Food

If you think that a Hamburger belongs to the junk food fraternity popular only with kids or it is a toxic product exported by the neo-imperialist USA weaponizing food to conquer the world, then you are mistaken. The patty in the bun that started its journey on a pushcart or kiosk in NY more than a century back has come a long way. Today, in India, it is pushing gems from royal kitchens off the high table. Forget the Golden Arches that mass-produced (like T-Model Ford cars) the aspirational Mc Dee that defined with Coke quintessential America. Its price may continue to be used as the convenient measure of ‘purchase power parity’ to compare the state of the economy in different countries but it can no longer claim to be the gold standard. The Age of Artisanal Hamburger has dawned, and the Gold Draped Louis Burger has arrived. Don’t be misled by the name. It is a khalis deshi child of this soil. It’s a creation of Zorawar Kalra, who has conceived this as a tribute to Louis Lassen who introduced, some say seduced, the world to burgers. India has never felt shy of making its own influences and ingredients received from diverse sources and Royale is no exception. The 24-carat drape is not just eye-candy it announces subtly that what is undercover is an assortment of expensive, exotic ingredients imported cheeses- Swiss Emmental, […]

Healthier and nutritious diets are often more environmentally sustainable, according to a new study by the University of Leeds led by Dr Holly Rippin. The research was published in the ‘PLOS ONE Journal’. Food production is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for about one-third of emissions worldwide. Previous research suggested that environmentally sustainable diets are often also less processed, less energy-dense, and more nutritious. However, much of that work had been conducted using measurements of sustainability for broad categories of food instead of specific food items, leaving room for greater accuracy in evaluating the environmental impact of individual diets. Working towards better accuracy, Rippin and colleagues evaluated existing published research in order to assign greenhouse gas emissions to over 3,233 specific food items listed in the UK Composition Of Foods Integrated Dataset (COFID). COFID already contained nutrition data and is commonly used to evaluate the nutrition of individuals’ diets. Then, the researchers used the combined emissions and nutrition information to evaluate the diets of 212 adults who reported all the foods they ate within three 24-hour periods. Statistical analysis of the reported diets showed that non-vegetarian diets were associated with greenhouse gas emissions that were 59 per cent higher than emissions associated with vegetarian diets. Men’s diets were linked to emissions that were 41 per cent higher than emissions associated with women’s diets, primarily due to greater meat intake. And people […]

One traditional winter delight is gur ke chawal or meethe chawal. It is basically a popular sweet rice dish cooked with jaggery, a healthy alternative to sugar. So, if you are planning to make it this winter season, do refer to the tips provided by celebrity chef Kunal Kapur in his latest Instagram Reels. Chef Kunal posted the Reels under the title “Kunal’s Tips & Tricks” and shared some important points that can help you prepare a perfect plate of gur ke chawal. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kunal Kapur (@chefkunal) Chef Kunal Kapur shared the following tips: 1) While preparing gur ke chawal, at times, you’ll notice that the rice has utilised all the water and becomes sticky. And, the rice also gets hard. So how to fix it? Take some lukewarm water and put it over rice. Now, cover it with a lid and cook the rice for about 5-7 minutes on low flame.  2) Once you put rice into the mixture to prepare gur ke chawal, do not use a spoon to stir it. If you really want to blend the ingredients together, all you can do is swirl the pan a little bit. 3) Are you a fan of dry fruits? Feel free to experiment here, then. You can add dry fruits of your choice and enjoy. 

Globally, food is responsible for a quarter of human greenhouse gas emissions. A large part of this is due to livestock farming. Animals convert only a small portion of the fed calories into the meat. Ruminants also produce methane, which further accelerates global warming. Furthermore, what we eat also has consequences for our health and animal welfare. When comparing diets, these aspects should also be taken into account. Experts also refer to the optimal health of humans, animals and the environment from the ‘One Health’ perspective. “Studies that apply this perspective to nutrition issues are still rare, however,” explains Juliana Paris of the Center for Development Research (ZEF) at the University of Bonn (Germany). Actual food basket compared with three alternatives Paris, together with colleagues, conducted an analysis that aims to fill this research gap to some extent. The findings were published in the journal Science of The Total Environment. “To do this, we took a look at examples of which products are on the food basket of people in North Rhine-Westphalia,” she explains. “We then compared this reference diet with three different scenarios: a shift according to the recommendations of the German Nutrition Society (DGE), a shift to a Mediterranean diet with more fish and seafood, and a shift to a vegan diet.” In each of these three scenarios, the foods were chosen to differ from the reference diet as little as possible. […]

This recipe for Chocolate Truffle Cake is not just going to yield you the best cake but is also very easy to follow. Got any celebrations coming up or just want to have something in the fridge to cater to your sugar cravings? Try this cake with the step by step recipe below! Ingredients 500 gm cooking chocolate 1 cup butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 cup whipping cream 1 1/2 cup milk 4 eggs- brown 2 cup sugar 2 cup all purpose flour 1/2 cup caster sugar Method Step 1 Prepare a chocolate mix and preheat the oven Take a saucepan and add chopped cooking chocolate and 1/2 cup butter and cook it over low heat until both these ingredients melt and form a smooth paste. Remove from heat and keep aside for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, butter up your cake tin and preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celcius for 5 minutes. Remember: If you have more than one tins, you can grease all of them to make a layered cake, otherwise, you can also bake one cake and then cut it into layers. Step 2 Combine the wet and dry ingredients Take another large bowl and add eggs along with sugar and vanilla extract to it. Beat it until smooth and then add in the chocolate mixture. Beat it again until smooth. […]

Honey Chicken is an amazingly delicious Chinese recipe that can be prepared on special occasions and get-togethers. This easy recipe is cooked using chicken, lemon juice, butter and honey, and does not take much time to cook. With honey and lemon present in it, this non-vegetarian recipe has a sweet and sour taste that you will love to eat. Ingredients 600 gm chicken 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoon butter 2 tablespoon virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/2 cup honey Method Step 1Firstly, wash the chicken under running water and place it over a chopping board. Cut the chicken into pieces. Now, place a frying pan over medium flame and pour virgin olive oil in it. Once the oil is sufficiently hot, add the chicken pieces and fry for 4-5 minutes and keep them aside in a roasting pan. Step 2Next, place a saucepan over medium flame and add butter and honey into it. Once the butter is melted, turn off the flame. Now add lemon juice and salt in the same pan and mix well. Step 3Now, put the roasting pan into the oven and baste the chicken with butter-honey mixture. Then, bake the chicken at 200-250 degree Celsius for 45 minutes. Baste the chicken thoroughly at separate intervals. Serve hot!

Coffee lovers, there’s good news for you. According to new research, drinking higher amounts of coffee can make you less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. The findings of this research were published in the ‘Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience Journal’. As part of the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle Study of Ageing, researchers from Edith Cowan University (ECU) investigated whether coffee intake affected the rate of cognitive decline of more than 200 Australians over a decade. Lead investigator Dr Samantha Gardener said that the results showed an association between coffee and several important markers related to Alzheimer’s disease. “We found participants with no memory impairments and with higher coffee consumption at the start of the study had a lower risk of transitioning to mild cognitive impairment – which often precedes Alzheimer’s disease – or developing Alzheimer’s disease over the course of the study,” she said. Drinking more coffee gave positive results in relation to certain domains of cognitive function, specifically executive function which includes planning, self-control, and attention. Higher coffee intake also seemed to be linked to slowing the accumulation of the amyloid protein in the brain, a key factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Dr Gardener said that although further research was needed, the study was encouraging as it indicated drinking coffee could be an easy way to help delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. “It’s a simple thing that people can change,” […]

The demand for gluten-free food is on the rise in India and it is all thanks to the intolerance towards gluten, which is a kind of protein that acts as a glue to hold food together. It is found in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, and is used to make popular foods like cake, pizza, cereals, cookies, crackers and of course pizza! The only reason why people are opting for gluten-free foods is because of the growing cases of celiac disease. According to Mordor Intelligence, “The Indian Gluten-Free Foods & Beverages Market is projected to value at 189 million USD in 2024 registering a CAGR of 8.7 per cent.” This clearly denotes how people are opting for gluten-free products such as bakery products and cereals. The report also says that “India is the second-fastest-growing market for gluten-free foods & beverages in Asia-Pacific, following China.” The best part about this pizza is that the dough need not rise! This pizza is going to be really amazing in taste with your favourite vegan cheese. Here’s how you can make gluten-free vegan pizza at home.Gluten-free Vegan Pizza Recipe. Ingredients For the Dough 3 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour1 tablespoon active dry yeast1 tablespoon olive oil2 tbsp unrefined cane sugar1 cup warm water1 teaspoon sea salt1/2 teaspoon baking powderFor the Pizza300 ml homemade pizza sauce1 cup dairy-free cheeseAssorted veggies, for topping Method 1. First, let the yeast rise […]

Low libido is a common issue that people have to deal with and can affect people’s relationships as well. There are many psychological aspects related to it such as stress, fatigue and lifestyle changes. However, a new research has found that you can say goodbye to a low sex drive by eating certain foods. These foods are supposed to make a huge difference like boosting libido and are nutritious enough to increase your stamina, reported Fox News. Some of these foods are good for your heart as well, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy oils, fibre, nuts, seafood and legumes. Here’s a list of some other food items that can help boost low libido: 1. Oysters are perhaps the best option for you to boost libido. They are high in zinc which regulates your testosterone levels as well as increases your blood flow.2. Another seafood option for you is salmon which has omega-3 fatty acids along with other essential vitamins that leads to an increase in blood flow.3. The other foods you can opt for that are high in zinc are red meat, baked beans, milk, cashews, pumpkin seeds, almonds and some cereals.4. Avocados can prevent you from having erectile dysfunction. Apart from that, it maintains a healthy blood flow as well as cholesterol.5. Other foods that you can opt for to increase your libido and maintain a healthy heart are citrus fruits, […]

Green Moong Dosa with a twist is a perfect breakfast idea for a nutritious start to the day. This healthy dosa will make sure you feel fuller for longer without any compromise to taste. Cooking time : 21-25 minutes Serve : 4 Ingredients for Green Moong Dosa Recipe Whole green gram (sabut moont) , soaked for 8-10 hours and drained 1 cup Green chillies 2 Ginger , roughly chopped 1 inch piece Cumin seeds 1 teaspoon Salt to taste Oil for drizzling Green coconut chutney to serve Method Step 1 Transfer green gram into a blender jar, add green chillies, ginger, cumin seeds, salt and some water and blend into a smooth batter. Transfer into a bowl. Step 2 Heat a non-stick tawa. Pour a ladleful of batter in the center and spread into a thin disc. Drizzle some oil all around the disc and cook till the underside is golden brown. Flip and cook for 30 seconds. Flip again, fold into triangle and transfer onto a serving plate. Make more dosas from the remaining batter in the same way. Step 3 Serve hot with green coconut chutney. (Recipe By Chef Sanjeev Kapoor)

Schezwan fried rice is a vegan stir-fried rice variant that features a bold and spicy homemade schezwan sauce loaded with healthy mix vegetables, aromatics and herbs. This popular but easy Indo Chinese recipe is simple to make from scratch using wholesome ingredients. Let’s check out the recipe below:- Ingredients FOR SCHEZWAN CHUTNEY 2 cups Water (thick) – 20 nos Dry red chillies (medium, roughly cut) – ½ no Onion chopped 5nos Garlic cloves (roughly chopped – 1 ½ tbsp Ginger chopped ¼ cup Oil FOR TEMPERING 4tbsp Oil 1½ tbsp Ginger chopped 1½ tbsp Garlic chopped 3tbsp Soya sauce (Schzewan)- 2tsp Pepper powder 1 tsp Sugar 3 tbsp Vinegar to taste Salt ¾ cup Tomato ketchup 1cup Water FOR FRIED RICE 3tbsp Oil 2tsp Garlic chopped 2 tsp Ginger chopped ¼ cup Onion chopped ¼ cup Cabbage Chopped ¼ cup Beans chopped ¼ cup Capsicum chopped ¼ cup Carrots chopped 4cups Rice basmati Boiled 3tbsp Soya sauce a pinch Pepper powder to taste Salt 4tbsp Schzewan sauce 1tbsp Vinegar handful Spring Onions Chopped Method FOR SCHEZWAN CHUTNEY: To make the Schezwan sauce or chutney remove the stems from the chillies and place them in a pan with water, onion, ginger and garlic. Bring it to a boil, lower the heat and cover. Cook for 15-20mins or till the chillies is tender. Remove them from heat and let them cool a bit. Add them to a grinder and pour over the oil. Grind it to a fine paste. 2. In a fresh pan heat oil and saute ginger and garlic till they brown. Add the chilli paste and […]

Tadka Idli is a flavourful twist given to the basic idlis which makes them even more delicious. You just a handful of ingredients like butter, mustard seeds, curry leaves, dry red chilli and some spices and your Tadka Idli will be ready in just five minutes. Be it breakfast, lunch or dinner, this unique Idli recipe is perfect for every meal. Let’s check out the recipe: Ingredients 4 idli 1 red chilli 10 leaves curry leaves 1/4 tablespoon turmeric salt as required 2 tablespoon butter 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds 1/2 tablespoon red chilli powder 1/2 tablespoon coriander powder 1/4 teaspoon black pepper Method Step 1 Prepare the tadka: Heat butter in a pan. Add mustard seeds, dry red chilli and curry leaves. Let them splutter for a minute. Now add turmeric, red chilli powder, coriander powder and mix well to prepare a tadka masala. Step 2 Add the idlis: Now add chopped idlis in the pan along with salt and mix well to coat them properly in the masala. Add black pepper powder and cook for just 1-2 minutes. Step 3 Ready to be served: Your lip-smacking tadka idli is ready to be served.