World Cuisine: Indian Food - Myth or Fact

Do you like Indian food? I do! Although must admit, had to acquire a taste for it. My first time trying a so-called authentic Indian dish was at one of those American mall-type food courts, where there are all kinds of restaurants for you to choose from. That probably wasn't the best place for me to get my first taste. Was taken aback by some sort of flavor or spice that my palette was clearly not expecting. It threw me off!

Later on, when cooking channels became so popular on television, started learning how to prepare Indian dishes. There was the one lady who referred to herself as a “spice goddess”.  Because really it comes to cooking, Indians do know their spices.  No argument.  Her recipes always seemed so simple, easy to prepare, and she explained the herbs and spices she used for flavoring and showed you how to incorporate them into the recipes.  Crush these seeds.  Warm this spice in the pan.  Sprinkle these herbs.  Decided to try Indian food again and was very pleased with the tasting tests.

Below is a link to a blog post that eliminates common myths about Indian food. Didn't know there were myths but good to know they can be ignored. What were some of the myths?

• All Indian food is spicy.
• All Indian food is vegetarian.
• All Indian food is overloaded with curry.

Discover the Truth behind the Indian Food Myths

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Content first published Mar 21, 2015 via Persona Paper

5 Things You Thought You Knew about Indian Food

5 Things You Thought You Knew about Indian Food

By Petrina Verma Sarkar Come on, be honest. What are the first things that come to your mind when you think of Indian food? Hot, spicy, oily, rich, fatty, bad for you, difficult and time-consuming to cook, curry powder....

15 Interesting Facts Related To Indian Food You Should Know

15 Interesting Facts Related To Indian Food You Should Know

Facts that will blow your taste buds

20 unbelievable facts about Indian food

20 unbelievable facts about Indian food

Before it turned into an art that involved culinary expertise, food in India was about rasas and doshas. Taste or rasa in Sanskrit guides the tongue and it is a balance or misbalance of these rasas that cause or correct the doashas in body.

Known and unknown facts about Indian cooking

Known and unknown facts about Indian cooking

It is about experimenting with different spices and ingredients and to come up with your own secret recipes. Then just go for it, Visit Masala Fry! Enjoy!

Indian ladies: glitter-graphics.com

Chinese Mooncake Festival (Mid Autumn Festival)

Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhongqiu Jie (中秋节) in Chinese, also known as the Mooncake Festival or Moon Festival, is one of China's biggest holidays. 

For 2023, it will be celebrated on Sep 29, 2023.

Similar to American holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Mooncake Festival these days is about family reunions and good eating, where mooncakes are a traditional food gift.  Would just like to point out a significant event that can be traced back to the 14th century when China was ruled by the Mongols.  The event really gives cause for celebration.

"Planning a rebellion against the Mongol emperor, Chinese rebels came up with the idea of hiding a secret message inside mooncakes, which the Mongols did not eat. These mooncakes told rebels to rise up on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The uprising was successful, and henceforth the Mid-Autumn Festival was celebrated with mooncakes everywhere in China."  

(Source: Mooncakes in Mid Autumn | Desserts First)

Recycling a post from my lifestyle blog, Joie de Vivre Magazine and embellishing it a little bit more.  There are lots of people participating in the festivities so finding related or similar articles was super easy.  Hope you like the content shared.

Holidays and Festivals :
Chinese Mooncake Festival

https://varugab.tumblr.com/post/96456695851/asian-art-history-finals-infographics

Mid Autumn Festival 2017 - 20 Mooncakes That Even Chang Er Will Love

It's almost Mid-Autumn Festival again, the 15th day of the eight month on the lunar calendar (which falls on October 4 this year) when the moon is full. The traditional way to celebrate this festival is by indulging in mooncakes. Every year, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to the mooncake flavours available.

Why Chinese People Eat Mooncake During This Time of the Year
The Mid-Autumn Festival (also the Mooncake Festival or Lantern Festival) is considered to be one of the most significant festivals for Chinese people. Celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese calendar, the 3,500-year old tradition is commonly observed all over the world to worship the moon, celebrate the harvest season, ...

Food Blog Spotlight: Hungry Couple's Soups, Stews and Chowders

One of the main reasons I started publishing this foodie blog was to shine a spotlight on all of the awesome food blogs that are already out there.  Many scientists make fantastic discoveries and the majority of them have two things in common.  

• Number 1, the discovery is usually accidental, i.e. they stumbled upon it.  
• Number 2, whatever they discovered, it's been there all along!  

That's how I find awesome food blogs and I am not ashamed to say that I accidentally found the wonderful food blog called Hungry Couple.  

I got so excited at having found it that totally I forgot what my initial blog search was for.  LOL.  The blog posts archives go all the way to 2008 and they have recipes for drinks, desserts, breakfast, dinner ideas, and my favorite comfort food ... soups, stews, or chowders.  January may be the official soup month but I can eat soup all year round.  Soups, stews, and chowders are my comfort food.

I would have been happy to spend the entire day perusing the Recipe Index.  But I was anxious to share these wonderful comfort food recipes with my blog visitors.  Why keep all the fun to myself?  Enjoy!

Image Credit:  Amazon.com

Foodie Friday : Happy Holidays! Who Wants Egg Nog?

Just creating this blog post as an excuse to share a pretty picture. In my house, a few of my kids really love eggnog. Funny because in the family I grew up in, I only remember one of my siblings making sure that there was eggnog to be served around Christmas time.  

December 24th is National EggNog Day!

I never make eggnog. If I do buy it or if my son buys it, we don't have a particular brand.  We get whatever is in the store.

Eggnog?  It's like fruitcake.  You either love it or you hate it. Sharing some links to eggnog recipes you may want to try and/or suggested brands you may want to buy.

And remember.

Alcoholic drinks become non-alcoholic drinks when you don't add the alcoholic beverage to the recipe! So if like the recipe but you don't want the alcohol, just don't put it in there!

If you have a recipe, would you care to share it?

APOLOGIES. Replacement link https://t.co/FhPrzgdJlS
~ Fitz and Floyd Cardinal Christmas Pitcher - 9307968 | HSN #HappyHolidays https://t.co/zI8Z36ckaY

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) October 24, 2019

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Previous #FoodieFriday posts? YACR ( Yet Another Chili Recipe )  Purple is the Color of Royalty and of Glorious Vegetables  Sampling Fast Food World Cuisine is a Fun Do!  Name Your Favorite Instant Noodle  YAPAS (Yet Another Post About Spinach)  Immune-boosting Smoothie ~ Order at Starbucks  Recipes | Desserts | Pineapple Stuffing and More!  Japan’s 10 weirdest ice cream flavors  The Right Blend of Spices for Cajun Food Lovers  Indian Food: Hot n Spicy Samosas (Reblog)  Candied Jalapeño Peppers  Chinese New Year Recipes and Dishes  Pesto Around the World  Experiencing the Joy of Salsa   Spice Spotlight: Cinnamon  It's Flipping Foodie Friday!  Raw Coconut Fig Slice (Reblog)  Winter Salad Binging  Banana Brownies - Back for Seconds  Cool Foodies and Food Lovers Celebrating Their “Firsts” on Twitter

Healthy Eating Tips : Eat Your Greens! Drink Your Carrots!

Growing up, people used to always say to me: “Eat carrots! They're good for your eyes.” I believed what they said. Not dissing carrots, but they were and are not my favorite veggie. So coming up with creative ways to enjoy them to receive the health benefit was always a challenge.   What's the best way to respond to a food challenge?  COMPROMISE!  😋 

Now in my adulthood, come to find out that according to experts in diet and nutrition, zeaxanthin and lutein, which are the forms of beta-carotene that boost eye health are found in high levels in green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, and Swiss chard. That's fantastic! Because for me, greens are the best veggies!! Although, in defense of carrots, the juice mixes well with various other fruits and makes for a delicious healthy drink!

RE:  Carrots - DID YOU KNOW?

• A carrot is not a vegetable. ...
• The root is not the only edible part of a carrot. ...
• Plant an actual carrot in the ground and it will make seeds. ...
• Carrots are one of the best plants for pollinators. ...
• Carrots were not originally orange.

Source:  Snake River Seed Cooperative

RE:  Green Leafy Vegetables - DID YOU KNOW?

• Packed With Vitamins &Amp; Minerals
• Good Source Of Fiber
• Keeps The Brain Young
• Low In Salt And Fat

Source:  All Women's Talk

Greens Glorious Greens!: More than 140 Ways to Prepare All Those Great-Tasting, Super-Healthy, Beautiful Leafy Greens

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7 Creative Carrot Juice Recipes

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Carrot Juice Recipes | Juicing Carrots

Carrot Juice Recipes | Juicing Carrots

Carrot juice recipes are simply wonderful. If you've never had it before, you'll be surprised how sweet it is. It tastes NOTHING like you think it will taste. Its sweet, creamy and delicious. It has a milky texture and has no bitterness.

Related articles

• 7 Food items that can boost your kid's immune system
• Quick Note on Mustard Greens and Recipes

Foodie Friday : Winter Salad Binging

There's #FoodieFriday, #FollowFriday, #FriendlyFollow … whatever! It's the weekend!  Just pick a food and drink topic to share and run with it! 

Connie Guttersen, author, dietitian, nutritionist, a lady on Twitter (@ConnieGuttersen) inspired me to pick salad for my topic.  She shared a Tweet (below) about all the different kinds of lettuce that are “worthy”.  Appreciated the info, but from there it was a leap into “winter salads”. Why? Because during the cold months, salad is not always on my menu. Bowls and bowls of warm and hearty soups. Yes!  But salad? Not so much.  That has to change.

Lettuce is lettuce, right? Not so fast! Some lettuces (like iceberg) have 0 nutrients, while others are worthy to be included in your salad. pic.twitter.com/2zAdfzUpLq

— Connie Guttersen (@ConnieGuttersen) October 3, 2016

Raw Vegan Blood Orange Winter Salad Recipe (frivolousgirl.com)

Oldie but a goodie: Raw Vegan Blood Orange Winter Salad Recipe https://t.co/oSeh5UzxCZ
#bblogger #greenbeauty

— Isabel Ⓥ (@frivolousgirl_) October 26, 2016

Asian Quinoa Slaw Salad with Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette (thekitchengirl.com)

Eat #veggies during winter? Yup - Asian #Quinoa Slaw Salad #vegetarian #gluten free #recipe https://t.co/HTIa5Z2YF7 pic.twitter.com/qK6CpIKtG8

— TheKitchenGirl Traci (@the_kitchengirl) January 7, 2016

East Asian Chicken Salad (crumbsonthetable.co.uk)

Zingy East Asian Chicken Salad fights the winter blahs: recipe from Crumbs on the Table: https://t.co/Kv5yY5iLSC pic.twitter.com/b4TxOCvDcD

— CottageGardenCookery (@LauraDonohueCGC) February 23, 2016

Asian Napa Cabbage Salad (homebakedjoy.com)

Asian Napa Cabbage Salad - Home Baked Joy

18 Warm Salad Recipes to Keep It Healthy This Winter

18 Warm Salad Recipes to Keep It Healthy This Winter

15 Winter Salads to Make for Dinner - Recipes from The Kitchn

15 Winter Salads to Make for Dinner - Recipes from The Kitchn

Winter survival comes in the form of comfort food - the richer and heartier the meal, the easier it is to handle the cold. But we still need salad. In fact, with all those hefty stews and baked pastas, salads are imperative to keep things in balance.

Foodie Friday : Figs ~ Enjoy a Raw Coconut Fig Slice ( and More Wonderful Way to Enjoy Figs)

It's another #FoodieFriday. Even though it's late in the day, this post will be published before midnight. If not, I might turn into fig! (Just kidding!) 

For this #FoodieFriday, the keyword is "fig".  (It was going to be "gumbo' but ... found this post about fig and went off in a completely different direction! :)  )  Before getting started, let me share this healthy tip.

TIP:  Need a pre-workout snack? Try figs! They are filled with calcium, magnesium and potassium.  (Source)

OK!  My first fig share is an awesome post found in a Google Plus Blogging community.  The G+ network was shut down do I'm glad I saved the link.

Raw Coconut Fig Slice (http://itislovelyfood.blogspot.ca)

I don't know if the fig was really the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. As far as I'm concerned it's a fruit that was heaven sent!

Here is a little bit about the fig. It's an excerpt from my article published at Wizzley.com. 

FIG TREES Genus Ficus The fig plant can be either a low-lying shrub or a tall tree.  They grow wild; or domesticated in the Mediterranean region and in California.  In Israel, the fig trees usually sprout buds in late spring; by the month of June (early summer) the tree is full of leaves; and in just a few more weeks, the figs are ready for picking. ... You can learn more about the ficus plant at PlanetFig.com

An additional fact.  In the Bible, the fig has two symbolic meanings.  Hope (if the fig tree fruitful): Desolation (if the fig tree is barren).



Here are more shares.  Enjoy!

The humble Fig.

The Fig...You can get it dried almost anywhere in the world and fresh and luscious from September through to autumn. There is nought like the taste of a fresh fig and dried they are different but sweet, with a chewy flesh and crunchy edible seeds.The fig tree has no blossoms on their branches ...The blossoms are inside the fig.

Dalmatia Spread Fig, 8.5 oz

Bring Me Some Figgy Fig Recipes. (shewearsmanyhats.com)

• Fig Jam with Vanilla and Black Pepper - Jenni Field's Pastry Chef Online
• Cracked Wheat Fig Halwa (affronplatter.blogspot.ca)
• 15 Sweet and Calcium-Rich Recipes With Figs
• Spiced fig, coffee & hazelnut cake
• Delicious Savory Melon and Fig Salad
• Fig Salad with Kale and Halloumi - Delicious Fig Salad Recipe

 

Holi Festival Recipes ~ Sweets

Several years ago I was active in an online community which had many members who hail from India.  Many of them celebrate a festival called Holi which usually occurs during the month of March (although I have seen some say April).  Although I am not Hindu, I do like the idea behind this holiday tradition as it is a celebration of love, happiness, and colors.  Who wouldn't want to celebrate that, regardless of our diverse religious beliefs? 

I read some of the members' posts and noted that one writer expressed great enthusiasm about the “sweets” they enjoyed during this holiday. So? So you guessed it! I went on a hunt for Holi recipes. No surprise that I was able to find plenty at popular food blogs that I already like and follow from time to time. 

Celebrate Holi, the Festival of Colors, With These 20 Vegan Recipes

Celebrate Holi, the Festival of Colors, With These 20 Vegan Recipes

Holi, also known as the " Festival of Colors " is a Hindu festival that marks the arrival of spring. For two or three days, there is a celebration of color, music, fertility, love, and the victory of good over evil. Holi is an ancient holiday celebrated all over the world but mostly in parts of India and Nepal.

Holi Recipes, Holi festival 2017 Sweets Recipes - Rachna's Kitchen

Holi Recipes, Holi festival 2017 Sweets Recipes - Rachna's Kitchen

When I hear word "HOLI" , first thing that comes to my mind is color. Holi is an important festival of Hindu culture. It is known as the festival of happiness, love and brotherhood. In my childhood, I remember that me and my brothers used to wake up early in ...

Holi Recipes - 80 Holi Special Recipes 2014 - Holi Sweets - Holi Snacks - Blend with Spices

Holi Recipes - 80 Holi Special Recipes 2014 - Holi Sweets - Holi Snacks - Blend with Spices

Holi Festival Special Recipes / Holi Sweets Recipes / Holi Snacks Recipes Holi Sweets Mawa Coconut Jaggery Laddu Doda Burfi Gulab Jamun Kova Kajjikayalu Mawa Til Ladoo Chocolate Mawa Burfi Gur Para Mohanthal Rooh Afza Lemon Sharbat 7 Cup Burfi Microwave Besan Laddu Khoya Besan Laddu Phool Makane Kheer Kakara Pitha Rajgira Burfi Aate Ke...

Aam Ka Panna Recipe | Raw Green Mango Drink - Sharmis Passions

Aam Ka Panna Recipe | Raw Green Mango Drink - Sharmis Passions

Aam Ka Panna,a refreshing summer juice made with raw green mangoes.This scorching summer makes me crave for juices often, I loved this idea of storing the preserve and making the juice as and when we want sure better than the store bought juice mixes / squashes with loads of preservatives.

NOTE:  Sharmis Passions has a treasure trove of Holi recipes, in addition to the mango drink shared above.

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Awful Things Americans Do With Pumpkins (Humor and Recipe-sharing)

I used to watch a cooking show called “Two Fat Ladies” They were British. Once day they making dishes using pumpkin. One of them remarked, something to the effect: “The pumpkin is wonderful. But Americans do all sorts of horrible things with it like … make pumpkin pie.”

I'm an American. I got a chuckle out of the comment. Not only do we make pies with pumpkin, but we also make bread!

Marvelous recipes from an awesome food blog called The Cookie Rookie.

Oatmeal Pumpkin Bread with Apple Cider Sauce

Pumpkin Pie Monkey Bread Recipe

Oatmeal Pumpkin Bread with Apple Cider Sauce https://t.co/cHiKAVR42J via @cookierookiebec @EverydaySpices

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) September 14, 2021

Pumpkin Pie Monkey Bread Recipe https://t.co/l2ckKAhr3R via @cookierookiebec @EverydaySpices

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) September 14, 2021

Cooking with "Two Fat Ladies" https://t.co/4sr8xdDhCt via @amazon #homeaandkitchen #cookbooks #cookingshows #Britishchefs #Cooking pic.twitter.com/U7XN8fBOfG

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) September 14, 2021

Care To Share Your Eggplant (Aubergine) Recipe?

Do you love to watch cooking shows on television?  One of my favorite TV chefs is Nigella Lawson (nigella.com). She taught me what an aubergine was. Aubergine?? Oh! You mean eggplant!! :)

On the hunt for eggplant recipes.

Sharing a few recipes via this foodie blog. But ....

I want more eggplant recipes! More! More!!

Why?

The food experts say that for 2017 and beyond, “purple is the new green” and everybody is supposed to be eating more purple veggies. Sure! Eggplants are not the only purple plants out there. But it's a good purple food to start with! Agree?  :)

One quick question:

• Do you eat eggplant cooked or raw?

I enjoy listening to the music of smooth jazz vocalist Michael Franks. One of his songs that we really like is called “Eggplant”.

When my baby cooks her eggplant.

She don't read no book!

Yeah OK. He's not really singing about eggplant. But the lyrics are inspiring and might make you want to cook eggplant, even if you do have to read “how to” in a book!

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Links of Interest: 

Freedman, Joanna. "Start Eating Purple for Good Health: The Science behind 2017's New Food Trend." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 19 Dec. 2016. Web. 01 Feb. 2017. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/news/start-eating-purple-good-health-science-behind-2017s-new-food/ ).

Davis, Sara. "A History of Eggplant in Four Languages." Table Matters. N.p., 12 Sept. 2016. Web. 01 Feb. 2017. ( http://tablematters.com/2012/10/10/a-history-of-eggplant-in-four-languages/ ).

Ehler, James T. "Eggplant Trivia and Facts." Food Facts & Trivia: Eggplant. Food Reference, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2017. ( http://www.foodreference.com/html/feggplant.html ).

Meyer, Megan. "Eight Fascinating Facts About Eggplant." Earth Eats | Real Food | Green Living. The Trustees of Indiana University, 18 Jan. 2010. Web. 01 Feb. 2017. ( http://indianapublicmedia.org/eartheats/eggplant-facts/ ).

"Eggplant Food Facts." Belly Bytes. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2017. ( http://www.bellybytes.com/foodfacts/eggplant_facts.html#.WJI-fzjwnIU ).

Below are some recipes you might enjoy.

French style Roasted Eggplant

Ratatouille and Eggplant for Harvest Season

Marinated Eggplant - A Healthy Life For Me

Eggplant Patties with Olives and Herbs | Gourmandelle

Do you have an eggplant recipe that is the best ever?  

If so, please share.

Foodie Friday : Little Things Shares Delightful Recipes and Cooking Tips

LittleThings is a website/platform that serves as home to a myriad group of content creators. The publishers don't just share info about food, but that's where my interests lie. Celebrate your inner chef!

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Some people make a meal just eating appetizers.  Try these bruschetta recipes.  I could eat a plate full.

3 Delicious Bruschetta Recipes Everyone Will Love | @LittleThingsUSA ~ https://t.co/pPEJ1wrI8m #appetizers #Partyfood #funfood pic.twitter.com/xOjkyk4dnw

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) August 21, 2021

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When the season changes to fall or winter, do you always look for pumpkin and squash recipes?  I do!

Tasty Squash Soup And #Pumpkin Roll #Recipes | @LittleThingsUSA ~ https://t.co/7jFTjoaVu2 #soups #Autumn #fallrecipes

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) August 21, 2021

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Bought my son a waffle iron for Christmas once.  He used it at first and then became bored.  These recipes are proof that he simply lacked creativity and cooking inspiration.

I Tried 5 #Recipes In A Waffle Iron And Here's What Worked | @LittleThingsUSA ~ https://t.co/nK6AbI1f0P #breakfast #Cooking #creativity

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) August 21, 2021

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We all know pasta is comfort food.  But isn't a pasta dish quick to make?  Sure!  Some are.  But some pasta meals can be cooked in the slow cooker and you'll be glad you took the time.

Slow Cooker #Pasta 3 Ways: #ComfortFood Worth The Wait | @LittleThingsUSA ~ https://t.co/EajhVIvyVt #crockpot #slowcookerrecipes #meals

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) August 21, 2021

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Most of my friends say they don't bake bread because they don't have time.  Wonder if they ever tried baking bread in a jar?

How To Bake #Bread In A Jar: 3 Ways To Put A Delightful Twist On #Classic #Recipes | @LittleThingsUSA ~ https://t.co/LiSug4pNrl #baking

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) August 21, 2021

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You can use this dessert recipe to celebrate Easter and if you don't celebrate that holiday, then celebrate Spring!  It's dessert!  Surely you can come up with an excuse to eat cake!

Robin's Egg #Cake Is Gorgeous, Delicious, And Easy To Make | @LittleThingsUSA ~ https://t.co/4h5JcYem0k #cakelovers #desserts

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) August 21, 2021

Hope you enjoy these recipes.