Categories
Dips

JALAPENO CRANBERRY DIP

Cranberry Jalapeno Dip is certain to become a favorite appetizer at gatherings. A rich mix of cranberries, spicy jalapeno, and a creamy texture of cream cheese.

 

Cranberries have a nice deep red color, tastes delicious, and can be utilized in several recipes. This Jalapeño Cranberry Dip is a 20-minute appetizer perfect for as an appetizer at the table. Cranberries are paired with an amazing zest of heat and blended with rich cream cheese for a satisfying first course.

 

Mostly this recipe is made from fresh cranberries and to it sugar is added, but for instant serving the whole berry cranberry sauce can is an alternative for this dip. It has all flavors and textures covered, a rich and creamy base layer with juicy cranberry flavoring. It’s spiced with a flavor from the jalapeno peppers and ground roasted ground cumin, while cilantro and lime bring freshness. Many perfect sides go with the delicious cranberry jalapeno dip, including butter crackers, Ritz crackers, wheat thins, pita chips, and French bread.

The Red Blend

This cranberry jalapeno cream cheese dip recipe is bursting with flavor and texture. For instant serving the whole berry, cranberry sauce can is an alternative.

Blending the Ingredients

This appetizer is delicious, but it’s also beautiful! The red cranberries mixed with green jalapenos, cumin, and cilantro make this perfect for a first course at the table.

The Heat of Jalapeno

If you would like more heat, feel free to add another jalapeno. Also, if you prefer no heat, you can omit the jalapeno pepper and replace it with green bell pepper.

JALAPENO CRANBERRY DIP 

Course: Appetizer
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 15 people

INGREDIENTS:

  •  Whole berry Cranberry Sauce Can 14 oz
  • Jalapenos 3
  • Cilantro 1 Tbsp
  • Orange juice 2-3 tbsp
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • Roasted ground cumin 1/2 tsp
  • 1/8 tsp Salt
  • 16 oz Cream Cheese Whipped

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Take a can of whole berry cranberry sauce and blend it smooth.
  • Chop jalapenos, and cilantro.
  • In a bowl combine cranberry sauce, cilantro, roasted cumin, and jalapenos
  • Add orange juice, lemon juice and salt and lightly mix until combined.
  • Whip softened cream cheese. 
  • Transfer the cream cheese to a circular pie dish and spread evenly on the bottom.
  • Top the cream cheese with the cranberry jalapeno mixture. Make sure it’s evenly spread out.
  • Keep in the fridge until ready to eat. Serve with crackers and enjoy!
Categories
Health Benefits

Dried Pomegranate Seeds

Dried pomegranate seeds are among the healthiest fruits on Earth. Dried in the sun, the pomegranate seeds may be left whole or ground into a powder. The dried pomegranate seeds are crushed until crumbly and slightly sticky. It has a deep, strong bitterness and only a  hint of the fresh pomegranate’s sweetness. The flavor is related to lemon, tamarind, and sumac. This ingredient is traditionally used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine, where it may be added to chutneys, stews, spice rubs, and kababs.

 

The benefit of dried pomegranates is the fact that the preservation is easier, these can be easily packed and the best part is that they are now placed in the categories of dry fruits. 

Dried Pomegranate Seeds

The meaningful health benefits of Dried Pomegranate Seeds include its ability to serve as:

 

  • Excellent Source of Antioxidants
  • Great for Patients with Diabetes
  • Promotes Healthy Liver
  • Help Reducing the Cholesterol Level
  • Natural Infections Protection
  • Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents
  • Natural Solution to Acne and Pimples
  • Hydrates Skin
  • Prevents Dandruff
  • Excellent Source of Vitamin C

 

Categories
Health Benefits

Curry Leaves

Curry leaves are natural flavoring agents with plenty of significant health benefits. They not only give our meals a pleasing aroma but can enhance their flavor and health benefits. Curry leaves have the strongest flavor and aroma when fresh. It can be used in soups, sauces, and stews. It can also be dried and crushed for use. 

 

Curry Leaves are an essential ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisine like curries, dals, and soups. The shining leaves are vibrant green and also called “neem leaves,”. These aromatic leaves have a lemon scent and a distinct, pungent taste.

Some herbs develop a more intense flavor when they are dried. Curry leaves tend to lose their flavor. The flavor of the dried leaves is substantially milder than those of the fresh. 

 

Health Benefits of Curry Leaves

The meaningful health benefits of Curry Leaves include its ability to serve as:

 

  • Curing Of Skin Infections

  • Aiding Blood Circulation

  • Reducing Dizziness, Queasiness, And Menstrual Cramps

  • Curing Of Anemia

  • Treating Of Diarrhea

  • Protecting The Liver

  • Facilitating Weight Loss

  • Boosting Healthy Hair Growth

  • Relieving Morning Sickness And Nausea

  • Improving Eyesight

  • Lowering Blood Sugar

  • Boosting Of Immunity

  • Seasoning Food

  • Fighting Cancer

  • Preventing Respiratory Problems

  • Controlling Of Pests

 

Categories
Spice Mix

Hickory BBQ Seasoning

Every grill and BBQ fanatic has its own secret spice recipe. Hickory applies to the flavor given to foods that have been cooked and smoked over hickory logs or chips, allowing the smoke from the burning wood to penetrate the meat.

 

Hickory BBQ Seasoning can be used in salad dressings, gravy, crackers, nuts, barbecue sauce, or marinades for a bold flavor. The flavor is strong, refined, and sweet and is best when added to, fatty meats like thick cuts of beef or lamb plus poultry and seafood.

 

It can be used on its own or as a spice base for a sauce. This Hickory BBQ seasoning provides the much desired smoky flavor that makes for defining food, for those without a smoker. Sugar, salt, smoked paprika, garlic, onion, chili pepper, cumin, coriander, and a few other spices make up this BBQ seasoning mix. A good massage of this BBQ spice rub into the meat the night before will guarantee a more flavorful final product.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1/2 cup Brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon of sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp Hickory smoke powder

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Mix all ingredients together.
  • Store it in an airtight container.
Categories
Spice Mix

Steak Seasoning

Steak seasoning is developed from the dry rub mix that is used in making smoked meat, which is preserved and smoked like beef pastrami. 

Besides using this seasoning on steaks, I consider using it in chicken, beef burgers. It’s also a great seasoning to use on potatoes, including french fries, baked potatoes, hash browns, and marinades as well.

The steak seasoning ingredients are simple and you probably already have everything you need in the pantry…..Sea salt, Smoked paprika, Garlic powder, Crushed black pepper, Red pepper flakes, Onion powder, and Coriander. This homemade spice is super simple. Just stir together all the ingredients.

 

 

INGREDIENTS:

 

  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoons crushed black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
  • 1 tablespoon granulated onion
  • 1 tablespoon crushed coriander
  • 1 tablespoon dill
  • 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Mix all ingredients together.
  • Store it in an airtight container.
Categories
Fast food

BEEF BURGERS

A classic crowd-pleasing ground beef burger.Incredibly tasty, moist, and delicious traditional burger.

The flavor, texture, and satisfaction of this burger make it an approachable and easy meal or something appetizing to make for an outdoor BBQ with warmer weather.

There are so many ways to add a flavor boost to burgers; the tips and tricks seem endless.

The flavor boost I give to these burgers is simple to let a tablespoon of my homemade steak seasoning in the burger patty right before you put it into shape to grill. Each bite is extra juicy. 

 

The Choice of Meat

The choice of meat is flexible, but for beef, the portion should be 80 % lean and 20% fat.

The Seasoning

The amount of seasoning will depend on the amount of the meat and the seasoning used.

Equally sized

Divide the mixture into four equal-sized, meat pucks about 2 1/2 inches thick.

BEEF BURGERS

INGREDIENTS:

 

  • 1 pound ground beef (80% lean 20% fat)
  • Worcestershire 1 tsp
  • Steak Seasoning 1 tbsp
  • Garlic powder 1 tsp
  • Olive oil 1/2 tbsp
  • Hamburger buns 4
  • Cheddar cheese 4 slices
  • Lettuce
  • Tomato
  • Mustard
  • Ketchup
  • Red onion
  • Bacon
  • Mayonnaise

INSTRUCTIONS:

 

Make the patties: 
  • In a large bowl, use your hands to gently combine the ground beef, Worcestershire, and Steak Seasoning.
  •  Divide your mixture into four equal-sized, meat pucks about 2 1/2 inches thick.
Cook the burgers: 
  • Heat a griddle over high heat. Add 2 Tbsp. olive oil to the griddle or skillet and allow it to get hot.
  • Add the patties to the griddle and let them cook for 2-3 minutes on one side. 
  • Once the burgers are almost done, Then add a slice of cheddar cheese on top and cook until it’s melted.
  • Burgers should read at least 160°F for a medium burger. 
  • Assemble burgers with your favorite toppings: butter lettuce, mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup,  red onion, tomatoes, etc.
Categories
vocabulary

SPICE VOCABULARY

Categories
Dessert

KALAKAND

Kalakand sweet, you’ll ever taste! It has a moist, juicy, and grainy texture with a perfectly sweet milky taste. Plus, it is super easy to make and perfect for this festive season. Kalakand, a delicious milk-based sweet with hints of cardamon, is yet another way of enjoying the goodness of milk. Kalakand that has a smooth texture, more like a burfi is never authentic. This sweet is famous for its granular texture. It’s never smooth!

The Fusion of Milk & Lemon

The milk and lemon are infused together, which will break into solids. 

Straining Process

Take it out on a muslin cloth and strain the water that will be left with will be pure milk solid.

The Presentation

The Kalakand dish is generously greased with clarified butter and garnished with chopped almonds and pistachios. 

KALAKAND

 

INGREDIENTS:

  • Clarified butter – 2 tablespoons for mixture and as required for greasing
  • Milk 8 cups
  • Sugar  1/2 cup
  • Cardamom powder  1 teaspoon
  • Lemon 4 tbsp
  • Dry fruits  chopped as required

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Boil 4 cups of milk and add lemon juice to it.
  • Further, drain off the curdled milk using a strainer and rinse with cold water properly to removes its lemon flavor.
  • Strain it properly again using a strainer and keep it aside. 
  •  
  • Add the rest 4 cups milk and sugar. Stir it continuously on a low flame for a few seconds until the sugar melts.
  • Now, add cardamom powder and strained milk. Stir it continuously until the mixture leaves the pan.
  • The mixture should not look dry and some moisture should be there. Turn off the flame when it gets granular texture.
  • Now, take a baking tray and grease it 
  • Further, transfer the mixture to the baking tray and spread it evenly. Apply clarified butter to the spatula, which helps to set the mixture properly.
  • Now, garnish it with the dry fruits. Allow it to set in the refrigerator for an hour or at the kitchen top for 2 to 3 hours.
  • When set, cut into small pieces.
  • Delicious is ready to be served.
Categories
Health Benefits

HEALTH BENEFITS

Health Benefits of Spices

When several spices and seasonings are added to a meal, it can intensify the flavor and the overall sense of eating food. Adding essence to your food, spices may also be healthy on the other hand.

Spices and herbs have been in use, both for culinary and remedial purposes. Spices not only enhance the flavor, aroma, and color of food and beverages, but they can also protect from intense and prolonged diseases. These savory flavorings can boost immunity to help combat inflammation, manage blood sugar, and are pleasant for adding more flavor to your food. In particular, many herbs and spices have various benefits.

Spices and herbs are both from plants and are used in very small amounts to spice up food.

WHAT ARE SPICES?

Spices are dried roots, stems, and seeds of plants that are usually grown in the tropics. They are aromatic components of vegetable source used as a preservative and possess antioxidant properties. Basically, spice refers to seasonings put together from dried seeds or bark. Spices generally originate in the Far East and tropical countries.

WHAT ARE HERBS?

Herbs are leaves of plants that lack woody stems. Herb refers to any plant with fleshy components that are used in brewing tea and seasoning foods, or as medicines. Generally, the green, leafy portion of the plant is utilized in cooking. The plants are matured for their flavor and remedial importance. Some define herbs as plants with healing properties.

 

Categories
Dips

YOGURT SAUCE

The yogurt sauce is made from Greek yogurt. It is just unsweetened yogurt, a touch of lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. In addition fresh crunchy onion, cucumber, and tomatoes are added to deliver it with a juicy flavor. It’s a perfect light and tangy topping that really complements the rest of the flavors in the shawarma.

YOGURT SAUCE

Course: Main Course
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: people
INGREDIENTS:
  • Plain Greek yogurt 2/3 cup
  • Lemon juice 1 teaspoon
  • Garlic 1 clove
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • Onions cubed 3tbsp
  • Cucumber cubed 3 tbsp
  • Tomatoes  cubed 3 tbsp

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • In a small bowl, combine ingredients and stir until well incorporated.