How to organize your own special party

CELEBRATING
 

How to organize your own special party.
 

Partying is fun and excitingly an expression of celebration. From the preparation to the shopping to long hours spent to the parlour, nothing yo do to look good for a party seems like a chore. A little planning makes a party more fun. How? Here are some
tips:
First make the guest list and confirm acceptance. If a get-together of friends with their families is arranged, jot down the numbers in two columns – counting adults and children separately – so that the amount of food to be cooked can be planned.
 

• Next, prepare the menu. Introduce a new recipe only if tried at least once. If most of the invitees are vegetarians stick to vegetarian fare and throw in a chicken or mutton dish for the non-vegetarians. When it is the reverse plan at least two or three dishes for the vegetarians and arrange a separate corner or small table near the buffet table to avoid confusion.
If an elaborate table is planned, it's better to cook a few dishes a day ahead and store in the refrigerator. Desserts, cold salads, even meat,  taste better this way. There will also be plenty of time to decorate these dishes.
 

• Once you have decided upon your menu, write down the ingredients needed. Next to each recipe. It avoids a lot of last minute shopping and sunning around.
• If fried snacks or titbits are served with the drinks preceding dinner, arrange small paper napkins along with the tray. Messy fingers are embarrassing for both the guests and the hostess.
 

• Try to stick to one style of cooking. Many people mix Indian food with Chinese or continental dishes which spoil individual taste.
For example, Russian salad and pulao or chow-mein and chicken korma do not go together.
If necessary rearrange the furniture the previous day, so that there is enough seating space.
 

• Use plush cushions, pillows or even mats (for youngsters). This adds to the feeling of warmth and comfort.
 

• The music should be soothing, comforting and kept at a low volumes, gift jars, acoustic music, purely instrumental or mooden hancing CDs with sounds of the ocean, waterfalls or rain create a great atmosphere.
 

• Dim the lights and arrange aroma therapy candles around the room to create a pleasant ambience.
 

• Drinks should be refreshing such as mineral water, real fruit juices or a cocktail or mixed drink with a fruity over tone are great and refreshing alternatives.
 

• You can also make flower arrangements a day ahead, so that there is time for cooking and last minute sprucing up.
• Lastly, wear a big smile, relax and forget about the late-night cleaning-up. After all, you don't throw a lavish party every day.

EXTENDING THE LIFE OF FOODS IN THE MONSOONS

EXTENDING THE LIFE OF FOODS IN THE MONSOONS

The monsoon season is always welcomed by each of us with open arms as it brings relief from the scorching summer heat. Places like Goa and Kerala are at their best during the monsoons with greenery sprouting all around. There
are others which are under the threat of flooding. The rainy season does bring with it cool breezes and cooler temperatures but it also brings with it a host of problems especially with the food items getting spoilt very frequently.
The high level of humidity causes a deterioration and spoilage of food. It is often seen that the food gets spoilt mainly because of the presence of micro-organisms, insects and pests, worms and rats. Micro-organisms such as bacteria, yeast and moulds are the main culprits for food spoilage as this humid climate is ideal for their growth. Preservation of food increases the shelf-life of the foods and ensures its supply when you need it. A little care and proper food storage can prevent food spoilage and help you sail through the monsoon season comfortably so that you can enjoy good food during the rainy season.
Storing whole grains and pulses: Keeping whole grains and pulses fresh poses a lot of problems during the monsoons. They are more prone to getting spoilt in this weather. To prevent them from spoilage here are few tips that can keep them fresh and tasty.
Microwave pulses in a glass container for 2-3 minutes, cool them and store in an airtight container.
• Put the pulses in a heavy bottomed vessel and turn them frequently so that they get roasted a little bit. This will take at least 5-7 minutes. Store them after cooling.
Do not microwave or roast pulses that are likely to be used for sprouting - for example whole moong dal. Simply keep the packets in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage due to high levels of humidity.
• Add boric powder to foods that will be used for sprouting later. But do remember to wash them repeatedly to remove boric powder completely.
• A handful of dried neem leaves and dried turmeric added to rice and whole grains will prevent them from spoilage. Boric powder can also be added to the stored rice.
• Bay leaves added to the ground flour will keep it free from moisture.
Refrigerate kidney beans, chick-peas (cholae) and Kabuli matar or add boric powder to keep them in good condition for usage.
Food items like semolina (suji), dalia and besan need special attention during the monsoons. Spores of fungi and bacteria find the rainy season a perfect time to multiply and infect food items. Roast these food items dry for 5-7 minutes or simply microwave them for 2-3 minutes (turn them after one minute to prevent them from overheating) to remove moisture. Store them in air- tight containers. They can be kept outside but if you refrigerate these food items, they can be kept fresh for a longer time.
Removing moisture by microwaving and refrigerating prevents microbial growth and prevents food from getting spoilt.
Storing spices: Spices form an integral part of all Indian kitchens and lend a special taste to the Indian cuisine. Keeping them fresh during the rains is the most difficult part.
Follow the following tips to keep the spices fresh for usage:
• Add salt to the sun-dried tamarind (imli) and keep it in an airtight container.
• Microwave whole red chilies for less than a minute to prevent spoilage.
Very often during this time of the season you find an off-white layer on the surface of the red chili powder. This is fungal growth and can be very dangerous if ingested. To prevent this, add a few cloves to the red chili powder. This will keep it fresh and prevent clumping due to high humidity.
• Add dried bay leaves to spices like black pepper, cardamom, cumin seeds and coriander seeds.
The high humidity leads to clumping of the salt. To prevent this, simply add a few cloves to the salt. This will ensure free-flowing salt.
Store the ground masalas in airtight containers in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage. You can put them in the freezing chamber. They will stay fresh longer.
Extending the life of veggies: Wrap the vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, beans, carrots and capsicum in newspaper and then put them in plastic bags or zip-lock bags. Newspaper will absorb the moisture and keep the vegetables fresh. Do remember to change the newspaper after three days so that the vegetables stay fresh longer.
Green vegetables like spinach, salad leaves, fenugreek (methi), coriander and mint should be kept in the refrigerator in airtight containers. Place newspaper in the container before putting in the green veggies. Keep another sheet of newspaper on top of the vegetables to keep them fresh. These greens can be kept fresh for a week if stored properly. Sun-dried fenugreek and mint leaves can be stored longer.
Storing sugar and salty eats: Sugar is hit very badly by the high moisture in the atmosphere during the monsoons. If you leave the sugar container open for a few minutes you find lumps of sugar instead of freeflowing sugar. A few cloves added to the stored sugar can prevent clumping together during the rainy season.
Biscuits and salty crunchy eats: like wafers, potato chips and other eats become soggy very fast. Keep the opened packets in the fridge to prevent them from getting soggy and enjoy the crispy eats later.
Use these simple and handy tips to keep food fresh so that you can enjoy your favourite cuisine during the monsoons.