The Merry Berry Series: Nothing Berry about the (Straw)berry!

A million seeds embedded into its intense, red skin tickle and beckon your lips! Upon biting, its tart and aromatic juice oozes on your tongue. How refreshing can eating a berry be? But, be fooled no longer!


The almost heart shaped, red strawberry is not at all  a berry! Neither is it a fruit.

Strawberries are part of the rose family, probably that's where they get their delightful, rich colour! They're eaten fresh and widely used in various foodstuffs from jam to ice cream.


Their taste ranges from sugary to tart, depending on the variety. The deep red hue and fragrant juiciness light up any meal, be it savoury or sweet. Berry or not, strawberries have numerous health benefits.


A bushel of strawberries is feast for the eyes literally. The antioxidants  in strawberries are just the thing for tired and aging eyes that are prone to dryness, vision defects and optical nerve damage. Rejuvenate your eyes with a handful of strawberries a day.


Free radicals in our bodies expedite the aging process. Antioxidants and detoxifiers in strawberries have the ability to bust them, and keep you as youthful as ever.

(Photo Credit: http://www.pachd.com/free-images/food-images.html)

Design A Cuisine Newsletter (May - June 2011)

Monthly Newsletter: May-June 2011 In this edition: Editor’s Message Design A Cuisine at the famous World Gourmet Summit, Capella Hotel, Singapore Cooking Classes at Palette Sensations with Design A Cuisine Join our Cooking Class Series! Holistic Food Promotion at the Royal Plaza on Scotts Hotel,Singapore Food promotion at the Swiss Club Get Involved with Design A Cuisine Editor’s Message It’s an honour to be part of this inaugural edition of the Design A Cuisine newsletter.Chief aims of Design A Cuisine is to assist and inform people on eating well, eating right and eating incomparably tasty food in their kitchens. May and June have been fantastic months for our young company.  Consultant Chef Yogesh Arora has been a wonderful addition to the organisation, wearing the hats of Chef de Cuisine, management consultant and cooking instructor.   The work of Design A Cuisine was on display at the famous World Gourmet Summit at the Capella Hotel.  Our staff had a great time working with members and staff on various holistic programs at the Swiss Club.  Chef Yogesh has been busy in the Singapore community, hosting cooking classes and visiting offsite clients such as Palette Sensations Cooking School to share his knowledge of holistic cooking techniques.  We have also launched our catering arm, providing premium holistic food to a growing group of private and corporate clients. If you would like to sample Design A Cusine’s work at your organization or function, please give us a call.  We are also always looking out for volunteers interested in bringing holistic cuisine to more venues, so let us know if you would you like to help out. Till our next edition… Love and Light, The Editor   Design A Cuisine at the World Gourmet Summit, Capella Hotel, Singapore     At the kind invitation of Peter Knipp Holdings, organiser of the World Gourmet Summit, Design A Cuisine displayed a selection of offerings to a high-end suite of restauranteers, hoteliers and food and beverage industry leaders.  Read more and visually sample some of the offerings on display at http://designacuisine.blogspot.com/2011/05/design-cuisine-world-gourmet-summit.html    Chef Yogesh runs cooking classes at the Palette Sensation Cooking School Our consultant chef Yogesh Arora was invited to give a cooking class at Singapore’s Palette Sensations Cooking School.  Read more athttp://designacuisine.blogspot.com/2011/05/cooking-class-at-palate-sensations.html    Join a Design A Cuisine Cooking Class Would you like to learn how to prepare holistic dishes?  Learn a few tips from Chef Yogesh at our Cooking Class Series.  All the details and recipes available at http://designacuisine.blogspot.com/2011/06/design-cuisine-cooking-class-series.html   Holistic Food Tasting with the media at the Royal Plaza on Scotts hotel,Singapore The Royal Plaza on Scotts hosted a media food tasting event featuring Design A Cuisine.  With numerous media members present, Design A Cuisine worked with the hotel’s 5-star kitchen to present an array of dishes from its menu. Design A Cuisine returns to the Royal Plaza on Scotts in July: http://designacuisine.blogspot.com/2011/06/design-cusine-royal-plaza-on-scotts.html   Food Promotion at Swiss Club, Singapore  Working with the new Tandoori kitchen at the Swiss Club in Singapore, Design A Cuisine conducted a food promotion and cooking class for members and staff.  Read the details at:http://designacuisine.blogspot.com/2011/03/design-cusine-at-swiss-club.html.   Get Involved with Design A Cuisine Design A Cuisine welcomes support from anyone In the community with an interest in holistic food and encouraging people to make better dietary choices.  We currently need assistance with graphic and website design, sales & marketing, website design and event volunteers.  Please get in touch if you’d like to get involved! The Design A Cuisine Team Web: www.designacuisine.com.  Blog: blogspot.designacuisine.com E: yogesh@designacuisine.comT: +65 9385 8477

The Merry Berry Series: Birds & the Berries!

Birds researchers at Rhode Island University are stumped by a food trend amongst migratory birds during the fall season. The birds have been wolfing down berries, as opposed to the assumption that birds tend to pack up carbs and fat during winter months.

According to researchers, the birds dietary changes maybe a strategy to cope with stresses of migration. Birds are able to distinguish between the healthiest of berries that will enable their bodies to stock up antioxidants and nutrients. Thus, they are able to maintain a healthy immune system throughout the migratory period. Birds also help to disperse seeds and are an integral part in the ecology!

(Photo Credit: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net)

The Merry Berry Series: Cranberries

Next up in our berry series: The Jolly Cranberry!



Cranberries were used as fruits and medication throughout centuries. Their tart taste may not appeal to everyone, but they can be paired with some foods to balance flavors. Like its cousins, the cranberry is high on antioxidants and help eradicate free radicals in our bodies. In this way, we are able to boost our immunity against diseases. 


Get smiling with cranberries. According to research, cranberries may prevent bacteria buildup in gums and around teeth. It may also help prevent cavities. Do watch out for the high sugar content in cranberry juices though. Eat cranberries instead to gain the full effects of their healing abilities.


Liven up salads with a sprinkling of cranberries. Fold them into cookie or cake batters to make 'em better!

(Photo Credit: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net)

The Merry Berry Series: Raspberry

Aside from being a nutritionally vibrant superfood, raspberries have many other benefits on the body! Raspberries are high on fiber and manganese. Fiber assist in digestion, while manganese is a mineral that keeps your metabolic rate high. Forget slimming spas, adding a serve of fresh raspberries in your diet may boost your weight loss.

Don't just eat it, contemplate on the intense hue of this fruit and feel a boost of energy. The colour red is supposed to be able to liven the body up, by stimulating blood with oxygen.

Or use them in your beauty regime. A raspberry facial is as sweet as it sounds. The aroma will lift your spirits up.

Feel and look good with the raspberry!

(Photo Credit: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net)

The Merry Berry Series: Blueberry

Don't be fooled by the puniness of any berry! They have been dubbed "super food" and pack a big punch with their high levels of antioxidants, minerals and all things that make you smile!

Any kind of berry contains some kind of healing benefit. The Design A Cuisine blog presents The Merry Berry Series that will feature blog posts on a variety of berries.

Let's kick off the series with the blueberry! This tiny berry is a nutritional powerhouse for all of its health benefits. It's reputed to contain the highest amount of antioxidants amongst fruits, as well as the A to Z of minerals. Build up your immunity by adding a handful of blueberries in your diet on a regular basis.

Skip Botox, have blueberries instead. As a result of the high amounts of antioxidants that are found in these gems, blueberries help neutralise free radicals that affect the body's aging!


Toss them through cereals or yogurts for a boost!

(Photo Credit: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net)

Who needs spoons

when you have cinnamon sticks to stir your tea with!

Next time you sit down with your prandial cup of tea or coffee, stir it with a cinnamon stick than with a spoon. The cinnamon gradually releases its flavour and uplift your drink.

Cinnamon is yet another versatile spice that though available all year round, is most popular during wintry months. It is known to have healing properties. 

It's been found that cinnamon helps to regulate blood sugar levels. Cinnamon ensures optimum digestion by slowing the rate at which the stomach empties food. Thus, reducing the rise of blood sugars after an heavy meal replete with complex carbs. Season rice and noodle dishes with cinnamon to assist the body break down sugars slowly.

The sweet, heady aroma of Cinnamon is reputed to be able to boost brain function!

Natural Isotonic with more benefits than you know!

"Get your coconut water  it’s good for your daughter
Coco got a lot of iron, make you strong like a lion"

Harry Belafonte's old refrain contains some truth about coconut water, expect that coconut water is great for just about anyone!

It's not just the iron content that brings the lion out of you though. Coconut water is a rich source of minerals such as, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, copper, iron, phosphorous, sulphur, and chlorides! It's an all in one mineral boost! That's not all, the cooling drink is naturally sweet and helps to balance sugar levels in the body.

 Did you know it may help to alleviate headaches? Coconut water ensures that the body's natural fluid levels are maintained and the body is hydrated. It's a natural isotonic drink and is great to sip on  while doing any exercise!

Make your very own refreshing mocktails by adding sprigs of mint, lemon slices or orange zest to coconut water.

.

The Indispensable Lemon

Lemons are the most versatile of fruits that have numerous uses ranging from adding a zing to marinades,salads etc to deodorising your refrigerator!

What's more refreshing than chilled lemonade, spiked with honey when battling a hot day? Did you know halved lemons were actually used as finger moisteners to count large bills at tellers and cashiers. The very lemony scent may have an uplifting effect on your mood.

The tart taste also makes it a great substitute for salt. If you're watching your salt intake, serve a lemon wedge with meals instead.

(Photo Credit: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net)

Cooking class at Palate Sensations

Chef Yogesh Arora spread the good news about holistic cuisine on Sunday, May 8 at Palate Sensations cooking class!

Herb boquet

Participants strut their dishes!

No cooking like Mom's cooking!

For many food enthusiasts, the best food memories begin at their humble home than at stellar restaurants! When asked about their favourite dish, many may relate back to childhood memories of chowing down sumptuous meals whipped by their mothers!

There's nothing quite like her cooking (or her!), and no Michelin restaurant may ever be on par. Many of mother's dishes are seasoned with her love that can never replaced by even the top-notch chefs.

This Mother's Day, hold her tight and thank her for the delightful tastes of food and life that she's given you. Also, share some of your childhood experiences eating her cooking by adding a comment to this post.

What's Cooking?

Cooking ain't just about tossing ingredients together! According to Design A Cuisine's Consultant Chef, Yogesh Arora, cooking is a multifaceted task that involves ingredients, recipes, techniques and the intention and feelings of the cook!


How many times have you tried to cook one of Mum's dishes in your own home? In spite of following the recipe to a tee, have you been able to create the exact taste that of the dish? Mum's cooking was seasoned with her love, thus tasted far better!


Therefore, it's important to be mindful as we prepare food. Happy cooks make good food, and the best foods you've tasted were probably seasoned with the nicest thoughts and emotions. Season dishes with smiles and love.

Hardly pea sized!

Good things come in small packages, or in this case the black eyed pea!


Black eye peas are a rich in calcium, magniesm, iron, folate and protein. Aside from beefing up veggie patties, boost the nutritional value of sandwiches by spreading pureed cooked beans on bread. This can also be used a tasty dip for vegetables and crackers. It is also high in fibre and can assist in weight control.


The humble pea has also been the inspiration for popular hip hop band, The Black Eyed Peas who named themselves such to allude to the fact that their music was "soul food".

Design A Cuisine @ World Gourmet Summit 2011

May Day 2011, Design A Cuisine was invited to take part in a sumptuous seafood buffet at part of the World Gourmet Summit 2011 at Capella, Sentosa!

Chef Yogesh whipped up some highly lauded dishes like potato patties, tandoori salmon and prawn briyani that were paired with mango, mint or basil and tomato chutneys. People were spoilt for choice with a huge array of seafood and desserts to choose from! Capella's rain forest setting provided guests and foodies the perfect place to lounge and eat to their heart's content.  Chef Yogesh's chutneys were a perfect digestive for anyone who had eaten with his eyes.

The dishes were seasoned with herbs and cooked carefully to retain its health properties. Standout dishes were the potato patties that kept people coming up to Design A Cuisine stand and the tandoori salmon than turned some onto salmon enthusiasts.

Prawn Briyani

Chutneys galore!

Chef Yogesh posing with the Design A Cuisine stand at Capella, Sentosa