Best North Indian Desserts

Best North Indian Desserts:

Best North Indian Desserts

Indian desserts are famous for being some of the sweetest and tastiest in the world. No matter where you are, any Indian organization will absolutely offer at least one of these seven North Indian desserts. But be warned: They’re often referred to as diabetes on a plate. These desserts are not for the alternating sugar fan.

Gajar ka Halwa:

Gajar ka Halwa

Native to the northern state of Punjab, Gajar ka Halwa is a pudding dessert made from grated carrots. It is usually served with cashew nuts and pistachios sprinkled on top. You can find halwa at various Indian restaurants in Berkeley such as Udupi Palace, Kabana, Bombay Spice House, etc.

Gulab Jamun:

Gulab Jamun

These small, dumpling-like balls are made from bread kneaded with cheese. They are typically served in sweet syrup and go healthy both hot and cold. Find them at Ajanta, Vik’s Chaat, Mint Leaf, Namaste Madras Cuisine, etc.

Jalebi:

Jalebi

Made from deep-frying wheat flour, these Jalebis are popular in India, Sri Lanka, Syria, Iraq, and Iran and in some North African countries. They are typically fried in a pretzel-like shape and are then coated with sugar syrup. They are widely known for being celebratory sweets and are served during Hindu celebrations as well as during Ramadan all over the world.

Kheer:

Kheer

Kheer is a rice pudding made from boiling rice with milk and sugar. It is usually flavoured with vermillion, raisins, saffron, cashew nuts, almonds, pistachios and cardamom. Pretty much every Indian eating place has it.

Kulfi:

Kulfi

Also known as the ice cream of the Indian subcontinent, Kulfi is made of sweetened and flavoured milk that include flavours such as pistachio (as seen above), rose, mango and saffron. Unlike Western ice cream, Kulfi is not whipped, so it is thicker and takes longer to melt, giving it a heavier, and custard-like texture. It can also be found all over the place.

Laddu:

Laddu

Made from different types of flour and sugar, Laddu is the most common special dessert in Northern India, served at religious and cultural festivals as well as general everyday celebrations. There are several flavours of Laddu, including besan (chickpea-flour Laddus), boondi (gram-flour Laddus, shown above) and rava (wheat semolina Laddus).

Sohan Papdi:

Sohan Papdi

Made from sugar, gram flour, milk, cardamom and butter, Sohan Papdi usually comes in crumbling and crisp squares that are occasionally topped with pistachios.

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Indian Bread Recipes

Best Indian Bread Recipes:

Best Indian Bread Recipes

Whole wheat flour may be the major ingredient in most of the Indian bread recipes, but you can also mix it up within good health flours like ragi, jowar, bajra, and others for a nutrition boost. While dishes like dosa and appam call for rice flour, cheelas and thalipeeth make use of lentil flour to offer rustic flavours on the plate. You can try your hand at these delicious creations to step up your regular fare and woo your family. To help you get started, we have listed out our 10 best Indian bread recipes –

Aloo Paratha

Aloo Paratha

Soft bread stuffed with the spicy filling of mashed potatoes with coriander, chillies and other spices and then rolled out into big round parathas. It tastes best with a spoon of butter. For the recipe, click here.

Malabar Paratha

Malabar Paratha

The model classic from God's own country is this crumbling bread. Enjoy the delicate feel of the authentic Malabar paratha beside with a bowl of mutton cook. Click here for the recipe.

Poori

Poori

One of the most loved and relish foods of the nation. Wheat flour worked up in bread, made into balls, rolled out and deep fried to ideal golden brown. Serve them hot with your favourite curries or just a little marinating. For the recipe, click here.

Pav Bhaji

Pav Bhaji

One of the most loved breakfast dishes, pav bhaji is a perfect recipe of tasty and spicy. Find the recipe here.

Appam

Appam

A handful of ingredients are all that you need to make these delightful, feather-light appams. Learn how to make them by clicking here.

Moong Dal Chila

Moong Dal Chila

Have this abrupt urge to eat? You have moong dal cheela to your set free. This simple to make cheela is not only healthy but it also manages to fill up your appetite. For the recipe, click here.

Makki ki Roti

Makki ki Roti

The traditional Punjabi dish and a wintry weather favourite, Makki ki Rotis are served with Sarson da Saag. You could also top it with white butter, jaggery or honey. Click here for the recipe.

Mysore Masala Dosa

Mysore Masala Dosa

A crunchy dosa lathered with fiery red chutney and full with a mashed potato filling. Find the recipe here.

Amritsari Kulcha

Amritsari Kulcha

A crispy Punjabi enjoyment, stuffed kulchas are a breakfast favourite, which is served with chole. For the recipe, click here.

Sheermal

Sheermal

Bread prepared from flour, ghee, salt, sugar and saffron-enhanced milk, and cooked completely brown. For the recipe, click here.

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Diet Dinner Recipes Veg

Diet Dinner Recipes Veg:

Diet Dinner Recipes Veg

Whether you’re a vegetarian or just looking to cut back on calories, eating meat-free meals can have real weight-loss benefits. Fiber-rich foods like vegetables, beans, and whole grains will fill you up for fewer calories, which can help prevent weight gain—and even encourage weight loss.

Eggplant & Mozzarella Stick Roll-Ups:

Eggplant & Mozzarella Stick Roll-Ups

In this healthy dinner recipe, wrapping tender slices of eggplant around frozen mozzarella sticks yields eggplant Parmesan-like results in a fraction of the time. Serve with a green salad for an easy meal.

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna with Broccolini

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna with Broccolini

In this low-carb spaghetti squash lasagna recipe, garlicky broccolini, spaghetti squash, and cheese are combined for a healthy take on a favorite casserole. This bakes right in the squash shells for a fun presentation. Serve with a big Caesar salad and some warm and crusty whole-grain bread.

Chickpea Curry (Chhole):

Chickpea Curry

Made with convenient canned beans, this quick and healthy Indian recipe is an authentic chickpea curry that you can make in minutes. If you want an additional vegetable, stir in some roasted cauliflower florets. Serve with brown basmati rice or warm naan.

Apple, Fig & Brussels Sprouts Salad:

Apple, Fig & Brussels Sprouts Salad

Salad dressing made from sweet and mellow white balsamic vinegar balances out the assertive greens and Brussels sprouts in this healthy winter salad. If you have one handy, a small mandolin makes it easy to slice the Brussels and apple. To make it a dinner salad, top with shrimp or chicken.

Cheese-&-Spinach-Stuffed Portobellos:

Cheese-&-Spinach-Stuffed Portobellos

Here we take the elements of a vegetarian lasagna filling--ricotta, spinach, and Parmesan cheese--and nestle them into roasted Portobello mushroom caps. The recipe works best with very large Portobello caps; if you can only find smaller ones, buy one or two extra and divide the filling among all the caps. Serve with a tossed salad and a whole-wheat dinner roll or spaghetti tossed with marinara sauce.

Greek Orzo Stuffed Peppers:

Greek Orzo Stuffed Peppers

We steam brightly colored bell peppers in the microwave to save time and then stuff them with orzo, spinach, and feta. This basic recipe will work with almost any filling--try substituting different types of cheese, herbs or beans. Serve with whole-wheat pita bread and cucumber salad.

Portobello "Philly Cheese Steak" Sandwich:

Portobello "Philly Cheese Steak" Sandwich

Cheesesteaks are a Philadelphia tradition: thin slices from a rich and very fatty slab of beef, fried up and topped with a heavy cheese sauce. We've cut down on the fat considerably--but not on the taste. All it needs is a cold beer or a glass of pinot noir on the side.

Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomato Stuffed Pizza:

Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomato Stuffed Pizza

This stuffed pizza is filled with crumbled tofu, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, cheese and fresh basil. It's easy to make stuffed pizza at home. Just roll the crust thin, spread filling over half and fold closed. To use fresh spinach, cook 10 ounces until just wilted; finely chop and squeeze dry. Serve with: Marinara sauce for dipping and mixed green salad.

Tofu Parmigiana:

Tofu Parmigiana

Instead of having a greasy, battered coating, the tofu “steaks” in our revamped Parmigiana are breaded and lightly pan-fried in just a small amount of oil then topped with part-skim mozzarella, fresh basil, and your favorite marinara sauce. This Italian classic will please even those who are tofu-phobic.

Vegetarian Taco Salad:

Vegetarian Taco Salad

Nobody will miss the meat in this colorful, zesty vegetarian taco salad. The rice and bean mixture can be made ahead and the salad quickly assembled at mealtime. Recipe by Kumar for Masterchefu.

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6 Effective Home Remedies for Cholesterol

6 Effective Home Remedies for Cholesterol:

6 Effective Home Remedies for Cholesterol

High cholesterol is one of the primary reasons for heart disease. While looking for risk factors your doctor advises testing for Total Cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL), and High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels.

Your daily diet plays an important role in attaining and maintaining your health goals. High cholesterol can be prevented and effectively controlled by a combination of a good diet, regular exercise, ideal body weight and an overall healthy lifestyle.

Home remedies to manage cholesterol levels. 

1. Garlic:

Garlic

Commonly used in Indian cooking, garlic has been known for its health-enhancing properties. Garlic is made up of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and organosulfur compounds such as allicin, ajoene, s-allylcysteine, s-ethylcysteine, and diallylsulfide. These sulphur compounds are said to be the active ingredients that lend therapeutic properties to garlic. A number of scientific studies have proven garlic to be effective in reducing total and LDL cholesterol significantly. The evidence of its effect on HDL or good cholesterol is mixed; while one study reported an increase in the HDL levels another showed no effect. It was also found to have a positive effect on the blood pressure and the antioxidant potential of blood. Consuming 1/2 to 1 garlic clove daily could reduce your cholesterol level by up to 9%.

2. Green Tea:

The most consumed liquid after water; green tea is a rich source of polyphenols. These compounds provide immense health benefits to the human body. Green tea has the highest concentration of polyphenols associated with not only lowering LDL Cholesterol but also increasing HDL Cholesterol. A population-based study showed that men who drank green tea had lower cholesterol levels as compared to those who didn’t. Studies have indicated that the polyphenols of tea may block cholesterol absorption in the intestines and also help get rid of it. 2-3 cups of green tea is all you need.

3. Coriander Seeds:

Coriander Seeds

The humble Dhaniya seeds have been used in Ayurveda for a number of ailments. Among the long list, lowering bad cholesterol is one of them. Coriander seeds have numerous key vitamins like folic acid, vitamin A and beta-carotene, and most importantly, vitamin C.

4. Psyllium Husk:

Psyllium Husk

3 to 12 grams of soluble fiber from psyllium seed shell when included as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may decrease the risk of heart disease. Psyllium husk comes from the crushed seeds of the Plantago ovata plant and is a rich source of soluble fiber. There are innumerable studies to substantiate the benefits of soluble fiber in lowering LDL cholesterol. Adding 1-2 teaspoons of psyllium husk to our daily meals contributes the soluble fiber needed for keeping our cholesterol under check. 

5. Fenugreek seeds:

Fenugreek seeds

Methi seeds, as they are known to us, have been used as a well-liked cooking spice, flavoring agent and a medicinal plant since time immemorial. Methi seeds are rich in Vitamin E and take antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Saponins found in fenugreek help remove cholesterol from the body and its fiber helps reduce the synthesis in the liver. 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds daily is recommended.

6. Amla:

Amla

It is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C and phenolic compounds in adding up to raw materials and amino acids. The produce of amla has been used in Ayurveda as a rasayan for the dealing of various diseases. A study available in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology compared the outcome of cholesterol-lowering drugs against Amla. In addition to falling cholesterol, Amla was found to provide the extra benefit of protection against atherosclerosis and CAD. Everyday intake of amla not only reduces bad cholesterol levels but also reduces the break due to oxidation. One to two amla fruits can be inspired daily.

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Kids Lunch Box Food Recipes

Kids Lunch Box Food Recipes:

Kids Lunch Box Food Recipes

Hyderabad Khichdi Recipe:

Hyderabad Khichdi Recipe

Hyderabadi khichdi recipe is a tasty breakfast made with rice, masoor dal & aromatic spices.  Those are served with til ka khatta.

Masala Sevai Recipe with Instant Rice Noodles:

Masala Sevai Recipe with Instant Rice Noodles

Masala sevai recipe is a quick, South Indian breakfast made with instant sevai or rice noodles, spices & vegetables. A gem among several varieties.

Wheat Rava Idli Recipe, Instant Godhuma Rava Idli:

Wheat Rava Idli Recipe, Instant Godhuma Rava Idli

Wheat Rava idli recipe is a simple, healthy steamed cake made with broken wheat or samba wheat. How to make godhuma Rava idli or immediate dalia idli.

Dhokla Recipe:

Dhokla Recipe

Dhokla recipe or khaman dhokla is a fast, gluten-free, healthy, steamed Gujarati snack prepared with besan. How do I make this dhokla in cooker step by step process?

Masala Khichdi:

Masala Khichdi

Masala khichdi recipe is a quick, simple to make, healthy and soothing one-pot meal using rice, dal, vegetables and Indian spices. Masala khichdi in all its flexible avatars is food for the heart, be it the easy khichdi, masala khichdi or the ghee-laden, rich dal khichdi. 

Paneer Paratha Recipe:

Paneer Paratha Recipe

Paneer paratha recipe is a delicious Punjabi Cuisine style, North Indian flatbread. Learn fast & easy recipe of paneer paratha served with a side saucer like raita.

Broken Wheat Upma Recipe:

Broken Wheat Upma Recipe

Broken wheat upma is a fast, yummy & easy breakfast or evening tiffin ready with godhuma rava aka split wheat or dalia. 

Ava Pettina Daddojanam Recipe:

Ava Pettina Daddojanam Recipe

Ava pettina daddojanam is mustard flavor yogurt rice tempered with Indian spices. How do I make this curd rice? Andhra vantalu for Ugadi Telugu New Year festival.

Dabbakaya Pulihora, Rough Lemon Flavored Rice:

Dabbakaya Pulihora, Rough Lemon Flavored Rice

Dabbakaya pulihora is a tasty rice recipe made with rough lemon juice, Indian spices & peanuts. A gem with Andhra vantalu to celebrate Ugadi festival.

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