Baking tips courtesy Pooja Dingra Le 15 Patisserie Worli

1. Measure very carefully - it does make a lot of difference. A tablespoon is not what you might think of a tablespoon as, it is a precise measurement: 15 ml in volume. Same goes for cups. Always use measuring cups and spoons or weigh the ingredients when you bake.
2. Dark bakeware absorbs more heat so whatever you bake in them will be baked sooner than light coloured bakeware so make sure to reduce the baking time by 10 minutes or so.
3. Test the efficacy of baking soda by putting a teaspoon of it in hot water. If you see rapid frothing, the baking soda is fit for use. This is especially important when you're not baking with eggs.
4. Changing cake pan sizes will definitely result in different cooking times. The smaller and less deep, the faster they will cook.
5. Line the cake tins with parchment paper for easy removal. If the pan has irregular edges, brush the sides thoroughly with butter and then sift flour over it. Turn the pan around so that the flour is evenly coated. For a chocolate cake, swap the flour for cocoa.
6. Let baked goods cool completely before covering or wrapping. The trapped steam will make the outside sticky.
7. Sift baking soda/ baking powder with the flour. Nothing is worse than getting that nasty clump of baking soda when you bite into your baked goody.
8. When placing the prepared tin/tray in the oven, position it as close to the centre of the oven as possible. This allows optimum air circulation.
9. Never over mix cake batters. It will get tougher as you mix as the gluten begins to develop.
10. Necessary equipment: assorted tins/trays, measuring cups/spoons/jug, scales, spatula, whisk, sieve, non-stick baking paper, mixing bowls,cooling rack.

http://mumbaiboss.com/2010/06/21/food-review-le15-patisserie/

I love these macaroons, made so perfectly and taste of heaven pie..... introduced to me by kleiner specki...xxx

my secrets to weight loss

I was not too heavy to begin with but the tyres were begining to show as was the double chin ( still struggling with that) a lil pooch your getting my drift..

having always been very vain i decided to do some abt it , im svelte now and I think it truly and really is a lifestyle choice to be slim and you really dont need to deprive yourself

following this really helped me

- wake up and have a glass of water followed by a fruit mostly papaya

- have cooked breakfast in th next hour with a cup of tea if you must

- have tender coconut water or a small healthy snack at around eleven

- light lunch at 1

- tea and a healthy snack at 4

- capoeira or some martial arts training and classes that your going to enjoy , i love capoeira and i look forward to it everyday, makes you flexible and svelte, defines your body

have loads of water throughout the day

dinner no carbs, just lean chicken , lentils stuff like that

- once a week binge eat all you want make it enjoyable

once a month have a fruit day, no sugar no salt just plain fruit

see the new you if you keep this up in a couple of weeks...

ginger honey chicken noodles

another cooking night , easy breezy cooking , best paired with red wine

- take noodles cook and strain set aside

- in a wok put in oil, when it hot put in bell peppers and fry when they are crisp and brown put in chicken and ginger slices , fry till chicken is grilled brown , then put in soy sauce , honey , spring onions , a soup cube , half a cup wine and stir fry till dry , toss in the noodles more spring onion and your good to go ...

cooking time less than 5 mins on the clock.....

use wholewheat noodles and more veggies for a healthier meal

I made this soup last night, my variation of jamie olivers chickpea and chorizo sausage soup, i had neither so is used lentils , chicken breast and ham.....

very good for the body and the soul