IndiancKut - A Mixture of Food & Funds Related News

CHOCOLATE CHERRY CAKE RECIPE

2012-08-30T10:57:00.000+05:30

Ingredients:

6 Eggs White
1 Chocolate Cake Mix
21 oz Cherry Pie Mix
For Frosting:
2 Eggs White
1 1/2 cup Sugar
1/4 tsp Cream of Tartar
1/3 cup Water
1 tsp Vanilla Essence

How to make chocolate cherry cake:

In a bowl mix egg whites, chocolate cake mix, cherry pie filling.
Grease 9" X 13" pan and make a layer of flour on it.
Pour the batter into the pan.
In a preheated oven bake the pan for 35 - 40 minutes ot till the toothpick comes out clean.
Take tthe cake out and cool it.
To make the frosting, mix all the frosting ingredients and pour in a double boiler and with a beater, beat for 1 minute.
Then place this boiler on boiling water and again beat for 7 minutes.

Remove from heat and beat for 2 minutes on high speed.

Frost the cool cake with this mixture.

Today Talk

2012-08-30T10:44:00.000+05:30

Biscuit makers to hike prices by 10 to 20%

2012-08-29T16:52:00.000+05:30

Biscuit makers to hike prices by 10 to 20%; Rise in raw material costs

After bread, the price of biscuits, another staple food for the common man, is set to experience a steep hike - 10 to 20 per cent.

The reason for the hike is the same as in case of bread - unprecedented rise in prices of raw materials used to make biscuits.

This was informed by K P Mohandas, secretary-general, Indian Biscuit Manufacturers' Association (IBMA), as among the key challenges the biscuits sector was facing in the country, while speaking to FnB News over telephone.

In fact, according to Mohandas, smaller players in the industry not only had to deal with raw material price hikes but suffered even more as they were discriminated against by the respective state governments, which levied 13.5-14 per cent value-added tax (VAT) on products manufactured by them.

As a way out, Mohandas suggested, "We would like them to reduce it to five per cent so that it is on par with edibles that aren't consumed by the commoner."

He added, "Three or four years ago (i.e. in 2008-2009), excise duty - known as Central Value-Added Tax (CENVAT) - was applicable to all biscuits, irrespective of their maximum retail price (MRP)."

"Now, biscuits whose MRP exceeds Rs 100/kg are subject to eight per cent CENVAT, and that is what we have urged the government to abolish. To the inexpensive ones, CENVAT does not apply," he explained.

Even then, "Everybody is affected by the price hike (which dates back four years), but bigger biscuit makers have the financial muscle to cope with it," he said.

Oven French Fries

2012-08-29T16:45:00.000+05:30

Though the concept of Oven French Fries may sound little strange to you, you are sure to love it once you prepare it. They are crisp and crunchy and can be savored at any time of the day.

Prep:15 Mins

Cook: 30 to 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS

Cornstarch -1 tablespoon

Water -2 cups

Reduced-sodium soy sauce -1 tablespoon

Medium potatoes, pared and cut into strips -2

Olive oil -2 teaspoons

Salt -1/8 teaspoon

TOOLS REQUIRED

Large bowl

Paper towels

PREPARATION METHOD

Mix together soy sauce, water and cornstarch in a large bowl and mix till the mixture runs smooth. Stir potatoes. Cover the bowl and chill it for an hour. Now drain the potatoes and dry them on paper towels. Sprinkle them with salt and oil and toss well. Arrange them on a baking sheet smeared with nonstick cooking spray. Bake them at 375 degrees F for around fifteen minutes. Turn the sheet and bake for another twenty minutes till they become golden brown and al dente.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Serve with your chosen dip or ketchup.

Today Talk

2012-08-29T11:26:00.000+05:30

Sweet Corn Dosa

2012-08-28T15:46:00.000+05:30

Sweet corn dosa is a delicious recipe quick to prepare for snack or meal.

Prep:15 Mins Cook:

less than 15 min

NGREDIENTS

Sona masoori rice (washed and soaked in water for 6 hrs) :- 2 cup
Sweet corn seeds :- ½ cup
Salt :- To taste
Poha :- ¼ cup
Ghee/oil

TOOLS REQUIRED

Spatula

Frying pan

Serving dish

PREPARATION METHOD

Grind poha, corn seeds, soaked rice and required quantity of water till smooth to prepare a dosa batter.

Put salt to it and thoroughly mix.

Heat the pan and spread little oil.

Now pour a spoonful of batter at the middle and spread it with the back of a spoon.

Cook covered for 1 minute over medium flame.

Remove the lid and spread little oil on top of dosa.

Flip it and cook for another minute.

Serve hot.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Serve hot with chutney or sambar.

Increasing the Business Of Foods Packaged

2012-08-28T10:11:00.000+05:30

Greek Pasta Salad

2012-08-27T15:59:00.000+05:30

This pasta salad will surely be devoured by you and your family

Prep:15 Mins

Cook: less than 15 min

INGREDIENTS

cup olive oil, ½ cup

red wine vinegar, ½ cup

garlic powder, one and half teaspoons

dried basil, 1 1/2 teaspoons

dried oregano, 1 1/2 teaspoons

ground black pepper, 3/4 teaspoon

white sugar, 3/4 teaspoon

cooked elbow macaroni, 2 1/2 cups

freshcut mushrooms, 3 cups

15 cherry tomatoes cut into half

sliced red bell peppers, 1 cup

crumbled feta cheese, 3/4 cup

chopped green onions, 1/2 cup

1canof whole black olives

sliced pepperoni sausage, shredded, 3/4 cup

TOOLS REQUIRED

Large bowl

Spoons

PREPARATION METHOD

In a large sized bowl, whip basil, vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, sugar, black pepper and oregano. Add to the mixture tomatoes, mushrooms, cooked pasta, green onions, red peppers, olives, feta cheese along with pepperoni. Keep stirring till it is coated evenly. Cover it and refrigerate for minimum two hours or you can even leave in the freezer overnight.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Serve chilled

Health Foods and Health Food supplements

2012-08-27T10:36:00.002+05:30

Health Foods, what are they ? Aren't all foods healthy? Or are specific types of food that are particularly Healthy and confer specific health benefits? Well lets dig in and find out!

Health Foods are those type of food products that are grown in special conditions, without much influence of chemicals or artificial fertilizers that in a way directly benefits the health and wholeness of the final consumer. It is also a type of food product that is inherently healthy by nature and is grown or developed, also in special conditions, so that there are fewer unwanted intrusions and more of its natural goodness is retained. These are also what is known as 'Organic Foods'. These foods carry less fertilizers and pesticides and more essential nutrients that are retained in order to pass on wholeness and health to the consumer. Various kinds of fruit, greens, root vegetables, potatoes, salads, fish, peas, beans, lentils, brown rice, low fat dairy products come under this. It is best to stay away from junk food, because it usually contains far too much sugar and fat, but all too little of important nutrients. Why stuff yourself with "empty calories"?

Health Food is different from normal food products, since, most agricultural activities and products thrive with the use of harmful pesticides and insecticides for the aim of mass production and monetary benefit that the health aspect of it to the consumer is utterly neglected. In order to counter this grim reality, there is a great demand or Need for Organic or 'Health Products' that may not be organic but helps in adding essential nutrients to the final consumer. In todays age with the urban lifestyle, health is the only thing which is detiorating and these products are needed in large quantity and quality in order to fill in this wide gap.

Health Food Supplements:
As in the case of the demand of Health food, there is no surprise that there is a great demand for health food supplements also. The modern lifestyle of todays world which is breeding the fast food culture and the concept of eating on the run, most of todays population do get get enough nutrients from the food the consume and the need arisied for a supplementary diet from which people can derive the most essential and also complex nutrients for health. These are usually in the form of herbs, tablets, soy products and protein shakes.

Types of Health Food and Nutritional Benefits
● Low-Fat Protein
● Low-Fat Dairy
● Legumes and Grains
● Fruits and Vegetables
● Nuts and Seeds
● Raisins

Low-Fat Protein:
Protein foods are high in calories. As most guidelines suggest, those with the least saturated fat, in general, will have the least calories and is the best . These include fish, lean beef, pork, poultry and legumes/beans.

Low-Fat Dairy:
Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt represent primary sources of calcium. They can also contain large amounts of saturated fat, so it is best to develop and process low fat dairy products that are wholesome in health without adding too much adverse effects.

Legumes and Grains:
In addition to being significant sources of protein, iron and B vitamins, legumes/beans and grains deliver large quantities of dietary fiber. Your body needs fiber to help process the foods you eat during digestion, and among legume and grain types, you'll get the greatest fiber content from dry cooked beans and whole grains. Products such as pinto beans, lentils, chickpeas, brown rice, oatmeal and whole wheat are low in fat and high in beneficial nutrients and fiber.

Fruits and Vegetables:
Fresh, frozen, dried and cooked fruits and vegetables are also healthy sources of dietary fiber. Their greatest role in a persons diet, however, is to provide a wide variety of vitamins and minerals.

Nuts and seeds:
Nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pecans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and peanuts all contain a host of healthful nutrients. Just a handful packs a powerful punch of vitamins, minerals and fats, all of which work together to impact your heart, brain -- and your waistline. Just a little a day can diminish inflammation, provide satiating fiber and protein as well as immune-boosting minerals.

Nuts and seeds contain healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats. These fats are essential to health by managing inflammation and maintaining the normal structure of every cell in our bodies. Saturated and trans fats, found in meats, full-fat dairy, fried and processed foods can be damaging to our bodies by triggering inflammation. Research shows that diets high in these unhealthy fats can lead to a host of diseases. Choosing healthy fats instead can lower cholesterol and decrease inflammation.

Raisins:
Raisins are indispensable when it comes to health. Those golden, green or black colored delicacies are favorites of almost everybody, especially children. Raisins are widely used worldwide in cuisines (especially in desserts), health tonics, as snacks and also as nutrition for mountaineers, trekkers etc.

Raisins are obtained by drying grapes (green or black), either in sun or in driers, and look like golden, green or black gems. Indeed they are like gems when their nutritional values and health benefits are considered. When ingested raisins swell as the fiber present in them in dried form absorbs water. This helps giving relief in constipation. raisins, like all dry fruits, are very good for gaining weight, as they are full of fructose and glucose and give a lot of energy. Thus, they form an ideal part of the diet for either athletes or body builders who need a lot of energy or those who want to put on weight, without accumulating cholesterol.

Health Food and Dietary Supplements:
● Vitamins
● Minerals
● Herbs
● Amino Acids

Vitamins:
Vitamins are organic compounds essential for life and needed in small amounts compared with other nutrients. Therefore they are categorized as micronutrients. The amount of a vitamin is usually expressed on a supplement label as a percentage of the Daily Value, which is the term used for the amount recommended by the Food and Drug Administration. Vitamins include vitamin A; the family of B vitamins, which include biotin, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin and thiamin; vitamin C; vitamin D; vitamin E and vitamin K.

Minerals:
Minerals are micronutrients that are inorganic and originate in the structure of the Earth. You obtain minerals in your diet from plant and animal sources. Mineral supplements are often chelated, or bound, with bioavailable compounds that may improve absorption. Minerals include calcium, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc.

Herbs:
Herbs have been used for thousands of years as medicinal remedies. Today, 80 percent of some African and Asian populations still use herbal medicine as their principal form of health care, according to the World Health Organization. Herbs are considered dietary supplements by the Food and Drug Administration. Many medicinal herbs contain powerful plant compounds. If you are considering taking medicinal herbs, talk with your physician because herbs may contraindicate with medications or cause significant side effects. Herbal supplements are often sold dried; dried in capsules; as alcohol extracts called tinctures and as water-based extracts. An herbal supplement is also often described on the label as standardized, which means it contains a particular percentage of the active constituent of the herb.

Amino Acids:
Amino acids are the compounds that combine together to create protein. When you eat protein, the body separates the compound into individual amino acids and recombines them in the body to create hair, skin, tissue, organs, muscle and enzymes. Single amino acids may be used for treating health disorders. Amino acids include alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine and valine.

Recommendations if you decide to use supplements
● Purchase only single-ingredient products approved by your doctor that clearly show how much each dose contains, and use brands from companies you or your doctor know are reputable. Some supplements have been found to be contaminated with other unlabeled herbs, pesticides, prescription drugs, heavy metals, or other substances.
● Look for a certification mark or seal from an independent, third-party organization.Although tests differ, such labels indicate that the supplement has met certain manufacturing standards.
● Check the product label to see whether the supplement has been scientifically tested. Contact the manufacturer for the test results, and ask your doctor to explain anything that isn't clear.
● Be skeptical of supplements' label claims, particularly those that claim to cure cancer since no single device, remedy, or treatment can treat all cancers.

Scope of Health foods and supplements in India:
The scope organic food in india is vast and still not yet explored to its full potential.The following points can be taken into consideration while designing the strategies:
● Literacy rate has gone up.People are more health conscious now.They think twice before buying a product.Likewise,agriculturists are now more literate and are ready to experiment with new generation of crops and improved farming methodologies.
● Stressful lifestyle and so many diseases around have created a need for healthier and contamination free food.
● Organic food market is still restricted primarily to metros and other major cities of the country.Awareness is very less.
● Competitive pricing can really open a new avenue in the eatables and grocery section.

Health Foods and the organic agricultural industry and the food supplement sector is now fully opening up to the potential of the vast Indian population that is modern in lifestyle and weak when it comes to health and fitness. This Industry is here to stay, and grow. Health is wealth. Not just for the consumer we think.

Today Talk

2012-08-27T10:27:00.000+05:30

Spinach Cutlets

2012-08-25T13:44:00.000+05:30

Spinach cutlets are crispy and delicious in taste.

Prep:45 mins

Cook: 15 to 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

Fresh spinach (blanched and boiled in salted water):- 750 gm
Raw egg :- 1
Potatoes (peeled, boiled and mashed) :- 200 gm
Salt :- To taste
Cheese (crumbled) :- 100 gm
Mint :- 1 tsp
Pepper (chopped) :- 1 tsp
Oil :- 100 ml

TOOLS REQUIRED

Spatula

Deep bottomed pan

Serving dish

PREPARATION METHOD

Crush the spinach to remain dry as much as possible and chop fine.

In a bowl, combine potatoes and spinach.

In this mixture, put raw egg, mint, pepper and cheese. Mix well.

Make balls from prepared mixture like the size of a tennis ball.

Roll them in enough flour while being pressed in the middle of your palms to get the oval shape.

In a pan, heat oil and fry cutlets till golden brown on both sides.

Take out and place them on absorbent paper to remove excess oil.

Serve hot with chutney or tomato ketchup.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Serve hot with lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes and sauce or chutney.

Today Talk

2012-08-25T10:17:00.000+05:30

Yomil 1-min milk-based powdered beverage

2012-08-24T10:50:00.000+05:30

Dharampal Satyapal Group launches Yomil 1-min milk-based powdered beverage.

Dharampal Satyapal Group, which is known for brands like Rajnigandha, Catch, Pass Pass, Piyoz and Chingles, on Wednesday launched Yomil one-minute shake, a milk-based powdered beverage.

A press release by the company claimed that the shake was first-of-its-kind product in the beverages segment in the country. It added, the product provides a unique content composition that creates refreshing flavoured shakes in just one minute by adding only water.

“It offers consumers the convenience and value-for-money while retaining the goodness of a shake in a wide variety of Indian ethnic flavours. The product does not require milk or sugar to be added and is a rich source of energy with the goodness of protein and calcium too,” the release said. It is currently available in four flavours - Choco Milky, Milky Mango, Milky Rose and Milky Kesar Badam.

Speaking at the launch, Rajiv Kumar, VC, D S Group, confectionery & powdered concentrate, said, “DS Group has defined its growth with singular focus on product innovation in line with explicit customer requirements. With Yomil, the industry’s first-ever milk-based powdered beverage; we are expanding our product portfolio in the segment whilst focussing on convenience, taste, affordability and health and offering an industry first, yet again. With Yomil we aspire to build a focussed consumer connect while catering to evolving customer requirements. We have always been front-runners in achieving industry breakthroughs and, with Yomil, we continue the tradition of enriching industry with our trend- setting products.”

Trust Of Consumer Goods Companies

2012-08-24T10:36:00.000+05:30

EGG PAKORA RECIPE

2012-08-21T12:08:00.000+05:30

Ingredients:

4 Eggs (hard boiled)
3 tbsp Gram flour (Besan)
Salt To Taste
Red Chili powder to taste
Little Black pepper powder
Oil to fry

Preparation:

Peel and cut boiled egg into two halves.
Sprinkle little salt and pepper on eggs.
In a bowl take gram flour salt, chili powder and make a thick batter using water.
Heat oil in a kadhai.
Dip each egg piece in the batter and deep fry till golden brown on medium flame.
Serve egg pakora hot .

2012-08-21T11:30:00.000+05:30

Vipul Chaudhary is the new chairman of Gujarat Coop Milk Marketing Fed.

Vipul Chaudhary, 46, has been unanimously elected as the chairman of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) on Sunday. His nomination was proposed by the outgoing chairman Parthibhai Bhatol. The election was conducted by the collector, Anand, in presence of 16 members who are chairmen representing their district milk unions in the state.

Tzinga Energy drink comes to Mumbai

2012-08-21T11:05:00.000+05:30

Tzinga - Mango-Strawberry, Lemon Mint, Tropical Trip - comes to Mumbai

Energy drink Tzinga that comes in three flavours - Mango-Strawberry, Lemon Mint and Tropical Trip comes to Mumbai. The product is competitively priced at Rs 25.

Suhas Misra, director and head of marketing, said, "Mumbai is the biggest energy drink market in the country and people here consume energy drinks not just as mixers but for functional reasons. We wanted to be absolutely sure that we get everything right here."

"As a product, Tzinga has a combination of caffeine and guarana, a naturally occurring herb which helps in the process of body getting energy without the crash that follows the high with most energy drinks. Also, to make sure that the energy is delivered in the healthiest of ways, Tzinga has ginseng, which is again a naturally occurring herb with anti-carcinogenic and anti-oxidant properties," claims a press

2012-08-21T10:13:00.000+05:30

Recipe for Potato Omelet

2012-08-20T15:29:00.000+05:30

Potato Omelet

An ideal breakfast recipe or a nutritious after school recipe for children.

Ingredients

Potatoes (Peeled, washed, cut into small pieces and pat dry) :- 1-1/2 lb
Olive oil :- 1-1/3 cups
Eggs :- 6
Salt :- To taste

Tools required

Deep bottomed pan

Spoon

Mixing Bowl

Serving dish/bowl

Preparation method

In a deep bottomed pan, heat oil and put the potatoes. Then deep fry over medium flame till pieces become tender, cover for 20 minutes, occasionally mixing.

Once the potato pieces are completely cooked, take out from a pan and drain in the colander.

Add salt and stir well.

Lightly beat the eggsand then mix it into potatoes. Mix well.

Heat little oil and put the prepared egg mixture. Cook till the mixture set.

Cover, then keeping it immovably with the palm, turn the pan upside-down.

Now slide the prepared omelet from a dish or cover over into the dish. Allow the leftover side to cook.

Take out to a dish and serve.

Serving Suggestions

Serve hot with tamarind or green chutney.

FDI Application Approve by Center Govt.

2012-08-20T14:34:00.001+05:30

FDI Application Approve by Center Govt. By 3845 cr.

Ban all ‘unsafe’ food products in Gujarat

2012-08-20T10:47:00.001+05:30

Faith Foundation advocates ban on all ‘unsafe’ food products in Gujarat

Following Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi's announcement of a blanket ban on gutkha in the state with effect from September 11, 2012, the state food and drug department issued a clarification that no ban would be imposed on the sale and storage of pan masala.

The Faith Foundation, a Vadodara-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) that runs a centre for the rehab of those addicted to tobacco and is a forum to create awareness about HIV/AIDS, is now batting for a ban on all products termed ‘unsafe’ under the food safety regulations.

“Our concern is with the loophole in Modi's notification. It does not take into consideration the fact that addicts could now mix pan masala with tobacco, and consume it as a substitute of gutkha, because both have a similar feel,” Ananth Christian of the Faith Foundation told FnB News.

In a telephonic chat, Christian informed that the NGO had made a representation voicing its issues about these harmful substances to the government earlier and that they were awaiting a revert from them (which is expected soon).

The government could incur a loss of revenue due to this, a fact he confirmed. But he added that it costs them over three times the amount to treat oral cancer patients across the state. He also said, “Gujarat is a dry state, but prohibition isn't a success here. People consume bootleg liquor.”

Eid Mubarak.......

2012-08-20T10:37:00.000+05:30

Eid days are meant to celebrate
the goals and the achievements
that make you happiest.
The ideals you believe in,
the dream you love the best

Skill Development

2012-08-20T10:23:00.000+05:30

100% Natural. 100% Delicious.

2012-08-18T15:38:00.000+05:30

Indian Vegetarian Dishes

2012-08-18T10:56:00.000+05:30

Vegetarianism is a system of eating which is completely devoid of animal products. Indian food takes pride in being versatile since it features a number of recipes in which different vegetables are combined with a host of seasonings and spices to result in a number of dishes which are not only healthy but flavorful as well.

Some of the most common Indian vegetarian dishes are dum aloo which is a potato preparation, subzi which refers to a dry preparation of any vegetable ranging from carrots and brinjal to cabbage and cauliflower, palak paneer which features chunks of paneer in dark green spinach gravy and stuffed vegetables like stuffed tomatoes, stuffed capsicum and so on. In most of these, the use of ginger, garlic, turmeric and red chili powder is prevalent due to which they are yummy as well as well flavored.

Indian vegetarian dishes could acquire the form of side dishes and desserts as well and while some popular examples of the former are raita and chutney, the latter includes gajar ka halwa (carrot halwa), laddoos and kheer.

From the health aspect, vegetarian dishes being low in fat, calories and cholesterol are easier to digest and absorb and hence are not likely to result in health problems.