Scroll to enjoy an appetite arousing take on Christmas trees, that combine sweetness and creativity at highest level.

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Here are 7 easy (not to mention awesome!) ways to make your breakfast eggs.

1. Sunny Side Up in Capsicum – This is a fun variation to your standard half fried eggs. Just put a neatly cut ring of capsicum (with the seeds cleaned out) onto the pan and break the egg over it, so that it remains and cooks inside the capsicum ring. Add salt, pepper and other herbs that you might fancy, to taste!

2. Boiled Eggs Salad – Boil a couple of eggs your preferred way – soft or hard. Simply toss the boiled eggs with leafy greens (spinach, kale and lettuce), corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, cottage cheese (paneer) or shredded chicken. Add seasonings and salad dressing of your own choice and you have a perfect egg salad ready for breakfast! It’s filling and healthy.

3. Broccoli and Mushroom Omelette – Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook broccoli and mushroom slices covered, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and some pepper. Transfer to a plate. Add Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese to skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until melted and golden, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add egg and egg whites. Keeping egg yolk intact, drag a spatula through the whites to spread them evenly in the pan. Cook, covered, until whites are set and yolk is still runny, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Top with broccoli-mushroom mixture, and fold omelet over. Sprinkle with a pinch of red-pepper flakes.

4. Egg-in-a-hole – These can be either fried or baked. Go for baked Bull’s Eye Eggs if you are intending to serve a lot of people together. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Generously butter a nonstick rimmed baking sheet. Butter bread on both sides. With a cookie cutter or drinking glass, cut a 2 1/2-inch round from center of each bread slice. Place slices and rounds on sheet and bake until golden, 6 minutes. Remove from oven and flip bread. Carefully crack 1 egg into center of each slice. Season with salt and pepper. Bake until egg whites are set but yolks are still runny, 8 to 9 minutes, rotating sheet halfway through (sprinkle with cheese, if using, during last 30 seconds of baking). Serve with desired toppings.

5. Scrambled Eggs with Greens and Greek Yogurt – It’s amazing what a few flavorful ingredients can do when it comes to getting out of a breakfast rut. Greek yogurt, garlic, and greens come together to give these scrambled eggs a tasty (and healthy) makeover! Whip up some softly scrambled eggs, but in place of the usual butter and cream, spike them with tangy Greek yogurt. A handful of kale adds just enough crunch and color, while garlic and red pepper flakes spice it up.

6. Kale, Bacon and Egg Sandwich – Toast the bun and set it on a plate. Spread with mayonnaise or butter, if desired. In a medium skillet, cook the bacon until crisp and set aside on a paper-towel-lined plate. Pour off the bacon grease, leaving just a thin film on the pan. Add the garlic and kale to the skillet and cook over medium-high heat, tossing frequently and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Taste and add salt if needed. Cook until kale is tender, adding 1 or 2 tablespoons of water if needed to keep kale moist as it cooks. Sprinkle with vinegar, then remove from pan and set aside. Wipe skillet clean and add vegetable oil (or 1 tablespoon of reserved bacon grease, if you’re feeling frisky). Over medium heat, fry the egg. While it cooks, assemble the rest of the sandwich: place the kale on the bottom half of the bun. Cut the bacon in half crosswise and place on top of the kale. Top the kale and bacon with the fried egg and the top bun. Serve immediately, cutting in half just before eating.

7. Baked Egg – Bake your breakfast eggs in either bell peppers (insides cleaned out and top cut off), or halved avocados. Basically, you remove the pit from a halved avocado or bell pepper, hollow out a little more space if needed, and crack an egg into the hollow. The avocado/bell pepper becomes an edible ramekin, holding the egg as it bakes. Additions like cheese or herbs can be sprinkled over the top before baking.

As Fall sets in, we are banking on these amazing and yummy recipes to lead us to breakfast heaven, if there’s such a place. We suggest you try these out as well, and tell us about your experience in the comments section below!

BiryaniByAir in Pali Hill, Bandra – BiryaniByAir is perhaps the best option you’ll get if you are a lover of authentic Hyderabadi Biryani because as the name suggests, they actually fly Biryani in from Hyderabad! Now there couldn’t be anything more authentic than a piping hot plate of hyderabadi biryani served to you in Mumbai straight from Hyderabad, can it? You can choose from the famous Paradise’s Biryani or even Shah Ghouse’s famous Mutton biryani of Hyderabad. From what one recently heard, Shadab’s Biryani and Café Bahar too are soon to be added to their list too. For now BiryaniByAir get the Biryanis only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and deliver only from Bandra to Malad, though Powai soon will be added to their list.

Just Biryani in Andheri West – Although Just Biryani is now a delivery only place operating out of the kitchen of Oh Calcutta, their Hyderabadi dum biryani is absolutely marvellous. Their biryanis are flavorful without being too spicy with perfectly cooked meat that are tender and juicy that will pamper your taste buds and keep bringing you back for more. The other dishes on the menu that they offer are equally outstanding. You can also call for biryani by kilos from here.

Star Biryani in Vashi – Star Biryani in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, is undoubtedly one of the best places to get scintillating Hyderabadi Biryani at a highly affordable price. Although the eatery doesn’t boast a very elaborate sitting arrangement the food here is a treat to the senses. Their Biryani though a tad heavy on oil, is an absolute delight to have. Their kebabs and raita are a must try as well.

The Golconda Bowl in Juhu – Juhu’s Golconda Bowl’s Hyderabadi Biryani is as close as you can get to an authentic hyderabadi Biryani. The place has an ethnic ambiance that has a very soothing effect. The staff here is extremely warm, courteous and helpful and they guide you through the entire process of choosing your biryani. Happy hours at this place are from 3:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The Biryani is incredible and is an absolute delight to the senses. Food here is reasonably prized and is worth every penny. Home delivery is also available.

Nizam’s Heritage in Byculla – Hidden inside Byculla’s Hotel Heritage is this Hyderabadi restaurant. On the onset, Nizam Asaf Jah’s photo welcomes it’s patrons inside. The restaurant is chic and opulently decorated with sparkling chandeliers and a glass fronted kitchen with skewers of kebabs ready for the barbecue. This is one place in Mumbai that serves Hyderabadi biryani that comes pretty close to the authenticity of Hyderabad. Though a tad heavy on the wallet, this place serves delicious and satisfying food. The staff is also extremely hospitable and friendly. Apart from Hyderabadi Biryani you can also try Haleem, Murgh Nagina, Mirchi ka Salan.

Biryani King in Navi Mumbai – If you are looking for Hyderabadi Biryani in Navi Mumbai then Biryani King is a good option for you. They serve Hyderabadi, Lucknowi, Kolkata and Mumbai style biryanis. Biryani here is delightful and irresistible that is not too greasy or spicy. They only use long grained rice and succulent meat cooked over dum for a long time resulting in perfect Biryanis that are absolutely to die for! The standard of food here has remained consistent for years. Though the eatery has a tiny outlet with not much sitting space the food here is absolutely marvelous! It is also quite affordably priced.

Cafe Noorani at Haji Ali – Situated right at the junction of Heera Panna shopping complex and Haji Ali is Café Noorani. It’s extremely clean and hygienic and the quality of food is excellent. The Hyderabadi Biryani here is simply delicious and is served both in full and half plates. The flavours are kept simple yet filling at Noorani. With an ambiance that is extremely friendly and inviting the restaurant has both AC and Non-AC sitting places. There is a huge variety in veg and non-veg dishes and also a huge array of deserts for the desert lovers. The food here is reasonably priced and the quantity is good for its worth. The staff here is quite efficient, courteous and friendly.

Well, what are you biryani-enthusiasts waiting for? Go out and try all these places, but don’t forget to come back and tell us about your experience in the comments below!

Phuket offers a rainbow spectrum of spectacular holiday sights from blue lagoons and pink sunsets to orange-robed monks. This fun island provides an unbeatable combination of perfect white palm-lined beaches, superb hospitality and great value accommodation. Whether it’s world-class diving in the Andaman Sea, golf at international-standard championship courses or exciting eco-adventures in tropical forests, Phuket really is a place to extend your horizons. Beaches there are all pristine white sand and crystal clear waters! Patong Beach with its carnival like atmosphere, street shopping, amazing clubs is definitely the place to go if you want to party and have crazy fun! Mai Khao beach is quiet and serene, it’s a nature lover’s paradise! One can hire a cycle from the resort to go there (there’s a cycle path leading upto the beach). A must visit if you prefer your vacations peaceful and rejuvenating!

Where to eat. Already well known for its fresh succulent seafood, Phuket is rapidly gaining a reputation as a great place to find excellent Thai and international food in some very picturesque venues. You can find a range from Italian to Middle Eastern to Indian and Japanese. In addition, wine has become readily available in Phuket, with some local restaurants now featuring creditable wine cellars. Places to eat vary from roadside noodle stalls, air-conditioned restaurants, open air restaurants with great views, or fast food outlets. You won’t go hungry!

The most sophisticated of vendors have stalls attached to a motorbike. They usually have a favourite spot to settle down in for the day or night, where they place a few small plastic or wooden chairs and tables around so that customers can sit and eat on the side of the street. Depending on the food, the stall might be equipped with a charcoal grill, hot plate and preparation area, with all the ingredients either hanging down from the top, or stacked around the sides protected by Perspex walls. Serving more than just snacks, these stalls can provide substantial meals and attract dozens of customers at busy times of the day.

What to see. Phuket’s great advantage is that there’s always something to do on and off the island whether it’s raining or shining. From the sublime to the seemingly mundane, the range of activities and places to visit is remarkable for a destination of this size. You can spend your days exploring places like Phuket’s Old Town – unique blend of colonial and Chinese architecture along with a tangible quaintness makes for a fascinating and unforgettable afternoon, or on the emerald waters of Phang Nga Bay. And you can spend your evening exploring the amazing night life!

Phi Phi Island is Thailand’s island-superstar. Phi Phi’s beauty is a large chunk of the allure. The islands, when approached by boat (50 minutes from Phuket), rise from the sea like a fortress. Sheer cliffs tower overhead, then give way to beach-fronted jungle. It’s love at first sight.

The second part of the why-we-love-this-place story is attitude: few places on the planet are this laid-back. Of the two islands, one is completely free of human inhabitants (Phi Phi Leh), and the other is without roads (Phi Phi Don). There’s no schedule, no hustle-and-bustle, no reason to be in a hurry.

Pattaya is always switched on and fun. This vibrant coastal city shot to fame in early 1980s, and stayed there. From sunrise to sunset, Pattaya’s beaches are constantly brimming with life, as water sports lovers and sun worshippers take to the waters. After dark, the action shifts to the streets, as revellers explore its electrified nightlife scene, where drinking and partying continue until dawn. Apart from water sports and nightlife, Pattaya offers endless possibilities when it comes to accommodation and entertainment. It has outgrown its image as a seedy beach town to a destination for a wider audience; whether couples, families or business travellers, Pattaya has something for everyone. Only 147km from Bangkok, it is the closest of Thailand’s major beach resorts to the capital city.

Pattaya Beach offers superb hotels, value-for-money shopping malls and market stalls, a huge variety of restaurants, bars, discos and endless sports and leisure activities. Jomtien Beach is a long, straight 6km stretch of sandy coastline featuring hotels, resorts, condominiums, shops and restaurants. It’s much more peaceful and laid back than Pattaya Beach.

What to see. No guide to Pattaya would be complete without also exploring the islands nearby, including the Near Islands of Koh Larn, Koh Khrok and Koh Sak and the Far Islands such as Koh Phai, Koh Man Wichai and the beautiful Koh Rin. These islands are all accessible from either Bali Hai Pier or Ocean Marina.

Whether Tiffany’s or Alcazar, Pattaya’s cabaret shows have garnered world-wide fame, thanks to their stunning ladyboy entertainers who possess tremendous stage talents. Tiffany’s Cabaret Show is Pattaya’s world-famous and 30 year-old ladyboy cabaret extravaganza. Here, three times each night, a surgically and hormonally-enhanced army of transgender performers put on a show that shatters that fearsome reputation.

You can also sail across the sparkling aqua-blue water of the Gulf of Thailand to the Coral Island. Here under the brilliant tropical sun, you can relax, swim or snorkel or simply bronze yourself on the beach. There’s also the Pattaya Floating Market to see – covering an area of 100,000sqm, the market is separated into four sections – each represents and sells items from four major parts of Thailand (north, northeast, central and south).

Where to eat. Superb food is just about everywhere in Thailand and Pattaya is no exception. From street vendors to five star gourmet dining, Pattaya will cater both to your taste and your pocket. Pattaya is a multi-cultural coastal city, and nothing reflects this better than its ethnically diverse dining scene. A wealth of options run from street vendors to fine dining.

We give you our pick of top 5 Thai dishes to try if you are in Phuket or Pattaya!

1. Pad Thai – Thailand’s calling card to the rest of the culinary world, pad Thai doesn’t need an introduction. There are an infinite number of variations on this timeless tradition, but usually noodles are dressed up with tofu, bean sprouts, onion, and the brilliant final touch: peanuts ground to near dust. Pad Thai is a diner-participation meal; you put on the finishing touches of fish sauce, sugar, chili powder, and crushed peanuts to suit your taste.

2. Kuay Tiew (Noodle Soup) – Brush up on your chopstick skills and get your slurping muscles ready, noodle soup is a quick-and-easy staple of the Thai eating experience. Variations in ingredients mean ten different vendors could serve it ten different ways ‘ making it nearly deserving of its own top ten list. Noodles ‘ usually thin, occasionally broad ‘ are served up in a broth with just about any edible meat: pork, chicken, beef, duck, and seafood being the most popular. One sample and you may not stop until you’ve tried them all.

3. Gai Med Ma Moung (Chicken Cashew Nuts) – Roasted cashew nuts. Sweet soy sauce. Honey. Garlic. And, of course, chilis ‘ it would be Thai food without a little enjoyable pain. Three cheers for the clever soul that figured out nuts and chicken were a good mix. A dish this popular must be more than a little good. Phuket raises the standard with a vast supply of some of the world’s best cashew nuts, and they’re grown locally.

4. Massaman Curry – Massaman is the Thai word for “Muslim”, which is the community to heartily thank for this concoction of coconut milk, potatoes, roasted peanuts, bay leaves, sugar, cinnamon, and tamarind sauce. The meat of choice is often beef or chicken, but because it’s been embraced by the Buddhists, pork can also be found.

5. Geng Kheaw Wan Gai (Green Curry Chicken) – So what gives green curry its color? Green curry paste. Sorry, not an exciting answer, but it is an exciting dish. Of all the curries, and there’s plenty of them, the one that’s the colour of American money is among the spiciest. It’s also the least like Indian curry; Thailand has a way of making borrowed food distinctively Thai. The proof is in the coconut milk.

Leave us a comment below and tell us where are you headed this scorching summer?

1. Fresh Lime Soda – Or better known to us as Nimbu Shikanji. This is one drink you’ll easily find anywhere on the Indian sub-continent. It’s also super easy to make –  all you need to do is combine the lime juice, salt and sugar in a large jug and stir well until the sugar and salt dissolve. Add soda water and stir to combine. Serve it fresh with ice!

2. Jaljeera – This is an amazing drink that’s meant to thrill our taste buds, what with its refreshing tangy flavor. Here’s how to make it! Below is a list of ingredients.

1 tbsp seedless tamarind – for a pronounced more sourness, you can add ½ tbsp of more tamarind.
¾ cup mint leaves/pudina patta
1 or 1.5 tsp cumin seeds/jeera
1 tsp fennel seeds/saunf
½ tsp black pepper
½ or 1 tsp amchur/dry mango powder
seeds removed from 1 black cardamom (optional)
a pinch of asafoetida/hing (optional)
1 tbsp boondi
½ or 1 tsp chaat masala powder (optional)
black salt or rock salt as required

INSTRUCTIONS

Rinse the mint leaves. Also rinse the tamarind ball. First blend all the ingredients except boondi and chaat masala in ½ or ¾ cup water till smooth. Then strain through a strainer and add 3-4 cups of chilled water to the strained mixture or as required. Keep in the fridge or serve chilled. You can add boondi and a pinch of chaat masala to jaljeera while serving.

3. Mango Panna – It’s a drink made from raw mangoes which is boiled and infused with some Indian spices to make more flavorful and appetizing. One of best remedies for sun stroke, Aam Panna is also a natural coolant for the body.

INSTRUCTIONS

Roast carom seeds, fennel seeds and cumin seeds until lightly roasted. Now pound with a pestle and mortar until powdered.
Slice the raw mangoes into 2 to 3 pieces. Steam Or cook them in a pot with some water covering them until they get tender. Check with a knife if you are able to mash them. Alternatively you can also pressure cook for 2 whistles until they are cooked and tender.
Now scoop out the pulp with spoon and discard the peels. Grind the pulp with jaggery granules, mint leaves and 1 cup of water.
Strain the mixture with mesh strainer. Collect the liquid in a vessel. Combine black salt, powdered carom-cumin-fennel seeds, chaat masala, cardamom powder, black pepper powder and 1 cup of water. Give a nice whisk. Check the taste, alter if any spices required. Ideally it should taste equally tangy and sweet. Take ¼th of panna syrup and 1 cup water to make aam panna drink. Serve chilled in tall glassed with icecubes. Garnish with mint leaves. Store rest of the panna syrup in bottle into fridge, the shelf life of this syrup is 3-4 days.

4. Chhaachh or Chhaas (flavored buttermilk) – Buttermilk is an excellent drink for summer, seeing as how it is low-fat, refreshing and healthy as anything! Here’s how to make it!

1.5 cups curd/yogurt
½ tsp roasted cumin powder/bhuna jeera powder or add as required
1 cup water
5 to 6 small ice cubes
black salt/kala namak as required
a few coriander leaves or mint leaves for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Take all the ingredients in a blender jar, except the coriander leaves. Just pulse the blender for some seconds till everything is blended well and the mixture becomes frothy. Pour chhaas in glasses. garnish with coriander leaves and serve it iced. You can also chill the butter milk in the refrigerator and serve later, but be sure to use it in the same day.

5. Lassi (sweet, savory or fruity!) – Lassi is a favorite summer drink in India. It is a traditional yogurt based beverage, which is served chilled, be it salty or sweet or even fruit-flavored. Below is an easy to follow recipe for the classic Indian Sweet Lassi!

Ingredients :
½ cup Plain Yoghurt
1½ tablespoons sugar
½ cup ice water

Method:
Blend all ingredients in a blender on high speed until frothy. Serve immediately.

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But don’t worry folks, we have here a list of 20 super-foods, regular consumption of which will bust that unwanted belly flab right away!

1. Lemon – Make it a habit to start your day with a glass of warm lemon water with a teaspoon honey mixed in it. Lemon consumption will cut through flab in no time and you’ll notice the difference within a week.

2. Green Tea – Green tea is a powerful metabolism stimulator. Drinking it frequently can help to accelerate weight loss.

3. Olive Oil – Cooking all your food in extra-virgin olive oil is a great idea for those trying to lose weight. It contains monounsaturated fat that burns calories and fat build up in the arteries. Bonus: This magical oil also helps lower cholesterol levels.

4. Chicken – White meats are lean meats and those are the kind of proteins your body needs while burning fat. Grilled or roasted chicken is a great option for wholesome healthy meals.

5. Cucumber – Cucumber is a healthy crunchy snack to munch on in between meals, that leaves you feeling light yet satisfied.

6. Cereals/Oats – Cereal and skimmed milk make an ideal breakfast. Oats, bran and wheat flakes are yummy options to kickstart your day with.

7. Legumes –  Legumes are typically low in fat, contain no cholesterol, and are high in folate, potassium, iron and magnesium. If you’re trying to lose weight, the fibre helps give legumes a one-two punch. First it helps you feel full faster. Then, the blood sugar effect helps stave off hunger for longer.

8. Low Fat Yogurt – Yogurt is loaded with vitamins and can help you recover faster after a workout. Yogurt is very high in calcium and B vitamins. It’s also a protein superstar— 3/4 cup delivers nine grams.

9. Dark Chocolate – Did you know that dark chocolate has anti-oxidants that are good for you and boost metabolism? It’s true, get a slab today!

10. Pears – Pears are one of the highest fiber fruits and contain a fair amount of vitamins C, K, B2, B3, and B6.

11. Salmon – The fish is high in Omega-3 fatty acids which are good for the heart and reduce the risk of stroke. Also, great for building muscle and burning calories!

12. Eggs – Studies show that people who start their day with an egg taken in breakfast tend to consume lesser calories throughout the day because it’s fuller and you eat less during the entire day.

13. Leafy Greens – Greens like spinach, kale, cabbage and lettuce are a powerful source of potassium and magnesium as well as folate, all of which can keep blood pressure low, reducing the risk of stroke.

14. Almonds – Almonds provide the healthy fats and energy that is necessary for healthy weight loss. Also, they serve as great munchies to curb those midday hunger pangs.

15. Apples – This fruit is so rich in dietary fibres that one good sized apple can replace a meal even, and will leave you full.

16. Tomatoes – Tomatoes are naturally low in sodium, saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories. Added benefit – they’re great for the skin!

17. Mushroom – Lack of vitamin D has been associated with higher levels of belly fat. Mushrooms work like magic on belly fat because they are a natural source of Vitamin D.

18. Soybean – Soybeans are a super belly fat fighter. Soybeans help thwart the accumulation of fats and change fats into energy. Because soybeans are easy to digest they help flush pesky belly fat.

19. Walnuts – Walnuts contain a hefty amount of Omega 3 fatty acids that help the body burn fat. Be sure to avoid salted walnuts- eat them all-natural instead.

20. Bananas – Bananas are often considered fattening when only the opposite is true! They are full of fibre and antioxidants and help stimulate metabolism. Bananas in the breakfast will make you feel fuller and you will eat less the rest of the day.

Leave us a comment below and tell us what you think!