Wednesday, July 04, 2012

Pressure Cooked Plantain/Nethram Pazham

Living in Dubai, i have got lot of Keralite Friends. I Love their Food, so Aromatic n Delicious. One among them, is this easy recipe of Pressure-cooked Plantain/ Nethram Pazham. Many of my friends serve this as a Evening Snack for their kids and swear by the Benefits of this.
Though my kiddo was a bit hesitant to have it, i cajoled him to try it atleast, then he had half the fruit, that itself is a big success. 

Ingredients
1 Plantain/Nethram Pazham
1-2 tsp Brown Sugar
1 tbsp Ghee

Method

  • Take Nethram Pazham/Plaintain, make 3-4 slits on top, and pressure Cook for one whistle or steam-cook for 15 minutes.
  • Once the pressure releases, Remove the Banana Skin, Cut it in two pieces.
  • Sprinkle Brown Sugar and top it with some Ghee and Serve Warm.
Sending this to Kids Delight - Evening Snacks, hosted by Vardhini of Cooks joy, event by Srivalli.


Tuesday, July 03, 2012

Pesarattu/Green Gram Dosa/Mung Bean Crepe

Thinking of a Breakfast on a Weekday Morning is a real Work, that too with somebody like my little devil!!!!! 
Amma (Me) : Naras shall i make Poori?
Naras : No, 
Amma (Me) : What do you want?
Naras : mmm!!!!,  Dosa with Sambhar!!!!!! 
So, i got to think about Dosa Varieties to keep myself happy with Dosa's!!!!!Coz, he is happy with the same type of Dosa everyday, only demand is SAMBHAR!!!!!! Without Sambhar, No Dosa!!!!! :( 
 I often make this Green Gram Dosa and Lentil Adai along with the regular Dosa. Though i make it often, now only got time to post it!!!! A Delicious, Healthy and Protein-Power Packed Breakfast Recipe, that gives all the freshness and energy we need on a busy Morning!!!!!! 

Ingredients
1 Cup Green Gram/Mung Bean
1 tbsp Raw Rice
4-5 Green Chilies, chopped
1 tbsp of Ginger
1 medium-size onion,chopped roughly
Salt to taste
Method
  • Soak Green Gram and Rice together for 3-4 hours. I normally soak them at night and grind in the morning. This way, the green gram will also develop some small sprouts , though not full, it is healthy.
  • Drain the excess water, Grind the dal and rice together with rest of the ingredients to a smooth batter, with half cup of water, in a mixer. Transfer the contents to another vessel.
  • I prefer to grind the onions along with the batter, since my kiddo prefers a smooth dosa. You can add chopped onions to the ground batter, before pouring the dosa.
  • Heat a Non-stick Pan, Add 2 drops of oil and wipe out well with a tissue. Take a laddle of batter, pour in the center of the pan and make a circle using the back of the laddle.
  • Add little oil along the sides, Once the sides start to brown, turn the other side and cook for a minute.
  • Again my kiddo prefers a soft dosa, so i dont leave it to become crisp. So Cook according to your preference.
  • Serve Hot with your favorite Chutney or Podi or Sambhar.
Sending this to Show Me Your HITS -Legume and Lentils Event, happening @ Nalini's Kitchen, Event by Sangeetha of Spicy Treats , and also to Kids Delight- Evening Snacks, Happening @ Cooks Joy, Event by Srivalli

Monday, July 02, 2012

Closed Cell Spray Foam - Superior Air Barrier

Closed Cell Spray Foam as an Air Barrier

 

Air barriers are simply the system or systems used to control the air flow between conditioned and unconditioned space of a building.  Air barrier systems are rated using what is called a perm rating, which simply is a measuring devices for the air flow between conditioned and unconditioned spaces.  There are many products that can be used for an air barrier, and requirements for air barrier perm ratings, and are defined by local and International Building Codes and Standards.  Without going into much detail on how the perm rating and building codes come up with standards for minimum ratings, as they change often and vary from city to city and state to state, some of the factors that a contractor or builder needs to consider when choosing an air barrier are as followed:

  • Air barriers must meet or exceed local building requirements.
  • Exterior Climate
  • Interior Climate
  • Wall Construction - (Block, Wood, Concrete, etc.)
  • Life Expectancy of the Building or Structure
  • Type and Placement of ties and anchors for the Exterior Veneer of the structure.
  • Design Load of the Wall.
  • Insulation Placement and R-Value of Insulation
  • Budget Cost

There are two predominant type of air barrier systems, fluid applied membranes and self-adhering sheet membranes.  Determining which one is best for your project should be determined using the factors listed above, and matching them with the best products available for your building.  Most single family residential projects can meet and exceed building requirements for air barriers with exterior sheathing, house wraps, and the type of insulation used in the wall.  Residential properties generally do not carry the same load designs as commercial properties, lending to wall construction that can meet or exceed air barrier requirements with traditional building products.  Commercial building construction is generally where architects and designers run into problems in getting the required perm rating to pass building code requirements.

Commercial buildings generally have more sophisticated exterior design loads for walls because of the size of the building, design of the building, and safety of the occupants inside the building.  As we have mentioned earlier, all of these factors play a role in determining what requirements an air barrier must meet, leading to commercial buildings needing a higher perm rating for air barriers.  Meeting and exceeding these standards with traditional building can be a real challenge for architects and engineers.  Also, new standards have been put in place for energy ratings, leaving most architects with only one option: closed cell spray foam insulation. Most building plans will have specific requirements recommended by an engineers, so no need to worry about having to use a confusing formula to calculate it.  Here are some pictures from a recent job we applied closed cell spray foam insulation as an air barrier on a commercial construction job in North Carolina:








If you are interested in having a closed cell spray foam insulation barrier installed in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Georgia, then give Dan a call today at 706-951-0158 or visit us on the web at:

http://www.myrtlebeachenergysavers.com

Myrtle Beach Services & Construction Company
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Phone: 706-951-0158
http://www.scroofingcontractors.com

Energy Efficient Roofing Systems | Spray Foam Insulation | Wall Foam Insulation | Crawl Space Encapsulations | Solar Energy Powered Hot Water Heaters | Solar Energy | Energy Monitoring | Mold Removal | Air Barriers |  Vapor Barriers | Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation | Standing Seam Metal Roofs | Tile Roofs | Slate Roofs | Historic Home Retrofits |