Shravan Food Guide: What To Eat And What To Avoid

Yes, it’s that time of the year again and the holy month of Shravan is being celebrated by fasting. While for some it has already started, there are states that start fasting from next week onwards.

Indian Food Stories: The very first thing that comes to mind when you’re fasting is definitely the food. And, more often than not, while fasting, we’re confused as to what to eat and what to avoid. However, it mostly depends on households and the region you come from, but here is a Shravan food guide that we’ve deciphered for you that’ll give you basic guideline as to what you can and cannot eat.

Here are some food items that you CAN eat:

1. Fruits

Rich in potassium, dietary fibre, vitamin C, and folate, fruits are the best things to consume while you’re fasting. Tomato, which is also a fruit is eaten in some regions while avoided during Shravan in others. Seasonal offerings are probably the best way to include fruit in your diet.

2. Dairy Products

Milk, paneer, curd, unsalted butter, buttermilk and lassi are a few milk products you can indulge in while cheese products can totally be avoided.

3. Dry Fruits

Dry fruits are a great way to feel full faster and when added to milk and yogurt, they prove to be a great supplement. Another way of consuming these nuts is roasting them off with a little bit of Senda Namak, making for a great mid-meal snack. You can also enjoy peanuts in all forms-roasted, toasted or fried!

Know More → Shravan Foods

The Masterchef Australia Judges Won’t Be Returning For The Next Season And We’re Sulking

Masterchef Australia, over the years, has become a household name in India.

Food Stories: Not only did it make us fall in love with the concept of the show but we fell in love with the three judges, Gary, George and Matt, season after season. So much emotion, so much technique and so much positivity packed in one show, we couldn’t ask for more.

We got a taste of various cuisines from across the world, and knew a little bit more about Australia with every season. We rooted for our favourite contestants and hopped on the bandwagon of any new food trend that became the highlight of the show. From learning new food vocabulary with each episode to watching Indian dishes getting makeovers, we learnt that a perfect panna cotta is all about the perfect wobble. We also got excited with ingredients like rhubarbs, leeks and finger limes that are so indigenous to Australia that it got our creative juices flowing; introducing us to the concept of food pairings like no other.

Oh and how a part of us broke when Peter Gilmore’s snow egg wasn’t perfected and how the sight of that croquembouche tower left us all stunned. How we gushed when we saw great chefs like Heston Blumental, Massimo Bottura and Maggie Beer walk in. They led us into a whole new world of food, culture, cuisine with a perspective that no one had before. Gary, George and Matt have us floored with their ability to cook, judge and keep the fun in the game with 11 seasons now!

Read full story → MasterChef Australia

The War Of “Rasgullas” Has Finally Come To An End And How

Let’s say its truce time for West Bengal and Odisha over the “Rasgulla” matter. Odisha got its GI (Geographical Indicator) tag on 29th July 2019, a parameter that differentiates goods on the basis of its USP, after two years ago of West Bengal getting the same for the name, “Banglar Rasogolla”.

Indian Food Stories: Yeh tera Rasogolla, yeh mera Rasagola

Since neither of them wanted to give up their claim on this white, syrupy dessert, Odisha, made peace with the GI tag, “Odisha Rasagola”. The Odias always claimed to have invented this sweet, soft cheese mithai as the legend goes that it was Lord Jagannath who offered this delicacy to Lakshmiji to appease her for not making her a part of the Rath Yatra. And, other say that this sweet was offered to Lord Jagannath by his devotees, from way back in the 12th century. Whatever the case may be, it seems that Odias had made the mythological connect to this sweet earlier as opposed to the Bengalis who claim that the chenna balls in the bubbling syrup was a technique invented by Nobin Chandra Das in 1868.

There was always a tug of war amongst these two states over the ownership of the delicacy that is so dear to both that they seem to be defending their own versions. Odias consider their Rasagolas to be soft in texture and so juicy that it literally melts in the mouth without the teeth having to work harder. Also, Odias have a variety of colours in their Rasagolas which depends on how far have they taken the sugar (to caramelise) during the making. While Bengalis have only one colour and that is the white Rasogolla! They might come in different shapes and sizes but the taste is what they think creates the difference, basis of which they received the GI tag in the first place. However, the GI tag tells us that ultimately the usage of words is what won the battle.

Know about → Rosgulla Origin

The Best Cheesecake Trail In Mumbai

From an unheard concept back in 2012 to now having over 100 places serving cheesecakes, Mumbai’s cheesecake scene has evolved.

Indian Food Stories: The popularity of the New York Cheesecake and the classic Philadelphia Cheesecake led to the National Cheesecake Day celebration in the US.

However, when this food trend hit India, Mumbai set out to give its ode to this elaborate dessert, giving mithai and chocolate-loving Mumbai, yet another reason to fall in love with dessert, but only with cheese this time. From creamy cheesecake waffles to cheesecake on a stick and soufflé cheesecakes.

Here’s a list of places to go-to for the perfect cheesecake trail.

1. Daniel Patissier

Ever heard of the Japanese Cheesecake? If not then, you’re in for a treat because we totally fell in love with the delicately flavoured, pillowy Japanese cheesecake. This quaint little outlet serves everything from macarons to cakes but the ultimate star is the Kyoto Cheesecake.

2. Le 15 Patisserie

Want the best of both worlds with cheesecake and cupcake, both in one? Le 15 has heard you and with flavours like Banoffee, Nutella, White Chocolate Raspberry and Chocolate Chip Cookie cheesecake cups, you’ll be transported to cheesecake haven with every bite.

3. Your Sugar Story

Karina Parwani gives you a cheesecake on a stick, that totally sounds like an instagrammable idea and it is definitely oh so worth it too! If you’re a Nutella lover, the Nutella Cheesecake will take you to heaven every time you bite into it.

Read the full list → Best Cheesecake in Mumbai

7 Tried and Tested Weird Vanilla Ice Cream Combinations That Actually Work

A flavour so versatile, a taste so nostalgic, and one of the most experimented flavours, this national vanilla ice cream day, we talk about weird vanilla ice cream combinations that actually work.

vanilla-ice-cream

Food Stories: Loved by people across all age groups and probably one of the first flavors of ice cream relished by a child, vanilla becomes an instant favorite.

It is safe enough to say that vanilla ice cream is an emotion in the truest sense, from eating it while you have a dentist drama or digging into a cup full of the milky goodness that particularly doesn’t taste anything like pure vanilla and making it your own kind of flavor with random toppings of your choice.

If you’re a die-hard vanilla fan, you’d agree that it goes well with anything and everything under the sun from sauces to crunch to candy to fruit to spices and even bacon.

While the most common toppings for Vanilla ice cream include chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, peanut butter cups, cookies, strawberries, brownies and many more, there are a few weird vanilla ice cream combinations that surprisingly taste amazing.

Read more about → Best Vanilla Ice Cream Combnations

Try These Crispy Punjabi Samosas at Home

Punjabi Samosas Recipe:

Indian Food Recipes: Recipe to make Crispy Punjabi Samosas at Home.

INGREDIENTS

Potato
Refined Flour
Coriander
Coriander-Cumin Powder
Salt
Red Chilli Powder
Ginger-Garlic-Green Chilli Crush
Pav Bhaji Masala
Lemon Juice
Cumin Powder
Oil

DIRECTIONS

For the Filling:
1. Take some oil in a pan.
2. Once the oil is hot, add finely chopped ginger, garlic and chilli.
3. Now add some finely chopped fresh coriander.
4. Then add the mashed boiled potato.
5. Now add the dry spices: pav bhaji masala, coriander powder, cumin powder and salt.
6. Also add some freshly squeezed lemon juice to this.
7. Mix well and cook for around 2-3 minutes.
8. Remove and keep aside in a bowl till it cools down.

Video Recipe: Punjabi Samosa Recipe

‘A1’ review: Santhanam’s comedy film is half-boil only

‘A1’ offers some laughs and exposes people’s hypocrisy; the lack of layers is easily explained – this is a Santhanam film and not lasagna.

Entertainment News: A1 directed by Johnson K has already raised hackles for showing a Brahmin woman attempting to eat a half-boil in the film’s trailer. Minor spoiler: she doesn’t actually eat it in the film. But I doubt that those who objected would be mollified. This is a strange film, and the more I think about it, the more I think a half-boil perfectly describes it – parts of it look well-cooked, but the rest is just runny and messy.

Divya (Tara Alisha Berry) falls in love with Saravanan (Santhanam) after he displays his machismo to save her from a bunch of old men. Rather, she falls in love with the naamam on his forehead, assuming that he’s an Iyengar. She plants a kiss on his lips as if to seal the deal (what, so quickly, you ask? Well, the movie is less than 2 hours and there’s no time to waste on character development and other distractions), only to realise a few scenes later that she was completely mistaken about who he is.

Divya is a modern “maami” – she wears Western clothes but speaks in a distinctly Brahmin dialect, and has no qualms in making casteist declarations. For his part, Saravanan is unapologetic about being “local” (whatever that means) and only seems to care about getting Divya to kiss him. Saravanan and everyone associated with him speak an exaggerated “Madras bashai”, as if to underline that they are not-Brahmin, but their caste location is not defined beyond this. The stereotypes on both sides are pretty cringeworthy, but Santhanam and the actors who serve as his friends and family manage to carry the absurdity on their shoulders quite lightly, eliciting some laughs out of wordplay and slapstick humour. The comic timing of the supporting cast (including MS Bhaskar) means that even the really average jokes land fairly well – the sort of “kadi” comedy that is not funny the second time around and you’re mildly ashamed for laughing at all.

Read My Full Review → A1 Movie Review

‘Dear Comrade’ review: Vijay Deverakonda, Rashmika surprise in this romantic drama

Actor Rashmika Mandanna and director Bharat Kamma have brought out the amalgamation of joys, struggles, and fears beautifully in ‘Dear Comrade’.

Tollywood News: When I walked into the theatre for Dear Comrade, I was half-sceptical, half-resigned to the fact that it will be consumed by Vijay Deverakonda, living up to his fans’ expectations. I was pleasantly surprised, the film wasn’t even about him. Vijay is the second protagonist, Bobby, (fans may not agree, but thank god, I’m just a lowly film critic) in a movie where Rashmika Mandanna (Lilly) is the one who steals the show, start to finish.

Lilly meets Bobby, literally the boy next door, during her sister’s wedding – imagine cute frames, bouquets, mood lighting, the female protagonist beautifully decked up and walking in slow motion as the camera pans from the floor to the curls of her hair, the boy stealing glances at her. Lilly surprises Bobby and her male friends, brushing aside their obvious sexism with wit, charm and mischief, by winning them a cricket match. After all she plays for the state and is on the verge of making it to the national team. That sets the tone for the movie even though most of the story seems like Bobby’s redemption drama. Make no mistake, it is not. Bobby walks around, with mostly an Arjun Reddy-hangover; he is shown as an impulsive student leader, but for most part it is just him and his anger, and bashing up people because he won’t step back. His anger rarely comes across as ideological, and while it feels like some of his fights are about protecting others around him, he ends up putting them in danger more often than not.

Lilly, the protagonist of the movie and someone who hates confrontations, tries to unsuccessfully mould Bobby and they part. That takes Bobby through a journey of self-reflection – you guessed it right, to Leh-Ladakh for self-reflection – and he comes back a quieter, nicer person. Meanwhile, something makes Lilly stop playing cricket following a mental health issue. Just when she heals thanks to Bobby’s changed persona, his old persona is back, and it brings back her demons too and the reason she shut cricket out. This time though, he is right, and yet, she is too scared to fight. The title Dear Comrade he wants to make her fight for her right. Bobby’s grandfather explains to Lilly that a comrade is someone who is with you during your journey and fight is a nice touch.

Read My Full Review → Dear Comrade Movie Review

Former Union Minister Jaipal Reddy passes away in Hyderabad

Jaipal Reddy had been admitted to hospital a week ago and was being treated in the ICU.

Telangana News: Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader S Jaipal Reddy passed away on Sunday at the age of 77 in Hyderabad. He was a four-time Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and five-time Member of Parliament (MP). He was also a two-time Rajya Sabha MP and was a union minister in three governments.

He was admitted to the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology in Gachibowli a week ago and was being treated for high fever in the ICU. He passed away at 1.28 am on Sunday and his mortal remains have been kept at his Jubilee Hills residence.

The Congress leader started his political career as a student leader from Osmania University and became a Congress MLA from Kalwakurthy in Andhra Pradesh between 1969 and 1984.

He briefly quit the Congress party as a protest against the emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and joined the Janata Party in 1977. He would rejoin the Congress only in 1999 after winning from Miryalaguda Lok Sabha seat. He was also the MP from Chevella constituency in 2009.

Jaipal Reddy served as the Minister for Information and Broadcasting in the IK Gujral government in 1997-98 and also under the Manmohan Singh led-United Progressive Alliance (UPA-1) from 2004. He also served as Minister for Urban Development and Petroleum and Natural Gas for the UPA 1 and 2. (Read Full Story)

Changing lives with a camera: Meet the Dalit women farmer-reporters of Telangana

The women farmers document all that’s relevant to their lives on film, educating fellow farmers with videos that serve as learning resources.

Telangana News: As the sun sets over Appapur Penta, a tiny Chenchu tribal village in the heart of the Nallamala forests, and the shadows lengthen, two women in their mid-50s are busy with a video camera. They are shooting their colleague who is explaining agricultural practices and seed banking to farmers.

The three women, who are keenly involved in their work, are from the Community Media Trust of Pastapur, Sangareddy, which is based in the Deccan Development Society (DDS). The DDS has been working for the autonomy of women farmers from Dalit and other marginalised sections for the past 30 years.

Laxmamma B from Humnapoor, Mollamma of Ippalapally and Chandramma Manigari of Jharasangam of Sangareddy, are Dalit women farmers. There are around 20 women from the Dalit community who are currently part of the community media station, of whom at least half are actively working to document happenings in the fields and report about the crops that are under cultivation.

Laxmamma, who is handling the camera expertly, says, “We are here to distribute seeds of millet, red-gram and beans and educate our fellow farmers about healthy and self-reliant methods of farming.”

When asked the purpose behind making such videos, she says,”Farmers with less or no education will easily be able to learn through watching the videos. So, we thought that recording the process from sowing seeds to harvesting the yield would be a great learning resource.” (Read Full Story)