Fun and Food Blog

Chocolate Raspberry Pudding

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:42:00 +0000

Though its the season for Cranberries, I would urge you to make this beautiful change and go for some raspberries instead! Combine them with the gooey goodness of dark and white chocolate, topped with whipped cream and some slivered almonds, and you have the perfect dessert ready for Thanksgiving, or for a romantic dinner for two! Creamy Chocolate Raspberry Pudding - the name says it all - rich and creamy, warm and luscious, with a taste of decadence in every spoon, this is my favorite Pudding...

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Sweet and Sour Potatoes with Mango

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:47:00 +0000

One of the most interesting and challenging part of cooking is experimenting with flavors and spices, just like the blend of flavors in this Vietnamese-style recipe for Sweet and Sour Potatoes with Mangoes! It was an effort to replicate what we enjoyed at our local Tofu House restaurant. The blend of spices with soy sauce, thai chillies, red pepper, semi-ripe mango and rice vinegar resulted into a winning sauce base for the baby potatoes to be simmered in. The addition of Mango in a curry isn't...

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Thai Red Curry With Tofu & Vegetables

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:31:00 +0000

Thai curries are famous for their distinct flavors and the coconut base. And I love the fact that you can create beautiful variations by using different types of curry pastes or spice blends to make a red, green or yellow curry. This Friday night, we experimented with the Thai Red Curry made with Tofu and vegetables. What better way to get some protein, vitamins and loads of nutritious juices into our system than make a fulfilling curry! The best part, it was so easy to make, did not need much...

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Caramel Sauce Recipe - With Variations

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:34:00 +0000

Caramel is the backbone of caramel sauce, but it’s also ideal for coating nuts, fresh fruit, or the bottom of ramekins for Crème Caramel(pictured above) and other caramel-topped desserts. And it can add a touch of sweet and gooey to anything from cakes and tarts to brownies and ice creams. Contrary to what one might think, making Caramel Sauce at home is not too hard. It just needs some patience, and you need to stand hovering above the stove as sugar can go from Caramel to burnt in no time! I...

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Baked Strawberry Dessert Pudding

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 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! Puddings can be of various types, creamy, gooey, gelatinous or cake-like, and as the last one is one of my favorites, I chose a baked pudding that's softer than a cake, yet light in texture. The inspiration came from a craving for a traditional Strawberry Shortcake, but I didn't...

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Rava Besan Laddus

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:30:00 +0000

I meant to post this for Diwali, but these days, time flies even before I can think of catching it! This was our first Diwali with our dearest daughter "Ritika", so obviously, it was extra-special. Juggling between getting back to work, looking after Ritu, and managing other routine chores, we could find some time to make a few Diwali delicacies, thanks to my Mom, which otherwise would have been impossible for me to do - yes, taking care of a 3-month old is NOT an easy job!! One of the easiest...

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How to Host a Stylish Wine Party

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:44:00 +0000

In light of the recession many people are forgoing conventional dinner parties and instead opting for a rich but simplified menu. Having come to be known as chic "Wine Parties", guests usually delight in being able to have a more casual get together that isn’t meal-oriented. These new types of parties are not only friendly on the wallet, but are also far more time/cost efficient – requiring less preparation and clean up, they can be thrown at the last minute while still being a hit with your...

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Happy Diwali !!

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:55:00 +0000

Here's wishing all my readers and friends a very Happy and Prosperous Diwali! May this festival of lights fill your world with the light of happiness, health and wisdom. We wish you and your families tonnes of happiness and best wishes that all your dreams may come true! For those who do not know, I have been on a blogging break for some time as we have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl, and I've been busy taking care of my darling. hence I haven't been able to visit other blogs, but...

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Announcing A Sweet Celebration - Recipe Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:43:00 +0000

This is indeed a festival season, as Indians worldwide prepare to celebrate Diwali, one of the biggest Indian festivals, while the hooplah for Halloween has begun in the US. So we decided to organize an event that focuses on Sweets & Desserts! Everyone around the world is invited to participate, but wait, this time we have some Cash Prizes to felicitate the winners! One of our sponsors, Awesome Cuisine, has been kind enough to give away cash prizes for the top 2 interesting and mouth-watering...

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Mushroom Matar Masala

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Mushrooms are one of the less-favored ingredients used in Indian cooking, but there's one recipe that almost every one enjoys, and that is the Mushroom Matar Masala. Fresh mushrooms cleaned and chopped, then paired with fresh green peas make for a lovely curry that goes well with any Indian bread or rice dish. It is also very easy to make, so its an ideal preparation for week-nights when you have less time on hand but need to enjoy a fulfilling meal. Taking it one step further, we add some...

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Post-Partum Weight Loss Tips - Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:05:00 +0000

In the last article about how to lose weight after pregnancy, we discussed general things like diet, pre-pregnancy weight gain, breastfeeding and basic exercises at home. In continuation with the idea, here are some more tips that focus on cardio and Strength training, yoga, home workouts, ab exercises, and healthy snacking options to speed up your post-partum recovery and get back in shape. Read on, and you'll be on your way to looking great and feeling good, even with a baby in your...

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How to lose Weight After Pregnancy - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:15:00 +0000

As a new mom myself, I know that one of the biggest concerns of women after pregnancy is How To Lose all that excessive weight gained during those nine months! f course, taking care of your newborn still takes a priority, but its always a good idea to realize that the earlier you start exercising and being conscious about staying fit, the better it would be for your post-partum recovery and attaining your pre-pregnancy weight. For some people, it might not be that important to look slim and...

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Chocolate-Kissed Walnut Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:09:00 +0000

Sometimes one wishes to indulge into a little sweet treat, but at the same time, its nice if one can make something that takes very few ingredients, and less time to prepare, yet can satisfy your craving. On a cold Saturday afternoon, that's precisely what I felt. I was bored, and wanted to bake something simple. SO I opened my pantry and the first thing I saw was a bag of walnuts gawking straight at me. SO I picked it up, and went for the quintessential all-purpose flour, sugar and butter, and...

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Exploring the Health Benefits of Turmeric

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:40:00 +0000

"Turmeric", the yellow colored spice called Haldi, which leaves a stain hard to get rid of, is a well-known name is many Indian households. For more than 5,000 years, turmeric has been an important part of Eastern cultural traditions, including traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. Valued for its medicinal properties and warm, peppery flavor, this yellow-orange spice has more recently earned a name for itself in Western medicine as well. Turmeric comes from the root of the Curcuma longa...

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Healthy Wild Rice Salad

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:18:00 +0000

Eating healthy does not always mean feeding on the same old-fashioned salad and boiled vegetables. In fact, I recently discovered a new card on the diet table - Wild Rice! For those who have never seen it, purple rice is one of the several varieties of colored rice. Anthocyanins are the color pigments that give many foods their deep rich red, blue, and purple colors. The risk of several chronic health conditions, including atherosclerosis, is also lowered by regular consumption of such foods....

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Blueberry Orange Sour Cream Bread

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:15:00 +0000

Sweet breads are a great way to enjoy the goodness of a cake-like dessert which can be relished by itself, or even be paired with tea or coffee. Fruit breads are not only easy to make, they can be really versatile to incorporate seasonal ingredients. This week we enjoyed baking this Blueberry Bread, made even more delicious by addition of citrusy Orange flavor, and made soft by using Sour Cream. The bread not only smells great, it can fill your kitchen with a refreshing aroma that lingers long...

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Easy Ways for Healthier Cooking

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:53:00 +0000

Many people are trying to live healthier lives. They’re doing all the right things by making good food choices and getting in regular exercise. Making these conscientious decisions and sticking with them is the first and most important step. Not only is making the right food choices a big part of it, but also learning to cook in a more healthy manner is vital to your success as well. If you are not a big cook or have never really cooked in a concertedly healthy manner, it can be a true learning...

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Stuffed Eggplant & Potato - Bharela Ringan Bataka

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:10:00 +0000

Traditional recipes have a charm of their own, and though sometimes it can get hard to find some typical ingredients, there can also be some simple yet rustic and authentic recipes which leave an impression, even when using basic ingredients; one such Gujarati recipe is the Bharela Ringan Bateka nu Shaak, which means Stuffed Eggplant and Potato. It uses chinese eggplant and baby potatoes, both stuffed and smothered in tasty and spicy Masala, which renders the unique taste to this dish. Serve it...

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I'm a Mommy Now!!

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 02:05:00 +0000

Hey folks! Many of you have inquired about my recent disappearance from the blogging scene, asking me if everything is alright - well, thanks for all your concerns. I'm proud and happy to share some great news with you - We were blessed with a beautiful angel on July 20th, as she entered our lives and conquered our hearts! She's 10 days old now, and all of us, including Daddy, are doing fine:) We are getting adjusted to each other's routines, though 99% of the times, she's the boss!!:)D (image...

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What to Eat Before & After a Workout

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:07:00 +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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Mini Chocolate & Fruit Trifles

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:40:00 +0000

Fruit Trifles have been a favorite at holiday gatherings - layered with a piece of sponge cake, topped with whipped cream, fresh fruits, chocolate, nuts and your favorite toppings, they not only look elegant, but are the perfect end to a holiday dinner! So I tried to re-create the magic of trifles, albeit, in a smaller size, which suits perfectly for individual servings. Layered with fresh bananas, berries, mixed-fruit puree, whipping cream, rich swiss-mocha chocolate syrup and crushed...

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Garlic Naan Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:18:00 +0000

"Naan" is a name well-known in Indian cooking, and this is one kind of flatbread that is appreciated all around the world, by Indians and non-Indians alike. Soft and tender, Naan can be made with several different variations, but I bet every one loves a bite of Garlic Naan! It pairs well with any kind of curry, and is filling as well as appealing to the eye. Determined to try a homemade Naan recipe, I set out on an adventure last weekend, and was happy to see that my Garlic Naans turned out...

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Sugar High Fridays- Fruit & Nut Roundup

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:06:00 +0000

Its Friday, and that means the weekend is round the corner, and its time to give in to indulgences - so we celebrate it with the Sugar High Friday - Fruit & Nut Roundup! No one needs a reason to enjoy good food, and each one of these delicious desserts that you are about to see below is a culinary treat in itself. Thanks for sharing all your delicious recipes with us, and hope these inviting entries will help you enjoy your weekend, making it a bit "more sweet"!! Cakes & Muffins Fruit &...

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Mango Coconut Snack Cakes

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:39:00 +0000

Summer is the time I miss India the most - No, NO, not for the Heat, but for the delicious Mangoes that we relished during the season, never mind the pounds it added to my frame! Indian Mangoes have no parallel, but after so many years in the US, I guess we've started appreciating the fact that we can at least get mangoes in California, and they are of "decent-quality". So to satisfy my Mango mania, I baked these Mini Mango-Coconut Snack Cakes, a healthy, delicious alternative to regular...

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Free Weekend Getaway with Chef Bonnie

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:04:00 +0000

Most of the schools in US have closed down for summer and people are frantic planning their family vacations as the heat turns up in Sunny California! For those of you who have not yet experienced the sunny shores and the cool waters of the Pacific, here's something that could get you closer to a romantic Southern California getaway, which also includes a surprise package for food-lovers like me! As the economy vacillates between good and not-so-good forecasts, everyone is looking for a way...

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