Serves 2

Preparation time : 10 minutes

Cooking time : 10 minutes

Ingredients:

1. 2 tomatoes, blanched and coarsely chopped
2. 1 clove of garlic, minced
3. 1/2 red or green bell pepper, finely chopped
4. 1 small onion, slivered
5. 1 jalapeno or 4-5 bottled jalapeno slices, finely chopped
6. 1/4 tsp cumin
7. 2 eggs
8. 1 tsp olive oil
9. salt and pepper to taste
10. 1 tsp za’atar
11. 1 tsp sumac
12. fresh parsley, coarsely chopped

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a pan, add onions and bell peppers, salt, cumin and pepper, cook until soft. Next add jalapenos and tomatoes. Cook until it forms into a thick sauce. At this point you could add 1/4 cup of water to help your sauce cook better. Crack eggs into the tomato sauce, cover and cook. Once the eggs look like they are soft set  garnish with za’atar, sumac and parsley. You could also wait for the eggs to fully cook  if you don’t like the half cooked yolk.  It will not make any difference to the taste. Serve hot with pita bread.

Turmeric powder is a bright yellow spice powder made of dry Turmeric Rhizomes. Turmeric is useful for its color, flavor, cosmetic, and medical properties. It has a peppery, warm, bitter flavor. It is impossible to think of  Indian food without Turmeric. Turmeric powder is used as a principal ingredient in making curry. It is used to add color and flavor to mustard powder. Turmeric powder should be kept in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark, dry place and should be kept away sunlight. High humidity will cause it to cake. Open to air for long time will cause flavor and aroma loss.

It is also known as Haldi Powder in India.

Health benefits :

Turmeric is an excellent source of Iron, Manganese and Vitamin B6.

Turmeric is useful as an external antibiotic in preventing bacterial infection on wound.

It is an effective remedy for chronic cough and cold and throat irritation.

Turmeric powder is often used to stop the blood run resulting from any small wound or cut of a knife.

The main organ that it treats are the skin, heart, liver and lungs.

It stimulates digestion, boost immunity, and fight allergies.

Here are the 5 best street food to enjoy in this amazing season!

1) Vada Paav : The best time to have Vada Paav is during the monsoons. Vada Paav, commonly know as the “Indian burger” is available at every nook and corner in the city. A very famous stall is at Worli, opposite Mela restaurant, Worli Sea Face, adjacent to HP petrol pump. The specialty of this place is that the vendor  butters the bread along with some green mint chutney before adding the Vada and traditional lasoon (garlic) chutney. Their  Vada’s,  are soft crunchy and served  sizzling hot! The best quality of this stall owner is that he never uses old previous days stock!

2) Sandwich : Sandwich is the most famous street food of Mumbai that can be had anytime, anywhere, there is no specific season to have it. You will see sandwich vendors also all around the city, but there are only few places where you get lots of varieties. Jay Sandwich Stall next to  MMK and National College Bandra West is very famous for its amazing  sandwiches with multiple variety like grill, toast, cheese, paneer, capsicum, and lots more. They are well know for their Indian pizza sandwich made from ketchup, cheese, onions, capsicum and lots of butter! The place is always crowded and takes  time to serve, but its worth the wait.

3) Dosa : Dosa like South India, is a very popular street food in Mumbai too! Mumbai is famous for its varieties of authentic and fusion dosa’s. Babulnath dosawalla is one of the best in Mumbai. The stall is  near Prempuri Ashram, Babulnath Temple Rd, Chowpatty, Girgaon. There is no place to sit and enjoy your food but the dosas are really amazing. There are lot of varieties of dosas like sada dosa, masala dosa, mysore masala, onion dosa, chow-chow dosa etc. This place will satisfy your hunger and yet not make a big hole in your pocket!

4) Chaat : Chaat includes small eats like  paani puri, bhel, samosa chaat, dahi puri, aloo chaat, fruit chaat, corn chaat, ragda pattice etc. Most of these chaats  are to be eaten in one bite to enjoy the full sphere of mixed flavors and you keep longing for more. A wide variety of chaat’s is  available  at Elco. Elco is mainly renowned for its paani puri, the paani is cold,  spicy and flavorful and the puris are crisp and light. Its located on hill road,  a super  busy street in Bandra (West). It used to be a tiny roadside joint but now you could enjoy the same old chaat in their air conditioned restaurant too. If you have time on your hands you could sit down and enjoy your meal but if in a rush, have an express paani puri at their kiosk just under the restaurant!

5) Rolls : Rolls are very popular street food and especially after party food in Mumbai. It is basically a wrap made from  fresh bread (roti/naan), with choices of grilled vegetables, cheese ,  paneer, chicken, potatoes, egg etc.  all wrapped up in a spicy mint chutney and fresh onions. Ayub’s is one of the famous places for rolls. Its located at Kalaghoda, in a tiny  lane, Fort, Mumbai. The menu includes both veg and non veg rolls and  bbq platter of vegetables and meats. There is again no place to sit and eat, you have to eat in your car. The service is quick, and it is open till late night. The food is tasty and not expensive!

Photo Source:

Santosh Wadghule

Eat- Ma- Heart- Out

Fesak

Naihar

Shaira Luna

Chocolate has a long long history. Chocolate itself is derived from the seeds of a fleshy pod, which is the fruit of the Cacao tree. The tree’s botanical name is Theobroma cacao, which means literally: “food of the Gods”, and most of us would agree. It was “discovered” by Europeans just about 500 years ago, when some explorers came across a large sea going canoe in the [now] Gulf of Honduras, in which natives were transporting goods that included a cargo of cocoa beans!

The cacao tree (Theobroma Cacao) is grown in the tropics in a band between 10 to 20 degrees north and south of the equator, sometimes called the “Cocoa Belt”. The tree is often grown in the shades of other trees. It can be as tall as 40 feet (12 meters), and has fruits (pods) which are more than on foot (30 cm) long. The fruits may be brownish-yellow to purple, and contain 20-40 seeds or cacao beans in a pink, sweet-sour pulp.

The Cacao Pods

Types of Chocolate:-

The main types of chocolate are white chocolate, milk chocolate, semisweet chocolate, bittersweet chocolate and unsweetened chocolate. These types of chocolate may be produced with ordinary cacao beans (mass-produced and cheap) or specialty cacao beans (aromatic and expensive) or a mixture of these two types. The composition of the mixture, origin of cacao beans, the treatment and roasting of beans, and the types and amounts of additives used will significantly affect the flavor and the price of the final chocolate.

White Chocolate

Chocolate made with cocoa butter, sugar, milk, emulsifier, vanilla and sometimes other flavorings. It does not contain any non-fat ingredients from the cacao bean and has therefore an off-white color. In some countries white chocolate cannot be called ‘chocolate’ because of the low content of cocoa solids. It has a mild and pleasant flavor and can be used to make Chocolate Mousse, Panna Cotta and other desserts.

White Chocolate

Milk Chocolate

Sweet chocolate which normally contains 10-20% cocoa solids (which includes cocoa and cocoa butter) and more than 12% milk solids. It is seldom used for baking, except for cookies.

Milk Chocolate

Dark Chocolate

Sweetened chocolate with high content of cocoa solids and no or very little milk, it may contain up to 12% milk solids. Dark chocolate can either be sweet, semi-sweet, bittersweet or unsweetened. If a recipe specifies ‘dark chocolate’ you should first try semi-sweet dark chocolate.

Dark Chocolate

Sweet Dark Chocolate

Similar to semi-sweet chocolate, it is not always possible to distinguish between the flavor of sweet and semi-sweet chocolate. If a recipe asks for sweet dark chocolate you may also use semi-sweet chocolate. Contains often 35-45% cocoa solids.

Sweet Dark Chocolate

Semi-sweet Chocolate

This is the classic dark baking chocolate which can be purchased in most grocery stores. It is frequently used for cakes, cookies and brownies. Can be used instead of sweet dark chocolate. It has a good, sweet flavor. Contains often 40-62% cocoa solids.

Semi-sweet Chocolate

Bittersweet Chocolate

A dark sweetened chocolate which must contain at least 35% cocoa solids. Good quality bittersweet chocolate usually contains 60% to 85% cocoa solids depending on brand. If the content of cocoa solids is high the content of sugar is low, giving a rich, intense and more or less bitter chocolate flavor. Bittersweet chocolate is often used for baking/cooking. If a recipe specifies bittersweet chocolate do not substitute with semi-sweet or sweet chocolate. Please ensure that you buy the correct type! European types of bittersweet chocolate usually contains very large amounts of cocoa solids, and some of them have quite bitter taste.

Bittersweet Chocolate

Unsweetened Chocolate

A bitter chocolate which is only used for baking. The flavor is not good, so it is not suitable for eating. Use it only if a recipe specifies ‘unsweetened chocolate’. It contains almost 100% cocoa solids, about half of it might be fat (cocoa butter).

Unsweetened Chocolate

Couverture  Chocolate

The word “couverture” translates to “covering” and refers to one of the finest quality of chocolate in the world. Couverture is produced with premium cacao beans and a high percentage of cocoa butter. Additionally, this type of chocolate also contain a total fat content of 30-40%. Couverture are often used by professional pastry chefs.

Couverture Chocolate

Ultra Couverture Chocolate

In fact, Ultra Couverture chocolate is equal in terms of quality to Couverture chocolate. Because because this type of chocolate contains a higher content of cocoa butter, the name “Ultra” is therefore added. Ultra Couverture chocolate is not easy to produce because it is difficult to balance higher cocoa butter content while retaining superb taste and texture.

Ultra Couverture Chocolate

Compound Chocolate

The term ”Compound Chocolate” refers to a type of chocolate which is made by a combination of cocoa and vegetable fat, usually tropical fats and/or hydrogenated fats, as a replacement for cocoa butter. Compound Chocolate is primarily used for candy bar coatings, but because it does not contain cocoa butter, then it is not called “chocolate” in the US. Compound Chocolate is sometime added with flavors such as mint, orange, or strawberry to increase its deliciousness.The various chocolate slabs available are examples of this kind of chocolate.

Compound Chocolate

Top 10 Chocolate Manufacturers worldwide

Mars, Inc

Nestlé USA

Ferrero SpA

Cadbury Schweppes Plc

The Hershey Company

Barry Callebaut AG

Kraft Foods, Inc.

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG

Meiji Seika Kaisha, Ltd.

Russell Stover Candies Inc

Ph0tosource:

1.goosmurf

2.adactio

3.Siona Watson

4.John Loo

5.jules:stonesoup

6.Tracy Hunter

7.Spidere

8.A.Blight

9.Joelk75

10.Kirsten Loza

11.scubadive67

Related posts:

1. All About Coffee

1.Cupcake Bouquet:-A fantastic blend of fresh flowers with cupcakes arranged together into a form of a Bouquet. The cupcakes can be of different flavors like orange chocolate, raspberry, blueberry, mint chocolate, lemon, red velvet etc. with various colored frosting or any other customization u like!

Rs. 1000 for  a 12 piece cupcake bouquet with real flowers in a cane basket

A cupcake bouquet in a glass vase with real flowers

A cupcake bouquet with fresh flowers in a cane basket

2.Cookie bouquets:- A very unique gift to tell your dad how much you love him, we can customize and design cookies as per your choice and make this father’s day super special. You can choose from 100 shapes and various flavors like, chocolate, lemon, orange, mint chocolate, cinnamon etc.

Bouquets are priced at Rs 1000 onwards…

3. Dip N Dessert hamper:-An exclusive combination of sweet cupcakes and savory dips and crackers.The hamper consists of 4 dips from the menu,a packet of bread sticks/lavash,a packet of gourmet crackers and 6 regular sized cupcakes.

The Hamper is priced at Rs.2000

We can even customize cookies or cupcakes in any special way to make sure your dad feels like the best dad in the world! For flavors and other details have a look at our Menu

Call Deepa Jain on 9820660904 to place an order or for any other inquiry !

Frosty n quirky!

Next time you want a sweet nothing,try the fluffy frosted cupcake that comes in a variety of shapes and flavours
They’re not just meant to act as Cupid’s offerings at Valentine’s Day,for the bite-sized cupcake delights in hearts,flowers and other shapes are in huge demand for all occasions be it a house warming party,an anniversary celebration or a birthday bash.

A PALETTE FOR THE PALATE

Neeru Mehra and daughter Shraddha who have been preparing the little cakes with special themes and messages for long now,say the choices of flavours are varied.”Some folks want cupcakes designed after their favourite tote or travel destination.We did a cupcake that looked like an island with a beach and water and we’ve also done cars and more,”says Neeru.They get exotic too.Imagine cupcakes with s t r aw b e r r i e s dipped in chocolate or those with special cellophane wrapping.The best part is the cupcakes can stay without a fridge for up to four to five days.

QUICK FIX

Says Deepa Jain,”Cupcakes are super easy to make,fun to eat and one may add different toppings and flavours to the base recipe.For it,all you need is flour,sugar,butter,eggs,milk,and baking soda.You cream the butter and sugar until fluffy,next add eggs and baking soda and alternately add milk and flour.Bake at 80 degrees for 15-20 min or until your skewer comes out clean.Frost them once cooled and serve.”

http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=46&edlabel=TOIM&mydateHid=21-05-2011&pubname&edname&articleid=Ar04602&format&publabel=TOI

Related posts:

1. Press: Bombay Times – Recipemobile featured in Rashmi Uday Singh’s food column,29th December,2010
2. Press: Hindustan Times – Tri A New Cup Menu,2nd April,2011
3. Press: Afternoon -Top 5: Valentine’s Day gift hampers,February 11, 2011

What is coffee ? You might think it is just another drink which is a replacement for tea. But that isn’t true.Coffee is a stimulating drink due to its caffeine content.Coffee is made from roasted coffee beans of the coffee plant.Coffee beans are found in coffee cherries, which grow on trees in over 70 countries, cultivated primarily in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa.’Green Unroasted’ coffee is one of the most traded agricultural commodities in the world.It is one of the most-consumed beverages in the world.

Coffee berries, which contain the coffee seed, or “bean”, are produced by several species of small evergreen bush of the genus Coffea. The two most commonly grown are the highly regarded Coffea arabica, and the ‘robusta’ form of the hardier Coffea canephora. The latter is resistant to the devastating coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix). Once ripe, coffee berries are picked, processed, and dried. The seeds are then roasted to varying degrees, depending on the desired flavor. They are then ground and brewed to create coffee. Coffee can be prepared and presented in a variety of ways.

Coffee Berries

PhotoSource – John Pavelka

Types of Coffee Beans :-

Kona
Compared to Robusta and Arabica in the commercial world, Kona is much smaller yet very expensive. This type of coffee bean normally grows in the country of Hawaii. Though Kona is not being patronized as much by most common people in the market, it still has a very high demand worldwide due to its powerful aroma. Having a very powerful aroma and desirability, Kona is rarely blended with other kinds of drink flavorings.

Kona Coffee Beans

PhotoSource – jphilig

Robusta

Robusta or the Canephora type of coffee beans covers 40% of the coffee production in the whole world. It is easier to grow compared to Arabica as it has a very high resistance to weather and disease. Also, it is a lot cheaper compared to Arabica and Kona. Robusta can be blended with other coffee blends because of its strong flavor giving every coffee a “kick”. It also does not vary in flavors compared to Arabica. Originally, Robusta was discovered while growing naturally in an area now called as the “Democratic Republic of Congo”. Robusta coffee beans are lower grades of coffee that is commonly known at the lower elevations because of its feature of having an astringent flavorings and containing higher caffeine amounts.

Robusta

PhotoSource – FreeWine

Arabica

Unlike Robusta, the Arabica type of coffee beans covers 60% of the coffee production in the whole world because of the large bush that Arabica plants have. Also Arabica plants are very vulnerable to pests, disease and frost. With this reason, the coffee beans of Arabica plants are extremely expensive. Arabica coffee beans can be used on its wholesome form as well as it can be used as a base with Robusta for coffee blends. However, Arabica has a very delicate flavor that can be used as add-ons on the flavorings of coffee blends.

Arabica

PhotoSource – Nate Steiner

Golden Rules for Handling Coffee :-

Golden Rule #1

Ground coffee expires at a faster rate than whole coffee beans.

Golden Rule #2

Air is the enemy of coffee.

Golden Rule #3

Coffee is mostly water.

Golden Rule #4

Heat is the enemy of brewed coffee.

Golden Rule #5

Clean everything that comes in the coffee’s path.

Golden Rule #6

Plan for when you make coffee.

The 5 Best Coffee Brands in India

Coffee is today’s world has become a reason to meet friends,relatives and others.There are so many coffee joints in Mumbai and owning Coffee Shops has become a famous trend.The Best 5 Coffee Brands in India are:-

1.Nescafé (Nestle)

2. Bru (Hindustan Uniliver Ltd)

3.Barista Lavazza

4.Coorg or/and Tata Cafe (Tata Coffee Lt)

5. Cafe Coffee Day (CCD)

Do not forget to buy a gift for mom this Mother’s Day and make her feel special ! This cookie bouquet with a special message to your mother is just a call away.

We have a choice of 100 shapes and various flavors of cookies to select from and to get your message across to your special person.

Choose from the range of flavors:

Vanilla

Chocolate chip

Lemon

Orange

Almond

Cinnamon

Rs.1000 for a 12 piece cookie bouquet in a can basket

Rs.1500 for a 12 piece cookie bouquet in a glass vase

Call Deepa Jain on 9820660904 to place an order or for further inquiries.

Related posts:

1. Customised Gift Hampers

1.Table Decoration Ideas for Mother’s Day :- Have a very appealing table cloth of any vibrant color with a floral or abstract design with matching colored glassware to serve the food and drinks. The center piece could either be a floral bouquet of your mom’s favorite colored flowers or a cookie or cupcake bouquet with special dedication to your mom or a card . Keep the table simple but elegant that’s the key to success this Mother’s Day!

Photo By - Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images

Photosource: Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images

2.Meal for Mom:-Why not let the kids have fun in the kitchen!  And for Mom, there’s something very special ,a dish of any kind that’s prepared by her own kids! A  four course meal is the best idea for this Mother’s Day which will include a drink, an appetizer, a main dish and a dessert.. Here are the recipes for a four course meal which are of various different cuisines that will spice up the Mother’s Day Celebration !!!

Drink : Orange Basil Lemonade

Click Here to view the recipe for the drink !

Appetizer : Batata Harra

Click Here to view the recipe for the appetizer !

Main Dish : Burmese Khowsuey

Click Here to view the recipe for the Main Dish !

Dessert : Dark Chocolate Panna Cota

Click Here to view the recipe for the Dessert !

Recipemobile hopes every viewer enjoys and relishes the recipes and have a fun-filled Mother’s Day Celebration !!!