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QUARANTINE TIME (INDIAN) MEAL PLANNING FOR A WEEK

Tuesday, April 07, 2020

We all have been pretty much locked inside our houses for the last few days. It is indeed the safest place right now; we must understand that. It is for our own good, and of course, for the greater good. So, giddy-up, everyone…

In this chaos, as a home manager, I have been struggling a lot to arrange healthy foods for my family. Though right now, many online services are available to many of us, ordering from them and getting the things we want right on time, is a ginormous task. Most of the time, the delivery slots are not available, and when it is, the things we want are gone, poof!!!

Anyway, I have been activating some extra intelligence in my head to get the best out this situation. 😈 And the first thing I have done is to note down a 7- day meal planning. This has helped me in buying the exact things I want and also saved me big time not to hoard things.

Most of us Indians are not used to a One-pot meal concept, at least I am that person. So, meal planning is hard right now for me because many things are out of my reach. Still, I have given some thoughts, and this is what I have come up with.

Pic Credit: Unsplash

I am gonna cover three main meals for the day. Remember, this is a typical Indian meal planning, so things may vary according to your choice. Not only this time, but you can include these meals in your daily diet throughout the year. Bear with me and get some inspiration if you like to.

Here we go...

Monday:

Breakfast: Poha (Flattened Rice)

Lunch: Palak Paneer (Spinach with Cottage Cheese in a Curry), if it's available/ Malai Paneer (Cottage Cheese in Creamy gravy) and Roti/Rice (Indian Flat Bread/ Rice)

You can make fresh cream at home with the help of milk which is widely available.

Dinner: Rajma Chawal (Kidney Beans Curry and Rice)

Based on your preferences, you can switch between Roti and Rice.

Tuesday:

Breakfast: Upma (made from Suji or Semolina)

Lunch: Fish Curry and rice (for Non-vegetarian people) or Soya Curry (for Vegetarian people)

Dinner: Chole Chawal (Garbanzo Beans Curry) and Rice/ Roti

Wednesday:

Breakfast: Masala Dosa (a batter mixture of rice and lentil that you can make at home, it is also available in ready-made package when you have less time)

Lunch: When you make Dosa batter, make some extra and have it in lunch as Uttapam (a crepe-like dish made with the same batter as Dosa/ Idli) with various vegetables. This will also save some time.

Dinner: Chicken Curry with Roti/ Rice (non-veg option) or Paneer Bhurji / Paneer Butter Masala (veg option)

Thursday:

Breakfast: Idli (pretty much same batter as we use in making Dosa, you can use the previous day batter), (can be prepared at home or can use ready-made package)

Lunch: Chana Masala (Brown or Green colored Chickpeas Curry) with Rice/ Roti

Dinner: Egg Curry with Rice /Roti (non-veg option) or Dum Aloo (Potato in thick gravy, veg option)

Friday:

Breakfast: Bread Toast with Egg Omelette/ Sandwich

Lunch: Mix Dal (Mix of different Lentils) with Roti/ Rice or Lauki (Bottle gourd) dal or Palak (Spinach Leaves) dal or Methi (Fenugreek Leaves) dal

Dinner: Paneer Masala/ Kadai Paneer (Cottage Cheese Curry) with Roti/Rice

Saturday:

Breakfast: Oats/ Granola/ Muesli Bowl with Fruits and Nuts

Lunch: Vegetable Khichdi (an Indian dish made with Rice and Lentils). You can add available vegetables from your pantry.

Dinner: Chicken Stu with Bread/ Roti (non-veg option) or Vegetable Stu (veg option)

Sunday:

Breakfast: Heavy-duty Smoothie with various fruits/ Green Juice

Lunch: Multigrain Chila (a crepe-like dish made with different flours like wheat, Chickpeas, Oats, etc. with some added vegetables)

Dinner: Vegetable Pulao (Pilaf)/ Chicken or Egg Fried Rice with Raita (a side dish made with Curd)

If it is not possible to buy packaged Paneer right now, you can make Paneer or Chenna at home with only two ingredients- Milk and Lemon Juice/ Vinegar.

You can have nuts, fruits, salads, curd, buttermilk, etc. as per your choice. They are good for your health. So, have them in proportion if it is possible.

I know, for many people, getting all these things are beyond their capacity right now. My heart feels for them. As a family, we try our best to do something to help them in this situation.

Please mind that my sole intention is to give some ideas so that you can prioritize things to your choice and capability.

A small disclaimer: I am in no way an expert. So, choose your food according to your current health condition. Seek advice from a health expert if you are allergic to something or trying something new.

Hopefully, this can give you an intimation of what to buy and what not for an entire week. You can also prepare some extra food and store them in the fridge to have it in the next day. I have mostly included non perishable food items for majority of the meals. This meal planning includes the necessary amount of Protein, Vitamin, Minerals, and fiber for an adult. Of course, you can alter things that suits you the best.

Stay Healthy…

Cheers!!!

Happy Living…

#Health

BEST CAST IRON COOKWARE AVAILABLE IN INDIA & ITS AMAZING BENEFITS

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Once upon a time, Non-stick Pots and Pans used to rule in my Kitchen. All I cared about was to use less oil in my food. I simply used to overlook the gory details of the harmful side effects of Non-stick Cookware.

Thankfully, the time has changed since then, and so has my brain. Finally, I have realized the destructive features of Non-stick Cookware, and today, I can proudly say that I am Non-stick free.

In my latest “Kitchen & Living” post, I have shared my thoughts on my favorite Stainless-steel Cookware. Click HERE to take a look at the post. They are the dominant Cookware in my Kitchen, and they really amaze me every day with their impressive performance. But there is one thing for which they are not the best.

Being a hardcore non-vegetarian, my family can't survive a single day without non-veg items. We don't prefer Chicken every day, once a week is alright for us. Naturally, the next best thing which would be delicious and healthy to consume every single day is Fish.

My Stainless-steel Cookware has served every single purpose except the fact that I can't fry fish in them, in less oil. Of course, deep frying is not an issue in Stainless Steel, but I don’t prefer that every day. If you come across Indian cuisine, specifically Fish delicacies, then you'll know that some regions in India prefer to eat Fish dishes after frying them. Whether it's a grilled fish or fish curry, to some people it tastes the best when it is at least shallow fried.

Anyways, the moral of the story is that I needed a Safe and Sound Cookware to fry Fish in less oil. And what comes up to save the day?

Cast Iron Cookware.

There are so many kinds of Iron vessels available in the local markets. I've used a few of them. But nothing comes up to the expectation I look for. For me, less oily food is really relevant. It's something I have been following at least since the last 15 years or so. I have grown up seeing my Mum cooking delicious food using minimum amount of oil. And when I learned to cook, I have followed and adopted the same techniques.

The difference between Regular Iron vessels and Cast Iron Cookware in terms of their making is difficult to discuss here. Frankly, all those scientific details are a lengthy process and also not everybody’s cup of tea. Ultimately, here, we are trying to decide what to buy and why? When I was researching for the details, I was hoping for an article which will simply let me know about the difference in a simple manner and in terms of usage difference. Sadly, I couldn't find anything specific in one single article. I had to spend a lot of time to finally understand the in-depth details. So, I thought, why don’t I share the things I have learned in the hard way, so that many like me come to know about it. So, here we are.

The Difference between Regular Iron and Cast Iron Cookware from the Usage Perspective:

1. Local/ Regular Iron vessels are typically lighter than Cast Iron Cookware. So, in terms of Cooking time, durability, and consumption of oil, Cast Iron is a far better option. When seasoned well, Cast Iron acts like a Non-stick surface, and you can cook your food in very less amount of oil. This doesn't happen that well in case of regular Iron.

2. It takes a long time and tremendous effort to season Local Iron vessels properly as the sellers sell them in their raw version. Whereas, well-known Cast Iron brands already pre-season the Cookware and then sell it. It saves time and effort, both equally.

3. Even after seasoning, local vessels can leach out blackish or brownish color element in the foods. In my experience, I haven’t faced such mishaps in Cast Iron vessels.

4. Both Local Iron and Cast Iron Cookware require an oil-coating after cleaning and drying. When I tried to use the local products for the next time, no matter how well I’ve cleaned it, I have noticed the rust coming out when I wipe out the oil from the pot. In Cast Iron, no such thing has happened to me as of now.

5. Many local sellers sell the Iron Pots and Pans with a fine coating which is artificial and can be injurious to health. Well-known Cast Iron cookware is always free from such synthetic lining.

6. In terms of weight, Cast Iron Cookware is super hefty, so they can be quite uncomfortable to handle in the beginning. Normal Iron vessels are always not that heavy compared to Cast Iron. It makes a massive difference in terms of managing the pots in the longer run. Cast Iron obviously wins for their amazing durable feature.

7. Last but not least, there are huge, I mean huge price difference between a local Iron pan and Cast Iron Pan. While local products’ cost can vary from INR 150 to 1oo0, a quality Cast Iron pan’s price begins from INR 1500. This can make or break the deal for many users, but all I can tell you is that a Good quality Cast Iron Pan will last you for generations.

How to Season and Take Care:

A well-known brand of Cast Iron Cookware always come with the pre-seasoned process. But still what you can do to take care is:

While using the Cookware for the first time, wash it first with a gentle liquid dish wash. After drying with a dry cloth, heat it on the cook top on a slow flame for 15 to 20 minutes with some vegetable oil. Repeat this process 3 times. You can even fry some onions to make the surface Non-stick like. Remember to throw the onions after frying them and wipe out the oil using a tissue. Your Cookware is well-seasoned now and ready to use.
After using the Cookware, always clean it gently with liquid soap, and if possible, with lukewarm water. Dry it, heat it on the stove top for a few minutes so that no moisture is left in it, and then coat it with some oil to keep it off the rust. Store them in a dry place.
Do not use harsh soap or harsh scrubbing pad to clean the surface.
While cooking, first put the cookware in the lowest heat, and then gradually increase the heat.
It is best to avoid cooking acidic items like Tomatoes etc. in the Cast iron as they react with iron and you will get a weird metallic taste in the food. But after using the Cookware for a time being, it gets seasoned well and you can give it a shot. But keep an eye.
After cooking, give the pot or pan time to rest. Let it cool down entirely before you wash them.
If by any chance, traces of food are stuck in the bottom, soak it in lukewarm water for 10 minutes. All excess stuff will come off easily.

If you follow these methods, your Cookware will shine forever and go on for years after years. You many feel hesitation whether to invest your money on Cast Iron Cookware or not, but I can assure you that if you maintain them well, it will serve you for the lifetime.

Brands I trust:

1. Lodge Cast Iron Cookware:

Undoubtedly, they are one of the best Cast Iron brands. Lodge Pots and Pans are widely available online. You can buy it from Amazon India. But, be careful with the sellers as you may end up buying fake products. It's safer to buy from the Company distributor itself. You can take a look in the following links as they seem to be the Distributor of Lodge in India. Click in the Links below.

Cast Iron Tawa/ Griddle

Pic Credit: Amazon India

Cast Iron Skillet

Pic Credit: Amazon India

Cast Iron Grill Pan

Pic Credit: Amazon India

Amazon India Links if You want to buy from there:

Cast Iron Tawa/ Griddle

Cast Iron Skillet

Cast Iron Grill Pan

2. Meyer:

Meyer has launched their Cast Iron Cookware in India now. I have bought their Cast Iron Tawa (large flat, concave or convex disc-shaped frying pan, e.g: dripping pan/ flat skillet/ griddle). Though it is a Roti (Indian Flat Bread) Tawa, it is wonderful to use for frying Fish (which I, in fact, do regularly), sautéing vegetables, making Pancakes, Omelettes, Chilla recipes (spiced pancakes using different flours), and even yummy Tawa Recipes. I bought it recently after much research, and have been using this daily since the last six months. It hasn’t let me down so far.

I chose this Meyer Tawa over Lodge Cookware only because this Tawa has a concave bottom which makes it perfect for preparing Rotis, Paranthas (both are Indian Breads), etc., for frying fish and making Tawa recipes in a small batch. Other necessities are covered by my Bergner Stainless-steel Cookware. Otherwise, I would definitely have opted for a Lodge Skillet or Pan. I am still eyeing them though regularly for the near future. 😉

I bought my Tawa from the Pots and Pans Website. They also sell it on Amazon India.

Click on the links and take a look at the Tawa.

The Cast Iron Tawa I bought from Meyer

This brand 'Meyer' has also provided a Handle Holder to hold the hot handle comfortably. There is no chance of any mishap during the cooking time.

Amazon India link For Meyer Cast Iron Tawa

Pic Credit: Amazon India

Pots and Pans Website link For Meyer Cast Iron Cookware

Give Cast Iron Cookware a go if you haven’t already. You won’t be disappointed.

Cheers!!!

Happy Living…

#Health

AN ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR BUYING BEST STAINLESS-STEEL COOKWARE IN INDIA

Saturday, July 20, 2019

A few posts back, I've shared with you my share of experience about the best and safest Cookware. If you’ve read the previous post, then you already know, I prefer Stainless Steel and Cast-Iron cookware for my daily cooking. But if you haven’t read it yet, I would request you to read it first and come back to this one. The link is here.

Before I talk about some of the best Stainless-steel Cookware brands, first, let’s see how to choose the right Stainless-steel Cookware. Of course, all of you may be quite well-equipped already. But it is always handy to know a little more.

I am gonna spare the details of what Stainless-steel is. If you want to know, click here. In the local markets, you will get to see various Stainless-Steel Cookware, both by well-known brands and local manufacturers. The problems with most non-branded products are that most of the times, we really don’t have any ideas about their composition or their qualities. No one can tell surely what are the materials used, how much quantity is used. Apart from this, they are really lightweight, merely a few hundred grams, and not at all heavy duty. For Indian Cuisine, lightweight stainless steel is not much of a use. Why? Let’s find that out.

a) Most of the dishes in Indian cuisine require extreme heat

b) As lightweight steel cannot handle high heat, during cooking, the food gets stuck in the bottom. Therefore, it won’t be cooked properly.

c) Lightweight Stainless-steel Cookware is made with various other materials. The unknown substances can be reactive with excessive heat and can react badly with your cooked food. This can jeopardize our health.

So, am I telling, all branded Stainless-Steel Cookware are suitable for cooking and for your health? Or all local made products are non-trustworthy?

Not necessarily.

So, what are the options? How do we choose the best Cookware?

Let’s talk about that.

Irrespective of branding, the first and foremost idea should be choosing the best composition for the Stainless-steel in your Cookware. It not only ensures better health; it also yields longer durability. So, whenever you are planning to buy Stainless-steel Cookware for cooking, you must invest in a quality product. In that case, you may have to invest a decent price in the beginning, but that is gonna last you for at least 5-10 years if you maintain them well. So, if you do the math properly, you’ll see that actually the price you are paying is serving you well.

What are the qualities to look for while buying Stainless Steel Cookware?

1. The Grade of Cookware:

Make sure you are investing in Cookware made with 18/10 or 18/8 stainless steel. The first number stands for Chromium and the second number stands for Nickel. Chromium protects from stains and rust while Nickel gives a high gloss finish. Try to go for those brands who make Tri-ply Cookware, i.e., they consist of three layers (the inner and the outer layer are steel, while the middle layer is Aluminum for even heat retention)

2. Stainless-steel with an Aluminum Core (middle layer):

Pure stainless steel does not maintain heat well; therefore, food can't be cooked properly. If the middle base is made with Aluminum in the pots and pans, it retains the heat evenly. Hence, the food doesn’t stick at the bottom.

3. The Weight of Cookware:

Make sure, all the Cookware has heavyweight. All heavy-duty pots and pans are amazingly sturdy, durable. If the Cookware is hefty, that typically indicates the materials used during the manufacturing are quality products, and also all the necessary elements are used generously. The heavy pans help to cook food well and hold the heat evenly. They also protect the pots from dents and hotspots. Whereas light weighted utensils are susceptible to dents, they are non-durable, and you’ll see black or brownish spot after cooking.

4. Buy Cookware with Handles and Lids:

If your pots and pans have handles and lids, that always come handy. Because good brands preferably use cool touch handles, that means you don't need to use an extra dry cloth to hold them while cooking. And all the lids are made in a way so that they are adjusted well with the shape of the particular pot or pan. If the lids sit well, the food will be cooked in less time using the accumulated heat and moisture inside the pots.

5. Plan Well before buying new Pots and Pans:

Before you plan to buy a new cookware, just go to your Kitchen, take a look around, and think what will be the purpose of the new Cookware. Various sizes of pots and pans are available in the market for different dishes. Plan accordingly.

I’ve got a Stainless-steel Wok, a Saucepan, a Casserole, and a frying pan in my Kitchen. The Wok and Saucepan are being used daily for cooking lentils, sabji (vegetables), and curry recipes. I use the Casserole mainly for cooking various Chicken recipes as it is big in size, and lastly the Frying Pan is amazing for sautéing veges and even making various Breakfast Recipes like Omelette, Upma, Poha, etc.

Is Stainless-steel Cookware Safe to use?

Many researchers claim that as Stainless-steel cookware is made from Chromium, Nickel, and other heavy metals, they are not that safe. Similarly, many claim them to be absolutely non-reactive to food.

I am not a pro. But so far what I’ve studied, reveal that there is always a chance of a reaction. Then, what doesn't, right! So, it is important that you invest in well-known manufacturing brands because they take good and sensitive care during the making-process. We need to believe in somebody. And I think, rather than using Aluminum or Non-stick, Stainless-steel is a far… far better and one of the most convenient options.

P.S: Nowadays, many brands are bringing Nickel-free Stainless Steel Cookware which are more healthier option in general, and a better substitute for Nickel-allergic people.

Brands to go for:

Some brands in the world make the finest Stainless-steel cookware, like Cuisinart, Calphalon, All-Clad, etc.

Sadly, in India, they are not easily available. And even though you can find it online, it is crazily expensive. If budget is not an issue, then obviously go for them.

The brand I trust and have been using for the past one and half years is Bergner.

Bergner Pots and Pans are made of:

a) Tri-ply Stainless Steel

b) The inner layer is made of 18/10 grade stainless steel, the middle layer is made of Aluminum, and the outer layer is made of 18/0 grade to make it induction compatible.

c) They are ideal to use on all sorts of cooktops- Halogen, Gas, Electric, Induction, and Vitrocemaric cooktops.

d) They are durable, scratch resistant, corrosion resistant, and produce even heat.

e) All the handles are made with cool touch technology. That means, they don’t get heated up easily while cooking.

And FYI, no food gets stuck in the bottom if you season the pan well with oil and proper heat.

Besides Bergner, nowadays, we also have brands like Vinod, Alda, Stahl, Meyer, and even Prestige, etc. who make good quality Stainless Steel Products. But personally, I have no experience of them.

Now, once you’ve invested your money and bought the necessary products, the job is not over. It is really essential to maintain them, so that they stay in your kitchen for years and be their best.

How to take care of the Cookware:

Always use a mild soap to clean the Cookware. If you can, then soak them in lukewarm water for some minutes after cooking and before washing them.
Never use abrasive brushes or scrub pads to clean them. If you want them to perform their best, you have to take gentle care of them.
Use a soft sponge to clean the Cookware. Right Cookware doesn't need the work of muscle to clean themselves. A few gentle swipes are good enough.
Do not use steel spatula for cooking food. Go for wooden spatulas.
Start cooking on low to medium heat to avoid food sticking at the bottom. As you become a pro, gradually you can start experimenting and adjust the temperature to your choice.
After cleaning the Cookware, wipe the water with a dry cloth and store them in a dry place.
After using any pots and pans for a long time, if you think the luster of the Cookware is gone or you see the hard-core stains of oil on the sides of the handles eventually, just make a paste of baking soda and water. Put them in the affected areas, keep it like that for half an hour. And then, clean them with a soft pad brush. Your Cookware will shine like new.

I am using all the cookware since the past 1 and half years now. I know, all these Cookware together seem pretty damn expensive for a tight budget. Obviously, you can adjust accordingly. But I can tell you infinity times that they are gonna serve you very well for a very long time. I wanted to invest in a good brand so that I can use them without any worries of leeching waste materials into my food or jeopardizing with my family’s well-being. So far, the cookware has been behaving amazingly.

Buying links from Amazon India:

Wok:

Pic Credit: Amazon India

Saucepan:

Pic Credit: Amazon India

Casserole:

Pic Credit: Amazon India

Frying Pan:

Pic Credit: Amazon India

They are also available on Bergner Website.

If you are using any Stainless-steel Cookware already, let me know about the brands you love. All the readers, including me, will be highly benefited by that.

Cheers!!!

Happy Living…

QUARANTINE TIME (INDIAN) MEAL PLANNING FOR A WEEK

BEST CAST IRON COOKWARE AVAILABLE IN INDIA & ITS AMAZING BENEFITS

AN ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR BUYING BEST STAINLESS-STEEL COOKWARE IN INDIA

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