Restaurant Quality, Simple and Easy Naan Bread Recipe

To make garlic naan bread you do not need any specialized equipment, knowledge, or very many ingredients. This recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of fresh yeast or (1) 1/4 ounce packet of dried yeast, 1/2 cup of warm milk, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1/2 cup of plain yoghurt, 1 large egg slightly beaten, 3 tablespoons of oil plus extra for brushing, 4 cups of all purpose flour plus extra for rolling out dough, pinch of salt, 1 tablespoon of black onion seeds (which I did not use), and any other spices you may wish to use to season the bread with (I used garlic powder).

Simply begin by dissolving the yeast in 3 tablespoons of the warm milk. I believe this would need to be done regardless if you are using fresh or powdered yeast but I don't know for sure because the recipe does not say, and I used dried yeast anyways. The milk should be a little above room temperature but not too hot otherwise you will kill the live yeast. I heated the entire 1/2 cup milk then removed the 3 tablespoons - conversely you could remove the 5 tablespoons as well and keep the remaining three in the pan. *Note - 4 tablespoons equals 1/4 cup, thus 1/2 cup equals 8 tablespoons.

Stir in 1 teaspoon of the sugar which will mean when it comes to adding the 2 tablespoons of sugar, you will instead add 2 tablespoons minus 1 teaspoon which is 5 teaspoons since 1 tablespoon equals 3 teaspoons. Either way, I don't think it matters all that much whether you put 2 tablespoons or 5 teaspoons of sugar in the recipe.

Now just let the yeast sit in the milk and begin to grow for 10 minutes in a warm place. Make sure it is in a large enough container - enough to hold approximately 2 cups or more - because I made the mistake of letting it set in a very small cup and thusly had a run-over. Once the yeast is frothy, it is ready.

Lightly beat the yoghurt (I used the hand mixer but I don't know if that is entirely necessary). Add the lightly beaten egg - it probably doesn't matter if the egg is already beat or not as long as you beat it once you add it to the yoghurt. Add the 5 teaspoons of sugar and 5 tablespoons of warm milk. Also add the 3 tablespoons of oil and pinch of salt. Stir or beat now if desired (I believe I beat everything together at this point) but nonetheless the recipe says to simply add the yeast mixture and the 4 cups of flour and mix it into a dough.

Knead the dough for 10 to 15 minutes or until smooth (you could possibly try using a bread machine if kneading is not your thing but I have no idea how that would work out.) The recipe says to add up to 3 tablespoons of water if needed but I did not find that necessary. Also, as usual when making dough, add any necessary extra flour to prevent sticking.

Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise for approximately 4 hours or until doubled - again make sure you have it in a large enough container though it is not as imperative since it is not a liquid this time. After it has doubled in size, punch it down and knead it again for only about 2 minutes. Divide it into eight equal balls. Roll out each ball on a lightly floured surface until they are about 8 inches in diameter. I probably made them only about 5 or 6 inches and thus the end result was a little thicker and doughier - cooked but moist dough rather than a thin less doughy traditional naan.

Once the balls of dough are rolled out, brush them lightly with oil. Sprinkle with the black onion seeds and add any additional spices as well. Additionally at my favorite Indian restaurant, their naan has parsley on it which I believe would be sprinkled on very lightly at this time. With the garlic powder I added to mine, I sprinkled it on then brushed it in to make sure it was even and consistent.

To cook them you can place 2 on one greased cookie sheet or what I found works better is to place them on a cooling rack instead. The recipe says to cook them for 3 minutes at 475 degrees Celsius but just keep an eye on them, knowing that they cook fast, but they might need just a little more time.

Once they were done I allowed them to cool on the cooling rack which I advise, if you choose to cook them on a baking sheet, to transfer them to a cooling rack once they are done cooking. I was amazed to see that they were getting the nice big bubbles like the ones at the restaurant, and they also browned perfect.

They were most wonderful when eaten right away, but even after a few days and them hardening, they were still delicious.

So, for the gluten free version, in case you were wondering, I used brown rice flour and like with any other gluten free bread it was simply too dry. The weird thing I have found out about making gluten free doughs is that although they are extremely dry the dough itself is extremely sticky. The dough did not rise at all either.

So, when it came to breaking into eight balls and rolling them out, the dough kept on cracking on me. Then, when I tried to use a spatula to get them off the counter, they would most likely break entirely at the edges of the spatula. Then when I cooked them (even when I cooked them on the cooling rack) they would not rise in the oven or create those beautiful looking bubbles.

In the end they turned out to be dry, flat, tasteless (although I sprinkled with garlic the same as I did the other) crackers. I would suggest (unless you are an expert at making gluten free doughs) to anyone that is gluten free and loves Indian food, to make the papadum lentil crackers instead of trying to make gluten free naan.

 

Do it Yourself Hair Care Tips

 

When we think of do it yourself hair tips, it deals more on home remedies or treatments that are easily done and prepared. As humans, we also need to give the proper care and respect that our hair deserves just like how we take care of our skin. Just like the skin, hair is also very delicate especially when exposed to harsh chemicals and not handled with proper care and respect. Well, it's time to make a difference and pay more attention to your hair before it gets bald and damaged. Learn more of the helpful hair care tips in the succeeding paragraphs.

Before the application any of those do it yourself hair care tips, it is important to identify firs the type of the hair whether it is dry, oily or normal. In this way, it would be easier to identify as well the recommended hair care tips. If you have normal hair, it is essential to wash the hair twice a week with a mild conditioner and shampoo. 

After washing, towel dry the hair lightly and blow dry it at least five inches apart. For oily hair, washing more often is highly recommended as this will help the hair becomes less oily and cleaner. Do not scrub too hard as well while washing the hair to avoid damaging the hair follicles, which are very delicate when you have oily hair. 

Lastly, dry hair should be washed twice a week with shampoo and conditioner. Use an anti-dandruff shampoo is you have very flaky and dry hair. Avoid the usage of styling products in taming the frizzines of the hair since it will cause the hair roots to secrete an inadequate flow of sebum oil. Giving your hair a good massage of oil before washing is a best practice since it will help loosen the flakes.

For other do it yourself hair care tips, here's more:

1. Do not pile your hair on the head while washing your hair with shampoo as this will cause tangling that will lead to more breakage.
2. For a great shine on your hair, you can add a lemon on the final rinse.
3. Maintain the washing of your hair every few days to avoid cause of damage and breakage. If hair is not properly washed and left very oily, dirt will lodged as well under the surface of the hair that may cause dandruff and other possible skin problems that may spread on your face, back and even chest area.
4. Use henna conditioner if your hair is colored with chemicals. It can be added with two egg yolks, water and some milk to make the hair more manageable and soft. You may do this at least once in a month.
5. Using a home made conditioner mixture of vinegar, water, egg yolks and curds can also be effective for the hair. Apply this mixture at least for one hour before rinsing.

 

Top 5 Summer Skincare Tips

During these warmer summer months it's great to feel 'skin confident', but how can you glow on the beach? We have come up with some simple summer skincare tips to ensure that you will look your best this year. 

1) Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! Whether you go for a body brush, scrubby sponge, shower gel scrub or pair of exfoliating gloves, make sure you exfoliate at least twice a week in the summer months (except on sunburnt skin). This is one of the best things you can do for your skin and it will make a huge difference to its appearance. You can use a body brush every morning on dry skin to really kick-start your day, or try one of the myriad exfoliating products for wet skin in the bath or shower. Not only will this habit give you beautifully soft skin, it can also help to improve the appearance of cellulite.

2) Moisturise. Moisturise every day for soft silky skin, particularly following a bath or shower when you should apply moisturiser as soon as you are out of the bath. Use a body oil for an even more effective skin softening experience.

3) Tan safely. We always recommend that if you prefer to appear tanned you stick to a fake tan rather than be tempted by sunbeds or sunbathing. This is best done after you have exfoliated and moisturised. Pay particular attention to your elbows, knees, feet and wrists.

4) Use a shaving cream. During the summer we are much more likely to shave every day, so do it properly and carefully with a shaving cream designed for the job. Using shaving cream as a barrier will help your razor to glide over the skin and can also prevent nicks. If you find you are without a shaving cream then a moisturising shower cream will do the same job, or you can even use hair conditioner in an emergency. Again always moisturise following a shave to prevent drying out the skin.

5) Grow an Aloe Vera plant. These super little plants are excellent for treating sunburn and give almost instant relief followed by a speedy recovery. All you need to do is break open a leaf and apply the gel to your burn. It works for scalds too!

During these warmer summer months it's great to feel 'skin confident', but how can you glow on the beach? We have come up with some simple summer skincare tips to ensure that you will look your best this year. 

1) Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! Whether you go for a body brush, scrubby sponge, shower gel scrub or pair of exfoliating gloves, make sure you exfoliate at least twice a week in the summer months (except on sunburnt skin). This is one of the best things you can do for your skin and it will make a huge difference to its appearance. You can use a body brush every morning on dry skin to really kick-start your day, or try one of the myriad exfoliating products for wet skin in the bath or shower. Not only will this habit give you beautifully soft skin, it can also help to improve the appearance of cellulite.

2) Moisturise. Moisturise every day for soft silky skin, particularly following a bath or shower when you should apply moisturiser as soon as you are out of the bath. Use a body oil for an even more effective skin softening experience.

3) Tan safely. We always recommend that if you prefer to appear tanned you stick to a fake tan rather than be tempted by sunbeds or sunbathing. This is best done after you have exfoliated and moisturised. Pay particular attention to your elbows, knees, feet and wrists.

4) Use a shaving cream. During the summer we are much more likely to shave every day, so do it properly and carefully with a shaving cream designed for the job. Using shaving cream as a barrier will help your razor to glide over the skin and can also prevent nicks. If you find you are without a shaving cream then a moisturising shower cream will do the same job, or you can even use hair conditioner in an emergency. Again always moisturise following a shave to prevent drying out the skin.

5) Grow an Aloe Vera plant. These super little plants are excellent for treating sunburn and give almost instant relief followed by a speedy recovery. All you need to do is break open a leaf and apply the gel to your burn. It works for scalds too!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4561043

During these warmer summer months it's great to feel 'skin confident', but how can you glow on the beach? We have come up with some simple summer skincare tips to ensure that you will look your best this year. 

1) Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! Whether you go for a body brush, scrubby sponge, shower gel scrub or pair of exfoliating gloves, make sure you exfoliate at least twice a week in the summer months (except on sunburnt skin). This is one of the best things you can do for your skin and it will make a huge difference to its appearance. You can use a body brush every morning on dry skin to really kick-start your day, or try one of the myriad exfoliating products for wet skin in the bath or shower. Not only will this habit give you beautifully soft skin, it can also help to improve the appearance of cellulite.

2) Moisturise. Moisturise every day for soft silky skin, particularly following a bath or shower when you should apply moisturiser as soon as you are out of the bath. Use a body oil for an even more effective skin softening experience.

3) Tan safely. We always recommend that if you prefer to appear tanned you stick to a fake tan rather than be tempted by sunbeds or sunbathing. This is best done after you have exfoliated and moisturised. Pay particular attention to your elbows, knees, feet and wrists.

4) Use a shaving cream. During the summer we are much more likely to shave every day, so do it properly and carefully with a shaving cream designed for the job. Using shaving cream as a barrier will help your razor to glide over the skin and can also prevent nicks. If you find you are without a shaving cream then a moisturising shower cream will do the same job, or you can even use hair conditioner in an emergency. Again always moisturise following a shave to prevent drying out the skin.

5) Grow an Aloe Vera plant. These super little plants are excellent for treating sunburn and give almost instant relief followed by a speedy recovery. All you need to do is break open a leaf and apply the gel to your burn. It works for scalds too!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4561043

Hair Shampoos for Dry Hair

When it comes to dry hair shampoos, not many stylists understand it better then those of us from the northern states. High humidity means that our clients are always using products to get the "frizz out". They are cold in the winter, so the heat get turned up and the hair dries out. Because we need to get the chill out of our bones, we tend to take hot long showers, adding to drying out our hair. Combine that with chemicals, the elements, and pollution, finding the best shampoo for dryhair is a must.

Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin 2 Shampoo in my number one favorite.

This Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin 2 shampoo for dry hair and the entire line of shampoos and conditioners is amazing. They got this right. You do not need to use a lot, and the results come quickly. It takes care of your hair. Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin 2 frequent use cleansing shampoo is for moderately dry and damaged hair. It gently cleanses and selectively treats the dry areas of your hair. It also leaves your hair healthy, shiny and easy to manage. Kerastase really understands hair. We used this product for some time and got great results.

Nexxus Hydruss Moisturizing Shampoo is unbelieve especially for fine hair.

Nexxus Hydruss organic hair care is the perfect shampoo for dry hair. It gently cleanses and rehydrates hair with nutrient-rich moisture for beautiful, silky hair, and unsurpassed manageability, elasticity, and shine. Hydruss is great for daily use or as an alternate shampoo, depending on hair texture and condition. It provides luxurious, gentle cleansing. Hydrating emollients penetrate deep into the hair shaft and replenish moisture content. Hydruss contains Gru Gru Extract, Shea Butter, Certified Organic Quinoa Protein, and Alfalfa for healthy, shiny hair. Nexxus Hydruss Shampoo smells awesome, feels luxurious and really works. I love this line of Nexxus products for their performance as well as their value. They are affordable and just make a lot of sense.

Bumble and Bumble Alojoba Shampoo is an incredible choice.

Bumble and Bumble Alojoba Shampoo is perfect for dry hair. It is a fabulous shampoo for all hair types, but really works well as a shampoo for dry hair. Hydrates, softens, silkens and shines. A soothing smoothie with aloe, jojoba, cucumber, chamomile, and vitamins B5 & E. We have used this product extensively for years and the results and feedback is just incredible.