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Archives for November 2011

Fun with Mini-idlis!

November 22, 2011 By iladori 6 Comments

Have idlis. Will feed child.  Easy-Peasy Lemon-Squeezy.

It’s the simplest thing in the world.  And good, clean fun, too.  No preservatives, chemicals, artificial anythings, or other nasties. Cooked the healthiest way – by steaming. No oil or fat (except what you choose to serve it with, which can still be none). Takes precisely 10 minutes to steam up.

Idlis generally tend to be a South Indian baby’s first solid food. In most cases, they continue to remain on the number one spot (especially at breakfast time) till well into old age.  And so it is that idli batter (see here) can be found residing in a Tupperware tub in my fridge most days of the week. It’s also rather handy to have, to whip up a quick snack or meal anytime of the day.  Lots of scope to get creative.  And if you’ve got any of those “mini idli” moulds that come in a few different sizes, so much more bite-sized fun!


Batter with some of the “toppings” –

All puffed up after getting steamed.

Plain idlis go well with “gunpowder” – a spicy, powder of roasted dals, – (usually with a little drizzle of melted ghee, or gingelly oil) –

But to make things simpler, just add it to the batter beforehand. (Coconut chutney can be added likewise.)

A sprinkle of red cabbage shreds,

gets even more colourful after steaming by “bleeding” a little purple.

A smiley with carrot mouth and mustard seed eyes (borrowed from the sambar/chutney tempering) –

Looks equally cheerful after steaming!

And indeed, still cheerful while getting eaten, smiles-first!

Peas can make googly eyes, too.

A simple slice of carrot is no less fun.

But why just for kids?  This finger food can serve grownups just as well.

With maybe a dip or topping of fiery red chilly chutney.

Or a sort of ‘zen’ hors d’oeuvres.

 Cheers! 🙂

Filed Under: Baby Food, FFC, Finger foods, Fun foods for Children, Gluten Free, healthy snacks, Organic, Quick Cooking, Snacks, Toddler food, Vegan

Badi Elaichi, Big Cardamom (Amomum subulatum and Amomum costatum)

November 21, 2011 By iladori Leave a Comment

Very different from Chhoti Elaichi (Small Cardamom), this strongly aromatic seed pod belongs to a plant that also hails from the ginger family Zingiberaceae. It is a hot spice with antiseptic properties as well.

Below are both Small and Big (Green and Black) Cardamoms partly opened to reveal the seeds inside the pod and the size difference between the two.

Wikipedia link to Black Cardamom.

Filed Under: Amomum costatum, Amomum subulatum, badi elaichi, Big Cardamom, Brown Cardamom cardamom, Kali Elaichi, Pictorial glossary, spice, SPMC

Elaichi / Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)

November 21, 2011 By iladori Leave a Comment

 Also called Chhoti Elaichi (Small Cardamom) or Hari Elaichi (Green Cardamom), or true cardamom, it is another notable member of the ginger family Zingiberaceae. It is a cool spice with a distinctly minty aroma and has medicinal properties.
Choose the ones with dark, oily-looking seeds for the most potent burst of flavour, as the one on the right side in the picture below.  
The left-side one would have all the flavour of cardboard.
Caveat Emptor:  This is because sometimes the flavours are harvested (distilled) and the spices then sold.

Wikipedia link to Cardamom.

Filed Under: Cardamom, chhoti elaichi, Elaichi, Pictorial glossary, Small cardamom, spice, SPMC

Brass Imam Dasta (Mortar and Pestle)

November 21, 2011 By iladori Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Imam Dasta, Kitchen Tools, KUGAEN, Manual, Mortar and Pestle, Pictorial glossary, Utensils

Wooden Mathani (Churning Staff) – Small

November 21, 2011 By iladori Leave a Comment

Just the right size to churn up one serving right in the glass.

Filed Under: Churning Staff, Kitchen Tools, KUGAEN, Pictorial glossary, Utensils, Wooden Mathani

Stainless Steel Mathani (Churning Staff)

November 21, 2011 By iladori Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Churning Staff, Kitchen Tools, KUGAEN, Mathani, Pictorial glossary, Utensils

Jeera (Cumin) Vs. Shahjira (Caraway): Visual Comparision

November 21, 2011 By iladori Leave a Comment

On the left is Jeera or Cumin, and on the right, Shahjira/Kalajeera or Caraway/Black Cumin/Cake Seed.

Filed Under: Black cumin, Cake Seed, Caraway, Cumin, jeera, Kala Jeera, Medicine In My Pantry, Pictorial glossary, Shahi jeera, Shahjeera, Spices, SPMC, Therapeutic, Wild Cumin

Japanese Mint (Mentha)

November 21, 2011 By iladori Leave a Comment

Wikipedia link to Mint.

Filed Under: GHPC, Herbs, Herbs in my Garden, home remedies, Japanese Mint, leafy greens, medicinal herb, Pictorial glossary, Plants in my Garden, Therapeutic, What is

Electric Hand Blender

November 21, 2011 By iladori Leave a Comment

Here making buttermilk. (Though Balloon whisk is what I normally use for that.)

This one is from Braun. If I had to choose just one appliance (over and above the mixie!) this would be it.

Comes with a balloon whisk attachment, and a chopper. Has different speed settings, especially useful with the whisk.

The blender is almost entirely in stainless steel, making it very convenient to consider churning up soups right in the cooking pot.

Also an invaluable tool for making quick purees, shakes and other liquid blends.

Much easier to clean than a mixie jar.

Filed Under: appliances, essentials, gadgets, Kitchen Tools, KUGAEN, Pictorial glossary, want-not-need

Palm Sugar and Jaggery Varieties

November 21, 2011 By iladori Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Palm candy, Pictorial glossary, RVR, SPMC, sugar substitute, Sugars

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I'm ila, the cook, chronicler, recipe developer, photographer, clear-er-up and wiper-of-spills when it is over and done with.  I love doing all of those except the last two which is what I end up doing most of.
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