Archive for December, 2015

What are the different types of chocolates and how they are beneficial?

December 25th, 2015

Chocolates, the most favourite and most loved food product, are made of cacao beans. Though there are various types and tastes of chocolates, yet cocoa is one ingredient, which is common in all of them. The basic types of chocolates are thus described below.

Dark Chocolate

The main ingredients of this chocolate are cocoa solids, milk and sugar. Sometimes no milk is present in these kinds of chocolates. There is a high amount cocoa present in this one. The larger the amount of cocoa, the better the dark chocolate quality is. It is a bit bitter in taste. Thus, not a favourite chocolate for all, but this type is the most beneficial one.

Milk Chocolate

The most favourite of all is the milk chocolate. This is made of cocoa butter, vanilla essence and sugar syrup. This is very sweet and thus a milk chocolate is loved by everyone. Sometimes dried fruits are also added to it to make it better.

White Chocolate

Cocoa powder is not at all present in this type of chocolate. As a result, it is not considered to be a chocolate. It is known as a variant of chocolate. This type of chocolate is made of sugar syrup and cocoa butter. This is very sweet and thus extra consumption of this chocolate can cause cavities.

They can be beneficial too!

If you eat 45 grams of chocolates per week, then the tendency of having a stroke gets decreased. This is more effective on a female human body than a male one. The rich flavonoids present in dark chocolates keep the blood circulation normal in arteries and stops blood clotting.

The blood platelets present in a human body tends to clot and cause heart attacks. Eating chocolates every day can keep your blood platelets away from clotting and thus this prevents heart diseases.

Dark Chocolate is the most beneficial among all the chocolate types available. Having 7 grams of dark chocolates per day actually keeps the brain sharp and working. It is good for the neurological systems in a human body.

The flavonoids found in the dark chocolates are really good for the skin. It guards the skin from UV rays and also stops causing pimples.

The most scrumptious method to get rid of cold and cough is chocolate. Theo bromine, which is present in chocolates helps to reduce cough.

Chocolate also helps to reduce other regular skin problems. They are good for allergies and inflammations caused due to allergies. But one has to be very sure about the amount of chocolate one can consume.

Thus, chocolates are for good. They lift up your mood; make you happy and healthy as well. They are delicious, and there is hardly someone, who hates chocolates. When you are sending chocolates by post, you can also try and make some at home and send them to your loved ones. This will make them feel more special. Otherwise, there are various online gift delivery companies from where you can order chocolates.

DIY Gift Hampers Ideas for Christmas

December 24th, 2015

Christmas is celebrated on December 25, the day that Lord Jesus Christ was born. Though mainly celebrated by Christians, it has become a secular holiday the world over with special traditions in every country.

Since gift giving is a Christmas tradition, one can consider the option of creating gift hampers at home. This is not only a thoughtful gesture but also lets you be as simple or luxurious as you please.

Here some ideas for gift hampers created at home:

  • The gift box: Traditionally, a wicker basket is expected but you can experiment with gardening buckets, sand pails, old cardboard boxes, plates, serving trays, baking trays, terracotta pots, casseroles etc.

 

  • Lining: You can fill up the hamper with crepe paper and shredded paper available at local arts or crafts stores. Or you can make you own using a shredder and coloured paper. For a festive feel, add some glitter and sequins.
  • For foodies:For those who love good food, you can design hamper around food items; store bought or home prepared. Also, some great recipe books and food magazines can be added.
    • For the Cheese lover: include some premium cheeses and accompaniments like salt biscuits, spiced orange and beetroot chutney, a walnut and fig slice, or a baked Camembert kit.
    • For the chocolate lover: blocks of chocolate, hot chocolate drink, homemade chocolate truffles, chocolate cupcakes, chocolate biscuits, chocolate spread, chocolate brownies and any  chocolaty item.
    • For the tea lover: Selection of gourmet teas (Chai, Fruit tea, English tea), Chinese tea (jasmine tea, green tea) accompanied by home baked scones, jam, biscuits, cup cakes and sandwiches can be presented along with a tea tray or set of tea cups.
    • For coffee lovers: Selection of coffee coated chocolates, gourmet coffees, coffee candy, dark chocolate, and coffee with walnut cake. This may be accompanied by cookies and a coffee mug. For wine and cheese lovers: Assemble together gourmet cheese and crackers, a choice of wines, dried figs and fresh grapes. You may even add a cheese knife and a cheese board.
    • Beer lovers are next: Go for a range of beers, beer crisps and nuts, beer koozie holder, etc.
    • For fruit lovers: Send fruit baskets to who love the bounties of nature.
    • For book lover: Books, book marks, snacks, coffee mug, journal, and a book light.
    • Outdoor lovers: GPS or compass, guide to local hiking spots, Guide to local fauna and flora.
    • Film fans: DVD’s of favourite genre of movies, bottle of wine, gourmet popcorn, sound track of movies with great music.
    • Beauty care pampering: Face masks, lotions, bath salts, scented candles, pot pourri or fresh flowers, bottle of champagne, relaxing music, a gift of a day of pampering at local spa, etc.
    • Gardener: Fill a watering pot or can with some nice seeds, handy gardening gloves, some DIY plant markers, trowels, etc.
    • Sports lover: Fill a hamper with T-shirt of favourite team, tasty snacks, sports almanac, movie with sports theme and even tickets to a game.
    • Jewellery: One can make a jewellery theme basket filled with inexpensive costume jewellery or a theme of antique reproduction jewellery. One can shop online by browsing various stores.

These are some ideas for designing gift hampers for Christmas Day.

A Delicious Excuse to Eat Cakes…!!!

December 24th, 2015

A hearty welcome to all the cake lovers..! We are always in search of an excuse to eat cakes. We bring you the famous cake recipes, which you can try for your breakfast. Another added advantage is that having cakes for breakfast has a number of health benefits. In general, consumption of cakes fetches you a lot of calories and increases the chances of putting on weight. When you have it for breakfast, you tend to feel less hungry and moreover, you can have the entire day to burn the excess calories. Try out these recipes for your breakfast.

  • Cherry crisp coffee cake: Mix the butter and the sugars to form a creamy compound. Add eggs and try mixing the whole and then add baking powder, salt and flour. Bake the dough in a pan by mixing brown sugar, oats, melted butter and flour. Allow it to cool and then drizzle over the cooled cake.
  • Blueberry buckle: The baking process should be done at a temperature of 1750 c. Beat butter with sugar as you do in many of the cake recipes. While heating the mixture, add eggs and vanilla. Prepare a mixture of baking powder and sifted flour with the previous blend. Prepare muffin tins and fill it up with this mixture.
  • Chocolate chip banana bread: The recommended temperature for this recipe is 3500c. Prepare a mixture of flour, sugar, baking soda and table salt. Prepare another mixture of bananas, eggs, yogurt, chocolate chips, vanilla and butter. Mix it up with the previous dry ingredients. Baking process is carried out for about one hour until the mixture turns golden brown in colour. Then, it’s ready to be served.
  • Triple chocolate bread: The baking process in this recipe is about 2500 c. The ingredients are bananas, carrots, maple syrup, orange juice, cocoa powder, dark chocolate vegan, rice flour, chia seeds, baking powder, baking soda and vanilla. Prepare the mixture of mashed bananas and grated carrots. Add the other listed ingredients and mix it up well. Bake it for about 50 minutes and it is ready to be consumed.
  • Swedish coffee cake: Prepare a mixture of flour and butter. In a saucepan, make a combination of water and butter; and heat it until the butter melts completely. Cut off heat and add vanilla and flour. Stir the mixture well and continue to heat it until the mixture turns shiny. Turn the hat off and allow it to cool down a bit. Add the required number of eggs and continue to bake until it turns brownish. After cooling down, spread the mixture of powdered sugar, vanilla, milk and butter.
  • Lemon strawberry coffee cake: As in all the above recipes, prepare a mixture of salt, baking soda, baking powder and flour. Use an electric mixer, to make a bend of sugar and butter. Add eggs, vanilla, flour mixture, butter milk and sugar mixture. After beating this mixture, add lemon peel. Pour this mixture into a pan and bake for about 20 minutes. The baked cake is allowed to cool for about 10 minutes. Gently loosen the cake from the pan edges. It is ready to serve..!

 

Aren’t these recipes yummy…???  There are numerous cake recipes out there and you don’t have to confine yourself for a limited cake types. Explore the taste of cakes out there. Order now and wait for the cake delivery boy to knock your door.

Bake The Cake With Love…!!

December 23rd, 2015

Cup cakes are one of the world’s most loved snacks. In many parts of the world, it is often referred as “fairy cake”. For a long time, these cakes have stood as a mark of love. Girls often do bake this cake especially for their boyfriends. Why don’t you give a try to bake it..? We will help you out regarding this. Check out the perfect way of baking the cupcakes here under:

Select a recipe of your choice:

  • If you have no idea of the cup cake recipes, then pick a cake mix and follow the stipulated instructions. Carrot cake, angel food, devil food, German chocolate and lemon are the popular flavours of cake mix. You can also try to give a touch of your taste by adding a variety of spices or other extracts.
  • Many homemade recipes include ingredients like flour, eggs, vanilla, sugar and butter. There are dozens of cup cake recipes available, which can be readily chosen by you.

Select cup cake liners:

  • Pick muffin pans, which have an attractive design.
  • Paper cup cake liners can help you to bake taller cakes and the removal process can be done with ease.
  • Don’t you have any liners available…? The better alternative is to grease and flour each cup.  You can also try to bake the cup cake batter in ice cream cones, preferably, whose bottoms are flat.

Fill the liners:

  • When you fill the cup cake liners, make sure that you don’t fill it up completely. Failing to do so can result in overflow, which you will hate from the bottom of your heart.
  • Confine the batter only to two teaspoons, if the batter is thick. Use a measuring cup in case of thin batter.

Baking and cooling:

  • Preheat the oven and allow the cupcakes to bake in this oven. Make sure to follow the standard guidelines to adjust baking times.
  • The toothpick test can help you to estimate the status of baking in cupcakes. Insert a toothpick in the centre of the cake. If the toothpick contains wet batter when you remove it, you should allow it to spend some more time in the hot oven. A clean toothpick indicates the doneness of the cake.
  • Allow the cupcakes to cool for about 5 to 10 minutes. Hot cakes are too fragile and break easily.
  • Before toping them with ice, ensure that these cakes are cooled down completely on a wire frame.

Frost and decorate:

  • Make use of a pastry bag which is fitted with a round tip to add frosting, cream or other fillings.
  • Are the cup cakes completely cooled..? Then it’s time for you to show your creativity..! Reflect it while frosting and decorating the cake.
  • A flat metal spatula is used for frosted cupcakes to spread the frosting.
  • Paste food colouring can be used to decorate the cupcakes by adding colour to the frost.

Now, it’s ready to be served. If you don’t want to bake a cake for yourself, the cake delivery shops are always at your service.

 

A Quick Look on How Everyone’s Favourite Cakes Originated?

December 23rd, 2015

Cake is something we cannot miss to give it a try. Whatever the mode, the flavour and the ingredients, this sweet baked thing makes one smile and feel happy.

And it became a cake!

Earlier, it was known as a modification of bread. Now, cake has come a long way. Numerous recipes and flavours, this dessert is definitely a favourite for all across the world. The word ‘Cake’ has a Viking origin. Those who are keen to know about cake delivery must know the fact that the word ‘cake’ originally comes from the word ‘Kaka.’

It is said that the world’s famous bakers were the ancient Egyptians. They used to bake a cake over hot stones. Do you know why cakes are fluffy and round? This is because it was made of unused breads, which were 2-3days old. Natural yeasts were used to give it a flat top.

Whipping eggs for making a fluffy cake was discovered in the 18th century. Then baking soda and baking powder were invented. With the discovery of temperature regulating oven and availability of sugar; baking a cake became more common and often.

Many years ago, Celtic people used to celebrate a festival called Beltane Festival. They used to light a bonfire on a hilltop and rolled down round shaped cakes from the top of the hill. If the cake did not break, it will bring good fortune; that is what they believed.

A modern cake made with flour, sugar, egg and butter only came to light in the 19th century.

It is true that cake has gone through variations throughout the years and centuries. But the popularity of this sweet sensation has remained intact. Day by day, it is increasing. There are too many variations available now. One can choose a cake from the plenty of flavours and recipes that are laid down before them. Sometimes it becomes confusing about what to choose and what not.

Make it on your own

Want to bake a cake on your own? Well, this is not a very hard task. You just need to arrange few ingredients and can start on any time. The main things that are needed to bake a cake are white flour, baking powder, eggs, butter, sugar syrup and baking soda. After making a batter with these, one can easily bake a cake in an oven. One can also add dry fruits, vanilla essence and whipped cream to make it more delicious and attractive.

Cake is for every occasion

From birthdays to weddings and every celebration, cakes serve the purpose. Without cutting a cake, a happy occasion does not end. In fact, there are varieties of cakes for every celebration. One can choose from those plenty options. One can also order cakes from various sites and can choose their favourite from them. The dessert, which is loved by all, is readily available everywhere. So, gorge on a cake whenever you want! It is a treat for your taste buds.