 |
 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
| Fun and Food |
| Indian Food recipes, vegetarian, simple and healthy recipes,gujarati recipes,food and its health benefits,bay area restaurants, bay area day trips, food facts and discussions, health and nutrition,food gadgets,kitchen gadgets,travel, entertainment |
| Language: English |
| RSS Feeds for this Blog |
|
Statistics |
| Unique Visitors: 3372 |
| Total Unique Visitors: 5006271 |
| Visitors Out: 2190 |
| Total Visitors Out: 2190 |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| Announcing Monthly Mingle - Appetizers & Hors'Doeuvres |
| 2008-05-12 13:14:43 |
After the fabulous roundup of Bollywood Cooking, its now time for another round of Monthly Mingle, an event started by the lovely Meeta of What's For Lunch Honey? This time, I get to play the hostess, and as all of you know that I love entertaining, this week's theme should not be a surprise! We'll try to spice it up this time with Appetizers & Hors'Doeuvres. "Hors'Doeuvres" is the fancy french name for what is referred to as "Appetizers" in English. These are served as starters before the...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Spago Beverly Hills Restaurant - A Celebrity Destination |
| 2008-05-10 15:44:50 |
Wolfgang Puck is a name not unknown to anyone. Spago Hollywood on Sunset, originally known as Bistro Garden and a favourite with all hollywood celebrities, has been re-surrected as Spago Hills">Beverly Hills, the latest venture by chef Puck, and remains to be a cherished dining destination for the people of Los Angeles. With its beautiful ambience, shaded patio with tall trees and the inviting open-kitchen architecture, Puck and his wife have truly created an upscale restaurant in the already...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Dhokla Sandwich (Savoury & Steamed) |
| 2008-05-08 21:35:47 |
There are times when I get a huge urge of eating something attractive and delicious, but also something that does not come with loads of calories! Steamed recipes are a great way to satisfy these cravings. Sandwich Dhokla, a delicacy originated from gujarat, is not only beautiful to look at, but tastes great too. With 2 kinds of dhoklas (savoury steamed cake) layered one on top of the other, sandwiching a spicy cilantro sauce in between, serve to be perfect finger food served with your choice...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Counting Calories for Weight Loss |
| 2008-05-08 18:18:25 |
As the awareness for staying healthy and fit increases day by day, more and more people are looking towards ways to achieve healthy weight loss, and the most important step in doing so is to count your calories and create a deficit or increase to achieve your target healthy weight. No matter how much time you spend at the gym, if you consume more calories than you burn, you'll never lose weight. But as daunting as it may sound, there's a formula to measure how many calories you should eat based...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Vanilla Tea Cupcakes |
| 2008-05-07 10:41:30 |
Tea parties are one of the most easiest ways to entertain on a bright summer afternoon. Some crackers or cookies, vanilla cupcakes and a pot full of simmering hot tea or coffee and you are all set to make your friends feel at home and enjoy a quiet afternoon, reliving fond memories. Vanilla is such a universal flavor it can make anything taste better, and cupcakes are one of the simplest contenders! But here, we adapt a simple cupcake recipe for a tea-party by adding some spices and orange...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Tandoori Paneer Tikka with Mango Dressing |
| 2008-05-07 00:55:22 |
I've said it before and I'll say it again; if there's one thing you'd want to make and serve to your guests without thinking twice, its Paneer! No matter how you serve it, there's hardly a chance you'd go wrong. One such crowd favorite is the Tandoori Paneer Tikka, succulent cubes of paneer marinated and grilled or baked in a "tandoori oven", then served with grilled vegetables. But here, I have tried to take it one level up by making a spicy yoghurt marinade, then serving the Paneer Tikka with...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Napa & Sonoma Valley - Wine Tours, Food and Scenic Countryside |
| 2008-05-03 13:11:45 |
Napa Valley, famous around the world as the Wine Country, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in California. More than five million visitors come each year, often overcrowding the roadways on summer weekends. Peak times are the summer months and the harvest "crush" during September and October. Napa Valley is home to more than two hundred wineries. With wine as a focus, great dining naturally emerged to compliment it, making it a food-and-drink lover's paradise!
Spring and fall are...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Chocolate Banana Bread or Cake |
| 2008-05-02 14:26:18 |
Chocolate Banana Bread has been an old favorite, and needs no preamble or praise. The pairing of chocolate and bananas is one of the most reliable ones where baking is concerned, and though bananas were traditionally baked with walnuts or pecans for the classic banana-nut loaf, this new combination has indeed found a place in the hearts and minds of foodies. Chocolate can get really overpowering, especially in baked desserts; but this Chocolate-Banana Bread recipe still focusses on the distinct...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Gluten-Free Spinach-Onion Dosa (Pancake) |
| 2008-04-30 17:14:17 |
Wheat flour is a major ingredient in indian cooking, and as I enjoy baking, I am constanly making cookies, muffins and cakes with all-purpose flour too. So this weekend, I had an urge to make something gluten-free, more as a challenge and a change than anything else, so I decided to make some savoury gluten-free pancakes with gram flour; we actually call them "dosa" or "puda" in local dialect. Its a great way to toss up your favourite veggies into the flour mixture and cook up something special...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Thumbprint Cookies with Jam |
| 2008-04-30 14:24:45 |
Baking cookies is the best way to placate yourself and your kids, and for me, its also a favorite passtime! What I love about cookies is that they can be simple and festive at the same time. I had my eyes on Cenk's thumbprint cookies since a long time. The mere sight of these colorful cookies was enough to motivate me to make my own eggless Jam Thumbprint Cookies. The name 'thumbprint' comes from the fact that you use your "thumb" to make an indentation into each ball of dough which is then...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Cilantro and Walnut Pesto |
| 2008-04-29 12:20:46 |
Many people have a misconception that "Pesto" can only be made with Basil. But actually, the name pesto comes from the same Latin root of "pestle," which means a sauce made by crushing a few key ingredients together. Basil, parmesan and pine nuts have been primary for the basic italian Basil Pesto, but lately, parsely and cilantro have become favored alternatives to the traditional recipe. I used cilantro, sweet-corn, parmesan cheese and walnuts for my Cilantro-Walnut Pesto, and added some...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Homemade Garam Masala Recipe |
| 2008-04-29 09:55:47 |
Anyone who has cherished Indian food knows that the secret magic ingredient that imparts most of the flavor to the food is none other than the famous Garam Masala. There are several recipes for curry powders, but this one is the most widely-used. A mix of several spices lightly roasted and ground into a fine powder, Garam Masala is much like all-spice, except with different flavors. This fragrant spice is best made fresh just before you begin cooking, but since most of us do not have the luxury...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Pear and Almond Yogurt Cake (Low-Fat Snack Cake) |
| 2008-04-28 17:24:03 |
As we herald spring in most of the parts of the country, seasonal fruits and vegetables can be seen in all their glory, and a trip to the farmer's market can turn out to be a visually delectable experience! This weekend I decided to bake a delicious Pear Cake. Belonging to the apple family, pears are packed with a lot of health benefits. It has antioxidants that protects our body from free radicals, promote cardiovascular health, and are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, copper, and...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Fat and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies |
| 2008-04-26 17:12:10 |
Cookies are cherished by kids and adults alike, and the best part is that you can always use a basic cookie recipe, throw in any of your favorite ingredients into the dough and bake them into something delicious! Whether its a special occasion, a holiday celebration, or just a desire to gaze a a jar full of cookies, these tiny treats are a neat way to watch your calories without giving up your cravings! But ask 10 people what's their favorite cookie recipe and 9 out of those 10 would...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Raspberry Lassi (Smoothie) |
| 2008-04-25 15:51:01 |
Last week we witnessed temperatures peaking at 90, and my gym is suddenly so full of people trying to get into shape for the beach that there's no doubt in my mind that summer is definitely here! And that means more sun, more barbecues and more cool and refreshing drinks. We celebrated the onset of summer with the luscious Rasperry Lassi, which is a fancy name for a smoothie or yoghurt cooler. Lassi is a traditional Indian yogurt drink which originated from the state of Punjab. Its more like a...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Rasgulla - Traditional Bengali Sweet |
| 2008-04-24 14:16:14 |
Gujaratis are famous for a sweet tooth, and though I grew up in a house that had racks of jars loaded with homemade sweets, I had an extra affinity for Bengali sweets like Rasgulla, Rasmalai and Sandesh, just because they have a juicy and rich texture made of ricotta cheese and khoya, and combined with "ras", made with either sugar syrup or milk, these delicious indian sweets never fail to impress! "Rasogullas", as they are called in West bengal, are favorites with not just the locals, people...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Tips to host the Perfect Super Bowl Party |
| 2008-04-23 12:29:16 |
Bowl">Super Bowl is around the corner, and with just about a week to go, I'm sure everyone is on a planning spree! Whether you are throwing a party at your place, or have been invited to one at a friend's place, deciding on the menu and organizing everything so you are enjoying the game rather than stressing yourself out at the last minute is always a good idea. Super Bowl is not a formal party event; it's just a bunch of sports-lovers getting together, cheering their favorites, jeering at the...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Food and Diet that Helps Increase Memory and Brain Power |
| 2008-04-22 13:26:22 |
Researchers have studies food since ages, and it has always been a favourite topic. Lately, there has been a lot of momentum in determining whether certain healthy foods can help increase your memory and brain power or not? Eating a healthy diet has always been wise. But can certain foods and supplements actually make you smarter by increasing brain power? The concept of "brain food" is not new, and there is ample research to show that some foods can indeed maximize your brain's potential, make...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Masala Indian Fusion Restaurant - Danville, San Ramon |
| 2008-04-21 01:18:03 |
Anyone who has eaten Indian food knows that it is characterized by the rich spectrum of spices in which it is cooked, giving the food its inimitable flavor and aroma. These spices are known as "Masala", which is nothing but an intricate combination of different spices used to flavor the food. But Masala Indian Fusion restaurant takes the traditional indian food one step further by pairing the indian culinary techniques with western ingredients to make it more appealable to an international...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Spring Finds For Eco-Friendly and Stylish Entertaining |
| 2008-04-18 10:55:18 |
Playing a host is supposed to be as fun and fulfilling for the hosts as the guests, and entertaining does not have to be burdensome at any time! As we move into warmer weather, spring and summer collections are everywhere, be it clothes or home decor, so why not change your entertaining styles too! As they say, variety is the spice of life! So whether you are looking for ideas to entertain a large crowd, or host a simple dinner or cocktail party with friends and family, check out these cool,...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Vegetable and Cheese Parathas (Stuffed Flatbread) |
| 2008-04-17 17:09:41 |
Parathas have been a traditional Indian breakfast in many north and west-indian households for as long as I can remember, and the versatility of the recipes is what makes it so attractive. Not to mention that they are healthy and filling at the same time. "Stuffed Parathas" are basically nothing but "Stuffed Flatbreads", filled with your choice of boiled and mashed veggies, rolled into a disc and cooked on a "tava" (cast-iron pan), greased with oil or ghee on both sides. Aloo or Paneer parathas...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| How To Make Paneer (Ricotta Cheese) at Home |
| 2008-04-17 13:40:14 |
Paneer, also known as Ricotta or Cottage Cheese is a favorite ingredient in Indian cooking, and there's nothing like fresh homemade paneer! I have posted several paneer recipes on this blog, and over the course of time, a lot of my readers have reported that they live in regions where readymade paneer is not that accessible, and it'd be great to make it at home. Actually, making paneer at home is not such a big deal; its simple and does not require a lot of care or expertise! Plus, homemade...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Raspberry Coulis(Sauce) with Creme Fraiche - Layered Dessert |
| 2008-04-16 17:09:56 |
When you think about making desserts, fruits are one of the main ingredients most of the times. One of the easiest and most satisfying way of eating seasonal fruits is by making coulis, compote or preserves out of them, without giving up their nutritional value. Raspberry Coulis is one of the preferred toppings for many desserts. Coulis, traditionally a french recipe, is a form of thick sauce made from puréed and strained vegetables or fruits, and used as a base for other sauces or as toppings...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Gary Danko Restaurant - San Francisco |
| 2008-04-12 16:53:39 |
Continuing its winning streak, Gary Danko again secures a place in the Zagat Guide charts as the most popular restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is indeed quite a feat for a restaurant on the high end of the cost spectrum. This quaint restaurant located on Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco downtown serves Californian and French Cuisine, and attracts not only locals, but foodies from around the world! Plantation shutters, dark wood and warm earth tones create a soothing setting for...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Darbar Indian Restaurant - Palo Alto, CA |
| 2008-04-12 16:51:39 |
Living in the Bay Area definitely has its perks, especially in terms of choices in food! We have never been more satisfied by restaurants than here, and for foodies like us, that means a lot! So last weekend, we decided to explore the Palo Alto downtown on foot. It's a quaint little downtown close to the upscale residential area of Palo Alto. There are several restaurants to choose from, but an American friend at work had recommended an Indian place called Darbar Restaurant, and we decided to...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Tantra Indian Restaurant - Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles |
| 2008-04-12 16:44:38 |
Los Angeles, the city of the Hollywood stars, with all the glimmer and glitter, has several inviting areas that attract huge crowds every night, Silverlake downtown being one of them. Sunset Boulevard is definitely one of the most picturesque and upscale streets in Los Angeles, housing quite a few famous restaurants and night-clubs, one such gem being the Tantra Indian Restaurant. One visit is enough to prove that the owner Navraj Singh has spared no expense in creating this masterpiece of a...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Village California Bistro and Bar - Santana Row (San Jose) |
| 2008-04-12 16:35:16 |
When it comes to an upscale area full of shopping and good food, Santana Row in san jose steals the show. This small street is lined with beautiful shops on both sides and quaint yet inviting restaurants that can fulfill any culinary urge! Decked among these is the only independently-owned Village Bistro and Bar that offers the finest and freshest local ingredients in a culturally diverse menu that reflects the personality of our region. If you are looking for a fresh take on taste and...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Event Announcement - WBB#20 - Balanced Breakfast |
| 2008-04-10 23:14:26 |
WBB, short for Weekend Breakfast Blogging, was started by Nandita of Saffron Trail almost a year ago with the aim of collecting interesting recipes for a weekend breakfast. Travelling through a series of top-notch hosts, the honor lands with me this time. Breakfasts are the most important meal of the day, and we often tend to neglect them completely, or just gulp something down with a cup of caffeine or juice! But I guess we all know that we need to pay more attention to our breakfasts as this...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Methi Pakodas-Fenugreek Fritters |
| 2008-04-10 12:42:24 |
Its mystifying how much flavor herbs can add to cooking and recipes, without even being one of the main ingredients! But some herbs like Fenugreek(Methi), Cilantro, Mint, and Basil are known for their distinct flavor, and can carry a dish entirely by themselves. Methi Pakodas(Fenugreek Fritters), aslo known as "Methi na Gota" in Gujarat, are one such fried food that is sure to please your palate. These fritters are made by combining Methi with coriander, besan, curd and spices, and are really...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Molten Chocolate Lava Cake |
| 2008-04-09 12:37:17 |
Chocolate Lava Cakes are so called because the center of the cake is a thick liquid chocolate that oozes out when cut, just like molten lava. These make a great individual dessert and, although pretty simple to make, will definitely impress your guests. Molten Cakes are more chocolate than flour, and that is what makes it rich and gooey. And no, it has nothing to do with Betty Crocker's recipe, just one bite and you’ll know why this intense, gooey chocolate sensation is one of the best...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| WBB-Balanced Breakfasts - The Mega Roundup! |
| 2008-04-08 12:54:43 |
Breakfasts are the most important meal of the day, and we often tend to neglect them completely, or just gulp something down with a cup of caffeine or juice! But I guess we all know that we need to pay more attention to our breakfasts as this is the meal that lays the foundation of your day, giving you energy and invigorating your brain cells so you can meet the challenging tasks ahead! At least during the weekends, we should have enough time to make something delicious yet wholesome for our...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Vegetarian Schezwuan Hakka Noodles |
| 2008-04-07 18:03:52 |
Vegetarian Hakka Noodles is a favorite indian-chinese dish for any Indian. Long before I came to the US and was exposed to a variety of pasta, hakka noodles were the only pasta I had ever seen, cooked and relished! My mom had taken indian-chinese cooking classes and she had really mastered the art of making delicious hakka noodles and veg manchurian, which me and my brother were really thankful for:) Thanks to her, I mastered the skill too, and as I grew older and started experimenting with...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Paneer Butter Masala - Restaurant Style Recipe |
| 2008-04-06 23:24:52 |
Spring has officially begun in California, but we still see some scattered showers, like mother nature is trying to tease us before the sunny summer kicks in! But this saturday, we were glad to have some rain, only because it gave a boost to our cravings to eat something hot and spicy, rich and tasty! Everyone knows I just love Paneer Recipes, and this weekend I decided to make the eternal favorite, Paneer Butter Masala, yes, that velvetty smooth gravy that has all the goodness of indian spices...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| AeroGarden - Grow Herbs and Flowering Plants in Your Kitchen or Office! |
| 2008-04-06 22:49:44 |
Aerogarden, the name must not be unfamiliar to many of you who may have seen these cute-looking miniature garden units that boast of growing plenty of varieties or herbs and plants without much maintenance! For those of you who may not have heard of these, Aerogardens literally bring your garden into your office, kitchen or any other space you want to make green. Last year, they had introduced their first edition mainly for herbs and greens, but at a price label of $150, it was still out of...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Baked Rigatoni Pasta with Homemade Garlic and Basil Marinara Sauce |
| 2008-04-03 23:40:22 |
Pasta is such a staple dinner item in so many homes, it can get kind of challenging to make it interesting! But of course, thanks to hundreds of different types of pasta varieties, and also the packaged sauces that supermarkets horde for you, there are plenty of options to choose from, especially when different people in the same house have different tastes. Like I love penne and rigatoni, but my dear husband settles for nothing but linguine or fettucine. So if I have to feed him something...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Sweet and Sour Potatoes with Mango |
| 2008-04-03 18:11:46 |
One of the most interesting and challenging part of cooking is experimenting with flavors and spices. It reminds me of my lab-experiment days when you'd keep adding elements till you successfully concocted a new compound and exaltingly cried out "Eureka!!" Ok, I know not all experiments go great, but at least that gives you enough incentive to try out new stuff; that's precisely what I felt a few days back when I decided to try a vietnamese recipe for Sweet and Sour Potatoes with Mangoes! A bit...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Combine Cardio With Weight (Strength) Training to Build Muscle and Lose Fat |
| 2008-04-02 13:42:28 |
Maybe a few of us dream to look like a supermodels, but absolutely everyone aspires to be fit and look good! It's really interesting how a little change in your fitness routine can accelerate your chances of achieving your goals. Exercise and a balanced diet plan will not only get you a fit body, but even a sharp mind! Contrary to what many people think, strength training is as important, maybe more important to successful fat loss than aerobic exercise. Spending hours a day doing cardio...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Oranges - A Look At The Different Varieties And Their Health Benefits |
| 2008-03-30 23:37:31 |
Oranges, those deliciously juicy and citrusy-sweet fruits which are synonymous with Vitamin C for the body, contain much more than just that! Oranges not only add an enigmatic aroma to our foods, they also do tonnes of good to our mind and body. But back in India, anything round and orange in color was an "Orange" to me, be it small, medium or jumbo in size; but a few years in the US taught me that there are several varieties of oranges that you get all year round, and each of them has...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| The First Steps Towards Luxurious yet Affordable Kitchen Designs |
| 2008-03-30 23:34:56 |
Lately, I guess I've been watching a lot of HGTV and design shows because I've been tingling to attempt a kitchen makeover on my own. I was not looking for a drastic makeover, but we all know that the Kitchen is one of the most important spaces in a house, especially for a woman. So it makes a lot of sense to design it so that it reflects your style and budget, at the same time looks appealing, inviting and worthy of entertaining. But contrary to popular belief, a luxurious kitchen does not...
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| Colorful Spring Salad with Cranberries and Home-Made Bleu Cheese Dressing |
| 2008-03-27 18:14:02 |
Remember those evenings when you have had a rough day at work, end up coming late at home, and have nothing to cook except some cheese and a bag of salad greens gawking at you from your fridge!! believe it or not, I have had more than my share of such evenings, especially when it gets really late and I am determined to go to gym that day at any cost. For days like these, salads can act as a welcome retreat. And yet, using the same store-bought salad dressing every time can get kind of boring....
Please Click the Title for the Full Post
...
|
| |
|
| |
 |
|
| |
| |
|
 |
