Chef Sameer Mohammed & The Art of Making A Delicious Ragi Halwa

Ragi, also known as finger millet, is a small, finger-shaped grain that is native to Africa and Asia. It is a highly nutritious grain that is high in protein, fiber, calcium, and iron. Ragi is also a good source of antioxidants.

Ragi has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a variety of health conditions, including anemia, diarrhea, and constipation. It is also believed to help improve digestion, boost the immune system, and regulate blood sugar levels.

In recent years, ragi has gained popularity as a health food due to its high nutritional value. It is now used in a variety of products, including breakfast cereals, snacks, and baked goods.

Here are some of the health benefits of ragi:

• High in protein: Ragi is a good source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues.
• High in fiber: Ragi is a good source of fiber, which can help improve digestion and prevent constipation.
• High in calcium: Ragi is a good source of calcium, which is essential for strong bones and teeth.
• High in iron: Ragi is a good source of iron, which is essential for carrying oxygen in the blood.
• Antioxidants: Ragi is a good source of antioxidants, which can help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals.

Ragi is a versatile grain that can be used in a variety of dishes. It can be cooked as a porridge, made into flour for pancakes, breads, and other baked goods, or used in soups and stews.

If you are looking for a healthy and nutritious grain to add to your diet, ragi is a great option. It is a good source of protein, fiber, calcium, iron, and antioxidants. Ragi can be used in a variety of dishes, so there is sure to be a way to incorporate it into your diet.

Ragi halwa is a delicious and healthy dessert made with ragi flour, jaggery, ghee, and nuts. It is a good source of fiber and protein, and it is also low in fat and calories.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ragi flour
• 1/2 cup ghee
• 1 cup jaggery, grated
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder

Instructions:

1. Heat the ghee in a heavy bottomed pan over medium heat.
2. Add the ragi flour and roast it on low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly, until the flour turns light brown in color and has a nutty aroma.
3. Add the jaggery and mix well.
4. Add the milk and cook on medium heat, stirring constantly, until the halwa thickens and comes together.
5. Add the nuts and cardamom powder and mix well.
6. Serve hot or cold.

Tips:

• For a richer flavor, use whole milk instead of skimmed milk.
• If you don’t have ragi flour, you can use 1 cup of ragi flakes instead.
• To make a vegan version, use vegan ghee and vegan milk.
• You can also add other ingredients to the halwa, such as raisins, chopped dates, or chopped mango.

Author’s Profile

Executive Pastry Chef Sameer Mohammed has worked with the Taj hotels, the Hyatt hotels, and several restaurants overseas. He has done various courses in different subjects like hotel management, kitchen engineering & menu development from the American Hotel Lodging& Educational Institute, USA, HTMI in Switzerland, the RIG Institute of Hotel Management in India. Currently, he is the Executive Pastry Chef with Vanguard Company/Modern Dish Company. In his present role, he manages seven restaurants and is planning to launch three new ones.

10 MUST-HAVE ITEMS IN YOUR MAKEUP BAG

Most women would just as soon leave home without makeup as they would walk out the door without wearing pants. Makeup is an essential, which is why one of a woman’s most important accessories is her cosmetics bag — the little pouch that holds every tool she needs to look fresh-faced throughout the day and night.

For some women, that little pouch isn’t so little anymore. When you have to buy a bigger purse just to accommodate your makeup bag, you’re carrying around way too much stuff.

So, what are the true essentials? It’s slightly different for everyone, of course, but there are some old standbys you can always use to touch up your look. They’re the basics you don’t want to be without — and the products you can justifiably spend some cash on, since they can make or break any look.

Following is the list of 10 items that definitely belong in your go-to kit, and find out :

10: Moisturizer/Lotion

9: Concealer

8: Translucent Powder

7: Eyeshadow

6: Set of Brushes

5: Eyelash Curler

4: Blush/Bronzer

3: Mascara

2: Lipstick/Lip Gloss

1: Eyeliner

 

BEAUTIFUL SKIN SECRET DIARY

Plump up your skin with the goodness of peaches

Known to be a powerhouse of vitamins, peaches when mixed with the right ingredients and applied on the face can definitely work miracles on your skin.

The classic milk and peach combo
Bid adieu to dry skin and say hello to gorgeous skin by applying a face pack infused with cold milk, crushed peaches and honey. While the milk will provide you relief from acne, the delicious honey and peach will moisturise and tone your skin, giving birth to flawless radiant skin you’ve yearned for. 

The peachy affair with cherries
Take a handful of cherries and peaches and mash them to form a paste. Apply on clean face and leave on for twenty minutes before washing off with cold water. White cherries are rich in antioxidants; peaches are rich in moisturiser. The pack which is best suited for wrinkled and dehydrated skin, will swipe away signs of ageing and wrinkles from your face.

For the eggitarinas
No, you can’t eat this! You need to apply this on your face instead. All you do is take a peach and remove the seeds. Mash it and mix it with egg white and apply evenly on face and neck. The egg white will tone your skin, making it look firmer while the peach will provide you with soft and radiant skin in a jiffy!

Girls, if you’re pressed for time, all you do is dab on some Lakmé Peach Milk Moisturiser on your clean face. With natural peach extracts and antioxidants, this unique moisturiser naturally tones and hydrates your skin, rejuvenating it like never before!