Archive for November, 2015

Beat the cold in a tangy way

November 24th, 2015

Winter is the season of colourful and juicy fruits. Benefits are plenty and these fruits are must in a proper healthy diet. There are plenty of varieties to choose from. Fill up your fruit baskets with these tangy and tasty fruits that are available this season.

Grapes

This fruit is a high source of Vitamin A. This juicy sweet bunch is widely available in winter. Do not forget to munch in a handful of grapes in a dull cold afternoon. This also keeps the skin soft and supple in this dry season.

Mandarin Orange

The bright colour and peculiar smell of this fruit is the main attraction in winter. It is a good source of Vitamin C, which keeps a human body immune from cough and cold in a changing weather.

Pomegranate

This fruit is very juicy and high in citrus content. The high amount of fibre present in this fruit keeps the digestion system normal with a regular bowel movement. The vitamins and minerals present in it prevent heart diseases.

Clementine

This is a variety of mandarin orange. Deep orange in colour, sweet and smooth, this is also known as seedless tangerine. It is a high source of vitamins, which prevent ulcer in stomach making digestive system stronger in a human body.

Red grapes

The most important fact about this fruit is that it contains 80% water. During winter, people forget to drink water. This irregular water intake leads to various health issues. Munching red grapes regularly keeps a normal water balance in the body keeping the skin soft and supple.

Cranberries

High amount of nutrients and antioxidants are present in this fruit. This helps to maintain a perfect water balance in body. The antioxidants help in preventing lung and colon cancer. It also helps to reduce inflammation and keep bone joints healthy.

Kiwi

This small fruit is a package of goodness. It has a high amount of fibre, which keeps the digestion system healthy and hassle free. This fruit is full of Vitamin C which helps a human body to be safe from all the viral infections.

Passion fruit

Ripe passion fruit juice is semi sweet, tangy and very tasty. It is full of Vitamin A and C. This high source of vitamins prevents untimely blindness maintaining a good eye sight.

Pear

This juicy yellowish fruit contains lot of water. If you forget enough amount of water to drink in winter, then this fruit will help your body to maintain the water balance.

Tangelo

This citrus fruit has high amount of Vitamin A and C. It also contains potassium, thiamine and dietary fibre. It prevents blood clotting and risk of strokes. This fruit also helps to maintain a good eye health.

Tangerine

This is a thick skinned juicy fruit, which is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. The saturated fat present in it helps to control the blood pressure in a human body.

Fruits are the only natural way to keep you healthy. Have a fruit and lead a good life!

A strawberry treat

November 24th, 2015

Ever thought that a single flavour can have so many varieties? It is the time to taste them all. Love strawberry cakes? Go for the plenty options you have at the time of cake delivery. These delicious varieties will lift up your mood immediately.

Strawberry Coffee Cake

Ever thought of mixing strawberries with caffeine? A rare combination though but if you try, you will never regret again. A white coffee cake with strawberries as toppings is delicious. One can also add grated coconut for a different taste.

Strawberry Cake from Scratch

Vanilla frosting and cream cheese are the main ingredients in the batter before baking. After that, frosted chocolate syrup can also be added to enhance the taste.

Strawberry Cup Cakes

These pink coloured small cakes smell good and look damn attractive. Fresh vanilla cream and strawberry slices are used as toppings in this recipe.

Fresh Strawberry Cake

Strawberries are mashed with butter and flour to bake this cake. This light cake is a perfect dessert dish after a heavy dinner.

Strawberry Cream Cake

This cake has three layers full of whipped cream. Cream cheese frosting is added to it to make it yummier. Fresh strawberry slices are used as toppings.

Cornmeal Strawberry Cake

A sweet and moist cake made with corn paste and flour. Strawberry cream is added for more flavours.

Strawberry Angel Food Dessert

Angel food cakes are prepared and toppings are added. Cream cheese and frozen strawberries are used for decorations and it is beat served cold.

Strawberry Short Cake

It is the easiest cake recipe one can think of. Baked with butter and cream, this cake is topped with fresh strawberry slices.

Strawberry Dream Cake

Pudding is made with strawberries, eggs and flours. White chocolate is added to it and kept in freezer and is served frosted.

Strawberry Torte

This is less a cake and more a bun. Fresh strawberry jellies and eggs are battered together to make a fluffy and soft mixture. Poured on a bun it is enjoyed with evening tea or coffee.

Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake

It is an eggless mousse which is full of cookie crumb and is decorated with strawberry slice and fresh cream. It is a mouth melting dessert.

Buttermilk Strawberry Short Cake

Light and sweet buttermilk is poured and topped with soft, juicy fresh strawberries. Frozen whipped creams are also added for more taste.

Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake

This cake is a mixture of strawberries rhubarb. The result is a sweet, fruity soft cake. Caffeine powder is added for the coffee flavour.

Triple Strawberry Cake

This moist and light cake is a wonderful combination of strawberry gelatine and fresh strawberries. Applesauce and eggs are also used to make it softer and more delicious.

Raspberry and Strawberry Cake

As the name suggests, the batter is a mixture of raspberry and strawberries. Whipped cream can be added for more taste.

Cakes are a treat to the taste buds. Do not deprive yourself from the bundle of joy you get from biting a soft and delicious one.

Party it out with Chocolate

November 23rd, 2015

Ever heard of a chocolate themed party? Of course, you have. But you may not have a clear idea about how to throw one. But it is true that if you theme your party with chocolates, it will be a super hit. Some easy steps have to be followed if you want to throw one. If you have a clear idea about it, then it can be a delicious success.

The most important part of a party is the invitation. The more attractive the invitation, the more interesting the party will be. One can choose caramel coloured invitation cards and send the invitations with a basket of chocolate bars. If you want to invite through mail or post, then you can send the card and chocolates by post. Do not forget to mention that it is a chocolate themed party in your invitation card.

One can mention a dress code for the party. The dresses should be of chocolate or caramel coloured. You can also wear any shade of brown.

Set up the food table with a variety of chocolate bars and candy treats. You can also buy a chocolate fountain and keep it in the centre of the table. Chocolate pudding cake or mud cake is a must in the menu. Fruits and marshmallows can be tasty snack options. One can fry crispy bacons and baked potato chips and decorate it around the chocolate fountain.

Drinks are must in any party. But when a party is chocolate themed, there should be chocolate flavoured drinks too. Hot chocolate is a very good option if you are arranging a party in winter. Dark chocolate blended drinks and coffee are must. French wine is a great pairing with chocolates. So, if you are arranging chocolate party, then do not forget to keep wine arrangements.

Caramel coloured backdrop will make the party venue more interesting. If one can arrange some chocolate coloured wall paintings and posters telling the history of chocolates, it can be more attractive.

Though it is a chocolate themed party, do not keep all the food items that are sweet. It is also necessary to have some spicy dishes along with it. You can keep chocolates in the starters and desserts. But the main course should be normal.

The menu card can be of a shape of fake chocolate bars, which will enhance the theme more.

After the dinner, arrange some return gifts for the guests. A small chocolate box is the best option. Do not go for any chocolate boxes. Choose a box of assorted chocolates, which will make the guests happier.

Chocolate is one thing which is loved by all. It is the most delicious thing in this world. There is no wonder that a chocolate themed party will be more attractive than any other party arrangements. So, do not delay. Arrange a chocolate party for your friends and loved ones. They will enjoy it to the core as you will be more than happy to play the perfect host.

Things about chocolates which are only a myth

November 21st, 2015

If you are a chocolate lover, you must have been told by a number of people as to how chocolates have a negative impact on you, from your cholesterol to your teeth. However, most of what you have been told is nothing but a myth.

Bad cholesterol is encouraged by chocolates – It is not false that chocolate contains a lot of cocoa butter that is rich in saturated fat but the source of the fat is stearic acid, and this is not saturated fat. As per studies, chocolates in no way give way to bad cholesterol, they in fact have been proved to lower cholesterol levels.

High in caffeine – Much contrary to this popular belief, no chocolate has caffeine in them. It is true that a few dark chocolates do contain some amount of harmless caffeine but not as high as people’s opinions.

Chocolate’s sugar leads to hyperactivity There is absolutely no connection between a child’s hyperactive behaviour and his consumption of chocolates. It is not the chocolate but the environment which plays the important role in creating excitability in the child.

Diabetic people should avoid chocolates – No, if you are diabetic; you do not need to abandon chocolates totally. In fact, chocolates have a low glycaemic index. Dark chocolates help in improving insulin sensitivity in those having high blood pressure. It betters the endothelia dysfunction among diabetics, say studies.

Chocolates cause havoc to your tooth – According to a recent study, chocolates have not much of an effect on the dental plague. There is no association between cavities and chocolates. A study conducted in Osaka University, Japan, discovered that parts of cocoa bean, which is the primary ingredient of chocolate, prevent tooth decay.

Chocolates add more kg to your weight – Yes, it does but not necessarily. Monumental chocolate bars will not do your midriff any favours. However, a study conducted by National Institute of Health says that eating small amounts of chocolates a week lowers ones BMI, irrespective of the person consuming more calories.

Chocolates and sugar add up to the stress – According to a study, eating one ounce of dark chocolate a day for one week reduces stress in people complaining of stress.

Chocolates are not nutritious There are various scientific backups to prove this statement as totally false. Chocolates in fact are super foods. They are rich in antioxidants, blueberries, red wine, dietary fibre and minerals.

Chocolates lead to acne breakout – Various studies have been conducted to know the root cause of the connection between chocolates and acne. However, not a single study could come up with any association between the two. So don’t fear eating chocolates, they don’t play any dirty games with your skin.

Moral of the story? Eat chocolates without any fear and share them with your friends and family via chocolates by post. Chocolates are not doing any harm to you but extreme of anything is never advisable; chocolates as an addiction are not good. You are smart enough to know the limits of your body.

Baking mistakes which can ruin all your efforts

November 21st, 2015

Baking is not as easy as it may sound. It is an art which needs to be mastered for a flawless result. However, even the best of bakers make a few baking mistakes which either lead to an unusual look of the cake or an unpleasant taste. Following are the most common baking mistakes. Read and learn.

Not following each step of the recipe meticulously – Do not make your own assumptions on the recipe. Follow every word properly unless you are already a pro at baking.

Not using measuring tools for ingredients – Sometimes we just assume something to be of 50 gm. However, what we see and what it is are not always the same. So, always measure using the measurement cup or scale and use the ingredients in correct proportions.

Not having a thorough idea of your oven – Each oven has an individual style of working. What may be the ideal temperature for one cake will not necessarily be ideal for other cakes too? So, know your oven well.

Not sieving the flour – Not all of you do this but when you sieve flour with dry ingredients such as the baking powder, it helps to provide air to the flour. For cakes, airy flour is always preferable.

You tend to overbeat – Main reason for the cake getting spoilt is overbeating. When it is about eggs, sugar and better, you can beat them for as long as you like but mixing flour requiring a light hand.

You settle the chocolate or dry fruits straightaway – Often while baking you will see that the stuffing – chocolate or fruits sink right at the bottom. We have a hack for this. Coat the stuffing with a little flour first.

Not levelling the cake when you put in the oven – All of us simply stuff the mixture haphazardly into the tin and that is fine. But make sure the uppermost layer is even for the cake to have an even layer once it is baked.

Opening the oven door while the cake is baking – You are eager to know how it is turning out, but you must wait till it is done. It is okay to worry if the cake is burning or taking a bit too long. However, opening the door again and again drops the temperature and the texture of the cake gets ruined. Never do that.

Using inappropriate substitutes – Often we don’t have a certain ingredient handy at home. Sometimes we forget to buy a particular ingredient at the market. And this is when we get confused what to use in place of that ingredient. We often end up using an ingredient, the composition of which is not apt for the cake. And the one ingredient spoils the entire cake. It is very essential to know and be able to understand why a recipe demands a particular ingredient.

Baking is not everyone’s cup of tea. You can try baking for fun for but cake delivery to someone special, the safe option is to let the baker do his job.