GASTRONOMY

Ramadan, also known as Ramazan or Ramzan, begins today! This year, Ramadan begins on April 13 and ends on May 12. During this fast, people have their first meal before the sunrise known as Sehri (also called Suhoor) and the other meal is Iftar, arabic names for the meals is served after sunset. Eid al-Fitr, which comes after the holy month of Ramadan, is also called ‘Meethi Eid‘, and the signature dish of the celebration is sweet vermicelli or ‘Meethi sewai’. The celebration often comprises a wide gamut of sweet delicacies such as sheer khurma, khubani ka meetha, and khalja pheni. Muslims across the world offer their prayers to the almighty and then prepare for a lavish Eid feast featuring scrumptious delicacies and drinks. If you are planning to treat your family members with sweet delicacies, we have got you …

Chaitra Navratri or Vasant Navratri, which is just around the corner, is celebrated during the spring season in India. This year, it will begin on April 13, 2021, and end on April 22, 2021. Chaitra Navratri recipes will be take advantage of the opportunity to align yourself and to enjoy the experience. Considered to be an important nine-day celebration for the Hindu community, the auspicious festival, much like Maha Navratri, is dedicated to the nine different forms of Goddess Durga, collectively known as Navdurga. While the festivity is all about heightening one’s spiritual credence by observing fast for nine consecutive days, it may turn out to be enervating for those who only stuff them up with the traditional aloo ki sabzi with kuttu or singhara atta puri. During the pious days of Navratri, the Hindus skip or alter several ingredients …

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but this isn’t always true. When it comes to cooking, you are never too late to learn how to cook, or to improve and expand upon your existing knowledge. Beginner cooks Being able to cook is not just about being able to provide healthy and nutritious meals. It’s a hobby and a way to enjoy yourself as well. In the US, between 10% – 17% of people say they cook because they love it, rather than it being a necessity. This should be higher! Cooking has the power to teach you several wonderful soft skills such as multitasking, elements of chemistry and physics, holding responsibility, and timekeeping. It is also known for being relaxing and helping people to switch off and de-stress. Putting time aside each day to be creative …

This is the recipe that chef Vanie Padayachee has been doing the rounds since it was featured on Mela a few yers ago – Butter Chicken Marigold. Ingredients For the marinated chicken: 60 g ginger-and-garlic paste 1 tsp salt 1 tsp Kasmiri spice Pinch fenugreek powder 1 tsp cumin powder ½ tsp chili powder ½ tsp chaat masala 1 Tbsp mustard oil 100 g hung yoghurt 1kg de-boned chicken thighs For the sauce to serve: 3 cups red gravy 20 g smoked butter 1 tsp chopped garlic 1 tsp chopped ginger 50 ml cream Lime juice to taste Method Mix the marinade ingredients together, add in the chicken and allow to marinade overnight. Skewer the chicken and cook in the tandoor oven. To prepare the sauce to serve, heat a wok/saucepan, add the butter and sauté the ginger and garlic. …

South African Indian celebrity chef Yudhika Sujanani shares a recipe for a blockbuster Chana Magaj eggless cake perfect for Diwali 2020.

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Researchers at the University of Liverpool discovered that working in specific occupations might be related to a higher probability of heavy drinking in individuals in people aged 40-69 years. The research was published in the open-access journal ‘BMC Public Health’. The findings could be used to help target public health or work-based interventions aiming to reduce heavy drinking, according to the authors. Researchers at the University of Liverpool found that jobs classified as skilled trade occupations, such as construction and manufacturing jobs, were most likely to be associated with heavy drinking. While jobs broadly categorised as professional occupations, for example, doctors and teachers were associated with a lower likelihood of heavy drinking. The occupations associated with the highest rates of heavy drinking in the UK were publicans and managers of licensed premises, plasterers, and industrial cleaning process occupations, including cleaners …

This Jamu juice recipe is an immunity booster and anti-inflammatory elixir made with turmeric, ginger, maple syrup and lemon popular in Bali.

Indian food blogger Reshu Drolia shares this easy-to-make recipe for coconut Lauki Barfi that you can try at home, watch cooking demo here