Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Meals 5/29/2012

Breakfast: French Toast- 1 slice Sara Lee =1 PP, 1/4 cup egg beaters=1 PP, 1 Morningstar Sausage Patty=1PP, 1/8 cup Sugar Free Syrup, Banana =0 PP, 1 cup Fat Free Milk= 2 PP
Total:5 PP



Lunch:2/3 cup Cauliflower-Broccoli Salad =2 PP, 3 oz. grilled Chicken= 3 PP
Total= 5 PP
Dinner: Sauteed Zucchini, Mushroom, Red Pepper, Red Onion =0 PP, 1 package Wildwood Pasta Slim= 1 PP, 1 small can tiny Shrimp= 2 PP, 1/8 cup Thai Sweet and Spicy Sauce= 1 PP
Total: 4 PP

Snacks: Banana, Sugar Free Ice Cream Sandwich topped with Mixed Berries=3 PP, Baby Carrots, 2/3 cup Fiber One Honey Squares=2 PP, 1/4 cup Almond Breeze= 0PP
Total:  5 PP

Daily Total: 19 PP

This has not been a typical week. Due to tummy issues I have not been hungry. These are meals that I would eat when I was feeling better. I would have had more snacks through out the day thus resulting in more PP for the day. I find if I eat less food more often I can control over eating better.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Sugar Alternatives


Thanks to the newest sugar substitutes, it's becoming easier (and healthier) to bake your cake and eat it too!
There are so many alternative sweeteners available now that they seem to be elbowing sugar right off the supermarket shelf. But what's so wrong with sugar? At just 15 calories per teaspoon, "nothing--in moderation," says Lona Sandon, R.D., an assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. "The naturally occurring sugar in an apple is fine, but if we can reduce some of the added sugar in our diet, we can remove some of the empty calories." Less than 25 percent of your daily calories should come from the added sugar in foods like cookies, cereal, and ketchup, she says. To satisfy your sweet tooth--especially if you're counting calories, limiting carbs, or dealing with diabetes--try these options:

SWEETLEAF AND TRUVIA

What they are: These sugar alternatives are the latest made from stevia, an herb found in Central and South America that is up to 40 times sweeter than sugar but has zero calories and won't cause a jump in your blood sugar. Stevia was slow to catch on because of its bitter, licorice-like aftertaste, but makers of Truvia and SweetLeaf have solved this problem by using the sweetest parts of the plant in their products.
Where to find them: In grocery stores and natural-food stores throughout the country and online at sweetleaf.com and truvia.com.
How to use them: Both work well in coffee and tea or sprinkled over fruit, cereal, or yogurt. You can't substitute stevia-based products for sugar in baked goods, though, because these products are sweeter than sugar and don't offer the same color and texture. Makers of SweetLeaf promise to come out with a baking formulation soon.
Health Rx: "Truvia's one of the most promising alternatives out there," says nutritionist Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., author of The Healthiest Meals on Earth . "Right now, it looks safe. It tastes just like sugar and has almost no glycemic index, which means it won't spike your blood sugar."

WHEY LOW

What it is: Three naturally occurring sugars--fructose, the sugar in fruit; sucrose, or table sugar; and lactose, the sugar in milk--are blended to create this sweetener. While individually the sugars are fully caloric, when blended in Whey Low they interact in such a way that they aren't completely absorbed into the body. As a result, at four calories per teaspoon, Whey Low has one quarter of the calories and less than one third of the glycemic index of sugar, so you're less likely to crash after consuming it. It's available in varieties similar to granular sugar, brown sugar, maple sugar, and confectioners' sugar.

WHEY LOW continued...

Where to find it: At grocery stores, like Whole Foods Market, online at wheylow.com, and in some baked goods at bakeries around the country.
How to use it: "Whey Low's flavor and texture are very similar to sugar's and it's easy to use," says Yasmine Sandhu, the pastry chef at Rock Creek, a restaurant in Washington, D.C., which uses Whey Low to keep calorie counts down. "I've substituted it into all my recipes as if it were sugar. The only product I've had trouble with is meringue--it browns a little quicker and doesn't set quite as well."
Health Rx: "Whey Low's creator argues that the way the sugars interfere with each other means that you get all of the sweet but many fewer calories than sugar," says Thomas Castonguay, Ph.D., a professor of food science at the University of Maryland in College Park. "We're testing that process here in the lab, and the preliminary results look promising."

XYLITOL

What it is: This naturally occurring sugar alcohol is found in foods such as beets, berries, and corn. Xylitol tastes almost as sweet as sugar but is only partially absorbed by the body, so it has only about nine calories per teaspoon and a lower glycemic index.
Where to find it: Natural-food stores and online at vitaminshoppe.com.
How to use it: Substitute it for sugar in small amounts in tea or coffee. If you use it for baking, it's recommended that you substitute it for only half of the sugar called for in a recipe.
Health Rx: Xylitol prevents bacteria from causing plaque to stick to teeth, which is why it's often used in sugar-free gum and can help prevent tooth decay. It can also cause stomachaches, gas, and diarrhea if you have too much of it. "Sugar alcohols aren't digested well by the body," says Bowden. "That's what keeps xylitol from raising blood sugar, but it's also what can give you gas."

AGAVE NECTAR

What it is: Several types of agave, the plant that's used to make tequila, are blended to create this liquid sweetener.
Where to find it: At natural-food stores, in some grocery stores, like Whole Foods Market, and in various baked goods.
How to use it: "It's great for teas and coffee, but it's a little difficult to bake with," says Sandhu. "I use it at about a third of the capacity of sugar--agave nectar is far sweeter than sugar or honey, so you have to reduce the amount a recipe calls for. I look for recipes that use another liquid sweetener, like honey, as the base. I also tend to lower my oven temperature when I use it because agave nectar browns a bit more. It's probably not the best option out there for beginner bakers."

Monday, May 28, 2012

Meals: 5/28/2012 -Meatless Monday

Breakfast: 3/4 cup fiber one - 2 PP, 1 cup Fat Free Milk- 2 PP, Banana- 0 PP
Total 4 PP

Lunch: Morningstar Farms Enchilada- 8 PP, Baby Carrots
Total: 8 PP

Dinner: Sweet Potato- 4 PP, Corn on Cob- 4 PP, Tomato- 0 PP
Total: 8 PP

For snacks I eat watermelon, I had a bowl of 1/4 cup Oatmeal with Berries, a Banana and a sugar free ice cream sandwich.
Total: 6 PP
    This is Meatless Monday. I thought when I started Meatless Monday it would be hard to adjust to but it has really become very easy. I don't even think about eating meat on Monday. It has become a part of  my lifestyle. I have included links to Meatless Monday and Morningstar Farms. They both have some great ideas for eating meatless.

 www.meatlessmonday.com
www.morningstarfarms.com

Meal: 5/27/2012


Breakfast: Franz Thin Bun= 3PP, Ham =1PP, Egg Beaters=1PP,Spinach, Onion, Yellow Pepper=0 PP, Sliced Tomato=0 PP
Total= 5 PP



Lunch was a Chicken Drumstick and Watermelon.
Total=4 PP


Then we were off to the races and the fair. I got a Bubba's BBQ Chicken Sandwich. I threw away the bun, sliced up the Chicken Breast, added lettuce, tomato, onion, salsa and made a salad.
Total= 5 PP


I know I didn't even eat close to my PP. I was having tummy issues and couldn't eat much. Hopefully I'm back to normal tomorrow.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

How to peel Potatoes, Well worth watching

This is really great, I am going to try it the next time I want mashed
potatoes or potato salad! If you take the time to watch this, you will

not only be glad you did, but you will forward this to all your daughters,
sisters, moms, etc...I haven't tried it yet, but I will! Just when you thought you knew
everything about boiling potatoes ...

To all who love making potato salad but hate peeling the boiled potatoes,
here is the solution for easy peeling.

I wish I had known about this thirty years ago. Peeling the cooked
potato was the least desirable part in making a potato salad. Enjoy.

Click here:

(http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7375897927147969009)

Meals 5/26/2012 With Broccoli Slaw Recipe


This turned out to be an interesting meal choice day. We went to Marysville to the races. They have nothing healthy to eat. Nachos, Chicken Strips and French Fries, Hot Dogs, Pretzels with Cheese Sauce. Whats a person to do. Soooooo I got a small bag of Kettle Corn. I'm wondering how many servings comes in a bag. It has the nutritional information on the bag but not how many servings per bag. I just guesstimated. The good thing is I wore my trusted friend and inspiration on my hip aka: Pete (pedometer) and walked  13,289 steps.





Breakfast -Egg Beaters 1PP, Ham 1 PP, 1 Sara Lee Toast 1PP, 1/3 cup Weight Watchers Cheese, Mushrooms, Onion, Bell Pepper, Tomatoes 0PP
Total:5 PP
Lunch -2 Sara Lee Delightful 2 PP, 1 pouch tuna 2 PP, 1 Tbsp. fat free mayo 0 PP, Spinach 0 PP, Broccoli Slaw 2 PP ( recipe below), Watermelon 0 PP
Total: 6 PP 



Dinner -Diet A&W Root beer 0 PP, Small bag Kettle corn (priceless PP)
 I'm guessing 11 PP,
Total 11PP

I also had a 100 calorie pack of Pretzels 3 PP and  2 Bananas  and a McDonald's Ice Cream Cone 4 PP
Total 7 PP


Daily Total : 29

They may not have been the healthiest choices but they were the best choices I could make being put into a unhealthy situation. We are going to the Silver Dollar Fair tomorrow and I will be challenged with unhealthy choices there also. I'm planning on eating 2 meals at home and I will have to see what they have there for Dinner. We will be there until at least 9 as we are going to the car races and I will have to eat Dinner there. I plan on smuggling in some baby carrots, and a piece of fruit so am hoping they have like a kabob or something I can eat with it. I'll let you know how things go . I'm on a mission to prove to myself I can eat FAIRly healthy at the FAIR.  ;)

Me and Rog ( my mountain man) at the Marysville Raceway Park. It was cold. Crazy weather.
But we had fun.


Crunchy Sassy Chinese Slaw

PER SERVING (about 1 cup): 111 calories, 3.5g fat, 375mg sodium, 17.5g carbs, 4g fiber, 10g sugars, 3g protein -- PointsPlus® value 3*

This slaw is so good, it's hard not to eat ALL of it (so do everyone a favor and make a double batch!)...
Ingredients: One 16-oz. package Mann's Broccoli Cole Slaw
1 cup canned water chestnuts, drained and sliced into thin strips
1 cup canned mandarin orange segments packed in water or juice, drained and chopped (and rinsed, if packed in juice)
1 cup chopped scallions
2/3 cup Newman's Own Lite Low Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing
1/4 cup slivered almonds

Directions:
In a large bowl, toss all ingredients together, and mix well. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Stir well before serving. Enjoy!

MAKES 6 SERVINGS

Friday, May 25, 2012

Meals for 5/25/2012

Breakfast: 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 cup fruit, 1 cup milk, coffee
6 PP

Lunch: 95% Fat Free hot dog, 1 slice Sara lee, cauliflower-broccoli salad, watermelon
4 PP


Dinner:Mixed fresh fruit, Salad with fresh salsa, 2 spoons of New England Clam Chowder
1PP


Dinner: fresh mixed fruit, sauteed veggies
2 PP

Dinner: sauteed veggies,5 oz. Grilled New York Steak
7 PP

Dessert: Angel food cake, strawberries, 1 Tbsp. bread pudding
7PP


McDonald's Ice Cream Cone
4 PP

31 -Total Points Plus

We went out for Dinner to the Feather Falls Casino. I came out of there feeling really good. I'm not sure about some of the PP but I'm close enough. I love Clam Chowder and took a small bowl full and only eat 2 spoon fulls. I realized all I needed was a taste. I then filled a plate with fresh fruit and salad. There wasn't any dressing I wanted to spend points on so I requested salsa. They had fresh made Pico De Gallo so I used that for dressing MMMM. After looking over the food bar I realized there wasn't much there I  wanted to eat. I had a small new york strip grilled , some sauteed veggies and more fresh fruit. I wanted something sweet, dessert is my favorite thing to eat when we go out. After looking over the dessert bar I settled on angel food cake, with strawberries, whipped cream and a Tbsp of bread pudding.  I left there feeling full but not stuffed. Very satisfied with all my choices. It was a very good day.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Meals on May 24, 2012

Meals for 5/24/2012


Snack:
   Banana = 0PP

Breakfast 
    Subway Breakfast Sandwich- English muffin, egg white, 1-bacon, mustard and veggies =4 PP
    Total=4 PP

Lunch:
    Franz skinny bun = 3 PP
    56 gram deli ham =1 PP
    1 Laughing Cow Cheese Wedge= 1PP
    Bell pepper/Green Onion/ Spinach/ Tomato=0
    Cauliflower-Broccoli Salad = 2PP
     Total 7 PP

Snack:
     1/2 cup Bean and Kale soup= 3 PP

Dinner:
   Lavosh Bread= 5 PP
   2 Laughing Cow garlic and herb wedges =1 PP
   Mushrooms/ Green Onion/ Bell Pepper/ Spinach/ Jalapeno Pepper=0 PP
   1/8 cup Fat Free Feta Cheese = 1PP
   Total: 7 PP

Snack:
Apple Angel food Cake with whipped topping =3 PP
1 cup Fat Free Milk=2 PP
Total = 5 PP



Daily total = 26 PP


Chicken Garam Masala/ Spices


I found this recipe that includes Garam Masala. I'm looking forward to trying it this next week. I also copied some descriptions of different spices and a recipe for Garam Masala. If any of you try a recipe with a new spice or even one you make often and would like to share please email it to me and I will post it.

 

Chicken with Garam Masala =9 PP

Chicken with Garam MasalaImage and Recipe Copyright
© 2003-2010 Jennifer Iserloh
Nothing is more fragrant than homemade Indian food cooked with healthy spices! If you can’t find Garam Masala, substitute with your favorite curry powder.
Serves 4

Ingredients

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup flour
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon trans-fat free margarine
1/4 cup minced shallots, about 2 small shallots
2 tablespoons ground garam masala
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup dry white wine
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken stock
2/3 cup low-fat, plain yogurt
2 tablespoons toasted, silvered almonds
ground nutmeg to taste

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400° F. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt. Place the flour on a sheet of wax paper or aluminum foil. Dredge chicken in the flour and shake off excess. In a large heavy skillet, heat the oil until hot but not smoking. Cook the chicken breasts until a golden brown crust forms on both sides, about 7-8 minutes total. Place the skillet into the oven until chicken is cooked through and its center is no longer pink, about 10-15 minutes more.
Remove pan from the oven and place chicken on a platter. Pour off excess oil. Over medium-low heat, in the same pan, sauté shallots in the margarine. Add garam masala and cinnamon and cook for another 1-2 minute without browning shallots, though they will take on some color from the spices.
Add the white wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Reduce the liquid by half then add chicken stock and simmer 2-3 minutes until the liquid reduces by half. Turn off the heat, add the yogurt. Return the chicken to the pan and season with nutmeg. If you are using yogurt, allow the chicken to cool slightly before stirring it in. Sprinkle with almonds, and serve immediately



Asafoetida (Hing) - also known as devil's dung. It is a resin taken from a plant from the parsley family. It is a distinctive and pungent spice. It is most commonly found in powdered form. When cooked, it has a truffle-like flavor and a roasted garlic aroma. It is used mainly for its digestive properties, especially in the cooking of beans and lentils, as it is reputed to have antiflatulence properties. Asafoetida is an important ingredient of the snack called cheewra - a mixture of grains, dried fruits, and spices. It can be added to flavor fish and vegetable dishes. A pinch of it can be fried in hot oil before the rest of the ingredients are cooked.
igourmet Organic Dried Bay Leaves
Bay leaves - these fragrant leaves with pointed ends are used in their dried form. These are used in curries and rice preparations.
Cardamom (Elaichi) -Elettaria Cardamomum is the seed of a tropical fruit in the ginger family. Fruits and seeds leave pleasant aroma with sweet, pungent taste behind when chewed. Cardamom has a sweet, lemony, eucalyptus flavor. It is world's second most expensive spice. It is available as a powder, dried pods, or loose seeds. Green cardamoms are the most common, but there are also black and cream varieties. It is one of India's favorite spices, used in curries, savory and sweet dishes, ice cream and custards. It is often combined with almonds and saffron. It can be used to flavor tea and also is great with black coffee. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine to remove fat and as a cure for urinary and skin complaints. Egyptians chewed cardamoms to whiten their teeth and simultaneously sweeten their breath. The seeds are aromatic, sweet cooling, carminative (cures flatulence), digestive, stimulant and tonic. Cardamom finds usage in indigestion, anorexia, burning sensation, debility, asthma.
Cayenne pepper (Lal Mirch)- is a spice made from the seeds of plants in the capsicum family (ranging from sweet pepper to chili - in general, the smaller the fruit, the hotter it is). Cayenne peppers' bright red color signals its high content of beta-carotene or pro-vitamin A. It includes both the ground seeds as well as the dried flesh. It should not be as hot as chili powder, but it is pretty hot and should therefore be used with care. Cayenne pepper is used to provide the heat for many spicy dishes.
Chilies (Mirchi) - it is the hottest flavor on earth. As a general rule, dark green chilies tend to be hooter than red chilies. Small, pointed chilies are usually hotter than larger, more rounded varieties. Whole chilies can be seeded to make them a little less hot. Chilies and chili powder should be used with extreme care. The hot vindaloo curries are made from the hottest chilies.
Chili powder - Red color, fine powder. It is very hot because it is made from the dried, ground seeds of the chili, its hottest part.
Copyright: Marzena Saigal
Cilantro (Hara Dhaniya)- this fresh herb is a fragrant mix of parsley and citrus. The leaves are rather like those of flat-leaved parsley, but darker. The leaves have a very distinctive bitter-sweet taste. Cilantro it is usually added toward the end of cooking to preserve the fresh aroma. Also it is frequently used as a garnish. The seed of the cilantro is known as coriander.
Cinnamon (Dalchni) - is the dried bark of various laurel trees in the cinnamomun family. It is a sweet-tasting spice, with a warm, woody aroma. The smell of Cinnamon is pleasant, stimulates the senses, yet calms the nerves. The thinnest bark is the best quality cinnamon. It is available as a powder but is much better bought in sticks. When ground, the flavor becomes stronger. Whole cinnamon is used for spacing hot drinks, ground - in cakes, sweet dishes, fruit pies (especially apples). It can also be used in more piquant dishes, such as curries, and combines perfectly with chicken.
Cloves (Luong) - small, dried, reddish-brown flower bud of the tropical evergreen tree of the myrtle family. They have strong, sweet aroma and hot, pungent taste, Cloves are best bought whole and ground, if necessary. They have been used in India for thousands of years, not only in cooking, but to sweeten the breath and to relieve the pain of toothache. They contain a mild anesthetic. Whole cloves are frequently used to flavor meat dishes, curries, and soups.
Cokum has the same souring qualities as tamarind, especially enhancing coconut-based curries or vegetable dishes like potatoes, okra or lentils. Kokum is especially used with fish curries, three or four skins being enough to season an average dish. It is also included in chutneys and pickles.>>
Coriander seeds (Dhaniya) - is a member of a parsley family. The seeds are oval in shape, ridged, and turn from bright green to beige when ripen. This spice tastes sweet and tangy, with a slightly citrus flavor. The English name for this spice comes from the Greek koros, meaning “bug”. Coriander is usually sold in powdered form, although the whole seeds are also available. Fresh green coriander - because they are aid digestion, they are particularly effective with carbohydrates like pastries and bread. Coriander is also used in fish and savory dishes as a healthy alternative to salt, and it is basic ingredient of curry powder.
Cumin (Jeera) - comes from the parsley family. The seeds are oval with ridges, greenish-beige in color, warm, nutty aroma and a taste that is bitter, but not hot. They can be ground to a powder. Cumin is usually dry-fried before use (drop the whole seeds into a hot dry pan and cook until the roasted fragrance emerges). It is used to flavor rice, stuffed vegetables, many savory dishes and curries. It combines well with cilantro and is widely used in beef dishes.
Curry leaves (Kari putha or Neem) - are small grey-greenish leaves (a bit like bay), relative of the orange. They can be used fresh or dried. Their aroma is released by its heat and moisture. They are sometimes fried in the oil the food is cooked in, and then discarded. They are mainly used as an aromatic and flavoring for most curries and soups. When starting a curry or soup dish, put the curry leaves into the oil to fry until crisp.
Curry - Powder, 2.24 oz
Curry Powder - Curry Powder is a blend of many spices and is used widely in savory dishes throughout India and Southeast Asia. Curry has a particular scent and is spicy
Fennel (Soonf) - is a greenish-brown, small oval seed from Pimpinella Anisum, a plant in the parsley family. It has a sweet and aniseed flavor. Used sparingly, it gives warmth and sweetness to curries. The seeds combine well with peanuts and the zest of citrus fruit. Roasted fennel seeds are chewed to freshen the breath after the meal. They have digestive properties.
Fenugreek (Kasuri Methi) - is short, upright plant (related to spinach) with oval leaves. The entire plant has a strong, sweet aroma. The mature leaves have the bitter taste. Ground fenugreek (seeds) has a warm, yellowish-brown color with a strong curry-like taste. In powdered form, fenugreek is one of the main ingredients of curry powders. Fenugreek is used to add flavor to meat dishes. It is also considered as an aphrodisiac.
Garam Masala – meaning “hot spices” - is a mixture of ground spices (recipes vary) (cloves, cardamom, cumin, peppercorns and cinnamon, bay leaves). It is far better to grind your own spices than to buy the mixture ready-ground. The blend of spices in the garam masala varies according to the dish to which it's added so a spice blend for a fish dish is different to the spice mix for lamb. Depending on the ingredients of your dish, you can enhance the garam masala by adding other spices like ginger and turmeric (which would suit chicken or fish). Cloves and fennel seeds might be added to a mix for dark meats like lamb or beef.
Garlic (Lassan) - closely related to the onion. It has a powerful pungent or hot flavor when raw, which mellows when it is cooked. It has very strong odor. Bulbs, whose segments are usually called "cloves" are the part of the plant most commonly eaten. Garlic is used as a condiment and as flavoring in gravies, sauces, soups, stews, pickles, salads, salad dressing and breads. Garlic pickles and freshly ground garlic chutneys are popular side dishes for rice, snacks and chappathis. Garlic powder is made from ground dehydrated cloves and is used widely as a substitute for fresh garlic. Garlic helps to purify the blood and lower blood pressure. It is considered as a cure for heart ailments.
Ginger(Adrak)- the fresh root gingeris a knobly rhizome with a sweet aroma and hot, pungent taste. Inside, the ginger is hard and woody, yellow and fibrous. It is easiest to cook with, once peeled and grated. The length of the root indicates maturity, and the longer it is, the hotter and more fibrous it will be. Ginger makes a tasty paste, especially if mixed with garlic. Ginger can be used in sweet dishes, desserts, or in piquant dishes such as hot curries and stir fries. The ground (soondth) type is the same as that used in baking. Ginger is also commonly regarded as an aphrodisiac. More about Ginger
Mango powder (Amchur) - This sour powder is made from unripe mangoes. It has a tart taste. It has a sour, lemony taste, with a slightly sweet edge. The primary use of it is for Chutneys. It is used in soups, pastries, and in vegetarian dishes as a souring additive, as well as to samosas and relishes. It can be added to chickpeas, potatoes and eggplants. More, it is used as a dry seasoning for grilled dishes and sometimes appears in Bombay mix, the Indian version of potato chips or pretzels. Amchur is also an essential ingredient in making Chaat Masala. It gives any dish a tangy, sour flavor, and is the perfect substitute for lemon, tamarind or lime juice. If you are unable to find you can use a dash of lemon.
Mint (Pudina) - Indian mint has a stronger flavor and more pungent aroma than Western varieties. This herb is often paired with lamb. Mint is sweet and strong with hints of a sharp lemony taste; mint is pleasantly pungent and refreshing at the same time. The warm sweet fragrance of mint is cooling to the palate, leaving a fresh aftertaste. Indian cooking and is widely used in chutneys, relishes, salads, sauces and teas. Mint is mostly added to biryanis (Moghul rice preparation), lassi - the North Indian refreshing drink. Mint is also perfect as a garnish for desserts, and goes well with fruits, iced tea, lemonade and yogurts as well as a variety of cocktails.
Mustard seeds (Rai) - in Indian cooking brown mustard seeds are more commonly used but black seeds contain a higher proportion of the volatile mustard oil and strongest flavor. The larger yellow variety, known as white mustard are much les pungent. Powdered mustard has no aroma when dry, but a hot flavor is released when it is mixed with water. The seeds can be put whole into very hot oil and popped. Raw food can be cooked in this flavored oil or it can be poured over some dishes just before serving. Mustard helps emulsify liquids use in salad dressing recipes to help blend oil and vinegar and add a spicy zip. Mustards seeds are a popular addition to dishes such as vegetable, beans, pastries and pickles.
Nutmeg and mace (Jaiphal and Javitri) - is the seed of the evergreen tree. Mace is the fleshy lattice, covering of the nutmeg (hard nut), which is golden brown in color. Nutmeg has more robust flavor than mace, but thy are otherwise very similar. They have nutty, warm and slightly sweet flavor. Nutmeg is used to add sweet and savory flavor to dishes such as pies, custards, puddings, cakes, soufflés, vegetables, egg dishes, lamb, and fish, and beverages. Like nutmeg, mace is a sweet and flavorful spice, which can be substituted for nutmeg or cinnamon to complement a variety of foods. Mace is also used in sauces for fish and pickle chutneys.
Onion Seeds (Kalonji) - are small, irregular shaped black seeds of the plant that grows in India - Kalonji. This spice can be used fresh or dry roasted in curries, and added to vegetables, relishes, pickles and yogurts. It is featured in many spice mixtures such as Bengali five-spice mixture panchphoron, which also includes fenugreek, mustard, cumin and fennel.
Oreango (Ajwain)- it has a strong, pungent odor and flavor similar to pepper and anise. They contain thymol oil, which gives a taste reminiscent of thyme. it is used in lentil dishes, vegetable parathas, pakoras and meat dishes.
Paprikapowder- is ground from dried sweet peppers (family Capsicum Annum, relative of chili) the fruits of a tropical evergreen bush. It is milder than chili powder or cayenne. Paprika has bright red color and a mild, sweet flavor with a cardamom aroma. It is highly versatile spice. It is good with eggs, fish, chicken, crab and cheese. It can also be used as a garnish on baked potatoes, salads, rice dishes. Paprika is rich in vitamin C, and so helps colds and influenza. It is also said to treat digestive troubles, cramps, circulations problems, and shingles.
Peppercorns (Kali Mirchi) -pepper's name comes form the Sanskrit Pippali nigrum, which means "black spice". Peppercorns have a pungent, woody aroma and hot, biting taste. Black pepper is more aromatic, white is stronger and hotter. Pepper is the only spice that us used to flavor food before, during and after cooking. Whole or grounded peppercorns can be added to most non-sweet dishes.
Saffron (Zaffran) - this spice is made from orange colored dried stigmas of the especially cultivated crocus (75 stamens are needed to make 100 g (4 oz) of the spice.) It is the most expensive spice of all. It has a distinctively pungent, honey-like flavor and aroma. It is available as whole threads or powdered. When ground they form a russet powder. The filaments can be lightly roasted, crumbled in a little hot water and left to infuse to bring out their full strength. Saffron is used to color rice dishes, sweets, puddings, sauces and soups to bright yellow.
Tamarind (Amli) - is the sticky, dried, brown pod of the evergreen tree. It has a sour taste and very tart, citric flavor. The pulp must be soaked before usage. In India, tamarind is mostly combined with meat or legumes (lentils, chick peas or beans). It adds a distinctive cooling quality to curries, chutneys.
Turmeric (Haldi) - comes from the root of Curcuma longa, a leafy plant related to ginger. It has a bright yellow color and a pungent, warm, earthy aroma and taste. Although it becomes bitter if too much used. It is mildly antiseptic. Turmeric is an essential spice in Indian food, giving a rich, appetizing color. It is used in curries, fish dishes and with beans because of its digestive properties. Research show that turmeric inhibits blood clotting, reduces liver toxins, and helps the liver metabolize fats and so aids weight loss





GARMA MASALA RECIPE


  • 2 tablespoons cumin seeds
  • 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
  • 2 tablespoons cardamom seeds
  • 2 tablespoons black peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon grated whole nutmeg
  • 1 (2-inch) cinnamon stick, broken

Preparation

  1. 1. Combine all ingredients in a spice or coffee grinder; process until finely ground. Store in an airtight container.
  2. Note: Freeze Garam Masala in an airtight container for up to six months



Never underestimate your power to change and improve! You are a good person, with wonderful qualities, and you can reach your goals!