Dahi Bhalla

Papdi chat, pani puri, dahi bhala, sev puri, aloo tikki their names are enough to tingle our taste buds. Ask anyone who has grown up or lived in india, especially women and they will swear by the taste of this wayside delicacy and will have a tale to tell you with a glitter in their eye. Road-side street food stalls has always been a favorite place for people of all ages. One can wait for an hour or more to enjoy this mouthwatering retreat. The common thing in these delicious delicacy is the use of tamarind chutney that gives it a lip-smacking flavor.

Tamarind or imli, a fruit with which every one must be familiar from their

Pani Puri

 childhood. Most of the memory remains intact as i ponder the days of my puerility, when my grand mother told me how this common indian spice can create a unique flavour in recipes. Very true, I can still feel that tart smell and wondeful tangy taste of tamarind in dahi bhalla, pani puri and aloo tikki being served at the road side stalls.

Pani Puri Stall

Its chatpata taste seem to run magic on you. You might have enjoyed the tasty tamarind pickles or chutney while having a great Indian lunch. But it’s not that you include tamarind in your daily diet just to add flavor to your food, the comportment of vital nutrients in tamarind has confer medicinal values to the fruit. My mother use to boil a small chunk of tamarind pulp in water that helped me relieve myself from sore throat and it also helps strengthen the immune system and protect against cold.

She always told me to practice good hygiene while preparing or eating food. But sometime i wonder, does these street food vendors practices hygienic

Tamarind

 measures and does it provide the same nutritional value of tamarind as in my mom’s recepies. Or is there any easy alternative to incorporate tamarind in our daily food habits, without the fuss of removing the seeds and soaking it for long time to use it at home.

Tamarind Pulp

After a momentary analysis i got to know that, this highly beneficial indian spice is quite popular worldwide and is exported not only in fresh form but now leading food manufacturing industries like Shimla Hills is processing this wonderful fruit into pulp and juice concentrates using modern production technologies to hygienically produce high-quality product that retains its nutritional value also. And it can easily be assimilated in the preparation of drinks, confectionary, sea foods and a range of cuisines.

Kiwi fruit

I often thought that “freshness” has got to do with the texture, until now. Last week I went to my fortnight ritual of tracking down fresh fruit and vegetable from the local farm market. I met a farmer who told me that fresh means unique  flavor. Trust me just spend a wonderful spree at the outdoor market and I guarantee you to find something rare and fresh. Take the first bite of succulent fruit and your taste buds will be relishing in satisfaction.

Kiwi Fruit land

What, really captured my attention were these freshly cut dull brown-green skin fruit. Charging to them at once, I asked what are those. The reply was Kiwi fruit, this was my first introduction to this delicious fruit. He picked one from the box, slit the thing into half and offered to me. Flabbergastingly, I savored each morsel of ripen kiwifruit . Tender, sweetness

Serve Kiwi Fruits to Children

of the flesh, the slight crunchy seed gives it distinctively unlike flavor. I bought 2 kg of them rite away.

You can enjoy this special treat for a longer time. It was my utmost curiosity to share this exotic fruit with my friends and family. So I created an enticing fruit salad and offered to my group. They were just pouring good word and love to me. One

Himalays spring water

of them picked the tiny morsel of Kiwi and said “hey what’s this, omg it taste’s like something different”. My work was done, these green velvety fruit made

Kiwi Cake

our day.  My mother called me and said the fruit was just mouthwatering.

Do you know the hilly terrains of Himachal Pradesh are home to fruit trees laden with kiwi. Lush green fields sated with fresh kiwi orchards are a trekker’s delight. The fruit grown in the orchard are harvested from the springs arising form the Himalayas. Leave the super market for once, visit the local markets or fresh fruit store that offer fresh exotic local fruits and relish these savories.

Fresh Ginger

Ginger consumed in any form is holistic for ones health. This flavor enhancing fruit vegetable( i never knew it was) is favorite among foodies all over the world. Its anti flammatory properties make it a extremely versatile root. After a long week of partying out, we friend vouched to stay at home. The single professional life takes a toll on health, detoxifying oneself was the mission. Detoxifying massage of the inner seance with Ginger oil and cooking of a rare delicacy

Homemade Ginger oil

with Ginger was truly enlivening.

Back to work next week my mind was intrigued on how effective Ginger is. I asked a friend of mine who married an organic farmer to take me to their land. A tour to the farm was purely entertaining and educating, the measures taken while growing organic farming believe me are very task worthy. He told me the best organic ginger in India come from Kerala, the lemon like flavor Ginger is considered a rare delicacy.

Ginger Farm

I received tender and juicy fresh ginger from the farm on the weekend as a treasured gift form them. It was time for me to open an old cook book and innovate it with ginger. While cooking I noticed that fresh ginger has a wonderful aroma and its pungent piquancy as cooked tantalizes taste buds. I made dishes and asked friends to come over, they just loved the delicacies i cooked.Ginger has significant stimulants that make it popular in Ayurveda usage. The human body need a plentiful antibodies, regular intake of ginger is utile. Sliced as

Ginger Bread

garnish on dishes, preserved incorporated in essences or used a culinary spice Ginger is unique factor.

Next time you are going to buy Ginger just remember these hand-picked savory are a bundle of healthy good living.

Fresh-Ginger-Oil

mother and daughter

As a mother of a young toddler, I think it is very important to introduce fruits to children in an innovative way. The best time to teach healthy fruit eating habits in a toddler is during those early impressionable years. Choosing a diet full of fresh or processed fruits can give your child an opportunity to enjoy the variety of wonderful and nutritious fruits. My 4 year old daughter has numerous friends in her play school. I often notice during play dates that children tend to become picky and fussy eaters thus lacking sufficient nutrition in their diet. Eating unhealthy food during childhood has lead to a number of other health related issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. According to a research parents or family members are the ones who expose their kids to fast food. Fast food depleted diet contain more calories and less of nutrition.

I followed these essential tips and insured healthy eating habits in my daughter thus helping her to grow slimmer, beautiful and built a defensive immune system.

• I ensure not to use fruit or food as a reinforcing means on my children. I educate them in a fun interactive way
  

  fresh fruits

  that fruits help them to grow stronger and provide energy while playing.

• I introduced fruit to my daughter in fresh and processed form like pineapple, apple, pear, pomegranate, papaya, cheery, apricot, peach, mango, guava and banana which can be consumed as fresh or in form of juice, pulp or canned.
• Breakfast is an important meal for a child as it upstart the metabolisms in the child’s body. I make a point to include fresh fruits or shakes/ juice as it contains ample amount of protein, vitamin and provide energy till lunch.
• On a chore chart I have drawn a time table and follow it strictly. This helps me to feed her at appropriate intervals and bring a creative side in me as I create new delicious recipes for her using processed fruit.
• 

  fruit shake

  She like munching so I keep plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables in hand. During play dates I make a rainbow of fruits salad for her and her friends.

• While eating no T.V. as her concentrating is more on the program then her plate. If you don’t want to teach them the habit of leftovers food then make sure while eating they sit in kitchen or dining area.
• 

  fruit juice

  When my child is at home I always take her along with me for grocery shopping and allow her to choose healthy items for meals. She always brag among her friends that she makes the decision on what to be cooked as she does the shopping.

• In the kitchen garden I and my daughter grow organic fruit. This educates her where certain fruit come from and
  

  organic fruit garden

  teaches her a lesson on responsibility since a garden requires regular attention. An activity like this generates compassion and care in her nature.

• Our family is not all finicky when it comes to eating healthy food as we all know that maintain a healthy and balanced approach while eating food is important.
• Teach them the importance of exercise.

Develop these healthy fruit eating habits to ensure your children get the variety of fruit and nutrients they need to grow into healthy adults.

Saudi Arabia Jeddah

Shimla Hills Offering Pvt Ltd will be participating in the 15th international food & beverage trade fair showcasing in stall No 569 at Jeddah Centre for Forums & Events, Saudi Arabia from 16 May to 19 May 2010.  A platform such as Food Arabia 2010 exists to enhance and support the vision of Agro fruit processed exporters like ShimlaHills. We are all prepared to exhibit our line of processed fruit and vegetable products like Fruit Juice Concentrates, Fruit Pulps & Purees, Fruit Juice and Canned Fruits & Vegetables at food trade fair. Attending event like these will improve our growth worldwide. Middle East provides unparalleled investment

Exhibition

opportunity, and this will help ShimlaHills to become modernized and grow as largest fruit processing industry from India.

Food Arabia 2010 will generate new partners and customers for ShimlaHills, as this event is expected to be participated by over 280 exhibitors and 15,000 trade visitors from more than 23 countries. This exhibition will pave paths for products to the market & enables suppliers as well as buyers to react quickly to development opportunities in both mature and emerging markets. Shimla Hills is dedicated to provide superior processed fruit product to its buyers. We at ShimlaHills are all set to explore new markets and launch new products.

Fruit Juice Concentrate

Our main emphasis to exhibit at this exhibition is to meet all the distributors, suppliers and importers. We are venturing new markets, diversifying our products and acquainting ourselves to the future clients at this annual event. Shimla Hills has recently paved its mark, as a largest supplier of processed fruit and vegetable products from India, at the recent Gulf Food 2010 Exhibition.

ShimlaHills Exhibit

Last minute checking, continuously going through my list of task, talking breathlessly to an important importer were some of the last chores I now recall, while I was boarding my long flight to Dubai. My destination Dubai where ShimlaHills was set participates at the Gulfood 2010, at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC). The preparation to partake in the exhibition was planned way before hand and I must say it did genuinely pave a great help in the execution to the aim. This was our latter experience, as ShimlaHills had visited the Gulfood Exhibition organized last year. Our experience, expectation, knowledge and market value has gained a tremendous growth since we last exhibited at Gulfood 2009.

Dubai

Gulfood-2010

As I reached Dubai, for a moment I am startled to see the change brought about in just one year. The high sky scraping buildings, the ambiance, hospitality, lets not even start talking about the shopping spree are some of the reasons that does make Dubai a traveler’s paradise. No wonder participation at Gulfood exhibition is considered a fantabulous idea. Therefore we feel proud associated with such a grand and well lavished exhibition. The exhibition was inaugurated from 21 February to 24 February 2010. I reached with the team two days earlier so that products to be displayed were ready, the stand and exhibits had to be decorated. Our mantra was less clutter, display of products on an ideal platter, perfect displays of brochures and application of informative graphics on the back.

ShimlaHills team

On 21 February Gulfood was inaugurated, our exhibit was ready to take charge and make this as fruitful as much as we could. The new improved agro processed products included Totapuri and Alphonso Mango Pulp, fruit juice concentrates, fruit puree concentrates, fruit pulp/puree and fruit juices. Exotic fruit like passion fruit juice concentrate were also displayed. The visitors started to pour in, our team taking care of every query coming our way. The second day was same as the first potential visitors came pouring our stall. This kind of exposure on the international front helped us aim our products and promote its marketing in Gulf region. The products displayed by ShimlaHills are used for various applications like sauce, desserts, candy, ice-cream, sherbet, icing and filling for cake, pie, milkshake, fruit breads, tarts, cold fruit soup, yogurts, puddings, and in cocktails. Third and last day consecutively proved profitable as our existing customers brought along new business ventures. Last hours of the event was like icing of the cake.

products on display

Interaction with esteemed visitors

The four days spend at the exhibition by ShimlaHills made us believe that we are here to stay for long and increase our level of success. Well we are often enlightened by our boss that a well run exhibition is an excellent way to meet a high number of customers and prospects. I think the highlight of attending this fair was the interaction face to face with the valued customer in a short span of time. As one of the leading exporter of agro processed fruit products in India, we guaranteed you with great enthusiasm that this is just the beginning of promising future.

View of a Vineyard

I was sipping wine while sitting on a patio overlooking a tranquil beach’s turquoise water, suddenly a thought ponders my mind as I pour another glass of wine. The art of wine making is what my mind is brooding. When i think of wine all I recollect is beautiful vineyards, a walk in a cloud (movie), red red wine (UB40), intensive aroma, wine cellar, mature acidity and accessories like bottle and cork. It is often a notion that winemaking only reflects romanticism, but here the winemaking hard work begins. I put my self for a task to learn all about it, finally after my obsession and continuous questioning my partner decided to make it real. A month back we visited a vineyard owned by his friend’s father in Karnataka. I was shocked to learn that Karnataka, is the second largest wine consuming state in India. The first place falls to Maharashtra.

Grapes for Wine

Red Wine

grapes

As we reach our destination, the lush green vegetation of grapes in the vineyards looked like a view from the movies. I was educated a crash course on how location, sun, climate, terrain, soils, vines, rootstocks, irrigation systems and pest management controls plays an important role. Believe you me, it is not an easy task.  What was most intriguing was the hand harvesting, this is done to protect the grape’s juice content. Awareness about wine is growing rapidly in India, people are learning the health benefits of Wine. Mr. Sharma told us that famous grape “stomp” helps the wine to achieve its intensive aroma, mature acidity, rounded tannins and the most important a full body.

Then came the part of learning the art of wine tasting, i was enlightened by

White Wine

an expert at the vineyard that once you get going on this perfect indulgence, there’s no end in sight. Look, smell and taste were the three mantras of wine tasting. This learning adventure did created a deepen admiration for both wines and winemakers. Mr. Sharma informed me that cabernet sauvignon; one of the finest wines in India comes fro the home of Grover Vineyards. He further stated, the majority of the index consisted of French wine making traditions of Bordeaux. Finally i asked him the question that was dwelling my mind, what are the points one needs to remember when visiting a wine merchant? To this he graciously advised the rules first being the preference of taste and second pairing wine (red or white) with meal.

Cheers to Independence

Drinking wine has become more womencentric these days in India, as women have achieved to attain an individual mark in the society. Professional women in high paying jobs, needs a tonic that helps them relax, unwind and get rid of distress. The young entrepreneur women of this era have developed a suave taste and know how to enjoy it. India has a great future in wine as, one of the leading fruit processing company called Shimla Hills may venture into wine selling.

1) Fruit Juice Concentrates

2) Fruit Puree Concentrates

3) Fruit Pulp& Puree

4) Fruit Juice

5) Canned Fruit and Vegetables

6) Organic Unique Products

We will focus on exhibiting our new products to generate leads and expand the business. This year SIAL “In-Food 2010” exhibition is going to feature products from over 30 international markets, showcasing diverse array of products. More than 9,300 exhibitors from more than 100 countries are expected to visit from retail and commerce sector to explore new partners and suppliers. Shimla Hills, one of the largest manufacturer and supplier from India is looking forward to gain advantage from SIAL 2010 where we can expand and solidify our business perspectives internationally.

Shimla Hills Banana Puree

We all love fruits, dishes made from fruit and different innovative products that include fruits ingredients in them. One of the most delicious and loved fruit is Banana.  I’m pretty sure that all of you know that banana is grown without the aid of fertilizers thus it causes no interference with its organic natural minerals ingredients like potassium, carbohydrates, vitamins, dolomite and phosphorus. Banana Puree is one such processed fruit product which is enriched in potassium and its fiber content enhances the body to loose weight. According to recent study banana puree contains medicinal properties that have resulted beneficial for curing pernicious diseases. Some even refer to banana as anti-hypertension drug. Low sweetened organic banana puree contains good sum of fiber and high water content which helps to detoxify the oxidants and act as a hydration to the skin.

Eating a dish incorporated with banana puree in the breakfast kick-starts your metabolism. I recently tried Banana puree manufactured by Shimla Hills and to my surprise it contained natural good sweetness, wholesome texture and rich taste. My two grown nephew age 15 and 13 thoroughly enjoyed bananas muffins I made using banana puree. I recommend to all those who are looking forward to create something enticing and altogether new dish. Are you looking for a banana puree that is fresh and natural? Then try Shimla Hills Banana Puree full of wholesome goodness ingredients.

So if you love banana and want to try a moist, sweet, yummy Banana (Puree) Muffins then hold onto this recipe!

You need:

3-4 large spoons of Banana Puree

1/2 cup White Sugar

1 Egg, slightly beaten

1/3 cup Margarine or Butter, melted

1 tsp Baking Soda 1 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Salt

1½ cups Flour

Process:

It’s pretty simple to make, but here are directions just in case: In a bowl, put together banana puree, sugar, egg and margarine. Mix well and then set aside for later use. Take another bowl and in it, mix together baking soda, baking powder, salt and flour. Combine the mixture present in the two bowls, stirring well. Make sure not to over-stir the mixture. Grease the muffin tins and pour the mixture therein. Bake the muffins at 350 degrees, for approximately 20 minutes.