How to Reuse Oil For Cooking

reuse oil

Oil once used for frying should preferably not to be reused. But sometimes we use large quantities of oil for frying, usually when we have parties or expecting a lot of guests. On such occasions once frying is done, large amount of oil is leftover after frying. In such cases instead of throwing away the oil, here's how you can still reuse the cooking oil to maximum advantage. This can happen  if one ensures that the oil is looked after and handled carefully. Follow these few steps to reuse oil used for cooking and frying:

1. Once you are done using the oil for frying, turn off the flame and allow the oil to cool down completely.

2. Used oil often have bits of fried food particles settled at the bottom. Sometimes there is a cloud of light food particles that float as a layer on the used oil. So strain the oil a couple of times to clear it out of any such particles. Use a fine mesh to strain thin and tiny particles if you missed them before. Make sure that you strain the oil immediately after cooling down.

3. Store this oil in a dry and closed container. Make sure to use a clean container.

4. Don't store the reused oil for a longer duration.

5. Use the reused oil for the right cooking. For example, if the oil was used to fry non-vegetarian food items, then it is advisable to use it for cooking non-vegetarian foods only. But if you have fried veg pakoras in the oil, then reuse the oil to make both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian dishes.

6. Use the oil in proper portions. The reused oil should be only used once.

7. Make sure that if you plan to reuse the oil for frying, then dispose it off once done. Do not reuse the oil again. There is a certain limitation for how many times you can keep frying in reused oil. Reusing oil again and again can have serious damage to your health.

Tip: Do not reuse the oil which has been used to deep fry large batches of food in a mixed variety. For example if you have fried many starters in the same oil for a party, it is advisable to discard such oil after use. Such oil should not be reused again. 

Health Benefits of Flax Seeds

Flax seeds are also known as linseed or common flax or locally alsi. These seeds come in two varieties one brown and other golden yellow. Irrespective of color, flax seeds contain high nutritional values and equal amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Flax seeds are slightly larger in size as compared to sesame seeds. They have smooth and shiny hard shell. The nutty flavor of flax seeds is becoming quite popular among health conscious consumers. Flax seeds are available in stores throughout the year. They should be consumed in proper proportion. Excessive consumption may cause diarrhea.

How to Consume Flax seeds

Flax seeds can be consumed either roasted or powdered. Flax seeds when roasted taste crunchy and can be eaten as it is or by adding in salads or as mouth-freshener. Powdered flax seeds can be added to smoothies and cereals.

Learn more about How to make homemade flax seeds mouth freshner(mukhwas)

How to store Flax seeds

Flax seeds can be stored at room temperature for as long as four months. Once you buy flax seeds, store them in airtight container. Powdered flax seeds stay fresh as little as one week only if it is stored in airtight container in the refrigerator.

Culinary Uses of Flax seeds

1. Flax seeds can be added to oatmeal, smoothies, curd, yogurt or water once it is grounded or powdered.

2. Sprouted flax seeds are edible and can be consumed just as any other sprouts. They have a light spicy flavour.

3. Grounded flax seeds can also be added to casseroles, baked dished and snack foods.

4. Whole flax seeds can be added to salads, multi-grain or whole wheat bread, crackers, muffins and energy bars.

5. Sprinkle grounded or whole flax seeds(slightly roasted) on your morning cereal, milkshakes or cooked oats.

6. Grounded or whole flax seeds can also be sprinkled on cooked vegetables.

Health Benefits of Flax seeds

1. Flax seeds are known to contain high levels of lignans which are considered to be beneficial for the heart.

2. Flax seeds contain anti-cancer properties.

3. Being rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, flax seeds is one of the best vegan health options for foods.

4. Flax seed meal and flour are considered to be high source of fiber and hence can help lower cholesterol levels.

5. Hair massage with flax seed gel is said to stimulate and nourish hair follicles, thus improving blood circulation.

6. Daily consumption of flax seeds is said to be highly beneficial for the skin. It is said to minimize skin rashes and skin irritations. It also moistens the skin and helps get rid of wrinkles.

7. Flax seeds is highly recommended in weight loss diet as consuming flax seeds benefits to loss weight.

Side Effects of Flax seeds

Though flax seeds consumption is good for our health, yet over-consumption of flax seeds can have its own side effects. Flax seeds are to be consumed daily in measured proportion, say about 1 to 2 tablespoons a day per individual. People consuming more than this dosage may experience increase in bowel movements, diarrhea, stomachache, nausea, constipation and bloating. If flax seeds are grounded and stored, then they should be consumed within the mentioned time limit or they could turn rancid. 

How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally

Ants are real pests. They can be a big menace and just bundle up anywhere, especially in the kitchen - around the cabinets or near the food shelf. You get rid of one line of ants, and there they are making a whole new line with great enthusiasm. They are unstoppable and can beat you up. But there are still ways to get rid of ants from your house. Though in doing so we need to be persistent too just like the ants. Take little care everyday, for a few days and you can get rid of ants from your house.

7 Ways to Get Rid of Ants Naturally

1. First of all, the question is what attracts ants into your house or why are ants in your house? The answer is ants are attracted to the sugar scent in the house. They are also attracted to food items like flour, oil, grease, suji(rawa), chocolate and candy wrappers and sweet snacks. So it is important that you get rid of these food scents which attract ants. This can be done by cleaning and wiping out any food spills immediately after cooking. Cleaning with water will not get rid of the smell. Use mild soap solution or vinegar to wipe out food smells.


2. Investigate and find out the holes and cracks from where the ants enter in your house. You will find cracks or holes in and around the wall cabinets, electric switches, pipes, kitchen tiles, gap between floor tiles etc which act as the passage for ants. Once you find these places, seal them off immediately.


3. Book a pest control and get it done thoroughly in the kitchen. Mention the ant problem to person administering pest control and show him the areas the ant frequently visit. The pest control services have special non-toxic sprays that they spray all over the area visited by ants. These sprays have long lasting effects and can stay for a couple of months.


4. Certain essential oils such as cinnamon oil and peppermint oil are known to keep ants at bay. Dip a cotton bud in the oil and apply in the area where you see ants regularly.


5. Vinegar has a special effect on ants. It not only kills ants but also masks the food smell for them. Mix vinegar (white or apple cider) with equal amount of water and fill the solution in a spray bottle. Spray this solution regularly to get rid of ants naturally from your house.


6. Mix Vinegar and water in equal parts and add 2 lemon juice to it. Mix well and pour this solution in a big spray bottle. If you have ant menace in a particular area of kitchen, regularly spray this solution at least three times a day. It really helps. Keep spraying for a few days, even if there is no sign of ants.


7. Borax can also be sprinkled around the corners of floor, where you find ant menace. You can also create a bait for ants by mixing borax with little sugar and placing it in a small container near areas where ants frequently visit. Ants confuse borax with sugar and carry them over. Borax can kill ants and help you get rid of it.

How To Get Rid of Flies From Your Home During Monsoon

One of the most annoying thing about monsoon is the constant buzzing of flies in the house. These little pests are extremely annoying and irritating. They fly all around the house, create a ruckus in the kitchen and not only create disturbances for us but also spread germs all over the house and make us sick. We have to be very careful during monsoon about keeping food covered. We can't let the flies seat on our food and spread diseases. No wonder, monsoon records for high rate of stomach infections and diarrhea. So here are some tips to get rid of flies from your home during monsoon.

10 Easy Tips to Get Rid of Flies From Your Home During Monsoon

1. Place a Indian basil plant near the kitchen. Indian basil(tulsi) can help keep the flies at bay.

2. Some natural and essential oils such as Eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, lemon grass oil and peppermint oil come very handy to get rid of the flies. What you should do is soak a big cotton ball in anyone of these oils and place it in a airtight container. Now place this container in the room frequently visited by flies and open the lid. It really works. The flies clear the room in a matter of minutes.

3. Always keep your kitchen counter clean all the time. Once you finish cooking, make sure you get rid of every food particle and dirt from the kitchen top. Remove grease residue and clean the kitchen counter with a mild cleanser.

4. Always cover the cooked food. Cover everything that is left open in kitchen - this includes milk vessel, cooked food, chopped fruits, vegetables or salad. Don't allow the flies to sit on the food and spread germs.

5. Have a fly swatter at home. Fly swatter is the best equipment that comes handy to get rid of flies.

6. Take care of your pets. If you have pets in house, ensure that they are kept clean. Give them regular washes and also wash there legs when they come from outside walks. Dirty pets attract flies.

7. Take care of the house plants. Ensure that the plant pots in your house are free of dry and wet leaves. Plus do water the plants only when needed. Do not add more water and make the surrounding areas wet. This water when gets mixed with the loose soil lying nearby the pots becomes a place for flies and mosquito breeding.

8. Put fly mesh on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes, flies and other flying pests away from your house. This way you don't need to keep your windows and doors closed all the time.

9. Use a strong disinfectant or phenyl to clean the floors. Remove any fallen food particle from the floor. 

10. Ensure that you house is always clean during monsoon. Place a floor mat outside your main door and always rub your shoes on the mat before entering the house. Regularly wash the floor mats.

How To Make Fresh Creamy Yogurt at Home

A simple way of preparing yogurt at home is to adding warm milk into a preferably ceramic bowl along with a starter yogurt (starter yogurt is a small quantity of yogurt left out from the previous batch). This mixture is mixed, covered and allowed to stand for 4 to 5 hours. This process is undisturbed to acquire the best result which is thick curd that tastes good and has a good consistency. A runny curd is not what you wish to acquire as a result. But regular practice and little care can help you prepare the best creamy yogurt. Moreover special care should be taken while preparing yogurt.

8 Tips to For Making Fresh Yogurt at Home

For instance, while making yogurt at home make sure that

1. The milk that is used for making yogurt is fresh.

2.  The milk that is to be used for making yogurt should be warm not hot or boiling.

3.  Also the container and spoon that is used to make yogurt should be clean and dry.

4.   If you plan to use the same container that was used yesterday to prepare yogurt, make sure that the container is clean and dry. Never use the same container without washing.

5.  If this is for the first time you are giving a try on making yogurt, you can use store-bought yogurt as the starter milk. But see that the store-bought yogurt is fresh, not too sour and thick.

6.  A container that has the capacity to hold up heat is the right container to make yogurt. Containers such as ceramic bowls with lids or small porcelain jar with lids that can trap heat work as a best solution. But you can also use stainless steel bowls.

7. Few are known to include gelatin while making yogurt. Use of gelatin is said to enrich the creaminess of yogurt. But this option is not for vegetarians. Hence even a fresh active culture can surprisingly make a yogurt much creamier.

8. The yogurt mixture can be kept overnight to set, if it is to be consumed next morning or next day.

Learn more about

12 Ways to Cook With Yogurt

12 Health Benefits of Yogurt

Tip on Setting Curd Faster During Winters

How to Set a Quick Curd

How to Identify Fake Eggs

Fake eggs been locally available in the market is indeed a matter of alarm. It makes us take a double take on the eggs available at the grocer, as we do not wish to be fooled into buying fake eggs. They look same and are of same shape as we are told. But consuming fake eggs can be life threatening, as it can cause death in children and also can pose serious health threat to people of any age group. Fake eggs are said to be made in China and are exported in large quantities to countries like India, Bangladesh and Thailand. Fake eggs contain food colour and many other chemicals such as sodium alginate, alum, gelatin, calcium chloride, paraffin wax, gypsum powder and water. The outer shell of egg is made of Calcium Carbonate. It is due to this chemical combination present in these eggs that they are termed to be chemical eggs. But these fake eggs resemble chicken eggs and hence one can easily be fooled to buy it. And also because of the presence of these harmful chemicals such as Calcium Alginate, that fake eggs are not to be eaten as they can be harmful to our body. Most don't even realize they bought fake eggs and consume them regularly. But few people have been complaining about the eggs they bought tasted like plastic after cooking. Consumption of fake eggs could trigger severe health problems which may include nerve cell damage, brain damage, liver damage and metabolism disorders.

How to Identify Fake Eggs

Though people are been fooled into buying fake eggs, yet there are few ways to differentiate and identify fake eggs.  Always buy eggs from trusted grocer, from whom you buy eggs often. Never buy eggs from unknown sources. While buying eggs, one can be careful and alert. Few ways to identify fake eggs are mentioned below -

1. The outer shell of fake eggs are pretty much shinier as compared to original eggs.

2. The shape of a fake egg is something to be noted for. A regular egg is never round, a bit elliptical but a fake egg is rather round and big in shape.

3. If you hold the fake egg in you hand and shake it, you would rather hear sloshing noise inside, as if flow of water.

4. Once you have eggs in your kitchen, understand that a real egg is tougher to crack  and the sound of breaking is crisp rather than fake eggs. The fake eggs break easily as compared to real eggs. Though spoiled eggs do crack easily, but still such an egg spoiled or fake should be thrown immediately.

5. If an egg is fake, once you break it you would find a yellow and white liquid mixed as if the egg is spoiled unlike a real egg where you would find egg white and egg yolk separate yet intact. Also in fake eggs, even after breaking you find egg white and egg yolk separate, within a matter of seconds, both would mix together on their own which never happens in real eggs.

6. Real eggs smell like raw meat and of you have little yellow on your hand than the eggy smell would stay for some time. But with fake eggs that part is really missing as you just cannot smell them.

7. When you half fry a fake egg, the yolk spreads on the egg white without being touched which never happens with real eggs.

8. The inner membrane of an real egg is thin and slimy, whereas the inner membrane of fake egg is dry and feels like a paper.

9. When you put the outer shell of a fake egg on fire, the shell burns quickly similar to that of a plastic. However if you try the same with real egg shell, the shell takes time to burn.

10. Last but not least, when real eggs are left open on the kitchen counter, flies are attracte to them. The same can't be said about fake eggs.

How to use a Chef's knife

A chef's knife is used for chopping food on a chopping board. This knife is specially designed to rock from the tip upto the heel for most efficient cutting motion.These knives are usually meant to be large so to speed up the prep process.

To use a chef's knife, one has to grip the knife with the thumb and forefinger gripping the blade's top just in front the bolster and the last three fingers curled around the knife's handle.

How to use a Paring knife

A paring knife is a knife with small blade that is often used in kitchen for peeling, trimming, de-veining and to cut garnishing ingredients.

To use a paring knife one has to hold the knife with all the fingers curled around the handle, which is then pressed against the palm. The thumb and the tip of forefinger is used to guide the blade around the food that needs to peel or julienned for decoration purposes or garnishing.

How to use a Utility knife

Utility knife is a handy knife used for utility purposes such as slicing, trimming, chopping works. It's considered to be one of the most versatile knives in the kitchen. A utility knife is also referred as a sandwich knife. It has a small sharp blade and a slip resistant grip.

To use a utility knife one has to hold it with all four fingers as well the thumb wrapped around the handle and slightly pierce into the item to be cut or sliced. It can also cut a cardboard or wood and thus comes handy while traveling and camping.

How to use a Boning knife

A boning knife comes handy for removing bones of meat, fish, poultry and also to remove skins; as well to cut meat into portions for storing. It has a sharp point with narrow blade which is rigid enough to cut precise chunks but at the same time flexible enough as of to not hit the bones. The grip of a boning knife should be slip-resistant and one should also check for a good-sized bolster which prevent the fingers from slipping into the blade edge while using the knife on fish or poultry.

One has to be careful on how to use a boning knife and to do so, it is advisable to hold the boning knife with four fingers curled around the handle; while the thumb held against the bolster to guide the required cutting action.

How to store your knife

If you enjoy working in the kitchen with your knives then you probably agree about taking good care of them. The knives if stored and cared properly can be your handy friend for a long time. Storing and taking care of your knives is not just about what kind of storage you use for your knives but also about how you keep them and how you use them. Here are a few tips that can come handy on how to store your knife:

- Always store your knives preferably in a wooden block or a wood drawer or a wooden box, specially meant for it. Drawer trays, counter-top wooden blocks, under cabinet knife slot or magnetic wall racks can be used for storing knife as per convenience.

- Always sharpen your knives. Make use of a honing steel which should be 2 inches longer than the knife you wish to sharpen.

- Ensure you store your knives safely away from the reach of children.

- Don't jam your knives inside a wooden slot. 

- Don't wash your knives in dishwasher. Also ensure that the knives are not thrown in the sink for hours. Always try to clean them once done using and wipe them with the help of a dry cloth and store them in the allotted space.

How to Take Care of Your Feet During Monsoon

Monsoon calls for extra care and precautions for your feet. Smelly feet and dirty toenails are common cause of monsoon. Additionally many complain about various fungal infections of feet during monsoon, Monsoon causes maximum damage to our feet as they are more exposed to dirty water. Hence it is necessary that you take maximum care of your feet during monsoon as this situation is unavoidable.

Few tips on how to take care of your feet during monsoon

Keeping Feet Clean

Walking through muddy, dirty waters make feet dirty. Thus if the feet doesn't go through proper cleaning regiment can welcome fungal infections. Hence it is necessary that we keep our feet clean by washing them clean with soap and warm water as soon as you enter home. You could either use a antifungal soap or a mild shampoo. Use a scrubber or pumice stone to remove dirt and dead skin from your feet. Wash later with lukewarm water. Once done pat dry with soft towel. You can sprinkle some antifungal powder immediately for better results.

Avoid Wearing Close Footwear

Wearing close shoes during monsoon exposes your feet to too much moisture. This in-turn increases risk of fungal infection. Hence wear open-toed shoes or chappals. Buy good rainy shoes. If, at all you have to wear close shoes than ensure that you do the cleaning regime, mentioned earlier, Don't forget to dust antifungal powder after that and before sleeping for total protection.

Be Careful with Pedicures

Feet treatment such as pedicures at salons and spas can't be much promising during monsoon. As it is possible that salons and spa can't ensure 100 percent fungal free treatment of your feet during monsoon. The risk of getting fungal infection in spas are higher during monsoon as same tools and equipment are used for various customers. If these tools are not properly cleaned, then they can be risky enough. It is advisable to buy your own pedicure kit and enjoy a hygienic pedicure at home itself.

Moisturize your Feet

After a good cleaning regime, ensure that you moisturize your feet with good quality body lotion. This is an important step of ensuring proper care for your feet during monsoon.

Trim Your Nails

Ensure that you don't overgrow toe nails during monsoon. Long toenails are home for bacteria and dirt, so it's necessary that you periodically trim them.

No Walking Barefoot

Walking barefoot on muddy, wet floors invite fungal infections and allergies. It attracts bacteria and thus can cause lot of distress to your feet. It is thus necessary to avoid walking barefoot during monsoon.

How to avoid food poisoning during summer

Arrival of summer means more relishing on fruit juices, fruits, mocktails and smoothies to stay hydrated. Not necessary that all these foods are prepared at home. We usually tend to order them when in hotels or simply gorge on them on streetside stalls, be it sugarcane juice, other fruit juices, chaas, fruit salads, kulfi and ice-creams. Summer also announces school vacations and thus our kids set to spend more time in parks and playgrounds. Once thirsty they buy ice golas and fruit drinks from the street vendor stationed outside the park. Thus our outside food intake increases and increases the risk of food poisoning.

Doctors advice patients about special care one should take on how to avoid food poisoning during summer. Temperature rises during summer increasing the risk of food poisoning. Symptoms like vomiting, watery diarrhoea, fever, chills and headache are associated with food poisoning. While some may experience a mild food poisoning, others may get infected with severe food poisoning, its severity depending on the kind of pathogen or bacteria one is infected with.

Special care needs to be taken by people when it comes to preparing and handling food during summers to avoid food poisoning. Here are few tips on how to avoid food poisoning during summer:

Spoiled Food

During summers, due to heat the chances of cooked food getting spoilt is high, hence it becomes necessary to choose the food to be cooked wisely.

 Food served in hotels, restaurants and roadside stalls are exposed to more heat compared to home-cooked food and hence have greater chances of being spoiled. Thus these food items can be totally unsafe and unreliable during summers.

Factors influencing Bacteria and Toxins during Summer

There are various factors that influence bacteria and toxins in food during summers. These factors include poor hygiene and careless cooking practices. People get careless while washing fruits and vegetables before consuming. This influences bacteria and toxins in our food that results in food poisoning. Practices like caring for basic hygiene and storing foods carefully can keep these bacteria at bay and thus  keep us healthy and prevent ailments. Few of such practices that can thus help keeping these bacteria and toxins away from our foods include:

- Washing hands, especially after using toilets and before cooking food.

- Washing foods carefully before cooking.

- Washing fresh fruits carefully before consuming them.

- Storing cooked food immediately after use.

- Washing and cleaning cooking surface and gas tops after cooking.

- Washing chopping boards and knives with soap water immediately after use.

- Storing raw foods separately from cooked food.

- Using canned items and packed items within their expiry dates.

- To cook eggs only until the egg whites and egg yellows look firm.

Tips for avoiding food poisoning during summer

- People tend to store things in refrigerator for longer time than they are supposed to be. Every food item raw, cooked or preserved has a shelf life. So it is advisable to use food items within theit stipulated time.

- Don't leave cooked food outside for more than two hours. 

- Don't store perishable food items like milk and egg on door shelves of fridge. Instead place the egg tray on main shelf of fridge.

- Gorging on outside food is total no-no. Never drink chaas, juices from street vendors. Avoid eating food salads that are left unattended on food stalls. 

How to store ginger for a long time

To store ginger for a long time and keep it fresh longer, follow this simple step:

- Store the ginger in a jar filled with water.

How to keep dals insect free

To keep dals insect free follow the simple steps:

- Heat the dals mildly in a fry pan or in oven.

- Allow the dals to cool and transfer it into a airtight container.

How to make homemade gentle body scrubs

Ideal for those tender skins, here's how to make gentle body scrubs:

- Don't throw away old turkish towels, cut the better part of those worn out turkish towels in squares or rectangles.

- Fold and stitch the four corners. Your gentle body scrubs are ready. :-) 

How to remove blemishes and scars from your face

Wish to get rid of all those blemishes and scars from your face, follow any of these methods:

Method I

- Mix 1 tbsp radish juice with 1tbsp of cabbage juice.

- Apply this mixture on the face and massage gently upwards.

- Wash your face off with lukewarm water.

 Method Ii

- Grind two tbsp of cubed ridgegourd to fine paste.

- Apply this paste on your face and leave it for 15 minutes.

- Wash your face with lukewarm water.

How to bring an instant glow on your face

Need an instant glow on your face! Just follow these simple steps:

- Mix 1 tbsp honey with two drops of lemon juice and 1 tsp of sugar granules.

- Gently massage your face with this mixture.

- Leave it on your face for 2-3 minutes.

- Wash your face with lukewarm water.

How to make an excellent homemade face pack to ensure glowing complexion

To make an excellent homemade face pack to ensure glowing complexion, just follow these simple steps:

- Grind one tsp of gram dal (Chana dal) and mix with two tsp milk.

- Add to this 1 tsp of honey and mix well.

- Apply evenly on your face and give it a gentle scrub.

- Leave it on your face for 15 minutes.

- Wash your face with lukewarm water.

- Apply regularly on your face to remove blackheads and ensure glowing complexion.

How to make an instant homemade anti-wrinkle face mask

To make an instant homemade anti-wrinkle face mask, follow these simple easy steps:

- Mix an egg white with three drops of lemon juice.

- Apply a thin coat of this face mask evenly on your face.

- Leave it on for 15 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.