Meera

Day to Day common cooking terms

meera08.84@gmail.com — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 08:45:00 -0600

After a long break with my little one, Finally I’m back to blogging….

Below are the few common cooking glossary most of us may or may not aware of this. I’m just sharing for you all for reference. Please add any if you would like to.

Appetizer : A small dish of food or drink served before a meal or as the first course.

Au gratin : Any dish that is covered with sauce, breadcrumbs or cheese and then baked or grilled.

Batter : A mixture of flour and liquid with a consistency that can be stirred.

Beat : To stir vigorously to make a smooth, frothy mixture.

Blanch : To prepare vegetables for freezing or further cooking by immersing briefly in boiling water.

Blend : To combine two or more ingredients manually or with an electric mixer.

Caramelize : To heat sugar till it browns.

Cheddar Cheese : A variety of cheese used in cooking.

Consistency : The thickness or texture of any mixture.

Core : To remove the seeds and tough center of a fruit/ vegetable.

Cream : To beat fat with a wooden spoon till light and fluffy.

Croûtons : Small slices or cubes of bread, fried or toasted.

Crumble : To break into small fragments.

Crush : To powder roughly.

De-seed : To remove the seeds from a fruit or vegetable.

Dice : To cut into small even cubes.

Dip : A thick sauce into which pieces of food are dipped before they are eaten.

Dot : To randomly place small dollops a butter, cheese, cream etc. on the surface of a hot, prepared meal.

Dough : A mixture of liquid, Hour etc. kneaded together into a mass or roll.

Dripping wet : Extremely wet.

Fold : Mix an ingredient gently another, especially by lifting the mixture with a spoon so as to enclose it without stirring or beating.

Garnish : To decorate.

Gateau : A cake, an ice-cream or anything shaped like a cake and lavishly decorated with cream and fruit.

Hard-ball stage : To cook sugar or jaggery syrup to a stage when a drop of it is placed in cold water, forms a hard ball.

Julienne : Food cut into thin, long strips.

Knead : to work the dough lightly by bringing the outside of the into the center, using the knuckles of the hand.

Marinade : A mixture of herbs, spices and a liquid (vinegar, curds etc.) in which food is made to stand to absorb additional flavor.

Marinate : To allow food to stay in a marinade and absorb the flavor that it imparts.

Mince : To cut/grind into tiny pieces. Usually applies to meat.

Mixer : A common term for an electric grinder or a food processor.

Mocha : A flavoring usually made with coffee infusion.

Mozzarella cheese : A variety of Italian cheese used in the preparation of pizzas and salads.

Praline : A sweet, smooth substance made by boiling nuts in sugar and then crushing them.

Puree : A smooth blended mixture of fruit or vegetable.

Rind : Tough outer skin of a fruit, for example, lemon rind.

Sauté : To cook lightly and quickly in a small amount of fat, turning frequently.

Shavings : Thin strips cut off the surface of a hard food.

Shortening : Fat suitable for baking.

Shred : To cut into fine strips, like with cabbage.

Sift : To pass through a sieve or food mill.

Simmer : To cook below the boiling point of water.

Slice : Cut food into thin long pieces.

Soufflé : A very light pudding puffed up with egg whites.

Stir-fry : Frying rapidly over medium heat while stirring briskly.

Stock : A liquid extract made from vegetables, fish or poultry used as a foundation for sauces, soups etc.

Wedge : A piece having one thick end and tapering to a thin edge, typically triangular in shape, for example, lime wedge.

Whey : A greenish liquid that separates after the formation of cottage cheese (paneer) or curds.

Whip : To beat cream, eggs or any other food into a froth.

Did you know that whole wheat flour (atta) healthier than refined wheat flour (maida)?

meera08.84@gmail.com — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 22:19:00 -0600

Complex carbohydrates can be either refined or unrefined. Whole wheat flour (atta) is known as an unrefined carbohydrate because the bran (outer skin of the grain) is retained. Rich in fiber and other important micronutrients, unrefined carbohydrates are a more wholesome choice of food for everyday consumption.

As the name suggests, refined wheat flour (maida) is a refined carbohydrate. All cereals belonging to this category lose their fiber and micronutrient content in the refining process. Eating too much refined carbohydrates can cause health problems ranging from cavities to gastric irritation and constipation.

Given below are examples of unrefined and refined carbohydrates.

Unrefined

Atta (Wheat)
Brown bread
Brown rice
Ragi

Refined

Maida
Noodles
Polished rice
White bread

How to make home made Paneer?

meera08.84@gmail.com — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 23:10:41 -0600

Paneer is un-ripened, fresh Indian cheese that is common in South Asian cuisine. It is also called chhana. It is strained curdled milk and a rich source of milk protein. Dating back to ancient India, paneer is a common cheese used in traditional South Asian cuisines. It is made by curdling heated milk with lemon juice or vinegar. The block of cheese is called paneer and the crumbly, moist form is called chhena.

Preparation:
Paneer is prepared by adding an acidic agent, such as lemon juice, vinegar, citric acid or yogurt to hot milk.

This helps to separate the curds from the whey. The curds are drained by tying the residue in a muslin or cheesecloth and the excess water is pressed out by placing it under a heavy weight like a stone slab for two to three hours.

The resulting paneer is immersed in chilled water for 2-3 hours to improve its texture and appearance.

In Indian, especially Bengali cuisine, the curds are beaten or kneaded by hand into a dough like consistency.

The famous rasgulla is made with plain chhana that is beaten by hand and shaped into balls which are then boiled in syrup. It is pressed and cut into small cubes and added to curries in Indian cuisines

Essential parenting tips to grow your children

meera08.84@gmail.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 11:35:27 -0600

Parenting is not just giving birth to a child and looking after its physical needs but also providing food and nourishment for its mind and soul. Parents have the primary responsibility to mold the character of their children. Below are the very essential parenting tips to grow your children.

If your child lies to you often, it is because you over-react too harshly to their inappropriate behavior.
If your child is not taught to confide in you about their mistakes, you’ve lost them.
If your child had poor self-esteem, it is because you advice them more than you encourage them.
If your child does not stand up for themselves, it is because from a young age you have disciplined them regularly in public.
If your child takes things that do not belong to them, it is because when you buy them things, you don’t let them chose what they want.
If your child is cowardly, it is because you help them too quickly.
If your child does not respect other people’s feelings, it is because instead of speaking to your child, you order and command them.
If your child is too quick to anger, it is because you give too much attention to misbehavior and you give little attention to good behavior.
If your child is excessively jealous, it is because you only congratulate them when they successfully complete something and not when they improve at something even if they don’t successfully complete it.
If your child intentionally disturbs you, it is because you are not physically affectionate enough.
If your child is openly defiant, it is because you openly threaten to do something but don’t follow through.
If your child is secretive, it is because they don’t trust that you won’t blow things out of proportion.
If your child talks back to you, it is because they watch you do it to others and think it is normal behavior.
If your child doesn’t listen to you but listens to others, it is because you are too quick to jump to conclusions.
If your child rebels, it is because they know you care more about what others think than what is right.

Natural medicine for Diabetes

meera08.84@gmail.com — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 22:40:00 -0600

Allopathy should be the mainstay in treating diabetes. However, herbs, Homeopathy and Ayurveda do play the role of adjuncts.

Among herbs, allium sativum (garlic) is said to own antioxidant properties and micro-circulatory effects. It's good being an adjunctive therapy. It's believed to lessen blood glucose and slow degradation of insulin. However, further trials are needed.

Aloe Vera is used to take care of diabetes by lowering fasting blood glucose levels.

American Ginseng is believed to cause a limited decline in fasting blood glucose. Gymnema syfvestre (sirukurunchan in tamil), a plant growing in the tropical forests of south and central India, has been connected with significant hypoglycemic effect.

A tea made with kidney beans, white beans, navy beans, lima beans, and northern beans is said to eliminate toxins from the pancreas.

Homeopathic Remedies

Homeopathy believes in using the constitutional remedy that suits the patient as a whole. Finding the right constitutional medicine may be the job of a homeopathic physician. However some homeopathic remedies stick out in the cure of diabetes.

Uranium Nitricum is useful once the patient has increased thirst, urination and dryness of the mouth. It lessens sugar and volume of the urine.

Phosphoric Acid is useful if diabetes is due to stress or nervous origin, such as for example grief and anxiety. This remedy is useful when there is loss in appetite, and sometimes unquenchable thirst. Phosphorus is useful in diabetes and pancreatic diseases.

Insulin is just a homeopathic remedy prepared by mixing pancreatic juice in a glycerin base and is administered to diabetic patients in a mother tincture form as 10 to 20 drops per day. This remedy is said to keep up blood sugar at normal levels.

Ayurvedic Treatment

Ayurvedic practitioners attack diabetes using a multi-pronged approach-diet modification, eliminating sugar and simple carbohydrates, and emphasizing on complex carbohydrates. Protein is restricted, since excessive intake may damage kidneys.

Ten Kitchen Ingredients Work as Medicines

meera08.84@gmail.com — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 19:46:43 -0600

Turmeric treats common colds, cough, joint inflammation, arthritis, bruised skin, acne, pimples and stomach ailments; prevents Alzheimer's disease, minimizes liver damage and disinfects minor cuts.

Ginger treats upset stomach, indigestion, nausea, motion sickness, body pain, arthritis pain, cold, cough and respiratory hearth problems, fever, heartburn and menstrual cramps.

Cinnamon treats common cold, flatulence, indigestion, heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, arthritis pain and painful menstrual periods. Regular use controls sugar levels and lowers cholesterol level.

Garlic treats asthma, hoarseness, cough, bronchitis, ear infection, scratchy throat infection, flatulence, menstrual cramps, ringworm, stomach ache, colic, toothache, sinus, bug bites, indigestion.

Clove treats athlete's foot, minor burns, bruises, malaria, cholera, flatulence, tooth ache, joint inflammation, oral ulcer, sore gums. Gove oil is efficacious as an inhalant in respiratory problems.

Cardamom has carminative, anti-oxidant, therapeutic antiseptic, antispasmodic diuretic and expectorant properties. It is used in stomach cramps, indigestion, flatulence, stomach gas, asthma.

Cumin Seeds are an excellent source of dietary fiber and used to treat indigestion, flatulence, stomach pain, diarrhea, morning sickness, nausea, acidity, common cold, cough, fever, sore throat, renal colic, amnesia and insomnia.

Honey treats coughs, throat irritation, urinary tract infection, morning sickness, laryngitis, eczema, and stomach ulcer, canker sores, bleeding gums, minor wound, minor burn, skin infection, bed wetting.

Onion is very effective in treating pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, insect bite, asthma, hay fever, diabetes, atherosclerosis, stomach infections, nausea, diarrhea, common cold and cough.

Lemon treats headache, arthritis, pneumonia, minor cut, throat infections, indigestion, constipation, dental problems, fever, dandruff, internal bleeding, rheumatism, bums, overweight, respiratory disorders, cholera, kidney stone and high blood pressure.

Tips To Get Rid Of Acne

meera08.84@gmail.com — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 07:15:00 -0600

Pimples and acne are two of the most annoying and prevalent skin problems. A good number of people have already found themselves in a situation where a red spot, ugly for that matter appears just a day prior to a very special event. The big question is can something be done to control this ugly situation?

The answer is yes; you just have to try some of these effective tips to get rid of acne.

1. By all means avoid touching your face

A very simple yet effective tip- if you want a lovely looking nice, you have to stop touching it. While it may sound easy, you will definitely require some good luck wishes.
Majority of people are not aware of how often they touch their faces. You must agree that hands form the primary tool for interacting directly with the world around us and the world is very dirty. You definitely want to keep your hands away from your face as much as possible.
Since touching your face is at some point inevitable, try washing your hands regularly throughout the day.

2. How often do you wash your face?

This is one of the simplest and yet effective ways of preventing breakouts. Grease and grime usually build up on your face throughout the day as well as cigarette smoke residue, air pollution and daily living winds.
Ensure to take a moment to thoroughly but gently clean your face. - Be careful not to go overboard with the cleaning. Try washing your face twice a day.
In the morning and at the end of the day. Always use a clean washcloth, some warm water as well as a cleanser or mild soap.

3. Steaming

This is yet another simple and effective mean of ridding your face off acne. Steaming can be helpful for treating acne since it assists in helping to open up the pores that in turn prevent them from getting clogged. It is also known for moisturizing and detoxifying your skin.

4. Consider your make up

When trying to establish the cause of your acne breakouts, it is important for you to put your make-up into consideration. While make-up alone doesn't cause breakouts, it definitely does not help.
Sometimes, you may notice increased facial blemishes when you are wearing a given brand or specific type of make-up. If this has been happening, you are better off switching brands or choosing make-up products that are labeled oil-free. Upon switching brands, give it a few weeks to check if you realize any differences. You will definitely require patience with this which is always lacking when the skin seems to be waging war against us. However, try it and you will realize how worthwhile it is in the end.
Whatever you choose to use in the end, ensure to wash it off at the end of the day.

5. Benzoyl peroxide

A lot of people who turned to benzoyl peroxide following acne breakouts attest to have received good results.
Although there are prescriptions mostly for lotions and cleansers, you can easily obtain products with benzoyl peroxide over the counter.
Be patient because it might take approximately three weeks before obtaining impressive results.

6. Seek the assistance of a dermatologist

If the worst comes to worst and nothing seems to make your acne vanish, a dermatologist will come in handy. He or she will assess your situation and advise you accordingly.

Apply for your Ehic card as soon as possible as it will be very useful in such instances. The best thing is that you can apply online for free to help you receive healthcare at a lower charge.

Most of these tips are inexpensive in terms of money and time. Most importantly, they have to do with the choices we make on a daily basis and a little effort on our part.

Multi Health Benefits of Brahmi Leaf

meera08.84@gmail.com — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 03:19:00 -0600

As I said in the earlier post here , Brahmi leaf provides great benefits to Health in multiple ways. Consuming the Brahmi leaf daily may be a difficult task for many of us. It is not necessary to take only Brahmi as leaf. Below are the various form to in take the Brahmi leaf.

Brahmi Drink:

Soak Brahmi leaves in water overnight. Grind into a paste with a few ground almonds, sugar-candy and milk. This tonic gives strength and cools the system, tones the liver and eliminates all worms in the bowels. This drink fights nervous debility and invigorates the brain.

Paste and Juice:

Paste of the leaves applied to a child's navel cures dysentery and diarrhea. It also helps in elephantiasis, swelling of the testicles, rheumatic swelling, boils and contusion. Juice of the leaves mixed with cow's milk, cures skin diseases, impure blood in children, syphilis and stomach troubles in adults.

Brahmi Pills:

Make pea-sized pills using five parts of Brahmi whole plant powder, four parts kushtam (costus root) powder and six parts honey. Take one pill daily for nervous debility caused by diseases of the lower abdomen.

Brahmi Leaves Powder:

Five grains of powder in 750 ml milk twice daily increases memory power. This powder is also useful in leprosy. Spread fresh leaves on a clean mat in the shade. Freely expose them to air, but not to sun. Do not use heat as this destroys all its virtues. When the leaves are fully dried, powder them finely and keep in a well-corked bottle. Take three to five grains three times daily.
Brahmi is also used for protein deficiencies and increases red blood corpuscles. It cools the brain and calms the heart and helps to guard against heart attacks. It purifies the entire system and eliminates poisons and toxic substances from the kidneys and liver. Taken with tulsi/ basil and a little black pepper, Brahmi is good for all kinds of fevers.
Brahmi Kayo Kalpa treatment restores a aged body to its youth and vigour and re-establishes the full potential of the senses. It stimulates hair and nail growth and is considered to be the elixir of life that restores the natural balance of the three doshas, normalizes the functioning of the sapto dhatus, and cures many incurable diseases.

Brahmi-Dhania Chutney

Coriander-Dhania leaves - 2 cups
Grated coconut - 1/2 cup
Brahmi - 4 leaves
Green chilli - 1
Ginger - 1/4 piece
Jeera seeds - 1/2 tsp
Tamarind/lmli paste - 1/4 tsp
Gur/Jaggery/Molasses - 1/4 tsp

Wash and dry coriander and brahmi leaves. Blend to a paste all the ingredients. Store is an airtight container in the refrigerator and serve with Roti, Dosa, Idli.

Natural Wonder Drug : Ginseng

meera08.84@gmail.com — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 05:04:18 -0600

Ginseng is a famous Chinese herb and has been in use in that country for over 7,000 years. It is also found in Russia, North Korea, Japan, and many parts of the U.S. Siberia and Eastern Canada. The roots are called Jin-chen, meaning ‘like a man’. In Chinese medicine, it is used to combat stress and as a restorative agent. It is also used to treat nervous disorders, anemia, angina, fatigue and endocrine system disorders as it has immune stimulant properties.

Pharmacological Properties

According to chemical analysis, ginseng contains 30 glycosides, some of which are called Ginsenosides. It also contains Vitamin B and C trace minerals. Red Ginseng contains maltol, which has an anti-oxidant property and prevents strokes and heart attacks. As maltol activity is inhibited by iron, ginseng roots are never boiled in iron pots. Ginseng has been found to improve muscular function, work capacity, help in combating stress and increase alertness and psychomotor skills.

Ginseng is useful in Diabetes Mellitus. In rats it has been shown to prevent radiation-induced diseases, as it anti-cancerous properties. It reduces cholesterol and clot formation. It has been found useful in gout and reduce! the serum uric acid levels and thus, alleviates the pain in the joints. Ginseng is also useful in age-related nervous disorders, sleep disorders, memory loss confusion. It is also thought that this herb can slow down aging.

Objective scientific research on the properties of the active elements of ginseng has supported traditional claims that it is useful in invigorating, rejuvenating and increasing longevity of the person.

Best natural medicine for your body & home

meera08.84@gmail.com — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 03:51:00 -0600

Eucalyptus is a natural insecticide grown to drain swamps and helps reduce the risk of malaria. Eucalyptus essential oil is steam-distilled from the leaves and used as an antiseptic and for deodorizing. It is an active ingredient in mosquito repellents. Eucalyptus leaf is used for infections, fever, upset stomach and to help loosen phlegm in lungs and for coughs. It also treats respiratory tract infections, whooping cough, asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, osteoarthritis, joint pain (rheumatism), acne, wounds, poorly healing ulcers, bums, bacterial dysentery, ringworms, liver, gall bladder problems, loss of appetite.

Botanical: Eucalyptus globulus (LABILLE.) Tamil : Karpurattailamaram | Hindi : Sapheda Vriksh/Sugandhapatra/Safeda | Telugu : Jeeakamu /jamaoil | Malayalam Karpura Maram

Family: N.O. Myrtaceae

Synonyms : Blue Gum Tree. Stringy Bark Tree.

Part Used : The oil of the leaves.

Habitat :Australia. Now North and South Africa, India, and Southern Europe.

Usage

Eucalyptus oil should not be swallowed or applied to the skin full-strength. It must be diluted for safety and taken by mouth for pain and inflammation of respiratory tract mucous membranes, coughs, bronchitis, sinus pain and inflammation, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory infections. Used as an expectorant to loosen coughs, it is an antiseptic and fever reducer.

Diluted eucalyptus oil is applied directly to the skin for pain and swelling of respiratory tract mucous membranes, joint pain, genital herpes, and nasal stuffiness. Eucalyptus oil is an ingredient in dentistry products.

General Health Benefits

Rub a few drops on your throat to stop coughing.
Add to warm water, inhale the vapors to clear stuffed noses.
Rub a few drops on the chest to help with asthma.
Put a few drops with some warm water inside a jalneti pot and use to dean your sinuses.
Put a few drops inside a diffuser and use in the bed room to sanitize it and to make it easier to breathe.
Put a few drops in your bath water for aroma therapeutic bath.
Rub a few drops on the temples to help with a headache.
Rub a few drops on the back to reduce back pain.
Add a few drops with some crushed camphor in a small bowl of water to drive away mosquitoes.
The Eucalyptus Oil is useful for babies in the prevention and relief of stomach-aches and discomfort, in addition to keep the baby warm. May also be used as baby oil (for external use only. keep out of reach of children.)
Eucalyptus leaf contains chemicals that might help control blood sugar. It also includes chemicals that might have activity against bacteria and fungi. Eucalyptus oil contains chemicals that could help pain and inflammation. It might also block chemicals that cause asthma.

Hair Care

Improves blood circulation to the scalp, providing a nourishing boost to your hair roots and stimulating new hair growth.
Antiseptic and antibacterial, working to clean the scalp and fight scalp conditions, such as dandruff and mild forms of psoriasis. A clean scalp encourages hair growth, as well.
Anti-inflammatory properties that naturally moisturize and soothe irritated skin around follicles.
Increases strength and elasticity to hair strands, and reduces split ends and hair breakage. Restores shine and bounce.
Soothing property alleviates stress and exhaustion -- two factors that can lead to hair loss!
Eucalyptus oil can increase elasticity of hair. This can make your hair stronger and more resistant to hair breakage and split ends.
Mix 6-9 drops of eucalyptus oil with Castor oil and peppermint oil. This will make a very powerful growth aid.
Eucalyptus oil stimulates blood flow and thus increases hair growth. Furthermore, it revitalizes dull hair, treats dandruff, improves hair texture, and promotes hair elasticity and luster.
The anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-viral properties of eucalyptus oil keeps the scalp healthy and promotes hair growth.

Side Effects of Eucalyptus Oil

Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting
Upset stomach