3 valuable tips for regular ‘outside eaters’

Eating out isn’t easy! But people who have to live alone and who cannot cook for themselves as a result of their busy schedules are compelled to eat out frequently. From the nutrition point of view, there’s no denying that the food we eat outside can never match up to what we eat at home. But it’s not necessary to indulge into unhealthiness if you’re missing out on the most loved homemade and mom-made food!

Today, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding upon an outlet or restaurant for casual dining. From Indian dishes to international delicacies, these restaurants offer a wide range of servings! The scope of unhealthiness is high in junk items like Fries and Burgers, and if they’ve become a part of daily routine, we must take time to check our calories. There’s nothing worse than finding yourself trapped in a calorie-full world, only to realize that it’s too late to back out. Here’s how you can develop healthiness out of fast food and save yourself from the bad calorie attack!

 •    Grill check: When you go for a grilled meal, say a chicken platter, ask your server to use olive oil from grilling your dish.

•    The right portion: Eat small portions of meals to keep your calorie in control. Some of the restaurants in Mumbai overfill your plate in order to impress you with their portion sizes. But eating fast food in large quantity all at once is not the best idea. Instead, taking small breaks between small meals helps.

•    Green does the good: When you rush into an outlet for a fast food meal, try and fill yourself up with the salads and appetizers. These salads contain greeneries which are good for health. These salads will sate your appetite and keep you from overeating unhealthy meals.

So the next time you’re going for a lamb burger at Smokehouse Deli, remember these tips in order to keep your calorie in control!

Tips to come up with the perfect tenderloin steak every time

Tenderloin steak is a delicious solution to all types of hunger pangs. It can be had when you wish to cook a casual meal for yourself one afternoon or at a fine dining restaurant while you’re on a date, and it will always end up in a tasty affair.

Though, cooking tenderloin steak at home can be rather tough because of the utmost care and attention you have to invest. Here are a few tips to prepare the perfect steak every time.

Trim it properly

The thick, silvery layer of tissues on the outside of tenderloin  is really hard to remove. Use a flexible knife to cut the silver skin off and if it still doesn’t look neat, trim it.

Keep the thickness intact

Uneven or too thin tenderloin would never be cooked properly. To avoid this, straighten the steak and tie a kitchen string around it to come up with a round shape.

Season it properly

Tenderloin steak lacks the meaty taste and not seasoning it properly would lead to a bland preparation. Cover the surface with kosher or sea salt along with some extra flavours, spices and herbs.

Don’t overcook

Unlike other meats, tenderloin doesn’t get juicier on cooking for a long time, but rather becomes dry and tasteless. If you want to come up with a taste like that of steaks at Smokehouse Deli a restaurant in Khan Market, cook the tenderloin rare or medium rare at a temperature of 140°F.

Wait before cutting through the steak

Cutting the tenderloin steak as soon as you’re done cooking would make all the yummy juices to flow out. Avoid that by letting the steak sit for a while to recover all the juices and redistribute them uniformly for a sumptuous taste.

Why have Salmon in Breakfast?

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. No one can discount the importance of breakfast since not only does it supplement the body with the necessary vitamins and nutrients but it can also greatly affect how one's day will go on. A good and complete breakfast can lead to better levels of concentration and a higher level of alertness in the body. One should as a general rule, never skimp out on this meal, and if nothing else then have the compulsory eggs and toast. However when one has the time, then one should certainly put some thought into what they eat first thing in the morning.

In breakfast there are certain foods that can help one to stave off their hunger pangs and also provide a slow-release energy. This way one will not be ravenous by lunch time instead by just hungry enough so eat an appropriate amount of food. There are also certain fruits like grapefruit for instance, which are known to help boost mental stimuli. One of these foods is salmon, especially for breakfast these days. Even a lot of breakfast places in Mumbai and all are incorporating this item into brunch dishes and other breakfast foods.

Salmon is perhaps the most discusses and preferred fish around and nowadays it is being recognized as an extremely good item to be had during breakfast. Being one of the richest sources for omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, it also promotes brain development and better functioning.

Not only is salmon rich in antioxidants, but it also helps in prevention of degenerative and inflammatory diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and more. Salmon also has high amounts of selenium and vitamin D which help it prevent diseases like cancer and more. Breakfast places in Bangalore Delhi and Mumbai and more are realizing its potential and having it in their menu.

A note from a Burger addict!

A burger a day keeps the monotony away! Burgers are like those rays of hopes which bring freshness and excitement into our dull and boring lives. One can literally go from being disappointed to ecstatic when presented with a Burger and I think burger has magical properties!

And I love the fact that I live in a city where I’m spoilt for choice of Burgers. From Lamb Burger to Guacamole Burger, the restaurants in Delhi have all possible kinds of Burgers you can think of!

Also, outlets for Burgers in Delhi provide all kinds of services ranging from 24/7 availability to free home delivery, which makes the idea of having Burgers even more fascinating! Although my addiction to Burgers makes me believe that Burgers are wonderful dishes to rely on, science tells me otherwise! It tells me that Burger is unhealthy for it contains fats, carbohydrates and cheese- all of which contribute to unhealthiness.

But where there is a will there is away! And if you cannot get over the addiction of Burgers, you don’t have to. Here’s how you can make you Burgers healthy.

•    Content swapping: There’s no denying that beef and turkey make the best of the burgers, but if you can swap your meat with a healthy mushroom filling, you can make your burger way too healthy.

•    Sauce swapping: We all know about the creamy and delectable mayonnaise sauce that just adds the right flavor to the Burger but since mayo sauce is high in calorie, switching it with low calorie mustard sauce would do well!

•    Portion absorption: Try to make your burger small and handy! Measure it with your palm. If it doesn’t fit inside- you’ve got to change it!

•    Go green: Adding veggies to the burgers has always proved to be beneficial. Add things like spinach and broccoli and let the vegetables keep you healthy!

So why give up on burgers when you can make them healthier!

That’s how you run a bar successfully

Many of the modern-day restaurants also serve alcohol these days. However, it takes great effort to manage the in-built bar alongside food.  Whether you own a separate bar or have an in-built bar, the following tips would help you run it successfully:

1.    Always be well-stocked
There is nothing more annoying than asking for a drink present on the menu but unavailable in the bar. Instead of stocking high amounts of all drinks at all times, store as per the demand graph you have observed. Also, make sure you make adjustments during season peak, holidays etc. I visited a few bars in Mumbai on my recent visit to the city, and was impressed to find all of them well-stocked, even when people asked for the most bizarre drinks.

2.    Use measuring equipment
The use of measuring equipment not only makes all mixed drinks consistent, but also avoids wastage. Use measured pourers and jiggers for measuring and mixing different drinks together.

3.    Signature drink
Having a signature drink always makes a bar more unique. The signature drink should be created keeping in mind factors like demography of the location, economic status of the people around, etc.

4.    Happy hours and other events
Happy hours are extremely common in bars or restaurant with bars. However, you could explore more options such as karaoke, trivia, foosball tables etc. to add more life to your establishment. It was a pleasant surprise when I visited some of the restaurants in Mumbai because almost every restaurant had something unique to offer.
5.    More options in non-alcoholic beverages as well
While alcohol is your main offering, you would do well if you be considerate of the non-drinkers and have enough options for non-alcoholic beverages such as mocktails, smoothies and shakes, etc.

And don’t forget to decorate the interiors nicely. I am so fond of the décor of Smoke House Deli in Saket that I just don’t feel like leaving the place when I visit it. It’s just too pretty. So do focus on the décor!

Smoked herb chicken recipe

Humans have been eating smoked meat since pre-historic times, but its nutritious benefits have been stressed upon only recently. Smoked foods have become a rage because of their delicious raw taste, their capability to keep all nutrients intact and their low fat content. Most of the forms of cooking take away the proteins of the food, but smoked meat remains protein rich while remaining tasty.

More and more people are opting for smoked food in Bangalore because it does not require extra fat in sauces and other preparatory ingredients. Also, smoking reduces the fat already present in the food because much of it is dripped out during preparation. Smoked food is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which in moderate quantities is really good for health. Once you develop a taste for smoked meat, it’s really hard to resist eating it frequently.

If you are a chicken lover, you can always visit a restaurant like Smokehouse Deli which serves smoked chicken in Bangalore, but the good news is you can also prepare yummy smoked herb chicken at home. For the ingredients you will need, 1 full chicken, 3 tablespoon of butter, 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, 1 tablespoon fresh basil and 1 tablespoon of fresh basil.

Preparation:

*Preheat an outdoor grill on low heat.

*Clean the chicken properly inside out and dry by patting.

*Loosen the skin around the breast areas.

*Add butter under the skin uniformly.

*Chop all the herbs finely and place some of them under the skin and the rest inside the chicken.

*Use the smoke of the outdoor grill to cook the chicken for about four hours.

*Check if it’s cooked properly by poking the chicken with a fork. If no juices flow out it means it is ready to eat.

Want to try authentic Italian and Mexican delicacies?

Food lovers can go anywhere to find delicious delicacies of their choice. I too am a hardcore food lover and enjoy exploring different places to taste new dishes of those areas. If we talk about Delhi, there is a great variety of food options that you can try and that too at affordable prices. From tasty street food to gourmet delicacies served in hotels and restaurants, here you can get a taste of all. Delhi, being the capital city of India, has a number of restaurants offering popular delicacies of various parts of the country. Whether you are looking for south Indian dosa or north Indian shahi paneer and dal makhni, Delhi gives you a chance to taste all these authentic delicacies. Besides this, for Italian and European food lovers, there are restaurants that serve range of Italian dishes that are surely to be loved by all.

If you are in Delhi for two three days and have time to explore the place, you should not miss a chance to visit some of the popular restaurants and cafes located here. There are restaurants in vasant kunj that have amazing Italian and Mexican menu, that you'll hardly find in other places. Whether you are looking for meaty Bolognaise pasta,spaghetti, spinach raviolli, grilled chicken or desserts like hot chocolate fondant, you can find all these delicacies and enjoy their authentic taste. Besides the food, the ambiance and service of these restaurants is also excellent and never disappoints their visitors. There are cafes that have spacious couching seating where you can spend hours with your friends as you enjoy tasty dishes.

Restaurants in hauz khas area are known for their excellent food, service and ambiance. They are perfect to celebrate special occasions like friends birthday party or anniversary. There are restaurants that also provide free home delivery in the nearby areas.

Simple bar etiquettes you NEED to know!

I was offended to see how a bunch of youngsters sitting next to our table, were behaving in a bar I visited recently. It was clear that they have never heard of the term ‘etiquettes’ which is clearly something they didn’t have that time. Just as we abide by a certain set of etiquettes in a restaurant, we should do the same when we are in a bar! I was disgusted the way the group was behaving and surprisingly, it was one of the most reputed bars in Mumbai, and this kind of a crowd and behaviour is definitely not welcome.

In case, you are planning to go out for a drink, and you are unsure of how you should go about it, kindly look at the following etiquettes so that you don’t create a nuisance for the guests and the bar authorities:

Address the bartender/waiter properly

“Tch, tch” is certainly not how you should call your server. Do not ever call your bartender in an inappropriate way. If you are not sure what to address him as, be polite enough to say hey, or hello. The group in I was talking about was offensive the way they were calling the servers and also, they were extremely impatient when they didn’t respond right away. Give them some time- may be they are attending someone. It’s their job, and they would come to you. You could breathe for a few seconds in between!

Know your drinks well

You have zero knowledge about drinks and here you are, seated in one of the best bar and restaurants in Mumbai! You end up making fun of yourself and your company, and irritate everyone around. You call the waiter and run through the menu and asking what is what, is a strict NO. Sure you can ask for suggestions, but not the components of a drink and that would it make you high or not. Be definite about your order and minimize the time waste, as there are other people who need to be attended as well.

No drama please

We get it you have had a break up but we do not want you to hear uttering cuss words about your ex --- well, yes, at the top of your voice! Do not drink more than you can handle, because remember, it is a public place? If you know you have the chances of throwing up, DO NOT drink that much! Simple! Enjoy, and let others do the same!  

A Bollywood night!

The city of Bangalore is popular for a variety of reasons- one, for its pleasant weather, two for its clean roads and three for the multiplicity of restaurants.

Bangalore boasts of having separate restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Not that you won’t find a multipurpose restaurant there, but some of these restaurants make different sections for different hours.

And the range of Indian as well as international cuisines that these restaurants offer is just applaudable! From Italian Pizzas and Chinese Noodles to Punjabi Paranthas and South Indian Dosa- a restaurant in Bangalore has it all.

Talking about the interior, some of the restaurants in Bangalore are based on specific themes and I think it helps in increasing the overall appeal of a restaurant. It was during one of my visits to this wonderful city that I came across a magnificent restaurant based on the Bollywood theme. Here’s a list of all that I loved there.

•Posters: The posters of some of the classic movies were placed on the walls of the restaurant and it literally took me to another world. It reminded me of some of the great works of our veteran actors!

•Dialogues: As if the posters were not enough to give you a sure-shot Bollywood treat, some epic dialogues of Hindi Cinema were also written between the posters. I couldn’t help reading those dialogues in the same manner they were said in the movies (mentally, of course!)

•Servers: The excitement went to another level when I saw even the servers dressed in Bollywood Characters. From “Gabbar” and “Basanti” of Sholay to “Anarkali” and “Salim” of Mughal-e-azam, one could locate all popular characters of Bollywood.

Undoubtedly, I felt like I have suddenly become a part of the film industry. Also, the food was good and I’ll surely go back.

The Age of Colourful Burgers

There was a time, that burgers were simple and straightforward, just two bread buns, with a patty in between and some lettuce and sauce to go with it. That was it, no more and no less. But, in the past few months there has been a flood of colourful burgers, from the dark black ones, to fiery red and now even white burgers are available.

Yes, the age of normal looking burgers is out and now one can have their choices of not only burger, but even what colour they want it to be. Burgers in Delhi are getting a makeover and they are all, ready in pretty and bright colours.

For some time now, people have wanted to deviate from the usual, monotonous choices of fast food and are expecting new and exciting changes in their food. From the introduction of smoked food in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore and their immense popularity too, people nowadays are not afraid to try out unique dishes, which might see impossible but turn out to be better than expected.

In the west, the introduction of hybrid dessert like cronuts made from part donut and part croissant or the cruffin again a hybrid croissant and donut mix, but shaped like a muffin, has spread this frenzy to mix together to extremely different dishes and see what is the result.

Now, the fast food industry too, has to up their game with many restaurants bringing up new and original dishes and also international chains opening up, thus increasing the competition. But the problem with a burger is how to change it, how to make it more exciting. And voila, the coloured burgers are here.

International and domestic chains alike are not adding colours extracted from vegetables or sauces to their burger buns to give them a creative twist and add a bit of flavour to not just the whole burger but also to the buns. And they certainly look really good, all colourful.

How to make beef burgers: easy steps to help

Delhi is all about food lovers. We love going into restaurants and trying different varieties of dishes out. Be it the paranthas of dhabas or the international delicacies of a lavish restaurant, Delhi has everything to offer to the people.

The restaurants in hauz khas, saket and other populated areas of Delhi are popular for their versatility of food where you can find everything from the South Indian Idlis to Italian Pastas and Pizzas.

Talking about international food, Burgers are extremely loved by the people of Delhi. The burgers in delhi can be found even in the smallest of food outlets of the city- even dhabas have started serving them! A range of vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian burgers are served in these outlets – beef burger being the most popular of all.

But there are days when we don’t feel like going out and still enjoying the burgers- what are food deliveries for! Just go online and order. And there are days when we want to try our hand at cooking. If you come across one such day, here’s how to make a beef burger at home.

1.Get the right beef, season it inside out with spices and then tip it into a bowl containing cut onions and eggs. Mix all the contents to obtain en even mixture.

2.Now divide the whole mixture into four parts and roll these parts into balls- as the size of a tennis ball. Now flatten these balls to make patties of them.

3.Leave the patties in fridge so they harden up. Then place them on an already heated up and oiled up barbeque. Flip them over.

4.Take the burgers out and leave them in plate for a while so that all their juices are absorbed. Then put them inside the partially cut buns and top them up with sauces.

Now, you’re good to go! Enjoy the delights of a restaurant at your home!

Going alone to a bar? Here are few tips to help

A bar is an amazing place to be at! You actually get to chill there. There is so much happening around in a bar that you forget about the sorrows and get engaged in the celebration of life.

And which city could be better than Mumbai for this kind of a celebration! Mumbai is one city that never sleeps and it celebrates everything to the fullest. Some of the bars in mumbai go on for the entire night. You get to meet people who are full of life and food which are full of flavors!

Because smoked food in mumbai holds greater popularity than any other type of food, you'd get a variety of smoked dishes of chicken and mutton in these bars. With a drink in one hand, snacks in another and the legs dancing to the beats of the music, life seems perfect! And if you wish to enjoy an evening at the bar, you don't even have to depend on your friends to accompany you. Although, nothing is better than having a good time with friends, you shouldn't worry about going alone either. Here are some tips on going alone to a bar.

•Dress well: Don't wear anything that's see-through, low cut, short or inappropriate in some other way! You obviously don't want to draw unnecessary attention. Also wear comfortable shoes.

•Park close: Park your car as close as you can. Make sure the street is well-lit and well-occupied. Avoid dark roads.

•Order a drink: When you've entered with enough confidence, order a drink to settle yourself in the environment.

•Don't get too drunk: Remember you have come here for fun and not trouble! Know already of your capacity and drink accordingly. You've got to drive home on your own.

•Leave early: Late nights do come with risks and hence, it's always wise to leave before it's too late and you're only surrounded by drunkards and trouble-makers!

Beat the Heat with these Summer Drinks

There’s nothing quite like sitting by the shade and sipping on some refreshing cool drinks when the sun’s out blazing. A sunny day absolutely demands it! So, next time you’re in the mood for some delicious relief from the summer sun, don’t grab a bottle of some or the other aerated drink out the fridge, try out these simple recipes, sit back, relax, and sip away!

•Watermelon Mint Cooler

Keep aside about 4 cups of deseeded watermelon, cut into small chunks that can go into a blender. Then, prepare 1.5 cups of lemonade. Combine the watermelon chunks and lemonade in a blender and puree. You can then train the mixture if you so wish. Now, for that dash of refreshing flavour, add about ½ a cup of fresh mint leaves. Add as much ice as you want, and serve up! This is a great recipe I picked up from one of the popular bars in Mumbai.

•Iced Tea infused with Thyme and Plums

This one’s going to take a bit of time but it’ll sure be worth the wait! Grab a large saucepan and add about 3 cups of water. Boil, take it off the heat and add 2 black tea bags. Let the tea infuse for about 10 minutes. Then, remove the bags and allow the tea to cool down to room temperature. Once it has, combine 2tbsp. honey, 2 sliced plums and 8 bits of thyme to the tea. Now all there’s left to do is refrigerate for a couple of hours, and serve with ice once done.

•Ginger Beer

You’ll need a food processor for this one, but it’ll be worth the trouble, and goes great with some lamb burger. In you, you will have to mix about ¾ cups of chopped ginger, and ¾ cups of honey and sugar each. Then add 1.25 cups of orange juice and 1/3 cups of lemon juice to the mix. Now transfer the mix to a container and add 3 tbsp. of orange and lemon zest, along with 2 cups of hot water. Stir and allow it to return to room temperature. Close the container and refrigerate for a minimum of a day. When you’re ready, add 4 cups of chilled sparking water, some ice, slices of lemon and serve!

An escape from Delhi to a city of food, fun, and rains

Any guesses which city am I talking about? Well, if you just thought of Mumbai, then give yourself a pat on the back. Everybody deserves a break from the monotonous life and after my best friend moved to Mumbai for higher studies, I definitely needed one. My birthday was just around the corner, and even the thought of celebrating it without my bestie filled me with dread. And so my other friends and I decided to make a short trip to Mumbai, and I am still amazed at how quickly and easily things fell into place.

The moment we landed in Mumbai, it started raining cats and dogs. We quickly took a cab and travelled a long distance from the airport to her rented flat. After catching up for a few hours, all of us took a refreshing nap as we had huge party plans for every night. But we can categorise most of our activities under eating, shopping, and partying. It was a lot of fun to explore the different breakfast places in Mumbai. Every morning we had a different destination in mind and trust me! Not even a single place disappointed us. From the spicy street food to the exotic desserts, we tried and loved it all.

Nights, as I mentioned above, were reserved for parties and we usually ate the typical food we have in Delhi- pastas, pizzas, and nachos. But we made sure we dine at the best restaurants in Mumbai for lunch. And I am sure you would agree with me that there is nothing as satisfying as good food after hours of searching, trying, and buying outfits.

All in all, my trip to Mumbai was an absolute joy and my birthday could not have been celebrated at a better place or with better people. The only thing that I probably didn’t enjoy as much were the constant rains that came pouring down without any warning. But I would love to visit the city again next year as I would love to meet my best friend who has no plans of visiting Delhi this year!

The best birthday in Mumbai!

I had once been to Mumbai on an office trip. That was the only time I have ever visited Mumbai, but I fell in love with the city the very day. I loved the marine drive and if I did not have a flight booked, I would have stayed back. I tasted the famous Vada Pav and I was mesmerized with the synchronized hastiness of the city. I had the best smoked food in Mumbai in a restaurant; being a crazy fan of smoked food I could swear that I had never tasted anything close to that!

It was on my birthday that I got to visit this place again. All thanks to my husband, he flew me to Mumbai for a dinner in the same restaurant I kept talking about all the time. No wonder, it was the most delightful birthday of my entire life- to have my favorite food with my favorite person in one of the best restaurants in Mumbai! I couldn’t have asked for more!

His plan to surprise me extended till taking a long walk along the Juhu beach! It was incredibly romantic and I guess I fell in love with that place a little bit more for adding one of the best memories to my life.

My husband had booked a beautiful hotel with an amazing view of the city. The view was spectacular and it had me hooked to such an extent, that I wanted to move to Mumbai permanently! That of course did not materialize, as both of us have our workplaces in our hometown, but we keep coming to Mumbai since then and we’ve considered buying a property here!

The city is never tired and so are its people. Each time I come here it is new and since the mind-blowing birthday my husband gifted to me, the city has been etched onto my mind!

Burger and Iced Tea- My favourite meal

Yes, that’s what I love and that’s what I can have any time of the day. While this was my favourite meal, I did not have any favourite restaurant until I tried out the amazing burgers of this equally amazing food joint in Khan Market.

It was a Monday morning and my friends and I had gone to college rather unwillingly. That first lecture at 8.30 worsened our Monday blues and frankly, I do not even remember the topic we were taught in that class. All of us survived a series of torturous lectures until our brains and stomachs gave up. We skipped a class we dreaded every single day and decided to escape to our favourite food spot, Khan Market. We were musing over our food options when I spotted a restaurant we passed by every time we visited the market, but never cared to try. A little more awake after the bumpy ride our amateur driver friend put us through, we were up for an adventure. We were surprised to find that restaurant in Khan Market almost full even though it was early afternoon. The ambiance was great and the seats super comfortable- just perfect for a bunch of college students to laze around on a Monday. We quickly decided our orders and I of course ordered a chicken (smoked) burger (with extra cheese) with lemon iced tea.
While I wasn’t expecting the burger to be bad, it surpassed my expectations. It was simply fantastic. And not to forget, the burger was huge and totally worth the price. Over the next two years of college, we visit the restaurant every time we visited Khan Market. And I assure you my friends, every single burger they serve is damn tasty and fulfilling. I could easily give this place an award for the best burgers in Delhi. So when I graduated from college, I was more upset about not eating at that place as often as we did, more than I was about not seeing my friends every day (don’t judge me please). But guess who listened to me. They recently opened another branch in a mall near my place which gives me an opportunity to go have those delectable burgers every weekend. Yayy!

Breakfast Smoothie Recipes

There’s nothing I like better than a tall glass of some fresh smoothie before I hit the grind every morning. Accompanied by a sandwich, a bowl of cereal or fruit, a glass of smoothie is the perfect kick-start to a glorious sunny day or a dreary winter morning!

Check out the following recipes and make your own smoothies:

1.Mango Smoothie

Beat the summer heat with the king of all fruits –go in for a refreshing mango smoothie with a plateful of Eggs Benedict for the perfect summer breakfast. In a  blender, mix together 1 cup mango, 1/2 cup low-fat milk, 1/4 cup low-fat yogurt, 1 tbsp honey and some ice –and tada!

2.Raspberry and Nut Smoothie

Raspberry has always been a favourite amongst all. Throw in that delectable raspberry flavour with some healthy nuts and you’ve got yourself a deliciously healthy breakfast smoothie! All you’ve got to do is mix 3/4 cup low-fat milk, 3/4 cup frozen raspberries, 1/2 banana 1 tablespoon natural almond or peanut butter, 1 tbsp honey in a blender until it’s frothy and yummy –just like smoothies at the best of Breakfast places in Mumbai!

3.Orange Juice Shake

We all love OJ, don’t we? So there’s no reason to question whether or not an OJ smoothie will be just as awesome! Blend 1/2 cup milk, 3 seedless peeled clementines, 1 banana, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and ice –sit back and enjoy!

4.Date Smoothie

This is a smoothie I really hope the Breakfast places in Mumbai would serve –it’s different and absolutely delectable! In a blender, mix 3/4 cup whole milk, 1/3 cup dates and some ice until it’s frothy and savour this exotic treat!

Give these recipes a shot and then come up with some of your own to brighten up each morning with a wondrous smoothie breakfast!

A BREAKFAST IN MUMBAI

Our daily routine starts off with waking up late, checking out clock every five minutes and skipping the breakfast just to leave for work on time. But there are days when we’re relaxing in the morning air and crave for a finger licking breakfast, and on such days, the city of Mumbai doesn’t disappoint at all!

With a plethora of Breakfast places in Mumbai, you have multiple options on the days when you’re just not in the mood of tiring yourself by making a breakfast up. Let’s look at some of the most common things you’ll come across while going through the menu of a breakfast place in Mumbai.

•Eggs: I believe a typical restaurant for breakfast has to have dishes of eggs in their menu! They’re not only delicious for a breakfast, they’re also extremely filling and healthy. Boiled eggs and flavored omelets are so popular.

•French toast: Is there anything better than a creamy French toast for a Sunday morning? Those thick slices of eggy bread served with butter and syrups just give a tasty kick start for the day.

•Vada: Went to a Mumbai restaurant and didn’t have vada? That would be so unusual. This traditional Maharashtrian affair is served in almost every restaurant for breakfast. Large spheres of Vada served with green chutney is so irresistible! 

•Idli: Mumbai restaurants serve amazing south Indian food- Idlis and Dosas. Some people love beginning their day with the spices of sambhar and the breakfast places in Mumbai always please such people with the delicious dishes served with south Indian sambhar.

•Pancakes: And for treating the sweet tooth of people, these breakfast places serve the fluffiest and loveliest pancakes. You can combine these pancakes with other breakfast items, or you can have a lot of pancakes only for a filling breakfast meal.

Does the list make you hungry? Well the restaurants of Mumbai welcome you with open arms!

How to Make the Perfect Eggs Benedict

It’s really surprising to me, the sheer number of people out there who don’t like eggs. Being a crazy egg fanatic, I just can’t quite seem to fathom how anyone could hate eggs! But here’s what I’ve concluded: it’s not that people don’t like eggs, it’s just that they’ve been having the wrong kinds!

Whether you love eggs or not, try out this Eggs Benedict recipe, and you’re sure to fall in love (with eggs, of course).

First off, here’s a list of ingredients you’re going to need:

•    4 eggs
•    2 English muffins
•    Hollandaise sauce (that you’ll need to prepare separately or purchase)
•    4 slices of ham or bacon
•    3 tablespoons white wine vinegar

Now, gather these ingredients, get your cooking hats on, and cook a gorgeous serving of Eggs Benedict that’s going to taste even better than at a restaurant in hauz khas that’s reputed to serve the best of eggs!

Follow these simple instructions:

•    To begin with, boil about 2 litres of water in a large, deep saucepan.
•    Next, you must add those 3 tablespoons of white wine vinegar to the boiling water.
•    To prepare the eggs, first break them into 4 small bowls each.
•    Whirl the boiling water mixed with vinegar to create a sort of whirlpools in the centre.
•    When you’re created this whirlpool, slip in an egg gently from the bowl right into the centre.
•    Now this is important, keep swirling around the egg so that the vortex is maintained and the egg stays within, forming a nice round shape.
•    Cook the egg in this fashion for about 4 minutes and then remove with a deep spoon.
•    Repeat the process with each egg.
•    In the meantime, you can cut the muffins and toast them up.
•    Then, generously spread the hollandaise sauce into the toasted muffin.
•    Top the hollandaise with the eggs.

Tada, you’ve got yourself some delicious Eggs Benedict so dig right in!

TIPS FOR TENDERLOIN STEAK RECIPE

The content below is not meant for vegetarians because we’re going to talk about meat and loads of it. For those, who have not yet moved on from this and are continuing to read, welcome to the world of beefs and pork. This is for all the core non vegetarians who enjoy the meat of beef, pork, veal and lamb. For all those who have never tried anything beyond chicken and mutton, we have a lot in store for you because this world is a big place. Let us begin your venture with the delicious tenderloin steak, made with the tenderloin of either beef or pork. Although the recipe involves usual roasting of the steak in the oil along with the seasoning of salt and pepper, there are few tips for serving it seamlessly.

Follow these tips so that you don’t mess up with this deliciousness on a special dinner, also because tenderloin is one of the most expensive beef cuts around.

•Trim properly: Use a thin flexible knife to remove all the extra layer of connective tissues along the surface of the tenderloin. Trust me, you don’t want to eat this tough, not tasty covering.

•Tie it up: Tying the tenderloin with a kitchen string while cooking it up makes it a round figure of even thickness. This will result in even cooking.

•Seasoning: Experts from restaurant for breakfast and dinner believe that seasoning can do wonders to a simple dish. Season the steak enough because tenderloin doesn’t have an inherent beefy flavor.

•Moderate cooking: Tenderloin is lean and tender. Overcooking it might result in a dry, tough meat. And you won’t like it like that. Use a thermometer to make sure that temperature doesn’t go beyond 140F.

•Let it rest: Now that you have made this awesome dish, show a little patience if you don’t want juices all over the plate. Leaving it for 10-15 minutes will make it reabsorb all the juices and delight you with a yummy taste.

CARRY THE BREAKFAST ON

We’ve been reading in our textbooks, since forever, that breakfast is the most important meal of our day. But in the hustle and bustle of our daily life we give least importance to it, don’t we? Early mornings are the busiest parts of our days. Does the clock secretly gain speed in the early morning hours? Well, quite a theory to work on! But for now, we are to focus more on finding the time to eat the breakfast because admit it or not, breakfast does give us the energy to work during the entire day. It is more like a fuel that gives a kick start to the engine and makes us run efficiently. If we cannot find time at home to make and eat breakfasts, we can find breakfasts that are quite easy to make and carry, and can be eaten on way to work. Checkout this list:

 •Oats: Oats are healthy as well as easy to make. You can feel an empty jar (of butter or jam) with the overnight oats and carry it on way. You can eat this delicious as well as fulfilling breakfast and not worry about the morning rush.

•Omelets: Omelets take only around 5 minutes to get prepared. Although, I’m talking about the basic omelets here with salt and limited spices, but then omelets don’t require a lot of stuffs to taste good. A lot of breakfast places in delhi also serve omelet recipes which is portable enough.

•Vada: If you don’t find time, not even few minutes to make a recipe, carry a vada. This famous and portable dish is served at a number of breakfast places in mumbai, as it is a specialty there.


With so many easy-to-carry meals, why stay hungry!

A Treat for the Senses: Creamy Smoked Salmon Pasta

If you’re looking for some smoked food in Bangalore, you’re going to be in for quite a pleasant surprise! There’s something about the city’s culinary offerings that has me completely enchanted. Whatever kind of cuisine you might be looking for, you will most definitely find a truly delectable specimen at Bangalore!

And let me tell you, I once had some of the best creamy smoked salmon pasta at the best restaurant in Bangalore. Ravenously devouring that dish the sole time wasn’t enough to satisfy my taste buds. I found myself just craving for more like a crazed glutton!

 So, folks, if I’ve got your mouth watering to the idea of this extraordinary creamy smoked salmon pasta (amongst the best smoked food in Bangalore), then let’s get to it and lay out the recipe for you.


1.In a large pot, fill water, add some salt, and bring to a boil. Add pasta, cook for 10-15 minutes, then drain.
2.Heat a pan on the stove, and melt 3 tbsp butter. Follow that up by sautéing some onions in the butter.
3.Next, what you’ve got to do is add 1 tbsp flour into the butter, and make sure it doesn’t lump (so stir constantly).
4.Simultaneously, also throw in 1 tbsp garlic powder for that garlic taste we all love in our pastas!
5.Now it’s time to get that pasta just the right amount of creamy! You’ve got to slowly stir in a cup of skimmed milk.
6.Grate some cheese, and throw in as much as you’d like, depending on how creamy and cheesy you want your pasta to be.
7.Now is the time to add some veggies, if you’d like. Make sure they look for about 5 minutes.
8.As always, the best is saved for the last! Add chunks of smoked salmon, and cook for a couple more minutes.

Voila! There you have it, creamy smoked salmon pasta like at the best restaurant in Bangalore!

A rainy day made perfect

A rainy day made perfect

Hanging out with my friends is the best stress-buster I know of, especially after a totally busted week at work. So, when the vagaries of a certain week turned out just too much for my sanity, I decided to rest my overworked mind by doing what I do best--watching a super-funny movie with my equally funny friends.

It was a Friday night and as I had expected, the world could not wait to party. With the roads jammed and zero probability of making it on time for the movie, I doubted there could have been a worse end to my week. Now remember, whenever you think this way, the universe would always surprise you with its evil plotting. Out of nowhere, it started raining cats and dogs marking the end of my patience level. I pulled out the keys from my moving-at-a-snail’s-speed car and put on the emergency lights. I realized that the best restaurant in Vasant Kunj was just a few blocks away and even though I dislike stepping outside of my comfort zone, I could not have cared less at the moment.

It was mostly empty when I entered and found myself a suitable corner. I ordered a chicken burger loaded with extra cheese along with a large glass of chocolate smoothie. The burger was absolute scrumptious and the smoothie more than perfect. Unaffected by the mayhem the weather caused outside, I took pleasure in each bite of the best burger I had ever had. That place undoubtedly serves the best burgers in Delhi. It is uncanny how a nice meal could give a horrible day a perfect ending. By the time I finished my dinner, the rain had turned into a soothing drizzle and the traffic too had been cleared out.

I reached home later than my usual time, and was pampered with a large cup of hot and tasty tea clubbed together with my mother’s love. You say, could my day have ended on a better note?

Burgers, Forever and For Always!

Burgers –got to love them, right? I can’t think of a single person I know who doesn’t enjoy biting into a big, juicy, succulent burger –home-cooked or at any brilliant restaurant in hauz khas. My crazed obsession with burgers began quite a long time back. At the time, my mother thought it was just a passing phase, and decided to cook me the best of burgers ever so often –thinking I would out-grow the obsession soon, and her cooking skills could take a nice, long vacation. But alas, it could never been just a passing phase –burgers and I, we’re meant for a lifetime of intense love and happiness!

Much to my disappointment, mother dear decided enough was enough, and put her foot down –I was to enjoy no more homemade burgers full of a mother’s love and compassion (or rather oozing with cheese!). And so I began my witch-hunt for Burgers in Delhi. Much to my delight, this glorious city with its countless eateries opened up a world of delightful burgers to me. It was almost like I had developed some form of OCD about burgers, I just couldn’t get enough of them!

But then came a time when I just couldn’t get around to sparing enough money to eat out ever so often… And so my days spent at one or the other restaurant in hauz khas or what have you became spaced out and rare occurrences. Alas. What was I to do? This craze just wasn’t dying out and I seemed to have run out of options!

Boy, was I wrong. I had just hit the tip of the iceberg… There was so much more to explore! Where, you ask? Not at restaurants or cafes across the city, the magic was to happen right in my very own kitchen! And so I began to delve deep into cookbooks and cooking blogs and what not –coming out with recipes that could really make it as some of the best Burgers in Delhi! And thus continued my tryst with burgers, in my very own home, forever in my heart –not to sound cheesy, but that’s just how I like my burgers!

My regular experiments with food

I love to make life more interesting by making my food more interesting. Be it cooking the same food in different ways, or experimenting with some unusual ingredients- I have done it all. But my favourite pastime comprises experimenting with instant noodles. On my yet another visit to my favourite restaurant in Vasant Kunj, I tried out regular noodles made with a twist. The flavour was absolutely heavenly. When I requested the staff to explain the recipe to me orally, they actually did. I guess the universe does respond to our innermost desires in the most unexpected of ways. I went back home and tried out the recipe the very same day. Guess what, it was a complete disaster.

Let me tell you more about my other experiments with my noodles, most of which have been quite successful. I love to add lots of butter to my noodles. Even though the taste of butter overpowers the taste of other spices, I don’t mind at all. I have also tried adding cheese and pepper/oregano and that tastes amazingly well too. You might not like to hear this but let me tell you anyway. I have also tried cooking noodles in milk instead of water. But trust me it wasn’t that bad. To make the taste of milk less prominent, I cooked noodles in the mixture of milk and water. That tasted much better. I also recently learnt to cook noodles in a microwave oven from an office friend of mine. But guess what happened when I tried the same thing at home. Sigh!

Let me also tell you about my latest discovery. Just yesterday only, I ordered Eggs Benedict at a new restaurant and I must appreciate the dish. I was a little hesitant at first, but all my doubts were laid to rest the moment I had the first byte. If you too are crazy about food, do try this dish out at a nearby restaurant. I am sure you would love it!

Food and Games

The perks of living in a thriving metropolitan city for a foodie like me are that there’s a new restaurant around the corner everyday. So of course, come every weekend, I’m out and about scouting for new places to eat at –and boy, do I find many. Each one better than the other, this city offers up some of the best culinary treats.

And while I would never really stop my relentless journey for food, every now and then, I take a pause. By pause I mean I then tend to visit one particular restaurant a few times before I move on to another –mind you, I only pause if it’s really worth it, so restaurants better get your A-game on!

That’s the story of my discovery of Smoke House Deli.

The target area was set: Vasant Kunj. Background checks had been conducted: bless Zomato and Google. The contenders were looking proud and poised: every restaurant in vasant kunj. Now all that remained was a little game of inky pink ponky…

And that’s how I walked into Smoke House Deli one fine Friday evening. With the quirky décor, I’d actually secretly been wishing the game of pinky pinky would really land me there. So there I was, wishes fulfilled, curious and excited. I carefully surveyed the lively crowd (a Friday night, so you can only imagine), and shamelessly peeped at all the food on their table –my way of telling what’s best (I’m all for judging a book by its cover, looks matter to a certain degree, especially when it comes to food!).

So I placed my food order, and sipped on my freshly squeezed juice… and I knew in that moment, even if the food didn’t turn out to be amazing, I’d definitely be back for the drinks! But as soon as the food arrived, I was completely sold. This was going to be the restaurant in vasant kunj where I’d take a good long pause!

From Buffalos to Gourmet –The Tale of HVK

When I was just a little girl, there was no ‘HKV’, it was just plain old Hauz Khas Village –just another little assortment of zigzagging roads and cramped buildings, with buffalos and the likes strolling about… You get the idea. I doubt you could have found a single restaurant in hauz khas back then. The only reason I knew the place existed was because I would go to ‘Deer Park’ to play!

The only attractions for me were the deer, wide open gardens and dense trees that proved to be excellent for a game of hide-and-seek across kilometres of sprawling lands. And of course, there’s the (infamous) Hauz Khas Fort. To be fair, the situation there hasn’t changed much at all over the years –there were and will always be snug couples hidden away; so I’ve developed quite the tolerance to ignore all that!

But gone are the days of climbing up Hauz Khas Fort and feeding deer, now it’s all about going out to eat or club or hang out at ‘HKV’ every few days. Of course, that was but natural considering the fact that I’ve grown up now –and it seems ‘HKV’ has grown up with me as well.

So all zigzagging roads have now been fashionably done up, and the cramped buildings are now home to the best eateries of the city. While a decade ago you couldn’t find even a single decent restaurant in hauz khas village, now you will be spoilt for choice! Whether you’re looking for Italian or North Indian food, or just some good ol’ Burgers in Delhi, you’re bound to find everything you could dream of at Hauz Khas Village.

Well, times they are a-changing, aren’t they? So let’s not wallow in the past, keep up with the times and go out to HKV and grab some of the best Burgers in Delhi and live in the moment!

Confessions of a Glutton

A good meal is divine bliss –at least for me. And I’m sure many of you will agree! For every glutton at heart, good food (or just about anything that’s edible) is the best part of the day. Not to undermine a stimulating education or a job or anything, but when I go to bed each night, when I think back about the events of the day –if a phenomenal meal had been consumed, it’s the absolute highlight of the day! 

Does this sound just a tad bit crazy? Well, then go ahead and call me crazy, because I’m crazy for food! If I were to pick between my loves ones and the best Tenderloin Steak, honestly, it’d be quite a hard decision. 

Yes, I’m a relentless glutton. A good meal, for me, is the very definition of contentment. Just the thought of some succulent best Tenderloin Steak or a big juicy burger or even just a bowl of rajma chawal gives me goose bumps –I kid you not! 

I’ve reached a point where I just couldn’t care less about my weight; a good meal is worth having, even if it’s a million calories! So with my carefree foodie attitude, you’re bound to find me sitting at one of the many, many amazing restaurants in Delhi, gorging away on some dish or the other every other day (or at least every weekend, for sure, depending on the state of the contents of my wallet). 

And so with my love for food, I’m always scouting out a Famous restaurant in vasant kunj or the best restaurants in Saket, or Hauz Khas, or Khan Market or even anywhere on the periphery of the glorious city of Delhi. With all the amazing eateries, I’m pretty sure the city of Delhi is a glutton at heart too –just like me!

Smoke it up with Veggies

Get over smoked meat. The sizzling trend of red, smoked meat has taken a dazzling, green turn this season, with chefs 'smoking up' vegetables to give them a decadent, exotic spin. And why just vegetables? When it comes to fiddling with the kitchen contents, there can possibly be no stopping. Chefs of some of the famous restaurants in Vasant Kunj have already moved a step ahead by giving a smoky twist to cheese, butter, eggs, chocolate and even cocktails. Yeah, you read that right.

With molecular gastronomy picking up the culinary ropes a tad too fast, there is nothing out there in it that can't be fiddled with. Use a smoking gun and you'll understand why. Flavoring and tenderizing lies at the helm of the transformative science that makes 'smoking' such an easy-to-come-by concept in the first place.

The process of smoking is elemental, which eventually gives rise to something absolutely amazing. After all, smoking gives a delightful twist to the blandest of food and revs it up not only in taste, but in appearance too, hence making it hard to resist. It elevates the food from normal to valuable.
While the very process of smoking may sound a tad intimidating for the worry of an elaborate set-up and the fear of losing nutrition, the truth is far from it. You just need a charcoal grill that you can set up in your garden or your terrace and work up to it. As for the nutrition bit, no-- you don’t lose it just like that. Smoking, in fact, doesn’t kill nutrition but preserves it.

The smoky aura can further be lifted by pairing the right cocktails with smoked fruits, hence creating a melange of delectably novel flavours, too! Sounds heavenly, right? Tastes even more so! 

On-The-Go Breakfast Options

There could possibly be no questioning the fact that baking breakfast can be one giant pain for the not-so-morning people. Helping one to cobble together bread and other breakfast-y stuff can be a daunting early morning affair, like getting up in the first place wasn’t enough. But then, what do you do about the howling pangs of hunger in the tummy? Starving yourself to death can be ruled out, for sure.

Just to make life a little easier for the non-morning lot, here are a few on-the-go-breakfasts that can actually be good for you. Your health, I mean!

Throw a look!

-Apple Sandwiches with Almond Butter

Straight up almonds stuffed with almond butter may sound gross, but they’re not. They make for a sumptuous and a healthy breakfast—not to forget easy to make, too! You can go a step ahead by adding granola for the crunch, adds the manager of a restaurant in Hauz Khas.

-Skinny Omelettes

Skinny Omelettes? Okay, what are skinny omelettes?

They are nothing much, really, except for that they are made in form of a wrap. You just need to cook eggs in a crepe-thin omelette and fill it up with whatever edible you come across! It also makes for a perfect on-the-commute breakfast. What else can one ask for?

-Oatmeal squares

Trust Chef Major of one of the best breakfast places in Bangalore for this delicacy. Get rid of the early morning blues by cutting perfect squares out of oatmeal and munching them on your way to work. A fulfilling meal that they make, oatmeal squares are unbelievably healthy, too!

-Vanilla Smoothies

Not a munching person, are you? Kick-start your day with a glass loaded with antioxidants and all kinds of minerals and vitamins. Vanilla smoothies- kale and spinach blended ones—can be a morning treat to your taste buds.

Bangalore Takes My Taste Buds for a Ravishing Spin

Bangalore, with its thick and dense trees forming beautiful boulevards across the city and consistently wonderful weather, despite its now infamous road traffic, has become a hub for the Indian youth. And so I too, decided it was high time I paid a visit and found out what the fuss is all about! I had many friends who like many other youngsters, had flocked to Bangalore. So with a couch to crash on, and a flight ticket in hand, I began my Bangalore adventure.

What I didn’t realise was that apart from exploring the city itself, my taste buds were in for an exploration of their very own. From “I’ll take you to The Only Place, you’re going to love the steak there!” to “Oh my god, Millers Forty Six has the best burgers ever!” and “For dinner we’ll go to such-and-such place, and lunch tomorrow will be at so-and-so place,” I was being shuttled between the best of the best restaurants at Bangalore.

I fell in love with the fish in tomato sauce at Koshy’s. And believe you me I also ate fish biryani there! Fish biryani, who would have thought? Whether you’re looking for Tenderloin Steak or smoked chicken in bangalore, the city’s got it all. And moreover, I was still left with money in my pocket, after eating out every single day!

Amidst the metropolitan buzz of the city, you will find a majestic, old structure that houses the famous Hard Rock Café. The ambience at Hard Rock, with the friendly and jovial staff, classic rock music, and a menu that will make you salivate like a dog, is nothing short of brilliance. You will find some of the best Tenderloin Steak and smoked chicken in Bangalore here.

Since my return, I’ve been left impatiently waiting for the day I can go back to Bangalore and take my taste buds for a spin yet again!

Cooking the perfect Tenderloin Steak

There is no reason why Tenderloin steak should intimidate you, unless there is some life-threatening competition that you need to win at any cost.

Filet mignon or tenderloin steak can be fun to fiddle with. Having said that, there are a multitude of ways in which it can be done- all crisply and nicely. The idea of the best tenderloin steak sure is riveting-it being embellished with aromatic hints of rosemary and nuttiness of brown butter. Deck it up with ideas and innovations, and voila! You’ll simply love yourself for having cooked it in the first place! Sure you will.

Tenderloin steak is, well, tender. It’s lean, and so has very little fat. However, with less and less of fat, the juiciness and flavour is somehow compromised on. The more you cook it up, the closer you get to eliminating the fat, and the drier you end up making it.

Ideally, the tenderloin steak should be cooked at high temperature to get a crunchier and tastier outside. Take the filet out of the oven 30 minutes before you want to cook it and season it with salt and pepper. Let the filet cool down to the room temperature which will help to ensure that cook it to the right doneness. Sear the filets for over 3-4 minutes and let depending upon the thickness. Don’t meddle with it; just let it cook on its own accord, says a chef at a famous restaurant in Vasant Kunj and Smoke House Deli.

For taste, and to add some lubrication, smear the filets with melted herb butter. You can tell the doneness by idea, and by judgement. Because you have cooked a few fillets, you will know how much more you need to cook it up to bring out the real taste of it. It’s always advisable not to cut into the filet to tell the doneness. It will end up horribly drying up the meat for the loss of juice and make it taste dry and tasteless.

Top Reasons to Bid Farewell to the Junk Food

Junk food globally has today touched the peak of its popularity. They have gained these heights not just because it tastes good but also because the best burgers in Delhi and around are relatively cheaper than any other delectable dishes.

While we are all in awe of the variety and the tastes which these Junk foods are available in, it is imperative to be cognitive of the health effects they are potent to produce. Here are some of the reasons you need to stay away from all the Junk you regularly have:

-Unnecessary weight gain

Studies reveal that people who indulge in regular bites of Junk food like smoke lamb burger more than often have a greater tendency of gaining weight than those who are non-junk eaters. While obesity is one of the biggest health problems which suffer from globally, the changing eating habits are the most to be blamed.

-Have no nutritional value

Primarily the junk foods are empty in any and every nutritional value. Especially the packed varieties that are flooding the market these days are to be majorly avoided. High in chemical content they are not just nutrition deprived but also have a high dose of unwanted chemicals.

-Chances of Infertility

Various studies conducted on the health effects produced by the junk foods reflect on the fact that they have a high amount of growth hormones. Growth hormones aren’t just any normal hormones but are known to be the biggest reason for infertility.

-Contain high doses of refined sugar

The abundant amount of refined sugar which is found in the Junk foods like best burgers in Delhi or elsewhere is known to affect the immunity adversely. Refined sugars also heighten your blood sugar levels which is the primary cause of diabetes.