Fun and Food Blog

Strawberry Ricotta Pancakes

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:08:00 +0000

Mother's Day is coming around in 2 weeks, and I'm sure everyone is planning a special Brunch for their beloved moms! Well, my little one wants to make something special for me too, so she asked me to choose one of the best pancake recipes and tell her how to make them, so that she can do it "all by herself, maybe with a little help from Daddy", and make the Best Pancakes Ever for her Mamma!!! There are already tears brimming in my eyes as I type this post - it's so easy to get carried away by...

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How To Pair Wine with Food

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:08:00 +0000

It’s worth thinking about some of the best foods to pair with a wine tasting event; this applies whether or not you’re putting on a large party, or just having a few friends over. In general, it’s important not to let food overwhelm the flavour of the wines you’re serving, and to carefully match up different drinks with the meals you put out. At the same time, it’s possible to consider not serving any food at all, or advising your guests to eat before they arrive. For matching up wine...

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Are Computer Games Good For Kids?

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:04:00 +0000

These days, every kid from the age of 5 to 15, is mesmerized by the aura of online gaming. And no matter how hard parents try to keep their kids away from this culture, it is bound to affect them in some way, especially when their friends are doing it, so they want to do it too! When it comes to online games people tend to assume that the only benefits are with regards to entertainment. After all, this is what games are all about; having fun. Nevertheless, there are several other benefits which...

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Oscar Award Night Thank You's & a Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 23:08:00 +0000

People have been talking about Oscars past week, and as the fervor is still on, I thought I'd share with you a few of my ramblings about the big Party Night, and how the speeches given by the Oscar winners may sound fake most of the times, yet it does give you a chance to reflect on who all is important in your life, and whom would you like to thank if you were on that stage, accepting the trophy! February is the month that hosts a lot of these award functions, and not just the...

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Vegetarian Croquettes

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 19:44:00 +0000

As a mom, I am always on the look-out for healthy delicious recipes for my child, and as she is still a toddler, finger foods seem to top the list. Last week, I came across these beautiful Carrot Croquettes on Patricia's blog [photo courtesy Technicolor Kitchen]. They were delicious to look at, and I knew these would appeal to my whole family. But as I was going through the ingredient list, I saw that it contained Apricots along with the carrots. Fruit and veggies, both together in one recipe?!...

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Peppermint and Vanilla Butter Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:58:00 +0000

Just as wreaths, stockings and mistletoes signify the spirit of christmas, cookies and cakes do their part in spreading the joy all around. As the festival of christmas is just a few days away, people have started baking goodies and packing them in decorative tin boxes and wrapping papers, shipping them across to their loved ones and friends, wishing them joy and success in the days to come. Some flavors and smells reign the kitchens in these festive days, including, but not limited to...

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Poached Pears

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 19:29:00 +0000

Fall is finally here, and along with Apples and Pumpkins, you can now find Pears, Peaches, Plums and Persimmons flooding the grocery aisles. Its funny how most of the Fall fruits start with the letter "P"!! Anyway, this post is all about Pears, the different types, how to choose them, how to cook them, and the best way to Poach Pears, which by itself, is a classic dessert to serve on chilly winter nights! Image courtesy of Woman's Day magazine. Poaching Pears is a preferred technique...

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Marzipan Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 17:00:00 +0000

I'm sure many of you must've admired the beautiful decorations made on cakes and sighed with envy. And though decorating with frosting is an art, there are ways by which even a novice can create exquisite patterns and designs on cakes and desserts, thanks to the very powerful and very handy use of Marzipan. Primarily made from Sugar and Almond Meal, Marzipan has been used for centuries by pastry chefs all over the world. It can be used in baking and for covering and filling cakes, or to make...

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Curried Pumpkin & Carrot Soup

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 22:32:00 +0000

As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, most of our evenings are marked with chilly winds and occasional thunderstorms, and before you know it, time will come to light up your fireplace and get cozy, as the Holiday season draws upon the United States. And this heart-warming soup recipe is a perfect way to cut the chill of cold winter evenings. Just curl up yourself with a bowl of soup and a favorite book, or a long-awaited movie, and soon the weather outside will feel more pleasant...

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How To Make Caramel Sauce

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 23:12:00 +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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Ancho Chili Chocolate Brownies

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 16:49:00 +0000

Do you love Chocolate? Do you love a bit of heat or spice in your food? Then these outstandingly rich and fudgy brownies are a must-try! Made with good old cocoa powder and chocolate, but kicked up a notch with a teeny-tiny addition of ancho chile powder, these are a perfect introduction to adding heat in chocolate desserts. I had heard about Mexican hot chocolate, which uses this, and since then I wanted to try something like this. These brownies have a hint of spice without overwhelming the...

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How to Make Your Own Soy Milk

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 21:32:00 +0000

Many people have allergies to dairy, or are lactose-intolerant, making it inevitable for them to use milk alternatives, thereby choosing Soymilk instead of regular milk. And though several brands and flavors of Soymilk is available out there in the stores, if you use it on a daily basis, this can get to be an expensive affair! But, by making your own Soymilk at home, you can save tonnes of money, as well as get fresh milk every 3-4 days. Its really easy, and unbelievably cheap, plus you can use...

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Peanut Butter Cheesecake

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 20:11:00 +0000

Cheesecake is a favorite dessert for kids and adults alike, but when it includes ingredients like chocolate and peanut butter, it becomes way too kid-friendly to resist! But aware of the fact that you should not let your kids indulge in large portions of dessert every now and then, I was happy to find this toned-down bite-sized cheesecake version, courtesy of Technicolor Kitchen, which uses digestive biscuits as a base for the chesecake, and instead of making one giant recipe, you can make...

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Raspberry Almond Crumble

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 17:14:00 +0000

The easiest way to enjoy fresh fruits as a simple yet delicious dessert is by baking them into pies and crumbles! This lovely Raspberry Almond Crumble made with wholegrain flour is proof enough, don't you think! Crips, Crumbles, Cobblers and Pies all belong to the same family, but technically, they are slightly different. A Crumble is a British dessert containing stewed fruit topped with a crumbly mixture of butter, flour, and sugar. It is then baked in an oven until the topping becomes brown...

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Tomato & Peach Salad For Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 19:34:00 +0000

Summer is still going strong in California, and I harvested a big basket full of Heirloom Tomatoes last weekend. Needless to say, I have been hunting for recipes to bring these babies to good use, and after grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Tomato & Red Pepper Gazpacho, and Basil Tomato Pizza, I now needed something new, possibly with a fruit pairing, as I had ordered some lovely peaches, nectarines and oranges from specialty foods online, to really enjoy the taste of fresh homegrown heirloom...

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Slow Cooker Cheesecake Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 22:13:00 +0000

When we think of delicious summer desserts, we often don’t think of the slow cooker. In all likelihood, as the weather warms up, you’ve already stowed it away in the back of the cabinet. Not only can you use this versatile appliance for just about anything, but there are many healthy and delicious recipes available. Desserts can be quite intimidating—most of us will opt for the frozen desserts in our local grocery stores rather than risk one more burnt pie crust or undercooked cake. But...

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20 Best Local Restaurants in United States

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 22:00:00 +0000

How many times ina week do you eat outside? Most people would vote for more than 3 times a week, and with the growth of chain restaurants available to satisfy your food cravings, it becomes hard, and a bit challenging to find local eateries that still keep up to their promise of providing fresh and unique recipes that you won't find at a chain restaurant. I recently came across this infographic from YellowPages.com which shows the Top 20 Local Restaurants in different states, and while I was...

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Baked Penne with Pink Sauce

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:42:00 +0000

Pasta is one food that finds appreciation in every household, and also a staple that can adapt itself to numerous amount of creativity, to suit the occasion, flavor and the ingredients in the pantry! For our family, there can never be enough of pasta recipes, and though I love experimenting in the kitchen, they don't always gel well with my 3-year old. So sometimes, sticking to favorites is the only way to go, and luckily for me, there are a few favorites that stick with all of us - like this...

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Baked Strawberry Dessert Pudding

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Mon, 21 May 2012 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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Delicious & Drool-Worthy Valentine Dessert Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:23:00 +0000

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and I am sure all of you are on the lookout for some amazingly special recipes that you can make to celebrate Love on this special day. These days internet is the best source to find the best recipes, its like an online cookbook ready to be devoured and explored. And with the increasing popularity of food blogs, it has become easier to find innovative, creative and delicious recipes that come with a solid backing, because they have been tried and...

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$50 Spa Giftcard Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:25:00 +0000

_qoptions={qacct:'p-f4QCdDOj56EYA'}; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img src='http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-f4QCdDOj56EYA.gif' style='display: none;' border='0' height='1' width='1' alt='Quantcast' /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; As the New Year rolled out, almost 80% of the people I met told me that weight-loss was on top of their goals and resolutions. And why not, its on mine too! All that Holiday binging takes a toll when you stop fitting in your clothes, and you know its time...

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A List of Best Aphrodisiac Foods for Valentine's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:31:00 +0000

Celebrated as the most romantic day of the year, Valentine's Day brings with it flowers, candies, cookies, chocolates, cupid, candlelight and love. Our romantic fantasies may begin with Cupid and Roses, but somehow they always seem to end with luscious food, because no celebration is complete without delicious food, and perhaps some alcohol! It is probably a universal belief that certain food and beverages can act as strong aphrodisiacs due to certain chemicals they release in our bodies, as...

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Free 2012 Calendar Giveaway on Fun and Food Cafe

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:28:00 +0000

I opened my mail this morning and I am excited to see that Fun and Food Cafe's custom calendar for 2012 has finally arrived! Here's a preview of how it looks like! it looks so cute, and so inviting, just the way I wanted it:) I wanted to organize a giveaway in the New Year, but due to delays in printing and shipping, it got pushed off. But nevertheless, its still mid-January, and I have a cool calendar with delicious food photos to give away to one lucky reader on FFC! There are 12 amazing...

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Fun & Healthy Halloween Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:43:00 +0000

Halloween is a time that's often associated with sugary snacks like chocolate and candy, which can leave your kids wired on sugar and without the nutrition they need. However years of studying at an online university has taught me that just because a snack is healthy doesn't mean it has to be boring, remotely expensive or take a bunch of time to make. Halloween provides the perfect time to sneak in healthy food items in creative ways. Your kids will have so much fun creating and eating these...

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Blueberry Orange Sour Cream Bread

noreply@blogger.com (Mansi) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 19:15:00 +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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