Different Kashmiri Spices And Their Uses In Their Cuisine

Amir commented, “You can never get the taste of kashmiri food in Delhi”. I was zapped and wanted to know the reason behind it. I heard the folks from the Valley reminding me again and again that Kashmiri vegetables and dishes can never be found anywhere else other than Kashmir. I always introspected on this and wanted to know more about the Kashmir food. This led me to know various things about the Kashmiri cuisine, recipes, dishes, vegetables, spices, etc.

The genuine cuisine from Kashmir is recognized through the different spices that are added to various dishes. I never knew this fact though I tasted lot of kashmiri dishes. One fine day, the lady-my guest my Kashmir-exhibited the contents of the bag. She said, “These are the spices or masalas from the land of Kashmir. They are unique in themselves-in taste and flavor. When I would be cooking in your kitchen, I want you to perceive it very carefully”. “Hmmm”, I thought. Continue reading “Different Kashmiri Spices And Their Uses In Their Cuisine”

Seven Vows in an Indian Wedding

It is so appeasing when your loved one promises to spend a lifetime together with you. In an Indian wedding, it is beyond a promise or expression of love. It is a commitment of eternity. An Indian Wedding is considered a sacred exchanging of vows. It encompasses the Indian culture and tradition that levy the rules of a blissful, married life. There are seven vows, or Saptadi, that are performed during the mangalpheras. A sacred fire, or havankund, is lit with sandalwood, which evokes Lord Agni, the god of fire. The priest chants the mantras from the Vedas, a book of ancient scriptures. The couple walks around the havankund pledging their commitment to be together through thick and thin, which is witnessed by Lord Agni. Before the pheras, the bride sits on the right side of the groom, but soon after the pheras she moves to the left side, symbolizing her getting closer to his heart. Continue reading “Seven Vows in an Indian Wedding”

Binoy Nazareth Traverses Through the Cuisines, Culture and Curries of India

Unique. Unusual. Unforgettable.

Satisfying my wanderlust and the innate intrepid nature of an adventurer, I gave in to my passion of exploration and the excitement of sampling new and delectable cuisines. Traveling around to capture the essence of life and lifestyles, I took off on a tour that was an unusual but perfectly chosen whim that was just up my alley. Knowing my adventurous nature, it was just like me to choose a journey that combined cuisines, cultures and curries!With my wanderlust for the unique and the unforgettable, my trip blended the quintessence of travel and though a long one, it was filled to the brim with lasting experiences for the explorer.

With adventure flowing in my veins and anticipating the thrill of discovering exotic cuisines and the perfect holiday destinations, I decided on a trip to India. I was thrilled to travel through the vast and diverse terrain of an exotic South Asian country which evolved over 5 millennia from the famous Himalayan Mountains to the Indian Ocean coastline. Surrounded by an exciting and exotic history, India is the second-most populous and the seventh-largest country with over 1.2 billion people. Continue reading “Binoy Nazareth Traverses Through the Cuisines, Culture and Curries of India”

Chicken Curry – An Indian Delight

India continues to occupy its historic position as the largest producer of spices in the world. There is something magical about the Indian herbs and spices that transform simple ingredients into exotic dishes. It is a common assumption that among the traditional uses of spices was their role in disguising food that was well past its best. It is not until the middle of the 17th century that a more selective use of spices and herbs is visible. The British love affair with Indian food goes back to the early 17thcentury. Edward Terry, one of the first Englishmen to taste Indian food with all its goodness, talked about onions, ginger, herbs and spices with meat pieces being used in well-proportioned quantities, thus cooking food that is exceedingly pleasing to all palates. In United Kingdom, you conduct a word association test and say “spicy” and the response would be “curry.” Assuredly they are perfectly normal for no other food is so inextricably linked with aroma and flavor than Indian Curry. The smell of Indian Curry excites the taste buds in a unique and inimitable way and that for us is comfort food. Continue reading “Chicken Curry – An Indian Delight”

Chimineas – A Brief History

Chimineas are a great way outdoor kitchen piece of equipment that is very versatile, they not only look great but they are very practical. Many people now have chimineas in their back yards, as they not only cook food but also keep you very warm when the evening begins to get cooler. They are portable and can be moved with ease when you want to remodel or move house.

A Chiminea is a freestanding fireplace, very similar to a fire pit although they are totally enclosed. Chimineas are front loading and have a vertical chimney which is designed to ensure the smoke is blown away from the food, and has a constant breeze allowing the fire to remain burning for longer. They are often a bulbous design which enables them to have large quantities of food cooked in them. The Chiminea originated in Mexico and have been a basic clay design for many years. They were used thousands of years ago by the Mexican tribesmen to provide heat for their families as well as a cooking and baking vessel. They were designed this way to ensure that the rain couldn’t get to the firewood and put the fire out.

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Making Your Own Spanish Rice Is Easy

Spanish rice has a unique flavor and kick to it that makes it stand out as one of the quintessential Mexican side dishes. Nothing tastes better than taking a loaded fork of hot refried beans and putting it into a thick pile of Spanish rice. While you can go ahead and purchase boxed sides that adequately reproduce the Spanish rice experience, its best to make your own from scratch to get the real deal. Here is a simple recipe you can make right from home to recreate this excellent compliment to any Mexican dish.

1. Start with a twelve inch sauce pan filled with a quarter cup of vegetable oil and bring to medium heat.

2. Next, toss in two full cups of long grain white rice into the pan of hot oil. Allow the rice to sauté in the sauce pan for ten to fifteen minutes so that the rice has a nice golden brown color to it and is fully toasted. Continue reading “Making Your Own Spanish Rice Is Easy”

A Mexican Twist to Cinnamon Cookies

One of the most popular recipes for cinnamon cookies are actually from Mexico, where they are called polvorones de canela. The main difference between this variety of cookies and the cookies that Americans are more familiar with is that the Mexican version is more of a dessert resembling shortbread in texture and taste, only enhanced with a cinnamon flavor. On the other hand, the American equivalent would, well, just be cookies with a cinnamon flavor, meaning they’re flatter and chewier in texture. Polvorones de canela is usually served and is said to be perfect with a mug of piping hot chocolate, just like the American counterpart is perfect with a glass of milk.

The word polvorones is actually Spanish, meaning “dust”. This is obviously alluding to these cookies having a generous dusting of a powdered mixture of powdered or confectioner’s sugar and cinnamon, which in Spanish is canela. Thus, the dessert’s name, polvorones de canela, is not actually a literal translation of cinnamon cookie, but actually means “dust of cinnamon”. This dessert is quite popular in Mexico, but it makes a most special appearance during weddings, where they are served in a sort of ceremonial tribute to match the dress of the bride in a traditional Mexican ceremony. These cookies are stacked to form a pyramid-like structure, and they make a spectacular centerpiece during the wedding reception. Continue reading “A Mexican Twist to Cinnamon Cookies”

What Makes Caribbean Food Special?

The sea, sun and sand make the Caribbean a popular tourist destination. But aside from the beautiful weather, the amazing landscape and the total Caribbean experience, Caribbean food is unique and appetizing. There is just something about that great spicy Caribbean flavor!

Caribbean food is not like food from any other part of the world. The Italians have their pasta, the French their pastries, wine and rich cuisines, the English their ‘bangers and mash’ and China has its egg rolls, but the Caribbean has its own unique spicy Island taste that many people appreciate. A lot of Caribbean food involves highly spiced cuisine that titillates the tongue and palate.

The Caribbean consists of many islands that each have their own specialties. Central America, with Mexico, Costa Rico, and Panama can also be considered part of the Caribbean, at least when it comes to tourism and cooking, because they have coasts that border on the Caribbean Sea. Central America, because of its connection with North and South America, has its own style of food as well. Continue reading “What Makes Caribbean Food Special?”

How To Flavor And Prepare Black-Eyed Peas

Black-eyed peas, also called cowpeas and cousin to the smaller field peas, probably came to America via the slave trade. They had more use as animal fodder before coming to the table of the two-legged. The beans themselves are beige in color, but have a black “eye” that gives them the name. You can buy them canned, fresh (frozen) or dried.

Although more popular in the South, make these potassium and protein rich, fiber-filled peas unique to your own diet by spicing them with your favorite flavors. As with many legumes, they are neutral in taste and easy to enhance with seasonings. In the South folks like to add the flavor of crisp crumbled bacon, along with red or green bell peppers, chopped onions, chili powder and black pepper. To be authentic you should use ham hocks (or a ham bone) or fatback to aid in flavoring. It is the pork’s fat and salt that add that special flavor.

There are many recipes for the famous Hoppin’ John dish served to celebrate a prosperous New Year. Here are some ideas and things to consider to get you experimenting no matter what the season. If you want to avoid the salty canned peas and avoid the pre-soaking, frozen is the way to go. Otherwise try the easy-to-store dry variety. Continue reading “How To Flavor And Prepare Black-Eyed Peas”

5 Delicious Recipes For Beer Can Turkey

Beer can turkey, or beer in the rear turkey is wonderfully delicious way to roast or grill your turkey this holiday season. The moisture from the beer will help to ensure that the breast of the bird stays moist and delicious. You can roast your turkey in the oven on a baking sheet to catch the juices, or on the grill. To make your turkey even more special, you can add herbs to the can of beer, and add a complimentary rub for the bird. Here are 5 great ideas for your favorite beers, and complimentary brines and rubs.

Guinness Turkey with Coffee Rub

Ingredients

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