Month: June 2018

Top 5 reasons to eat homemade!!!

There is around plenty of reasons why you must eat homemade, although we will be listing down only the top 5 reasons to eat homemade here. Starting from healthy to being tasty, homemade food is always the best option if you are someone who loves to enjoy an active and blissful life. Negative associations like dull, bland, boring etc. are usually given to homemade food; but the rest of the article will definitely help you in changing your perspective on homemade food.

Moving on to the top 5 reasons to eat homemade-

1) Be healthy as Popeye-

Popeye

Homemade food ensures that you are eating something healthy due to the lack of additives and preservatives. Restaurants and other food outlets usually focus on just the ‘yum factor’ rather than the health of the consumer. As a result, they add unwanted amounts of sugar, oil and salt; while homemade food is always made by preserving our nutrients and by not adding excess amounts of oil, sugar and salt making this at the top of the 5 reasons to eat homemade.

2) More money in your piggy bank-

Piggy bank

Homemade food has an advantage of not burning out money from our pockets so soon. Homemade food requires ingredients which are usually healthy and are bought at a minimal cost. On the other hand, restaurants use cheap ingredients and enhance the taste using additives, making it so yummy that we are willing to pay.

3) No more embarrassing moments with allergies-

Allergies

It seems quite humiliating at times when you have a food allergy reaction during a fancy dinner.  Allergies are not only embarrassing but can also be dangerous in some cases.  Homemade food does not exactly trigger food allergies as we are aware of the ingredients that go in it making this one of the best reasons in this list of top 5 reasons to eat homemade.

4) Eat like an ant-

Ant

Homemade food helps you gain a control over your food portions. Restaurant foods usually contain bad germs which also makes the person crave for more junk food, while homemade food initiates good germs which makes the person want more of healthy food but at the same time knows when to stop eating. Portion control is also one of the best 5 reasons to eat homemade food.

5) Be a “Monica”-

Monica

We are all aware of how Monica Geller from ‘Friends’ is a total OCD and is strict when it comes to hygiene. Knowingly or unknowingly, we all look for the hygiene factor in our food, which is quite important. Homemade food is always safe when it comes to hygiene that even Monica approves of it.

 

If cooking is quite a hassle, you can always order homemade food from online outlets. Order healthy, yummy and homemade food now from Masala Box! Subscribe now or download the app available in both Android and iOS.

5 Reasons To Eat Homemade

 

Top 5 foods for yoga to heal your soul on INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY!

‘The more you bend, the less you break ‘ is the saying when it comes to yoga. June 21st is witnessed as International Yoga Day and India is always at the top of the game when it comes to Yoga. Here is a list of top 5 foods for yoga for an intense yogic like you.

  • Dark green leafy vegetables-

Leafy vegetables

Dark leafy veggies like spinach, lettuce and broccoli are rich in vitamins like A, C, K etc. and also contain high levels of iron, magnesium and fibre among many others. A yogic diet with these goodies helps us in protecting our cells, strengthening our bones and also helps in achieving a healthy body weight.  Many yummy recipes can be made out of these fine green veggies like salads, soups, and in some cases even energy drinks; which is why this is listed first for the top 5 foods for yoga.

 

  • Quinoa-

Quinoa

Quinoa is a flowering plant and is botanically related to spinach and amaranth. It is very nutritious as it contains a good amount of fibre, carbohydrates and protein among others.  It also helps in achieving weight loss, healthy bones and also in repairing tissues.

 

  • Fruits-

Top 5 foods for yoga

Although it sounds cliché, fresh fruits are a very important part of your yogic diet. Fruits contain high levels of vitamins, minerals and fibre among many others. When you stretch out for an hour of the day make sure you have a fruit because it helps us in boosting energy, maintaining healthy bones, and also in losing weight.

 

  • Lemon water-

Lemon water

If you are into yoga it’s better to have warm lemon water although it can be consumed both warm and cold. Lemons, apart from the fact that it tastes good, contain folates, potassium, and most importantly vitamin C. It helps us in staying hydrated, maintaining a healthy weight, and also in reducing muscle pains.

 

  • Tofu-

Tofu

Soy milk is processed and curdled to make Tofu. It contains proteins, magnesium and calcium and can be used in preparing many tasty and healthy recipes like scrambled tofu, wraps and even curries. Further, it helps in maintaining bone density and also helps in weight loss.

 

A  healthy diet of our top 5 foods for yoga, helps us in healing our soul and also lead us to an active life.

Celebrate International Yoga Day with Masala Box by eating healthy and homemade. Subscribe now or download the app!

 

TOP 5 KERALA DISHES YOU MUST TRY-

Kerala is truly ‘God’s Own country’ when it comes to food! Ranging from spicy to sour to sweet, we have multifarious dishes that will make your mouth drool at the very thought of it. Here is the list of the top 5 Kerala dishes that are a must try-

  • Malabar chicken biriyani-

Chicken biriyani is quite famous amongst Indians! But Malabar biriyani stands out for its very unique blend of spices and flavour. Using mostly chicken, this biriyani is the most common amongst people from the beautiful district of Kozhikode, and is the first thing in this list of top 5 Kerala dishes that you must try.

Biriyani

 

  • Puttu and Kadala-

A soft piece of ‘puttu’ along with some hot flavorful ‘Kadala curry’, is the most wanted breakfast in the stunning land of Kerala. ‘Kadala’ refers to Bengal gram or chickpeas, and is mostly prepared in a spicy and aromatic gravy made of coconut milk. Although ‘puttu’ or rice cake can be eaten with banana and sugar (for those who have a sweet tooth), it is more amazing when eaten with the curry.

 

  • Sadya-

‘Sadya’ is extremely unique to South India, especially to Kerala. With a beautiful plethora of dishes spread on a banana leaf, ‘Sadya’ consists of rice and a variety of side dishes and curries like sambar, pickle, pappad etc. and is quite exotic in terms of flavour and presentation. What makes it unique is that every dish has a fixed place and no matter what the position is not meant to be changed.

Top 5 kerala dishes

 

  • Appam and Egg Roast-

Appam is a pancake made out of fermented rice powder and coconut milk. It is usually thin at the edges and made thick at the centre like a dome. The most common side dish is egg roast while we also eat it with veg stew, ‘kadala’ curry, chicken stew etc.

Appam and stew

 

  • Semya payasam-

The famous ‘Semya payasam’ of Kerala will be a party in your mouth if you have a sweet tooth. ‘Payasam’ refers to a dessert which is liquid and the key ingredient is mostly milk. ‘Semya’ refers to vermicelli and it is cooked in a broth of milk, sugar, condensed milk and is garnished with fried cashews, raisins, and butter.

 

 

This list of the top 5 Kerala dishes is a must try if you are ever in Kerala. Looks like your tummy is growling with hunger! Add a ‘ payasam’ to your meal only with Masala Box.

 

 

 

UNIQUE BREAD RECIPES FOR A HUNGRY YOU!

Bread is the most common leftover factor in every home, which is why we have unique bread recipes! No one is a perfect cook, but when it comes to bread, anyone can be a unique chef. Here we list down the top 5 unique bread recipes for a hungry you…

unique bread recipes

 

  • Bread fritters–

Nothing is as simpler and tastier as bread fritters! Simply dip bread slices into a spicy or sweet batter made of flour and deep fry until golden brown. You have the perfect snack for the evening, which is why it is at the top of our list of 5 unique bread recipes.

 

  • Cheese bread balls–

Same as the bread fritters, but more flavorful! Break bread into crumbs and add loads of cheese and spices, along with the required amount of salt. Mix water of the required consistency to make cheese balls, and deep fry them later on; you have the perfect snack for a boring Sunday.

 

  • Bread pizza–

If you are crazy of pizzas, but no one is there to pay the bill for your home delivery, simply grab bread and make a pizza out of it! Top loads of mozzarella cheese and all your favorite toppings on bread and heat it on a pan or in an oven till the cheese melts.  Voila!

 

  • Bread upma-

Let’s add a bit more of flavors and also give it an Indian touch!  ‘Upma ‘may seem boring for some, but can be made delicious if made out of bread. Break the bread into crumbs and shallow fry it with onions, curry leaves and spices, to give you that exact hit of aroma.

 

  • Stuffed bread fritters–

May seem complicated yet easy and appetizing! Create a unique stuffing for your bread and seal it within folded bread (you could also cut the bread into halves and make it like a sandwich.). Enclose the bread using a bit of water to dip into a batter of your choice; deep fry until golden brown.

 

Looks like your mouth is watering with our list of 5 unique bread recipes! Grab some bread now, or even better, subscribe to Masala Box for delicious door delivered homemade meals. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram too.

Top 10 food preservation techniques from then to now –

Restaurants worldwide use various techniques to preserve food depending on factors like the ingredient, the climate, taste required, etc.  Our ancestors have used various preservation techniques like canning, drying, pickling and many more, which are still being used in today’s modern world. Let’s have a sneak peek at the top 10 food preservation techniques ranging from ancient methods to the modern day of food preservation.

Ancient techniques-

There are various ancient techniques which are still useful in today’s world. Food preservation of the olden times most commonly used salt, oil, sugar among many other basic ingredients for preservation. It is also quite often said that these methods preserve food longer in comparison to present-day techniques.

  • Drying- Drying is a technique carried from the ancient times till now and it involves removing the moisture from the food until there is no moisture enough to breed microbes. It is mostly done for preserving certain vegetables, fruits, meats and many more. It can be done in various methods ranging from simple to using heavy equipment.
  • Fermenting- This method involves producing ‘good bacteria’ to inhibit the ‘bad bacteria’ from breeding. Fermenting is usually done on fruits (like grapes to produce wine), meat (like cured sausage, dairy products (like producing yoghurt). Although the method seems easy, it involves paying attention at different levels for different products.
  • Pickling- Pickling involves soaking meat, vegetables, or fruits and the like in a solution made of oils, salt, acid etc. Pickling can be tedious as it involves making the solution in the right concentration as well as taking good care of the product once it’s pickled. This method is usually combined with other methods like fermenting, canning, or refrigerating as pickling alone may not work out.
Pickled cucumbers!

 

  • Dry salting- This method involves covering food in a very high concentration of salt. This method is one of the earliest forms of food preservation and is also considered tastier and fresher when compared to canning. Salted vegetables and meat were highly used during the 20th
  • Cellaring- This method is also one of the earliest forms of preserving wherein the food is stored under specific conditions like high humidity and a light- controlled space. Many grains, nuts, vegetables etc. have been stored in this way across the world. It is also one of the easiest methods of preservation.
Cellared wine!

Although there are plenty of ancient techniques used in food preservation, hotels these days prefer the modern and easier techniques.

  • Refrigeration and freezing- This is the most commonly used among the top 10 food preservation techniques. Refrigeration helps in slowing down the process of bacterial breeding while freezing helps in completely cancelling the process. Almost all kinds of foods are frozen except fruits, unless for specific requirements or recipes.
  • Freeze drying- Freeze drying is much more intense than normal freezing and does not affect the taste as such. This technique helps in removing the moisture completely from the food by turning it into ice first and then into vapour. This is widely used in making instant coffee.
  • Carbonated water- This method is usually used for the preservation of carbonated drinks, as the name suggests. Carbonated water is nothing but carbon dioxide dissolved in water under pressure. The oxygen is completely eliminated from the water so that no microbial growth is encouraged.
  • Chemical food preservation- This is the most common method of food preservation and is also considered unhealthy to a certain extent. Even though, it is widely practised as it is much more economical and it also helps in preserving the food longer. Chemical preserves either eliminate or slow down bacterial activity or function as antioxidants.
Preserved jam!
  • Food irradiation- This is one of the latest methods of food preservation and it uses gamma radiation to kill bacteria. Food in packets is usually nuclear radiated and then sealed airtight. However, this method is not widely practised due to its expense.

Although new methods of preservation are coming up, very few countries have adopted it. India, in specific, still uses the conventional methods of preservation.

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