Recipe: Hakka Noodle

1. Beat 2-4 eggs and add little salt.
2. Cook omelette.
3. Roll and cut finely.

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1. Marinate chicken fillet with lime and little salt.
2. Pan-fry them.
3. Cool them and slice them nicely.

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1. Put egg noodle into boiling water and cook until al dente.
2. Remove and rinse under running water.
3. Apply little oil onto noodle lightly to keep them non-sticky.
4. Prepare mixture of 2 tbsp soy sauce and 2 tbsp rice white vinegar in a bowl.

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Cooking:

1. Heat oil on high flame. Add 2 garlic till fragrant.
2. Add spring onion whites, carrots julienne and french beans.
3. Add capsicum and shredded cabbage. They should be still crunchy. Not to overcook.
4. Add in mixture.
5. Add noodle, green spring onions, pepper powder.
6. Toss them.
7. Garnish with egg rolls, chicken slices and chopped coriander leave.
8. Serve hot with green chili padi in white vinegar.

Kung Pao Chicken

1. Toast 1 tbsp Szechuan peppercorns until lightly golden. Grind into fine powder and sieve.
2. Prepare mixture of 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice wine white vinegar and 1 tbsp honey in a bowl.
3. Prepare combination of 1 tbsp cornflour and 2 tbsp water.

Cooking:

1. Chop chicken into bite-sized chunks and toss in cornflour to coat.
2. Fry the chicken until golden brown. Put aside.
3. Heat oil. Add garlic (4 cloves) and ginger slices until golden brown.
4. Add spring onions and 4 dried red chilies.
5. Add soy mixture. 
6. Add Szechuan pepper powder.
7. Thicken with cornflour paste.
8. Add fried chicken and toss until warm through.
9. Add toasted 50g cashew nuts.
10. Garnish with coriander leave.

Corn chicken soup

1. Little oil. Garlic.
2. Water.
3. Chicken stock cube.
4. Add breast fillet. Off the heat and cover for 15 minutes.
5. Remove poached chicken fillet. Once cool, shred it.
6. Add half can of creamed corn. 
7. Add cornflour paste to thicken the soup slightly.
8. Add black pepper and salt to taste.
9. Add shreded chicken.
10. Slowly pour beaten egg white and constantly stir with a fork.
11. Garnish with coriander leave.
12. Serve hot.

Manchurian balls

For the veg manchurian balls:

• 1 cup finely chopped cabbage
• Little carrot
• Little capsicum
• 2 tbsp spring onion
• Black pepper and salt to taste
• 2 tbsp all purpose flour
• 2 tbsp corn starch

Fry till golden brown.

Preparing the sauce:

1. Heat oil. Fry 2 tbsp chopped onion/scallion whites, 1 tbsp ginger, 1 tbsp garlic, green chilies on high flame but DO NOT brown them.
2. Add water, 1tbsp soy sauce and black pepper. Simmer awhile.
3. Add cornflour paste to thicken the sauce.
4. Add 1 tbsp black vinegar, salt and sugar.
5. Add fried veg balls and simmer for a minute.
6. Garnish with spring onion greens.

Recipe: Sarson Ka Saag

Note: No Onion

1. Wash and finely chop separately 500g Sarson and 250g Palak.
2. Put water to boil. Put palak and sarson. Add salt to taste.
3. Keep turning for 15 minutes on slow fire. Do not cover or whistle.
4. Sieve under cold water so color remains fresh green. 
5. Blend Sarson into a slightly coarse mixture. 
6. Mash Palak in the cooker.
7. Add 2 tbsp of of makki atta (cornmeal). 
8. Cook till saag gets thick.

For tadka.

1. Heat desi ghee. 
2. Add half tsp cumin seed.
3. Add 6 cloves garlic (sliced, not minced). Saute till no smell.
4. Add 2-inch sliced ginger.
5. Add 2 green chilies.
6. Add 1 medium tomato puree.
7. Mix into saag.
8. Garnish with whole dry red chilies and julienne of ginger fried in ghee.
9. Serve with white butter.

To make Makki Di Roti

1. Make makki atta with warm water.
2. Add salt, ajwain and desi ghee.
3. Knead until it becomes a ball.
4. Small balls and make it on cling wrap with hand. 
5. Roll once or twice.
6. Heat the tawa and add little ghee so that it does not stick.
7. Cook with ghee till golden brown.

Recipe: Shakshuka

Ingredients

• Spicy sauces
• Chopped onion
• Minced garlic
• Diced capsicum
• Chopped tomato
• Eggs
• Chopped parsley
• Chili powder
• Cumin powder
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt, sugar & pepper

1. Heat oil and pan-fry sliced Spicy Sausages. Put aside.
2. Slowly warm olive oil.
3. Add half onion. Saute till it softens.
4. Add one minced garlic. Saute till it is fragrant.
5. Add one diced capsicum.Saute for 5-7 minutes over medium until softened.
6. Add 2 chopped tomatoes and 2 tbsp tomato paste.
7. Add 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp paprika, a pinch of cayenne pepper, a pinch of sugar, salt and pepper.
8. Simmer over medium for 5-7 minutes till it reduces. Add hot water if needed so that the mixture won't get burned.
9. Add fried spicy sausages and mix.  
10. Crack 2 eggs, one at a time, directly over the mixture.
11. The eggs will cook "over easy" style on top of the mixture.
12. Cover the pan. Allow mixture to simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the eggs are cooked.
13. Garnish with chopped parsley and pepper.

Recipe: Kid's Pizza

For tomato base

1. Heat olive oil.
2. Add 1 chopped garlic.
3. Put half cup tomato puree.
4. Add 1 tsp sugar, salt and mixed herbs (or thyme).

Pizza

1. Boil hotdog and slice them.
2. Heat oven 200 degree.
3. Put pizza base in oven for 1 minute.
4. Spread tomato base.
5. Add mozzarella cheese.
6. Arrange hotdog.
7. Top with more mozzarella cheese.
8. Put in oven for 10-12 minutes.

Recipe: Dhaba Chicken

Pan 1

1. Marinate 750g chicken pieces with 1 tsp red chili powder, salt, 1 tbsp ginger paste, 1.5 tbsp garlic paste.
2. Heat oil. Add chicken pieces.
3. Add chicken to Pan 2.
4. Rinse with 2 cups water and add to Pan 2.

Pan 2

1. Heat oil. Add chopped 3 medium onions. Saute till golden.
2. Add 1 tbsp ginger paste and 1 tbsp garlic paste. Saute till raw smell gone.
3. Add 0.5 tsp turmeric powder, 1.5 tsp red chili powder, 2tsp coriander powder, 1tsp cumin powder.
4. Add 1 cup fresh tomato puree. Saute till oil surfaces.
5. Add 3 green cili padi.
6. Add salt to taste.
7. Add chicken. Add water.
8. Add 3 tbsp chopped coriander leave.
9. Add 0.5 tsp garam masala powder.
10. Cover and cook on medium fire till chicken is done.
11. Mix 1 tbsp atta flour with half cup water till smooth. Add to the chicken gravy.
12. Cook till the gravy thickens slightly.

Recipe: Yogurt Chicken (Dahi Murgh)

1) Heat oil. Add 1.5 tbsp ginger paste and 1.5 tbsp garlic paste. Saute for 1 minute till aromatic.

2) Add 600g chicken pieces and saute for 5 minutes.

3) Add 1.5 cup of thick yogurt. Season with salt. Cover and cook for 20 minutes on low fire.

4) Add 0.5 cup fresh cream; 2 tbsp Kasuri methi, 0.5 cup chopped coriander leaves, 2 green cili padi, and black pepper.

5) Add 2 tbsp butter at the end to have nice glaze on the dish. You can add some hot water if desire some gravy.

6) It can be served hot with butter naan. Super nice with a glass of Scotch whisky :)

Recipe: Kids Sushi

1. Cook Japanese rice.
2. For sauce: Sugar water, a pinch of salt, bit lime/rice vinegar.
3. Mix sauce with rice while it's hot
4. Let rice cool down.
5. Spread rice, put topping and roll.
6. Sprinkle seaweed topping and cut.

Tips:
Use plastic as seaweed sheet.
Wet your hands to pick rice.
Oil your knife before each cutting.

Toppings: Ham, hotdog, cucumber, omelette, avocado, crab sticks.

Recipe: Ghia kofta

1. Peel ghia, wash then grate.
2. Squeeze out water, add salt, coriander powder, yellow powder, besan and fry small balls.
3. For gravy: Jeera, coriander powder, onion, ginger, red chili powder, yellow powder, tomato puree, coriander leave and water. Garnish with coriander leave.

The Need For A Daily Sunscreen

Allow us to shed some light!

1) What are the effects of UV Rays on my skin?

Sunlight consists of two types of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can damage the skin:
UVB causes sunburn.
UVA leads to wrinkles, pigmentation, premature aging and melanoma (skin cancer). 

Although UVA causes less burning than UVB, it penetrates the skin 40 times deeper than UVB.

2) Do I need to apply a sunscreen if I apply foundation/moisturizer with SPF?

Yes. It is best to use a separate sunscreen before applying foundation or powder so as to ensure adequate sun protection. Even if the foundation comes with an SPF of 30, it is unlikely that you will be getting the equivalent level of protection, as the average person does not apply sufficient amount of foundation needed to achieve this.

3) Do I need to apply a sunscreen even if i stay indoors?

Yes. Window panes do not shield against the harmful UVA rays, which penetrate glass easily. Individuals who spend significant length of time working beside the window should be extra mindful of sun protection.

4) What are some of the features I should look out for in a daily sunscreen?

The sunscreen should have broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB, as both are equally harmful to the skin. It should be non-comedogenic for oily skin types, and fragrance-free for individuals with sensitive skin. If you have fair to medium skin tone, or spend a short period of time outdoors, you should start with an SPF of 30.

5) I have sensitive skin. Does it mean that I should not apply sunscreens?

No, you can still use sunscreen. If you are prone to acne, choose a product that is oil-free and non-comedogenic. Individuals who develop rashes after using sunscreen could be allergic to the one or more of the ingredients such as fragrance, preservatives or the sunscreen itself. These individuals should consider undergoing tests to find out which chemicals they might be allergic to.

6) What are some daily application tips?

Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes prior to sun exposure. Sunscreen should be applied as the last step in the skin-care routine, but under foundation or powder. Do not forget the eye area, as the delicate skin around the eyes are more likely to show the signs of premature aging from UV irradiation. Sunscreen should be re-applied after 3-4 hours, if there is continual sun exposure.

A Lovely Woman – Be Kind and Be Courageous

It takes a lot to be a woman. And even more to be a lovely one. It’s not so much of her appearance, but what goes on in her heart and in her mind.

Lovely is defined as ‘charming or exquisitely beautiful’, ‘having a beauty that appeals to the heart or mind as well as the eye, as a person or a face’, ‘being delightful and highly pleasing’ and finally, ‘of a great moral or spiritual beauty’.

I like everything about loveliness. Let’s shed a little joy around us and here’s how:

1) Be generous with your smile

Smiles are irresistible, contagious and fun. Usually, the more smiles you give, the more you receive. Smiles express openness, pleasure and create a bond with those around us. A lovely person usually smiles first and encourages the other person to smile too.

2) Care about others

A lovely person asks someone “How are you?” and she means it by listening to his/her answer. Her words are kind and thoughtful. She makes people feel comfortable and relaxed. She always put herself in other person’s shoes and she thinks from the other person’s perspective. For example, instead of teasing a friend who’s having crab/lobster for the first time, she empathizes and offers to help at least by making her friend feels little better by sharing her own first experience with shellfish. 

3) Be disciplined in mind and heart

A lovely person always has conscious of her own act and thinking. She guards herself so well that she is organized, never late, does her best, she keeps her words, not allowing herself to fuss over small things, and she has good manners.

4) Never ever be arrogant

A lovely person does not assume herself is of higher position than the others. She never thinks that she is entitled to higher privileges etc. She treats everyone the same regardless of their financial status, fame or social power. Even when faced with nastiness, she will not respond it with rudeness.

5) To be more giving

A lovely person is always giving in terms of their time, kind words, affection, encouragement and sharing of her belongings.