Why We Need to Be More Ambitious About Food in India

How many times do we read a bunch of food stories from BuzzFeed or The Condé Nast Traveller? It’s probably one every day or if we are not that really a foodie, a few every week. Stories of food depravity don’t really cross our minds, isn’t it? India is home to 194.6 million undernourished people, the highest in the world as reported by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. This makes up 15% of our population. But the facts about under-fed and hungry kids are way more alarming. While the report did state that the number of underweight children declined from 49.2 per cent in 1990 to 30 per cent in 2013, it’s just not enough. Unless every non-governmental organisation in India strives to feed every child in India, this situation wouldn’t improve.

There indeed have been improvements through the mid-day meal scheme, tax exemptions to non-governmental organisations and various other efforts of the government to feed children in India. Yet one in every four kids is malnourished. Take for instance, in a family of four kids, one kid is probably going without food often. Continue reading “Why We Need to Be More Ambitious About Food in India”

Snacks Industry Growing More Than Ever

It is a universal truth widely acknowledged that no Indian has even refrained from eating chaat, dahi puri, dahi bhalla, dahi vada, aloo tikki, bhel puri, samosa chaat and other street snack foods. The finger licking taste is now offered by reputed restaurant franchise so that you do not have to worry about hygiene and health. The taste of the Indian streets now has been more refined through the various restaurant franchises that have taken the Indian snack industry by storm. The vegetarian snacks business is one that will never cease to exist, come what may and so is the business of restaurant franchises. It is a guarantee of benefits for both, the franchisor who offers the license against one time royalty and some percent of the income generated on annual or monthly basis, whatever is decided by the two. A number of people have made their fortunes by stepping in this industry as success is a guarantee. The unlimited variety of food snacks has made numerous restaurant franchises bask in the glory of success. Continue reading “Snacks Industry Growing More Than Ever”

Do Clay Pots Develop More Taste In Your Food?

Our ancestors use to cook their food either directly on fire or using pots made out of clay. With the advance in technology, we have developed much better appliances and in doing so we have also lost the food’s real taste and nutrients.

People in South Asia specifically use clay pots for cooking Indian foods. These pots are called ‘Meti Handi’ according to the people of Odisha and the secret behind the delicious taste is not the recipe but actually the clay pots in which the food is cooked.

So how do pots made from clay develop taste in food when cooking Indian style? Yes, granted, preparing food in clay pots might take a lot of time, but the food is, without any doubt, much richer in flavor and nutrients.

Let’s discuss some of the benefits of cooking in a pot made out of clay. Continue reading “Do Clay Pots Develop More Taste In Your Food?”

Indian Cuisine and the Popular Choice!

Tempting Indian cuisine, is that what you want to try out? Uncertain of what would give you the best deal? There are options online to find out about the food ratings of a particular place of eat out. You may also find out about its ambience, quality of food and value for money. This way, you are sure you will not end up making wrong decisions on the food you eat out and the restaurant you choose for this anniversary.

There is a lot of importance provided to food and reviews. Oflate, we get to see television shows which take us through the food choices available in the restaurant and the ratings provided on ambience, quality of food and value for money. Most of the food lovers base their decision on these, before they consider going out to eat. Such is the importance of food reviews, you must be careful while writing these reviews as it may make or mar the hotel’s reputation. Continue reading “Indian Cuisine and the Popular Choice!”

Review of Bindi Restaurant in Lincoln

There is something very special about authentically cooked Indian cuisine. Beautifully balanced flavours and spices come together to create mouthwatering delights, and nowhere is this more evident than at the hugely popular Bindi restaurant in Sheffield. This bright, vibrant restaurant has a great vibe so it’s no surprise that it is quickly becoming ‘the’ place to for traditionally prepared Indian food. It doesn’t matter whether you’re familiar with the flavours of this style of cooking or a newcomer, the kitchen team at Bindi are happy to make adjustments to dishes if needed, to ensure you enjoy every mouthful. Spice lovers can ask their server to turn up the heat, and of course there are milder and sweeter dishes for those who are chilli-shy! Continue reading “Review of Bindi Restaurant in Lincoln”

Easy Phirni Parfait

What about a fancy Indian dessert for the Valentine’s day dinner? This phirni parfait is the perfect dessert to make on the special occasion of Valentine’s day. The delicious and creamy lotus seeds phirni is loaded with fresh fruits and the crunch of pistachio. Too good to be true! Phirni Parfait is one of those easy Indian food recipes that look extremely fancy and are super simple to prepare.

The best part of this recipe is it can be prepared in advance. Arrange in the serving glasses and keep in the fridge. Later, end a romantic dinner date with a delectable homemade Indian dessert. Add some romance to your Valentine’s Day menu with this easy Indian recipe that is so unique too. Continue reading “Easy Phirni Parfait”

Biryani Is Basmati Rice Based Rich Indian Dish Liked Throughout Country!

Biryani is single pot rice dish made from premium basmati rice. Both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian form of Biryani can be prepared to serve as per food habit of people. Non-vegetarian biryani contains chicken / mutton / egg and vegetarian biryani contains vegetables of choice; along with basmati rice and Indian spices to give the real flavor.

Biryani is a complete dish in itself and is quite juicy to have. At few places, it is served with curd salan or mirchi salan. A number of taste and preparation variations are possible for biryani and these variations are commonly available in different restaurants. Few cities in India like Hyderabad and Lucknow are known for their special tasty biryani named after these cities (e.g., Hyderabadi Biryani and Lucknowi Biryani), and this specialty dish is available at almost every restaurant in both these cities. Biryani is not only common and favorite dish for people residing in these cities but even the visitors to these cities make sure to enjoy this specialty, whenever in the town.

Biryani is not so easily available at restaurants in majority of other Indian cities or towns. At the same time making biryani at home is challenging because of long and time-consuming method of preparation for biryani, and one also needs expertise to prepare delicious biryani at home. It is therefore a difficult for Indians residing in other cities / towns to relish this dish. Continue reading “Biryani Is Basmati Rice Based Rich Indian Dish Liked Throughout Country!”

Experience the Flavor of Indian Desserts – Recipe For Ras Malai

Indian sweets and desserts are well known world wide and are very tempting and mouth-watering. Be it the scorching summer heat or chilling winter, Indian desserts are too difficult to resist and are certainly not to be missed. There are a large variety of Indian desserts, ranging from the delicious ‘kheer’ and ‘laddoos’ to mouth-watering ‘gajar halwa’ and ‘barfi’.

Ras Malai is one of the most popular Indian desserts. This sweet dish was first invented in West Bengal, India, and is now quite popular with people in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. In India, it can be found in every sweet shop, especially in the states of West Bengal, Orissa, and Bihar. It is often pronounced as ‘Roshomalai’ in Bengali, the language of West Bengal.

Ras Malai comprises of sweet, cream to yellow-colored dumplings of cottage cheese or ricotta cheese (called ‘paneer’ in India) soaked well in clotted cream called ‘Malai’ in Hindi). This clotted cream is nothing but sweetened, thickened milk delicately flavored with cardamom, pistachios, rosewater, and saffron. Continue reading “Experience the Flavor of Indian Desserts – Recipe For Ras Malai”

Indian Recipes For Breakfast

Breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day. And in countries like India, breakfast is another opportunity to showcase their colorful and flavorful cuisine. In India, there are various breakfast meals that are favored by people and are at the same time healthy and delectable. In some regions of India, these dishes are served in other meals besides breakfast. If you want deviations from your usual morning munchies, try out some of the Indian breakfast foods listed below.

Chapati – It is unleavened flat bread made of durum wheat. The dough is flattened into a large circle, and dry cooked on a tava or hot pan. Chapati is often served with soups, lentils, chutney, and curries.

Idli – This Indian breakfast is prepared from rice and black lentils baked together to form a savory cake. The white puffed cakes are served with chutney and other spices.

Continue reading “Indian Recipes For Breakfast”

Paneer Palakh – A Jewel Amongst Indian Curries

Indian Cuisine includes some curries which act as a comprehensive meal. And when served with any of the Indian breads, their charm multiplies manifolds.

Paneer Palakh, also known as saag paneer or spinach paneer is a divine dish, fit for royalty, fit for your favorite party or get together, and maybe also the perfect dish you’d like to make for your family as a tempting Sunday night dinner.

Some things that make Paneer Palakh a dish as tempting as none other are:

1. It’s a tasty, fulfilling meal

2. Very nutritious, spinach happens to be a rich source of minerals while cottage cheese is one of the best sources of protein.

Continue reading “Paneer Palakh – A Jewel Amongst Indian Curries”