10. Herb Bread

Bread is one of those breakfast staples that we can't do without. The trade of the baker is one of the oldest crafts in the world. In the British Museum's Egyptian galleries you can see actual loaves which were made and baked over 5000 years ago. You don't need to go back in time to have these fresh mini loaves on your breakfast table! 

You'd be blown away by how easy this herb bread is: there's no kneading! Yes, you heard it right, no kneading. You just stir the dough with a wooden spoon until the dough stops sticking to the sides and let the resting of the dough do all the work to produce air spaces for poofy bread.


Ingredients
1 tsp yeast
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 cup warm milk
1 egg, whisked
2 cups bread flour
3 tbsp margarine
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried dill

1. Stir together the yeast, sugar and warm milk. You don't have to leave it to be frothy.
2. Mix the egg into the yeast mixture.
3. Add the flour into the liquid ingredients and stir till combined.
4. Once combined, add in margarine, salt and dry herbs. Keep stirring with the wooden spoon till the dough comes away from the sides of the bowl.
5. Leave it covered to rest in a warm spot for 1 1/2 hours (this may depend on weather conditions, if it is a rainy or cold day, leave it for 2 hours).
6. After resting, punch the air out of the dough and divide into 8 equal portions.
7. Roll out a portion of the dough into a ribbon and roll it back into a sausage shape, twisting in the ends and pinching any open seams. Repeat with the rest of the portions.
8. Place in a tray lined with baking paper and leave it covered to rest for another 30 minutes.
9. Preheat oven to 180 Celsius. Brush egg wash (1 egg + 1 tbsp milk) on the top of the loaves and sprinkle toppings of your choice (chili flakes, poppy seeds, etc., this is optional, if you like plain bread leave it with only the egg wash).
10. Bake for 25 minutes or until the top looks golden brown.

And walla! You have wonderful herb bread in just a few hours with very little labor on your part. As the smell of baking bread wafts through the kitchen, family members will be scrambling for breakfast. You can have it toasted with butter or even on its own. Deliciously savory in every way, it's one foolproof recipe that will get you baking this again and again.

9. Vazhakkai Podimas (Stir Fried Plantain)

Vazhakkai Podimas or Stir Fried Plantain is a very simple and healthy recipe prepared with raw bananas. It does not require much oil or ingredients and can be prepared very quickly. It also tastes delicious as a side dish with rice. 

Plantain is a vegetable that is used not only in Indian cooking but in many parts of Asia and Africa as well. It's a starchy vegetable (think unripe bananas, bananas contain carbohydrates a.k.a. fructose, a by product of starch once bananas ripen). Being quite bland on its own, it absorbs flavors well so you can tinker with a variety of flavorings, sauces and condiments.

The long and tortuous history of plantain can be traced back to as early as 500 B.C. It is of South East Asian origin, mostly in Malaysia and Indonesia. This food item was introduced into India by traders. Plantain and banana trade along with yam and other food crops became a very important factor in the wealth, prosperity and rapid expansion of the Bantu Kingdom of central and southern Africa around 1500 AD. 

Plantains may look like the average green banana, but it is chock full of healthy vitamins, minerals and fiber that are essential to our body. One plantain supplies several grams of fiber to our diet thus preventing constipation by keeping your intestinal tract working the way it should.

Surprisingly, plantains also have vitamin C, a common vitamin found in most orange-colored fruits and veggies like carrots and citrus fruits. Consuming enough vitamin C helps our body fight off infections that can lead to sickness and also promotes healthy gums, teeth and skin. 

8. Mulanggi Chutney (White Radish Chutney)

Chutneys in Indian cuisine is a condiment that is found almost daily on the plate. Providing a plethora of flavors, salty to sweet to sour to spicy, it makes for a great dip for dosas (fermented rice pancakes) or idlys (fermented steamed rice cakes). It can also work as a delicious sandwich spread! For kids who find it difficult to stomach vegetables, especially radish with its strong sulphurous smell, this is one dish that ill get radishes many vitamins into their bodies.

So where did this delicious condiment famous the world over actually originate from? Chutney originated over 2000 years ago on the Indian subcontinent on the form of a sauce or paste made from fresh ingredients. Chutney was eventually adopted by the Romans and then the British.

Though radish is an acquired taste, it has been around for sometime in food history. Radishes enter the historical record in 3rd century BC. Greek and Roman agriculturists of the 1st century AD gave details of small, large, round, long, mild, and sharp varieties. The large, mild and white East Asian form was developed in China, but is mostly associated in the West with the Japanese daikon, owing to Japanese agricultural development and larger exports. 

Radishes are chock full of health benefits. Radish is one of the many cruciferous vegetables containing several great antioxidants associated with fighting free radical damage, a known cause of cancer. Besides that, radishes can act as a diuretic, helping the kidney discharge excess water. 

7. Fried Wheat Noodles with Water Chestnut, Pomegranate and Mint Salad, Pumpkin Soup, and Iced Peach Tea

The oldest historical mention of noodles appears in a dictionary from the 3rd century AD in China. Another early mention of noodles has been traced to the Jerusalem Talmud, dating back to the 5th century AD, and was called itrium. Sometime around 12000BC, people began growing wheat. Rich in B vitamins, wheat is immensely important in your daily diet as it helps convert our food into fuel, allowing us to stay energized throughout the day.

Water chestnut, pomegranate and mint salad. The water chestnut plant became known to the West only in the 17th century. In Fiji, since the 1990s, the plant has become endangered and sorely missed by the Fijian women because for hundreds of years they have used the plant. Water chestnuts have enough potassium to counter the effect of sodium and good for lowering blood pressure. 

Known to have originated in Asia and the Mediterranean region, mint has been known throughout history. Medieval monks drew on the herb for its culinary and medical properties. By promoting digestion, mint soothes the stomach in cases of indigestion or inflammation. 

Pomegranate origin begins in Egypt thousands of years ago. It is thought to be the fruit that Eve fed Adam in the Garden of Eden, and was one of the fruits that would have been seen hanging in the gardens of Babylon of ancient days. Pomegranates contain anti-tumor properties which prevents against the onset of cancers.

Pumpkin soup. Originating in Central America over 7500 years ago, archaeologists discovered the oldest domesticated pumpkin pumpkin seeds in the Oaxaca Highlands of Mexico. Pumpkin is an extremely nutrient dense food, meaning it is high in vitamins and minerals but low in calories. Makes for really good news for those on a diet.

According to Chinese legend, the history of tea began in 2737BCE when the Emperor Shen Nong, a skilled ruler and scientist, accidentally discovered tea. While boiling water in the garden, a leaf from an overhanging wild tea tree drifted into his pot. Tea has less caffeine than coffee so it's a better pick-me-up than your average cuppa joe. 

Peaches originated in China where they were cultivated since the early days of Chinese culture. Considered the favorite fruit of emperors, peaches were first mentioned in Chinese writings dating back to the 10th century. Peach tea is virtually calorie-free, so it is beneficial if you want to lose weight or control weight in the form of less calorie intake.

6. Mixed Vegetable Asam Pedas, Pegaga Salad, Turmeric Roasted Tempe, Tomato Sambal and White Rice with Starfruit and Orange Punch

Mixed vegetable asam pedas with aubergine, ladies' fingers, tomatoes and long beans cooked in a tangy, spicy gravy. Aubergine was cultivated in China and India in the 5th century, but it wasn't introduced in Southern Europe until the 13th century. Since aubergines contain almost no fat or cholesterol, it is a very healthy food for people trying to lose weight or battle obesity problems. 

Ladies' fingers probably originated somewhere around Ethiopia, and was cultivated by the ancient Egyptians by the 12th century BC. Its cultivation spread throughout North Africa and the Middle East. Ladies' fingers are high in fiber which helps digestion, cuts hunger cravings, and keeps those who eat it fuller for longer.

Since I have discussed about tomatoes in my previous post, I wouldn't want to bore your hungry stature by repeating it again. So we will move on to long beans. The bean plant is one of the earliest cultivated plants. The oldest findings and proofs that we used beans for food are 9000 years old and were found in Thailand. Long beans are chock full of beta carotene, vitamins B1 and B2, protein, thiamine, riboflavin, phosphorus, iron, fiber and pectin.

Daun kesum and bunga kantan are added to enhance the flavor. Daun kesum or known by its English name of knotweed has a high content of antioxidants and antimicrobials which prevent against bacterial infections. The antiviral herb, bunga kantan (torch ginger flower), can be used as a decongestant and expectorant to fight respiratory problems and sinus infections.

Refreshing pegaga salad with green chilies, fresh coconut, shallots and chopped tomatoes with a squeeze of lime juice. Pegaga (Indian pennywort) appears to have originated in the wetlands of Asia though the exact timeline of its discovery is unknown. Ayurvedic medicines uses pegaga as it has anti-aging properties. 

Chilies were grown and cultivated from 3500BC. Mexicans used it to spice up their food. Chili was brought to the rest of the world by Christopher Columbus who discovered America in 1493. Green chilies can help our body to fight inflammation. 

Until now, the origins of the coconut palm is the subject of debate. This is because fossil coconuts have been found as far apart as India and New Zealand. A more recent theory is that it originated in the South Pacific (Polynesia). As it is easy to digest and absorb, coconut can help to treat malnutrition. 

The shallots we eat today are the same variety that have been used thousands of years back. They seem to have originated from the village of Ashkelon in Palestine though tehre have been recent changes to this and their birthplace is considered to be Asia. Shallots are helpful in producing an anticoagulant that thins the blood to cure symptoms of cardiovascular disease.

This salad assists in reducing swelling and improving circulation in individuals with venous conditions such as varicose veins and venous insufficiency, a condition that causes blood to pool in the legs.

Fresh turmeric-roasted tempe. Tempe probably originated several centuries ago on the island of Java, in today's Indonesia. The earliest known reference there was in 1875. Tempe is known for its high levels of protein. A fact that is little-known about tempe is that it reduces cholesterol and menopausal symptoms.

In recent years turmeric has attracted quite a bit of interest for its natural healing properties, but it has actually been used medicinally for over 4500 years. Analyses of pots discovered near New Delhi uncovered residue from turmeric, ginger and garlic that dates back as early as 2500BC. Curcumin in turmeric has antioxidants to combat oxidation.

Fresh tomato and birds' eye chili sambal. Pounding of birds' eye chili incorporated with tomatoes, shallots, garlic and serai adds an oomph to complement the meat. Lycopene, an antioxidant abundant in tomatoes, amps up bone health. Birds' eye chilies contain capsaicin which promotes weight loss.

All these dishes are served with plain fluffy white rice and to top it off, a slurpingly refreshing starfruit and orange punch. The starfruit or carambola is believed to have originated in Ceylon and the Moluccas but it has been cultivated in Southeast Asia and Malaysia for many centuries. The low glycemic index of starfruit will not spike the body's blood sugar.

The first wild ancestors of oranges probably evolved in Australia and New Guinea, where the first people probably began eating them soon after they arrived there, about 30000BC. As early as the Stone Age, people were eating citron fruits in China. A single orange or its juice can meet more than 100% of your daily requirement of vitamin C.

5. Potato, Mushroom and Pepper Stuffed Croissant, Aceto Balsamico Salad and Lemon Grape Juice

Bonjour madame! Let's visit France with a hearty Potato, Mushroom and Pepper Stuffed Croissant, tangy Aceto Balsamico Salad and a glass of refreshing Lemon Grape juice.

1651 was the year mushrooms were discovered in the vicinity of Paris by sprinkling the waste from melon crops with leachate from ripe mushrooms. In 1707, the first controlled cultivation of "edible fungi" in the vegetable garden was spearheaded. White button mushrooms contain high levels of iron to replenish red blood cells in your body. 

The story of potato started around 350 million years ago, when they started to evolve from the poisonous ancestor of the plant nightshade (the same family as tomatoes and chilies). Potato slowly evolved into its current form in the South American Andean highlands between Peru and Bolivia. Human settlers reached that part of the world around 15 thousand years ago, and managed to domesticate wild potato around 8 millennia BC. Besides being a carbohydrate source, potatoes are fibre-friendly for a healthy gut system.

The tangy salad has healthy veggies for your body which are carrots, tomatoes and lots of lettuce. The history of the carrot can be traced back 5000 years. Evidence has been dug up that this root plant originated in Afghanistan. Carrots in the salad will get your eyes sharp as an eagle with carotenoids. 

The tomato has origins traced back to the early Aztecs around 700AD; therefore it is believed that the tomato is native to the Americas. It was not until around the 16th century that Europeans were introduced to this fruit when the early explorers set sail to discover new lands. Lycopene in tomatoes protects your body from free radicals. 

The lettuce was well known by the Sumerian, Egyptian, Persian and Roman people. Its consumption diminished during the middle ages, but it was once again in fashion during the Renaissance. In the 16th century, the Roman lettuce was introduced in France, from where it spread to England. Lettuce contains lots of fiber for a healthy gut.

For a drink, we have a refreshing glass of lemon and grape juice. The origin of the lemon has not yet been determined, although science suggests it may be northwestern India, where they have been cultivated for more than 2500 years.Citrus fruits like lemons contain vitamin C, which is a primary antioxidant that helps protect cells from damaging free radicals. 

The cultivation of grapes began 6000 - 8000 years ago on a domestic level in Europe. They are said to have originated at the time of Jesus Christ. Many references have been made in the Bible as "the fruit of wine". They were found in Egyptian tombs and in the tombs of pre-Christ era as well. Grapes possess polyphenols which are important in maintaining blood circulation.

4. Mixed Pepper and Baby Spinach Spaghetti with Iced Kumquat Vinegar and Pink Pear

Slurpingly scrumptious, this spaghetti makes for a nutritious dinner. Something like the bell pepper and hot peppers have been cultivated for more than 9000 years, with the earliest cultivation having taken place in South and Central American civilizations. The earliest fossil traces so far are from southwestern Ecuador, where families grew their own peppers about 6100 years ago. Vitamin C in red and yellow bell peppers shields your system from viruses and bacteria, thereby increasing your immunity. 

Spinach was successfully cultivated in the hot and arid Mediterranean climate by Arab agronomists through the use of sophisticated irrigation techniques probably as early as the 8th century AD. The first references to spinach are from Sasanian Persia (226 - 640 AD). Baby spinach contains high amounts of Vitamin K to be synthesized into much needed calcium in the body.

Around 5000BC the Babylonians were using the fruit of the date palm to make wine and vinegar to be used as food and a preservative or pickling agent. The first written history of vinegar in China dates to 1200BC. Since then, many versions of vinegar have cropped up, some distilled from fruits while others are distilled from alcohol. Icy kumquat vinegar soothes the throat and nourishes the lungs, providing a highly coveted songbird sweet voice.

Pears are one of the world's oldest cultivated fruits. In 5000BC, Feng Li, a Chinese diplomat, abandoned his responsibilities when he became consumed by grafting peaches, almonds, persimmons, pears and apples as a commercial venture. In the 17th century a great flourishing of modern pear variety cultivation began taking place in Europe. The phytonutrients found in pink pears are associated with preventing stomach cancer.

Enjoy a simple, early dinner...

3. Coffee Banana Cupcakes

These decadent cupcakes with a combination of banana and coffee burst out a caramelized taste.

This sugar-free cakes were baked using extra virgin olive oil in place of butter. Olive tree cultivation and olive oil production has been with humankind since time immemorial, according to evidence that provide the artefacts and archaeological remains of the most ancient civilizations. There are stone mortars and presses used for olive oil extraction that date back to 5000BC. Extra virgin olive oil contains a substance called oleocanthal, which has anti-inflammatory agents, like a natural Ibuprofen.

Topped with crushed walnuts and cashews, it's really a wonderful treat for a light tea. Since I have mentioned the history of walnuts in my previous posts, I will touch a little on the origin of cashews. Originating in Brazil, the cashew plant made its way to India and East Africa in the 16th century via Portuguese sailors. Cashewnuts and walnuts are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to maintain bodily health.

Bananas have been part of our diet for thousands of years, and written references date back to around 500BC. Bananas started to be traded internationally by the end of the 14th century. Potassium-rich bananas reduce anxiety and stress.  

The origin and history of coffee dates back to the 10th century, and possibly earlier with a number of reports and legends surrounding its first use. The earliest substantiated evidence of either coffee drinking or knowledge of the coffee tree is from the 15th century, in the Sufi monasteries of Yemen. When taken in moderation, caffeine in coffee can boost the body's metabolic rate by 3 - 11%. 

2. Dairy-Free Chocolate Cake

Can something as sinful as a chocolate cake be sin-free? Well, the food angels gave this cake a healthy twist. Chocolate may be the "food of the gods", but for most of its 4000-year-old history, it was actually consumed as a bitter beverage rather than as a sweet edible treat. Anthropologists have found evidence that chocolate was produced by pre-Olmec cultures living in present day Mexico as early as 1900BC. 

Being dairy-free, this luscious cake is suitable for those with lactose intolerance (an inability to digest milk sugar, lactose).

There is evidence that the Aztecs made peanut butter as early as the 14th century. They simply mashed up roasted peanuts. In the late 1800s, a number of people experimented with the making of peanut butter, such as John Harvey Kellogg (inventor of Cornflakes) and George Washington Carver (famous botanist and inventor). 

Scientifically known as Juglans regia, the English walnut most likely originated in Asia Minor. Both Greeks and Romans cultivated it; and walnuts were among the foods hastily abandoned on the table in Pompeii's Temple of Isis on the fatal 24th of August when Mount Vesuvius blew its top. 

Topped with peanut butter and walnuts, this cake compliments your protein intake. Say hooray to Omega-3 from the walnuts.

While the origin of the passion fruit is unknown, it is generally believed to be native to Brazil where 16th century Spanish Catholics named it "flor de las cinco ilagas" or "flower of the five wounds" after its distinctive purple flower. Today about 400 years later, passion fruit is grown nearly everywhere in the tropical belt. Enjoy this for tea with passion fruit citrus tea...ooolala...

1. Walnut Apricot Carrot Cake

Monday blues???

Cheer it up with a slice of golden walnut apricot carrot cake with silky cream cheese icing....

This moist cake is packed with chewy apricots, crunchy walnuts and juicy carrots. Golden syrup in the cake gives you a caramelized mouthfeel. Ricotta cream cheese leaves you with a savory finish.

The apricot is thought to have originated in northeastern China near the Russian border. In Armenia, it was known from ancient times (6000-year-old seeds have been discovered) and today is the main fruit culture grown in the republic. The Roman General Lucullus (106 - 57 B.C.E.) even exported some trees from Armenia to Europe. The iron-rich apricots helps in increasing red blood cell count. 

Walnuts have a rich history dating back thousands of years (7000 BC). Early history indicates that English walnuts came from ancient Persia, where they were reserved for royalty. Walnuts were traded along the Silk Road route between Asia and the Middle East.The addition of walnuts boost brain cells. 

Home of carrots can be tracked to dry and hot lands of Iran and Afghanistan. Earliest evidence of its use there was dated to 3000 BC. From there, carrot seeds were picked, carried and sold via caravans to neighboring Arabian, African and Asian lands, who all accepted carrots immediately and started crossbreeding and creating new types of this famous root. The carrots carry Vitamin C you need. 

The first depiction of the making of ricotta is an illustration in the medical treatise known as the Tacuinum sanitatis (medieval health handbook), the Latin translation of the Arab physician Ibn Butlan's 11th century Taqwim al-sihha. Ricotta cream cheese adds to your calcium intake.