Showing posts with label event announcements. Show all posts
Showing posts with label event announcements. Show all posts
Monday, November 21, 2011
Announcing Back to Basics: Basic Desserts
In my last post, I mentioned how blogging had made me stretch my boundaries in the kitchen and pushed me into making things that I would otherwise never have attempted before.
While that statement would largely refer to things such as baking bread, making the baklava, or kouign-amann, one of the things that blogging has made me do is revisit the simple, easy things that I had hitherto not ever made at home. Things I always went into a grocery store and purchased. Things as easy as spice blends, butter and cheese, jams and sauces. I have now realised that making my own pantry staples is not just healthier but a lot cheaper too.
Back to Basics, started by Desi Soccer Mom, is an event that celebrates these very simple and basic cooking techniques. In its new form, the event now looks at a distinct theme every month.
Now, I've had these moments, I am sure you've had them too. That moment when you feel like having something sweet - mind you, it is not a craving for a dessert. Just that sweet something which would make your meal that much more satisfying. Sometimes, I simply mix in some jaggery with a bit of ghee and eat it with a roti. Sometimes, I reach out for a bottle of strawberry preserve and smear it over a slice of bread.
So, this month, let's look at quick and easy to make jams, jellies and preserves. That something which you can make and keep in your pantry and then eat when the craving strikes.
Here's what you need to do:
Post your recipe of an easy to make jam or jelly or preserve, then link it post to this post and to the Back to Basics event page.
Older posts qualify as long as they are linked to this event announcement and Jaya's event page.
If you don't have a blog, just email me your recipe for a favourite jam, jelly or preserve and I will include it in the round-up.
Send me your entries mentioning Back to Basics : Basic Sweets in the subject line on aquadaze(AT)rediffmail(DOT)com
Last date for sending your entries is December 20, 2011. I will post the round up in the first week of January.
While that statement would largely refer to things such as baking bread, making the baklava, or kouign-amann, one of the things that blogging has made me do is revisit the simple, easy things that I had hitherto not ever made at home. Things I always went into a grocery store and purchased. Things as easy as spice blends, butter and cheese, jams and sauces. I have now realised that making my own pantry staples is not just healthier but a lot cheaper too.
Back to Basics, started by Desi Soccer Mom, is an event that celebrates these very simple and basic cooking techniques. In its new form, the event now looks at a distinct theme every month.
Now, I've had these moments, I am sure you've had them too. That moment when you feel like having something sweet - mind you, it is not a craving for a dessert. Just that sweet something which would make your meal that much more satisfying. Sometimes, I simply mix in some jaggery with a bit of ghee and eat it with a roti. Sometimes, I reach out for a bottle of strawberry preserve and smear it over a slice of bread.
So, this month, let's look at quick and easy to make jams, jellies and preserves. That something which you can make and keep in your pantry and then eat when the craving strikes.
Here's what you need to do:
Post your recipe of an easy to make jam or jelly or preserve, then link it post to this post and to the Back to Basics event page.
Older posts qualify as long as they are linked to this event announcement and Jaya's event page.
If you don't have a blog, just email me your recipe for a favourite jam, jelly or preserve and I will include it in the round-up.
Send me your entries mentioning Back to Basics : Basic Sweets in the subject line on aquadaze(AT)rediffmail(DOT)com
Last date for sending your entries is December 20, 2011. I will post the round up in the first week of January.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Of Chalks and Chopsticks: September
Sometimes, such things also happen.
I had, in fact, written this post a week back and then, horror of horrors, managed to delete it instead of some emails in my inbox that I was clearing! Moral of the story: don't do too many things together, especially when in a hurry! If you clicked on that link and came to nothing, my apologies.
Talking of stories, I have the pleasure of hosting our food fiction event, 'Of Chalks and Chopsticks' for September.
If you have been following this event over the last few months, you would know that the previous three months have had a picture as a cue around which the story had to be based.
However, instead of a picture cue, I have a couple of written cues for all of you:
1. You have been invited for a dinner party by a person you barely know. Your host/hostess has a reputation for throwing some amazing parties and you are eagerly looking forward to the evening. You reach the given address but the house seems disturbingly quiet. With a lot of misgivings, you ring the doorbell..........
2. You are a tourist in another country and are on your way to your destination. However, somewhere on the road, you realise that you have lost your way. In the distance, you see a dim light illuminating a sign that says 'Tr vel rs Inn'. You have been on the road for a long time and are tired, sleepy and hungry with no way of finding the right direction to your destination. You, therefore, decide to follow the road and spend the night in the inn.............
So there....now all you have to do is spin a yarn - an original one - using EITHER one of the two cues. It could either be based on a real incident or could be something competely imaginary. Explore any genre: humour, romance, mystery, paranormal etc.
And while you are at it, do keep in mind a few simple guidelines:
1. The story you write has to have some food - it doesn't have to be a recipe.
2. There is no word limit on the story you write, but it has to be written in one single post.
3. You can, obviously, rewrite the cues the way you want in your story. It would be nice, though, if you could highlight the cue you are using.
4. Posts written for this event CAN be shared with other events.
Post your story between now and Oct. 5th, link it to this post and mail it to me at: aquadaze(at)rediffmail(dot)com with the following details:
1. Name and URL of your blog
2. Title and URL of your story
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Of Chalks and Chopsticks
To tell you the truth, I have never received as many e-mails from my blog readers for my recipes as I have for our food fiction event Of Chalks and Chopsticks. I was surprised and delighted to know that even non - bloggers enjoyed reading all the food fiction that we had been churning.
Then a few days ago, there was a mail from Sra proposing that we revive the event. With a few inputs coming in from Desi Soccer Mom and Bong Mom, Of Chalks and Chopsticks is now back, with a bit of a twist.
Hop over to Sra's blog to find out more and then start spinning your yarns!
(I have disabled the comments on this post, please post all comments and queries on Sra's blog)
Then a few days ago, there was a mail from Sra proposing that we revive the event. With a few inputs coming in from Desi Soccer Mom and Bong Mom, Of Chalks and Chopsticks is now back, with a bit of a twist.
Hop over to Sra's blog to find out more and then start spinning your yarns!
(I have disabled the comments on this post, please post all comments and queries on Sra's blog)
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Announcing Back To Basics
There was a time when my kitchen was lined with bottles and jars containing fresh and homemade podis and masalas and pickles and yes, ghee.
But that was many years ago when we lived in Bombay and made monthly trips to Pune; with every trip, we'd return with the choicest of home-made goodies that my mother and MIL would gladly prepare for us.
Then, we moved overseas. And while I armed myself with all the recipes, I never used any of them. I have been purchasing most of my basic masalas and podis and the like for many years now.
I was, however, nudged to look up all those recipes when last month Jaya came up with an event called Back to Basics. One look at the round up and I realised that this was an event that could equip everyone (well, yes, I do have my own very selfish interest here) with many tips and tricks to make cooking and eating simpler, easier and healthier.
I was glad when Jaya decided to continue with the event and I am delighted to be hosting it this month.
Here's what this event encompasses (and this is from the original event announcement):
1. How to and tips on how you make your life easier in the kitchen, by grinding pastes or freezing seasonal fruits and vegetables.
2. Recipes for rubs, marinades and masalas: garam masala, goda masala, dhana jeera powder (corrainder cumin), etc.
3. Posts like Srivalli's 'cooking toor dal for the week and storing in the fridge'.
4. Recipes for concentrates like this lemon concentrate used to make lemonade.
5. A food recipe that goes with the above is totally optional but welcome.
6. All recipes need to be original; if yours is inspired by any other in the blogosphere, do provide a link for the same.
7. Link your post to Jaya's post and my event announcement and send me the URL of your post either by sending me a mail on aquadaze{at}rediffmail{dot}com or by leaving a comment at the end of this post.
8. Archived entries are welcome, please do update them with the links mentioned in point 7 above.
9. Don't have a blog but have lots of tips and tricks up your sleeve? Do mail them to me on the e-mail address mentioned above.
Last date for sending in your entries: Sept. 8.
Looking forward to your entries......
But that was many years ago when we lived in Bombay and made monthly trips to Pune; with every trip, we'd return with the choicest of home-made goodies that my mother and MIL would gladly prepare for us.
Then, we moved overseas. And while I armed myself with all the recipes, I never used any of them. I have been purchasing most of my basic masalas and podis and the like for many years now.
I was, however, nudged to look up all those recipes when last month Jaya came up with an event called Back to Basics. One look at the round up and I realised that this was an event that could equip everyone (well, yes, I do have my own very selfish interest here) with many tips and tricks to make cooking and eating simpler, easier and healthier.
I was glad when Jaya decided to continue with the event and I am delighted to be hosting it this month.
Here's what this event encompasses (and this is from the original event announcement):
1. How to and tips on how you make your life easier in the kitchen, by grinding pastes or freezing seasonal fruits and vegetables.
2. Recipes for rubs, marinades and masalas: garam masala, goda masala, dhana jeera powder (corrainder cumin), etc.
3. Posts like Srivalli's 'cooking toor dal for the week and storing in the fridge'.
4. Recipes for concentrates like this lemon concentrate used to make lemonade.
5. A food recipe that goes with the above is totally optional but welcome.
6. All recipes need to be original; if yours is inspired by any other in the blogosphere, do provide a link for the same.
7. Link your post to Jaya's post and my event announcement and send me the URL of your post either by sending me a mail on aquadaze{at}rediffmail{dot}com or by leaving a comment at the end of this post.
8. Archived entries are welcome, please do update them with the links mentioned in point 7 above.
9. Don't have a blog but have lots of tips and tricks up your sleeve? Do mail them to me on the e-mail address mentioned above.
Last date for sending in your entries: Sept. 8.
Looking forward to your entries......
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Announcing RCI: Mumbai Street Food
Thank You, Lakshmi, for giving me the opportunity to host your very popular RCI.
My choice for this month's RCI is Mumbai Street Food.
But what is so special about 'Mumbai' street food, you might ask. After all, street food is something that is inherent to almost every other nukkad (street corner) in almost every corner of India.
The city is dotted with street carts selling a wide variety of food - the tourist popular places of Chowpatty or Juhu , the very famous but pricey chaats at Elco arcade, the sardar's dhaba at Linking Road that sells delicious tandoori fish and tandoori chicken, the delicious desserts at Bachelor's on Marine Drive, the delectable kebabs and phirnis at Mohd. Ali road, the late night hot spot of Bade Miyan, the hawkers outside almost every college in the city, the masala chai stalls scattered all across the city, the greasy hakka noodles..... the list seems almost endless!
While to many of us street food is just an indulgence - something to eat when the craving for something delicious strikes - like chaats and vadas and samosas and bhajjis and kulfis and golas (crushed ice lolly dunked in flavoured sugar syrup), to some others, street food is what they turn to for their meals - like the jhunka bhakri (gram flour gravy served with Indian bread) or the very humble sandwich or piping hot idlis and dosas.
And that to me is the essence of street food in Mumbai - that there something to suit every palate, every need and every pocket - at almost any time of the day.
So, let's celebrate the street food of Mumbai in this month's RCI.
There is a wide array of food to choose from, so just give your desire for lip-smacking food a free run!
1. Make any Mumbai street food and post it in your blog from now until June 30, 2009.
2. Archived posts are welcome, so long as they are re-posted for this event.
3. Multiple entries are (more than) welcome, but restricted to 4 per blog.
4. Link your post to this announcement and Lakshmi's RCI page. Use the logo wherever possible, though this is not mandatory.
5. Mail your entries to servedwithlove.aquadaze(at)gmail(dot)com with the following details:
Your name
Blog name and blog URL
Entry name and URL
A picture of your entry
Hope you join me in celebrating Mumbai's street food with all your delicious entries!!
My choice for this month's RCI is Mumbai Street Food.
But what is so special about 'Mumbai' street food, you might ask. After all, street food is something that is inherent to almost every other nukkad (street corner) in almost every corner of India.
The city is dotted with street carts selling a wide variety of food - the tourist popular places of Chowpatty or Juhu , the very famous but pricey chaats at Elco arcade, the sardar's dhaba at Linking Road that sells delicious tandoori fish and tandoori chicken, the delicious desserts at Bachelor's on Marine Drive, the delectable kebabs and phirnis at Mohd. Ali road, the late night hot spot of Bade Miyan, the hawkers outside almost every college in the city, the masala chai stalls scattered all across the city, the greasy hakka noodles..... the list seems almost endless!
While to many of us street food is just an indulgence - something to eat when the craving for something delicious strikes - like chaats and vadas and samosas and bhajjis and kulfis and golas (crushed ice lolly dunked in flavoured sugar syrup), to some others, street food is what they turn to for their meals - like the jhunka bhakri (gram flour gravy served with Indian bread) or the very humble sandwich or piping hot idlis and dosas.
And that to me is the essence of street food in Mumbai - that there something to suit every palate, every need and every pocket - at almost any time of the day.
So, let's celebrate the street food of Mumbai in this month's RCI.
There is a wide array of food to choose from, so just give your desire for lip-smacking food a free run!
1. Make any Mumbai street food and post it in your blog from now until June 30, 2009.
2. Archived posts are welcome, so long as they are re-posted for this event.
3. Multiple entries are (more than) welcome, but restricted to 4 per blog.
4. Link your post to this announcement and Lakshmi's RCI page. Use the logo wherever possible, though this is not mandatory.
5. Mail your entries to servedwithlove.aquadaze(at)gmail(dot)com with the following details:
Your name
Blog name and blog URL
Entry name and URL
A picture of your entry
Hope you join me in celebrating Mumbai's street food with all your delicious entries!!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Announcing : MY FAVOURITE THINGS EVENT - Frozen Desserts
Thank You Bindiya, for entrusting me with hosting My Favourite Things this month!
(if any one of you would like to host this lovely event and showcase your favourite food, drop a mail to Bindiya at bindiyasingh7(at)gmail(dot)com)
Deciding the theme for this one wasn't easy - when it comes to food, there are just too many things I really like. But this event - and a fabulous one at that - is about that one favourite thing. So how was I to decide that one favourite thing?
Well it is like this - I have a huge sweet tooth. And if I were really, really hungry and had to choose either a full platter of food or a small portion of some dessert, I would still choose the dessert, preferably, ice cream! Yeah, no doubt about it, it is my favourite thing!
Share my love for ice creams? Oh yes, I see you nodding vigorously!
(if any one of you would like to host this lovely event and showcase your favourite food, drop a mail to Bindiya at bindiyasingh7(at)gmail(dot)com)
Deciding the theme for this one wasn't easy - when it comes to food, there are just too many things I really like. But this event - and a fabulous one at that - is about that one favourite thing. So how was I to decide that one favourite thing?
Well it is like this - I have a huge sweet tooth. And if I were really, really hungry and had to choose either a full platter of food or a small portion of some dessert, I would still choose the dessert, preferably, ice cream! Yeah, no doubt about it, it is my favourite thing!
Share my love for ice creams? Oh yes, I see you nodding vigorously!
So join me in this month's My Favourite Things and make your favourite FROZEN DESSERT.....bring in those ice creams, gelatos, sorbets, frozen yoghurts, kulfis , ice kachangs, ice cream cakes......drool.....that is some variety there!
Some guidelines for participation:
1. Make your favourite FROZEN DESSERT and post it in your blog between April 1 - April 30, 2009.
2. Please do not re-post archived posts for this event - after all summer is here, there's no better time to make and enjoy FROZEN DESSERTS!!
Still cold weather, some said. Oh but the pleasure of eating Frozen Desserts in cold weather is something else. I'm thinking ice cream with hot apple pie or a warm brownie or in a cup of hot espresso!
3. Link your post to this announcement and Bindiya's My Favourite Things announcement on her blog.
4. Mail your entry to servedwithlove.aquadaze(at)gmail(dot)com with the following details:
Name of the frozen dessert
Name of your blog
URL of the post
A picture of your entry
5. Do use the logo wherever possible, though this is optional.
6. Non bloggers, please do share your frozen desserts with us, just mail me the recipe and a picture at the above address.
7. Multiple entries are more than welcome!!
So, do rush in your frozen desserts really soon - I am greedily waiting to slurp all your lovely FROZEN DESSERTS!!
Some guidelines for participation:
1. Make your favourite FROZEN DESSERT and post it in your blog between April 1 - April 30, 2009.
2. Please do not re-post archived posts for this event - after all summer is here, there's no better time to make and enjoy FROZEN DESSERTS!!
Still cold weather, some said. Oh but the pleasure of eating Frozen Desserts in cold weather is something else. I'm thinking ice cream with hot apple pie or a warm brownie or in a cup of hot espresso!
3. Link your post to this announcement and Bindiya's My Favourite Things announcement on her blog.
4. Mail your entry to servedwithlove.aquadaze(at)gmail(dot)com with the following details:
Name of the frozen dessert
Name of your blog
URL of the post
A picture of your entry
5. Do use the logo wherever possible, though this is optional.
6. Non bloggers, please do share your frozen desserts with us, just mail me the recipe and a picture at the above address.
7. Multiple entries are more than welcome!!
So, do rush in your frozen desserts really soon - I am greedily waiting to slurp all your lovely FROZEN DESSERTS!!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Announcing Presto Pasta Nights # 106
I am delighted to be your host for PPN # 106 this week, an event started by the amazing Ruth of Once Upon a Feast!
Considering that this the 106th instalment of an event which is now in its 3rd year, I think PPN doesn't need any introduction. This event has a very simple pre-requisite - all you need to do is cook with noodles.
That's it? Well, yes.
"The dish must have some sort of noodle, it doesn't have to be traditional Italian type pasta, it can be hot, cold, salad, soup, main, dessert, or anything else, but it must have some kind of noodle".
Simple enough, isn't it?! Click here for further details.
So just cook with your favourite noodle and post it in your blog mentioning the link to the Presto Pasta Nights website and to the PNN #106 announcement (that would be this post) and send it over to me at:
aquadaze(AT)rediffmail(DOT)com with a copy to Ruth at:
ruth(AT)4everykitchen(DOT)com.
Include the following details in your e-mail:
Your name
Your blog name and URL
URL of your post
A photo of your dish
Not having a blog need not deter you, just send mail me the recipe and the picture!
PPN #106 runs between March 21st - March 26th. The round up will be done on March 27th. So hurry - Ruth and I are eagerly looking forward to your entries!
Considering that this the 106th instalment of an event which is now in its 3rd year, I think PPN doesn't need any introduction. This event has a very simple pre-requisite - all you need to do is cook with noodles.
That's it? Well, yes.
"The dish must have some sort of noodle, it doesn't have to be traditional Italian type pasta, it can be hot, cold, salad, soup, main, dessert, or anything else, but it must have some kind of noodle".
Simple enough, isn't it?! Click here for further details.
So just cook with your favourite noodle and post it in your blog mentioning the link to the Presto Pasta Nights website and to the PNN #106 announcement (that would be this post) and send it over to me at:
aquadaze(AT)rediffmail(DOT)com with a copy to Ruth at:
ruth(AT)4everykitchen(DOT)com.
Include the following details in your e-mail:
Your name
Your blog name and URL
URL of your post
A photo of your dish
Not having a blog need not deter you, just send mail me the recipe and the picture!
PPN #106 runs between March 21st - March 26th. The round up will be done on March 27th. So hurry - Ruth and I are eagerly looking forward to your entries!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Announcing Lets Go Nuts: walnuts and pecans
One of the commonest gifts that we received during Diwali were boxes of dry fruits. Sis and I would quickly polish off the raisins, cashewnuts, dates and almonds (in that order), leaving the walnuts behind.
"Eat the walnuts, they are very good for you. They will make your brain grow...can't you see, they even look like the brain" our grandma would say urging us to eat the walnuts.
But we would stubbornly dismiss her."You say walnuts and we say brownies", we'd say to her. After all, with the slightly bitter taste, who wanted to eat them unless they were in them brownies!!
Grandma is long gone, but yes ajji, you were so right about the walnuts being good for our brains.
Our brain cells are composed primarily of fats and to keep them functioning properly, the brain cells need to be continuously replenished mainly with omega 3 fats. Walnuts are rich in Omega 3, in fact they are one of the best sources of omega3fatty acids.
In addition, recent research suggests that walnuts and pecans have a plethora of health benefits:
- the protective fat from walnuts can in fact undo some of the detrimental effects of a diet high in saturated fats. Research has indicated that eating walnuts after a fatty meal help to reduce the sudden onset of harmful inflammation and oxidation in arteries that follows a meal high in saturated fat. But hey, this doesn't imply that one can eat what one wishes so long as you eat walnuts!!
- walnuts alongwith pecan nuts and chestnuts have the highest concentration of anti - oxidants in the nut family and numerous studies have shown that consumption of these nuts lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- not only do walnuts and pecans keep the LDL and total cholesterol levels at bay(thereby improving the HDL to LDL ratio), they also significantly increase the arterial elasticity. Moreover, walnuts are effective in reducing levels of certain molecules that contribute to atherosclerosis.
In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently cleared the health claim that "eating 1.5 ounces per day of walnuts as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease."
- most importantly, walnuts and pecan nuts also contain an antioxidant compound called ellagic acid, which blocks the metabolic pathways that can lead to cancer. Ellagic acid not only helps protect healthy cells from free radical damage, but also helps detoxify potential cancer-causing substances and helps prevent cancer cells from replicating.
- in addition, walnuts help prevent and control high blood pressure, protect bone health, promote good sleep and prevent gallstones.
- the vitamin E in pecans is believed to be beneficial for intestinial and prostrate health.
This is just a snapshot of the many health benefits of walnuts and pecans, for a more detailed understanding look here and here.
So....just cook with walnuts and pecans between now and Feb. 28 and send them to me at servedwithlove.aquadaze@gmail.com. Don't forget to include:
- your blog name
-the URL of your entry
- a picture of your entry
As before, old posts re-posted linking to this announcement are welcome. And multiple entries? Yes, yes, yes!!
Thank you all for your participation in Let's go nuts: Peanuts. Round up's being posted on Wednesday, Feb.4.
And if any of you would like to host Let's go nuts, do write to me!!
"Eat the walnuts, they are very good for you. They will make your brain grow...can't you see, they even look like the brain" our grandma would say urging us to eat the walnuts.
But we would stubbornly dismiss her."You say walnuts and we say brownies", we'd say to her. After all, with the slightly bitter taste, who wanted to eat them unless they were in them brownies!!
Grandma is long gone, but yes ajji, you were so right about the walnuts being good for our brains.
Our brain cells are composed primarily of fats and to keep them functioning properly, the brain cells need to be continuously replenished mainly with omega 3 fats. Walnuts are rich in Omega 3, in fact they are one of the best sources of omega3fatty acids.
In addition, recent research suggests that walnuts and pecans have a plethora of health benefits:
- the protective fat from walnuts can in fact undo some of the detrimental effects of a diet high in saturated fats. Research has indicated that eating walnuts after a fatty meal help to reduce the sudden onset of harmful inflammation and oxidation in arteries that follows a meal high in saturated fat. But hey, this doesn't imply that one can eat what one wishes so long as you eat walnuts!!
- walnuts alongwith pecan nuts and chestnuts have the highest concentration of anti - oxidants in the nut family and numerous studies have shown that consumption of these nuts lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- not only do walnuts and pecans keep the LDL and total cholesterol levels at bay(thereby improving the HDL to LDL ratio), they also significantly increase the arterial elasticity. Moreover, walnuts are effective in reducing levels of certain molecules that contribute to atherosclerosis.
In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently cleared the health claim that "eating 1.5 ounces per day of walnuts as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease."
- most importantly, walnuts and pecan nuts also contain an antioxidant compound called ellagic acid, which blocks the metabolic pathways that can lead to cancer. Ellagic acid not only helps protect healthy cells from free radical damage, but also helps detoxify potential cancer-causing substances and helps prevent cancer cells from replicating.
- in addition, walnuts help prevent and control high blood pressure, protect bone health, promote good sleep and prevent gallstones.
- the vitamin E in pecans is believed to be beneficial for intestinial and prostrate health.
This is just a snapshot of the many health benefits of walnuts and pecans, for a more detailed understanding look here and here.
So....just cook with walnuts and pecans between now and Feb. 28 and send them to me at servedwithlove.aquadaze@gmail.com. Don't forget to include:
- your blog name
-the URL of your entry
- a picture of your entry
As before, old posts re-posted linking to this announcement are welcome. And multiple entries? Yes, yes, yes!!
Thank you all for your participation in Let's go nuts: Peanuts. Round up's being posted on Wednesday, Feb.4.
And if any of you would like to host Let's go nuts, do write to me!!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Let's GO NUTS! - In the spotlight: Peanuts/Groundnuts
Contrary to popular belief, emerging research suggests that nuts are actually good for all of us!
“Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.”
According to FDA, types of nuts eligible for this claim are restricted to almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, some pine nuts, pistachio nuts and walnuts.
Nuts are a great source of protein, packed with fibre, calcium and iron and fat, but the good fat (mono and polyunsaturated fats). In fact, as I read up more an more about the nutritional benefits of nuts, I was increasingly convinced that having a handful of nuts regularly is akin to popping a multi-vitamin pill! Just follow this link to get more details on the nutrients packed in nuts.
In addition to the health benefits, nuts impart, for lack of a better word, a lovely nutty flavour and a great texture to the food they are added to. Have them straight out of a bowl or add them to salads or curries or pasta or cookies and cakes - they can be eaten in so many versatile ways!
So why don't we all get cooking with nuts?
Announcing my first ever event - Let's go nuts!
In the spotlight for this month - Peanuts/Groundnuts
Conversation (and drinks) flow easily with a bowl of peanuts, it seems! World over, there are countless restaurants that will serve peanuts, steamed or roasted as munchies, especially with drinks.
When I think peanuts, I am reminded of the time when we (the husband and I while we were dating) used sit at Marine Drive. Almost always, we would buy some piping hot peanuts from the hawkers there who would roast them in huge woks. They were cheap and filling, and we would chat for hours, the sound of cracking the shells adding a lovely crunch to our conversation!
But peanuts are much more than chat and drink accompaniments. Technically, they are not nuts - but, surprise, surprise - legumes! And they pack in quite a punch in just a handful. The list of nutrients found in one ounce of peanuts is so long that I don't think I can list them here!! Just read this - I was so amazed!!
So let's all go nuts with peanuts this month!
To participate:
- Just post a recipe - just about anything - with peanuts in your blog between now and Jan. 31st, 2009 with a link to this announcement. Old posts (re-posted linking to this event) are welcome. Non-bloggers, please send me a mail with a photo. And of course, multiple entries are (very) welcome.
- Mail your entry (with the subject as Let's Go Nuts) to aquadaze@rediffmail.com with the following details:
your blog name
name of your entry
URL of your entry
a picture of your entry
I don't have a logo yet, but hope to set that right soon.
And hey you guys, I do realise this is a huge leap of faith for a new and relatively unknown blogger like me, but I am counting on your support (in the form of entries) to make this event a success.
“Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.”
According to FDA, types of nuts eligible for this claim are restricted to almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, some pine nuts, pistachio nuts and walnuts.
Nuts are a great source of protein, packed with fibre, calcium and iron and fat, but the good fat (mono and polyunsaturated fats). In fact, as I read up more an more about the nutritional benefits of nuts, I was increasingly convinced that having a handful of nuts regularly is akin to popping a multi-vitamin pill! Just follow this link to get more details on the nutrients packed in nuts.
In addition to the health benefits, nuts impart, for lack of a better word, a lovely nutty flavour and a great texture to the food they are added to. Have them straight out of a bowl or add them to salads or curries or pasta or cookies and cakes - they can be eaten in so many versatile ways!
So why don't we all get cooking with nuts?
Announcing my first ever event - Let's go nuts!
In the spotlight for this month - Peanuts/Groundnuts
Conversation (and drinks) flow easily with a bowl of peanuts, it seems! World over, there are countless restaurants that will serve peanuts, steamed or roasted as munchies, especially with drinks.
When I think peanuts, I am reminded of the time when we (the husband and I while we were dating) used sit at Marine Drive. Almost always, we would buy some piping hot peanuts from the hawkers there who would roast them in huge woks. They were cheap and filling, and we would chat for hours, the sound of cracking the shells adding a lovely crunch to our conversation!
But peanuts are much more than chat and drink accompaniments. Technically, they are not nuts - but, surprise, surprise - legumes! And they pack in quite a punch in just a handful. The list of nutrients found in one ounce of peanuts is so long that I don't think I can list them here!! Just read this - I was so amazed!!
So let's all go nuts with peanuts this month!
To participate:
- Just post a recipe - just about anything - with peanuts in your blog between now and Jan. 31st, 2009 with a link to this announcement. Old posts (re-posted linking to this event) are welcome. Non-bloggers, please send me a mail with a photo. And of course, multiple entries are (very) welcome.
- Mail your entry (with the subject as Let's Go Nuts) to aquadaze@rediffmail.com with the following details:
your blog name
name of your entry
URL of your entry
a picture of your entry
I don't have a logo yet, but hope to set that right soon.
And hey you guys, I do realise this is a huge leap of faith for a new and relatively unknown blogger like me, but I am counting on your support (in the form of entries) to make this event a success.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
