Many Pasta Shapes

Whenever I go to grocery shop, I found so many pasta shapes. I make pasta at home but with few types. One day I wanted to find out about pasta types and shapes, saw many shapes in stores and tried to recollect its names. This is just a info about My Pasta, means pasta known by me ;-)

In Italy, when dining is an art form, pasta shapes have been by nature-each designed to bring uniquely delicious culinary experience to your family's table. Its a sentiment that is at the heart of every authentic Italian meal ,where family and friends connect and celebrate good food and good relationships.

And pasta has been always at the center of these tables. With an infinite variety of authentic pasta and sauce pairings ,it's no wonder Italian families can eat pasta every day and never get bored.

 

 

Types of Pasta and Shapes

Stelline-These tiny stars used in soups throughout Italy from childhood on. A charming and fun introduction to pasta.

Farfalle-'Butterfly' or 'bow-tie' pasta from 16th century Northern Italy goes beautifully with Barilla Calabrese sauce, made from tomatoes and sweet peppers.

Linguine-Long and flat, thinner than Fettuccine. Great with seafood-or just basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and cheese for pesto Genovese.

Cellentani-Its whimsical corkscrew shape makes it fun to eat and perfect with a hearty sauce to wrap vegetables, meat or fish in every forkful.

Spaghetti-A ridged version of classis spaghetti with delicate grooves to hold in more sauce per bite, such as spicy barilla Arrabbiata Sauce, its perfect accompaniment.

Campanelle-Shaped like a bellflower. The hollow centers are perfect for capturing hearty sauces like cheese.

Tortellini-Delicate egg pasta, folded around savory cheeses and pinched into a distinctive ring. Perfect with butter ,olive oil or pesto.

Conchilie-Inspired from seashells in coastal towns and also known as Medium shells, this is delicious with all cheese.

Rigatoni-Tube-shaped pasta with distinct ridges-two features that deliver more sauce per bite. Pairs nicely with tomato based mushroom sauces.

Orzo-Named after barley and rice-shaped, its perfect in soups such as escarole. For a nice surprise, substitute it for Arborio rice in your next risotto.

Fiori-Means 'to flower' and this authentically Italian pasta will decorate any plate beautifully. Pairs nicely with hearty dairy sauces like cheese.

Capellini-Also known as Angel Hair, this ultra-thin pasta is best dressed with a light tomato-or dairy-based sauce with slivers of vegetables.

 

Sauces and Shapes Book will give very nice idea about which sauce goes with which shape. This book is the Winner of the 2014 International Association of Culinary Association (IACP) Award
and got lots of readers reviews. The indispensable cookbook for genuine Italian sauces and the traditional pasta shapes that go with them.

 

If there are many more, please send me message, I will update this post.

Indian Style Tofu Recipes

Tofu is very nutritional vegetarian protein source with lots of Benefits. Including Tofu in our diet is very healthy choice.

Tofu, soybean curd is getting very famous because of its nutritional values. It is majorly used in East Asian and Southeast Asian cuisines. There are different varieties of Tofu and their cooking methods. Tofu's history-It is originated in China 2000 years ago. It is important part of vegetarian diet of East Asia specially in Buddhism people. So it gets spread into Korea, Japan, East Asia along with Buddhism.

Tofu has started gaining importance in west as the demand for healthiest food has grown. Tofu has low calorie count and large amount of protein and little fat. It is high in iron, calcium and magnesium.
There are lots of methods to cook Tofu in different cuisine. I have gone thru 75 Recipes of Tofu Cookbook and found it great. It is a nice collection of Tofu Recipes. I love all of them and I have tried some Indian style Tofu dishes like Tofu Pulao.

1.Tandoori Tofu

 

This is recipe of marinated tofu in tandoori spice along with other spices and grilled like paneer.

 

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp tandoori spice blend
1Tbsp ginger-garlic paste
2/3 cup yogurt
salt , as per taste
1/8 black pepper
1 block of extra-firm Tofu, well pressed and cut into cubes.

 

Method:

 

Mix all the ingredients into bowl except tofu. Then add tofu cubes into ball and mix it well, so all cubes will be coated from all sides. Keep in refrigerator for an hour.

 

Put each piece of tofu onto skewer and arrange skewers on preheated grill for 5-7 minutes. Turn on other sides and let it cook and be crispy.

 

2.Indian Tofu curry

This is great dish, quick and flavorful curry dish.

 

Ingredients:

3 tbsp oil
1 block extra-firm tofu
1 onion, finely chopped
1/3 tsp. turmeric
1/4 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. coriander powder
1 tsp. cumin powder
1 tsp. garam masala
1 clove garlic, minced
1 plum tomato chopped
coriander leaves
lemon juice
salt, as per taste

 

Method:

Heat 2 tbsp oil in pan .Fry tofu until its sides are become slightly brown. Set aside fried tofu.

Put 1 tbsp oil in pan and add chopped onion till it becomes translucent. Add garlic and fry for some seconds. Mix in turmeric powder, coriander, cumin powder, garam masala and fry for some seconds. Mix in the tomato and cook for seconds.

Add tofu cubes in pan and mix with the curry mixture. Put lemon juice and salt. Garnish with coriander leaves.

 

3.Chilly Tofu

 

This recipe is like paneer chilly.
Ingredients:
1 block of extra-firm tofu, cut into cubes
1 green chilly
3 tsp. vegetable oil
1 tsp. cumin seeds
1 tbsp coriander powder
1 tsp. cumin powder
1 onion ,sliced
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp. corn flour mixed into 1/4 cup water
salt, as per taste
coriander leaves for garnishing

 

For marinating:
1 tsp. garlic paste
1 tsp. ginger paste
2 tsp. corn flour
1 tsp. soy sauce

 

Method:

Mix the ingredients with enough water to make paste for marinating. Toss the tofu cubes in it to coat.

Heat 2 tsp. oil in a non-stick pan. Saute the tofu cubes on all sides until they are golden brown. Heat 1 tsp. oil and add cumin seeds. When they splutter, add ginger-garlic paste and onion.

Saute onion until it becomes translucent. Now add coriander powder, black pepper and minced green chilly. Then add green pepper.

Stir-fry bell pepper till it becomes soft. Add tofu cubes and toss them with spices. Add soy sauce and corn flour mixture .Mix well and remove in plate. Garnish with coriander.

Herbal Tea and Benefits

Great for health boost and to relieve nausea, bloating and other common ailments, reach for a soothing cup of Herbal Tea. There’s nothing nicer on a cold midwinter’s day than a soothing cup of herbal tea. When you are sick, just hold a cup of herbal tea , nice aroma of all herbs and hot steam will just make you feel better instantly.

 

 

What is herbal Tea?

Herbal tea isn’t really made from tea. Herbal tea is just an infusion of leaves, seeds, roots or bark, extracted in hot water. In drinking a well-steeped herbal tea, we get all the plant’s benefits in an easily digestible form.
 

Benefits of Herbal Tea

Herbal tea has lots of wonderful health benefits. From soothing a troubled tummy to easing insomnia and calming a troubled mind, herbs have all sorts of healing powers. Drinking herbal tea can also be a great source of vitamins and minerals.

 

Tea is Good For You

9 Different Tea Types

 

There are many different herbs from around the world that have wonderful healing properties.
 

List of popular Herbal Teas

1.Peppermint Tea

 

Peppermint is already very popular because of its refreshing fragrance. It helps in bad breath, indigestion, heartburn, upset stomach, muscles aches, flatulence, nausea/vomiting, congestion and cough, stress, asthma, and skin disorders. Peppermint Tea can also be made using fresh herbs from the garden—and it's one of the easiest herbs to grow.

 

2.Ginger Tea

 

Ginger is an energizer and a stimulator. Ginger can be used to curb nausea, vomiting or upset stomach due to motion sickness.Ginger has been always help  for cold, cough and sore throat. Arthritic people have found Ginger Tea helpful since it has anti-inflammatory properties.

 

3.Chamomile Tea

 

Chamomile is a popular herb that’s used in teas worldwide. Chamomile soothes the stomach and relieves bloating and indigestion. Chamomile also calms the mind and helps people relax and deal better with their stresses. Chamomile Tea should be steeped a little longer than other herbal teas in order to get all of the medicinal benefits.

 

4.Lemongrass Tea

 

Lemongrass is another herb that is loaded with healing properties.  Lemongrass plant has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, and antifungal properties, making it helpful in treating a many health problems like indigestion, cough, nervous disorders, high blood pressure.

 

5.Green Tea

Green Tea is gaining lots of popularity because of its health benefits. Green Tea contains lots of antioxidants. Drinking Green Tea lowers cancer risk ,lowers blood pressure, prevents and fights tooth decay and dental issues, and inhibits different viruses from causing illnesses. It helps in weight loss as well.

 

6.Cardamom Tea

 

Cardamom is an evergreen plant that’s grown mainly in India. Both dried white cardamom flowers and the sweetly aromatic seeds are used to make tea. Cardamom Tea has a pungent, sweet and aromatic flavor. Cardamom tea helps treat indigestion, prevents stomach pain, and relieves flatulence. It’s also helpful to drink a glass of cardamom tea if you are feeling nauseous.Cardamom has been used in desserts and sweets in India.

 

7.Cinnamon Tea

 

Cinnamon smells like a holiday in a cup and it is just not used in coffee. It is also used to make Tea because of its anti-bacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, making it an excellent all-around remedy. Cinnamon Tea is a wonderful source of immune-boosting antioxidants.

 

8.Clove Tea

 

Cloves are a wonderful addition to herbal tea just for the taste.  Not only is the flavor delicious, but cloves have been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. The multipurpose little seed is helpful in antiviral, antifungal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Clove Tea can help to reduce pain as it works ass analgesic.

 

9.Lavender Tea

 

Lavender is used as a scented herb for many centuries and it is beneficial in Tea with its dried purple, pink and white colored flowers. If you are feeling down and depressed, a cup of lavender tea can help uplift your spirit. Great for asthma, bronchitis, spasms and constriction of urinary tract and bladder, muscle cramps, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, upset stomach and flatulence.

 

10.Hibiscus Flower Tea

 

Dried Hibiscus flowers are made into a tea that offers very high health benefits. Hibiscus Tea helps in  immunity boosting. Great for lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, colds, and weight loss. Hibiscus flower infusions have known to reduce hypertension as well.

Buy Herbal Teas Online.

Tea is Good for You

Tea is the most popular drink on the planet. Researchers says that ,A hot cup of tea may do more than relax you. It contains  huge amount of chemicals, called flavonoids — a natural class of antioxidants that are found in many natural plant-derived foods. Studies suggest that one cup of tea may contain up to five times more antioxidants than any fruit or vegetable.

 

In addition to providing hydration, it's rich in health-promoting substances. Adding tea to your list of possible beverages is probably a good idea. Different types of Tea are available in market. It's also calorie-free if you don't add milk or a sweetener like sugar or honey.
 

Tea can help your heart, boost your brainpower, keep your metabolism humming, and more.

 

1.Lots of antioxidants

Tea's antioxidants protect your body from the ravages of aging and the effects of pollution. Antioxidant EGCG, the main polyphenol in green tea, has anticancer properties that may prevent the development of skin tumors.

 

2.High Blood Pressure

Drinking a half-cup of green or oolong tea per day reduced a person's risk of high blood pressure by almost 50% in a new study.  

 

3.Reduce Heart attach and stroke.

Drinking more than two cups of tea a day decreased the risk of death following a heart attack by 44 percent. Tea is a rich source of the flavonoids quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin, and research shows that high dietary intake of these compounds is associated with a reduced risk of fatal heart attacks.

 

4.Bone Density

Studies indicate that phytochemicals in tea, such as flavonoids, may protect against bone loss: Regular tea drinkers have higher bone density than non-tea drinkers. Drinking tea regularly for years may produce stronger bones. Those who drank tea on a regular basis for 10 or more years had higher-bone mineral density in their spines than those who had not.

 

5.Improves Immunity

Drinking tea may help your body's immune system fight off infection. You may be able to boost your fight against the flu with black tea.

 

6.Protects from Cancer.

Green tea extracts were found to inhibit the growth of bladder cancer cells in the lab while other studies suggest that drinking green tea protects against developing stomach and esophageal cancers.

 

7.Improves metabolism

Lots of people complain about a slow metabolic rate and their inability to lose weight. Green tea has been shown to actually increase metabolic rate so that you can burn 70 to 80 additional calories by drinking just five cups of green tea per day.

 

8.Oral Health

Rinsing with tea may prevent cavities and gum disease. Tea itself contains  fluoride and tannins that may keep plaque at bay. So drinking unsweetened tea into your daily dental routine of brushing and flossing for healthier teeth and gums.

 

9.Parkinson's Disease

Tea consumption may be protective against developing this debilitating neurological disorder. Drinking tea is linked with a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease.

 

10.Tea has less caffeine

An eight-ounce cup of coffee contains around 135 mg caffeine; tea contains only 30 to 40 mg per cup. Tea may be a good option over coffee.

Herbal Tea and Benefits 9 Different Tea Types

9 Different Tea Types

Tea is the Second Most Consumed beverage in the world, after water. The thousands of different varieties of teas available in the world .Drinking Tea is very healthy option. All tea is produced from a plant called Camellia sineses. Tea is an aromatic beverage commonly prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub native to Asia.

 

The traditional method of preparing tea is to place loose tea leaves directly (or in a tea infuser) into a tea pot or teacup, pour freshly boiled water over the leaves, and allow the infused liquid to steep (or "brew"). After a few minutes, the infuser is removed, or the tea is poured through a strainer while serving. Strength should be varied by the amount of tea leaves used, not changing the steeping time.

Tea is Good For You

Herbal Tea and Benefits

1.White Tea

 

It is least processed and  purest among all teas. White tea has light color and flavor and is appreciated by its natural sweetness and delicacy. White tea was the preferred drink of royalty. White tea has very little caffeine, 1-2% as much caffeine content as one cup of coffee, and brews a light color and flavor. Silver Needle is the best white tea for mixing with flavored or scented teas so you get all the wonderful white tea health benefits without disrupting the overall taste.

2.Green Tea

 

Green Tea is most popular type of tea and it is the favorite choice among Asians. Green tea has been consumed in Asia for centuries. When green tea was first discovered in China  and then transferred to japan. Some Green teas are flavored with herbs or fruits. But Green tea has a clean and delicious taste.

 

3.Oolong Tea

 

It is recognized as Chinese's Tea and majorly served in Chinese Restaurants. It is fermented for a shorter time, which gives it a richer taste. It contains about 30 milligrams of caffeine per cup. Oolong Tea may aid in weight loss.

 

4.Black Tea

 

This is what most of us have grown up drinking. Full-bodied and strong, black tea taste great alone and taste great with milk and sugar. It makes nice Iced tea as well. In India, black tea is often boiled for fifteen minutes or longer to make Masala chai, as a strong brew is preferred. Tea should be strained while serving. Black tea has a slightly bitter flavor and contains the most caffeine—about 40 milligrams per cup.

5.Herbal Tea

 

It is the only Tea which does not contain leaf from Camellia plant family. It is mixed of herbs, flowers and fruits. They are delicious when hot or iced. Herbal varieties contain no caffeine. Avoid herbal weight-loss teas, which may contain dangerous laxatives. Herbal tea comes in variety like peppermint, tulsi, cinnamon, neem, chamomile, orange, lemon and many more.

6.Rooibos Tea

 

Rooibos Teas are made up from herbal infusions made from South African red bush. It is also called as Red Tea. Rooibos Tea is delicious, comes in a variety of flavors and can have when hot or iced.

 

7.Mate Tea

 

Mate Tea is considered the coffee lovers' favorite tea as it tastes like coffee. Mate is wild shrub from Argentina that makes for a delicious, flavorful tea. Often consumed in a gourd with a filtered straw. This Mate herbal tea is full of bold flavors.

 

8.Blooming Tea

 

It is also called as Flowering Tea, because this tea actually 'blooms' as they steep. They are hand tied by tea artists and always come with beautiful designs. This can be considered as romantic gift as it looks beautiful.

 

9.Tea Blends

 

Tea blends often have the best of both worlds since they combine more than one type of premium tea.  Mixing teas in a blend is one of the best ways to get great flavor.