Healthy Chinese Food

Chinese fried rice, noodles, dimsums, moms, chilly chicken , chilly paneer, choupsey…there is whole range of items that have become staple meal of more than a third of world’s population. Well, the delectable taste and the ease of preparation are two important attributes of popularity of Chinese dishes. The yummy food recipes with the generous usage of sauce and delectable culinary herbs can enrich your palate and that too within no time.

However there is a common misconception that these are junk foods. Let us peep through the facts from the fallacy.

·         The authentic Chinese cuisine is acknowledged as one of the healthiest food in the world.

·         Saturated fats account for only 4-7 % of the total calories whereas the other popular dish, Pizza has 20 % of the total calories in the form of saturated fats.

·         Chinese inculcate Yin and Yang philosophy in their food which is evident in the texture, color, and flavor.

·         The common ingredients include plenty of vegetables, lean poultry, and sea food.

Let us now look at the calorific value of the important Chinese food.

Name of the Chinese Food Item	Total Calories
1 Dim Sim Fried(Appetizer)	100
3 Large Prawn Crackers(Appetizer)	45
Wantons, Medium, Fried(Appetizers)	110
1 Small Spring Roll Deep Fried	115
1 Cup Chow Beef	320
1 Cup Beef: Braised w. Chinese Vegetables	250
1 Cup Crispy Skin Chicken	410
1 Cup Barbecued Pork	545
1 Cup Fried Rice	365
1 Medium Bowl Wanton Soup	240
1 Medium Bowl Chicken And Corn Soup	160

Having said these, I know that the original Chinese preparation is missing and they are presented in eth localized versions which can alter the aforementioned figures. Still, if you are eating the original preparation then you can rest assured that you are taking a wholesome healthy food.

Time to take those forks out and eat the authentic Chinese food.

Recipe of Some Popular Sweet Delicacies in Winter I

Winter is not always about tearing through the non-veg delights or spicy food. In fact, there are no substitutes for some hot sweet dishes in winter. They are irresistibly tasty and healthy too. Let us try our hands in preparing theses dishes.

Badam ka Halwa

This sweet dish has rich ingredients and you need to take a limited amount else it becomes too hot to handle for your stomach. Usually, people in North Indian cities consume it on routine basis. Consuming it in the morning keeps you warm throughout the day. Cooking this dish merely takes 15 -20 minutes but the taste can leave you satiated for hours.

Prepartion time 15 Mins

Cooking Time 30 Mins

Serves 4

Ingredients

• Almonds soaked overnight (2 Cups)
• Milk (1 ½ Cups)
• Sugar (16 table spoons)
• Cardamom (Elaichi) powder (1 tea spoon)
• Ghee (12 table spoons)

For Garnishing

Peeled and sliced almonds ( 8-12 pcs)

Cooking procedure

• Take out the soaked almonds and pour 1-2 cups of boiling water. Leave the mix for 5-8 minutes.
• Take out the water (drain the almonds) and peel the outer skins.
• Add 5 tbsp milk and make a purée viz. smooth paste by grinding the mixture.
• Heat ghee in a non-stick kadhai on slow flame and add the purée. Regularly stir the mixture for 15 minutes or till the mixture appears golden-brownish.
• Pour the remaining milk (it should be bolied)  in the mix and cook for 5 minutes on slow flame.
• You can now add sugar and the cardamom powder and keep on stirring till the crystals of sugar are completely dissolved.
• Serve it hot with the systemic garnishing.

In the next post we will see some other hot sweet dishes. Till then, enjoy cooking and I bet you will certainly enjoy the taste.

Chicken Seekh Kabab

Seekh Kabab is one of the favorite starters for those who relish having non-veg items. Imagine the slightly moistened hot piece of charcoal baked chicken meat. Fluffy and soft chicken meat, yummy! If you have microwave oven in your house then you can enjoy this delicacy at home, all you need is 30 minutes and some ingredients. Let us try to prepare this unique dish.

Preparation Time : 10 Min

Cooking Time : 15 Min

Serves: 4

 Ingredients:

·         Minced meat of Chicken ( ½ Kg)

·         Finely chopped onions ( 2 Pieces)

·         Powdered Red Chilly (1/2 tbsp)

·         Peppercorns ( 6 Pieces)

·         Cloves ( 4 Pieces)

·         Cardamoms ( 6 Pieces)

·         Daal Cheeni ( ¼ tbsp)

·         Grams (Chana)

·         Finely grated fresh Coriander leaves ( 50 grams)

·         Chopped green chilly (4 pieces)

·         Bread Slices ( Grinded to crumbs, 2 pieces)

·         Corn Flour ( 1 tbsp)

·         Beaten egg ( 1)

·         Salt (depending on taste)

·         Oil and butter  

Cooking Procedures

1. Take all the dry items together and grind them, mix the grinded material with minced meat and mix with the breadcrumbs.
2. Grind the dough as prepared.
3. Add egg, chopped coriander leaves, chopped green chillies, corn flour. Mix and leave the mixture for half an hour.  
4. Wrap the mixture around a skew and prepare the raw seekh kabab.
5. Roast in a moderately hot tandoor or charcoal grill or microwave oven (at 150° C).
6. While roasting keep on rotating the skew and constantly baste it with oil.
7. Remove from the skewers once the golden brown color appears.
8. Serve with tamarind chutney, onion rings, and lemon wedges.

Mughlai Dishes

Mughlai Dishes are hot favorites among the North Indian people, especially during winters. These dishes owe their origin to the Mughals and are very rich in taste. Most of these dishes use dry fruits, spices, and nuts quite extensively. The daily intake of Mughals was quite limited and hence they ensured that the gourmet had the rich combination of fat, carbohydrates, and proteins.

Some of the popular Mughlai dishes include Kabab, Biryani, Pulao, Korma, Kofta and the rich taste is vindicated by the fact that their sheer names tantalize your taste buds. And a consummate preparation will leave you craving for more once you try them. In fact, apart from the main course dishes, Mughals were very fond of sweet dishes. Kalakand, Sewai, Rabree, Badaam Halwa, Kulfi, Gulab Jamun, Kesar Barfee are some sweet dishes that are highly popular, especially in North India.

The preparation of mughlai dishes is quite elaborate, time-taking, and involves numerous spices and other ingredients. And each ingredient serves a specific purpose to leave you wanting for more.

In the subsequent posts I will discuss the recipe of several Mughlai dishes, so you can prepare them at your home and enjoy the delicacies.