Taashi

Easiest Pasta for all

2016-08-17T13:29:00.003-04:00

    Ingredients

    Pasta - 200 gm
    Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
    Milk - 1/2 cup
    Pizza seasoning - 1Tablespoon
    Pepper powder - Sprinkle as required
    Cheese - 2 Tablespoon

    Directions:

    In a pan bring 1/2 litre water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it well for 7- 8 minutes. Add the
    milk as well and cook until all the liquid is nicely absorbed by pasta. Do not dry it out completely
    but leave couple of spoons of milk in the pan and finally add Cheese, Pizza mix and salt. Sprinkle
    pepper powder as required and serve it hot or cold.

Easy and healthy Five days Lunch box ideas for your toddler

2013-06-28T09:57:00.001-04:00

Every day morning Moms think of what to send their kids for lunch. Here are five days a week lunch ideas. I shall post the pictures soon....

Day One:
Semia Upma made with onions and corn with an oatmeal cookie and some Grapes

Day Two:
Butter sandwich with some Potato Chips and two slices of Apple

Day Three:
Mini Idlis with a bright looking sweet Chutney and a small Banana

Day Four:
Katti rolls made with just egg and a portion of Pomegranate

Day Five:
Maggie Noodles or Pasta with some sweet Oranges

Coming up Wheat Puttu...

2013-06-28T09:43:00.003-04:00

Recently I heard about steamed Wheat Puttu. So I finally found out what "Puttu" means. It simply means "portioned" because of which the way it is made. It is made with any kind of roasted flour mixed with water to form a specific consistency and portioned it using ground coconut in between and steamed in a cylindrical shaped container. I am gonna try it today for dinner and let me see how it turns out. woohoooo....!!!!

Microwave Chai/Tea

2013-01-17T12:16:00.002-05:00

I love Chai but I hate it equally because of the tedious process of making it. I don't mind making it on a stovetop. Just put everything together and bring it to a boil , strain it and Tada you have your Chai.... But the pain comes when you need another cup and you have to wash the dirty pots you made the Chai with. So At home I am the only one who drinks Chai which actually is a blessing that I dont have to wait for someone to have Chai with me . I came back from work one day and decided to make Chai in my microwave.

Just make sure you have a big ceramic microwavable cup and

Add one portion of whole milk to three portions of water

Add one teaspoon of your favorite tea leaves and also adequate sugar

Now microwave the Cup with all the ingredients for 2 minutes.

Its only the first time you have to watch in intervals that how much time it needs to come to a boil without spilling. Once you know the time duration. Its so easy... just stir the tea, strain and the Chai is ready. Best part is you just have to wash one cup. I know everyone can make instant Chai but making it in microwave wont give the raw smell of the milk whereas it is well cooked and you can relish the amazing flavor of chai with less work and faster too. So by the time you freshen up, change and come back your Chai is ready...

Daal/Lentils Fry

2012-09-10T22:19:00.002-04:00

High Flame really works... So if you you want tasty and fast daal fry cook in high flame.

All you need is

Ingredients

1 Cup Moong Daal/Lentils pressure cooked
4 Tbsp oil
1 tsp Mustard Seeds.
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
1 Tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
2 Dried red Chilli
1 Tomato Chopped.
Coriander Leaves to garnish

Directions

Heat up the oil in a pan. Add the Mustard,Cumin and Redchilli.
Add the Cooked daal and make the consistency accordingly by adding water.
Add the Chopped tomatos and ginger garlic Paste
Cook it on high flame for 5 minutes and garnish it with Coriander leaves.

Voila !! yummy daal is ready to eat with roti or rice.

My Double Blueberry Muffin

2012-08-05T14:25:00.002-04:00

Aloo Bhindi

2012-05-09T15:49:00.001-04:00

Brain Food

2012-05-05T22:44:00.000-04:00

We all know that the food we eat affect the body but they can have even more influence on how well our brain functions. What we eat can have a POWERFUL effect on our brain’s energy, how the mind handles tasks, and our general mood.

Our focus here is on those particular nutrients found in foods that enhance neuron firing and cross-linking in the brain. The foods listed below can help you: concentrate, increase memory, tune sensor motor skills, keeps you motivated, speed up your reaction time, control stress, and even slow down the aging of brain cells!

So here is a list of 20 different food types that we can add to our diet, their effects, and how they function:

1. Wholegrain Foods

Whole grain is a great brain stimulator because it contains high percentage of folate. Make sure you’re eating a diet rich in whole grain breads, cereals, barley, popcorn, etc., because they can boost your blood flow to the brain. Every organ in the body is dependent on blood flow… especially the brain.

Wholegrain breads and cereals are rich in Vitamin B6, an important brain vitamin. Wheat germ additionally contains memory-improving thiamine.

Nuts

Everything from the most common nuts — such as walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews and almonds — to the more exotic seeds and nuts can clear up that “brain fog” and enable you to think clearer and are positive mood enhancers.

2. Walnuts

Both literally and figuratively speaking, walnuts are “brain food”. Physically the walnut looks a lot like the human brain. The thin, outer green cover that is taken out before the walnuts are sold is similar to the scalp. The hard shell of a walnut is like a skull. The thin sheet inside, with its paper-like partitions between the two halves of the walnut, is like the membrane. The shape of the walnut itself represents the human brain’s two hemispheres.

Walnuts are made up of 15 to 20 percent protein and contain linoleic (omega-6 fatty acids) and alpha-linoleic acids (omega-3 fatty acids), vitamin E and vitamin B6, making them an excellent source of nourishment for your nervous system.

Omega 3 fatty acids found in walnuts are especially helpful in brain function. Our brain is more than 60% structural fat which needs to be primarily omega-3 fats, found in walnuts and flaxseed, for its cell membranes to function properly. Cell membranes, primarily composed of fats, are the gatekeepers of the cell. Omega-3 fats, flexible and fluid by nature, make it easy for nutrients to pass thru the outer membrane of the cell and also helps remove waste efficiently. Definitely worth it when the cell belongs to your brain, don’t you think?

Walnuts may also help correct the human brain’s seratonin levels. Seratonin is an important brain chemical that controls both our moods and appetite. Walnuts may be able to relieve disorders like insomnia, depression, overeating and other compulsive behavior, commonly treated with antidepressant drugs like Prozac, without the dangerous side effects.

3. Cashews

While you’re in the nut aisle shopping for walnuts be sure to pick up some cashews, almonds, pecans and peanuts too. Each nut can enhance your mental health in its own way. Cashews are high in magnesium, known to open up the blood vessels in your body. More oxygen-rich blood = better brain function.

4. Almonds

Phenylalanine, found in almonds, can do wonders for your mental and neurological health. Phenylalanine has the rare ability to cross the blood-brain barrier where it stimulates the brain to generate natural mood-boosting neurotransmitters called dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline. Additionally, almonds are high in riboflavin which is known to boost memory.

5. Pecans

Pecans and peanuts provide choline, another important nutrient for optimal brain function. Choline aids in both memory and brain development.

Berries

6. Blueberries

Eating blueberries and a diet rich in deep pigment from fruits and vegetables helps preserve the brain machinery and boost the potency of neuron signals. Blueberries literally strengthen the brain. They have compounds that turn on key systems in the brain enable other proteins to help with memory or other cognitive skills.

In one recent study, subjects who ate one cup of blueberries a day for two weeks showed an increased birth rate of brain cells in the hippocampus (region responsible for memory), and scored significantly higher in classroom tests than those subjects who did not.

Blueberries are also known to protect the brain from oxidative stress and may reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. In addition, blueberries also contain ellagic acid, another phytochemical that has been shown to prevent cell damage.

7. Strawberries

Antioxidant-rich strawberries can prevent age-related neurological declines by improving brain cell abilities to send and receive the ‘signaling’ molecules. The brain uses these signaling molecules to communicate.

Remarkably, these same studies showed that the powerful antioxidants in strawberries, spinach and blueberries can improve the ability to communicate even among brain cells already showing signs of age-related damage.

8. Blackberries

Blackberries contain an amazing class of nutrients called anthocyanins. Our brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage but anthocyanins help protect our brain from oxidation stress, which in turn fights degenerative brain diseases.

One study even found anthocyanin-rich supplements to reverse age-related neurological deficits in subjects.

Seeds

9. Sunflower Seeds

Like nuts, many seeds and nuts can boost your mood and brainpower. Sunflower seeds contain tryptophan, an important amino acid that the brain converts to seratonin, which is a natural way to relieve mild depression and insomnia. Additionally, sunflower seeds are high in thiamine, an important B vitamin, which increases memory and cognitive function.

10. Pumpkin Seeds

Amazingly, the most powerful part of the pumpkin lies in its least used part. The seeds of the pumpkin are a power food, rich in many nutrients including: Zinc, Vitamin A and E, and the precious Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. The Zinc found in pumpkin seeds plays a vital role in enhancing memory and thinking skills.

11. Green Tea

Green tea is a wonderful beverage, and when freshly brewed, it enhances memory and focus and fights mental fatigue. Green tea contains catechines, which help you relax mentally, yet also keeps your wits sharpened.

Green Tea also helps maintain positive mood states and fights against many brain disorders. Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants found in green tea that can boost the availability of the important signaling brain substance dopamine in brain circuits. Dopamine is vital in creating positive mood states.

Polyphenols also help the brain and body run smoothly by maintaining a steady supply of our body’s primary fuel: glucose. These powerful polyphenols also help prevent cancer and heart attacks.

12. Eggs

Eggs indeed offer a very impressive nutritional profile for their 70 calories. They are a precious source of high-quality proteins and rich in vitamins and minerals. But there’s more!

Nutrient called choline, found in eggs, can help boost the memory center in the brain. Researchers have found choline to increase the size of neurons, which helps them fire electrical signals more strongly and rebound faster between firings.

Two antioxidants found in egg yolk called lutein and zeaxanthin help prevent the risk of age-related cataracts and macular degeneration, two of the most prevalent age-related eye conditions.

Remember this the next time you open the fridge door. The amazing egg: naturally good.

13. Avocados

For brain health, avocados are nearly as good as blueberries. Avocados contain mono-unsaturated fats, which contribute to healthy blood flow, the main requirement for a healthy brain.

To include avocados to your diet, add 1/4 to 1/2 of an avocado to one meal daily as a side dish.

14. Tomatoes

Lycopene, an amazing antioxidant found in tomatoes, could help protect against free-radical damage to cells, which is believed to be a primary factor in cases of Dementia, and particularly, Alzheimer’s disease.

15. Broccoli

Broccoli is labeled as superfood due to its high overall nutrient content. It is a great source of vitamin K, which enhances cognitive function and improves brainpower.

16. Red Cabbage

Red cabbage is full of an antioxidant called polyphenol. Polyphenols reduce brain cell damage and is especially helpful in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimers’ disease.

17. Eggplant

Eggplant skin contains a nutrient called nasunin which keeps our brain sharp by enhancing communication between our brain cells and messenger molecules. Remembering to use the skin pays tremendous benefits in vastly improved focus.

18. Spinach

Spinach slows down the effects of age-related declines in brain function and helps protect the brain from oxidative stress. Researchers suggest that a diet rich in spinach can significantly improve learning capacity and motor skills.

19. Yogurt

Calcium rich foods such as yogurt, milk and cheese improve nerve function. Yogurt contains an amino acid called tyrosine which is responsible for producing the neurotransmitters dopamine and noradrenalin. In short, yogurt helps improve alertness and memory.

20. Chocolate!!!

What better to end with? It’s hard to believe that anything as incredibly delicious as chocolate can actually be incredibly good for you as well. Dark chocolate has powerful antioxidant properties and contains several natural stimulants which increase the production of endorphins while enhancing focus and concentration. The stimulants found in dark chocolate also improve mood. It has high content of flavanols that facilitate blood supply to the brain and enhance cognitive skills.

Milk chocolate jump starts impulse control and reaction time. It has also been known to improve visual and verbal memory.

More isn’t necessarily better when it comes to chocolate. This is, unfortunately, one superfood that you have to indulge in in moderation.

Conclusion

Our brain is the greediest organ in the body, but its proper nourishment is vital to creative thought, positive mood, memory, and good overall health. It’s no surprise that what you eat affects how you think, feel, remember, and potentially even increase intelligence.

If it’s possible to eat your way to genius, who wouldn’t want to?

Boston Down Town

2012-05-05T16:01:00.001-04:00

Today I was at Boston downtown for my Finger Prints to be taken at a UPS store at 263 Huntington |Aveneue. So I decided to be there on time and I reached there half an hour early. And then a person over there says that the dates for all the appointments for today have been postponed to 14th of May due to some reason. I was shocked that my joining date for my new job is going to be delayed again ? And finally decided to wait for the actual guy who will be doing the fingerprints. So I went out and told her to give me a call when the guy in charge comes to work. After half an hour I got a call that I can come back and do my finger prints today itself I was so happy that I didn't return home just by listening to the junior employee there. And the best part was I reached there immediately and in five minutes there stood a big line of 15 people after me to take the finger prints and the main guy had gone out to get his coffee. But in five minutes he came in and I was the first one to get my fingerprints done and came home happily... So finally I did my thing and hopefully to start work by next week.

Amen...

Tindora Saute for Dinner

2012-05-01T22:19:00.001-04:00

Indian Ivy Gourd is a widely consumed vegetable, available in India through out the year. Called Dondakaya (Telugu) or Tindora/Tondli (Hindi), these cute looking small, stubby, green colored vegetables which grow aggressively on vines are used to prepare delicious stuffed curries, stews, pickles, salads and stir fries.

Ingredients

1 cup Tindora
1 tbsp Cooking Oil
1 tsp Mustard seeds
1 dried Red chilli

Directions

Heat the oil in a pan and splutter the mustard seeds and dried red chilli pepper
Add the grated Beetroot and salt to taste
Saute it for 2 minutes on high flame and then simmer it for 15 minutes

Strawberry Oatmeal in 5 minutes

2012-04-30T14:38:00.001-04:00

I love my breakfast everyday because it's getting better day by day. I know but how is it different from a regular Oatmeal recipe? Well asked. Instead of cutting the fruits just mash it in with your hands and add it to the cooked oats. Fruits like Banana , Strawberry, Blueberry, Blackberry can be easily mashed with hands. And giving that extra one min microwave in the end gives the oats a nice condensed milk flavor. Try it out.

Ingredients
1 1/2 Cups of Milk
1/2 cup of one min oats
Any fruit of your choice

First add the milk and oats in a bowl and microwave it for 2 minutes .
Then after 5 minutes microwave it again for 1 minute.
Mash in any fruit and voila your yummy breakfast is ready.

My Eggplant Lunch

2012-04-30T14:23:00.001-04:00

Pudina/Mint Chutney

2012-04-29T23:39:00.001-04:00

Tired of eating eggs with plain toast? I understand... The other day I was eating my veggie sandwich and was feeling it to be so dry and dead tasting. I wanted something fresh in my sandwich and can make it lively. I eat bread most of the days for breakfast and wanted something that I can use every day which also has some shelf life. So that I don't have to keep making it every freak-in day. I had got some Mint leaves to make a drink and decided to make a chutney out of it. I didn't want to put so many ingredients and use it for just a day. Instead I came up with a least ingredient chutney that has more shelf life. Sounds easy right...

Ingredients

2 Cups Mint / Pudina Leaves
1 Cup Cilantro/ Coriander Leaves
2 Green Chillies
Juice of 1 Lime
Salt to Taste

Directions

Just blend it all together with water and make sure it is a little coarse and good enough to spread it on toast. It is a great combination with Samosa, Tandoor and Grilled Dishes. A great dip for any appetizer.

Sexy Pasta

2012-04-18T21:28:00.001-04:00

Truly speaking there is no recipe for this dish... I just cooked the Linguini for 6 minutes strained it and popped it into a pan where I have been frying some onions, Bell peppers, Celery Sticks and Green chili for three minutes. I then mixed it all and poured some Sri Racha chili sauce and grated some Parmesan cheese which gave that nice sticky look and brought the dish together. Simple and easy isn't it? Oops!! don't forget the magic ingredient Saltttt....to taste

Cabbage Karate

2012-04-13T13:53:00.001-04:00

I never buy cabbage for the sake of chopping it. I bought one since one of my American friends was coming and thought of making some salad but I ended up making nothing because we ate outside. I woke up late this morning and that big pumpkin cabbage is staring at me for a fight. I fastened my belt and just chopped them until they were small enough not to dare laugh at me again.

And turned out to be my prey for lunch Coming up with the making of Karate Cabbage

Liquor Chocolate Story

2012-04-09T11:33:00.000-04:00

Well I happen to receive a box of liquor chocolates from my friend in US. Their wrappers looked so good that I didn't feel like unwrapping them. But knowing that inside is much better than outside I couldn't wait anymore to unwrap and eat them. So I decided not finish it off right away and feel guilty for having too much of chocolate at a stretch but to save some for having later. And here I come back after 2 weeks and tried to open one of them and didn't see any liquor inside the chocolate. I just got a bite of hard chocolate and was so disappointed to see that all the liquor in it had vanished. I felt like hitting myself for not eating it off immediately and felt more guilty for not having it then. The bummer was I received this gift in a summer in India and left them outside by mistake and here I pay for it LOL.. Anyway it did have some flavor of liquor and had to satisfy with that. I still save the wrappers and they are so cool!!... Someone please gift me Liquor Chocolates!!

Bastrava Yogurt

2012-04-09T10:36:00.000-04:00

LOL... Don't worry it's nothing but Strawberry and Banana in a Vanilla flavored yogurt which turned out to be an awesome dinner for me. I am on diet right. But as usual crave for some sweet more than ever. And I looked into my refrigerator and saw this vanilla flavored yogurt which I bought by mistake and below that I found some strawberries. I picked up a bowl and decided to make Bastrava Yogurt. I also crushed on some cornflakes which was super cool.

Ingredients
2 Scoops of vanilla yogurt
2 Big Strawberries chopped
1 Banana cut in small pieces
A handful of Corn Flakes crushed on top of it

All of them put together made my dinner and day...

Sorry I couldn't wait to take a picture and update Next Time..... Slurp...slurp

MTA Chocolate Brownie

2012-04-03T18:57:00.002-04:00

I craved for brownies after having it from my friends place and decided to make one myself. But I know baking is a tough game for me. One reason is I cannot cook step by step another thing is I will have to empty my oven because that is my storage place for pots and pans. LOL !!.......
Anyway since I crave I decided to do it. So here I come with my Mix iT All Brownie.

Ingredients

2 eggs

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup white sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan.
In a medium bowl, mix together the oil, sugar, and vanilla. Beat in eggs. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; gradually stir into the egg mixture until well blended. Stir in walnuts, if desired. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the brownie begins to pull away from edges of pan. Let cool on a wire rack before cutting into squares.

Beet Root Saute

2012-03-28T14:37:00.004-04:00

Beetroot is an awesome vegetable for me just because it stays in my refrigerator for even two weeks fresh. And I decided to make a beet saute to have it with my Roti which I made yesterday.

Ingredients
1 cup Grated Beetroot
1 tbsp Olive oil
1 tsp Mustard seeds
1 dried Red chilli

Directions

Heat the oil in a pan and splutter the mustard seeds and dried red chilli pepper
Add the grated Beetroot and salt to taste
Saute it for 2 minutes on high flame and then simmer it for 15 minutes

Yummy Beet is steaming in my mouth.

Tips to make Soft Rotis

2012-03-28T14:16:00.001-04:00

The secret of making a soft roti is making a perfect dough. Always add some oil in the end after you make the dough and leave it for 15 minutes to lock the moisture. Also cover it with a wet cloth or a wet paper napkin. This really helps to make the dough soft and yummy. Another tip is the perfect proportion of water to the wheat flour. Click here to see how to make Soft Rotis Recipe

Soft Roti/ Wheat Bread

2012-03-28T12:30:00.001-04:00

I make my rotis on weekends and store it for coming week. It is so easy to eat with different currys and eggs too. Refregerated Rotis stay good for more than a week

Ingredients

Wheat Flour: 1 cup

Water : 1/2 cup
Any Cooking oil : 1/2 Tbsp

Directions

Mix the wheat flour with salt and water enough to make a soft dough.
Add the oil only after you make the dough. Leave it for 15 minutes
Roll a portion of the dough into a 5 inch round shape
Cook both sides of roti for one minute on high flame . Roti is ready!

This would be yummy with my Indian Chicken Masala or Mushroom Presto

The secret of making a perfect dough is to add the oil in the end and leave it for 15 minutes to lock the moisture. This really helps to make the dough soft and yummy

Quick Green Peas Rice in 20 Minutes

2012-03-27T14:04:00.044-04:00

Its so boring to eat plain rice without any flavor. But making a flavorful rice at home in no time is quite something interesting.

Ingredients
1 cup of washed Basmati Rice
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
1/2 cup fresh Green Peas
2 Tbsp Butter

Directions

Melt the butter in a deep pan
When the butter melts add the cumin seeds
Add the Green Peas and Rice and fry it for 2 minutes
If the rice is soaked add only 1 1/2 cups of water if not add 2 cups of water
Cover and cook for 15- 20 minutes on simmer.

If you are cooking in Rice cooker it automatically turns off when cooked. If you want to cook in microwave time it for 16-20 minutes on high temp. Try this rice along with the Mushroom Presto Yum! Yum!

Tips: Soaking the rice gives it a nice flavor and texture to the rice when cooked.

Crispy Bulls Eye

2012-03-26T19:05:00.003-04:00

Aha.... Who doesn't know how to make a bulls eye. But there is a secret tip for making crispy edge bulls eye. Heat the oil/butter in a pan and wait for the smoke to come from the pan. Then drop the egg into the pan and simmer it immediately. Add salt and pepper. Cook for 30 more seconds and check the difference in taste.... I am sure, you will message me back.

Okra Fry

2012-03-21T00:58:00.000-04:00

Okra is one of my favorite dishes if someone cooks it for me. Specially with rotis or soft bread. I finally decided to make it at home easy and fast. And it turned out to be an awesome dish. May be you should try.

Ingredients

2 cups Okra cut in one inch pieces
1 Tbsp vegetable Oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 Tbsp Garam Masala

Directions

Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds and chilli pepper
Add Okra and one Tbsp of Garam Masala.(Get this from any Asian Store)
Add salt to taste and cook for ten minutes with the lid on in simmer.

Green Beans gets yummy in five minutes

2012-03-21T00:40:00.003-04:00

I am tired of eating bland cold beans. I needed some spice and came up with this simple beans with a kick of spice and mustard

Ingredients
1 cup of green beans
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp mustard seed
1 dried red or green chilli pepper

Directions

Heat the oil in a pan
Add the mustard seeds and chilli pepper
When they pop add the green beans and salt to taste.
Cover and cook for five minutes on simmer.

Ahh.. the flavor of mustard and chilli gives that kick to the warm beans.