Classic Scottish Shortbread

Scotland is as well known for its Food, as it is for its history, folklore and festivals. Some people think Scottish food is not for the faint-hearted - they use varieties of meat and spices that might not gel with everyone. However, when it comes to Desserts, they are a safe bet, and Scottish pastries are famous for being not overly-sweet, with a flaky crust and nice fresh fruit filling. But even if someone is not familiar with Scottish food, I am sure they will know about the Scottish Shortbread. [photo courtesy of Rita Maas via Fine Cooking]

Shortbread is the simplest of preparations, flour, butter and sugar, and also one of the fastest cookies that I have baked! The end result relies heavily upon the flavor of the butter, so don't compromise here, and DO NOT think about calories when you bake a Shortbread. This recipe is adapted from The Edinburgh Book of Plain Cookery Recipes. It has loads of authentic recipes that you will love.

Scottish Shortbread Recipe

Ingredients
1-1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup rice flour
8 ounces salted butter, softened at room temperature
1/2 cup superfine sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Method
Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a standing mixer, paddle until the dough clumps together. You can even do this by using a ladle or your hands. Break the butter into chunks and slowly mix it in with the flour to form the dough.

Press the dough in a 8-9 inch cake pan, pressing it gently to attain 1-2 inch thickness, depending on how you like your shortbread. Line the pan with heavy aluminum foil, letting the foil extend over two sides of the pan, then press the dough. This will help to lift out the shortbread after it is baked, and cut it into pieces.

Prick with a fork to decorate if you wish. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 to 35 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned. Cut into appropriate sized pieces while it’s still warm, and allow to cool completely before removing it from the pans.

Related Recipes
Pistachio Shortbread Cookies
Chocolate Nutella Cookies
Coconut Cookies with Vanilla Icing

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Subway's Baseball Designs Tour & Charity Initiative

SUBWAY® restaurants, the world’s largest restaurant chain, today unveiled the third annual SUBWAY® Baseball DeSIGNS Tour with its first exhibit at the 2011 SUBWAY® National Little League® Baseball Appreciation Game at La Cienega Park in Los Angeles.

The SUBWAY® Baseball DeSIGNS Tour includes more than 40 baseballs designed by young artists and signed by celebrities and athletes including: musician Katy Perry, actor Zac Efron, rock band Maroon 5, gold medal-winning swimmer Michael Phelps, pro football’s Drew Brees, baseball star Ryan Howard, basketball Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin, NASCAR driver Carl Edwards, tennis superstars Serena and Venus Williams, celebrity chef, Robert Irvine and Jared Fogle (the “SUBWAY® guy”) among others.


The tour will visit four U.S. cities concluding with a final stop at the Little League® Baseball World Series (LLBWS) from Aug. 19-28, where the baseballs will then be auctioned off to the general public with all proceeds benefiting the Little League® Baseball Urban Initiative program which helps fund start-ups, developments, equipment, clinics and field maintenance for inner-city youth leagues and teams.

"As the world’s leading youth sports organization for over 70 years, Little League® is focused on providing a community program that includes the opportunity to promote physical activity and a healthy lifestyle through participation," said Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League® Baseball and Softball. Baseball legends and Famous Fans of SUBWAY® will participate in the tour’s various stops including Cy Young Award winner and ESPN baseball personality Orel Hershiser and former Los Angeles all-star outfielder Shawn Green, who will also serve as honorary coaches in the 2011 National Little League® Baseball Appreciation Game.

For more information on the tour, consumers can visit SubwayKids.com and the Official SUBWAY® Facebook page. Online auctions for the celebrity-autographed baseballs will open to the public Aug. 19 and will run through the Little League® Baseball World Series, which concludes Aug. 28

About Little League Baseball & Softball
Little League® Baseball and Softball is the world’s largest and most respected youth sports organization. With players in every U.S. state and more than 70 other countries, the program is led by more than 1 million adult volunteers. It serves children ages 5 through 18, including physically and mentally disabled children (Challenger Division) and children in urban areas (Little League Urban Initiative).

Does your kid have creative design ideas? Then this is your opportunity to help your kid's talent shine through. Participate in the Baseball Design Tour, and your kid's design could be among the final 40 selected to be auctioned for charity. Check out the links above for more details.

Note: This post has been sponsored by Subway to promote the Baseball Designs Initiative.

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Thai Red Curry With Tofu & Vegetables

Thai curries are famous for their distinct flavors and the coconut base. And I love the fact that you can create beautiful variations by using different types of curry pastes or spice blends to make a red, green or yellow curry. This Friday night, we experimented with the Thai Red Curry made with Tofu and vegetables. What better way to get some protein, vitamins and loads of nutritious juices into our system than make a fulfilling curry! The best part, it was so easy to make, did not need much preparation, as we used a ready-made paste, and it tasted great with hot Jasmine Rice. Perfect for Vegans too! Flavored with lemongrass, basil, kafir leaves and laden with veggies, tofu and bamboo shoots, this Thai Red Curry is surely something that will please your palates!

Ingredients
Adapted from original recipe over at Epicurious

1 medium onion, halved lengthwise, then thinly sliced crosswise
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large garlic clove, chopped
2 teaspoons bottled Asian red-curry paste such as Thai Kitchen brand
1 (14-oz) can unsweetened coconut milk (not low-fat)
1 teaspoon salt
1 (1-lb) package frozen mixed vegetables such as broccoli, corn, and red peppers
1 (14- to 16-oz) block firm tofu, rinsed, patted dry, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce (optional, omit for vegetarians)
1/4 cups water

Method
Cook the onion in oil in a wide 4-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until pale golden, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to moderate, then add garlic and curry paste and cook, stirring, 1 minute.

Stir in coconut milk, salt, and remaining 1/4 cup water and bring to a boil. Stir in vegetables and return to a boil. Cover pot, then reduce heat and cook at a brisk simmer, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes. Gently stir in tofu and simmer curry, partially covered, until vegetables are tender, 7 to 8 minutes.

Remove pot from heat and stir in fish sauce and salt to taste.

To make Jasmine Rice, rinse rice briefly in a sieve and drain, shaking sieve to remove excess water. Bring rice and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil in a 1 1/2- to 2-quart heavy saucepan over high heat, then cover pan with a tight-fitting lid and cook rice over low heat until water is absorbed and rice is tender, about 15 minutes.

Transfer the delicious Thai Red Curry with Tofu in a serving bowl, garnish with some basil and lime wedges, and serve hot with Jasmine Rice.

Need more Thai inspiration? Then check out these basic Thai sauce recipes and Thai Pineapple Fried Rice recipe

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Simple Chickpea and Mung Salad

There are days when you feel like eating the most simple and nutritious things in life, and naturally, the first thing that comes to your mind is a Salad. There are loads of salad dressings available in the market these days, but if you closely look at the labels on them, you'll find they are not always less in calories. It's best to stick to simple and traditional home-dressings when you are trying to fill yourself up with something nutritious. Here's my favorite salad, which I call a bowlful of protein, as it's made of lentils, spinach and peppers, no fancy dressing, no additional pizzazz, just plain old simple Indian salad!


Ingredients
2 cups of washed fresh spinach leaves
2 cans of boiled chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
2 cups of boiled green mung beans
1 green or yellow bell pepper
1 small onion - chopped finely
1 green cucumber - diced
1/2 cup of lemon juice
1 firm tomato - chopped finely
salt and pepper - to taste
chaat masala - to sprinkle on the top
a handful of coriander leaves - chopped

Method
Mix all the ingredients except the spinach leaves in a large bowl and add the lemon juice to it. Let it refrigerate covered for at least half an hour, allowing the lentils to soak the lemon juice.

Before serving, add the spinach leaves, salt, black pepper powder and chaat masala and toss well so it is evenly combined. Add finely chopped coriander leaves and serve immediately!

This Chickpea and Mung salad is a healthy and highly nutritive salad, and can keep you full for quite some time, thanks to all the protein and fiber content that it has!

Shrikhand - Yogurt Dessert with Saffron & Nuts

Today's post is all about celebrating Yogurt - one of the simplest sources of Calcium and Protein, and I am sure the name DANNON is not unknown to any of you, right? Dannon Activia is graciously giving away FREE coupons to all our readers to try their new yogurt samples. You can print your free coupons by visiting this link below:

Visit the Activia Selects Facebook page to get your FREE coupon now!

Shrikhand, also known as Amarkhand or Mattha is an easy and flavorful Indian dessert which is traditionally prepared by hanging Yogurt in a muslin cloth and draining it of all its liquid content, then using the remaining whey to make the rich and creamy Shrikhand. It is generally flavored with saffron, cardamom and nuts, but over time, various Shrikhand recipes have evolved where you can flavor it with seasonal fruits and artificial flavors to suit your tastebuds. It is similar to a Yogurt Parfait, just a bit thicker in texture, and without granola or cereals. Also, it has a nice creamy flavor, but without the usual fat content. A perfect accompaniment to any Indian meal, or as a healthy dessert when entertaining, this Kesar Shrikhand (Yogurt Dessert) is sure to please you and your guests!

Ingredients
3 cups fresh yogurt
1 cup caster sugar
5-6 strands of saffron (plus more for garnish)
1 tbsp warm milk
1/4 cup nuts - pistachios, almonds, cashews - chopped
1/2 tsp cardamom powder

For Garnish
some more chopped nuts
rose, marigold or any other edible flower petals

Method
Line a colander with a muslin cloth(or a very fine cloth or sieve) with the edges hanging over the colander. Pour in the yogurt. Gather the edges of the muslin cloth and tie a knot, hanging the tied edges from the kitchen sink, letting all the liquid from the yogurt drip in the sink. At the end of 5 hours, the yogurt that remains in the sieve/muslin cloth will be thick and creamy.

Take 1 tbsp warm milk, and drop the saffron strands into it. Let it rest for 15-20 mins to bleed so the saffron oozes out all its color.

Transfer the hung yogurt to a large bowl. Add all the remaining ingredients to it. Mix well, cover, and set in the refrigerator until it is time to serve.

Transfer to a Serving Bowl, or in individual bowls. Then garnish with some chopped nuts, saffron strands and flower petals.

Tip: To reduce hanging time, blend 4 tbsp condensed milk with 1/4 cup crumbled paneer. Make a smooth paste, then add to the curd to make a thicker Shrikhand when you don't have enough time for preparation.

Shrikhand is a simple and delicious dessert, high in calcium and flavor. This traditional recipe is a bit time-consuming, so if you are looking for a quicker version, try my Sour-Cream Kesar-Elaichi Shrikhand recipe, which requires no prep-time whatsoever, without compromising on the taste!






And now that you have enjoyed the Shrikhand, take this opportunity to try the new refreshing Dannon Activia yogurt flavors by activating your FREE coupons today! Visit the Activia Selects Facebook page to get your FREE coupon now!


Related Recipes:
Mango Kulfi (Mango-Mascarpone Mousse)
Pear & Almond Yogurt Cake
Coconut Burfi (Coconut Laddoos)

Related Tags
fruits, desserts, indian sweets, nuts

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What is Organic Weight Loss?

Weight Loss will always be a topic of immense interest and discussion, even decades from now, I believe. However, it is interesting to see how this topic has evolved over time! First there was only Exercise, then there were diet plans, then came weight loss supplements, detox diets, and now its going full circle again with Organic Weight Loss Propaganda. What is Organic weight loss? Have you heard about it? I for sure had not known the term until few days ago, when I came across an article discussing this new trend in achieving weight loss.

You'll find tonnes of products in the market that guarantee rapid weight loss, but the masters of the trade know that there's no quick-fix route for this destination. Healthy food choices with well-structured diet meals, ample exercise and overall fitness is essential in achieving this goal. Organic weight loss is a means to achieve this end, as it focuses on nourishing the body with vital supplements found naturally in food.

The truth is, once you follow a proper diet and exercise regime, there are things that can give you that extra boost you need to finally take the weight off once and for all. One such "extra boost" is organic food. These are foods grown without hormones, preservatives, pesticides, or other harmful chemicals. They are designed to grow naturally in the environment and work within the human body in a natural way, replenishing lost fluids and nutrients, increasing metabolism, and thereby helping lose those excess pounds naturally.

For people interested in this new and upcoming diet loss plan, you must visit Kirstie Alley's Organic Liaision, which is a great resource to understand more about this form of weight loss, and also an introduction to Rescue Me, their unique diet plan. Organic Liaison offers the first ever USDA certified organic diet food delivery. They encourage a healthy lifestyle based on eating organic meals and promote eating fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy foods grown without the use of inorganic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilizers, growth hormones, antibiotics and other harmful chemicals and toxic substances.

In the end, organic weight loss is not much different from the traditional method of eating healthy food, and focusing on small portions with 5 meals a day. It works with the same philosophy, but is just packaged in a new way. Our bodies are not designed to break down the (toxins)chemicals that are a part of non-organic food products, so we end up placing extra stress on our organs, which results in a build up of chemical substances where fat is stored, and in turn to over-weight and obesity. Smart choices lead to a healthier you, as well as a healthier environment. So take some time to research the importance of organic food, and how it can help you achieve a sustainable weight loss. I just wanted to get a word out about this latest alternative in the market, in the end, you are the best judge of your personal situation!

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TGIF Promotional Post

Attention Chicago area Friday's® fans! Head on over to your local Friday's® now to pick 2 items for only $10!


Enjoy two of Friday's® delicious specials (including appetizers, entrees, and desserts):

• Spinach Florentine Flatbread
  
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This offer is available every night of the week! For the full menu being offered, please visit this page for more details:

Please Note, that this promotion is also available to those residing in Indianapolis, Baltimore and West Palm Beach! So head over to any TGIF location in your area, and make your weeknight meal memorable for your family! Note: This sponsorship is brought to you by Friday's® who we have partnered with for this promotion.

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