Details You Need To Look At While Cooking

Cooking is an art, technology, and craft of preparing food for consumption with the use of heat.  Across the globe, there are various techniques used from grilling food over an oven fire to gas stoves, to baking in various types of ovens which reflect the unique environmental, economic, cultural traditions and trends.

Go green with organic vegetables- Details of cooking ingredients.
Ecologically grown vegetables.

In cooking, you require Details about the ingredients used in a dish and the method of cooking to make that delicious meal. Ingredients comprise usually of  vegetables, fruits, grains, and nuts as well as herbs and spices come from plants, while meat, eggs, and dairy products come from animals. Mushrooms and the yeast used in baking are kinds of fungi. Cooks also use water and minerals such as salt. Cooks can also use wine or spirits.

Ingredients that occur naturally contain various amounts of molecules called proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. They also contain water and minerals. Cooking involves a manipulation of the chemical properties of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, water, vitamins and minerals.

All cooking ingredients are measured with Metric style measuring cup set. It is an important utensil in the kitchen. The typical cooking measuring cup sizes are 1 cup, ½ cup, 1/3 cup, ¼ cup and 1/8 cup and in the case of typical spoon sizes, 1 tablespoon, ½ tablespoon, 1 teaspoon and ¼ teaspoon.

Nasi Lemak - Cooking details while preparing this dish
Nasi Lemak
Image courtesy- traveldelight.biz

There are various methods of cooking since antiquity – baking, roasting, frying, grilling, barbecuing, smoking, boiling, steaming and braising. A more recent innovation is microwave. Various methods use differing levels of heat and moisture and vary in cooking time.

These major hot cooking techniques comprise of
•  Roasting – Barbecuing – Grilling/Broiling – Rotisserie – Searing

•  Baking
Baking – Baking Blind – Flash baking

•  Boiling
Boiling – Blanching – Braising – Coddling – Double steaming – Infusion – Poaching – Pressure cooking – Simmering – Smothering – Steaming – Steeping – Stewing – Vacuum flask cooking

  Frying
Fry – Deep frying – Hot salt frying – Hot sand frying – Pan frying – Pressure frying – Sautéing – Stir-frying

•  Steaming
Steaming is usually done by boiling water continuously, causing it to vaporize into steam; the steam then carries heat to the nearby food, thus cooking the food. It is considered a healthy form of cooking, holding nutrients within the vegetable or meat being cooked.

Smoking

Smoking is the process of flavouring, cooking, or preserving food by exposing it to smoke from burning or smouldering material, most often wood.

Similarly, there are temperature charts for details on cooking meats, poultry, eggs, leftovers, and casseroles.

A delicious meal prepared with details of cooking.
Chinese Prosperity Food with Salmon Photography: ProjectManhattan (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

 

Cooking has been around for centuries and everyone is connected to it in some form or the other from bringing friends and family together or planning to make a fulfilling home cooked meal instead of ordering one.

5 Apps and Services For Cheap Travel

5 Apps and services for cheap travel - image credit- www.123rf.com

Who doesn’t like vacations? People who don’t like to spend a lot of money, that’s who. Good thing there’s no need to spend all your savings on a weekend getaway. These days, it’s fairly easy to stretch your dollar by using specialized apps and services that deliver quite the bang for your buck, and tell you how to spend less while getting more out of your traveling experience.

  1. Airbnb or iTunes
Travel apps and services that will help you travel cheap
Airbnb

The one and only. Airbnb will help you find accommodations in the city of your choice, with very flexible pricing. You can get any kind of housing you like: apartments, entire houses, or shared rooms — nearly always the cheapest option. Depending on where you’re staying you can get hotel-like service or more of a hostel feel. Get whatever you feel comfortable with, but staying with locals is probably the best. Remember, if you’re not meeting locals, you’re not traveling.

2. Hipmunk or iTunes

Travel apps and services that will help you travel cheap
hipmunk

Before you go somewhere, you need to book a flight! And Hipmunk is the app to use. It does what other apps don’t, which is a sorting algorithm called ‘Agony’. If you’re just searching for the cheapest flight, you might find yourself sifting through flights with two or three 10-hour layovers. Hipmunks eliminates that, since they recognize it’s not a boon to pay $20 more for a more comfortable arrangement.
Notable mention: the price graph. Input what city you’re traveling from and your destination, and Hipmunk will show you what the cheapest dates are to travel to that location. The difference could sometimes be hundreds of dollars, so make sure you plan accordingly.

3.  LoungeBuddy or iTunes

Travel apps and services that will help u travel cheap
Loungebuddy

If you do find yourself in a lengthy layover or a delay of some sort, LoungeBuddy can help you spend your time like a VIP. You don’t need a high-priced club membership of some sort to get you into the nice area, you just need this app.
The way it works is this: when you find yourself in an airport, LB takes your location information and gives you a list of available lounges. You can sort them by price, filter by amenities and browse photos of the lounge to choose what fits you best. Pay through the app, and you’re in! The best part is, figuring at the exorbitant prices of everything airport-related, this service practically pays for itself — you get tons of free perks like drinks, nice seats, and service personnel that doesn’t treat you like cattle.

4.  XE Currency or iTunes

Travel apps and services that help you travel cheap
xe-currency

Did you know that there’s a segment of every local economy that’s specifically dedicated to ripping off tourists? Sorry to tell you, but they’re really out to get you, and one of the major ways they try to do that is by using unfair currency exchange rates.
With XE Currency, you can monitor the exchange rates from your phone and make sure you’re getting the best deal possible, wherever you are. Check out the Pro version for even more features and monitoring options!

5.  iTranslate or iTunes

Travel apps and services that help you travel cheap
itranslate

Ever been in a situation when you have to communicate with a local, but don’t know the language? It’s an awkward nightmare. With iTranslate, communication can be a pleasure.
The app’s most impressive feature is its voice-to-voice translation capabilities. Just start talking into the mic, wait a second, and you’ll get a translation of what you’re saying. It works in over 90 languages! The app also works offline, so you don’t have to pay exorbitant data roaming charges to use it.


*/Ernest is a writer and blogger trying to find a balance between productiveness and bingeing Netflix at 3 a.m. He writes about innovations in tech and social media. His best friend is his dog, Milo. /*

10 Adventure Activities in Kashmir

Adventure activities in Kashmir

 

While for the rest of the wanderers, Kashmir is a dewdrop in the ocean of otherwise monotony, for rest, this gorgeous piece of land is an opportunity to explore the adventure bug residing in them!

If you are looking forward to feeding your adventure bug, get ready for some of the amazing sports, thrilling treks, and exhilarating activities that will get you packing your stuff as soon as you complete reading this piece! 

  1. Trekking – make your way through the wilderness:

While there is an array of adventure things to do in Kashmir, there is one activity that one certainly cannot miss here! Indulge in exciting trekking trails, trek through the snow-kissed mountain ranges, make your way through streaming waterfalls, ascend and descend through luxuriant valleys, and stay captivated by the stunning landscapes of this region.

Treks in Kashmir are well-known among trekkers from all over the globe. Some treks can be undertaken only in summer as compared to rest which provides a joyous experience only in winters. Thus, it might not be wrong to honor this place as the ‘Trek Capital of India’.

  1. Skiing – slide, tumble, balance on the thick blanket of snow:

Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Thanjiwas glaciers in Sonmarg Valley are well acclaimed for the idyllic conditions that make them ideal for skiing enthusiasts. Annually, several national, as well as international skiing competitions, are organized to arouse traveler’s interest in the provided adventure activities in Kashmir.

Whether you are an amateur or an expert, you will always find these places provoking the adventure bug in you! Also to add here, novice skiers, can learn basic tips and tricks of skiing in any of the skiing training camps within these regions.

  1. Mountain Biking – ride through the rugged terrains of Leh-Ladakh:

Adventure comes in different forms and ways! While some find trekking as the best way to pump up their adrenaline, others find the thrill in mountain biking in Kashmir! And for these adventure junkies, no other destinations can satiate their yearnings like Leh-Ladakh can!

Known for its rugged and challenging terrains, mountain biking in the Leh-Ladakh region is one of the best adventure things to do in Kashmir. The fascinating slopes, tricky trails, the enchanting beauty around, and the thrill quotient in these valleys make mountain biking an amazing and must-have experience in Kashmir.

Adventure in Kashmir
  1. Paragliding – embark on your wings of adventure:

Sonamarg is undoubtedly one of the best adventure destinations that provide visitors with an array of thrilling experiences in Kashmir! This is the place to fulfill your dreams of gliding through the clear blue sky, enjoying the mesmeric beauty of the enchanting valleys, and giving wings to the childhood dream of flying like birds!

With an increase in Kashmir adventure tour packages in the recent years, the state has put extra efforts on glorifying these adventure sports by providing all the required amenities such as accommodation and meal facilities to allure people from all over the world for this enticing sport.

  1. Fishing – a taste of the real holiday life:

With an array of cascading streams, waterfalls, lakes, and streams, Kashmir has become one of the best places to sit and relax on the banks of gushing water bodies. Winter adventure in Kashmir might keep the cash registers ringing, but activities like angling and fishing keep the visitors elated throughout their trip here.

It might be surprising for a lot, but apart from Shikharas, Dal Lake also provides fishing opportunities to wandering tourists. The water bodies here are rich in trout; owing to this, the state tourism industry permits people to take and enjoy their catch. However, a government permit is still allowed before indulging in this adventure activity in Kashmir.

  1. Rafting – balance yourself over the raging waves:

Perennial river sources that originate from glaciers provide idyllic conditions for rafting. Visit the Ladakh region of the state, and hop onto your raft to challenge and cruise through the gruesome rapids of the Zanskar River!

Get your drenched while struggling to keep your raft balanced! Feel the splashes when the rapids break down against your face and pump up your adrenaline! Believe it or not, once you step into the freezing water of the Zanskar River, you will get infected with its thrill and allurement!

  1. Wildlife Spotting – the land where the wild cats roam freely:

Hemis National Park; one of the most stunning national parks in India, serves as the natural home to the charismatic Snow Leopards! It is in this wildlife-reserved area, that you can spot these full-of-life species and have a tryst with them.

Whether you are a nature lover, an avid shutterbug, or an adventure junky, a visit to the Hemis National Park is a must for you. During your visit to this park, you can also spot other exotic and endangered wildlife species like Brown Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Marmot, Red Fox, Musk Deer, Golden Eagles, Griffon Vultures, Lammergeyers, and MonalPheasants which are some of the native species of the region.

8. Ice Skating – slide your way through the snow blanket:

Adventure activities in Kashmir
Ice skating

For snow lovers, no other destination can beat the charm and allurement of Kashmir! Known for some of the most enthralling and adventurous activities, this paradise on earth also offers livelier options to ice skating enthusiasts!
During your Kashmir visit, make it to tourist places like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Yusmarg. In addition to admiring and embracing their celestial beauty, you will also get ample of opportunities to glide over the fascinating layers of ice and satiate the adventure bug in you!

9. Horse Riding – witness the serene landscapes accompanying you:

There is no better way to enjoy the picturesque landscapes of Jammu and Kashmir than the locals do! To overcome and access the rugged terrains, the locals rely on horses and continue with their daily activities.

On your next visit to this magical state, do not miss the opportunity to traverse the stunning valleys and their hidden corners while riding on horseback. Enjoy the serenity that exists in these valleys, discover some of the remote villages, and add another achievement to your bucket list of adventure things to do in Kashmir.

10. Mountaineering – scale the heights and beat your fear:

Nestled in the lap of the Himalayan Ranges, Jammu and Kashmir offers a series of fascinating mountain ranges that require ardent skills and technique to conquer! To name a few, there are challenging ranges like Harmukh, Tattakutti, Sunset, and Kolahoi in Kashmir Valley; White Needle, Z-1, Z-8, Bobang, Nun – Kun of Zanskar Range and Stok Kangri and several others.
Embark on a voyage to conquer these towering mountains, get soaked in the fun, thrill, and excitement of scaling them, and beat the fear out of you!

Adventure activities in Kashmir

You may like to read 10 adventure destinations in Ladakh

Are you planning to move to areas near Californian beaches?

Californian beaches

In my earlier post on California, USA, we discussed Tips to settle down in Malibu.  Below is a most of how you can successfully move to areas near Californian beaches.

Looking for reliable Californian movers? Having a reputable Californian moving company overlooking all the moving tasks and handling your possessions is something everybody is looking for before the moving day.

California is the most renowned state in the United States. There are several reasons to move to California, from its lively entertainment sights and mesmerizing beaches to the assorted industries spread out over the vast state to lure a large number of people to move towards California. The state’s beach towns are well-known for their tranquil, appealing spirit, beauty, and endless ways to play. The most popular areas near Californian beaches that are perfect for moving include Santa Cruz, Encinitas, Beaufort, Hilton Head Island, Santa Monica, and Bodega Bay.

Californian beaches -Santacruz
Rock archway at Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, California (U.S.A.).
By Dvortygirl (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

When you’re moving to California, there are a lot of things you should know about this wonderful state:

  • Climate: California is the third largest state in the US with different climate zones. It has a mixture of everything, starting from snow-white mountains in the Sierra Nevada range in the western portion of the state to the dry deserts of the Mojave in the southwest portion, to the cool, blustery oceanfront climate that comprises much of the coastal region.
  • Cost of Living: Moving to California might seem like a smart financial move; however, it is vital to take into consideration the high cost of living in California before taking the decision to move.
  • Education facilities: If you’re moving to California with your children, you probably look for the quality of schools in the particular area.
  • Other facilities: Apart from education, there are many other vital facilities that you must look for such as hospitals, transportation, employment, etc.
Californian beaches
California, Promenade, Stand, Sun
Image credit- Pixabay

Due to the ever-growing population and car culture, you are likely to encounter huge traffic during your move to California. It is advisable to make your move during non-holiday weekends so that you’ll get the least amount of traffic, resulting in a hassle-free move. It is further advisable to choose a reputed moving company to make your move as smooth as possible.

Though, finding affordable and reliable California residential movers can be a difficult process that might put added stress on your moving. There are some well-known companies like ABCMovers.com that have the capability to plan the move to make sure that the client safely receives all of their belongings on time. They also make sure that the moving items are insured in the event of damage or loss.

Happy Moving!

 

*/This is a guest post by Maria Simpson. /*