Amazing dishes you must cook in Monsoon

Rtv news

30 Jun 2024, 15:52

Photo: Collected

Greenery, cheerful animals & birds, and beautiful weather around – yes, Monsoon season is back. The gentle raindrops and earthy petrichor are a treat to the senses. To add a cherry on the top, some hot and delicious food is all you need on a drizzling day! Undoubtedly, Monsoon is one of the most amazing seasons in Bangladesh.

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And while food delivery apps might not deliver your food due to heavy rains, cooking your food cravings is a great activity for rainy days. Moreover, cooking that food together with your loved ones and enjoying a break from your routine is a great idea to spend a rainy day.

Suggesting a few ideas for the dishes you can cook as further:

Rainy day calls for a 'Masala tea'

On a rainy day, a cup of hot masala cutting tea is the first idea which pops up in everyone’s heart, isn’t it? So, why not make this first idea come true in your kitchen? Moreover, it is so easy to make.

Just need to add some milk, water, sugar, and tea powder and masala like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves etc in a vessel and heat it for a while. Once the sugar dissolves and everything mix well, take it off the flame and enjoy a cup of hot masala cutting tea.

Momo– A healthy fit

If you want to enjoy delicious food in these rains but yet want to stick to healthy options, then here’s some Steamed momos are not only healthy for a quick bite but also utterly delicious. Being hot and served with spicy garlic chutney, Momos are also a great snack for any rainy day.

To make momos, prepare a basic filling by using garlic, ginger, chilli, black pepper, salt, and your choice of vegetables. Fill it in the small balls of dough prepared by using maida. Steam the filling for a while and have it along with spicy garlic chutney.

Some fried Pakoras

Rains often bring cold weather with them which demand something hot and fried to eat. So, how about some hot, fried pakoras served with green chilli chutney and tomato ketchup along with cups of hot tea? It is a great combination to enjoy a rainy day with your loved ones.

For pakoras, you don’t need to stick with a single vegetable. You can use whichever vegetable you want to use or the ones which are available at that point. Just add those vegetables to a gram-flour batter made with water. Add a few tablespoons of red chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, and chaat masala powder. Mix well and fry it in hot oil. Serve it with freshly-made green chilli chutney and tomato ketchup.

Something as tempting as a 'Samosa'

The coriander powder present in Samosa often manages to create a temptation in the heart of people. On a rainy day, this temptation only gets doubles. The only difference here is that coriander powder does not create a temptation here but the rains do. So, make this tempting Samosa and enjoy your break!

To make a Samosa, prepare a potato mixture by mixing boiled potatoes, peas, ginger, coriander powder, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, and coriander leaves. To make it spicy, you can also add a few finely chopped green chillies. Meanwhile, use all-purpose flour to knead soft dough. Make small balls from it and flatten them to give a round shape with the help of a rolling pin. Further, add the potato mixture in it, cover in the shape of a triangle and fry in hot oil. Serve your samosa with green chilli chutney and tamarind chutney.

Simple, quick, and tasty - Instant noodles

A saviour of your hunger pangs – Instant noodles are an all-time favourite dish! In fact, enjoying a bowl of hot Maggi when it is drizzling heavily is sheer bliss to enjoy. Sharing it with your loved ones is fun as well! Moreover, making instant noodles is extremely easy and quick! So, how about cooking some instant noodles?

You just have to boil some instant noodles in a pot of water. Add a bit of tastemaker or the spices you prefer to it. Cook it for a few minutes and serve.

Health is wealth with a hot Soup

While monsoon season is one of the most beautiful seasons, it also brings many health-related diseases like cold, flu, fever, etc. Thus, it is advisable that you must take care of your health this season and consume healthy food in your diet. And who says that indulging in healthy food means that you should compromise on taste? Soups are a great way to keep up your health while enjoying the good taste as well.

There are many varieties of soups and their recipes are easily available on the internet. You have to choose one based on the type of vegetable or taste you prefer. To make the soup healthier, you can even add a pinch of turmeric powder to it. Doing so will also give a beautiful colour to your soup.

The rainy season, be as amazing as a Vegetable Biryani

Imagine this. You are at home and it is raining heavily, outside. The environment is dark, lightning strikes are quite bold and the air is pretty cold. Even the lights are gone. But your food craving is still high. In such a situation, you and your loved ones cook a delicious Biryani together. Won’t it be wonderful?

And trust us when we say that preparing a perfect Biryani is an easy task. You just need to use a well-balanced Biryani masala and your Biryani will turn out be a hit. A perfect dish for a cold rainy day! Not to forget, its heavenly aroma is worth the effort.

All-time favourite - Alu Chaat

Enough of all the good about rainy days With nothing to do, those days can turn boring as well. But remember, life is a short ride and hence, you must embrace every bit of it. Haha, don’t worry. We don’t aim to diminish your spirits. Instead, we have come up with a solution for it which is an Aloo tikka chaat. Brings a rush of joy, doesn’t it? A dish is full of spicy and tangy flavours of chat masala powder, red chilli powder, tamarind, green chilli and to balance these flavours Potato is added.

So, just mash some boiled potato and add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, chaat masala powder, amchur powder, garam masala powder, ginger-garlic paste, corn-flour, and salt. Mix well. Make small patties and shallow-fry it. Top those patties with curd, green chilli chutney, tamarind chutney, red chilli powder, cumin powder, salt, and some sev. You can also add chopped onions, tomato, a pinch of chat masala powder, and coriander leaves.

So, In this monsoon, eat healthily and stay healthy. While making these recipes, use good quality vegetables and good quality packaged spices.

Source: VM

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Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years and has gained recognition in recent times as a complementary approach to managing various mental health conditions, including depression. While Yoga should not replace professional medical treatment, it can be a valuable addition to a comprehensive depression management plan. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, Founder of Akshar Yoga Kendraa, suggested several Yoga techniques that may help alleviate symptoms of depression- 1. Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar): This flowing sequence of poses synchronizes breath with movement, promoting circulation and energy flow throughout the body. The rhythmic nature of Sun Salutations can help calm the mind and boost mood. Practicing 5-10 rounds daily, especially in the morning, may help establish a positive routine and increase motivation. 2. Backbends: Poses like Cobra (Bhujangasana), Bridge (Setu Bandhasana), and Camel (Ustrasana) open the chest and heart area. These poses are believed to counteract the physical manifestations of depression, such as slouched posture and shallow breathing. Backbends can promote feelings of openness and may help lift one's mood. 3. Inversions: Poses that invert the body, such as Headstand (Sirsasana), Shoulder Stand (Sarvangasana), or even simple Legs-Up-the-Wall pose (Viparita Karani), are thought to alter blood flow and stimulate the nervous system. These poses may help shift perspective and provide a sense of renewed energy. 4. Forward Bends: Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana) and Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana) can have a calming effect on the nervous system. These poses encourage introspection and may help quiet an overactive mind, potentially reducing anxiety and rumination often associated with depression. 5. Balancing Poses: Tree Pose (Vrksasana) and Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III) require focus and concentration, which can help redirect attention away from negative thoughts. The act of finding physical balance may translate to emotional balance and improved self-confidence. 6. Restorative Yoga: This gentle form of yoga uses props to support the body in passive poses held for extended periods. Restorative poses like Supported Child's Pose or Reclined Bound Angle Pose can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing stress. 7. Pranayama (Breathing Exercises): Specific breathing techniques can have a powerful effect on mood and energy levels. Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana) may help balance the nervous system, while Victorious Breath (Ujjayi) can be calming and grounding. Deep belly breathing (Diaphragmatic Breathing) can activate the relaxation response and reduce anxiety. 8. Yoga Nidra: This guided meditation practice, often called "yogic sleep," involves lying in Savasana (Corpse Pose) while following verbal cues to systematically relax the body and mind. Regular practice of Yoga Nidra may help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety by promoting deep relaxation and self-awareness. 9. Mantra Meditation: Repeating a mantra or positive affirmation during yoga practice or meditation can help redirect the mind from negative thought patterns. Simple mantras like "So Hum" (I am that) or personalized affirmations can be powerful tools for shifting perspective. 10. Healing walk Lift your arms up keeping them at shoulder width distance. Now, start walking with your arms raised in this position and your hands can be up in the air for 1-3 minutes. Initially this may not be possible as you will have to train the muscles of your arms and shoulders and strengthen them. Build up to 1-3 minutes gradually by starting of with a minute increase and so on until you are physically capable enough with the strength required to hold your arms up for 1-3 minutes straight. One round practice will require you to perform a minimum of three sets of these walks of minimum 1-3 minutes each. Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar insisted that by consistently practicing these Yoga techniques, individuals may experience improvements in mood, energy levels and overall well-being. The combination of physical movement, breath awareness and mindfulness inherent in Yoga practice can provide a holistic approach to addressing the complex nature of depression. Source: HT

How to reuse a candle jar instead of throwing it out

Have you ever wondered what to do with decorative candle jars once they’re empty? There are plenty of creative (and practical) ways to upcycle the containers instead of just tossing them in the trash. So next time you finish burning a scented candle, here’s how to reuse the candle jar around the home. How to remove candle wax from a jar The first and most important step to reusing candle jars is to remove the leftover wax. According to the National Candle Association (NCA), you should stop burning candles when half an inch of wax is left in the container or jar. Freezer method The most common way to remove candle wax from a jar is to place it in the freezer and leave it there overnight — a day or two is even better. This will shrink the wax so that it’s easier to remove. If the wax doesn’t come right out when you flip the jar over, you can use a spoon to gently remove it. (Breaking the wax into smaller pieces can also help.) Boiling water method In a rush? You can remove leftover wax from a jar much faster with boiling water. As someone who has cleaned and reused plenty of candle jars, this is my preferred way to remove wax. Simply boil water in a kettle and pour it into the candle jar, leaving at least an inch of space at the top. The wax will melt and rise to the surface as it cools down. Then, once the wax has solidified (be patient!), you can easily scoop it out with a spoon. How to clean candle jars Even after following the instructions above, it’s normal for there to be some wax along the walls of the candle jar. Luckily, you don’t need any fancy cleaning tools to get it looking spotless. We suggest using warm water, dish soap and a sponge to help remove any leftover residue — a damp paper towel works wonders for cleaning up wax too. The NCA says you can also try running hot water over the exterior of the candle jar and then wiping away the melted wax. Whether you use the freezer or boiling water method, the candle wick should ideally come out along with the wax. “If not, try running hot water over it to release the adhesive,” the NCA says. “Remember, avoid using knives or sharp tools for this as it could damage the jar and cause injury.” If you want to remove the label (some are pretty enough to keep on), you can soak the jar in hot water. Goo Gone can also help with any sticky adhesive that gets left behind. How to reuse candle jars Once you have a clean jar, there are so many ways to reuse it. Here are some of my favorite ideas, but the potential uses are pretty much endless. As a storage container The most straightforward way to reuse a candle jar is as a storage container — I have old candle jars holding things all over my apartment. They can be used to store small items like cotton balls and cotton swabs in the bathroom or to organize office supplies at your desk. (Taller jars are great for pens and pencils, and smaller jars for holding paper clips and rubber bands.) And if your vanity is a mess, try using an old candle jar to corral your makeup brushes. As a cocktail glass If your candle jar is made of food-safe materials, you can even use it as a cocktail glass. Not many candle manufacturers advertise their containers as food-safe, so you may have to do some digging. I’m a big fan of the candles in Paddywax’sLa Playa collection, which are designed for this — they even come with a fun cocktail recipe! As a catchall in your entryway You can also use empty jars as a catchall in your entryway for keys, headphones, and hand sanitizer — large, shallow containers work best for this. Candle jars are perfect for holding spare change too — you’ll know exactly where to go when you need a coin to scratch off a lottery ticket or the back of a gift card. As decor If you host often, you can fill empty jars with things like seashells, pine cones, or battery-powered fairy lights for an easy centerpiece idea. Candy would be a great option too. One of my favorite ways to reuse a candle jar is as a flower vase — Homesick candles, for example, are the perfect size for small bouquets. You can also reuse candle jars as decorative planters and build mini terrariums in them. (For plants that require drainage, you can keep them in their nursery pots or drill holes in the jar.) As a new candle Feeling crafty? You can refill old jars with wax to make a new candle. It’s a lot easier than it sounds! Some brands even offer refillable candle kits that come with pre-scented wax, a wick, and a wick holder.