RAMADHAN SPECIAL ZINDY’S STYLE​

Asalam Alyekum my sisters Alhamdullillah Ramadan Kareem !!!!! Its another opportunity that Allah has granted us to witness another month of Ramadan a month full of rahma and we should make the most of it InShaAllah. 
As for me this is the first Ramadan am fasting together with my husband Alhamdullillah its quite a pleasure and am so looking forward to it, not just the food part but Ibadah as well. So currently am in the UK and below is ideal menu that I have prepared for this Ramadan. This will ease my day to day activities as I have to balance
work and this holy month of Ibadah. Below is my simple Ramadan menu of everything I can make so far that can be amended in your own style, you will notice that Tambi is my favourite dish; 

a) Starter after breaking fast 
Fruit 
Salads 
Smoothies
Porridge
Puddings

 b) Bites
Chapati(Maji/Kukanda)
Sambusa
Bagia
Maandazi  
Mkate wa ufuta(Sesame flat bread)
Bread rolls
Vitumbua
Kalimati           
Katlesi
Kachori
Pizza
Mishkaki/kuku choma
Spring rolls

c) Main
 Iftar menu
i. Maandazi​
Chapati za maji
​Kuku roast
Tambi

ii.Kachori​
Ndizi mzuzu​
Maharage 
Sambusa

iii. Chapati zakukanda/Mkate wa
ufuta
​Mishkaki/Kuku choma​
Kachumbari
​Mbaazi nazi 

iv. Bagia za kunde​
Bread rolls
Roast maini (aside)
​Ndizi nazi​

v. Katles​
Muhogo nazi​
Samaki​
Salad(kachumbari)

vi. Vitumbua​
Kachori 
​Kuku roast
​Magimbi 
​Tambi 

vii. Pizza ​
Kalimati
​Ndizi mzuzu​
Tambi

viii. Chips
​Boga
​Salad
​Kuku choma

PS: This is just a sample to use as a guide, feel free to add or remove according to your favourite, however please don’t spend the whole day is the kitchen as that is not the main aim of the month. Till next time…. Ramadhan Kareem. 

Special thanks to Zindy for this great post .Zindy  is a personal shopper and owner of @fashion_and home_by_zindy page on instagram.

Discovering Restaurants in Hatfield, Pretoria.

In our recent visit to south Africa ,we visited Hatfield ,Pretoria which is a hub for students .It has everything from the University of Pretoria ,plazas ,hotels ,residences and most of all an influx of restaurants .In the street there are more than 15 restaurants including big names such as kfc,burger king ,pizza hut ,dominoes and other south African restaurants such as Barcelos ,spur to mention a few.

Since here at Amaris lifestyle we are lovers of good food and also decor .We decided to go to these restaurants and do a quick survey of what they offer and their decor to share with our readers.

Starting with Capital P which offers traditional pizza,pastas and paninis.

THE OUTSIDE

From the outside when you pass by this restaurant , you will just be moved to get inside and find out what they have to offer .There is a big red sign that is very eye catching.

 There is also some window stickers  that explain what they offer and what to expect before you get inside .

Since Hatfield is a student hub , there is a big sign outside of 10% off to students when they brig a student card .A very good idea since students love discounts.

THE INSIDE 
When you get to the inside , you are moved to just sit down and order everything they have to offer in the menu .

 The inside has a rustic/modern feel to it with copper lights and both high and normal chairs to sit .

 It is a great setting not only for business meetings ,chill out sessions but also working since it provides a very quiet and relaxing environment to do what is required to do.

 There s a big menu board that displays all the items available and you have an option to pick your pasta from Spaghetti to Ravioli ,a very unique idea.

Photos taken by my us .
Other restaurants will be discussed in upcoming posts .

WEIGHT LOSS TIP: Lentils

Lentils also known as dengu in swahili are one of the best legumes for weight loss.They are low in calories ,low in fat and high in fibre thus making you feel fuller for longer.

Studies have shown that having one serving of lentils per day can help you lose weight. 

Lentils should be a part of an healthy weight loss plan, which includes nutritious foods and plenty of regular exercise.

Lentils are available in variety of colours and can be cooked in variety of ways. 

Lentil curry and Basmati rice

Lentil Soup

Lentil Vegetable Burger

For more lentils recipes click Here.

RECIPE: NUTELLA MUG CAKE

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp Nutella
• 4 tbsp self-raising flour or (normal all purpose flour with baking powder), sifted
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 tbsp milk
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 small egg
• salt

Direction
Add the milk, the egg, vegetable oil and the Nutella to a high measuring cup.

 Whisk well. Then add the sugar and a pinch of salt.

Whisk well again. Then add the sifted self-raising flour.

Whisk the chocolate batter well. Then divide it over 2 large microwave resistant mugs. Don’t make them too full.

Place one in the microwave and turn it on high. Let the mug cake cook for 2 minutes. The batter should have set. If not, cook it for 20 seconds more. Then remove the mug and cook the other one in the microwave. Serve warm.

This is a very easy recipe especially for those who find baking to be a hassle.You should definitely try this recipe. For the full post click Here.

SPICES TRANSLATION FROM ENGLISH TO SWAHILI

Have you ever found a recipe from a cookbook only to find a spice you dont know? Most women in Tanzania find it difficult to get the names of spices translated to swahili. Since most cook books are in English ,knowing the names of these spices in swahili makes it easier for you to get the spices you are looking for.

English         Swahili
Black pepper    Pilipili manga
Cardamom        Iliki
Fennel seeds    Kisibiti
Cilantro        Majani ya giligilani
Cinnamon        Mdalasini
Cloves          Karafuu
Coriander seeds Giligilani /Kotimiri
Cumin           Binzari nyembamba
curry           Binzari
Ginger          Tangawizi
Lemon grass     Mchaichai
Nutmeg          Kungumanga
Saffron         Zafarani
Turmeric        Manjano

RECIPE : Baked Beans

Ingredients

• 1 lb  dried white beans, soaked overnight
• 1 small yellow onion
• 3 medium garlic cloves
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 5,5 oz (155 g) tomato ketchup
• 10,5 oz (350 g) canned chopped tomatoes
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 clove
• pepper
• salt

Instructions.

Make sure to let the dried white beans soak overnight. Then drain them well.

Peel and chop the onion and garlic cloves finely. Add them to a large pan.Add the onion and garlic together with the olive oil.

 Place the pan over medium heat and stir fry the ingredients for 5 minutes. Then add the drained soaked beans.

Add the rest of the ingredients as well. Season with a good dash of pepper and salt.

Stir the ingredients well. Bring them to a good boil while you preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Then take the casserole off the heat and pour the beans and tomato sauce in a large baking dish.

You can enjoy it for breakfast with bread ,eggs ,mushrooms and sausages or bacon.

For the post recipe click Here.

RECIPE: POTATO CRISPS

This recipe is simple and easy to cook, but it can also be fun to try it over the weekend with your kids. Instead of buying the ready made crisps from the store, you can save and cook your own.**smiles** 

RECIPE : Spicy Mango Chicken Wings

If you love spicy and sweet, then this recipe is a must try for you.  I can only imagine having these delicious wings on a weekend with my friends, while sipping some red wine **smiles**. Give it a try and let me know how it turned out.

RECIPE: TANDOORI FRIED CHICKEN

We are all used to Tandoori Chicken sold at our local Indian restaurants .With this recipe we can make our own at home without even grilling it.Check out this recipe to learn about different tricks to help you create your own mouth watering chicken for your family.

RECIPE : Butter Chicken

This  butter chicken recipe is very easy to cook and it uses simple ingredients that are readily available.You can have it with rice, sphaghetti , mashed potatoes and chapati. For all food lovers ,you will surely enjoy this.Its also a suitable recipe for dieters by replacing the heavy cream and butter for low fat cream and olive oil.

Creative ways to eat Avocados

Avocados are a weight loss kept secret.They are a good source of omega 3 fatty acids which aids in burning fat especially in the tummy area.They are also many health benefits of avocado which makes it a favourable fruit for most health conscious people.Not everyone loves avocados in their  purest form ,so we have come up with creative ideas that someone can eat them.

• Avocado in a Popsicle

• Avocado in guacamole

• Avocado in cupcakes

• Avocado in spaghetti

• Avocado in a smoothie

Strawberry Lemonade Slush

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup water
• 3/4 cup lemonade concentrate, thawed
• 1 (10 oz) package frozen sweetened strawberries, thawed
• 3/4 cup ice cubes
• 1 cup Sprite

Instructions

1. In a blender, combine water, lemonade concentrate, strawberries, and ice.
2. Blend until fully incorporated.
3. Pour mixture into a freezer container and freeze for at least 12 hours (it can last in your freezer for up to 3 months).
4. When you are ready to serve, remove from freezer and let stand at room temperature for at least 1 hour before serving.
5. Divide frozen slush into 4 large glasses and pour 1/4 cup of Sprite in each cup. Serve immediately.

For the full recipe click here.