Easy halibut fish fry

Easy halibut fish fry

Halibut is a flat fish which has dense and firm texture. It has a very low fat content.
 It is commonly available. It has firm, meaty white flesh and a delicious flavour. 
It can dry out quite easily so it needs careful cooking.

                                        Recipe summary
                                                 For 
                                      Easy halibut fish fry
1. Wash and cut the 300 grams halibut filet. Dry the fish in a paper towel. 

Easy halibut fish fry

2. Let it marinate for 30 minute with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp turmeric powder.


3.Sprinkle ¼ tsp black pepper powder powder on the fish and spread it well.

Halibut fish

4.In a small frying pan add 4 tbsp vegetable oil and heat it. When the oil is hot add the fish pieces and reduce the heat.

5. Fry for 3 minutes on each side.  
                      

frying the fish

Easy halibut fish fry is ready.

                    Recipe follows in detail with pictures.


preparation time : 10 minutes
Cooking time:  20 minutes
Serves: 4

Halibut fish

Halibut fish

Ingredients
Main 300 grams halibut filet
others
4 tbsp vegetable oil
spices
¼ tsp turmeric
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper powder
4 tbsp vegetable oil

Preparation
Wash and cut the fish filet. Dry the fish in a paper towel. Add salt and turmeric powder.
 Let it marinate for 30 minutes.


Method
Sprinkle pepper powder on the fish and spread it well. In a small frying pan 
add the oil and heat it. When the oil is hot add the fish pieces and reduce the heat.
Fry for 3 minutes on each side.

frying the fish

Halibut fish fry

Feeding toddlers

All children are picky eaters. It is natural. Some parents are concerned about this. There is no reason to be concerned about it. Busy mothers want the child to eat fast so that they can get on with their own work. 
It is not good to push the child to eat fast. Let it consume the food at its own pace.
It is also not good to threaten the child to eat all the food on the plate. Let the child decide when to stop eating.

During the meal time the child’s mind will be straying into many things. The parents will have to bring their attention again and again to the food. Minimize distractions at the table.

From the age of 9 months to one year the child begins to develop a feel for the taste of different kinds of food.  During this time, it is good to encourage the child to self-feed. Their appetite will grow if they self-feed.

Parents should keep tab on the snacks the child consumes. If they snack too much their appetite will be affected. Always include some bite size pieces of fruits and vegetable in every meal. When introducing a new food try to add it to the food that the child likes. Leave some foods such as berries or bananas within the child’s reach so that it can eat them when it is hungry. Some days a child will eat more and another day less. You will have to allow for this also. Although you will be making baby food, It is alright to give the baby what you eat. The baby learns from what you eat.

Some parents resort to appetite stimulants. This is also not a good idea. Vitamin supplements also should be avoided. Infants and toddlers consuming more than more than 470ml to 700ml will feel full and are likely to consume fewer solids. Such children may turn out to be under weight. Children who consume afore mentioned quantum of milk and eat well may turn out to be overweight. Therefore some caution is necessary.

In the case of chronic under eaters, it is good to consult a doctor or dietitian.

A normal healthy child should take three full meals a day and two snacks in between. Some kids like to eat small amounts of food throughout the day.  This is not bad but you would not know whether the child has eaten enough for the day.

Mild Cauliflower stew with black eyed beans in coconut milk

Mild  Cauliflower stew with  black eyed beans in coconut milk

Cauliflower is a healthy vegetable. Low carbohydrate dieters can use it as a substitute for potatoes or rice because it has a similar texture and taste.
It contains many vitamins such as Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Pantothenic acid (B5), Vitamin B6, Folate (B9), Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K. It contains many vitamins such as Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Pantothenic acid (B5), Vitamin B6, Folate (B9), Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K.
It also contributes many trace minerals such as Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium and Zinc.
It helps to fight cancer and inflammation and it supports detoxification.

Cauliflower can be roasted, boiled, fried, steamed, or eaten raw.

Today I am going to make a stew.

                                     Recipe summary
                                              For 
 Mild Cauliflower stew with black eyed beans in coconut milk    

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes

Serves: 4                                      

1. Soak 180 grams dried black eye beans overnight. Drain in a colander and boil in a pan of water till it is done. You can cook ahead and leave in the refrigerator.

Mild  Cauliflower stew with 
black eyed beans in coconut milk

2. In a large pan heat 2 tbsp oil. When the oil is hot reduce the heat to low add 1 dry chili, whole and fry for 10 seconds.

3. Add 3 cloves garlic, sliced and 75 grams onions, coarsely chopped and fry for 3 minutes.

4. Add ½ tsp cumin seeds and ½ tsp fennel seeds and fry for 10 seconds.

5. Add 100 grams tomato, cut into bite size pieces and fry for 3 minutes.

Ingredients

6. Add 500 grams cauliflower, cut into small flowerets of equal sizes and fry for 3 minutes.

7. Add 150 grams carrot, cut into bite size pieces and ½ tsp turmeric powder, add 300 grams boiled beans, 10 grams ginger, grated and fry for 3 minutes.

8. Add 2 cups water and ½ tsp salt and cover and simmer for 15 minutes or till the beans and cauliflower become soft and according to your taste.

9 Add ¾ cup coconut milk and cook for 3 minutes.
Taste for seasoning and adjust.

Mild Cauliflower stew with black eyed beans in coconut milk
is ready.

                      Recipe  follows in detail with pictures.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients
Main
500 grams cauliflower, cut into small flowerets of equal size.
300 grams black eye beans
150 grams carrot, cut into bite size pieces
100 grams tomato, cut into bite size pieces

Others
75 grams onions, coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, sliced
10 grams ginger, grated
¾ cup Coconut milk
1 dry chili, whole
½ tsp salt
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Water 2 cups

Spices
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp fennel seeds
½ tsp turmeric powder

Ingredients for Mild Cauliflower stew with black eyed beans in coconut milk

Preparation
Soak black eye beans overnight. Drain in a colander and boil in a pan of water till it is done. You can cook ahead and leave in the refrigerator.

Method
In a large pan a heat 2 tbsp oil. When the oil is hot reduce the heat to low add dry chili and fry for 10 seconds.

Frying dry chili

Then add onion and fry for 5 minutes. 

Adding onions

Add garlic and fry for 3 minutes.

Adding garlic

Add cumin seeds and fennel seeds and fry for 10 seconds.

Adding cumin and fennel seeds

Add tomato pieces and fry for 3 minutes.

Adding tomato

Add cauliflower pieces and fry for 3 minutes.

Adding cauliflower

Add carrot and turmeric

Adding carrot and Turmeric

Add boiled beans, ginger and fry for 3 minutes.

Adding boiled beans,garlic and ginger

Add water, and salt cover and simmer for 15 minutes or till the beans and cauliflower become soft and according to your taste.

Adding water

Add coconut milk and cook for 3 minutes.

Adding coconut milk

Taste for seasoning and adjust.

The stew is ready.

The stew and fried tempeh

You may like this

Cauliflower stir-fry with turmeric

http://simplycookingandhealth.blogspot.com/2015/04/

cauliflower-stir-fry-with-turmeric.html

Stir fried steamed couscous with roasted white rice flour (puttu)

Stir fried steamed couscous with roasted white rice flour (puttu)

I have given my recipe for steamed couscous with rice flour (puttu).
This recipe is to make the couscous puttu even more tastier by stir-frying it with other ingredients.

                                      Recipe summary
                                               For 
       Stir fried steamed couscous with roasted white rice flour 


Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Serves: 6

1. Prepare the couscous as given in my recipe http://simplycookingandhealth.blogspot.com/2015/07/ steamed-couscous-with-kale-and-grated coconut.html.

Stir fried steamed couscous with
roasted white rice flour (puttu)

2. Beat 4 eggs with  0.3 gram (1/8 tsp) pepper powder and 1/4 tsp salt and set aside.

3. Fry 5 slices ham – cut or broken into small pieces slightly in a frying pan and cut into small pieces.

4. Cook 2 slice hash brown - Crumble into small pieces for 3 minutes high in micro wave. 

5. In a large frying pan or wok add 3 tbsp vegetable oil and heat it. 

6. When the oil is hot add 1/4 tsp cumin seeds and reduce the heat to low and fry for about 10 seconds. 

7. Add the 150 grams large onion - chopped and fry for about 10 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent onion from burning.

8. Add 1 green chili,sliced thin, 10 grams ginger, grated, and 9 grams garlic,sliced and fry for about 2 minutes. Fry onion till it becomes brown.

Ingredients

9. Add 100 grams (1/2) green bell pepper (Medium), cut into small pieces. 

10. Make a well in the centre of the pan or wok to pour the beaten eggs. Stir well, while breaking the egg into small lumps and  scramble the eggs. The eggs will be cooked in about 3 minutes.

11. Now add the broken ham pieces and the pieces of hash brown and stir well for about 30 seconds.

12. Take about 300 grams of steamed couscous with rice flour and add to the fried items..


13. Stir well to mix all ingredients and cook for about one minute.

Stir fried steamed couscous with roasted white rice flour (puttu)
is ready.

               Recipe follows in detail with pictures.


Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Serves: 6

Ingredients
Main
500 grams Steamed couscous
2 cups roasted rice flour 

Others
5 slices ham – cut or broken into small pieces
2 slice hash brown - cut or broken into small pieces
4 eggs
150 grams large onion - chopped
100 grams (1/2) green bell pepper (Medium) – cut into small pieces
10 grams ginger - grated
9 grams garlic - sliced
15 grams green chili – sliced thin
0.5 gram (1/4 tsp) cumin seeds

Ingredients for Stir fried steamed couscous with roasted white rice flour (puttu)

2.5 grams (½ tsp) salt
37.8 grams (3 tbsp) vegetable oil
240 grams (four) eggs
0.3 gram (1/8 tsp) pepper powder
1.25 gram (1/4 tsp) salt


Preparation

Prepare the couscous as given in my recipe http://simplycookingandhealth.blogspot.com/2015/07/ steamed-couscous-with-kale-and-grated.htmle.

Stir fried steamed couscous with roasted white rice flour (puttu)

Beat the eggs with pepper and salt and set aside


Fry ham slightly in a frying pan and cut into small pieces

Fried ham

Cook hash brown for 3 minutes high in micro wave. Crumble into small pieces

Hash brown

Method

In a large frying pan or wok add the oil and heat it. 

When the oil is hot add the cumin seeds and reduce the heat to low and fry for about 10 seconds. 

                                            Frying cumin seeds Add the onion and fry for about 10 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent onion from burning.

adding onion

Add green chili, ginger and garlic and fry for about 2 minutes.

Adding chili, garlic ginger and bell pepper fry onion till becomes brown

Onion is fried well

Add bell pepper

Adding bell pepper

Make a well in the centre of the pan or wok to pour the egg

Pouring the beaten egg

 Stir well, while breaking the egg into small lumps – like scrambled. The egg will be cooked in about 3 minutes.

Scrambled egg

Now add the broken ham pieces

Ham is being added

Now add the pieces of hash brown Stir well for about 30 seconds.

Hash brown is being added

Egg ham  and hash brown mixture is ready 

Then add the steamed couscous with rice flour.

steamed couscous is added

Stir well to mix all ingredients and cook for about one minute.

The stir-fried puttu is ready. 

Steamed couscous with other ingredients are mixed well

This is a one meal dish.

This is a very tasty dish

Stir fried steamed couscous with roasted white rice flour (puttu)

Steamed couscous with kale omelet and coconut sambol

http://simplycookingandhealth.blogspot.com/2015/07/ steamed-couscous-with-kale-and-grated.html

Children’s Food Allergy

Food allergy among children is very common. One in 20 children get food allergy whereas only 1 in 50 adults have food allergy. The most common allergenic are egg, cow's milk, peanut, tree nuts, seafood, sesame, soy, fish and wheat. Majority of food allergies in children are not severe. Probably the will outgrow the allergy with time. But some may remain lifelong allergies. However, peanut, tree nut, seed and seafood allergies are less likely to be outgrown.

When an allergenic enters the body, the system secretes histamine to protect the body. This histamine caused the symptom to appear and is treated with anti- histamine.

Mild to moderate allergy may show up in swelling of face, lips and/or eyes, hives or welts on the skin, abdominal pain and vomiting.

Symptoms of severe allergy include: breathing difficulty, swelling of tongue or throat, wheezing or persistent cough and dizziness.

People sometimes confuse food allergies with food intolerance because their similarity in symptoms. The symptoms of food intolerance can include burping, indigestion, gas, loose stools, headaches and nervousness. But food intolerance doesn't involve the immune system. It may be caused by a person's inability to digest certain substances, such as lactose. Food intolerance can be unpleasant but is rarely dangerous.

Peanut allergy is very common in the United States but unheard of in rural Africa. This is because parents avoid giving peanut to their children fearing allergy. Recent studies show that avoiding foods of all types of foods increases the risk of baby’s allergy to the food.

Current treatment for these food allergies is based on desensitization. This is done by giving the child a measured amount of allergen at regular intervals and increasing the dosage gradually to increase the threshold of reaction. Desensitization is not a cure because in some children when you stop giving them the allergen for a period of time they will go back to their original threshold of tolerance.
A study done in Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne suggested that addition of  probiotics increased the safety and effectiveness of desensitization.

If you suspect your baby having an allergy consult a doctor. The doctor will perform a blood test or a ‘skin prick’ test to ascertain the allergy. Once you have confirmed the allergy you may avoid the allergen altogether and wait to see if the child outgrows the allergy. Other alternative is to talk to you doctor about a safe desensitization program along with some probiotics. Probiotics strengthen the immune system.

Prostate enlargement

Prostate is walnut sized gland that wraps around the tube that carries urine from the bladder. Prostate is a part of the male reproductive system. It secretes fluid that nourishes and protect the sperm. The fluid excreted by the prostate makes up about one-third of the of the semen by volume. It contains various enzymes, zinc and citric acid.

More than half the men over 70 have a benign growth in the prostrate or enlargement of the prostate. Frequent urination,dribing or leaking urine may indicate a prostrate problem. Growing prostrate can also indicate a prostrate cancer. Initially a doctor may do a digital rectal examination to find any hard lumps that may be indicative of a cancer. Ultra sound machines are also used to image the prostrate and assess its actual size. Prostate specific antigen blood test will also reveal suspected prostrate cancer.

Measuring the flow of urine may reveal a prostate problem. Cysytoscopy is another method of diagnosing a prostate problem. A thin tube with a lens is inserted into the bladder through urethra. The doctor looks at the prostate through this lens to ascertain any problem.

New drugs are available to shrink or relax the prostate to keep it from blocking the bladder opening. A controlled laser beam inside the prostate can be used to destroy excess prostate tissue interfering with the exit of urine from the body. An incision may be made in the urethra to widen it to allow urine to be passed easily. Trans-urethral microwave thermotherapy may be used to destroy prostate tissues. Electromagnetically generated heat by using a needle-like device in the urethra may be used to destroy excess prostate tissue.

For prostate enlargement exercise the pelvic muscles to strengthen them. Aerobic exercise also will also help. Some people take Epsom salt bath to cure prostate enlargement. This done by alternating hot and cold baths 2 or more times a day and for two or three days a week. In Europe people used stinging nettle root to treat prostate enlargement. Apple cider vinegar is also consumed to alleviate the symptoms of prostate enlargement. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.

Ayurveda recommends consuming squashes that are white inside. Asparagus and daikon are good. Including black pepper, long pepper and ginger is advised.

Spicy sweet and sour Butternut squash salad

Spicy sweet and sour Butternut squash salad

Butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) is known in Australia and New Zealand as butternut pumpkin or gramma, and "Batana" in Sri Lanka. It has a sweet, nutty taste similar to that of a pumpkin. It has yellow skin and orange fleshy pulp. It is available in the market all the year round.

 Butternut squash 

Butternut squash has many vital poly-phenolic anti-oxidants and vitamins. It has more vitamin A than that of in pumpkin..It is cooked like pumpkin. Today I am going to make a very simple salad using it.

                                    Recipe summary
                                             For
                  Spicy sweet and sour Butternut squash salad

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes

Serves: 4

1. Wash, peel 130 grams butternut pumpkin and remove the seeds.

2. Cut the vegetable into ¼ inch or ½ inch cubes. 

Spicy sweet and sour Butternut 
squash salad

In a medium sized steamer add the squash pieces and steam them for about  ten minutes. Set aside to cool.

3. Mash the steamed squash  well. I used the hand held blender to mash.

Mix all the ingredients: 100 gram onion chopped fine, 2 green chillies finely chopped, ½ cup Yogurt, ½ tsp pepper and  ½ tsp salt to taste together to form the salad.

Pumpkin, onion, chili,
yogurt,salt and pepper

That’s it. The salad is ready. 

4. The sweetness of the pumpkin, sour taste of yogurt and hot chili give a pleasant taste for this dish. It is quick and easy to make.


 It can be served with rice or as accompaniment to any main dish.

Spicy sweet and sour Butternut squash salad is ready.

                Recipe follows in detail with pictures.

Onion and green chili

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients
Main
130 grams butternut
Others
100 gram onion
2 green chillies
½ cup Yogurt
salt to taste
Spice
½ tsp pepper

Preparation
Wash, peel pumpkin and remove the seeds.

Pumpkin sliced into half

 Although the skin and seeds are edible, they are not usually cooked. The hard skin becomes soft when roasted. Cut the vegetable into ¼ inch or ½ inch cubes. 

Pumpkin pieces

In a medium sized steamer add the squash pieces and steam them for about  ten minutes. Set aside to cool.

Steamed pumpkin pieces

Method
Mash the steamed squash  well. I used the hand held blender to mash.

  Using the blender  to mash

Mashed pumpkin

Mix all the ingredients together to form the salad.

Pumpkin, onion, chili, yogurt salt and pepper 

That’s it. The salad is ready. It can be served with rice or as accompaniment to any main dish.
The sweetness of the pumpkin, sour taste of yogurt and hot chili 
give a pleasant taste for this dish. It is quick and easy to make.

Spicy sweet and sour Butternut squash salad