Cumin seed and Curry leaf

Jeera kashayam and Use of Curry leaves

Disclaimer: These are spices and herbs that I use for my personal wellbeing. I am just sharing what worked for me, an adult Indian male. Effects may vary in your case. This is not a dietary or medical advice.

Today we will quickly go over the benefits of Jeera (zeeraka/cumin seeds) kashayam (infusion) as well benefits of curry leaves (Murraya koenigii).

Helps me with: gastric issues (bloat), acidity (sometimes). They also say it helps in cooling, all over India people drink jeera water with some salts. I think the general hydration helps more, but I digress.

My Grandma's Recipe:

Dry roast 1 table spoon of good quality cumin seeds without any debris.

Roast on medium heat with light stirring till they sputter. (Takes 3-4 mins max for me)

Transfer to a quart pan, add two cups of water and bring to boil. Let the water level go down to ~1-1.25 cups, then switch off the stove. Add a drop o two of ghee. If you don't have ghee, you can substitute for the fat content with a tiny amount of coconut oil or peanut butter. 

Allow liquid to cool, filter out the infusion. (I use a separate tea mesh strainer, you can use fine cheesecloth for better filtration). Drink it lukewarm where possible. During summer you can drink this over ice, with a squeeze of lemon and little honey.

A recipe that is similar with pics is here

http://www.cookatease.com/jeera-kashayam-cumin-seeds-juice

Curry Leaves:

Roast 6-8 curry leaves in half a tsp of hot oil, it will sputter so use a splatter screen, or a partially closed lid. 

Add as a garnish to any salad or curry.

Helps me with: Antioxidant properties, digestive health. They also supposedly help with cholestrol balance, hair growth, kidney health, etc .

Where do you find these? 
1) Cumin seeds: This is so common now that you can find it all regular grocery stores in the spices section. Of course, Indian grocery stores carry larger sized packets. It may be recommended to get certified organic products if you have a concern about the supply chain/contaminant/residue from spraying etc.

2) Curry leaves - US: typically Indian grocery stores in most cities and suburban areas carry these. Ask for fresh curry leaves at the store and they will point it you. In some states like Florida you can even buy a small plant (to grow in warm conditions - aka indoors)
One such link that also discusses some benefits/uses is: https://www.ypfarms.com/did-you-know/curry-leaves/  Thanks,  Nari

Lentil Lunches

Raw lentils and rice to whip up a quick meal
Ingredients:
Lentils - mung beans or yellow split lentils or red lentils etc. - shop
1 teaspoon cumin seeds - shop
1 tbsp - Garam masala (indian spice mix) - shop
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped carrots or some bell peppers (if you like them)
Few cilantro leaves (fresh is ideal), dried or frozen work ok too.

rice and dry lentils

Rinse the lentils and rice and let them soak in lukewarm water for 10-15 mins.

Tip: Sometimes it is better to rinse them separately (lentils first) then add to pot or rice cooker.

Measurement thumb rule: 
1 cup raw lentil  will expand to 2 cups cooked lentils.
1 cup lentil, needs 2 cups + 1 tbsp water.

If cooking in an open pot, then bring water to boil with 2X water, then turn heat to simmer, cover with a lid and cook for another 10-15 minutes till it is well cooked. Add a spoon of butter at the end and let it melt in. Check occasionally with a fork or spoon.

If using rice cooker add 2X water, add 1 tbsp butter and pinch of salt.
Eat with Yoghurt for simplest of meals. Or you can spice up your meal lightly with these additions:

Cooked and ready to eat dish (only the brown dal and rice). You can eat this with another stir fry dish (link) or mix it with an Indian spice powder like curry leaf powder or groundnut spice powder and serve with chips (kids like this). For adults you can also add some steamed veggies on the side or freshly chopped onions and tomatoes and add a dollop of plain yoghurt, along with the spice powders.

Seasoning the rice dish - you can heat up a skillet, add one TBSP oil, add  1 teaspoon cumin seeds - let them sizzle, then add some chopped onions, then chopped carrots after 2-3 minutes and once these vegetables cook, season further with garam masala powder (2-3 teaspoon) and little salt, finally topping off with some kasoori methi or cilantro. You can add the rice and mix it lightly, then serve immediately.

See other variations/related recipes here: http://spicetruck.blogspot.com/2012/06/colorful-food-is-appetizing.html

Cooked rice and lentil mix

You can also "cheat" and use spice mixes like this one by MTR (get them online or at your local Indian grocery store).

Spice boxes for Good Cause(s)

I had the honor of leading a culinary adventure showcasing ‪#‎southindian‬ ‪#‎tamil‬ and ‪#‎northindian‬ ‪#‎cuisine‬ at the co.space today. We were fortunate to enjoy a good meal with friends but my heart was saddened by nature's fury at ‪#‎chennairains‬ and innocent lives lost at ‪#‎sanbernardino‬. I have donated some money right now from my Indian account to chennai but I am planning to raise additional funds for BOTH causes (social services in CA and Chennai) through spice box sales. I have lived in Calif and in Chennai and this affects me deeply at a personal level.

Please take a look at the pics to get a general idea. I'm prepping boxes this week and will set up a campaign to order them if you want to buy some for friends and family and help out a good cause.
www.spicetruck.net
 
Contact me directly by email at naridon@gmail.com or 814 753 4459

Here is a nifty gift for those of you interested in cooking with spices or just love Indian/Asian spices.

Other variations of this product (featured in pics) available starting at $15 (+ S&H costs). Contact me directly by email at spicetruck@live.com or 814 753 4459 if you want one of these items which use "eco-conscious spice organizers" aka reusing cookie tins. All the spices are packed in safe, new, food grade smaller tins.

Also, if you want the outer container in new stainless steel those sets are available for $24.95 + shipping (depending on location). I will also throw in additional spices in zip lock bags with these orders!

Most locations in the lower 48 states of US shipping is ~$ 4.50. Local delivery available at State College PA. Volume discounts (if over 3 pieces) available.

with labels

Centrally placed

Seven Major Indian Spices

http://magazine.fourseasons.com/travel-food-style/food-restaurants/gourmet-food-recipes/seven-seasonings-the-key-spices-of-indian-cuisine


One tip.. a splatter screen is a must if you are using mustard seeds regularly!!

Spice box - Google Trends

I was doing a search for some specific spices (cardamom and cumin seeds) that I was running low on when I came across a suggested link to google trends.

Decided to query "spice box" to see what the trends were and found some interesting developments in the last decade or so..

See for yourself (Breakout indicates a growth over 5000%)


and the forecast

KALE DHOKLA AVO SALAD

Using Gits instant dhokla mix, I cheated and made myself a brunch snack yesterday. Dhokla is a steamed dish made from a mixture of powdered lentil flour and rice that is used to make a fermented batter.

Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 8-15 mins
Garnish and serving time: 5 mins

Ingredients:
GITS Dhokla mix
Measuring cups
Water
Asafoetida
Flax, Cumin & mustard seeds
Curry leaves or cilantro leaves
Kale or spinach leaves
tomatoes, onions, avocado (optional)
Yoghurt or ricotta cheese
Fresh green chilis

General Write up/Method
With the "instant mix" I believe the fermentation process is paused the material dried to make the powder, which when reconstituted (when added to water again) becomes a quick, ready to use batter.

I used two batches from the same packet. One half I made using the prep and steaming instructions for stove top. I used a metal tray that was pregreased with vegetable oil spray, inside a pressure cooker without the weight. I had the tray stand on a small metal ring and then had water around it to produce steam. I steamed it for 14 mins.

I also cooked a second batch in the microwave in a large glass bowl that was pregreased with butter. I microwaved for 5 mins, then paused, checked and microwaved for another 1.5 mins. Times vary with altitude, power etc, adjust accordingly. I used this site All About Konkan as a reference.

Cooked dhokla being removed from glass bowl

Garnish: I garnished with roasted mustard, cumin & flax seeds and also some sauteed chopped onion, sauteed curry leaves, asafoetida and green chilies (fresh). Finally I sprinkled some fresh tomatoes, lime juice and added plain yoghurt to the side before serving.

This is an excellent vegetarian dish that has a light feeling and can be easily served up as a salad where this substitutes chicken pieces or tofu pieces. you can also add any type of cheese to your salad, but substituting ricotta instead of yoghurt may also work. Just for fun I added up some avocado chunks and kale leaves to make it more colorful.

Dhokla Salad with avocado chunks.

How would you modify your dhokla? Please comment and let me know!

Chickpea snack at PSU cooking club

Description (Sundal - prounouced Soon-dull)

The item plan to do involves Chickpeas/garbanzo beans and cumin seeds OR mustard seeds, turmeric powder, a small amount of onions/tomatoes and oil. This is a protein rich snack that can be easily prepared using (canned) beans or by using presoaked and cooked beans if one goes the old fashioned way. The item can be enhanced in flavor by using parika or chili powder, unsweetened coconut flakes, mint or cilantro leaves.

- Nari

www.facebook.com/spicetruck

Items you need (with some cost basis for PA 16801 Wegmans).

Chai

Made chai with the option of milk given to participants.

Used 1 gallon of whole milk and 1/2 gallon of almond milk.

 $7 total

Tea and spices would cost about $5 max for about 6-8 people, but as numbers grow the price will reduce.

Sundal

Garbanzo bean cans - (Wegmans organic is at .99 for a 5.5 oz can) -

Used 6-7 cans for 20 people (ample), - about $7

 1/2 lb onions, 2/3 lb tomatoes - about $5 altogether

 ( and Mustard, Cumin seeds, Turmeric - I will bring my own but the cost will be about $5 total - estimate. )

This snack pairs well with either:

- Rice and sliced cucumber salad
or 

- Hot chai