Showing posts with label garam masala. Show all posts
Showing posts with label garam masala. Show all posts

Mar 3, 2021

Gluten free Hing

Several of my friends/clients have asked me about gluten-free hing. It is hard to find as gluten/wheat flour is normally used as a anticaking agent with the asafoetida resin (hing/pergungayam) powder.

However, I discovered one brand that offers high quality mix with gluten free hing

https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/hingvastak-powder

https://www.pureindianfoods.com/hing-asafoetida-powder-p/hing.htm

Do you know of other places to get Gluten free Hing? Please comment and let us know!


Dec 9, 2015

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.

Pulses, lentils, and rice
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
Lentils and rice
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).

Dec 3, 2015

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

Nov 17, 2015

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!!

Oct 21, 2015

Baked Plantain Chips

Since plantains seem to be super cheap at the local Weis, I have been using them more to get my starches (compared to potatoes). They are 3 for $1 (and that is a typical weight of about 1.5 lbs). Potatoes are $1.29/lb or you have to buy large quantities like 3 lb or 5 lb bags to save. Even assuming the weight lost from skin and the stem ends, the plantains are cheaper.. and I like their taste.

So, on to making crisps/chips.

Plantains (from Hawaii) - Bernie's!
 Preheat the oven to 350 F or 375 F.
Use a peeler and a slicer, or just use a small sharp paring knife. 

Remove some moisture using paper towels or a clean cloth, also sprinkle some salt to remove more moisture

Lay them on a greased cookie sheet. I used coconut oil to grease the sheet. Season with some garam masala powder or dry red chilli powder for some kick.
I placed the sheet in the middle rack of the oven.
Voila, chips are ready in 20 minutes. You could even take them out sooner at 17 mins if you dont want them to char.

Similar procedure, but with spinach. Much lesser time

Crisp spinach is ready for munching. Very low on calories. People do the same with Kale, but I am not a huge fan!

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