Saturday, July 5, 2008

LED lights: A step in right direction

Lighting typically accounts for up to 30% of total electricity costs in the home, and by installing energy efficient lighting or lamps you can reduce your overall energy costs for air conditioners, refrigeration, water pumps, geysers and boilers, among other things.With the phasing-out of old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs in many developed countries, people are faced with choosing between a handful of energy efficient forms of lighting - compact fluorescents (CFL) and light emitting diodes (LED).


LEDs produce more light per watt, they are smaller in size, low power consumption , low on self-heating , have high reliability , they can be switched on and off quickly, and they are resistant to shock and vibration.LEDs offer numerous benefits due to their mode of operation : energy efficiency, long life, wide range of colours, no UV emissions/little infrared , durable, small size/design flexibility , lights instantly, silent operation, lowvoltage power supply (increased safety).There are many commercial and residential establishments which have started using LED lights not only because of saving of energy or long life but to move ahead with the latest trends in the market to retain their customer with something new in decor, ambience or service with mood lighting.


People love using LEDs because of their flexibility. You can design LED lights to create any shape or design that you want. It is especially recommended for mood lighting as light is a powerful mood manipulator tool.LEDs are available in white, warm white, red, blue, green and amber and one can even mix match colours to create mood lighting effects.When other energy efficient light products are not available in sizes that replace bulbs, such as MR16 and GU10 Bulbs, there are LED lights / bulbs which can replace these bulbs, and can save power and energy.


LED lights are very efficient as compared to other lighting products. This means that over a long span of time you save money on your power / energy costs by using LED lights. They also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Besides being extremely energy efficient, they come with lifetimes ranging from 50,000 hours to 100,000 hours.This makes them a great option for difficult-to-access places or areas that are lit for long periods of time such as stairs, lobby, reception areas, hallways, kitchens, living rooms, and toilets , where changing light bulbs often is difficult and time-consuming .Although LED light bulbs can cost more upfront , you'll save money over the long haul as you won't have to buy additional light bulbs, in some cases, for years.


You should place LED lights in the areas where the lighting usage is more then 6 to 18 hours, as the ETTF (Estimated Time To Failure) of LEDs is calculated to be up to 100,000 hours approximately. LEDs do not produce UV radiation and they remain cool to the touch.This means that you can place LED Rope Lights in areas like gardens, porches, decks, and other wooden structures without worrying that the heat will cause fires or other damage.You can also use LED lights around sensitive antiques or other items like art works as the light will not damage the objects. Even shocks and vibrations do not damage these lights.They are very good focus lights as the solid package of an LED can be designed such. Incandescent and fluorescent sources often require an external reflector to collect light and direct it in a usable manner.LEDs, being solid state components, do not get easily damaged due to external shock, whereas regular fluorescent and incandescent bulbs break

Sunday, June 8, 2008

MAKHMALI PANEER TIKKA

MAKHMALI PANEER TIKKA

True to its name, this tikka will melt in your mouth, delighting your taste buds!

Preparation Time: 10 minutes. Cooking Time: 10 minutes. Serves 6.
Baking temperature : 200°C (400°F). Baking time : 20 minutes.

3 cups paneer (cottage cheese), cut into 50 mm. (2”) cubes

To be mixed into a marinade
¾ cup thick fresh hung curds (dahi)
¼ cup cheese spread
1 tsp green chilli paste
2 tbsp cashewnut (kaju)powder
½ tsp garam masala
Salt to taste

1. Combine the paneer cubes with the prepared marinade and toss gently till the paste
coats the paneer pieces evenly from all sides. Keep aside for 15 minutes.
2. Arrange the paneer pieces on the wire rack in a pre-heated oven at 200°C (400°F)
and grill till the paneer is done (approx. 15 minutes).
3. Remove from the oven and serve hot.

VITAMIN BHEL


VITAMIN BHEL
Serves 10

1 cup boiled and peeled potato cubes
½ cup boiled peas
½ cup boiled corn
½ cup pomegranate
½ cup chopped apples
½ cup chopped orange segments
¼ cup boiled peanuts
¼ cup grated carrots
2 cups crisp mamra
1 cup sev
½ cup khajur imli chutney
2 tbsp green chutney
Salt to taste

1. Combine all ingredients in a big bowl and mix gently.
2. Serve immediately.

Caramel Banana Mochaccino Freeze

A creamy cup of coffee with the flavors of banana split--yum!

Ingredients:

  • 1 ripe banana
  • 3/4 cup caramel ice cream sundae topping
  • 3 cups cold espresso or double strength coffee
  • 1 cup dry milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon cocoa powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 cups ice
  • Whipped cream (optional)
  • 2 Tablespoons caramel topping (optional)

Method

Place all ingredients in a blender and mix on high until smooth & frosty.
Pour into glasses and top with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel topping, if desired.

BANANA WALNUT MUFFINS -- yummy !!

I simply love this !! must give it a try

BANANA WALNUT MUFFINS

Makes 15 muffins

½ cup refined flour (maida)
¼ cup butter
¼ cup powdered sugar
½ cup mashed banana
¼ tsp vanilla essence
2 tbsp milk
2 tbsp chopped walnuts
2 tbsp quick cooking rolled oats
1 tsp fruit salt

For the topping
1/4 cup Chocolate Chips

1. Sieve the flour. Keep aside.
2. Cream the butter and sugar till smooth and creamy
3. Add the mashed banana, vanilla essence and milk and mix well.
4. Add chopped walnuts, oats and flour and mix well.
5. Add the fruit salt and sprinkle a little water on it. When bubbles form, mix gently.
6. Spoon the mixture into 15 paper cups. Top with chocolate chips
7. Microwave them for 1 minute and 30 seconds.

Serve warm.

RICE APPE

RICE APPE

Traditional appes made with rice.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes. Cooking Time: 40 minutes.
Fermenting Time: Overnight.
Soaking Time: 2 hours.

Makes 20 to 24 appes.

1 cup raw rice (chawal)
1/4 cup Urad Dal (split black gram )
1/4 cup crushed Peanuts
2 tbsp chopped onions
1 tsp Mustard Seeds (rai/ sarson)
1 tsp Cumin Seeds(jeera)
2 green chillies, chopped
8 to 10 curry leaves(kadi patta)
a pinch asafoetida (hing)
2 tbsp Oil
Salt to taste
Oil for cooking

To serve
coconut chutney

1. Wash and soak the rice and urad dal in lukewarm water for at least 2 hours.
2. Drain and grind to a smooth paste with 1/2 cup of water.
3. Cover and set aside overnight to ferment.
4. Next day, heat the oil in a small kadhai, add the crushed peanuts and chopped onion and stir for 3 to 5 minutes. Add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, green chillies, curry leaves and asafoetida.
5. When the mustard and cumin seeds crackle, add this to the fermented batter.
6. Add salt and a little water if required and mix to form a thick batter.
7. Heat the appe mould on a medium flame and grease it with a little oil.
8. Pour a spoonful of the batter into each mould.
9. Cook till the outer surface becomes golden brown and then turn each appe upside down using a fork so as to cook the other side.
10. Remove and repeat with the remaining batter.
11. Serve hot with coconut chutney.

Dry Fruit Milk shake

There are many types of milk shakes with different types of flavors. Here I am presenting a healthy shake with dry fruits. First I made it for myself, now it has become a favorite in my home. This drink is really healthy and heavy and can easily replace a meal.

Recipe:-

Ingredients:-
1) Figs - 4
2) Dates -6
3) Apricot - 4
4) Almond - 25 gm(Skinned)
5) Sugar - 25 gm
6) Milk - 500ml
7) Honey - 1/4 cup
8) Light Cream - 1/2 cup
9) Pista - 2tbsp (Chopped)
10) Chocolate bar - 1(optional)

Soak the first 4 ingredients in hot water for 4 hours. Then remove water and grind it nicely in a mixer or blender. Add milk and sugar and blend it again. Add honey and cream finally and blend everything smoothly. Pour into a container and refrigerate till it becomes cold. Just before serving, blend it once again till it becomes frothy. Pour into tall glasses and add chopped pista on top. Garnish with grated chocolate.
A great drink to beat the heat!!