Healthy Muskmelon Chiller...

Introduction: Muskmelon, commonly referred to as cantaloupe, is a fruit in the same family of cucumbers. This fruit has orange flesh and a beige, netted skin, as well as a musky, sweet scent.

Applications: Muskmelon commonly finds use mixed with other fruits in salads, served alone, or wrapped with prosciutto as a savory appetizer. It offers a range of nutritional value.

Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Muskmelons :

1.Muskmelon comprises of a significant amount of dietary fiber, making it good for those suffering from constipation.
2.Since the fruit is not high in sugar or calories, it serves as a good snack for all those who are trying to lose weight and maintain a healthy body.
3.The potassium present in muskmelons makes them quite helpful in the lowering of blood pressure.
4.The fruit has been associated with regulating heart beat and, possibly, preventing strokes.
5.Researches have suggested that muskmelons might reduce the risk of developing kidney stones and age-related bone loss.
6.Being rich in Vitamin C, an antioxidant, the fruit has been believed to be good for preventing heart diseases, cancer and other chronic ailments.
7.Muskmelons have been found to have sedative properties, making them beneficial for the people who are suffering from insomnia.
8.The fruit has almost zero cholesterol and thus, is safe for the people who suffer from the problem of high blood cholesterol.
9.Regular consumption of muskmelon juice can help treat lack of appetite, acidity, ulcer and urinary tract infections.
10.Since it has high water content, the fruit can help reduce the heat in the body and thus, prevent heat-related disorders.
11.The fruit proves to be a good source of vitamin A and thus, helps maintain healthy skin.
12.The folic acid present in muskmelons helps create healthy fetuses (in pregnant women) and can even prevent cervical cancer and osteoporosis. It also serves as a mild antidepressant.
Thus it has many health benefits.

If you are feeling too tired on a hot summer day, consume a muskmelon and you will find yourself refreshed and energized.Very true...now that we are suffering badly from scorching heat of the sun we will be happy if anybody  offers  us cool sherbet or ice-cream so as to get rid of heat..
Yesterday I offered cool muskmelon sherbat to my husband when he returned from the office after tiresome work and seeing that he was so very delighted that I cannot express it in words...I thought this is perfect for my blog so that others can also make their husbands happy...so also was excited to see the event spotlight:summer cooler:Thanda Thanda, cool cool as it is golden oppurtunity for me to post my article...Thanks for the superb event...

This is my contribution to Summer Cooler : Thanda Thanda, Cool Cool. hosted by Indrani.

I learnt this recipe from my mother-in-law which is very easy,can be done quickly and is very much refreshing  during summer...Please try it you will surely love it...

Here is the recipe for you all..

HEALTHY MUSKMELON CHILLER

Ingredients:

1 muskmelon chopped into pieces.
1 tsp of cumin powder
1/2 lemon
salt as per your taste.
water
7-8 Ice cubes or crushed ice

Method:
1.Blend the pieces of muskmelon in the grinder.
2 Dont add water initially while grinding make only pure pulp of melon.
3 Now add little bit of salt,Jeera powder and lemon.
4.Crush7-8 pieces of ice to it.
5.Now you can add water in as much quantity as you want.
6.Remember this being sherbat it contains water is large amount.
7.Taste it add little more salt if you want and serve chilled.

You are bound to enjoy it.....

Strawberry Banana Delight....

For me Fruit=taste+flavour+nutrition+satiety!

Fruits are readily available and good source of vitamins and minerals A fruit will boost you instantly. It is something which can quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger at the same time,specially in summer,Fruits are guardian angels for all the busy bees. Since its handy they can be eaten even on the move.

Fruits are meant to be nutritious and are our sole companion which makes them our best friends! When it comes to the uses of fruits, it is never-ending! Fruits give you all the essential nutrients and are rich in vitamins like C and A.

Hence try to include them in your daily diet....I love fruits unconditionally...especially strawberries so you will find many recipes in my blog are related to strawberries...Hence Iam trilled on seeing this theme...This is my contribution to event Bon vivant#4-Fruit recipes...hosted by sumee...Thanks for this superb event...Hugs to you, sumee...

Strawberries, the small red fruits clad in scarlet red, dotted with tiny seeds and wearing green little caps, make one of the most deliciously attractive fruits on Earth!

Interestingly, strawberries are not fruits. They are enlarged receptacles of the flowers and are hence known as a secondary fruit.Strawberry is the only berry that has seeds on its external surface. The other berries have seeds inside. A single strawberry has 200 tiny seeds. They are also the first ones to ripen in spring.Strawberries used to be the darling of spring's transition into summer, with local varieties only available for the month of June. But now, with farm-fresh produce available year-round, you can enjoy this fruit anytime your strawberry-shaped heart desires.

Strawberries are low in fat content and calorie. They are rich in vitamin C, fiber, folic acid as well as potassium. They can reduce the risk of cancers and heart attacks. Strawberry intake helps in the reduction of systolic blood pressure. Fresh juice from strawberry pulp helps in recovering from fever. Strawberry juice, if combined with honey can reduce inflammation. It has a curative effect on sunburns.

Heart-shaped and as juicy as a good love story, a bright-red strawberry is a natural symbol of love.Thus Strawberries have since long been associated with love. Some consider strawberries as a symbol of Venice, the Goddess of Love. During the olden days, newlyweds were served strawberries. During the medieval times, strawberry designs were painted on altars and pillars of churches to symbolize righteousness. Some believe that on splitting a double strawberry into two and sharing it with the opposite sex may lead you to fall in love with him/her! A recent survey has revealed that those who love strawberries are of a fun-loving nature while those who hate strawberries are weird morons. You love strawberries, don't you?

Also bananas has wide applications in our life...

Bananas consist mainly of sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and fiber, which makes them ideal for an immediate and slightly prolonged source of energy.

Bananas contain tryptophan, an aminoacid that can be converted to serotonin, leading to improved mood thereby reduces depression.

Bananas are relatively high in iron, which helps the body’s hemoglobin function.

Due to their content in fiber, they help restore a normal bowel function. They also contain pectin, a soluble fiber (hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through the digestive tract.

Banana plays major role in Eyesight Protection.Bananas are an exceptionally rich source of fructooligosaccharide, a compound that nourishes probiotic (friendly) bacteria in the colon.

In addition, green bananas contain indigestible short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that are very nutrient to the cells that make up the mucosa of the stomach. These cells, when healthy, absorb calcium much more efficiently consumption of whole fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, is highly protective tokidney health. It has ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn,try eating a banana for soothing relief.Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood-sugar levels up and avoid
morning sickness.

Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. They contain vitamins B6 and B12 they contain, as well as potassium and magnesium: these substances help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

This is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicle cases. It also helps reduce acidity and reduces irritation. Bananas stimulate the cells on the internal stomach lining to produce a thicker mucus (which protects against acid).

Additionally, bananas contain protease inhibitors that help eliminate bacteria in the stomach that have been pinpointed as a primary cause of ulcers.

Bananas are high in B vitamins that have been shows to improve nerve function.

Many people report that rubbing the inside of a banana peel on a mosquito bite is very effective in reducing itching and swelling.

Bananas are high in potassium, which helps normalize the hearthbeat and regulate the body’s water balance. During periods of high stress, our body’s potassium levels tend to be rapidly depleted: eating bananas is a healthy way to rebalance them without using drugs eating bananas as part
of a regular diet can reduce the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%.

seeing these many benefits of banana I can say that..

Instead of eating an apple each day for optimum health, the adage should state that a banana each day keeps the doctor away.

There's nothing any simpler than this...It is refreshing and easy to make and super quick...

STRAWBERRY BANANA DELIGHT

Time required:10 minutes
serves:2

Ingredients:
4 strawberries
1/2 cup milk
1 ripe banana
2 tbsp strawberry yogurt
5-6 ice cubes
1 tbsp sugar or 1/2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp of whipped cream
2 scoops of french vanilla ice-cream

Method:
1Using a blender grind strawberries
2.Peel banana and break it up
3 Add milk,banana,yogurt and whipped cream to above mix.
2.Ice blend it until perfectly smooth that is blend it to perfect consistency.
3.Add sugar or honey if required
4.blend it for 1 more min
5.Place mixture in glass and add scoop of french vanilla on it.
5 Immediately serve it as if kept for long time banana may turn black in color and ice-cream will also start melting.
So enjoy.....

Strawberry Cake

Yeah we baked a cake...After getting comfortable with cooking vegetables, somewhat getting accustomed to make round chapatis.. I deceided it was time to try my hand on baking....so when I saw this theme I smiled to myself...Perfect I had prepared the cake just two days before and now I have golden chance to upload it.Unlike my baking experiments in which everytime I purchase readymade cake mix from the store,this time I baked it from scratch like my mother-in-law.For all those who have never tried strawberry cake before please try it ...as it tasted wonderful.This one is my contribution to event showcase -desserts hosted by Divya...Its an amazing event for an(boulangere meaning female baker) and also who are fans of desserts...Thanks for an oppurtunity dear...

 

I dont know why but I its really pains me a lot if I see fruits decaying...I think Iam murdering them and snatching their life so also wasting money...I hear crying sound from them which panics me a lot...hence I usually see to it that we consume it as soon as they are brought from the market..but sometimes it may happen that we concentrate on eating other stuffs ,dont feel like eating it or wait till it gets ripened leaving it as it is on table or fridge.This time there were few strawberries that were demanding our attention.I was pondering what to do with this then I remembered that my hubby loves all types of cakes a lot and I wanted to carry out my first  baking expt also so deceided that I will bake strawberry cake..I searched a lot for recipe... on google it yielded many results but fianlly I jotted down this easy recipe ...

This being my first experience to bake each and everything from scratch..I sent my husband to bring few things from the store that are common for almost all cakes-sugar,blender,baking powder, baking pan(13*9 inch),measuring cup etc... with this i was all set up and ready to start my first baking adventure on afternoon of 11th MAY 2012 .Here's the recipe for a wonderful strawberry cake

STRAWBERRY CAKE

Ingredients:
7 tbsp of unsalted butter
2 &1/2 cup All purpose flour or maida
1 cup Sugar in cake batter & 2 tsp for strawberries.
1 cup milk
2 cup strawberries
few drops of lemon juice for strawberries.
5 tsp of baking powder.
little bit of salt say 1/4th tsp.
3 Eggs

Method:
1.Wash and chop finely 2 cups of strawberries
2.Sprinkle 2 tsp of sugar and few drops of lemon juice on chopped strawberries.
3Take melted butter in big vessel and start pouring sugar on it and mix it thoroughly.that is cream it nicely.
4.Take baking powder,salt and Maida.Mix it nicely.
5.Now add little above made mixed flour little by little to creamed butter and sugar.
6.Also add little milk and mix it.
7.This way add flour and little milk and egg which has been beaten nicely and mix it everytime you add milk.
8 when u mix it thorougly giving at least 40 to 50 rounds by blender add strawberries to it.
9 again mix it nicely.
10.see to it that strawberries are inserted inside cake batter.
11.Now grease baking pan with butter and little flour.
12.Preheat oven to 375 degrees
13.Bake it for 30-35 minutes.
14.Your cake is ready...Enjoy it with chilled milk..
15.Store it in refrigerator and enjoy it chilled.it tastes more Yummy!...

Storing it in refrigerator increases its shelf life...Recent research has shown strawberries to be a surprisingly fragile, perishable, and delicate fruit. On average, studies show 2 days as the maximal time for strawberry storage without major loss of vitamin C and polyphenol antioxidants. It's not that strawberries become dangerous to eat or invaluable after 2 days. It's just that more storage time brings along with it substantially more nutrient loss.But when u make cake of strawberry you can enjoy it at least for 10 days....sn't it amazing!

Strawberry Blast

Have You ever visited a farm and picked sweet ripened strawberries in as much quantity as u desire? No na...In India you wont but here in USA We got an oppurtunity to pluck and eat it as much as we want...

Last saturday-5th May 2012 we visited Huber farm.This farm grows seasonal fruits and veggies and offers free pick and eat facility.This being spring-strawberry season, we enjoyed strawberry festival in orchard.There is a tractor that takes you to the farm which is free of cost.Here you are supposed to collect as many fresh, delicious, mouthwatering strawberries as you want directly from the bush.We had never seen strawberry bushes before so were very amazed to see rows and rows of small bushes.All u have to do is start plucking strawberries in the tray provided for collection and eating as many as you can and buy rest of the berries at minimal cost.I visited along with my friends in Louisville... we were competing who would collect best berries and who would consume maximum berries? This competition gave us a chance to enjoy  tastiest juicy plumiest strawberries never tasted in life before.

We also tasted homemade strawberry ice-creams over here.Also I felt in love with cherry vanilla flavoured ice-cream that I had never seen before but enjoyed to full extent.Me and my hubby---ice-cream lovers tried lot many flavours.Nikhil tasted for the strawberry wine at local winery.Well during our checkout we payed the bill and purchased strawberries that we collected  in a tray along with blue berry pound cake which was also amazingly good.

When we returned home I promised Nikhil to do variety of starwberry recipes as I can within 2 days only as stawberries are very perishable and spoils very soon.We prepared strawberry sundae,strawberry banana smoothie with ice-cream,strawberry muramba.I searched for many recipes on internet like strawberry shortcake,Strawberry jelly cake,strawberry jello pie,strawberry jam and many more,.seeing delicious strawberries Nikhil invented new dessert-strawberry blast which was too good as it consists of whipped cream.This solved our strawberry consumption problem and it turned out to be one of the best recipes we ever tried .Here is the recipe for u all...Hope you all will enjoy it.

STRAWBERRY BLAST

Ingredients:

10-12 strawberries.

Whipped Cream bottle.

2 scoops of French Vanilla ice-cream.

2 spoons of honey(optional)

Time taken:2 minutes

serves:2

Method:

1.Chop each strawberry in to 4 pieces.

2.Arrange it in circular manner in a bowl

3.Pour whipped cream on it

4.At the center place 1 scoop of vanilla ice-cream.

5.Add few drops of honey on it.

Enjoy it...u can add more ice-cream if u like ...u can try with strawberry ice-cream also...

Its perfect and easy dessert to enjoy in summer...

Linking this recipe to the event..Bon Vivant #4- Fruit recipes hosted by Sumee.Thanks for the lovely event-perfect for summer...

Lasuni Peas-Palak

I Love... Greens...

I remember my childhood days when my mom used to run behind me to eat green vegetables.I used to hate palak, methi and other leafy vegetables as they are stringent in taste.Mom used to make parothas puris or used to mix in some rice or would do something ...she used to try her level best so that at least some part goes in my stomach....but now time has changed.I have started loving palak very much as I grew.Because now I realized the hidden truth about why my parents were behind me  and were forcing me to eat green veggies...so here's answer for you all..

Spinach or indian palak needs no introduction  as it is the first edible green about which a child learns. Thanks to Popeye!

Palak being full of nutrients, no mother rich or poor would want her child to miss on it. It contains Vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, magnesium, folic acid, manganese, iron, calcium, fibre, copper, protein, phosphorous, zinc, omeg-3 fats, niacin selenium and oxalate.

Consumption of spinach helps in—
Preventing cancer.
Forming strong bones and teeth.
A healthy heart due to it’s anti-oxidant properties.
Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Reducing the frequency of migraine.
Preventing muscular degeneration.
Night blindness improves eye-sight.
Controlling blood pressure.
As very good laxative due to the fibre content. It also prevents constipation.
As a good source of folic acid for the pregnant women.

Now I am a big palak fan and love preparing and experimenting lot many different dishes with palak..seeing this beautiful theme I deceided I will make something out of palak only as it is easily available in large quantities here in USA..Iam always behind it to finish in some or the other way...from refrigerator as it pains me a lot if it gets decayed and wasted....so here's my contribution to the event-Dish name starts with L- hosted by Akila

Now that you are aware of its benefits try to incorporate it in your diet.Here's recipe you can try out with respect to palak...Iam sure you will all like it......

LASUNI PEAS-PALAK

Ingredients:
1 entire bunch of spinach
1 cup lentil curry(cooked Toor dal)
1 tbsp Rice flour
1/4th tsp Cumin seeds
3-4 Green chilles
handful of cooked peas.

For making Tadka:
1 tbsp Oil
A pinch of asafoetida
8-10 Garlic
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
3-4 Red mirchi
Method:
1.Cut palak finely and wash it thoroughly under running water.
2.Cook spinach on heat in a pan without adding oil or water at all.
3.Within very few minutes automatically it starts cooking and water starts releasing from leaves.
4.Finally without adding water also it is cooked well and leaves become soft textured.Crush those leaves finely with spoon.
5.In between while it gets cooked add few cumin seeds along with few finely chopped green chilles.
6.When palak is cooked completely... add cooked toor dal(varan) mixed with 2 cups of water to it.
7.Allow it to boil for few minutes.
8.Mix rice flour in small quantity of water and pour that mixture in cooked vegetable.
9.Mix it thoroughly.Now add cooked peas to it.
10.When it appears to be thick place it in another vessel.
11.Now prepare tadka or tempering in Oil with the addition of asafoetida,cumin seeds,mustard seeds,turmeric,crushed garlic pieces and red chillies.
12.When garlic turns red or brown add this hot tadka on vegetable...when u will hear sound as suuuurrrrrrrrrr ...then its done.

The flavour of lasun or garlic tastes so nicely that you will surely enjoy it as an weekend menu....

Cucumber Lassi

Being a new blogger, Iam slowly getting accustomed to all the blog events.Its really fun participating it.

Here is my entry for the event Tomato Blues-Summer Spirits-

Its an event where all the food bloggers especially from USA look forward to it.I loved this theme as after coming to US only I discovered my Love towards Summer... as I was fed up with winter and that freezing Jacket..I have realized that Summer is only the perfect time of enjoyment!

It has really made earth come back to life after a long cold winter."And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer."

Humans have ended their hibernation phase and are seen out on Jogging track moving along with their cute pets.Sun has made nature to wear a beautiful green gown.Variety of pansies have started blooming.Flowers are dancing on vernal winds,Bees and butterflies have started humming.Also Summer-season to have the king of fruits - mango, reminds us with lovely recipes of ice-creams,cakes, pastries,juices and lot more....

Cucumber Lassi is a very refreshing drink and perfect way to end your dinner as during summer due to scorching heat of sun our hunger is reduced to some extent.We love if somebody offers us glass full of coolant,after spicy dinner.So here's recipe of cucumber lassi-to be enjoyed in summer..Before I start chattering on my recipe..I would like to quote here that cucumber has wide applications in health benefits.Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

Fresh and crunchy cucumbers(Botanical name-Cucumis sativus) even though mostly composed of water, they still pack a lot of nutrition.The flesh of cucumbers is a very good source of vitamins A, C, and folic acid which is widely used in this recipe thereby making it highly valuable.Also The hard skin is rich in fiber and a variety of minerals including  magnesium, silica, molybdenum and potassium.It is an excellent source of silica, which is a trace mineral that contributes to the strength of our connective tissue and promotes joint health.

Cucumbers are effective when used for various skin problems, including swelling under the eyes and sunburn.It helps splitting and spoiling of nails of fingers and toes.Also due to presence of sulphur and silicon it stimulates hair growth.  They also contain ascorbic and caffeic acids.  These acids prevent water retention and keep our body hydrated,acts as diuretic.Cures diabetes and reduces cholesterol levels in the body. That may explain why when cucumbers are applied topically they are often helpful for swollen eyes, burns, and dermatitis.  They fight cancers,controls Blood Pressure,Is beneficial for teeth and gums.Cucumbers aids digestion and treat tapeworms that harbour our stomach.It relives gout and arthritis.It aids in weight loss due to its large amount of water content.

Enjoy and celebrate summer with this beautiful recipe-Cucumber Lassi-in order to derive maximum health benefits and live healthy life!

CUCUMBER LASSI

Ingredients:
3-4 small cucumbers.
2 cups sweet curd.
5-6 Pudina leaves or Coriander sticks.
salt as per your taste.
1/4th tsp of Black pepper powder.
1/4th tsp of Cumin powder.
5-6 Ice cubes

Method:
1)Peel 1 cucumber and cut it into small pieces or cubes.
2)Now make slices of remaning cucumbers.
3)Cook these slices on heat by adding 2 cups of water untill they change their color and appear to be cooked and become soft in texture.
4)Remove it from heat and Allow it to cool.
5)Grind those slices in mixer or blender..
6)To grinded mixture add blended sweet curd,salt,chopped pudina leaves or finely chopped coriander leaves.
7)Mix everything together nicely.
8)Add ice -cubes to it.
9)Now add pinch of cumin powder and Black pepper powder.
10)Pour it in glass.
11)Now decorate your drink by placing chopped pieces of cucumber on top of it.
12)Enjoy your drink chilled...and offer it to your guests...Iam sure they are bound to love it.

Note:You can also add buttermilk masala to it. This adds more taste to your lassi.You can buy masala readymade from any Indian shop or can prepare at home.
Method to prepare it at home.(Take all ingredients in the quantity as per your taste-Iodised salt,Black salt,Cumin,Dry ginger,Black pepper,turmeric,asafoetida...all must be in powdered form)

Oreo Brownie Earthquake...

Finally after biding Bye-bye to winter,summer has knocked our doors...I was looking forward to it as I was terribly tired of snowfall and wanted to enjoy summer of USA.With the onset of spring... trees are gifted back their dresses,birds have started coming out of their hiding places,flowers have started blooming and sun have started peeping in...and we can go out without those heavy jackets....but this time we need to protect our skin from scorching heat of the sun...still I love summer...because summer reminds us of desserts..like cakes,pastries,ice-creams,smoothies...oh la la yummy! and lot more.

This is my article for Showcase-Desserts hosted by Divya

 

Thanks Divya for this lovely theme...I think its perfect for summer....I liked the theme as dessets are very dear to me....Last sunday I had an oppurtunity to visit St Mathews mall near our apartment...It was afternoon and for the first time we experienced scorching heat of sun here in US...we took the advantage of the situation and enjoyed special dish...OREO BROWNIE EARTHQUAKE-It is beautiful combination of crushed oreo cookies with chewy chocolate brownie pieces blended with hot chocolate fudge and creamy french vanilla soft serve.It was too good.We deceided that we are going to try this at home...the very next day we did it and it tasted fabulous..so would like to share this recipe with u all....u will surely love it!

Components:-

3 scoops of french vanilla ice-cream.
1 oreo cream biscuit.
1 Brownie.
Chocolate sauce as you desire.

Method:-
1.In a bowl take 3 scoops of ice-cream.
2.Add crushed pieces of Oreo cream biscuit.
3.Now add brownie pieces over it.
4.Pour either hot or cold chocolate sauce on it
5.Mix together and enjoy....

I know surely you will be thinking what I have prepared here...nothing...but yes you can surely make brownies at home ..My blog with provide you with the same.still my blog being in testing phase may take some time.Else you can buy brownies from store and make this dish at home within very few minutes and enjoy....no need to waste dollars on this simple but sweet and easy dish on shop which can be made at home within no time.