Bhojan Bites

Colon and rectal cancer are on the rise, especially among younger people. Scientists are scrambling to understand why. A recent study published in the  journal Gut  points a finger at ultra-processed foods, suggesting they may contribute to tumor growth by fueling inflammation. The Omega-6 Connection: This study uncovered an intriguing detail: cancer tumors from patients showed high levels of omega-6 fats and low levels of omega-3 fats. This imbalance is concerning because: Omega-6s: These fats, abundant in many seed oils, can promote inflammation when consumed in excess. Omega-3s: These fats, found in fatty fish, chia seeds and flaxseeds, have anti-inflammatory properties. The Role of Ultra-Processed Foods: Ultra-processed foods, often packed with seed oils, are a major source of omega-6s in the modern diet. The study suggests that excessive consumption of these foods may disrupt the delicate balance of omega-6s and omega-3s in the body. This imbalance can create a pro-infl...

Hailing from the vibrant city of Indore, Jeeravan Masala is a time-honored spice blend that has captivated taste buds for generations. Ingredients: 4 tablespoons Cumin seeds 2 tablespoons Coriander seeds 2 tablespoons Red chili powder 1/2 teaspoon Asafoetida (Heeng) 1-inch Cinnamon stick 1 teaspoon Fennel seeds 1 tablespoon Amchur powder (Dried mango powder) 2 teaspoons Black peppercorns 1 teaspoon Black salt 8 Cloves Instructions: Dry Roasting the Whole Spices: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add cumin seeds, coriander seeds, cinnamon stick, fennel seeds, black peppercorns, and cloves. Dry roast until fragrant and slightly browned, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Grinding the Spices: Once the spices have cooled, transfer them to a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Add red chili powder, amchur powder, black salt, and asafoetida. Grind into a fine powder. Storing the Masala: Transfer the freshly ground ...

Bhaja masala is a versatile spice blend that adds depth and warmth to your Indian dishes. This simple homemade masala can elevate the taste of your curries, stews, and marinades. Ingredients: 1 tbsp cumin seeds (zeera) 1 tbsp fennel seeds (saunf) 1 tsp coriander seeds (sabut dhaniya) 2 green cardamoms (choti elaichi) Instructions: Dry Roast the Spices: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and green cardamoms to the skillet. Dry roast the spices, stirring constantly, until they become fragrant and slightly darker in color. Cool and Grind: Let the roasted spices cool completely. Grind the cooled spices into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Store: Store the ground bhaja masala in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Usage: Add bhaja masala to your curries, vegetable dishes, or marinades to enhance their flavor.

Thekua is a traditional Indian sweet commonly prepared during the Chhath Puja festival. These golden-brown, crispy delights are made with simple ingredients like wheat flour, jaggery, and coconut. Let's dive into the recipe: Ingredients: 2 cups wheat flour 1 cup jaggery, grated 1/2 cup grated coconut 5 green cardamom pods, powdered 1 tbsp crushed fennel seeds  5-6 tablespoons ghee Oil for frying Water to prepare dough Instructions: Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine wheat flour, grated jaggery, grated coconut, ghee and cardamom powder. Gradually add water and knead hard and little dry dough. Divide the dough into small, equal-sized portions. Shape the Thekua: Roll each portion of dough into a small ball. Flatten the balls slightly to form round discs. Create patterns on the discs using a fork or use the wooden cookie stamp   Fry the Thekua: Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Carefully drop the flattened dough discs into the hot ...

Tired of store-bought masalas that lack depth and flavor? It's time to take your pav bhaji to the next level with a homemade masala that's bursting with aromatic spices. By creating your own masala, you have complete control over the flavor profile, ensuring a truly authentic and delicious experience. In this recipe, we'll guide you through the process of making a flavorful homemade pav bhaji masala. With a blend of aromatic spices like coriander seeds, cumin seeds, red chili powder, and turmeric, this masala will transform your humble pav bhaji into a culinary masterpiece. Spice List: 4 tbsp Coriander Seeds (Dhaniya Seeds) 2 tbsp Cumin Seeds (Jeera) 2 Bay Leaves (Tej Patta) 10 Cloves (Lavang) 2 Cardamom Pods (Elaichi) 2 Medium Cinnamon Sticks (Dalchini) 1 tbsp Peppercorns (Kali Mirch) 2 tbsp Fennel Seeds (Saunf) 10 Dried Kashmiri Red Chilies (Lal Mirch) 1 tsp Turmeric Powder (Haldi) 2 tbsp Garam Masala ¼ tsp Asafoetida (Heeng) 1 tbsp Dry Mango Powder (Aamchur ...

Craving a delicious homemade pizza? This recipe makes it easy to create your own pizza dough from scratch, right in your bread machine. With a few simple ingredients and a little time, you can have a fresh, customizable pizza ready to enjoy. Basic Ingredients: 2/3 cup water 4 teaspoons olive or vegetable oil 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 cups bread flour 1-1/2 teaspoons Fleischmann's® Bread Machine Yeast or Fleischmann's® RapidRise® Instant Yeast 1 tablespoon cornmeal Instructions: Add ingredients to bread machine: Combine the water, oil, salt, bread flour, and yeast in your bread machine pan in the order suggested by your manufacturer's manual. Start the dough cycle: Select the dough/manual cycle on your bread machine. Let the machine knead and rise the dough until the cycle is complete. Shape and prepare the dough: Remove the dough from the machine and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Knead it briefly if necessary to make it easy to handle. Grease a pizza pan and sprink...

Craving a rich, decadent cookie? These Chocolate Walnut Cookies are the perfect treat. With their chewy texture, gooey chocolate chips, and crunchy walnuts, they're sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Ingredients   2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup butter, softened 3/4 cup white sugar 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1.5 cups semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup chopped walnuts Instructions Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare the dry ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. Cream the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the wet ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Combine the dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing ...