Deviled Eggs

 Deviled eggs are a must at Thanksgiving. Not only are they delicious Hors d'oeuvre, but they're quick and easy to make. You can keep it simple or get creative. If you are in search of a fabulous deviled egg recipe, look no further. Try this for super simple but delicious deviled eggs.

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably eaten or atleast heard of deviled eggs. And, if you’re like me, you absolutely love the taste of deviled eggs. But, what most people don’t know is the history behind deviled eggs. Why are Deviled eggs called so or how did the term Deviled eggs originate.

The origin of deviled eggs can't be pinned down to any one specific person, date or place. It is a culinary amalgamation of history and taste. The actual concept of deviled eggs instigated in Ancient Rome. Spicy stuffed eggs were popular as early as13th century, though the name is an 18th century invention. The word “deviled” first appeared in print in 1786 and was used to describe highly seasoned, fried or boiled dishes.

In modern language, the term “deviled” is typically used to define a food that is dark, rich, chocolate, spicily piquant or stimulating item and contains heavy seasoning. 

To make Deviled Eggs you will need:

Ingredients

• 6 Hard Boiled Eggs
• 2 Tablespoon  Mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon Yellow Mustard
• 1 teaspoon Hot Sauce( Chili sauce)
• 1 teaspoon mixed dry herbs (use herbs that you like)
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed black pepper
• Salt to taste

Steps

1. Cut the boiled eggs length wise into two halves. Use a knife dipped in water to get a clean cut. Wipe the knife with tissue and dip in water before cutting each egg.
   
2. Carefully remove the egg yolk
   
3. In a separate bowl mash the egg yolk, add mayonnaise and yellow mustard. Mix well.
   
   
4. Add hot sauce, dry herbs, salt and pepper and mix well to get a smooth consistency.
   
   
5. Fill the yolk mixture in a piping bag and pipe it to the hollow egg whites
   
6. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

 How do you like your Deviled Eggs?


Stay Cheerful..Stay Flavorful !!

Green Smoothie for glowing Skin & Weight Loss

Green Smoothie or Green Juice is no doubt the best gift Mother Nature offers in a glass!!

Green smoothies are not only good to taste but they also boost your energy, help in weight loss, keep you healthy and not to forget, they are full of anti-oxidants to keep you looking young and beautiful.

I had been hearing a lot about the Green Smoothies by my friends these days and out of curiosity I was forced to jump on to the Green Smoothie Bandwagon.  And now I am one of the ambassadors of green smoothie, broadcasting the benefits of green smoothie at the top of my voice.

After just one month of drinking these Green Smoothies, I was always full of energy and my skin also started looking clear and glowing. Even my hubby noticed the glow, and I am telling you that because if he noticed then it means the glow was significant. This is a very quick and simple recipe and can be made within 5 minutes.

To make this recipe you will need..

Ingredients

• Fresh Spinach- 2 Cup
• Kale – 2 cup
• Celery – 3 to 4 Stalk
• Apple – 1 cup (deseeded)
• Banana – 1 peeled and sliced
• Orange Juice – 2 cups
• Mint Leaves – 4 sprigs
• Lemon Juice – 1 Tbsp
• Crushed Ice – ½ cup

Steps:

• Add all the ingredients in a blender and run on high speed for 3-4 minutes.  Add more Orange Juice if the smoothie is too thick. Drink this power pack smoothie every day for a beautiful and glowing skin. 

Enjoy your smoothie!!

Stay Cheerful.. Stay Flavorful !!

Chicken Biryani

If there is one, momentous food that could define happiness for me, it would be Biryani, Scrumptious – mouth watering Chicken Biryani. Even the sound of the word is pleasing. A regal dish, Biryani is a dish which is fit to be eaten by a King.

It is a perfect meal  to make when you have company or when you are alone(This dish is so good it will be perfect whenever you make it ). Traditionally Biryani was a festive food. But isn’t there always something to celebrate especially when you have such lip smacking food.
There are many variations of this dish and today I am making the classic Chicken Biryani.

To make this you will need:-

For marinating Chicken

•  600-650 gm of cleaned and cut chicken without liver and gizzards
•  ½ cup yogurt
• 2 teaspoon of Ginger Garlic Paste –
• 2 teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper (Red Chilli Powder)  
• 2 teaspoon of Biryani Masala 
• Salt – As per taste
• 2 to 3 teaspoons of Lemon Juice 
• ¼ cup of Fresh mint leaves 
• ¼ cup Golden Brown Fried Onions 

For Preparing Rice

• 2 cups Long grained Basmati Rice 
• 2 Bay leaves  
• 2 Green Cardamoms 
• 2 Black Cardamoms 
• 4 Cloves 
• 8 Black Peppercorn
• 1 inch Cinnamon Stick
• 6 cups of water
• A pinch of salt
• One small muslin cloth

For Cooking Chicken

• 2 tablespoon  Oil
• Marinated Pieces of Chicken

For Arranging Biryani Layers

• ½ cup fried Onion slices
• 1 cup melted ghee (butter)
• A pinch of Saffron soaked in ½ cup Milk (Lukewarm)
• 1 teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
• ¼ cup Mint Leaves
• ¼ cup Cilantro (Coriander leaves) chopped
• 3 green chilies
• 6 drops of orange food color(optional)

Steps:

1. First step is to marinate the chicken. For this add the curd, fried onions, mint leaves, red chili powder(Cayenne), Biryani Masala, salt and yogurt and mix well to form a paste.
   
2. Add the chicken pieces to this paste, coat the chicken on all sides and refrigerate covered for 30 minutes.
   
3. To prepare the rice, tie the green and black cardamoms, cloves, black peppercorns, cinnamon stick and bay leaves together in a small muslin cloth. (We do this so that the rice is flavored with spices and then the spices can be easily removed from the rice once it is cooked so that nobody bites into them) 
   
4. Now in a pan add the rice and water along with the muslin cloth with spices . Add salt to season the rice. Now bring the rice to boil. Remove from heat once the rice is 3/4th cooked. Remove the muslin cloth with spices. Drain the rice and set aside.
   
5. Now heat oil in a pan and add the marinated chicken into it. Cook till chicken is tender and cooked.
   
6. The next step is to assemble the different layers of Biryani. We will start with a layer of Rice. Spread a layer of rice in a thick bottom pot.
   
7. Now add a layer of chicken that you cooked . 
   
8. Now  sprinkle some(approx 1/3 of all ingredients as we will make 3 layers) fried onions, mint leaves, chopped cilantro(coriander leaves), ghee/butter and one green chilli.
   
9. Add 2-3 tablespoon of milk with saffron
   
10. Now add 2-3 drops of food color (optional)
    
11. Finally sprinkle some garam masala and your first layer is complete.
    
12. Now add another layer of rice and repeat the steps 6, 7, 8 and 9
    
13. Once you have prepared the layers cover the pot with Aluminum foil 
    
14. Finally cover the pot with lid and seal the edges with dough. Put and flame on low flame and let it cook for about 20 minutes.
    

Garnish with some onion and fresh coriander and your briyani is ready.

Serve hot with green chutney and Raita ..

Enjoy your chicken briyani..

What is your favorite rice recipe? Please let me know which other rice recipe you would like me to share in the comment section below.



Stay Cheerful..Stay Flavorful !!

Orange Ambrosia

 

At the dawn of New Year 2013, I made a resolution that I will only eat healthy food. It was at this time that I started searching for healthy dessert options and stumbled upon this recipe of Orange   Ambrosia. It was shared by my gym instructor, but I made some variations in it to make it more delightful. Ambrosia is a variation on the traditional fruit salad.  In ancient Greek mythology, ambrosia is the food or drink of the Greek gods, often depicted as conferring immortality upon whoever consumed it. I can’t promise you immortality with this recipe but I can give you my word that it does taste heavenly :-)

Although the name references the food of Greek gods, Ambrosia is widely believed to be an American dish originated in the early 19th century. Even though I gave in to the temptation of Pizza and Cake after one month of following the healthy food diet, nevertheless, Orange Ambrosia became a staple at my home.

To make Orange Ambrosia you will need:-

Ingredients :

• Brown Sugar – 2 tbsp (you can use regular sugar as well)
• Oranges- 2 medium Sized
• Sponge Cake – 4 slices( One slice per serving)
• Orange Marmalade – 4 tbsp
• Vanilla flavored Yogurt – 1 cup (You can use any flavor or even plain)
• Orange Juice – 1 cup
• Banana- 2 medium sized banana, sliced
• Honey – 1 tbsp
• Strawberry – for garnish
• (Serves 4)

Steps:

1. Peel the oranges and cut them into sections. Make sure you remove all the white pith from the orange. That pith is bitter and you don’t want it in your sweet Ambrosia.
2. The next step is to make caramelized oranges. For this you have to heat some brown sugar in a pan and caramelize it. You can also use regular sugar in this recipe.
   
3. Make sure that the heat is not too high. Melt the sugar stirring continuously so that the sugar does not burn. The caramel will turn bitter if the sugar burns. You can add some orange juice (approx 2 tbsp) if you feel that the caramel is too thick and sticking at the bottom.
   
4. Now add the peeled orange sections into the caramelized sugar and coat it on all sides. Remove from heat and set aside.
   
   
5. Now take a sponge cake slice (you can even use store bought fruit cake slice) and cut it into 2 equal sections. Spread Orange Marmalade on both the slices.
   
6. Now in your serving glass (or bowl) first place one of the orange marmalade covered cake slice.
   
7. Add honey to your flavored yogurt and mix well.
   
8. Add the honey –yogurt mixture on the sponge cake slices.
   
9. Now add a layer of caramelized oranges.
   
10. Add some banana slices.
    
11. Now add the other slice of Marmalade covered sponge cake
    
12. Pour some orange juice and top it with honey yogurt mixture
    
13. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours, garnish with strawberry and serve.
    

This is a recipe that would be loved by adults and kids alike. It is also a light dessert which can be served after a heavy meal.

Orange Ambrosia is easy to make as a snack as well as elegant enough to be served as a dessert.  

How do you try to incorporate healthy dessert's in your life?

Stay Cheerful..Stay Flavorful !!