Cricket on the Field and Cookie for Treat

There is something about sports which connects the whole world. Be it NFL or baseball or tennis or cricket. May be the love for sports comes from our ancestors - our evolutionary path. Long time back, when we were prey (seems terrifying), speed and strength were quite important. If you can’t run away from a predator, you are gone for good. Only the best ones could survive, eventually impress the society and pass their legacy on. Though we don’t have to worry about the predators these days (as WE have replaced them - irony!), we get our thrill from sports. 

I am not an avid cricket fan but World Cup final is something which you can give a try. New Zealand and Australia fought each other off in the finals yesterday. Martin Guptill (NZ) and Mitchell Starc (AUS) have been the best performers so far and are my favorites. Guptill lost his three toes from a childhood accident - hence known as “Two Toes Guptill”. He has been putting more effort into everything since that accident. And look at him now, top run scorer from the New Zealand team.

Mitchell Starc was a wicket keeper until someone told him to try bowling. His height adds on to his good bowling figure. At times he loses his temper on field, but ironically he loves sweet. Though Australia defeated New Zealand on the cricket battleground but there is something sweet which these two nations have been sharing for a long time. Let us try “Anzac Cookies” off the field. Hope you enjoyed my Australian Cocktails. Now be ready for a “sweet” battle.

Anzac Cookies

Ingredients:-

1/2 cup Coconut,

125 grams Butter,

1 cup Rolled Oats,

1 cup Brown Sugar,

1 tablespoons Water,

1 cup All-purpose Flour,

1/2 tablespoon Soda Bicarb,

2 tablespoons Golden Syrup,

2 tablespoons chopped Pistachios.

Preparation Method:-

1. Sift the flour in a bowl. Add sugar, rolled oats, pistachios and coconut. Melt butter in a pan. Add the golden syrup and water.

2. Stir the soda into the liquid mixture. Add the liquid into the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly. Place small balls of mixture on a greased tray.

3.Bake at 175 D.C for 20 minutes. Biscuits will become hard when cool. Enjoy with your fav coffee!

Cheers for Australia!

Indian Cricket team and Indian Delicacies

Few things will never lose their charm - my blog (lol) and the diverse food. Indian cuisine has been developing over the years, from invasions by other countries or by cultural interactions. This philosophy of mixing up of different cultures and coming up with something surprisingly good applies to the Indian Cricket Team too - like MS Dhoni’s love for Meat Recipes. As Indian cuisine gave its own touch to foreign delicacies, Indian cricket team got hold of this English game and took it to a religious level too. This concoction of players from different cultures in India is a perfect blend for a good World Cup winning team. Let it be food or cricket , mixing up of spices or cricket players, India surely has a big shot at both of them.

Virat Kohli - Lamb Chops

Virat Kohli, the heartthrob of India and the Star batsman, was observed munching on lamb chops and salmon at various restaurants in Dhaka. During his tours and travels, he never misses a chance to relish the tangy meat and seafood yummz. These mushy rib chops hardly take any time to cook but are good enough to satisfy the tummy. Coated in garlic, tomato and other spicy flavors, the recipe loved by Virat Kohli is definitely every non-vegetarian’s all-time favorite.

Suresh Raina - Aloo Kadhi

 

Suresh Raina, the aggressive left-handed batsman, has a deadly craving for Aloo Kadhi. Aloo means potato in Hindi. The recipe is simple as well. Prepare potato fritters first and set aside. Blend well equal quantity of yogurt and water, set aside. In a wok, add 2 tablespoons of oil, curry leaves, cumin seeds, ginger and whole red chillies. Add in yogurt mixture and boil for 30 minutes, 15 minutes on high and 15 minutes on simmer. Now add in potato fritters. Cook on simmer for another 15 minutes. Enjoy with steamed rice.

Rohit Sharma - Poha

Did you know that Rohit Sharma loves poha prepared by his wife? Poha is uncooked flattened rice flakes. When added to water, these rice flakes swell-up. Poha is lite food and a popular Indian breakfast recipe. One can add in onion, tomatoes and other veggies like potatoes, peas etc. Fried groundnuts are also added to enhance the flavor and texture of this recipe. With the additional kick of chillies, curry leaves and lemon, the recipe is an all time winner. Serve with mint or tomato sauce.

Ravichandran Ashwin - Paneer Capsicum

Ravichandran Ashwin also said, "my favourite dish is the paneer capsicum my mother makes at home". Moms are always special. Paneer capsicum is nothing but cottage cheese with loads of capsicum. The recipe is quite simple. First add in green chilies, onions, tomatoes and green bell pepper. After sauteing these veggies, throw in cottage cheese cubes. Lastly mix in heavy cream. The recipe is best paired with boiled rice tossed in clarified butter and cumin seeds or simply naan, the Indian bread.

Enjoy the World Cup with yummy food!

MS Dhoni's Love for Butter Chicken Masala

Cricket is the national sport of England but a religion in India. This religion follows Sachin Tendulkar and these days its Mahendra Singh Dhoni. ‘World Cup’ in Indian cricket has two names- Kapil Dev and Dhoni. Kapil is retired from cricket while Dhoni is still there as the captain of Indian cricket team. Looking at India’s winning streak in 2015 World Cup, Dhoni might become the only Indian captain to win two world cups. There are a lot of things which are “only” to Dhoni - most wins by an Indian captain in ODIs and Tests, first captain to win all three ICC limited over trophies and the ‘Helicopter Shot’. He excelled at badminton and football in school. Once sent to play cricket by his coach, he boarded a different flight altogether.

A sportsperson is supposed to maintain a diet which is something hard for Dhoni. He loves food, especially homemade. Once, one of his team mates got Indian recipe, Biryani from his place but the hotel staff didn’t allow the outside food. Dhoni left the hotel with the whole team. People do get emotional when it comes to food, I do too. Currently in New Zealand for world cup he made sure that he goes to this kebab restaurant in Hamilton. His favorite is home cooked Chicken Butter Masala. Let’s get emotionally involved and try his favorite dish.

5 Steps to Enjoy Finger Licking Good Butter Chicken Masala

Ingredients:-

1 lb. Chicken

½ cup Yogurt,

2 chopped Onions,

1 tablespoon Vinegar,

14.5 oz Tomato paste,

¼ cup chopped Ginger,

2 tablespoon BBQ Mix,

½ cup Whipping Cream,

1 teaspoon Chili powder,

2 tablespoons Mustard Oil,

1½ teaspoon Cumin powder,

1 tablespoon Clarified Butter,

¼ cup chopped Garlic Cloves,

½ teaspoon Indian Hot Spice,

3 teaspoon Ginger Garlic paste,

1½ tablespoon Coriander powder.

Preparation Method:-

1. In a bowl, combine the yogurt, 2 teaspoons ginger garlic paste and BBQ mix. Let chicken marinate in this mixture for 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate.

2. In a pan, over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of mustard oil along with the butter. Saute the onions till brown. Add 1 teaspoon ginger, garlic paste. Cook till brown. Add tomatoes, chili powder, coriander powder and cumin powder. Cook for 5 minutes. Turn heat and cool the mixture.

3. Meanwhile take a pan and heat it medium. Add 1 tablespoon of oil. Now add marinated chicken with all the yogurt. Cook for 5 minutes.

4. Blend the mixture set aside to cool. Add mixture to the chicken and cook for 20 minutes. Also add the whipping cream and hot spice in between.

5. Serve with boiled rice or naan, the Indian flat bread!

Enjoy the World Cup with Yummzz!

FIFA World Cup 2014 Special - Secret behind Neymar Junior's Built

Hey fitness freaks, how are you? I know you all are over-excited about FIFA World Cup 2014. Isn't it? I am desperately waiting for the same. I'm sure you are in love with Neymar Jr. the 22 year old Brazilian forward/winger, who came out with flying colors in FC Barcelona. He is now inspiration for many regarding agility, jaw-dropping dribbling skills, unbelievable crosses plus clear overhead shots. Today I'll be writing about the secret diet behind his fit and fine body plus a healthy recipe. 

I am very particular about health. Hope you liked my blog, “Tips to quit smoking on anti tobacco day”. Let’s check out what keeps Neymar fit and fine. Neymar loves to eat lentils and whole grains. Among the vegetables, spinach and beet is what he likes to consume. He is fond of clams among the seafood. He is fond of pasta as well to consume right amount of carbohydrates. So lets try a brand new 'Pasta with Basil and Clam Recipe'. Well I made it yesterday for dinner and everyone simply loved it. 

Pasta with Basil and Clam Recipe

Ingredients:-

Sea salt,

1 pound pasta,

1⁄3 cup olive oil,

1⁄2 cup dry white wine,

8 minced garlic cloves,

4 dozen littleneck clams,

4 tablespoons basil pesto,

1/2 teaspoon ground pepper,

1 teaspoon minced red hot pepper,

3 tablespoons minced basil leaves,

3 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley.

Preparation Method:-

1. Heat olive oil in a large saute pan on medium heat. Add garlic and cook until light brown, for 1 minute.

2. Add wine and clams to it. Cover tightly. Cook until clams open-up, for 8 minutes. Shake the saute pan occasionally.

3. Remove clams as they open, setting them aside in a bowl. Throw away any clams that are chipped or fail to open.

4. In the mean time, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water until tender. Drain pasta and add to clam sauce in a pan.

5. Add parsley and basil. Season to taste with salt, freshly ground black pepper, red pepper and toss with pesto.

6. Now transfer to a large serving bowl. Arrange the clams on top, sprinkle with fried garlic slices if desired.

Enjoy the treat!!