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Showing posts from October 18, 2015

What is Gluten Allergy; How to Deal With It

gluten intolerance What is the buzz about gluten these days? Every other person is talking about gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity. What is it? Over 20 million Americans experience stomach problems from gluten. A number of people also complain of celiac disease (CD), which is an autoimmune disorder caused by gluten sensitivity or intolerance.  However, gluten doesn’t rattle the guts of each one of us, but only affects people with celiac disease. This means gluten isn’t all that bad for everyone. It is not good for people with CD. In CD patients, these proteins are absorbed in the small intestinal walls. As a result, the immune system mistakes these proteins as intruders, starting a furious, tissue-damaging inflammatory response. In normal human beings, small bowel comprises villi or finger-like projections, which produce digestive enzymes. However, in celiac disease patients, the misguided response from the immune system attacks these villi. As a result,

Do Oats Contain Gluten?

oats Most of us are under the impression that oats, which are rich in fiber, contain gluten . However, this is not correct. Research reveals that oats are completely safe for celiac patients. Generally, oats contain  avenine , which are non-toxic proteins and easily tolerated by celiac disease patients. They don’t contain gluten. However, 1% of celiacs may show a reaction if they consume a large amount of oats regularly. Pure oats are gluten-free. While most commercially processed oats are contaminated, some varieties of oats are grown and processed in uncontaminated environments and are sold under the label "gluten-free." Though oats are not related to gluten-containing grains, including wheat, rye, and barley, they may sometimes be contaminated during growing, processing, or harvesting period. Such oats may not be safe to use. Cross-contact can occur in the field where the crop is grown side-by-side with other grains, especially wheat, making oats contaminate

Eggless Cake Rusks/Biscotti

eggless cake rusk Light, fluffy, and crunchy, these eggless cake rusks are a breeze to process. Of course, if you have a good cake recipe at hand, you can create these crunchy bites and surprise your family & friends with these crispy delights. I have been fondly in love with rusks. In my mom's home (mayka), we usually enjoy rusks with morning tea. The local confectionery in Patiala (my home town) sells crispy, crunchy biscottis. I had never thought I would be baking them on my own one day. But this wasn't sudden. After marriage, I had stopped eating the double-baked cakes because I do not like the taste of rusks available in Delhi. I was looking for a taste of my Patiala cake rusks, so every time I would visit my mom's place, I would bring bundles of these along. cake rusk recipe step wise But then ever since I started baking cookies myself, experimenting with a lot of options, I was curious enough to try my hand at biscottis. I usually bake suji ca

Instant Recipes: Kerala's Kadala Curry; Dry Kala Chana

South Indian food is yummy, healthy, and bursting with flavors. I am a great admirer of south Indian recipes. After having met my hubby, I found out my love for south Indian cuisine as well, because he is the one who introduced me to this flavorful cuisine. Instant kadala curry or black gram or black chickpea curry is one of the yummiest south Indian curries with a distinct flavor of fennel blended with roasted coconut.  instant thali south Indian: kadala curry I am sure your mouth is already watering at the mere thought of it. Perhaps if you have never had kadala curry, better give it a try now. If you love south Indian food, give the instant kadala curry a try now. You are surely going to travel in a gourmet haven soon. I tasted this curry in a local Kerala restaurant here. I fell in love with it then and there.I would always wonder how south Indians make food so flavorful and yet so healthy. Then I came across one pot one shot method of Rama Krishnan and Ihaven't lo

Paneer-Alloo Kofta in Appe Pan for Navratri Fast

paneer-alloo kofta Navratris have already started. It is that time of the year when most of you observe fasting for nine days. While some fast for ashtami, some others observe Navmi. My mom follows her mother in law when it comes to observing Navratris. So my mom's family fasts for Ashtmi, so do I and hubby dear. Traditional Navratri recipes were kuttu parantha and potato curry. Today, we have some many brains working to include falahari or fruit-based navratri recipes. Navratri Fast Recipes I am a big admirer of appe pan because it gives me health food. Of course, it saves me time and offers me unmatched health benefits, since I can make non-fried versions of fried recipes. While fasting last ashtami, I wanted to change my traditional navratri recipe of having only potato curry with kuttu roti. So I decided to prepare paneer at home by adding 2 tbsp curd in 2 cups of boiling milk. The milk curdled quickly and whey separated from paneer. Sieve paneer from whey.

Mathura Peda: A Quintessential Indian Sweet

homemade peda recipe Visited Vrindavan recently and fell in love with the uniqueness of Mathura peda. Since then I have been wondering how to make this peda typical of Mathura. Surprisingly, this form of peda is prepared in Karnataka's Dharwad. I did not know this until a dear friend of mine, Radha Natarajan , shared the recipe of Karnataka peda. What more could I ask for? I tried to replicate her recipe and the result is before you. Her peda recipe inspired me to give it a try and relive the taste typical of Mathura pedas.  The festival of light is knocking at our doors, and we are all geared up to celebrate our favorite festival. We all love to make diwali sweets, distribute diwali gifts, and share love with each other. Not to forget the cracker mania!!I do not like crackers, so I see it as mere waste of money. On top of it, the air and sound pollution are benumbing. Anyway, let's see what magic you can create this diwali. Mathura peda is one delicacy th