Fun and Food Blog Recipes

Wine Basics - How To Choose & Buy Wine

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:15:00 +0000

Do you feel confused and intimated when you have to choose a wine as a gift or to serve one at dinner? Are you someone who loves entertaining, but lacks enough knowledge about wines? There is a plethora of information about how to choose and select wine, and how to pair wine with food, and as fine dining becomes global, it becomes imperative to have at least some basic knowledge about the types of wine, and how to judge a good one from a mediocre one. While most people just feel comfortable...

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Sabudana Khichdi (Sago Khichdi)

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:23:00 +0000

"Sabudana Khichdi" is a very popular Indian snack often enjoyed for breakfast, during fasting, or as a light meal. Sabudana, also known as Pearl Sago, is a whole-grain similar to tapioca; small white seeds that become soft and spongy when soaked in water and turn translucent when cooked. Sabudana Khichdi is one of my all-time favorite recipes, where these sago grains are mixed with boiled potatoes, peanuts and sauteed along with curry leaves and spices. As Sago tends to be starchy, the trick...

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Strawberry Dessert Pudding - Baked Light & Sweet

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:18:00 +0000

Strawberry Pudding has been a favorite since ages and eons, and as these berries are easily available almost all year round, there's no restraint on indulging in a sweet dessert pudding whenever you fancy to have one! But the beauty of the ripe California strawberries that flood the farmer's markets in summer is hard to duplicate. So not wanting to lose even one opportunity to cook with these before the season ends, I decided to use them one last time to make a Strawberry Pudding. Puddings can...

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Aloo Masala (Batata) Poha - Healthy Breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:15:00 +0000

"Aloo Poha", or "Batata Poha", as its called in most places in Gujarat and Maharashtra, is a very well-known and easy-to-make light snack. Mostly savored as a healthy breakfast in most Indian homes, Aloo Masala Poha mainly consists of puffed rice flakes & potatoes, but it has evolved over time to include cooked veggies like boiled potatoes, onions, peas, carrots and coriander. Low in fats and carbs, and high in fiber and vitamins, this is a perfect breakfast meal. It is also popular as a...

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Moong Dal Kachori (Stuffed Lentil Baskets)

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:05:00 +0000

My mom used to make really delicious Crispy Moong-Dal Kachoris, and I still remember what a glutton I used to be when I ate those! of course, I could never have enough of these, or the lilva kachoris, their second counterpart. But then, crisp and flaky on the outside, and warm and flavorful on the inside, you just can't stay away from Kachoris! Do I sound like a commercial? guess what, once you try the recipe below, you'll start promoting it yourself! I've used moong-dal, or yellow (split-pea)...

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Are Nutrition Supplements Necessary & Safe?

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:21:00 +0000

We all know the importance of providing useful nutrients to our body, and how they are absolutely essential to maintain a healthy life! And yet, as demands of work increase and life becomes more and more stressful for families and individuals, we often find it hard to make sure that we are eating a balanced diet! The result, our body suffers from deficiencies, our bones grow weak, brain-function decreases and a routine physical examination shows that we need to start getting food supplements!...

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Moist Espresso Kahlua Brownies

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:21:00 +0000

One of my favorite chocolate indulgences comes in the form of these heavenly Espresso Kahlua Brownies; with chocolate, coffee and a hint of Kahlua liquer, there's hardly anyone who could resist these moist brownies! They are soft, cake-like, yet chewy at the same time, just how I like them! Its really easy to make these brownies, and you can experiment with several flavored coffee powders to make a version that works best for you. Though these are a perfect treat any time of the day, the...

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Roti Indian Bistro - San Francisco, California

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:10:00 +0000

Located in the West Portal district of San Francisco, Roti Indian Bistro is a small yet wonderful restaurant serving eclectic Indian food. A place that's really hard to get reservations for, we were finally able to make it to this restaurant last week for dinner, and everyone at the table was happy with what we got. But as a chef and a food-critic who loves trying out new restaurants, I personally felt that it was a good experience, but I don't think it was one of my best experiences,...

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Chana Masala (Chickpea) Sandwich - Indian Bruschetta

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:23:00 +0000

"Chhole" or "Chana Masala" is a popular Indian recipe for curried chickpeas, boiled and cooked in a delicious tomato-onion sauce, and flavored with mild Indian spices. I love chickpeas, and I really really love Bruschetta, so its not hard to guess how this beautiful Chhole Sandwich aka "Indian Bruschetta" was born! It was a totally on-the-spur-of-the-moment appetizer that I cooked up one night, making use of some leftover chickpeas topped on grilled bread, with some tomatoes, basil, cilantro...

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Best Summer Workouts Outside of the Gym!

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:20:00 +0000

More often than not, I wish I could lose weight without having to go to the gym, and though there's no magical way to do it, there are several activities that can easily act as effective summer workouts, and as you are mostly having fun while doing these, you don't even realize that its a workout! Whether you need to stretch those tired muscles, increase flexibility, or burn calories and seriously lose some weight, there are tonnes of summer workouts to choose from. And with the added benefit...

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Apricot-Ginger-Cranberry Muffins

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:23:00 +0000

Apricot and Ginger are great flavors when paired together, and you'll vouch for it yourself once you try these delicious Apricot Ginger Muffins; its like capturing the essence of summer in a muffin! Made with fresh apricots and melted butter, these muffins are very soft and moist. The shredded ginger adds the perfect amount of spice, filling your kitchen with a refreshing aroma. I decided to add a handful of craisins, because it made my muffins look prettier and taste better! A simple blend of...

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Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries - Easy Healthy Dessert

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 15:52:00 +0000

Summer means bountiful berries and delicious desserts, but when it comes to ripe and luscious strawberries combined with rich and dark chocolate, more often than not, a platter of Chocolate Covered Strawberries can easily serve to be the perfect answer for your dessert needs, without being overly heavy! The summer in California gives us huge red strawberries that can be amazingly sweet, and with a packet of Ghiradelli's delightful dark chocolate, you are all set to make a dessert that's pretty...

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Creamy Asparagus & Mint Soup

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:30:00 +0000

Since my last adventure with grilled asparagus salad, I had been itching to try the creamy Asparagus Soup which is considered to be a favorite way to devour the goodness of these stems. Its really easy to make, and there can be several variations that you can try. I chose to make a simple one with creamy white sauce mixed with onions, garlic and spices. Asparagus has a strong flavor by itself, so cream and mild spices help to tone it down a bit, accentuating it in a nice way. I chose to add a...

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Handvo - Healthy Vegetable Cornmeal Cake

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:23:00 +0000

"Handvo" is a cherished gujarati recipe which can be called a savoury steamed vegetable cornmeal cake, and is filled with several nutritious ingredients. The flour used in Handwo generally consists of corn, rice and chana dal(lentils). It is then combined with yogurt, spices and healthy vegetables, then allowed to ferment before steaming in a vessel, leading to yield a soft and delicious, yet healthy snack which can be relished with chutneys or tea. It is a beautiful blend of spices, flour,...

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Peach Melba & Vanilla-Cardamom Ice Cream

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:23:00 +0000

Just give me a cup of soothing vanilla ice cream topped with fresh fruits and raspberry sauce once a day in summer and I promise to become your slave for the season! Or perhaps you'd like to share some of my delicious Peach Melba, a classic summer dessert that's easy to assemble and worthy to be served at a royal wedding. I have always been a fan of ice creams, and though I love tropical flavors more, there's a charm about vanilla ice cream that is hard to replicate, especially if you decide to...

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Fiesta Del Mar Mexican Restaurant - Mountainview (bay-area)

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 13:23:00 +0000

If you are craving authentic Mexican food, try the Fiesta Del Mar restaurant in mountainview downtown, and I'm sure you'd thank me for it! With 2 locations, one on Shoreline and another on Villa, you are all set to get some margaritas and some delicious and spicy mexican food, which has been modified a bit to suit the american palate. Literally meaning "celebration of the sea", this promises to be a treat for those who love mexican sea-food. But they also have several other equally delectable...

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What to Eat Before & After a Workout

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:01:00 +0000

We all know the importance of exercise, but I've often faced the question about What to eat before and after a workout, and how much time should I give after a meal before I hit the gym? Is this important? Yes, indeed, as this can very well be responsible for how effective your workout is! Diet and Exercise go hand-in-hand, and while you may know that you should space your meals 5 times a day, its imperative to know how much and what to eat before hitting the gym so that you can reap the...

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Mandarin Thai Tofu Satay (Stir-Fry) & Jasmine Rice

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:23:00 +0000

I first tasted Mandarin Tofu Satay in a quaint walnut-creek Thai restaurant, and was immediately taken in by the taste. I'm not a fan of tofu, yet I was totally blown away by the Thai Tofu Satay, which was basically grilled tofu marinated in thai sauce then drizzled with a typical mandarin sauce made with red-curry paste, soy sauce, sesame and peanut sauce. And then recently, I saw a recipe for the classic Mandarin Tofu in Jeanne Lemlin's cookbook, and I knew it was time to take my Thai cooking...

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Vanilla Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:20:00 +0000

Vanilla Panna Cotta with Strawberries is a refreshingly light yet extremely popular Italian dessert. Literally translated as "cooked cream", this is a rich and creamy custard, topped with berries, caramel or chocolate sauce. When I heard about it for the first time, I was skeptical; pepper and vinegar in a dessert?! doesn't sound very inviting. But I courageously tasted it at a cafe once, and I have to tell you that I was impressed! The sweet and creamy pudding was rich and delicious, and the...

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Natural Fruit Facials For Healthy Glowing Skin

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Most of us are aware about the health benefits of fresh fruits, and we also know that most of the nutrients and vitamins in fruits lie in their skin and pulp, and just as they are useful to the body, these nutrients can serve to be excellent scrubs or re-vitalisers for our skin too! Natural Fruit Facials have been preferred since centuries to get a healthy skin that glows. If you know the properties of each fruit, you can pamper yourself with an all-natural fruit mask, without spending too much...

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Khasta (Raj) Kachori - Indian Chaat Dish

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:20:00 +0000

One of my best foodie memories of my hometown is waiting in line for a 3 rupees Khasta Kachori in a small 4 ft x 4 ft roadside food stall so I could satiate my craving for a spicy & tangy indian chaat!! Khasta Kachori, also known as Raj Kachori or Daal Kachori is a popular street-food in India. "Khasta" actually means "flaky", so this is essentially a flat disc-shaped kachori which is filled with a delicious moong dal mixture, then deep fried, and later stufed with potatoes, sev, onions and...

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Healthy Cooking - A Cookbook Givevaway Event

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:20:00 +0000

As a home cook, parent & spouse, I am sure each of you must be striving to achieve that perfect balance between healthy and delicious! As a food critic and a self-proclaimed expert chef, I often find myself in the same dilemma - what to cook that is healthy, will keep us fit, and yet qualify as a scrumptious meal?? There's never enough of Healthy Recipes, and what better way to share, learn, cook and experiment than participate in a Food Blog event that focusses on just that! And this is...

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Cherry & Almond Sour Cream Scones

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:20:00 +0000

Cherries, the small and sweet dark red fruits that are full of flavor and fiber are found in plenty in summer. I paired my fresh Cherries with the ever classic Almonds and sour cream to bake these delicious Cherry-Almond Scones. Packed with anti-oxidants and beta-carotene, Cherries are aptly called the "latest super-fruits"! These breakfast scones taste heavenly right out of the oven, and serve to be a perfect weekend brunch with hot tea! Combined with whole-grain flour, sour cream and a pinch...

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Almond Pesto Fettucini Pasta

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:05:00 +0000

We love Italian food, but when it comes to pasta, its hard to break away from the tried and tested tomato-basil sauce or creamy alfredo sauce. But recently, I've been experimenting with different types of Pesto, and what better way to use up all that sauce other tha blending it with pasta to make this delicious Almond Pesto Fettucini!! Some time back, I made the walnut-cilantro pesto, and this time around, I chose the Almond and Parsely along with Basil to make my pesto sauce. Unlike pine nuts,...

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Appetizers & Hors'Doeuvres - The Monthly Mingle Roundup!

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi Desai) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 13:10:00 +0000

Finally the wait is over! The much awaited roundup (at least for me!:)) that features lovely Appetizers & Hors'doeuvres is nothing but spectacular; thanks to everyone for making this happen! This post is indeed a wonderful collection of beautiful, bite-sized servings that will keep you full of ideas for your next party. Whether you love to entertain, or simply love cooking for your family, this roundup of Monthly Mingle gets you everything, from drinks to appetizers to desserts, we have it...

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