Latest news with #Indian-style
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
This Dream Salad has everything! From Chia seeds to Avocado to Beetroot to Curd
Not every salad is worthy of being called a dream, but this one truly is. It's not just a basic mix of greens and boring toppings. It's a bowl full of colour, texture, flavour, and real nutrition, all coming together like they were made for each other. Yes, there's chia seeds, beetroot, avocado, and curd — but that's only the start. This is the kind of salad you actually feel like eating. It doesn't feel like some sad diet food, doesn't leave you hungry again after one hour, and somehow your skin and stomach just feel better after. You can make it for lunch, after a workout, or when you're too lazy to cook. Here's how to put together the best Indian-style power salad ever. Let's break down the five shining stars in the bowl — with all their benefits, flavour tricks, and how to use them right. Avocado – the creamy hero Avocados are all soft and buttery and just make the whole salad feel fancy. Not many people in India use them in salads yet, but once you try it, you'll get hooked. They've got these good fats that help your body grab all the vitamins better, and there's loads of potassium too, which is good for keeping your blood pressure steady. How to use: Scoop out ripe avocado, slice or mash it lightly. Toss it in salt and lemon juice immediately so it doesn't go brown. Pair it with crunchy veggies like cucumber and onion for balance. You can even blend it into a creamy dressing with curd, garlic, and coriander. Chia seeds – the silent health warriors Chia seeds may be small and almost tasteless, but once soaked, they transform into a jelly-like texture that adds something special to any salad. They're packed with fibre, omega-3 fatty acids, and plant-based protein. This simple ingredient not only helps you stay fuller for longer but also supports smoother digestion, making it a smart and easy addition to your plate. How to use: Soak a spoonful in water or curd for about 10 minutes. Mix them in right before eating for the best texture. Chia adds a gentle crunch and a cooling quality to the salad. Combine with mint, pomegranate, and curd for a refreshing mix. Beetroot – the earthy sweet twist This root is full of antioxidants and nitrates that help with better blood flow, energy, and cleansing your system. Its deep pink colour makes any salad look beautiful. But don't just grate it raw and toss it in — treat it with a little care. How to use: Cut up some beetroot and either roast it in the oven or just cook it in a pan with a bit of oil and some cumin. Or you can boil it, chop it into cubes, and mix with chaat masala and lemon juice. It turns all soft and slightly sweet, which goes really well with anything spicy or tangy. Also tastes amazing with curd, onions, and green chillies — like a desi beetroot raita thing. Curd – the cooling comfort Every dream salad needs something to bring it all together — and curd does that effortlessly. It adds creaminess, cuts spice, cools the stomach, and brings probiotics that are great for your gut. You can either dollop it on top or make a full-on dressing with herbs and lemon. How to use: Whisk curd till smooth. Mix with crushed garlic, salt, pepper, coriander, and a squeeze of lime. Pour this over roasted or raw vegetables and mix gently. You can also turn it into a thick hung-curd dip and add spoonfuls through the salad like you would with cheese. Sprouted moong – the desi crunch Forget boring croutons. Sprouted moong adds crunch, protein, and a whole lot of freshness. It's great for weight balance, digestion, and keeping your energy steady. Sprouts have that raw, earthy bite, but you can soften them just a little with clever seasoning. How to use: Rinse well, steam lightly or sauté with a pinch of salt and turmeric. Let them cool, then mix with tomatoes, onions, and a dash of lemon. This mix goes beautifully with curd, avocado, and pomegranate — creating a contrast of textures that makes every bite exciting. Put it all together Now for the final toss-up. Start with something basic like cucumber slices, some lettuce, or even chopped cabbage. Add a big spoon of that curd dressing you made. Then pile in the roasted beetroot, a spoon of soaked chia seeds, those soft avocado bits, and a handful of sprouted moong. If you want a bit of crunch, add some roasted peanuts or sunflower seeds. Top it all with a few mint leaves, a little splash of mustard oil or olive oil, and a pinch of black salt. That's it. The final bowl is one of those salads that's light but still makes you feel full. It's creamy, it's crunchy, it's sweet, tangy, earthy — all the stuff, all at once. It's good for your gut, helps your skin do its thing, and honestly, just feels kinda awesome to eat. It fills you up and tastes way better than those sad little salads. Call it a mood-lifter, a detox bowl, or just a really good way to eat your colours — this dream salad has it all.
India.com
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- India.com
7 Prawn Recipes You Shouldn't Miss
(Images Credit: Freepik) A rich, spicy Indian-style curry with onions, tomatoes, and masalas. Perfect with rice or paratha! Juicy prawns coated in seasoned batter and deep-fried to golden perfection. Crispy outside, tender inside! Cooked in sizzling butter with garlic, herbs, and a splash of lemon. Quick, simple, and packed with flavour. A South Indian street-style snack — fiery, crunchy, and absolutely addictive! A mild and creamy coconut-based curry with tender prawns and green chillies. Comfort food with coastal vibes. Light, zesty, and refreshing! With lime juice, chilli, herbs, and crunchy veggies. Tossed in soy sauce, garlic, and veggies — this quick stir-fry is perfect for weeknight dinners. Read Next Story
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
What makes Bengaluru unique? Walk the streets to know city's real core
By: Shoba Narayan Every now and then, my friends want to move to Bangalore. They are attracted by its weather and vibrant tech scene. Since I write books and articles about this city, they often ask for advice of various sorts: good schools, cost of living and, most often, where to live. For the last question, I have a stock answer. I describe various neighbourhoods in Bangalore and then offer my final tip: live near a bazaar. Unless you are the kind who doesn't like bazaars, in which case my advice would be the opposite: live in a gated community. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Cities claim your heart in many ways. Some are flamboyant and classy, with many world-class museums, buildings and performing-arts venues. Others play up their age with ancient alleys and historical landmarks. Some cities, though, try to walk the fine line between doing all of the above. Bangalore is one of these cities. The region it stands on is objectively one of the oldest, not just in India but on Earth. Bangalore stands atop a Precambrian geologic rocky terrain formed 4.3 billion years ago. Lalbagh rock, that all of us clamber upon, is part of this geologic time. When you stand on top of it, you are touching one of the oldest parts of Earth. Bangalore city, on the other hand, is layered. It does not have the historical heft of neighbouring Chennai with its Chola kings and colonial remnants. It does not have Mughal history and grand buildings like Delhi. It is not as vibrant in its performing arts venues as Mumbai. It does not have the Colonial buildings of Kolkata. Bangalore is a bit of a khichdi with all of the above and none of the above. What makes Bangalore unique? Well, for one, its weather. The second anomaly is that it is not near a river, which most global cities need in order to set up their civilizations. Bangalore became a settlement because it was at the crossroads of the NorthSouth East-West trade routes. Today, this city has been overtaken by technology, first with IT and now with its startup culture. If you want to see Bangalore before it became synonymous with software, you have to go to its bazaars. It is where all the wheeling and dealing happens. On nearly every weekday morning, I have a routine. I wear a simple cotton saree and walk to Russell Market. I may not necessarily enter the market, but all along the way are vendors who I know and have cultivated over the many years that I have lived in Bangalore. There is the dour vendor on Dharmaraja Koil street who only sells banana leaves, a lady who sells greens and know their medicinal properties, a flower guy who can custom-make arrangements for parties as long as they are Indian-style garland-type ones. I chat with them, haggle for vegetables and learn new things. To see the city that you live in as a spectacle, object of visual interest and social interaction requires that you be a flaneur: that old French word which connotes loitering without a purpose. There are several cities in the world that lend themselves to this sort of approach to life in the city. Most European cities, for instance, let your wander. In India, this is difficult largely because of the trifecta of heat, traffic and pollution. In Bangalore, though, this is possible, particularly if you live in densely populated areas like mine. Shivajinagar is full of narrow alleys and lanes that connote a time before vehicles. The trick is to choose unchanging eternal sights that are not linked to any event or season as your touchstones. In my area, this means choosing old temples to goddesses like Muthyalamma, Angala Parameshwari and Mariamma. It means the St Mary's Church and the Juma Masjid. It means the old attar sellers who have populated the place forever. And, of course, Russell Market where a rotating cast of garland makers, butchers and vegetable vendors ply their trade. With that said, I want to give you specific instances of how to walk through your neighbourhood with a flaneur's approach. Look for cobblers and tailors as you walk. Stop for a moment to peer into their shops. Some will have boots and buttons, some will have men sitting on the floor and doing intricate embroidery. Punjab tailors or LB Prakash in Commercial Street, for instance, is where I go to get intricate work done. You can squat on the ground next to the sequin guy or the embroiderer and discuss French knots and roses with them. Isn't this luxury? Look for gully cricket. Still happens in small lanes all over Bangalore. If you are in the mood and have time, join in. It is a great way to know the neighbourhood. Look at street names wherever you are in Bangalore. In Shivajinagar for instance, there is a Fruit Street, Murphy Road and Ashur Khanna street. I wonder about these names and these people. Who were they and how did they influence Bangalore? In that question lies a new exploration. Being curious about your neighbourhood lets you peel open the layers hidden in plain sight. They let you both be a tourist in your own city and also get to know the place that you call home a little better. But for all this, the necessary but not sufficient condition is that you must walk. The writer has authored 'Namma Bangalore: Soul of the City', and other books
NDTV
5 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
Is It Safe To Eat Cold Leftover Food Straight From The Fridge?
Most of us do it without thinking - pop leftovers into the fridge, assuming they will be good to eat the next day (or the day after). After all, the refrigerator is our ultimate food safety guard, right? But is storing your dal or leftover biryani at midnight and reheating it three days later really as safe as it feels? Can we keep storing food without checking how, when, or where it is kept? Turns out, not quite. Improper storage and reheating habits can do more harm than you think. So, if you are used to storing piles of food in the fridge, here is how to eat it safely and retain its nutrition. How To Store Leftovers In The Fridge Safely: Nutritionist Leema Mahajan shares quick safety tips to help make the most of refrigerated food. 1. Store Food Within 2 Hours Of Cooking Mahajan says home-cooked food should be refrigerated within two hours. Leaving it out for longer allows bacteria to multiply, which can spoil the food and make it unsafe to eat. 2. Do Not Refrigerate Hot Food Immediately Placing hot food straight into a cold fridge can backfire. Mahajan explains that the temperature difference may encourage spoilage. Instead, allow the food to cool slightly at room temperature before storing. 3. Use Airtight Food Containers Only Avoid open containers, as they may lead to cross-contamination. Mahajan recommends clean, airtight containers to prevent the food from drying out or going bad. 4. Stop Reheating The Same Food Repeatedly One of the biggest errors, according to Mahajan, is reheating food more than once. This not only reduces the nutritional content but also raises the risk of spoilage. 5. Label Leftovers Clearly With Dates We often forget when we put something in the fridge. Mahajan advises labelling leftovers with the date to avoid guesswork and ensure they are eaten before they go off. How Long Can You Keep Leftovers In The Fridge? This is where most people slip up. Even if food looks or smells fine, it may not be safe to eat beyond a point. Mahajan shares that most home-cooked leftovers should ideally be consumed within two to three days. Cooked rice, dals, vegetables, or meat should be eaten in that time frame to minimise bacterial growth. Milk- or cream-based dishes have an even shorter shelf life and should be finished within 24 to 48 hours. If in doubt, it is safer to discard than risk a stomach bug. Can You Eat Leftovers Cold From The Fridge? Technically, yes, but it depends on the food type. If the food was stored hygienically and has not been out of the fridge, certain items like salads or cold pasta can be eaten cold. However, Mahajan recommends reheating Indian-style dishes such as curries or rice before eating to kill any bacteria and make digestion easier. 'Cold food is harder on your gut, especially if it contains fat or starch,' she adds. 4 Foods You Should Not Store In The Fridge: While it might feel safer to refrigerate everything, Ayurvedic health coach Dimple Jangda says some common foods are better left out, as they can become harmful when stored in the fridge. 1. Garlic Garlic contains spores that may cause botulism if stored poorly. Jangda explains that when humidity crosses 60 per cent, common inside refrigerators, mould can grow. Refrigerated garlic may sprout and produce mycotoxins, which pose serious health risks. 2. Onion Onions are sensitive to cold and may develop mould in lower temperatures. Jangda notes that cut onions can also absorb bacteria from the fridge, making them unsafe. She advises using the full onion or discarding leftovers. 3. Ginger Like garlic, ginger is prone to mould in the fridge. According to Jangda, this green mould can produce ochratoxin A, a mycotoxin that may compromise immunity. 4. Rice Rice is one of the fastest foods to catch mould. Jangda warns that refrigerated rice may also lead to higher starch levels, affecting blood sugar and cholesterol. It should not be stored for more than 24 hours and must be reheated thoroughly before eating.
West Australian
12-07-2025
- West Australian
India, Uniworld & the Golden Triangle
This is India's holy river, the Ganges. This is the goddess Ganga Ma, a deity descended from Heaven; a brown ribbon of spiritual cleansing. And the goddess is all around me. I am on the river cruise ship Ganges Voyager II, on which Uniworld Boutique River Cruises offers a seven-day voyage, sailing out of Kolkata, in Bengal, east India. Uniworld offers this as part of two packages — one coupling it with the Maharaja's Express train, and one with a journey round the Golden Triangle, staying in Oberoi hotels. But we'll get to that . . . For now, all I can think about is this little stretch of the 2525km long Ganges. The ship has left Kolkata and is on the way to the village of Kalna — a place that I doubt travellers would get to by land. We are ferried ashore on the ship's solid timber tender, and what unfolds amazes. Ganges Voyager II carries a maximum of 56 guests, looked after by 36 staff, and generally runs full. For excursions, passengers are divided into three groups, each with an experienced and talented guide — so the groups walking around on shore are small and the guiding personalised and intimate. Guests have a small and unobvious audio box and ear-piece. The guide gently narrates in my ear. And I'm glad to be with Bikash (Vikas) Mehra in Kalna, which has temples dating to 1755 — most unusually, built of brick and clay, as is the style in Bengal. The temple for the Hindu god Krishna is covered in intricate details. But then we stroll into an extraordinary circle of 108 temples for the god Shiva. It's been an early excursion, and I'm glad to return to the ship for a late breakfast. It could be an Indian-style breakfast or Western, but I opt for a simple omelette. 'How would you like it? Medium or soft? Would you like it folded?' At every moment, the staff of Ganges Voyager II are attentive. Every waiter walks through the restaurant looking for a plate to pick up. My room is kept immaculately. I'm in a suite which has a four-posted bed, two armchairs and a desk and a very big bathroom with a shower that's 2m deep. Raj Singh, who owns the ship and charters it full-time to Uniworld, pioneered river cruising in India. Many of the crew and staff, like cruise and tour manager Vishal Bhaskar, have been with him from the beginning. I speak with one who has worked for Raj for 48 years. 'He has taught me everything,' he says with gratitude. Local youngsters are taken on, trained and retained, Raj tells me, and I see the importance of this to him. 'They are all young and they want to do it,' he says. 'That's what counts. We do find people locally rather than get people from outside. We train them every year.' They are full-time employees, and not on contract. The ship was designed specifically for the Ganges, after Raj did an extensive research voyage in a local boat. The Voyager was built in Kolkata. 'This is 100 per cent locals, and 100 per cent Indian,' Raj says. Certainly, it feels like a very Indian experience — and, once again, as we stroll along the Strand in Chandannagar, we are the only tourists in sight. After a 1673 agreement with the local ruler, and permanent French settlement in 1688, this town was ruled by the French then British, then French, then British, then French, until 1950 — three years after India got its independence, from British rule. There's French colonial architecture here, just as there is British architecture in Kolkata, including the epic Queen Victoria Memorial, which is built from the same marble as the Taj Mahal. But Chandannagar has also been one of the hotbeds of Bengali politics and resistance. Indians will tell you that Delhi is the political capital of India, Mumbai is the business capital, and Kolkata is the capital of culture. But Kolkata in particular, and West Bengal in general, has always pushed forwards with politics. Motifs for the Communist Party of India are sprayed on walls, and it is one of few States not run by the BJP party of Narendra Modi, which holds national power. It has a plain speaking female Chief Minister in Mamata Banerjee. Hinduism with its 330 million deities, Islam and the Partition of 1947, when Muslims from this area were told to leave for what is now Bangladesh and where to buy the best gifts — Bikash Mehra will discuss and explain anything and everything, gently and with great accuracy. And after these great dips into rural India, we retreat to the ship to move on (happily unpacking just once). Ganges Voyager II is a real sanctuary. There is one restaurant, where everyone eats what really tastes like home-cooked food, always with Indian and Western options. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are nice moments when all guests come together, mix and exchange experiences. This happens in the lounge and bar on the top deck, too, and out on the sundeck. The lounge has comfortable armchairs — enough for everyone, though there are times when there might be just a few other people there, each enjoying some private space and quiet time to read or muse through the pictures in their phone. Complimentary house wine, local spirits and beer, soft drinks, tea and coffee are served throughout the cruise. There's a gym and a spa, with a range of treatments. The ship also offers yoga and meditation sessions and coaching, and there's a class in cooking Indian cuisine, and a henna artist who comes on board to adorn guests' hands and arms. But the two evening performances, one of Baul musicians and one by a company showing various styles of Indian dance, are real highlights for me. Baul people sing and accompany spiritual songs which can be traced back to the 15th Century, and the Kalachand Haldar baul music group are expert exponents. I am mesmerised and head to bed with my head swirling the sweet sounds of India. Ah, the bed. The ship, launched in 2016, has the comforts of a quality hotel — quality linens and a pillow choice, spacious bathrooms, robes and slippers. My suite has a lot of storage space, including that nice under-bed spot for luggage. There are other touches — the ready supply of bottled water in the room and on excursions, fresh fruit and flowers upon arrival and universal electrical plugs. And the ship is air-conditioned throughout, with individual controls in rooms. The 56m-long ship has 13 Colonial Suites and 10 Signature Suites, both of 24.3sqm. If you pace out six big strides by four strides, I think you will agree that's a more-than decent 'entry level cabin'. There are also two 26sqm Heritage Suites, two 33.5sqm Viceroy Suites and a 37.2sqm Maharaja's Suite. There are French balconies and with floor-to-ceiling glass doors. For out there, all around us is the holy Ganges. Never forget that. (I never forget that.) Raj Singh says: 'What distinguishes this river from other rivers in the world is that it is natural. It is undammed, free-flowing. That's very different.' He adds that the river cruising experience here is also different because there aren't other ships. 'Wherever you go river cruising you will see ships and ships and ships,' he says. 'But not here. When you visit a village you will be the only ones there.' And, of course, he's right. To complete the full India experience, Uniworld includes either a rail trip or coach touring around the Golden Triangle to the days on the Ganges. There are two nights in New Delhi at The Oberoi New Delhi, one in Agra at The Oberoi Amarvilas and two in Jaipur at The Oberoi Rajvilas. Each hotel is splendid. Each place is full of wonders. Having flown from Perth to Delhi with Singapore Airlines, we start gently with a stroll along the wide walkway at Humayun's Tomb — a grand mausoleum clad in red sandstone with white and black inlaid marble borders. This dramatic example of Moghul architecture, built by Empress Bega Begum for the deceased Emperor Humayun, was completed in 1572. We visit Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated after his assassination by another Hindu in 1948, and bounce through the laneways of Old Delhi in cycle rickshaws. The Oberoi hotel group is a fine fit for the Uniworld package, as this is very much an India company, and proud of it. That comes through, again, in loyal and long-term staff, who are well trained and have pride in their work, and being part of Oberoi. A comfortable air-conditioned coach takes us on to Agra, where we see the Taj Mahal both at sunset and sunrise. Not only that, but I can see it from the window of my room at The Oberoi Amarvilas — just as you can from every room. This beautiful hotel, with pools bringing freshness to its entrance, and a grand lobby with a huge chandelier, is built for guests to fully experience the Taj Mahal. The pool area is that side of the building. And, to top it all, it is literally a stone's throw from the great, white marble monument built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Begum. It took 22 years to build and was completed in 1653. Another coach trip takes us on to Jaipur, the pink city. And the city does, indeed shimmer pink in the warm evenings. We visit City Palace, still run by a royal family and Jantar Mantar Observatory, built between 1728 and 1734, where 17 big astronomical instruments accurately plot the skies. A highlight for me is always the Amber Fort with its beautiful Ganesh Gate and Hall of Mirrors. But another highlight for me is the Oberoi Rajvilas. I do actually love this hotel — as it is built around an ancient temple. As the stone plaque outside rightly says: 'This ancient 280-year-old Lord Shiva Temple adds a very positive oorja (energy) and spiritual serenity to the entire resort.' Prayer is conducted by a local priest twice every day: 'We welcome you to participate in this age-old tradition and seek divine blessings.' More than 150 peacocks stroll the grounds and more than 1000 species of migratory and resident birds have been identified in these beautiful and extensive gardens. To me, Oberoi Rajvilas is more than a hotel. It is a sort of rare-air village, with rooms set at ground level among the gardens. My sunken white marble bath looks out at a private garden courtyard. The four-poster bed is set in the large main room, which has a window seat and a writing desk in one corner. There's a separate walk-in dressing room. Pathways to the rooms have gardens, waterways and fountains. Oberoi Rajvilas has a past, but also has an abundant, sharing life, here in the present. I feel the spirituality of the place. I feel deep joy (two words that roll around my head as I stroll in the gardens, visit the temple and feel a tranquil sense of 'coming home'). And I am completely unsurprised when my butler introduces himself. 'My name is Deepjoy.' + Stephen Scourfield was a guest of Uniworld. They have not influenced, or read this story before publication. + Ganges Voyager II sails from September to March and is in high demand, so travellers need to plan and book ahead. Most do this through a travel agent, can book direct with Uniworld by calling 1300 370 792. Also see + Uniworld has two packages which include a seven-night cruise on Ganges Voyager II. India's Golden Triangle and the Sacred Ganges is a 13-day package from New Delhi to Kolkata. It starts with Delhi, Agra and the Taj Mahal and Jaipur and the Pink Palace, staying in Oberoi hotels. Then travellers join the ship. In 2026, it is from about $12,239 per person in a Signature Suite, depending on date and cabin type. That includes excursions and 12 breakfasts, 10 lunches and nine dinners. Meals onboard prepared are excellent, using fresh ingredients. There is already limited availability. Bicton Travel is a key travel agent handling bookings for the packages. 9339 0277 + The other, 16-day package combines cruise and rail and is The Sacred Ganges and the Maharajas' Express — a luxury train from Delhi to Agra, Ranthambore, Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Mumbai. Guests cruise the Ganges first on Ganges Voyager III, and fly from Kolkata to Delhi on day eight, to join the train. In 2026, it is from about $34,4843 per person, and there is already limited availability. + Both packages include welcome and farewell gala dinners.
