctive flavour and weight mean you'll probably use a little less. It's also less processed than sugar and contains compounds thought to act as antioxidants. Hindus believe it's one of the elixirs of immortality.

Erythritol

This sugar alcohol is practically a guilt-free sweet solution. (And the FDA says it’s safe!) At 0.2 calories per gram, the white powder from a plant occurs naturally in many fruits. Plus, it doesn’t lead to tooth decay and other not-so-sweet effects of sugar consumption. It’s not quite as sweet as natural sugar, so try it in chocolate baked goods like brownies.

Stevia

This herb, originally from South America, is extremely sweet by nature but without any calories or sugar-like effects on the body, and you can use as little as a couple drops to sweeten a mug of tea or a few teaspoons in a dessert. It does have a somewhat bitter aftertaste, depending on the type you use. Unrefined foods are always best, and you can buy Stevia as a simple dried powder. Personally, we use this sometimes, but my husband only likes a particular brand of Stevia with absolutely no aftertaste (NuNaturals liquid). It is refined, but it works for us.

It was said by a wise man, eat healthy, stay healthy. You can find more tips to be healthy on the India Food Network. India Food Network also provides many delicious recipes to make cooking a fun and frolic habit.

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Avoid too much Salty food - Food tips

Salt or sodium chloride is essential for our health, yet many of us are unknowingly consuming far more than we should. Many people avoid adding salt to food or to cooking to keep their salt intake down, however, the majority of salt (around 75%) that we consume is already present in processed food such as bread, breakfast cereals, pastries and ready meals. A high salt intake is associated with high blood pressure and heart problems. It's also linked to stomach cancer and osteoporosis.

How much salt should be in our food?

The Food Standards Agency states that adults should not consume more than 6g of salt a day. The amount recommended for children is a lot less and varies according to age (click here (opens in a new window) for more information). Salt can be listed as salt or as sodium on a product's nutritional information. A high salt content is more than 1.5g salt per 100g (or 0.6g sodium). A low salt content is 0.3g salt or less per 100g (or 0.1g sodium). Sodium is an essential nutrient required by the body for maintaining levels of fluids and for providing channels of nerve signaling. Deficiency of sodium is rare, however, can occur in people after excessive vomiting or diarrhea, in athletes who intake excessive amounts of water, or in people who regularly fast on juice and water. Over-consumption of sodium is far more common and can lead to high blood pressure which in turn leads to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The current percent daily value for sodium is 2400mg; however, the American Heart Association recommends that people with high blood pressure eat less that 1500mg per day, or less than 3/4 of a table spoon of salt. Since sodium is required by all life to exist, it is naturally found in all foods and rarely does salt ever need to be added. Steps you can take to ensure low sodium eating include: avoiding canned foods, avoiding pickled food, choosing low sodium cheeses, and substituting herbs and other spices in place of salt.

High salt foods - bread

Manufacturers are working towards reducing salt in their bread, yet most commercial bread is still fairly high in salt. If, like many people, you have toast for breakfast and a sandwich for lunch, you could be consuming half your daily quota of salt by lunchtime based on the salt levels in some breads. For a child, this can be more than their daily recommended salt intake.

Baked beans

Baked beans are a staple of the Great British fry-up yet full of salt, which means you'll be well on your way to your daily salt ration if you have beans on toast with bacon. Many manufacturers make low salt baked beans which are a good alternative, or you could even try making your own with haricot beans and fresh tomatoes.

Soy Sauce, Other Sauces, and Salad Dressings

Soy sauce is commonly added to East Asian cooking, and now comes in low sodium varieties which are recommended, check nutrition facts of specific products for sodium content. One teaspoon of Tamari (Soy only) soy sauce contains 335mg (14% DV) and one teaspoon of Shoyu (Wheat and Soy) Soy Sauce contains 282mg of sodium (12% DV). In addition to soy sauces, be sure to check labels of most sauces and salad dressings in general, as these foods can be surprising high in sodium.

Salami, Bacon, and Cured Meats

Salt has long been used as a preservative for various meats, and so it is not surprising to find a high amount of sodium in them. One slice of bacon (8 grams) contains 194mg of sodium (8% DV), while one slice of salami (10g) contains 226mg (9% DV), and 1 large piece of beef jerky (20g) contains 443mg of sodium or 18% DV.

Curb the salt intake in your daily diet and live a healthy life. You can check out India Food Network website for more food tips and amazing recipes. 

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Involve Kids while Cooking - Fun Recipes

Are you bored of the same routine cooking procedure? Cooking can be a pretty tedious process. It depends on an individual how to pep it up and make it a fun process. One of the most easiest and fun way is to involve small kids into the process. It converts the tedious process into a fun & frolic cooking process. Small children are very inquisitive; Children will often try a dish as long as they've had a hand in cooking it. Cooking together at home is a good opportunity to introduce new ingredients and recipes into children's diet. This also helps the cause of providing nutritious food to the kids. Introduce new ingredients into your fridge and store cupboard. Make sure you have different types of fruit and vegetable for children to choose from.

The more choice there is, the more likely they are to find something they like. Discuss the week's menu with your children to ensure they have some input into what they eat. Let them write it down and decorate it then pin to up on the fridge so everyone can see what's on the menu each day. Bake cakes, cookies, pancakes, bread and scones, don't buy them. Baking is cheap and the end result is usually very pleasing. You'll find the homemade version more satisfying, healthier and gratefully received. Don't worry about mess. Let your children stir, mix, chop and taste. Encourage them to have a go and you'll get there in the end. Give them their own cooking kit. Gather together a small, inexpensive knife, a saucepan and wooden spoon and a chopping board with their name painted on and you'll find they're keen to use them. Let us discuss a fun recipe that you can try with your kids.

Peanut Noodles with Chicken

Serves 4| Hands-On Time: 20m| Total Time: 35m

Ingredients

•     1 8-ounce package thin rice noodles or sticks
•     1 2- to 2 1/2-pound rotisserie chicken
•     1 carrot
•     1 seedless cucumber
•     1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
•     2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

Directions

    Place the noodles in a large bowl and cover with hot tap water. Let soak until soft, 25 to 30 minutes. Drain in a colander or large strainer.

    Meanwhile, shred the chicken meat, discarding the skin and bones. Use a vegetable peeler to make long strips of carrot and cucumber.

    In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, and 6 tablespoons water until smooth.

    Divide the noodles, chicken, carrot, and cucumber among 4 bowls. Drizzle with the dressing.

Nutritional Information

•     Per Serving
•     Calories 724
•     Fat 33g
•     Sat Fat 7g
•     Cholesterol 124mg
•     Sodium 1,210mg
•     Protein 54g
•     Carbohydrate 56g
•     Sugar 5g
•     Fiber 4g
•     Calcium 49mg

               

You can substitute spaghetti or angel hair pasta, cooked according to the package directions, for the rice noodles.

               

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