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Introduction
A COUPLE of weeks ago there was a buzz in the hotel that Bill Gates was coming to stay. Each one of us got busy doing our homework on the big man's needs. Among the things he liked was a glass of fresh orange juice to start the day. What is it about an orange that everyone seems to want a glassful early in the morning? Actually, that bright-coloured fruit apart from bringing a lot of colour does us a lot of good. It has a large quantity of vitamin C and also has lots of calcium. Calcium in oranges is far more easily absorbed than the Calcium in milk. Having an acidic base, it is also a de-toxifier.
In the early days, many sailors suffered from a disease called scurvy. It was caused basically because of lack of vitamin C. So a lot of oranges were carried around on any voyage to supplement the food with the right quantity of vitamins. Oranges are grown in many parts of the world. But all of them are in sunny areas. Maybe that's why I subconsciously feel bright when I see or feel them. They are so vibrant that it was absolutely natural to name a colour after them.
What can one do with orange juice at home? Orange juice makes a delightful salad dressing. Just mix 50 ml of orange juice with 10 ml of lemon juice, 10 ml of olive oil, salt, pepper to taste and toss your favourite lettuce with croutons (small cubes of fried bread) in this dressing or maybe you could use a mix of sprouts, colourful peppers and long green spring onions for a great salad.
For dessert, one can try an Orange Chocolate Delight. Take 500 ml of orange juice and warm it. Take 250 gms of chocolate and melt it over a double boiler (a pan in which water boils and a second pan in which the chocolate melts, ensuring it does not burn) Add the orange juice to it, stir well, take off fire and leave to reach the room temperature. Meanwhile, whip 500 ml of cream (40 per cent fat content) with 100 gms of castor sugar till it is stiff. Now fold in the cream with the chocolate and orange mix. Pour into glasses you would like to serve them in. Refrigerate and serve after a good meal. I hope you will find that an orange can brighten your day in more than one way.
Keep sending in your questions to hydphoto@thehindu.co.in or, snail mail them to Metro Desk, The Hindu 6-3-879 & 879B, Begumpet, Hyderabad. 500 016 or just call Ph: 6667587 (Between 12 and 7 p.m.)
VIJAY BANJA
Executive Chef, Taj Krishna
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