Quick Healthy Snacks Which Will Provide You With All The Essential Nutrients

Snacks or mini meals are a very essential part of a healthy diet as it is not right to keep the body hungry for a very long time. If the body is kept hungry, blood-sugar levels fall. As blood-sugar levels go down, a person becomes even more hungry. This results in the person eating at wrong hours and eating whatever he can lay his hands on. This could lead to weight gain and prove detrimental to the health. So having three large meals with two mini meals or snacks is very essential to keep the body healthy. Here are some items that make for quick healthy snacks consumed directly or their recipes take only a few minutes to prepare.

Easy and Quick Healthy Snacks

Delectable Veg Snacks
Vegetables are full of minerals and vitamins and have very less calories. Vegetable salads make delicious low carb snacks. Here are a few easy healthy snacks recipes made out of vegetables.

• Recipe 1: Take one cup low-fat cottage cheese and add half a teaspoon of lemon pepper to it to make a low calorie dip. Now select any crunchy vegetable like carrots or radish and have it with the dip.
• Recipe 2: Take raw vegetables and add chunks of hard-boiled eggs and tuna to it. Add a low fat salad dressing. Now rap these ingredients in a large leaf of lettuce and one of your quick healthy snacks is ready to serve.
• Recipe 3: Sandwiches can be prepared at home very easily. Take two slices of whole wheat bread and apply butter or low fat cheese on them. Cut vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumber and carrots and place them in between the two slices. Add salt and pepper according to your taste and one of the healthy snacks for weight loss is ready. You may have the sandwich with any sauce.

Other quick healthy snacks may include salads made of vegetables such as mushrooms, green beans, bell peppers, tomatoes,celery, carrots and broccoli with salad dressings like olive oil and rice vinegar. Wraps such as chicken salad wraps, or turkey wraps with healthy portions of veg stuffing make for quick healthy snacks.

Fruitful Delights
Fruits such as raspberries, cranberries, blackberries, strawberries, watermelons, apples, apricots, grapefruit and kiwis are not only high fiber snacks but they have very less calories, too. You can even make easy, quick healthy snacks using these different fruits. Simply thread small chunks of fruits, berries along with cottage cheese onto a wooden skewer and you have a yummy snack to serve. Alternately, you can even make smoothies with fresh fruits or garnish milk and yogurt with sliced bananas or strawberries.

Dry Fruits and Nutties
Dried fruits such as raisins or plums and nuts such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, Brazils and peanuts make for extremely nutritious snacks. They are a rich source of fiber, proteins, mono-unsaturated fats, antioxidants and can be added to any low calorie snacks and meals to lend some extra taste. As they can be eaten raw they naturally fit into the quick healthy snacks list.

Chunky Yogurts
Of all the healthy snacks for kids, frozen yogurts are their favorite. Frozen yogurt contains live yogurt cultures which make them extremely rich in calcium and protein. Plain yogurt made from skimmed milk is a very good option for quick and healthy snacks. Add chunks of fresh fruits or a bit of granola on top and you will have a healthy diet snack ready.

Boiled Egg Quickies
Boiled eggs make a very healthy, high in protein and calcium snack. Here is a boiled egg recipe. Take two hard-boiled eggs and chop them into little pieces. Now add low fat mayonnaise and dill pickle relish to it. Take one whole wheat bread cracker and spread this mixture on it and your high protein snack is ready.

Quick Healthy Snacks to Munch On
Sometimes you may not be hungry but just want to munch on something while watching a movie or while traveling. In such a scenario, always choose dry healthy snacks. Popcorn is a good option. Although, buy only those varieties of popcorn which are butter less and low in sodium. Another option is low carb meal replacement bars. You may also carry baked potato chips or pepperoni chips with you.

These are a few quick healthy snacks for adults as well as children which provide the body with all the essential nutrients and at the same time do not add many calories. A few things should be kept in mind while snacking though. Firstly, keep the portion size small. Secondly, keep the snack ingredients handy so that when you are hungry, you don't have to cook or look for food. Thirdly, if possible, have snacks which have at least one of the essential nutrients, i.e. proteins, carbohydrates or fiber. Also have snacks at least an hour before the meal time so that your food intake does not get hampered. A healthy diet and a positive attitude is after all the recipe for a fit body.

Basic Instructions To Help You In Steaming A Lobster

While wandering around the market we often get to see live lobsters, shining in their glass boxes, with that external hard, red shell and the tasty meat lying underneath. They always seem tempting to the fish lovers for their extremely tender and delicate meat. The idea of savoring lobster meat is absolutely mouth-watering. Once you get the idea of how to cook lobster, the next job of relishing it becomes comparatively easy! There are some basic ways of cooking a lobster - boiling, steaming and grilling. Let's concentrate on steaming the lobster to make it taste richer. There is one golden rule to be kept in mind when you steam a lobster and that is - overcooking, as it reduces the deliciousness of its tender flesh.

The basic prerequisite for a good steaming is to have a good airtight steamer. It will be best if you put the lobster pot inside the steamer, but this is not possible if you are preparing the lobster for more than 4 people. At such times, use a stockpot to steam the lobster on a crab boil burner. Steaming is a less water-consuming process than boiling. Though it is a bit more time-consuming, its softness is preserved best when steamed. One lobster can yield almost a cup full of meat. Here are some basic instructions to help you in steaming a lobster.

Lobster Pot
There are two types of lobster pots. The one in which a lobster is trapped from the sea, is a cage-like structure known as a lobster pot. But while steaming the lobster, we need an instrument that is made of granite or even stainless steel. It has a steaming rack inside and a very tight lid. The steaming rack is porous at its base while the outer pot contains water in it. When the water boils in the pot, you put the lobster in it. The lobster pot avoids direct heat and helps to cook the lobster on the steam itself.

Steaming Process
To steam a single lobster with an approximate weight of 1 to 1.25 pounds, you must fill the lobster pot with three to four inches of water. After that, put two to three tablespoons of salt in it. You can even use sea water. Bring the water to boil and put the lobster in the steaming rack. Then add spices like two to three bay leaves, a small tablespoon of pepper and lemon juice to it. These are basic spices to add a bit of flavor to the meat. You can put other vegetables like onion, celery, etc, if you wish.

Steaming Time
The key skill in steaming the lobster is to manage the time. As said earlier, the lobster should be strictly cooked within the estimated time. Overcooking will ruin the softness as well as the taste of the meat. All you need to have is a timer. A hard shell lobster of approximately 1 to 1.25 pounds takes basic 12 minutes to get steamed perfectly, on a medium flame. And if you have more than one pound of meat to steam, then add 3 minutes for each pound to the total steaming time. Isn't it easy? Remember, the soft shell lobster takes less time. A small shell lobster of 2 pounds will take about three minutes less than the hard shell lobster.

Lobster Type
The frozen lobster is the best option. You can bring it and save it, until you actually want to use it. They are less expensive than the live ones. But the biggest advantage to prepare a frozen lobster is that they are already prepared. The fresh lobster will always taste better, but those who always feel queasy when cooking it alive, the best option is a frozen lobster. To steam, they must first be brought to the normal room temperature. After thawing, you can steam it in a timely manner. The required time will be same as steaming a live lobster.

The Tail
Steaming the lobster tail and then preparing it the way you want is an easy job. You can take either the live or a freshly thawed lobster tail for it. It becomes essential to take the meat out of the shell as the meat curls inside the shell. The time required is same as steaming the whole lobster. Half way through the steaming, take the lid off and rearrange the lobster to get it steamed evenly.

The Grand Finale
There is an easy way to identify whether the lobster is steamed. When it is steamed perfectly, the shell will turn to bright red color and the meat will turn white. If the shell is not bright red and the meat is still translucent, then you will need to steam it a little longer. Even if you stop cooking, the lobster will keep cooking outside the lobster pot. To avoid this, just put the steamed lobsters into a bowl of cold water or ice and then start cracking it. The most important thing to remember is to be careful while opening the lid as it will still be very hot.

You can add a hint of beer while steaming, for more rich flavor. Sea salt or sea water will also enhance the taste of the lobster. Now that you are all done with the steaming, you can prepare numerous dishes or even serve it just like that, with melted butter. A lobster cooked properly will always taste heavenly and you are just left with the important job of savoring it! Just start digging in, along with a glass of whiskey on the rocks!

Look Up Our Easy-to-cook Mediterranean Diet Recipes

Mediterranean food is not restricted to merely a country but an entire region encompassing nearly 15 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea such as Portugal, southern Spain, southern France, southern Italy, Malta, Greece, Crete and parts of Israel, Algeria, Syria, Lebanon and Morocco. There is growing interest in the Mediterranean diet since it has been observed that people from Greece and the Greek Island of Crete have longer life expectancy when compared to any other regional groups. There is lesser incidence of cancer and heart disease.

Diet is not the only factor that leads to good health. It is a combination of various lifestyle elements such as relaxed attitude to eating, regular physical activity and plenty of sunshine. You too can incorporate fresh, flavorful and healthy Mediterranean recipes into your meals. Look up our easy-to-cook Mediterranean diet recipes.

Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet corresponds well to the USDA food pyramid. Whole grain breads, pasta, couscous or rice can form a base for a meal. Including fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet has manifold benefits. Fresh tomatoes and tomato sauce are a rich source of antioxidants. From artichokes and zucchini to eggplant and asparagus, the Mediterranean diet is choc-a-bloc with colorful vegetables.

Fava beans, chickpeas, haricot beans, beans and lentils find their way into many a Mediterranean recipe.
Add fresh salads to all your meals. Consumption of garlic and onions helps the body fight infections and reduces blood pressure.

Yogurt is another essential part of many a Mediterranean recipe. You can eat it plain or topped with fruits and nuts, you can add it to marinades or even use it in savory sauces. Cheese is yet another favorite in a Mediterranean meal. From Feta and Mozzarella to Parmesan and Mizithra, cheese is used in ricottas, pastas and cheesecakes.

• Olive oil - rich source of monounsaturated fat
• Moderate consumption of wine
• Animal fats are not included
• Red meat and dairy products are consumed in small quantities
• Sea food and white meat is eaten more often
• Rich in vegetables, grains, legumes and fruit
• Garnished with fresh herbs and garlic

Consumption of oily fish such as tuna and sardines provide beneficial omega-3 polyunsaturated fats. This lowers the risk of heart disease by preventing blood clot formation in the arteries. Grilled or skewered meat basted with spices and herbs are popular.

Nuts like hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and pine kernels are also added to some Mediterranean recipes. Seasonal fruits be it cherries or watermelon, pomegranates or figs are the ideal finale to a flavorful Mediterranean meal. A couple of glasses of red wine provide phytonutrients that are so essential for LDL oxidization and bioflavonoid, which helps to eliminate bad toxins from the body.

Mediterranean diet recipe

Healthy pancakes

Sift 1 cup white flour into a bowl. Gradually add combined egg and 1 cup soy drink and keep mixing until smooth. Use a non-stick skillet to pour out thin pancakes. Brown them on both sides with a hint of margarine. You can top up the crepes with chopped fruits, honey or a host of other healthy toppings.

Minestrone

The minestrone is typical soup of the Mediterranean and can be adapted for winter and summer with suitable ingredients.
6 cups vegetable or chicken stock
Diced bacon
3 garlic cloves chopped
Diced zucchini
Rosemary, bay leaf and thyme
Diced tomatoes
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Chopped onions, celery, spinach and carrots
1 cup pasta
hot peppers (optional)
Parmesan cheese

Sauté chopped garlic, celery, onions and celery in olive oil. Add spinach and herbs and cook for a couple of minutes till soft. Add stock and vegetables. Add cheese if desired. Allow the broth to simmer for about 15 minutes on a slow flame. Add cooked pasta. Add garnishing and seasoning. If you are using bacon, sauté it till crisp and add it to the soup while serving.

Mediterranean recipe for Healthy soup

You can cook up healthy soup with haricot beans, fava beans and vegetables such as beans, onions, celery, carrots, cabbage and endive leaves. Seasoned with fresh herbs, Parmesan cheese and extra-virgin olive oil, this soup is sure to find favor with most!

Mediterranean recipe

Easy Lasagna

Cooked lasagna noodles
2 cups broth
Chopped spinach
Chopped onion, garlic
Tomato pasta sauce
Fresh herbs
Grated Mozzarella cheese
Feta cheese crumbled

In a thick pan, sauté onions and garlic in extra virgin olive oil. Add broth and fresh herbs. Add spinach and cook on slow flame for a few minutes. Add tomato pasta sauce. Prepare a baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray. Spread cooked noodles and sprinkle mozzarella cheese over it. Add a layer of sautéed mixture and top with mozzarella cheese and Feta. Bake for 30 minutes.

Enjoy The Goodness Of Pandan Chiffon Cake At Home

Chiffon cakes have always been loved for their light and fluffy texture. Today, we have different versions of this moist cake and pandan chiffon cake is one among them. As the name rightly suggests, pandan leaf extract is one of the indispensable ingredients of this cake. Though, it is an Asian version of chiffon cake, it is truly delicious with the sweet fragrance of pandan leaves.

How to Make a Pandan Chiffon Cake

Now you know that pandan leaves are essential for making this cake. You may either use freshly-squeezed pandan juice or pandan paste with artificial flavor. As in case of any other type of chiffon cake, this version too does not use butter. Instead of that, oil is used in pandan chiffon cake recipes. Even coconut milk is an ingredient for making this cake. Another ingredient is eggs that have to be the freshest. This is because fresh eggs whip well, as compared to older ones. Use caster sugar instead of regular sugar, for best results. So, get the right ingredients and start preparing your pandan chiffon cake.

Ingredients

• Cake flour - 100 gm
• Eggs (large) - 5
• Caster sugar - 80 gm (20 + 60)
• Coconut milk - 100 ml
• Olive oil - 3 tablespoons
• Pandan juice - 2 tablespoons
• Baking powder - 1 teaspoon
• Cream of tartar - ½ teaspoon

Method of Preparation

❖ First of all, separate the egg whites and the yolks. Take the egg yolks in a large bowl and beat them well with 20 grams of caster sugar. As the sugar dissolves completely, add the coconut milk and pandan juice.

❖ You may use either fresh or frozen pandan leaves to squeeze out the required amount of juice. All you have to do is to cut the leaves (around ten) into small pieces and crush them in a blender with 1½ tablespoons of water. Now, transfer the crushed leaves into a small cloth bag (made of muslin or cheesecloth) and squeeze out the juice.

❖ Some people add 2-3 drops of pandan essence to the cake batter, so that the cake gets a light green color. This is because, cakes made with pandan juice are found to have a light yellow color. However, use of this essence is optional.

❖ Now, sift the cake flour and baking powder together and add them to the egg yolk mixture, along with olive oil. Combine well and keep aside.

❖ Take a clean bowl without any trace of water or oil in it. Now add the egg whites to this bowl and beat them (with an electric egg beater) till bubbles appear.

❖ Add cream of tartar and mix well with the egg whites, before adding one-third (20 gm) of the remaining caster sugar. Beat the mixture well and add the remaining caster sugar in two batches.

❖ You have to continue beating the egg white-sugar mixture, till it forms stiff peaks. Now, gently fold in the fluffy egg whites to the flour-egg yolk mixture. Make sure not to use force while combining them.

❖ Once they get combined, pour the cake batter into an eight inch round tube cake pan and bake the cake in the oven that is preheated to 340°F. Bake for around 30 to 40 minutes and your homemade pandan chiffon cake is ready.

So, now you have a fair idea about making pandan chiffon cake at home. You may come across other such recipes with slight variations. But, the basic method remains the same. You can prepare this cake without much difficulty, if you know the right methods and have the required ingredients. Apart from providing a sweet flavor to the cake, pandan juice is healthy too. So, try this recipe and enjoy the goodness of pandan chiffon cake.