But, as a researcher focused on forgotten and underutilised legumes, I think the initiative is an important step towards food security. Getting people to eat more pulses can ultimately help achieve UN Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger.

First, for clarification, legumes and pulses have different meanings. Legumes are all plants belong to the family Leguminosae or Fabaceae, while pulses are the dried seeds of legume plants. Pulses include beans, lentils and chickpeas.

One reason that legume plants offer such promise in ending hunger is that they don’t need good soil or nitrogen fertilisers. Plants need nitrogen to build important molecules such as protein and DNA. Most legumes can thrive in poor soil by fixing nitrogen gas from the air for their own use. This happens through symbiotic interaction with friendly bacteria known as rhizobia. The rhizobia are housed inside structures called nodules on the plant’s roots.

Thanks to their nitrogen-fixing ability, pulses are nutritional powerhouses: high in protein and fibre, and low in fat.

But that’s not the only interesting thing about legumes and pulses. In honour of World Pulses Day 2023, I would like to highlight five pulses that have unique properties and stories.

The African yam bean: high protein beans and underground tubers

The African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) offers two servings of food: beans and underground tubers. The tubers have higher protein content than any non-legume tuber crops like potato and cassava, and the beans are also high in protein.

Their nutritional value was proved during the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970) when the beans were cooked with amaranthus, telfaria or cassava leaves to feed the malnourished in war-affected areas.

This crop is native to Africa and was once grown across the African continent. Researchers have proposed that it may have been domesticated multiple times in west and central Africa.

Today, it is mostly grown as security or subsistence crop, rather than commercially. But its high protein content and drought tolerance are attracting increasing interest.

Common bean: diversity and environmental versatility

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) comes in many varieties around the world. Examples are black beans, red kidney beans and pinto beans they look different but they are the same species.

What’s special about them is that they can pair with a larger number of rhizobial species than other legumes can. This may have helped the common bean to thrive outside its native land and diversify in various habitats around the world. It’s able to fix nitrogen in different environments, making it a resilient legume species.

Pea: a role in early understanding of genetics

The pea (Pisum sativum) is among the oldest domesticated crops in the world. It contributed to the understanding of genetics, thanks to Gregor Mendel’s famous experiment with pea plants.

Mendel observed the way that different physical properties of the pea plants were inherited: pod shape, seed shape, seed colour, unripe pod colour, flower colour, stem length, and flower placement. He crossed two pea plants that had different properties and observed the seven traits in the subsequent generations for two years. From this experiment, he established Mendel’s Rules of Inheritance still applicable in modern day genetic study.

The rich genetic diversity of the pea is also a valuable resource for important crop traits that can withstand various weather conditions due to climate change.

Chickpea: built for drought

Many pulses are drought tolerant and use less water for production than animal-sourced proteins, especially beef.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is known to be highly drought tolerant. Most of this crop is grown under rainfed conditions in arid and semi-arid areas. This special ability to grow where water is scarce is more prominent in wild species of chickpea.

Wild chickpeas can also tolerate temperatures up to 40C another valuable genetic resource for better drought tolerance in modern chickpeas.

Still, chickpea yield is highly compromised when there is lack of water. Therefore, scientists are looking for beneficial traits that can reduce the yield loss in chickpeas during drought. This may contribute to a more secure food source in the midst of climate change.

Lupins: special cluster roots to seek nutrients

White lupins (Lupinus albus), yellow lupins (Lupinus luteus) and pearl lupins (Lupinus mutabilis) can form special roots to get more nutrients without the need for additional fertilisers.

Plants need not only nitrogen but phosphorus. Usually it’s given to plants in fertiliser to increase crop yield. Phosphate fertiliser is made from phosphate rock – a non-renewable resource which is rapidly depleting through agricultural use.

The white, yellow, and pearl lupins have unique root modifications called cluster roots that can liberate phosphorus from soil particles when the nutrient is low. These roots look like bottlebrush and are formed only when the level of phosphorus in the soil is low.

These cluster roots exude negatively charged compound called carboxylate that can liberate phosphorus from the soil and make it available for the plant to use. So lupins do not have to rely on phosphate fertilisers and can even help neighbouring plants by increasing the phosphorus level in the soil.

Food security

Pulses deserve our attention not just on February 10 but every day. The five pulses I’ve presented here can serve as sustainable protein sources and make food systems more diverse. They can greatly contribute to better food security in the future.

Photo:picturetherecipe.com

Kashmir, apart from its mesmerizing beauty and landscapes is also known for its food, Rogan Josh is Kashmir’s hallmark dish, a wonderful, flavorful Lamb curry with a Persian provenance.The name is derived from Persian terms Rogan, which means oil, and Josh, which means intense heat. With steaming rice or roti on the side, serve this delectable curry.

The ingredients to make Kashmiri Rogan Josh are, 1 Kg lamb – knuckles, boneless and ribs, 20 gms turmeric, 75 gms ginger garlic paste, 10 gms cardamom, 5 gms bay leaf, 200 gms Kashmiri red chilli paste, 250 gms pran,75 gms fennel seeds, 25 gm dry ginger powder, 40 gm green cardamom powder, 100 gm yogurt, 100 gm ghee and Color from Mawal flower.

Method:

1.Clean praan, slice and fry them.

2.When cold, grind them to a fine paste.

3.Whip the yoghurt. Boil the lamb along with the turmeric, ginger garlic paste, cardamom and bayleaf.

4.Separate cooked lamb from stock.

5.Soak the Mawal flowers in water for color.

6.Heat ghee and add the onion paste and saute for 3 minutes.

7.Add the stock along with all the other ingredients except the meat.

8.On a high flame boil for 20 minutes to get a creamy gravy. Add the meat and the extract of Mawal flowers. Cook for another 5 minutes and serve hot.

Petpooja is a multi-platform restaurant management system that can be used both online and offline.  Creating a single-point software that handles all of your restaurant’s functions. Currently the app has listed  over 35,000 eateries in India, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa.

Petpooja is in charge of payments, billing, orders, menus, POS transactions, and more. Staff workers can use the application to receive and fulfill online orders, create invoices, and send them to consumers via text messages.

“Petpooja aims to help the FnB business of Kashmir by providing them with technological assistance both in firmware and software, thus helping the business to grow” Says Farman, operation manager of Peatpooja for Jammu and Kashmir.

Petpooja enables franchisees to manage fees, monitor operations across numerous locations, and track inventory by allowing them to view and generate data. Managers can also oversee daily activities, grant role-based access to data, and use reports and graphs to get insight into staff performance.

The services and gadgets provided by Petpooja are waiter calling devices, online order widgets, feedback management, captain ordering, and much more. In Kashmir, Morels and 14th Avenue are currently using the devices of Petpooja apart from Gatoes which also entertains a variety of services provided by Petpooja.

“The applications provided by Petpooja do help me in running my outlet “Eatalian”, it does make the management part easy and in future am planning to use the gadgets by Peatpooja as well” said Isar Mir, owner of Eatalian.

Kardesler celebrated its one-year anniversary on the evening of June 14, 2022. Friends, family, and restaurant patrons were treated to a near-perfect arrangement. Mr Shadab, the founder, gathered young entrepreneurs from all around the valley, and chef Zahid prepared delectable Turkish dishes, which were served on regal platters to the guests delight.

On this occasion the restaurant offered a 10% discount on their menu, which was welcomed by a huge crowd attending the event.

The khyenchyen team wishes Kardesler all the best for the years to come.

1 Virgin Mojito

Photo: Pixabay

Perhaps the most liked and readily available drink at most eateries, Virgin Mojitro, it not only quenches your thirst but also acts as an antioxidant. To make yourself a chilling glass of Virgin Mojito place a few fresh Mint leaves in a glass and add some lemon juice, mix the well and add sprite into the mixture. Now add some more lemon juice, 3-4 mint leaves and ice cubes. Stir all the ingredients well and you have successfully made yourself a refreshing drink.

2 Lemonade

photo:Pixabay

A cool glass of simple lemonade is the epitome of refreshment. An easy to make refreshing drink,combine half a lemon’s juice with one glass of cold water. Depending on your taste, you can add sugar, salt, or both. Stir everything together thoroughly, enjoy your drink.

3 Aloe Vera and Lime Cooler Recipe

Photo: ranveerbrar.com

This summer, try this deliciously tart beverage to keep cool. All you need is two cups of water, two limes, three to four teaspoons of sugar, one and a half teaspoons of salt, and two tablespoons of aloe vera. Take a blender jar, add half a cup of water to it, add all the ingredients, some ice cubes, and blend everything until smooth. Take a seat and enjoy your healthy, hydrating drink.

4.Watermelon Cooler

Photo: Pixabay

Watermelon is without a doubt the most delicious summer fruit. It keeps you energized throughout the day if you eat it for breakfast. And now we’ll show you how to make a refreshing drink in just a few minutes. Simply combine some watermelon slices (peeled) in a blender. Blend until the mixture resembles juice. Place it in a jug or another container. Now, combine some ginger pieces with a little water in a blender. Add the ginger-water to the watermelon juice through a sieve. Mix thoroughly. Pour the watermelon juice over two ice cubes in a glass and top with a few drops of lemon. You might also add some honey or sugar. Mint leaves can be added as a garnish.

5 Lassi

Photo: Istockphoto

On a hot day, a cool drink of sweet or salty lassi will soothe your spirit. Simply place cooled curd in a large mixing basin and add water. Whisk them together until a smooth consistency is achieved. Make certain there aren’t any lumps. Add salt or sugar whichever you prefer, mix all of it well and enjoy a tall glass of lassi.

You can also add rose essence to make your glass of lassi more flavorsome.

With the onset of COVID pandemic lives were disturbed all around the world, people felt trapped, unable to continue their routine life, unable to go out for work, education or any social event. Pandemic completely disturbed the social life of people, but for Bazilla, a young entrepreneur from Kashmir, pandemic proved to be a bliss in disguise  providing her with ample time to pursue her lifelong dream.

At just 21 years of age, Bazilla is running her business of confectionery and bakery items, which she sells through her Instagram page “Sugar_n_Smiles”. During the lock-down when shops were closed, Internet was the best platform for people like Bazilla to not only pursue her dream but also to hone their skill set. 

“It has been 1.5 years since I started baking and bringing sweet joy to the people all around. When I think about it, the pandemic was the perfect time for people to realize their dreams. With nothing but time in my hands I learnt the diverse art that goes into baking and am now sharing it with the world”

Bazilla always had an inclination towards baking and preparing sweets, she would YouTube new recipes and with time master them.  With  a positive mindset of utilizing her time for good she not only set up her dream business  but also made her parents proud.

“My work not only provides contentment to me, but most importantly it brings pride and happiness to my parents.My business is still growing and whatever money I make, I invest it all back, by buying new equipment and utensils to further solidify my art”

For Bazila, the quality of her product and on time delivery is the key to her success.She uses natural ingredients in her products and spends most of her free time learning and crafting new products. The response she gets after each successful delivery boosts her morale and keeps her going.

“As of now I have not invested any money in advertising and my business is growing by word of mouth only,many times  different restaurant owners of Srinagar approach me after tasting my product and offer me a full time job, but as of now I am focused on creating my own brand” says Bazilla.

“Opportunity is always there even in chaos”,  with this mindset, Bazilla started her journey. Her online business is just the first step, next she wants to set up a confectionery and bakery shop,not only to sell her product to a larger audience but  also to teach the ambitious artists of the valley who want to try their skill.

So what makes people come to a cafe time and time again, aside from a very engaging menu and, of course, outstanding service? It’s the cafe’s interior design! People prefer spending time at fashionable coffee shops with distinct themes or important concepts, such as a vintage cafe where they may snap Instagram-worthy images with their buddies.

Here is a list of three uniquely theme based cafes in Srinagar

1 Winterfell Cafe

This neat looking cafe is located near the banks of Dal lake, the old wood carved seating provides a medieval vibe as people claim the Iron Throne by snapping a picture or two of course. The quality of their food compliments the overall decoration of the place, making it a perfect hangout spot.  Game of thrones has earned the name of being one of the top rated TV shows in all of history, and for the fans of the show this cafe is no less than a delight. 

2 Central Perk 

The fandom of 90s hit sitcom FRIENDS far exceeds the shackles of time.Even after 18 years of the last episode being aired, the show is still fresh in the memories of Millennial and even Gen Z is catching up to it. Located at Naseembagh road is a cafe called Central perk, and every fan of the show recognizes this name as the place where Ross met Racheall. The menu of the restaurant is rich with all the usual suspects such as  Chicken schezwan, Tandoori Murgh, Afghani chicken and a number of pastas but the eye catcher for the fans are the Ross Sandwich, Monica’s Salad, Joeys Special pizza and other such items.

3 Kardeşler- The Kashmir Cafe

During the Covid pandemic,  Ertugul or Resurrection Ertugrul, a hit Turkish TV show, gained popularity in Kashmir and gained a fan following of people from every age group. Kardesler is themed on this very show and is located at Downtown Srinagar. The restaurant provides a vibe from the TV show for its fans and the menu has Middle eastern dishes, Turkish dishes, India Mughlai cuisine and much more to offer. If you like the aesthetics and aroma of Medieval times this place is a must visit. 

Today’s Google doodle, produced by Olivia When, is a tribute to the inventor Angelo Moriondo on his 171st birthday, and displays a GIF of the earliest known espresso machine.

Despite the fact that coffee was quite popular in Italy, people spent a lot of time waiting for it to brew. Moriondo stepped in to save the customers, calculating that preparing numerous cups of coffee at once would allow him to serve more clients at a faster rate, providing him an advantage over his competition, Google said in a BlogSpot.

Moriondo was the first to patent an espresso machine. “The machine consisted of a large boiler that pushed heated water through a bed of coffee grounds, with a second boiler producing steam that would flash the bed of coffee and complete the brew,” it said.

Most people around the globe can not start their day without having a cup of coffee, and coffee has gained quite some popularity among Kashmiri people as well. locals have acquired a taste for cappuccino and a significant amount also drink Espresso and Americano.

“We sell around 150-200 cups of coffee per day, Cappuccino is  the most popular drink among Kashmiris , but Americano and espresso aren’t far behind. Almost a third of our consumers explicitly request Espresso every day.” said Mr. Ashiq, The head chef of Books and Bricks.

Espresso as a drink is not only an energizer but according to some researches drinking Espresso also aids in weight loss, improves your mood, makes you feel better, boosts your focus and attention, can also reduce the risk of diabetes, provides healthy antioxidants, could potentially extend your life, benefits your physical performance, and may reduce the risk of mental disease.

Paying tribute to Angelo Moriondo for making the coffee brewing process easier google said “Today, coffee lovers sip in tribute to the godfather of espresso machines,”

Kashmir, known for its beauty and food, is a place where restaurant culture is still evolving. The diversity of the food served in Kashmir ranges from Sushi to pizza, the authentic wazwan to french food, a mixture of both authentic traditional food and internationally influenced food, it’s all available. Most of these restaurants serve a hybrid of vegetarian, and non vegetarian food, but some restaurants present in Srinagar offer 100% vegetarian food.
Here is the list of three such places that serve pure vegetarian delights.

1 Krishna Vaishno Bhojanalaya

Krishna Vaishno Bhojanalya goes by the name of Krishna Dhaba, is a place that needs no introduction for the food lovers across India. Set up in early 1937,the dhaba has been up and running for more than 80 years. Serving its customers with a variety of vegetarian dishes from South Indian to Chinese and much more.The dhaba is open 7 days a week from 8am to 10 pm. Locally famous for its Dal Makhni, this place is always jam-packed, satisfying the taste buds of a diverse range of customers. With a seating capacity of 12 tables and more than 50 delicacies to choose from, Krishna dhaba makes sure that every one of its customers is served a satisfying meal.

2: Mrs. veg kitchen

Located across the iconic Chinar garden near Dal gate bridge, Mrs. Veg Kitchen stands tall with a three story building, providing its customers a captivating view and equally delightful food. The variety of vegetarian food served here is especially unique because of the Kashmiri vegetarian delicacies present in their menu, such as: Kashmiri Haakh, Kashmiri Naduru, Kadu Yakhni, and so on. From Samosas to a variety of vegetarian pizzas, their menu is well equipped to serve the unique taste every customer brings to the table. This eatery is open from 9am till 11 pm serving its customers local, national and International delicacies of vegetarian food.

3:Punjabi Darbar

Along the stretch of boulevard is a not-so humble vegetarian restaurant, Punjabi Darbar. Offering a diverse range of food and beverages, from South Indian to Punjabi, Gujarati and Jain food, the restaurant serves the cultural vegetarian food of mainland India in Kashmir. With its open air as well as indoor seating the customer can easily navigate to a table of his liking and enjoy a delicious meal with a touch of heartwarming breeze and scenery. This place is highly recommended for Punjabi food lovers.

For food lovers who like to enjoy their meals while being surrounded by the stunning beauty, naturally provided by Kashmir: here is a list of three must-visit eateries in Srinagar.

1: Vivanta Dal Lake

One cannot deny that mountains offer the best scenery that nature has to offer. Perched atop Kralsangri Hill, with the best panoramic view of Dal Lake and the majesty of the Zabarwan mountains in the background, The Vivanta assures its customers a fantastic view as they enjoy their meal. The multi-cuisine restaurant offers a unique dining experience as the food served here is a mixture of tradition and modernization. One gets a bird’s eye view of the surrounding in every season that Kashmir has to offer, be it the snow-covered peaks of the Zabarwan range, mesmerizing view of the Tulip garden in springs, or the majestic ambiance that comes with the arrival of Autumn, Vivanta has it all covered.

2: The Vintage Boulevard

One finds walking around the boulevard a soothing experience as it is, add a pinch of wind and a panoramic view of the stretch this is what The Vintage has to offer. located atop a 4-story building, this Dinner offers a clear-cut view of the sparkling lake surrounded by Houseboats up to Hari Parbat fort. Equipped with enough space, one can easily navigate to a table of his liking and enjoy a mouthwatering meal with a variety of continental and local dishes. For the people who like enjoying their food amidst the hustle-bustle a city has to offer, this place is a must-visit.

3: 14th Avenue Raj Bagh

A beautiful tiny cafe overlooking the mighty Jhelum river, this place always finds itself in the presence of a niche audience. Coffee lovers, who like to work without being disturbed as the flow of the river inspires them, this cafe is nothing less than bliss. The European decor and the wooden furniture provide a relaxing atmosphere. The menu consists of dishes from Mediterranean, Continental, Indian and Lebanese cuisines, which ensures that everyone finds something they would like to eat while enjoying a soulful conversation or just detoxification from our day-to-day life.