Mango Yogurt Parfait Recipe

In this scorching  summer of Mumbai, I am always in search of some light meal options.  I am also a firm believer that the breakfast being the most important meal of the day shouldn't be compromised at all. I am a breakfast person and love to explore different options for my breakfast. Recently, I have discovered my new love for parfaits. Parfaits are frozen dessert which is made using curd (dahi). Usually, there are various ways to make a Parfait and many versions are available, but I love to prepare the healthier version of parfait for my family. I love yogurt and prefer to use it in my dishes to avoid using cream. I am very fond of hung curd and try to substitute it with the not so healthy mayonnaise and cream for your recipes.

Since its summer time and I find the market flooded with the yellow beauties, so how can I control myself from bringing them home. So, I bought those mangoes and thought of preparing some simple and yummy dish using it  and at the same time I got an opportunity to try the Prabhat Curd also. Being one of the reputable and top dairy brand Prabhat dairy aims to provide the best quality dairy products  to all the consumers.  Dairy being the essential requirement of every household, is required to be safe and healthy for its consumers, which includes individuals from  all the age groups and, therefore, this brand  ensures that stringent measures are followed to maintain  high food safety standards throughout the  milk processing. Prabhat dairy focuses on providing a wide range of  high- quality dairy and food products starting from milk to ghee.

The Prabhat dahi tastes very much like home dahi. I got the desired creamy texture and taste in the Curd that I was looking for making Parfait which was missing in the brands I used in the past. Dahi is a good source of protein, vitamins and calcium also. So, without delay, I decided to make the delicious Mango Yogurt Parfait. 

Please find the recipe below and yes, I have an important  announcement for the ladies, here is your chance to become the "Dahi Queen" - Prabhat Dairy is organizing a contest and is inviting the participation of women of 22 to 40 years, mainly housewives, aspiring chefs, food bloggers, foodies, chefs, creative individuals (female), adventurous enthusiasts, etc. So, gear up for the challenge and  upload a video of yours cooking a recipe using "Dahi"  (yogurt) as an ingredient, share the video link on Prabhat Dairy Facebook page or Twitter page and attain maximum reach/shares/likes. The winners of the contest will be rewarded with vouchers from Prabhat Dairy and will also be crowned the #DahiQueen.

 

So, what are you waiting for ....It's time for  Light, Camera and Action!

Mango Yogurt Parfait:


Total Time: 8 minutes

Serves: 2


Ingredients:


1/2 Cup Instant Oats

1/2 Cup Prabhat Yogurt

1 Mango Peeled and sliced

1 Tablespoon Vanilla Essence

Sugar - as per taste


Method:


Boil water in a pan and add oats, cook till it is done

Add sugar and vanilla essence

Allow it to cool, then add Prabhat Yogurt.

Transfer the mixture to a glass or bowl, top it with fresh mangoes.

Garnish it with chopped nuts (Optional)

Serve immediately

Product Review: Moving Meals - Heat2Eat

  Recently, I was approached by Moving Meals- Heat 2 Eat to review their product i.e ready to eat meal kits. The ready to cook meal kits offered by different brands are easily available in the market and were not new to me. So, I presumed that this one will be no different. But, the Moving Meals - Heat2Eat have an extensive menu to choose from and comes in  a very decent packaging, pricing and the best part is that you can get your own kitchen cooked food dehydrated and carry it along with you when you travel abroad and cannot have the restaurant food every day. They use "dehydration" technique to extract all moisture from the cooked food simply to increase the shelf life without adding any preservative or additives.

You can get food from your favourite restaurant also dehydrated and packed and carry it hassle free while you travel. It is very easy to cook and convenient to take along with you.

I made Moong Daal Sheera , Pav Bhaji and Poha from the meal kit which was sent to me and they all tasted good as fresh. Read more to find out how simple it is to use these meal kits.

Moong Daal Sheera:

 The portion of water to be used is mentioned on the packet. Follow the three simple steps:

 1.) Boil water in a Pan.

 2.) Add the content of the packet of the boiling water.

 3.) Mix well and cook for another 2 minutes.

 4.) Moong Daal Sheera is ready to eat.

 Similarly, I made Pav Bhaji and Poha using Moving Meals-Heat to Eat.

The taste was as good as fresh. So, next time when travelling you will not miss the home cooked food or your favourite cuisine from your favourite restaurant.

For more information visit their FB page: Moving Meals- Heat2Eat

Staycation Experience: Manasi Bungalow, Lonavala

Mumbai is blessed to have so many weekend getaways around it. Lonavala is one such popular destination which is not untouched by most of the Mumbaikars. I also have been to Lonavala twice or thrice before. But, the charm of these places is such that it attracts you to revisit and  they are just  the perfect choice for a long drive. Sudden plans are the best plans...agree? My this visit to Lonavala was not at all planned. I was invited by Manasavi who manages Manasi Bungalow, Lonavala to stay and review this beautiful villa and I said Yes, Why not!
Let me introduce Manasi Bungalow, it is a  property that has a plantation area with of nearly 28,000 sq ft, having spacious outdoors suitable for kids to play. It is named as "House of Bliss" and is perfect for a family get together or to relax and enjoy a weekend.

The villa houses 2 suites The Red Suite and the Green Suite that can accommodate 5 adults each and another 5-6 people with the provision of extra beddings.

The living room can be used for corporate outings, or it turns into your personal movie theatre for the family.

Manasi Bungalow is a pet- friendly holiday home. The pets can have a good time too without limiting themselves to a room.

We reached there on Saturday afternoon. The villa is located next to TCS guest house and is surrounded with a lot of greenery and looked absolutely tranquil. 

The caretaker gave us a warm welcome and offered us coconut water which was from their own farm while the rooms were getting ready. We then checked in the rooms which were really spacious and had beautiful walls. The lighting and interiors were elegant and impressive. The room was spacious and can easily accommodate more people comfortably.

The villa has ample space with a lot of greenery where you can play games in the evening, plan a fun barbeque  with friends and family or they provide music speaker which can add spark to your party. At night, the place looks more beautiful with lots of sparkling lights all over the property.

They have in-house chef so that  you can  relish  home cooked fresh food. They also have tie-ups with nearby hotels, dhabbas from where you can availing an exclusive discount being a Manasi Bungalow guest. 

The caretaker himself is an expert in traditional Gujarati cuisine so just let him know what you wish to have and enjoy the delicious Gujarati cuisine. We asked him to prepare the Khaman Dhokla and Poha for breakfast. The dhoklas and poha were outstanding in terms of taste and quantity. It was after a long that I enjoyed my morning tea listening to the lyrical chirpings of birds n a wonderful sight of colourful blooming flowers which made me ask for one more cup of tea :)

This place has a different charm in itself and it was a different experience altogether  as the feeling was like staying in a home away from home. We left from the bungalow on Sunday afternoon with lots of pleasant memories. I also was really impressed with their caretaking staff who are available 24*7 at the property. They are very friendly and courteous and they ensure to provide best of services so that you have a pleasant stay. So, if your idea to spend the weekend is to relax in peaceful, quiet place and spend some quality time with friends and family this is just the right place for you.

You can contact them on +91 9820068611/ +91 9323182638 and manasibungalow12@gmail.com for inquiries regarding bookings.

Also, check out their Facebook page: Manasi Bungalow, Lonavala.

My opinion and words are not biased and the review is totally based on my experience. But everyone has own liking so kindly exercise your own discretion, with the understanding that this is reviewer’s personal opinion. 

Product Review - iChef - Ready to Cook Meal Kit

Most of the time it happens that we drop the idea to cook any fancy or complicated dish altogether because of the long list of  gourmet ingredients...right? The same has happened to me also as the long list  of ingredients discourages me to prepare any gourmet dish at home.

Lucky, I was introduced to iChef.in  who offers DIY ready to cook meal kits (do it yourself meal kit). They offer a variety of gourmet meal kits in which all the ingredients are packed in exact pre-portioned, nicely labelled are delivered at your doorstep and along with the pictorial representation of steps of preparation. So, they make cooking easy and convenient. The price ranges from Rs 200- Rs 300 for the meal of two depending upon it is meal kit you choose.

I got an opportunity to try their Risotto with Braised Fennel and Anise Butter and Chocolate Ecstasy.

The ingredients were nicely packed and labelled and kept with an ice pack to maintain the freshness and its advised to keep it in the refrigerator and use it within three days.

Risotto with Braised Fennel : The ingredients were of exact measure and it took 30 minutes and the Risotto was ready. The quantity was more than sufficient for two people. The dish turned out to be perfect and it was rich in aroma and flavour.

Chocolate Ecstasy: A meal that ends with a dessert is what I call a perfect meal. The Chocolate Ecstasy kit sent along shows iChef also believe in such ideology :)

This kit again turned out to be perfect with the exact portion of all the ingredients provided and simple steps were to be followed. This dessert was perfectly sweet and make you crave for more.

                                                       The chocolate sauce in making

Therefore, my experience with iChef.in was great and will make you feel like a chef in your own  kitchen.

They keep updating their menu so you can check their website for menu and place your orders or call them on 022-65680555 to place your order.