The Brunette Diaries

6 Awesome Maggi Noodle Recipes

Any kid would tell you this – Maggi noodles is the best food on planet Earth! The fondest memories of my childhood are watching TV and enjoying my own hot bowl of mouth-watering Maggi noodles. And very honestly even as an adult, I can’t seem to get enough of Maggi. Nobody can! But you can do so much more with your favourite Maggi; here are some recipes. Enjoy!

Maggi Masala Tikki

Ingredients:

1 packet Maggi noodles

2 boiled potatoes

1 finely chopped onion

1 cup of vegetables of your choice

Bread crumbs

Salt to taste

3 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste

1 teaspoon chaat masala

Chopped coriander leaves

Oil for frying

Method:

Make Maggi as per instructions on the pack making sure to keep it dry, if you have leftover Maggi you can use that too. In a big bowl, grate the boiled potatoes, add the vegetables to it and mix it with Maggi. Add bread crumbs to help form tikkis. Add the chopped onion, ginger-garlic paste, salt, chaat masala and coriander leaves. Make round tikkis with the mixture and shallow fry in some oil.

Mag n Cheese

Ingredients:

1 packet Maggi

1 tablespoon butter

1 cup of grated mozzarella cheese

Half a cup grated cheddar cheese

Half a cup boiled corn

Water

Salt to taste

Method:

Bring 1 cup of water to boil, now add Maggi and the masala tastemaker to it. Also add boiled corn and 1-2 pinches of salt. Half-cook the noodles and turn the flame off. Grease a baking tray with butter, transfer the noodles to the baking tray and add the mozzarella and cheddar cheese to cover it completely. At this stage you can choose to add your choice of vegetables however, that is optional. Place the baking tray in a preheated oven for 5 minutes on 150 degrees.

Tip: Make sure when you cook your Maggi noodles, it isn’t too watery.

Maggi Poha

Ingredients:

1 packet Maggi

2 tablespoons oil

1 boiled potato

1 finely chopped onion

1 cup boiled green peas

Half a teaspoon finely chopped green chillies

A sprig of curry leaves

Half a teaspoon mustard seeds

Salt to taste

A pinch of asafoetida (hing)

Coriander leaves to garnish

Method:

Cook Maggi noodles without adding the tastemaker to it. Once cooked, drain the excess water. In a heavy bottomed pan, heat oil and add mustard seeds, curry leaves and onions. When the seeds crackle, add asafoetida and green peas and chillies. Finally add the remaining ingredients along with pre-cooked Maggi and its tastemaker. Fry for 5-10 minutes. Serve hot garnished with coriander leaves.

Maggi Noodle Bhajiyas

Ingredients:

200 grams paneer

Half a cup corn flour

Half a teaspoon finely chopped green chillies

1 packet Maggi

Salt and pepper to taste

Oil for frying

Method:

Break the Maggi cake into small pieces and boil until half cooked (without adding the tastemaker). Make small cubes of the paneer and add them to a big bowl. Now add green chillies, salt and pepper, Maggi masala tastemaker and corn flour to the paneer and mix well, making sure not to break the paneer. Finally, coat each paneer cube in the half cooked noodles and deep fry until golden brown. Serve with delicious mint chutney.

Quick Recipe For Mint Chutney: In a blender, add 1 cup each of mint leaves and coriander leaves, salt to taste, 1-2 teaspoons of sugar, juice of one lemon, and blend with 2-3 tablespoons of water. Drain and serve.

Mango Maggi Surprise

Ingredients:

1 packet Maggi

1 cup thick mango syrup (made with mangoes and sugar)

2-3 tablespoons caramelised sugar

1 cup chopped mangoes

Method:

Boil Maggi until fully cooked (we don’t need the tastemaker for this recipe) and drain out the excess water. In a heavy bottomed pan, caramelise the sugar with

Boil Maggi until fully cooked (we don’t need the tastemaker for this recipe) and drain out the excess water. In a heavy bottomed pan, caramelise the sugar with a little bit of water and two drops of oil. In a bowl, add the cooked Maggi, caramel, and mango syrup and mix well. Add the chopped mangoes on top of the noodles and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

Mango Syrup: In half a cup of water, add chopped mangoes and 2-3 tablespoons of sugar. Cook until syrup boils and forms a layer of shine on the top. Cool and use.

Maggi Noodle Soup

Ingredients:

1 packet Maggi

1 can of creamy sweet corn

3-4 cups of vegetable or chicken stock

1 cup chopped vegetables

1 cup shredded boiled chicken

2 tablespoons corn flour

1 teaspoon sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

2-3 tablespoons spring onions finely chopped

Method:

In a heavy bottom vessel, cook the creamy sweet corn in the stock for 5 minutes. Add the vegetables, chicken, salt and pepper, and sugar and simmer for 10 more minutes. In a separate vessel cook Maggi as per instructions; let it be partially soupy. Mix the corn flour with half a cup of water and add to the soup. Now add the Maggi to the simmering soup and mix well. Garnish with spring onions and serve in separate bowls.

So there you are! Do give these recipes a try. Bon appétit!

Do You Know The Secret Powers Of These Spices?

“Add a little spice to your life”, is what we hear from people whenever our life gets boring; same is with food. To make any dish delicious, we add spice. Spices are simply the best thing in the world. It can make any food item so exciting, like Christmas in your mouth. Spices, not only do they add a touch of flavour and warmth into our food but many of them also have secret superhero abilities. The power to heal, to improve and to help us feel healthy both inside and out.
But what are these super spices and how exactly do they have an impact on our bodies?

1) Turmeric

Turmeric, the spice that gives curry powder its yellow hue, is used in Indian medicine to stimulate the appetite and as a digestive aid. But lately it’s grabbing some serious attention as a potentially powerful cancer fighter. The chemical responsible for turmeric’s golden color, called curcumin, is considered a top anticancer agent, helping to quell the inflammation that contributes to tumor growth and working in much the same way as broccoli and cauliflower to clear carcinogens away before they can damage cellular DNA and to repair already damaged DNA.

2) Cinnamon

Cinnamon is highly concentrated with the very potent antioxidant polyphenols. This high potency as an antioxidant allows for cinnamon to also be a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. It has also been linked to improving heart health, blood sugar reduction and having a powerful anti-diabetic effect. Cinnamaldehyde the main active ingredient in cinnamon may also help to fight various types of infection. It has been used to treat infection of the lungs by fungus, and can also inhibit the growth of certain bacteria, including Listeria and Salmonella.

3) Black Pepper

Putting black pepper on your food can be the easiest most affordable way to increase your health. As our food’s nutrient values decline and supplement costs increase using black pepper is a great way to maximize our nutrient absorption. Piperine is the main alkaloid found in pepper responsible for its remarkable ability to increase the bioavailability of nutrients and supplements. So dash on that black pepper! It is allowing for more of those vital nutrients, and vitamins to be absorbed by your body.

Also, check out this amazing article that gives us more insights about the spices world: Click Here

4) Rosemary

Rosemary is also a rich antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. However, it is more notably known for its link to neurological protection. Carnosic acid, found in rosemary has been found to fight off free radical damage in the brain. It has also been linked in keeping the brain from aging, and enhancing memory and concentration.

5) Ginger

When it comes to settling any digestive issues, our mothers always turn to ginger. However, what they may not realize that this popular spice can also help when you feel the burn after a workout. Studies have shown that people who consume just one teaspoon of ground ginger a day for 11 days saw a 25% reduction in the pain they felt after a workout. This is because it contains gingerol, a chemical that is thought to reduce inflammation and block pain signals being sent to brain.

6) Coriander

Coriander seeds yield cilantro, a staple herb in Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese, and Indian cooking. The seeds have been used for thousands of years as a digestive aid. Try making a strong tea from crushed seeds (strain before drinking). The herb can be helpful for some people with irritable bowel syndrome, as it calms intestinal spasms that can lead to diarrhea. Preliminary studies in animals support another traditional use for coriander-as an anti-anxiety herb. Its essential oil appears to fight bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella. It’s also being studied for its potential cholesterol-reducing benefits and has been shown to lower cholesterol in animals.

7) Fenugreek

Due to its estrogen-like properties, fenugreek seeds have been found to help lessen the effect of hot flashes and mood fluctuations that are common symptoms of menopause and PMS. In India and China it has also been used to treat arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, improve digestion, maintain a heathy metabolism, cure skin problems (wounds, rashes and boils), treat sore throat, and cure acid reflux. So a definite all rounder.

Hope these secret powers help you lead a healthy life 😀

10 Natural Aphrodisiac Foods Proven to Spark Romance

For those confused, aphrodisiac means any fruit, drink, etc that produce sexual desire in a person. Many of us active animals don’t need to turn to such measures to spice up our sexual life, but those in need, these food can prove to be really helpful. Well, you can try them yourself with your partner and then you’ll know for sure. 😛

1) Chilli Peppers

Apart from helping a pregnant women from conceiving early, This invigorating spice has an exotic reputation and a bright red color, which could be why it’s considered a natural aphrodisiac and a symbol of love. Chilli peppers stimulate endorphins (the brain’s feel-good chemicals), speed up heart rate and make you sweat, which all mimic how you feel when you’re aroused.

2) Chocolate

A girl’s best friend, chocolate is sensual, from its taste to its aroma, but dark chocolate has also been shown to cause a spike in dopamine, which induces feelings of pleasure.

3) Honey

Food that’s created through pollination, a symbol of procreation has to be the number 1 aphrodisiac item. In fact, the word ‘honeymoon’ originates from mead, an alcoholic beverage made from honey given to the happy new bride and groom. It also contains boron, which helps regulate estrogen and testosterone levels and provides a natural energy boost.

4) Banana

Apart from looking like… well you know, Banana also contains bromelain, an enzyme which triggers testosterone production, and the fruit’s potassium and vitamin B elevate energy levels.

5) Watermelon

As surprised as I am to as why this fruit is in this list, according to scientific research this fruit may have a Viagra-like effect on the body, as it relaxes blood vessels and improves circulation. These are the myths about sex that everyone thinks are true.

6) Coffee

The caffeine in coffee is a stimulant that ups the heart rate and makes the blood flow. Research suggests that coffee could put women in the mood for sex.

7) Strawberry

If you put strawberries on a plate beside a cup of melted chocolate, chances of you getting laid triples, you don’t need any scientific study to tell you that :P. Or maybe just Feed them to each other for a healthy, vitamin C-packed dessert that helps keep blood flowing to all regions of the body.

8) Artichokes

Alright, all you dirty minds calm down, it’s not what you think it is. This veggie’s aphrodisiac reputation comes mostly from legend and the intimacy of eating it with another, pulling off the leaves to reach the center. But it is packed with vitamins and antioxidants, which are critical to proper body function and blood flow.

9) Chai Tea

Skip the coffee after dinner and reach for a cup of chai tea. The typical spices in this brew—ginger, cloves, and cinnamon—will get the blood flowing but the caffeine effect is less, so you’ll still be able to drift off to sleep after your meal.

10) Whipped Cream

Decadent yet light as air, it just isn’t dessert without this rich topping. While there’s no evidence that whipped cream will boost libido, it’s sure to put you in the mood. You can also try and come up with exciting or kinky ways to use this aphrodisiac item to make the mood.

Let us know if this list of item got you excited in any way in the comment section below.

These Food Items Is What Makes Janmashtami So Special

Janmashtami celebrates the birth of the world famous Hindu God, Krishna. The festival is different in that it is the child-God – Balkrishna- (bal– Sanskrit for the child) that is worshipped. While everyone is busy looking for Dahi Handis and chanting along with the crowd as they make the tallest human pyramid to break the handi with a coconut, my eyes are always on the food. A festival that includes food in its rituals also includes delicious treats in the kitchen. I’m sure just like I do, Y’all must be waiting for this day for the food that mom cooks, from breakfast to dinner, a whole special menu is decided to be cooked and served for the family. Let me share some of the best dishes my mother cooks on this day:

1) Sabudana Khichdi

Quite often, Janmashtami falls during the month of “Shravan”, so people are usually fasting during this period. So, Sabudana is the only thing that comes to mind when someone says FASTING. Making a simple yet full of flavours sabudana khichdi is not so easy task. What you need is, sabudana, peanuts, green chilies, sendha namak (rock salt) and ghee/oil.

2) Mishri Makkhan

You need only two ingredients and that is Mishri and fresh cream (homemade malai works too), and you’re good to go. Just pour the cream in a mixer and blend, The butter will form in a lump. Transfer in another container and refrigerate. Offer it to Mix it with Mishri.

3) Coconut Barfi

As told before, people usually fast on this day, so coconut barfi is an edible dish during fasting. This dish is pretty complex so let me explain you in detail:

Grate/crumble khoya and heat in a pan till the ghee separates. Add the coconut and sugar. Stir till the mix begins to come together and leave the sides. Essentially, the coconut juices should be reduced. Mix in the cardamom. You can also add in some almonds at this point if you like. Pour into a greased thali or plate and smoothen. Let cool, refrigerate if needed, till set. Cut with a sharp knife into diamonds or squares and ENJOY

4) Murukku

Murukku is typically made from rice and urad dal flour. The flours are mixed with water, salt, asafoetida and either sesame seeds or cumin seeds. The mix is kneaded into a dough, which is shaped into spiral or coil shapes either by hand or using a mold. In simple terms, it is famously known as chaklis which is savored by many.

5) Badam Kheer

One of my favorite desserts, Badam kheer is a real winner. It is a sweet and creamy Indian dessert made from badam (almonds) and milk as base ingredients with a slight touch of ghee, saffron and cardamom powder for extra flavour. The addition of Saffron is what makes this dish so special, it is the touch of aromatic flavor also a creamy texture to the dish which makes it even more so special.

Let us know how you celebrate this day or what special you cook on this day to celebrate the birth of Krishna 😀

Watching These 7 Movies Will Make You Hungryyy….

Ever watched a movie and left feeling completely different? Like watching a horror film, the night that follows you feel more alerted and the chances of you getting scared are really high. Watching a motivational film or a documentary wants you to make great changes in your life, watching someone’s struggle on screen makes you grateful of the things you got in life and when you’ll watch these movies, well, you will only feel hunger and craving for some delicious food. Don’t believe us? GO BINGE WATCH TODAY!

1) Julie And Julia

Meryl Streep stars as the famous chef and cookbook writer Julia Child in this charming ode to the romance of cooking. She plays the real-life blogger who struggled to follow Child’s recipes and documented her success and disasters online.

2) Ratatouille

Cooking movies don’t have to be just for grown-ups, Parents and kids alike will enjoy Disney Pixar’s ode to French cuisine. Ratatouille follows a determined little rodent, Remy, on his adventures to become a chef.

3) Chocolat

Juliette Binoche sparkles as the single mom owner of La Chocolaterie Maya where the ingredients are literally dusted with magic. Johnny Depp plays the handsome gypsy who shows up to sweep Juliette off her feet. Your mouth will water as the camera pans across the delectable delights. If you prefer your cooking movies more sweet than savory, then this is the film for you.

4) The Hundred Foot Journey

An Indian family fleeing violence finds a haven in a tiny French town. They buy a restaurant to start over but soon find themselves embroiled in competition with the bistro next door.

5) Big NIGHT

Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub shine as rivalrous brothers trying to keep their restaurant afloat. When a famed singer is supposed to make an appearance, the two throw everything into creating a perfect feast for the big night.

5) Big NIGHT

6) Soul Food

This popular movie takes place around the crowded, lively dinner table of an African-American family dealing with their matriarch’s illness. The table overflows with comfort staples like macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, potato salad, and mouthwatering biscuits.

7) Burnt

Bradley Cooper is a chef trying to get his edge back after rehab. Cooking is a high-stakes art form, but its true power is the way it allows redemption—with some romance on the side. Look out for plated masterpieces that will make foodies swoon.

Let us know which one makes you go HUNGER CRAZY 😛

Kimchi- The Korean Powerhouse

Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish. One will find big jars of kimchi in every Korean household. The dish is made up of napa cabbage (a variety of cabbages) and Korean radish along with other fermented and salted vegetables and topped with chili powder and fish sauce.

Many Indians eat it in the form of salad sans the fish sauce and it is considered a vegetarian probiotic food. Kimchi is rich in vitamins A and C. Due to its fermentation process, it is also rich in gut boosting lactobacilli bacteria.

So in case, you are bored of eating your regular salads, why not try kimchi for a change? Its tangy flavor is sure to have a lingering effect on your taste buds.

Steps to make Kimchi

– Shred the cabbage finely, chop the green onions along with garlic cloves and ginger. Add the onions and cabbage in a large bowl. Take a separate bowl, add vinegar, red chilli powder, soy sauce and powdered sugar. Mix it well and then transfer this in a blender jar. Blend it well.

– Now, add the chopped garlic, ginger along with olive oil in the blender. Blend it well and add salt and black pepper in it. Blend it again and once done, add this dressing over the shredded cabbage and onions. Toss it well. Cover it with a cling film and place the bowl in the fridge.

Serve it chilled to enjoy!

Let’s Celebrate World Food Day!

Telling you guys about the different types of food across nation or around globe would be exciting. But, will that add any value to this day? Do most of you know the real reason why 16th October is celebrated as World Food Day?

It’s an annual celebration in the honor of the founding date of the Food and Agriculture Organization launched by the United Nations in the year 1945. World Food Day is celebrated widely with great enthusiasm by several other organizations which are concerned with food security such as the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the World Food Program, and others.

This year’s theme:

World Food Day: Building A Zero Hunger Generation

More than just a casual series of festivities, World Food Day is organized to bring awareness to how our changing planet affects food production and distribution. Related events explore several topics such as examining how agriculture needs to adapt due to climate change to how migration affects food security. The goal of these sessions is to set goals that will eventually lead to building a Zero Hunger Generation.

Let’s talk about its HISTORY:

World Food Day (WFD) was established by the member countries of FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) in November 1979, at the organization’s 20th General Conference. Dr. Pal Romany, the Hungarian Delegation led by the then Minister of Hungary for Agriculture and Food, played a significant role at the 20th General Conference of the FAO and proposed the idea of launching the WFD worldwide. Since then, the WFD is been observed in more than 150 countries every year; raising consciousness and knowledge of the problems and reasons behind hunger and poverty.

How India celebrates this day:

In India, the day marks the significance of agriculture and emphasizes on the fact that the food produced in and consumed by Indians is safe and healthy. The world food day is celebrated with great enthusiasm in India; several sincere lovers of food in Delhi joined hands and vowed to keep their food hygienic and safe. They opposed the introduction of GM (genetically modified) crops in India. People in Delhi celebrate the occasion at Craft museum of Dastakar Mela; they make rangoli and perform street plays and acts on the matter of genetic modification.

How other countries celebrate:

Europe

On World Food Day, Spanish television gets active with broadcasting events. Spanish soccer star and the Goodwill Ambassador of FAO, Raul has taken part in many events and has helped in highlighting food-security issues throughout his country. In Germany, Food and Agriculture Ministry, Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, etc get involved through press conferences.

In Italy, various NGOs, international agencies, research institutes, universities, and ministries have organized several conferences, exhibitions and symposia. In 2005, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Policies in Italy organized a meeting that focused on the rights of the women in rural areas.

The United States of America

World Food Day has been a custom in the United States ever since it was established for the first time in the year 1981. In the United States, this great work is sponsored by approximately 450 private, national and voluntary organizations. Various events are organized at these organizations; one such notable examples for the celebration is the World Food Day Sunday Dinners sponsored by Oxfam America in association with several other non-profit organizations.

Africa

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana organized a food security conference and Namibia has run an awareness program through national media.

Angola celebrated World Food Day through the 4th Forum on Rural Women in 2005; in Burundi, the second Vice-President marked the event by planting potatoes to give a symbolic example about the production of food. The President of the Central African Republic inaugurated a bridge at Boda in the honor of the World Food Day; this facilitated the agricultural production area easily reachable.

Tell us, how do you celebrate this day in the comment section below 😀

Tricks to stop night snacking

Most weight watchers have this problem of late night food indulgences that they cannot control. It throws diet out the window and leaves them feeling guilty about their diet plans which they strictly kept up to until the late night splurge. Here are a few tricks and tips to stay away from late night snacking and keep the diet in control:

Distract yourself

Thinking about food alone can induce hunger pangs. To beat this unhealthy late night snacking habit, you will have to begin by replacing your food thoughts with other thoughts. Distract yourself by reading a book or playing some video games until you fall asleep. You could also try calling a friend or taking a warm bath, which will help you sleep better.

Delay dinner

Delaying dinner will help you stay full for longer time and won’t allow you to binge on more food later in the night. Early dinner may make you feel hungry by bedtime and you may end up binging on the wrong type of food when you are hungry that late.

Brush your teeth

Not only will brushing your teeth keep your teeth healthy but it will also keep you from eating anything more. It is the ‘clean mouth’ feeling that will keep you from succumbing to your cravings for junk food.

Include fibre and protein to your dinner

Having fibre and protein in your dinner will help you feel satiated for a longer period of time. This will help you eliminate the habit of late night binging.

If you still have these late night cravings, then go in for a low calorie alternative that you will not feel guilty about.

How to resist the urge of eating junk food

Do you find yourself struggling to keep a diet going for more than a week? Do you give in to your cravings just a few days after making that almighty decision to go junk-food-free? Well, we’ve all been there. It’s a hard decision to make and even more difficult to stick to. After all, junk food is all around us on the streets, and is most often irresistible. Here are steps to follow so that you can slowly resist the urge of giving in to your cravings for junk food.

(Also read – Tricks to stop night snacking)

The excessive craving for chocolate stems from deficiency of magnesium in your diet

Identify your craving

According to diet specialists, a craving for a particular food may arise due to something lacking in your diet. For example, the chocolate craving is related to magnesium deficiency and the sugar craving is related to protein deficiency. You can eliminate these deficiencies to make sure you rid yourself of these cravings.

(You might find this interesting too – Are you obsessive about healthy food?)

Remove temptations

Stack your fridge with wholesome food rather than junk

Temptations are stronger when they are easily available. Keeping a pack of fried potato chips in your kitchen isn’t going to make things easy for you. Try this – go to the grocery store with a full stomach. This way you won’t bring home the usual junk that you bring that can tempt you to forget your diet.

(Try reading – Food that influences your weight)

Buy wholesome food

Most often, you give in because you find a shortage of wholesome food at home. Well, you have no one to blame. Stack your fridge with good, healthy and wholesome food so that you don’t have an excuse to binge on junk food.

Avoid boredom

Keep yourself busy so that you don’t binge due to boredom

Most people eat when they are bored. Keeping yourself busy will help you stay away from unnecessary snacking.

Drink water

Drinking plenty of water is very important. Usually, people confuse thirst with hunger and binge on something unnecessary. Dehydration can also cause unhealthy cravings.

Now that you know what to stay away from and what not to, consider indulging once in a while, just to satiate your taste buds.