Wonderfills

Baking, a cooking technique is where dry heat is generally used in an enclosed space with controlled temperatures for a specific duration to cook the food.
Oven is the most common appliance used for baking, however it can also be done in hot ashes, or on hot stones.
In the oven, the dough or batter when in contact with the heat, changes it's form to become firmer and browning of the surface begins while the inside remains soft as the moisture remains trapped inside the baked item.
The baking technique is believed to have been introduced to India by the Portuguese who brought bread to our country. However there were no ovens in India at that time, so it was a version of the tandoor which was made use of.
It was the British who introduced proper ovens and that's how the baking industry began to develop and later, flourish in India.
Infact it has become so popular now, that apart from the usual baked dishes like bread, cakes, cookies or even those like baked vegetables, baked fish etc. we also have a lot of people opting for baking some traditional Indian dishes like 'karanji', 'samosa' ,'kachori' etc as healthier versions too!

When one thinks of Italian cuisine, pasta is definitely one dish that comes to our minds!

However the origins of pasta are widely disputed since some say that it originated in China and not Italy!
No matter where it originated, pasta is loved almost all the world over!

Pasta means dough in Italian and there are more than 600 pasta shapes produced worldwide.
Infact there is a museum "Museo Nazionale della Pasta Alimentari" in Rome established in 1993. This is the first and only structure dedicated to pasta: its history, evolution, production, and of course, consumption.

Pasta can be dried (can be stored)or fresh (needs to be consumed within a couple of days.)
Depending on the shape, pasta can be used in making soups, salads, casseroles or as stuffings too!

'Slider', a classic American fast food item which can be enjoyed as a starter, snack, hors d'oeuvres, as well as a quick meal!

Sliders are actually like mini burgers which can easily be slid onto the grill and cooked very quickly! Infact it is believed that this is what gave them their name!!

It is said that Sliders originated from the first fast-food chain 'White Castle' in United States but there are some who say that Sliders originated in World War II when U.S. Sailors would order mini burgers that they could "slide" in and out of their mouths while they were on the go.

Irrespective of where and how Sliders originated, they are very popular as a game day appetizer in the United States. Popular in all stratas such as sports stadiums, bars and grills, they occupy a place in the menu of even high-end restaurants!

If you love baking buns at home do try preparing homemade Sliders like I have.

Today being the national day of France, here is a Croissant, a classic crescent-shaped French pastry which gets it's name from it's shape since croissant means crescent in French language!

Although it is generally believed that croissants originated in France, one theory says that they were introduced to France by the then Queen Marie-Antoinette -- who was born in Vienna. It is believed that she missed the Austrian treat so much that she requested that French bakers make croissants just for her.

Irrespective of it's disputed origin, it has now become a uniquely French pastry. The French government even named it as the national French product in 1920.

Croissants taste wonderful - plain or with various fillings, sweet or savory, such as chocolate, cheese, almond, chicken, ham etc.

Do comment about the croissants that you have tried and which is your favorite variety!

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BABY ONION PAKODAS!

Pakodas are definitely the most popular snack across India, especially in the rainy season!

It is believed that during the rainy season, lack of sunlight causes a dip in the serotonin levels in our body, resulting in us feeling gloomy and depressed at times! This is why our body craves for spicy, hot and deep fried foods, which induces our brain to make us sweat. It releases dopamine a happiness inducing hormone into our blood stream!

So, just go ahead and enjoy your pakodas accompanied by some ginger tea if you like and enjoy the rains!!

Here, instead of the regular chopped red onions, we have deep fried the whole baby onions and this has a slightly different taste!
Do try this yummy snack and let me know if you like it!