Ande Ka Funda!

Eggs have been one of the essential ingredients not only in baking and cooking but also in other walks of life ! Right as toddlers we have been listening to this nursery rhyme ‘Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall…’ where Humpty Dumpty is a personified egg. Eggs inspire philosophy as can be seen by the use of phrases like ‘Sunny side up’  and ‘all eggs in the same basket’ etc. They are a big part of nutrition ! They have managed to classify humans into eggitarian over and above vegetarian and non vegetarians! And if that wasn’t enough, the egg has touched geometry as well where it has a whole shape named after itself – yes the egg-shape!!!Last but not the least, egg has been party to this age old debate still raging that whether the eggs have come first or the hen! All in all it would be difficult to imagine life without eggs, especially in the culinary world!

It is very important to understand the role played by eggs in the culinary and baking world. Continue reading “Ande Ka Funda!”

Rising Stars of Baking World

Science behind baking is as interesting as the art of baking itself. What causes breads and cakes to rise has been a topic of research for many. In the baking jargon, rising is often called leavening and the agents that help this are called leavening agents or leaveners. It is important to have a good understanding of these rising agents as it affects the rise and  eventually the texture of the cake. Through this write up, I have tried to give some insight into the natural and chemical leavening agents used in baking. The objective is to understand :

  • the role of the leveaning agents in baking
  • the leaveners that are available
  • how to choose the correct rising agent depending upon what is to be baked
  • the amount to be used and 
  • what other ingredients do they need to be paired with

Continue reading “Rising Stars of Baking World”

The French Connection

French food is perhaps the most fascinating, glamorous, creative, process oriented and absolutely delicious ! France was a seat of culinary revolution and most French restaurants are considered to be fine dining places. Adding the word French to any dish creates that aura of exquisiteness about the dish. Result of which is dishes like French fries and French toast! Yes it is true that French fries and French toast as  available in today’s form do not have French origins. Continue reading “The French Connection”

Breakfast Smoothie – Turbo Charge your day !!!

Breakfast, the most important meal of the day, often tends to be just carbohydrate rich. It may provide us that quick energy boost but it may also make you feel very full and lethargic. More often than not your breakfast may also be devoid of the necessary vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. So how about a  quick breakfast smoothie which not only gives us a feel good factor, but also gives us the daily  dose of natural nutrients and energises us to kick start the day? Continue reading “Breakfast Smoothie – Turbo Charge your day !!!”

Let food be thy medicine….

“Mom, I will be very late tonight! I have emergency duty at the hospital. Pack me some extra food.”, said my ‘soon to be doctor’ daughter as she was leaving for the hospital. You can very well imagine the precarious position I would be in whenever I have to discuss food with my daughter. She knows that eating the right food at right time is essential and but actually getting her to do that is a tough job! Most moms will identify with this. Continue reading “Let food be thy medicine….”