Rehana Khambaty _says :  First of all, when you make the dough for the namkeen, put at least 2 tbsp. oil while kneading so the dough will be more stiff and the namkeen will also turn out to be crispy. Now since the namkeen has turned out like cut pooris, you can cut into strips and deep fry them in oil, drain on towel paper and reserve it as namkeen.

Rehana Khambaty _says :  Recipe for Vegetable Memos in Microwave is as under : The momos I tried were normal steamed ones – I don’t prefer the fried variety as it involves the same procedure, followed by deep-frying. In restaurants, steamers are used for steaming momos. I just used my microwave idli maker to steam the momos. Ingredients: 1. Spring Onion- 5-6 2. Garlic -10 flakes 3. Onion – small 4. Carrot – 1 medium 5. Capsicum- 1 6. Beans 7. Green Chilli Sauce 8. Chinese Red Chilli Sauce 9. Soya Sauce 10. Black Pepper 11. Tomato -1 small, pureed 12. Salt and Sugar 13. Flour -1.5 cup 14. Vegetable oil – 4 tbsp (at max.) 15.Water 16. Vinegar Stuffing: First,finely chop ingredients 1-6. Keep aside 1/5 of the chopped vegetables aside. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a non stick pan. Put the vegetables and stir fry till they are a bit crisp as well as tender. Put in 1/2 teaspoon each of Soya Sauce, Green Chilli Sauce and Chinese Red Chilli Sauce. Add a little salt. Remove the pan from heat and keep the contents aside. Soup: To prepare the soup, put 1 tbsp oil in a non stick pan. Add tomato puree and cook it for 2 minutes. Add .5 tsp Vinegar, 4 tbsp Chinese Red Chilli Sauce. Add 1 tsp of Green Chilli Sauce ( you may add black pepper if you wish). Cook for 1 minute in medium heat. Add 1.5 cups of water. Add the remaining 1/5vegetables in. Add salt and sugar to taste. Boil for 3 minutes and remove from heat. Momo: Take 1.5 cup flour, 1 tbsp oil and mix well. Add water and make a smooth dough. It should not too soft. Take a small amount of the dough and make a thin round shaped form.Put in some amount of stuffing in the middle and seal the ends either by bringing the parts of the rim towards the centre and merging them or by making a simple semi circle and sealing the opposite ends. Try to give the folds some shape. Will look nice Prepare other momos in the same way. Brush the momos with remaining oil. Take your microwave idli maker and oil the surfaces of the idli plate. Put water in your microwave idli maker and heat for two minutes in convection mode. Take out the idli maker and remove its lid after this. Do this cautiously using a glove,else the steam may burn your skin. Put inside a few momos (remember, this will give you an idea about the cooking time) and steam for two minutes. After two minutes, turn them over and steam for one minute. After a minute of standing time,take the momos outside and check if they are steamed properly ( in this case, the outer surface will harden a little bit). Prepare the remaining momos in the similar way.The later batches are cooked a bit faster. Serving: Put two to three momos in a plate and soup in a bowl. Remember, the soup should be served very hot. So, reheat the soup if required.

Malathi Mohan _says :  Saw your query, just today. I have answered a lot of questions based on heart healthy foods in my chat with readers. Pl. read on bawarchi.com. There is nothing better than a balanced meal with reasonable excercise. Since you are under control, you will do well.

Malathi Mohan _says :  Hi, Suma, If you are breast feeding your child, please do not go on any reducing diet till you wean the baby. However, keep to the normal rules of eating sufficiently, avoiding too much fried and sweet foods. Ceasarian section has become quite common and once you have healed well, you should start simple excercises that are comfortable for you. Follow some yogic asanas prescribed by a good yoga teacher. Pl. read my article on Bawarchi.com on nutrition for you two.

Malathi Mohan _says :  Dear Padma, You might have read the article on weight loss, in Bawarchi, which I have written with simple and easy directions. At your age, I hope you are following some excercises and walking, as a regular routine, with proper guidance. Depending on your activity, you could follow the diet suggested and keep to below 1300 cals. per day. Avoid sweets and snacks totally for a month and if you feel depressed about this, you can eat a small portion, twice a month and eat a few raisins or dry fruit, occasionally. Fresh fruits are a must every day, even if you are a diabetic, but eat small portins only. Keep in touch with your progress. Best of luck! Malathi Mohan

Malathi Mohan _says :  Sodium and potassium are necessary electrolytes for the body. However, for kidney patients, these have to be kept under control. Both the elements are found in fruits and vegetables. Sodium is additionally added to our food by the salt used in cooking. Therefore, reduce the salt in the preparations, or get salt free foods and spread a pinch or two of salt on the food before eating. However, this should be done only under your doctor's prescription, based on your sodium levels. Re. potassium, reduce the consumption of tubers like potato, colacasia and yam, in fruits: cherries, apricots, peaches, musambi, and sapota have higher levels, but you need not worry as they are not too common, excepting for the last two which you can avoid. Dhals, pulses and vegetables, can be par-boiled and the water discarded, for leaching out the potassium, but this will result in the loss of other necessary vitamins and minerals which can be provided by supplements. Take care and eat moderately.

Malathi Mohan _says :   Bet, I am sorry for the delay in this reply as I was on a short break from work. Regarding hormones, you will have to consult with your doctor. There are many opinions and most of these are confusing to the lay person like you and me. However, your doctor will know what is best for you. Personally, I was on hormones for a short time after my surgery, as per my doctor's recommendation. Regarding weight loss, please wait for my next article which will give a detailed weight loss diet. In the meanwhile, please follow a high protein diet with a good amount of fruits and vegetables. In case you are not able to eat as before, add a nutritious drink as an extra, either in the evening or as a night cap.

Rehana Khambaty _says :  test

Anita Raheja _says :  test