Gift Strawberry Macaroons on Valentine’s Day

It’s well said, “Love is when the other person's happiness is more important than your own.” I completely agree with this saying. Do you? You can do anything to see your baby smile. Gift your valentine, something that's original, homemade and your creativity. Isn't that a great idea? I'm sure it's gonna win the heart. Nothing would be better than gifting soft, lite pink strawberry macaroons made with your whole heart and soul. The best part is that you can add in any cream filling, keeping in mind the choice of your partner. Hope you liked my crazy Valentine’s Day ideas. For now let’s start with this sweet affair.

Ingredients:-

4 large egg whites,

1/3 cup caster sugar,

1 1/2 cups icing sugar,

4 teaspoons almond meal,

Food coloring as per choice.

Preparation Method:-

1. Preheat the oven to 150 D.C. Place egg whites and caster sugar in a bowl. Beat with blender until stiff enough to turn the bowl upside down without it falling out. Continue to whip for 2 more minutes.

2. Add gel or powdered food coloring and continue to mix for a further 30 seconds. Sift the almond meal and icing sugar and salt twice, discarding almond lumps.

3. Add the egg white mixture. Pipe onto trays lined with baking paper. Prefer heart shape if you are gifting.

4. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Check if one comes off the tray clean, if not bake for a little longer.

5. When cool, taking two, add in the cream of your choice. I prefer strawberry cream. Enjoy!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Rebel Wilson and her love for Pavlova

Rebel Wilson, the 28 year old Australian actress, writer and a stand-up comedian, flew home for celebrating Christmas with her family. Neither did she prepare turkey nor honey glazed ham, but was seen munching on the traditional Pavlova or ‘Pav’. This is well portrayed on social sites such as Twitter and Facebook. The recipe has a crunchy and crisp outer-shell and is soft and moist from inside. The texture makes me crave for it right away. I love authentic recipes. Hope you enjoyed Chocolate Lamington.

Did you know that Pavlova has a historical significance? Pavlova is a dessert. It is named after a famous Russian ballet dancer called Anna Pavlova, when she visited Australia. There is yet a long story behind this. Pavlova makes a great summer dessert in entire Australia and New Zealand. Different fruits added to this recipe, give a colorful topping thereby making the dessert yummier. So let’s celebrate Australia day with authentic Pavlova.

Ingredients:-

16 Egg Whites,

2 diced Kiwi fruits,

A pinch Cream of Tartar,

300 ml thickened Cream,

1 1/2 cups Caster Sugar,

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract,

250g diced Strawberries,

Mint leaves for Garnishing,

1 tablespoon Icing Sugar mixture.

Preparation Method:-

1. Preheat oven to 120 D. C. Line a baking tray and baking paper. With an electric mixer, beat egg whites until stiff peaks are formed.

2. Now add caster sugar. Beat until the sugar dissolves. Then add cream of tartar. Beat for 1 minute.

3. Spoon mixture onto circle. Using a spatula, shape into a circle as shown. Make furrows. Bake for 1 hour or until firm. Turn off oven.  Allow to cool.

4. For the cream, using an electric mixer, beat cream, icing sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.

5. Place the cool pavlova on a serving plate. Top with cream mixture, mint leaves and fruits as shown. Serve.

Enjoy Australia Day!

Smoothies for Weight Loss

1. Kale smoothie - Hope you liked my blog Crispy Kale Chips. So lemme start with the kale smoothie treat as well, coz I simply love it. Kale is known as the queen of greens. It helps in lowering cholesterol level and of course reducing weight. It makes a great smoothie too, lets see how. 

Ingredients:-

½ pear,

½ lemon,

1 cup kale,

¼ avocado,

½ cucumber,

½ inch ginger,

handful of cilantro,

½ cup coconut water,

1 scoop protein powder,

1 cup pure drinking water.

Method - Blend all ingredients for the refreshing smoothie.

2. Spirulina Smoothie - Cut down your fat with this unique smoothie. Spirulina is an algae, but can be consumed by animals and human beings, infact it’s very beneficial. It is rich in protein and boosts up immune system, regulates cholesterol and controls blood pressure.

Ingredients:-

½ banana,

¼ avocado,

½ cup blueberries,

½ cup almond milk,

1 teaspoon spirulina,

1 cup pure drinking water,

1 scoop vanilla protein powder.

Method - Blend all ingredients and enjoy this unique smoothie.

3. Belly Soother - As the name indicates, if you really wanna have a flat and sexy belly, go for this heavenly drink. Tummy can be treated by healthy dose of probiotics that is found in tangy kefir.

Ingredients:-

1 cup papaya,

1 tablespoon raw honey,

2 tablespoon lime juice,

1 cup coconut kefir or coconut milk.

Method - Blend all ingredients and enjoy the coconuty drink.

4. Strawberry Goji Smoothie - Beat the scorching summer with this smoothie. Natural goji berries is not only advantageous in reducing weight but have overall health benefits also. Goji berries is also used in making herbal tea, wine and medicines. It promotes longevity.

 Ingredients:-

1 frozen banana,

3 tablespoon Goji berries,

1 cup of coconut kefir water,

¼ cup frozen strawberries blueberries.

Method - Blend all ingredients together, relieve yourself from summer and also reduce weith with this tasty and healthy drink.

5. Fat Flush Smoothie - If you desire to have a flat belly, this ultra-cleansing smoothies is must for breakfast. Bit spicy due to garlic but it’s an absolute tangy treat. The results will keep asking you for more and more of it.

Ingredients:-

1 radish,

2 garlic cloves,

3 medium carrots,

1 medium red beet,

large handful of parsley.

Method - Blend all ingredients. Stained if desired. Have a pulpy treat for better results. Enjoy!

The Foodie Affair...

Food for love life?? Yes, we’ve got some delights and combos that add your romantic mood. So improve your love life. Just follow these:-

The sensuous feeling - Some food are tempting and enticing naturally. This may be because of their texture or color. Red wine and chocolates are the best you can give your girlfriend on a romantic date. Banana custard, melted oysters and strawberries are perfect examples that tempt your lover because of their shape, smooth texture or vibrant color. Meal if taken slowly with eye contact is really sensuous for the couple.

Romantic ambience - The ambience boosts up the mood. Soft lighting along with pleasant music is what every lover craves for. Lovely flowers and charismatic essence of mild perfumes add to your dinner date. Never go for an overcrowded hotel or busy restaurant. Prefer serene place. Decorate the bottle of drink with red ribbon. It’s a must on every couple’s table. This leads to receptiveness, good memories and finally intimacy.

The chemical formula - The food high in zinc increases the level of romance, believe it or not!! Oyster is the perfect example for this. Variety of oyster recipes ranging from appetizers to main dish casseroles are available. Oyster mushroom soup is a good supper to go with. On the other hand try to include chocolate desserts for an exotic date. The reason behind this is the existence of phenylethylamine (PEA), the so called "love chemical".

Drink in limit - Always drink without an intention to get drunk. Excess of drinking would make one utmost lousy, hence deleting the romantic mood. Drink till you think you can, in a safe manner. Remember no one likes a drunk person, your fiance will not like it either. Champagne is the only wine that enhances a woman's beauty. Sparking or rose champagne placed on a neat dining table, yes, the thought is itself so tantalizing… Caviar go very well with champagne. Caviar is a delicacy composed of salt cured fish eggs.

The balanced food - Relaxing as well as energy giving food must go hand in hand. We feel relaxed while consuming a drink whether it’s vodka, whiskey, beer or wine. On the other hand we need protein to boost up our energy. Contrast does matter. Vegetarians and vegans can go for black Greek olives and sparkling cider. The combo will definitely boost up the romantic mood. Another combo of sweet and sour or dark and salty, adds to your love life.

Just try this!! I’m sure it’s gonna work...