Food - Best Places of Interest

November 8, 2017 Food

Stress and Food, foods that combat stress

Yes, the stress you carry on your mind is totally connected to your daily food intake and eating habits.

You can fight your stress levels by changing eating habits.

Our eating habits actually help to calm down the stress in our mind. Indeed there are certain foods which can help to stabilize blood sugar and emotional well-being. Therefore, food plays a vital role in our day-to-day life, especially when it comes to stress and tension.

Following are varieties of food boosters that actually help to combat stress.

Go-Green: Green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli are rich in folate which releases dopamine (a feel-good hormone), helping you to stay calm. In a recent study, conducted in 2012 of middle-aged and elderly aged person shows that people consuming green leafy vegetables had a lower risk of depression.

Items rich in Tryptophan: Yes nuts are indeed a very rich source of tryptophan and amino acids. The amino acid found in nuts helps in the production of serotonin (the hormone that regulates hunger and happy hormone).Other than that it has a calming effect on our nervous system. Other sources include seeds, fish, oats, beans etc.

Oatmeal: When stress hits, nothing can come between you and doughnut especially when you’re a carbohydrate lover. Carbohydrate helps the brain in the formation of serotonin, the same substance regulated by anti-depressant.

Yoghurt — yoghurt-3 | by jules:stonesoup

Yogurt: Sounds weird, but the bacteria present in your gut might be contributing to fight against stress. A study conducted in 2013 by UCLA shows that women who consumed probiotics in yogurt reduce stress levels and areas that handle emotions.

Blueberries: The phytonutrients and antioxidants found in berries, help to improve your body response towards stress and fight against free radicals and stress-related disorders. In addition to this, blueberries help in aiding immunity.

Dark chocolate: Good news for all chocoholics: A limited intake of your favorite chocolate will help you to lower down your stress level. Chocolate works on your stress hormone called cortisol which helps in reducing its level. Chocolate helps in lowering the blood pressure and maintains blood circulation.

Avocado: This super fruit help to fight against stress and stuffs your belly making you feel more satisfied. This will warn you from eating unhealthy snacks. So, grab a slice of avocado to feel more refreshing.

Milk: Milk is a rich source of vitamin D, a nutrient which boosts happiness. Apart from this, it helps to prevent osteoporosis which is an age-related disorder mainly in females.

Cashews nuts: Excellent source of zinc and other essential minerals that helps to cope up with anxiety and stress. It influences your mood by acting on nerve chemical. So have a handful of nuts to maintain your anxiety level.

The article is authored by famous Dietitian Sheela Seharawat. She is the founder and chief mentor of Diet Clinic Health Care Pvt. Ltd. Also, she is one of the youngest successful entrepreneurs of India.

November 1, 2017 Food

20 Hongkong Foods You Must Try!

In the earlier post we covered 14 Best romantic things to do in Hongkong. While you are there must try out these 20 foods in Hongkong.

If you go to Hong Kong make sure you try these 20 delicious dishes!

You won’t regret it!

What’s your favourite Hong Kong cuisine?

Leave your comment!

Source

October 20, 2017 Promotional, Recipes

Delectable Diwali special recipes

The best time of the year is back once again! Enjoy the numerous get-togethers with your family, friends, and FunFoods by Dr. Oetker! Let your hands play all the cards and perform all the pujas as you relish in fantastic finger foods, courtesy special recipes curated by Chef Gaurav Chadha, In-house Chef, Dr. Oetker India Pvt. Ltd. Food lovers, young or old, can have a good time with the best to offer this Diwali!

Yummy recipes for Diwali

Mini Pizzas

Moroccan Veg Skewers

Assorted Dips

Chocolate and Apple Crumble

******

Moroccan Veg Skewers

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

2 tbsp Roasted Gram Flour

90 g (6 tbsp) Dr. Oetker FunFoods Garlic Mayonnaise

1 tsp Red Chilli Powder

¼ tsp Cinnamon Powder

Salt

1 Large Onion, diced

¼ each Red, Yellow and Green Bell-Pepper, diced

3-4 Broccoli Florets, boiled

2-3 Mint Leaves, chopped

2 tbsp Olive Oil

Directions:

For Marination: In a bowl, add gram flour, 3 tbsp mayonnaise, chili powder, cinnamon powder, and salt. Mix well.
In above marination add onion, bell peppers, and broccoli. Mix well. Place vegetables one after another in skewers and keep in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
For sauce: In a bowl add remaining mayonnaise and mint. Mix well.
Heat oil in a non-stick pan (medium flame) and grill skewers from both sides until light brown in color. Serve skewers with sauce.

Level: Beginner

Preparation time: 20 Minutes

Cooking Time: 10 Minutes

Mini Pizzas

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

For Chilli and Cheese Pizza

1 Green chili, chopped

½ medium Onion, chopped

¼ tsp Red Chilli Flakes

¼ Green Capsicum, chopped

Salt

1 tbsp Dr. Oetker FunFoods Pizza Topping

1 Mini Pizza Base

50 g Mozzarella Cheese, grated

For Paneer and Olive Pizza

50 g Paneer, chopped

2-3 Black Olives, chopped

Black Pepper Powder

Salt

1 tbsp Dr. Oetker FunFoods Pizza Topping

1 Mini Pizza Base

50 g Mozzarella Cheese, chopped

For Corn and Jalapeno Pizza

2 tbsp (30 g) Sweet Corn Kernels

1-2 Jalapenos, chopped

1 tbsp Dr. Oetker FunFoods Pizza Topping

1 Mini Pizza Base

50 g Mozzarella Cheese, chopped

Directions:

For Chilli and Cheese Pizza- In a bowl, add green chili, onion, chili flakes, capsicum, and salt. Mix well.
Spread pizza topping equally on a pizza base, place above mix and top it up with cheese.
For Paneer and Olive Pizza- In a bowl add paneer, olives, black pepper powder, and salt. Mix well.
Spread pizza topping equally on a pizza base, place above mix and top it up with cheese.
For Corn and Jalapeno Pizza- In a bowl, add sweet corn and jalapeno. Mix well. Spread pizza topping equally on a pizza base, place above mix and top it up with cheese.
Preheat oven to 180°C. Place all 3 pizzas and bake in preheated oven for 3-4 minutes or until cheese melts & pizza base turns light brown in color. Serve hot.

Level: Beginner

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

Cooking Time: 10 Minutes

Assorted Dips

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

Cashew Dip

1 tbsp Vegetable Oil

½ small Onion, peeled and chopped

6-7 Cashewnuts, chopped

50 g (3 tbsp) Dr. Oetker FunFoods Veg Mayonnaise Garlic

30 g (2 tbsp) Curd

Salt

Black Pepper Powder

1 small Parsley leaf (for garnish)

Cheesy Dip

½ tbsp Vegetable Oil

4-5 Spring Onion Greens, chopped

50 g Processed Cheese, grated

¼ tsp Oregano

50 g (3 tbsp) Dr. Oetker FunFoods Veg Mayonnaise Original

Black Pepper Powder

Fried Tomato Dip

1 tbsp Vegetable Oil

2 small Tomatoes, diced

2 Garlic Cloves, peeled and chopped

50 g (3 tbsp) Dr. Oetker FunFoods Veg Mayonnaise Olive Oil

30 g (2 tbsp) Curd

Salt

Black Pepper Powder

¼ tsp Chilli Powder

Directions:

For cashew dip

Heat oil in a non-stick pan (low flame). Sauté onion and cashews for 2-3 minutes.

2 In a bowl add sautéed cashews mixture, mayonnaise, and curd. Mix well.

3 Season it with salt and black pepper powder. Garnish with a parsley leaf and serve.

For Cheesy Dip-

Heat oil in a non-stick pan (low flame). Cook 3-4 spring onion greens, processed cheese, and oregano for 1 minute or until cheese melts
In a bowl add melted cheese and mayonnaise. Mix well. Season it with black pepper powder.
Garnish it with remaining spring onion and serve.

Fried Tomato dip-

Heat oil in a non-stick pan (low flame). Sauté tomatoes and garlic for 3-4 minutes or until garlic is light brown.
In a bowl add cooked tomato mixture, curd, and mayonnaise. Mix well. Season it with salt and black pepper powder.

3 Sprinkle chili powder on top of the dip and serve.

Note- Serve above dips with breadsticks, lavash or raw vegetables

Level: Beginner

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

Cooking Time: 20 Minutes

Chocolate and Apple Crumble

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

½ tbsp Butter

½ Apple, de-seeded and chopped

1 tsp Honey

½ tsp Cinnamon Powder

1 tbsp Water

60 g (4 tbsp) Quick Oats, soaked for 5 minutes

60 g (4 tbsp) Dr. Oetker FunFoods Chocolate Fudge Spread

1 tbsp Cream

1 tbsp Cashewnuts, chopped

1 tbsp Almonds, chopped

2 Digestive Biscuits, Crushed

Directions:

For Apple Mix: In a saucepan (medium flame), add butter, apple, honey, cinnamon, and water. Sauté for 1-2 minutes or until apple gets soft.
For Chocolate Mix: In a saucepan (low flame), add oats, chocolate fudge, cream, cashew nuts, and almonds. Mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes or until mixture thickens.
For Assembling: In a small round baking dish (3-inch dia.) place ½ of chocolate mix, followed by apple mixture and finish it with remaining chocolate mixture.
Sprinkle crushed biscuits on top and heat in microwave for 1 minute. Serve hot.

Level: Intermediate

Preparation time: 10 Minutes

Cooking Time: 10 Minutes

Happy Diwali and Bon Appetit

September 25, 2017 Food

Did you know these egg facts?

Did you know in the UK, eggs can be kept on a shelf instead of the fridge? If so why?

The domestic refrigerator is only about 100 years old; hens have been domesticated for about 8000 years. What went wrong in those 7900 years?

Nothing. The eggshell is kind of like an impervious membrane, invented by Darwin or God to protect the chick. I’m guessing that allowing toxins to pass through the membrane is, in terms of the survival of the species, a big-time no-no. This may explain why we humans have not all died out in the last 8000 years.

Meat products, fish products and milk products (except cheese and butter – if you consume them fast enough) do need to go in the fridge. Eggs don’t, unless you think you are not going to use them for a couple of weeks.

Eggs are also sold from the shelf in Australia, and the Philippines, not just the UK.

It seems that it is the US that is the odd one out on this.

USA eggs in fridge — Image credit- pixabay

In the USA, some layer hen can be infected ovary with extremely pathogenic species of Salmonella, Salmonella enteritidis. The eggs and egg surface ( with fecal matters) can have this and other pathogens. Washing and refrigeration help to prevent growth of those pathogens. Also consumption of uncooked and under-cooked eggs are discouraged.

In many European countries and UK, the chicken flocks are raised from Salmonella free stocks to assure consumers of any food-borne diseases, specially from Salmonella. So the eggs can be stored at room temperature.

In addition washing eggs make the egg-shell pores more penetrable inside by the motile bacteria from surface, including some pathogens.

New Zealand, eggs in a fridge — Image credit- pixabay

Eggs in New Zealand are kept on the shelves in supermarkets but the industry recommends storing them in the fridge at home. The fridge recommendation is just so that it takes longer for them to go rotten, rather than for any food safety reason.
Egg producers in New Zealand don’t wash the shells either.

The eggs have a thin natural layer on the shell that makes the shell nearly impervious to bacteria. In most of Europe eggs are sold with this layer intact, which makes them safe to keep in a cool place but not necessarily in the fridge, especially in the cooler seasons. In the US eggs are sold after a washing process that strips the eggs of this layer. They look whiter and do not have the occasional chicken poop smear or tiny feather stuck on, but they can be easily contaminated by bacteria, so American eggs do not last as long as ours and must be refrigerated.