Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Pristine Organics Product Review + Mixed Millet's Aloo Tehri Recipe

Hi Friends, I was recently contacted by the company PR of Pristine Organics to review their products. The company sells a variety of certified organic food products right from baby food, cereals, biscuits, porridge, cold pressed edible oils, flour, rock salt, coffee to baby massage oil, nutritional supplements and health mix. 

The brand also creates personalised month supply Health Basket which are tailored diets specific health condition which consists of exotic combination of diverse organic foods range such as such Weight Reduction Diet, Sugar Control Diet, Heart Health Diet, Pregnancy & Lactation Diet and Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM) Diet.

IEM Diet: A special medical foods and dietary supplements used for treating children with rare inborn errors of metabolism (IEM).

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About:
Pristine Organics

Pristine Organics is a pioneering company in R&D and manufacturing of organic and nutritional FMCG and IEM products. The Bangalore-based company, which was founded in 1992 as a nutrition science-based firm, is the only Indian company that manufactures critical Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM) diet for babies. 

The company’s products range includes organic daily food, nutraceuticals, functional foods, medical and metabolic diets, and paediatric supplements. With over two decades of experience in research and development, the company is focused on tackling nutritional problems that is prevalent in our society.

Pristine’s path-breaking R&D in field of IEM Diet has earned it recognition by the Indian Government’s body FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) for their contribution. Pristine has partnered with leading hospitals, paediatricians and geneticist to supply and serve nutrition products for various inborn errors of metabolism.

Pristine Organic believes that “True health is responsible, intelligent food choices and meaningful organic products that have a positive impact on our health and the Planet.” 

Website: pristineorganics.com 
E-commerce website:https://pristineorganics.com/shop/

Products I got to use
Product Name: Millet Organica
Multi Millet Mix
Description: Helps in better glycemic control, Rich in dietary fiber and complex carbohydrates Natural source of antioxidants

Pristine Organics Mixed Millets
Foxtail millet, finger millet, little millet, kodo millet, Porso millet, Barnyard millet and organic Amaranth

Product Name: Deccan Gold
Filter Coffee
Description: Slow Processed Artisan Coffee Perfectly processed to retain the Richness and Aroma

The Premium Artisan Coffee is from Chikamagalur-Karnataka. Every 200 Gram Pack Contains 80% Coffee 20% Chicory.


Product Name: Oven Organica – Regular
Organic Mixed Millet Cookies
Description: High Fiber Biscuits Nutritious snack for all age groups Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids Low Glycemic Index Transfat Free

Pristine Oven Organica Mixed Millets Cookies
Foxtail millet, finger millet, little millet, kodo millet, Whole Wheat Flour, Flax seeds, Salt, Green chillies, Curry leaves, Cumin, Black Pepper, Milk Solids and organic Amaranth.

Product Name: Oven Organica – Diet
Organic Mixed Millet Cookies
Description: High Fiber biscuits Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Rich in Dietary Fiber (15g vs 9g in Other Digestive Biscuit) Transfat Free

Pristine Oven Organica Mixed Millets Cookies
Foxtail millet, finger millet, little millet, kodo millet, Whole Wheat Flour, Flax seeds, Organic Sugar, Butter, Cashew nuts, Milk Solids and organic Amaranth.

Mixed Millet's Aloo Tehri Recipe
This was my first attempt cooking mixed millets. Few millets I am familiar with are finger millet and kodo millet other than these two millets used in porridge and few traditional dishes at home we never use millets regularly. 

This review has motivated me to start using millets on a regular basis. All of us enjoyed the tehri it was not at all heavy or we did not feel overly full after a meal, wonderful diet meal. 

Tehri was very tasty as well. Next time if I cook mixed millets I would like to add additional chillies and salt, also cook it for 4 whistles in pressure cooker.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 Cups Pristine Organics Mixed Millets
1 Large Onion (finely chopped)
3 Green Chillies (finely chopped)
1 Tsp Cumin seeds
3 Cloves
2 Pods Cardamom
2 Inch Stick Cinnamon
11/2 Tbsp Ginger and Garlic Paste
1/2 Tbsp Garam Masala
1 Large Potato (Peeled, Washed and Cubed)
1/4 Cup Frozen or Fresh Green Peas
3 Tbsp Oil
Salt as per taste
Water 3 1/2 Cups
Coriander and lime juice for garnish.

Method:
Wash the millets thrice and soak for 10 minutes before use. Heat a pressure pan on medium flame with oil. Once the oil reaches smoking point add whole spices, ginger and garlic paste fry for a minute.

Add chopped onion, chillies and garam masala fry till onion turns transparent.Add the garam masala, potato and peas stir and fry for 2 minutes on low flame.

Drain the soaked millets add to masala stir well fry for a minute.
Add salt and measured water stir well cover and place a whistle cook for 3 whistles.

After 3 whistles allow the pressure to reduce on its own do not force open. Once the pressure has released garnish with lime juice and chopped coriander mix well and serve hot...Enjoy...😉

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Keema Kaleji Recipe (Mutton Mince and Liver in Spicy Curry)

Keema Kaleji is truly a gastronomical and very fashionable recipe created during mughal era, every part of the animal or offal was cleverly used in spicy rich curries and stir fries. 

We can find this dish served across five star and mughlai food speciality restaurants across Bengaluru and India. I enjoy this dish with roti or butter naan, we can also serve this curry with steam cooked rice, best curry recipe for winter.

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Ingredients to cook mutton:
500 Grams Mutton Mince
1/2 Tbsp Chilly Powder
1/2 Tbsp Turmeric Powder
1 Tbsp Coriander Powder
1 1/2 Tbsp Ginger and Garlic Paste
Ingredients for curry:
250 Grams Mutton Liver
1 1/2 Large Onion (Finely chopped)
3 Dried Red Chillies
3 Green Chillies
1 Inch Ginger (Finely chopped)
4 Pods Garlic (Finely chopped)
3 Sprigs Coriander (Finely chopped)
1/2 Tsp Chilly Powder
1/2 Tsp Turmeric Powder
1 Tbsp Coriander Powder
1 Tbsp Garam Masala
1/2 Tbsp Pav Bhaji Masala
Whole Spices: 2 Cloves, 2 Cardamom pods, 1 Inch Cinnamon, 1 Tbsp Cumin Seeds.
Sesame Oil
Salt as per taste
Coriander and Lime juice for garnish...

Please click the link to see how to prep and prepare liver for this recipe. I've cooked the liver for soup and used the liver in this recipe. mutton-liver-soup-mutton-eeral-soup.

Method:
Prep the mutton and liver ahead of time or the night before, this way it is easy to assemble later. In a pressure cooker add the bones first along with chilly powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, ginger and garlic paste and 1 tsp salt add 1 1/2 cups water cover and place a whistle cook for 3 whistles or until the bones are cooked.

Once the pressure has reduced add the meat to the bone broth stir well cover and cook for 2 more whistles. Remove from flame and reserve.

If your preparing this night before allow the meat to cool completely place in airtight container and refrigerate until use.

Prepare the liver also the night before and store in the fridge until use.
Heat a wok on medium flame with 1 tbsp sesame oil once the oil starts to smoke add 1/2 chopped onion and dried red chillies fry until the onion turns light brown in color.

Transfer the fried onion to a mixerjar and grind to form a smooth paste a splash of water can be used to create a smooth paste.

Using the same wok add 2 tbsp sesame oil allow the oil to smoke. Add whole spices cloves, cumin, cinnamon and cardamom fry the spices until it splutters. Add the finely chopped onion fry till onion turns transparent.

Add the spice powders to the onion turmeric powder, chilly powder, coriander powder, pav bhaji masala, garam masala and ground onion paste fry all the ingredients until the raw flavor reduces.

Since the masala should not burn I have added splash of water and cooked until water surfaces on the sides.

Once the oil separates from the masala add the cooked meat and liver place on high flame allowing the moisture to reduce. Adjust salt after majority of moisture has reduced from the meat. 

Once the meat has combine with the spices and forms semi gravy switch off the flame garnish with lime juice and coriander serve hot with rice or roti...Enjoy😉
Disclaimer this is not authentic mughlai recipe. I have created this dish as per my taste preference.

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Eat and Feel like a Kerelaite @Southindian Food Festival, Aloft-Whitefield, Bengaluru


I was recently hosted for the ongoing Southindian food festival at Dot Yum-Aloft Whitefield. Executive Chef Hafizulla Baig had personally invited me to experience the flavors of south. I enjoyed the festival and must thank Chef and his team for this wonderful experience.
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Executive Chef Hafizulla Baig says the on going southindian fair is an opportunity for guests to enjoy diverse regional cuisine from Tamilndu, Kerala, Andhra pradesh and Karnataka the buffet spread will cover all corners of south. When we talk about southindian cuisine right from the use of oil to spices and chillies are used in fish, meats and veggies in different ways across south region. The Southindian Food Festival at Aloft Whitefield will be featuring one southindian region everyday till 30th Nov. 

Ambience

Starters
Attuirachi Varattiyathu, Nandan Kozhi Roast, Kulluva porichadu, Spinach Vada, Vazhapoo Vada, Tapioca Kappa puzhungiyathu with Mulaku Chammanthi.

Attuirachi varattiyathu is a braised mutton dish which can also be a side dish with layer parotta or dosa, Nandan Kozhi roast was free range chicken stir fried with spices and tasted excellent with biryani.

Kulluva porichadu: batter fried fresh anchovies. The veg starters were also very tasty like the spinach medu vada, vazhapoo vada(banana flower fritter) and steam cooked tapioca with chilly chutney.
                                            Salads and Soups

Salad counter was also very colorful and bursting with fresh coconut flavors from the salads like the Kaipakka Salad (Bitter gourd salad), Venpayani Salad, Cena (Yam in coconut), Green Gram Salad, Carrot Salad, Ridge gourd Salad, Cabbage Salad, Carrot Salad along side Dhai Vada, Curd Rice, and Papads. On the display was also traditional snacks like murrukku, jackfruit chips, banana chips, masala peanuts and puffed rice ladoos...

Main course Buffet Area
Nonveg: Thalaserry Kozhi Biryani (Chicken), Varutharacha Attuerachi Curry (Mutton), Pahari Meen Mappas (Sankara Fish Curry), Irachi Peralen (Beef Roast)



Veg Spread: Muringayila Thalichathu (Sauted Drumstick Leaves), Vendakka Thengapalil Vattichathu (Okra in Coconutmilk), Mullangi Sambar(Radish), Thenga Rasam, Pachakkari Kuruma (Mixed Vegetable in coconut and cumin gravy), Kumbalanga Puli (Ashgourd in tamarind and coconut),Green Beans Thoran (Stir fried green beans in coconut), Pachakkari Kuruma kalan (Yam and plaintain in curd)

To taste all the curries and sides there was Boiled Red Rice, Nei Choru (Ghee Rice), Appams, Parottas and Puttu...

There was a separate selection of northindian dishes too for people who are allergic to coconut: Arbi Masaledar (Crispy taro root), Paneer makhanwala( cottage cheese in creamy sauce), Punjabi Aloo (crispy potato), Dal Miloni (mixed dhal in creamy gravy).

In a true southindian style they also had Pickles and podis to enhance the taste of rice and curry few pickles and podis on display were the Gongura, Garlic, Green Chilly, Amla, Mixed Vegetable, Bittergourd, Karivepakku podi, Groundnut podi(verkadalai), Karam Podi, Kandi Podi.
Desserts

Karika Payasam, Rawa Ladoo, Unniappam, Vathalappam, Pazhampori, Pallada payasam, Cut Fruits, Parippu Payasam....

My Plate


Overall views about the food and experience was excellent. The dishes I enjoyed and had second serving were the Thalesherry biryani, kerela parotta, Varutharacha Aattierachi, nadan kozhi curry, payasam and pazham pori.  Must thank Chef and Aloft team for all the efforts and invite. Visit: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/alofthotels 

The buffet price is approx 1800 to 2000/- per person. Valet Parking Available.

Homemade Desi Style Popcorn


Just for fun I happen to post...how i prepare popcorn video on insta and on my youtube tamil channel the response was overwhelming and received lot of comments and query so I planned to post a detail blogpost.  

Someone said "Homemade is  Happiness" I believe 100% in that quote. No matter how convenient and affordable products are made it is always satisfying to prepare certain dishes from scratch. I never liked the taste of ready to use popcorn out of a pack since it contains vegetable fat the after taste and feel is waxy. 

If we prepare popcorn the way I have shown, it literally melts in your mouth. This can be prepared and stored upto a week in a airtight container and served as required. 
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Ingredients:
1/4 Cup Corn Kernels 
Best corn kernels are avaiable at Reliance fresh, Big Basket, More, Thomas Bakery, Geetha Stores and Shivananda stores in Bangalore.
1/4 Cup Sunflower Oil
1 Tsp Maggi Maggi Masala (Optional)
Salt as per taste
2 Tbsp Water


Method:
Heat wok on high flame with oil.
Add the corn kernels and fry until the corn starts to splutter.

Sprinkle water over the corn and stir once.
Cover and cook on high flame allow the corn to splutter and pop.

Once the splutter sound stops remove the lid asap if not the moisture droplets on the lid will drop on the puffed corn making it soggy. Sprinkle salt and masala serve hot...Enjoy😉



Sunday, November 19, 2017

Mutton Liver Soup (Mutton Eeral soup)


Mutton liver soup is a healthy diet for kids and people suffering from joint pains. This soup is a must prepare during winter. We reduce the spices if it has to be served for a person suffering from fever or injury this soup is truly a miracle diet for everyone. 

I normally tend to cook the liver in the soup and later use the liver in a curry the taste of liver is very delicious and this way it reduces the iron flavor which is evident in the liver. I have given my twist to this soup by adding butter, peas and corn to enhance the flavor and taste.
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Ingredients:
250 Grams Mutton Liver
1 Medium Onion
2 Inch Ginger
8 Pods Garlic
3 Green Chillies
2 Maggi Chicken Stock Cubes
3 Cloves
1 Inch Cinnamon
3 Pods Cardamom
1 Star  Anise
1/2 Tbsp Pepper
1/2 Tbsp Cumin Seeds
1 Tbsp Ginger & Garlic Paste
1/2 Tbsp Chilly Powder
1 Tbsp Coriander Powder
1/2 Tbsp Turmeric Powder
2 Tbsp Sesame Oil

1/4 Cup Sweet Corn
1/4 Cup Green Peas
1/4 Cup Cooked Chopped Liver
1/2 Onion
6 Pods Garlic
2 Green Chillies
1 Tbsp Butter 
Salt and Pepper powder.
Lime juice and chopped mint and coriander for garnish...


Method:
I get the liver pre cut into cubes from the butcher it is easy for me to clean at home I need to wash and use. But if your preparing liver for first time try to wash and remove blood clots in the liver then chop into bite size cubes.

I have washed the liver twice and used a colander to drain excess water. Peel the ginger, garlic and onion wash and roughly chop all the three ingredients. Slit the green chilies into halfs and reserve.

Heat a pressure pan with sesame oil on medium flame. Once the oil starts to smoke add the whole spices pepper corns, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and star anise allow the spices to splutter.

Once the spices have stopped spluttering add onion, garlic, ginger along with ginger and garlic paste, chillies fry till onion turns transparent. Add the liver to the masala toss and fry for a minute.

Add stock cubes, chilly powder, turmeric powder and coriander powder to the liver fry for another minute add salt as per taste and 3 cups water cover the lid and place a whistle cook on high flame for 3 to 4 whistles or for 15 minutes.


Once the pressure releases from the pressure cooker we can strain the soup using a mesh colander/strainer. I like to serve the soup with butter tossed peas, corn and garlic. Majority of the liver will be used in a curry and very few pieces of liver will be chopped and used in this soup.

We can also strain and preserve the soup in the freezer and use as required. Just before serving heat a pan with butter and toss onion, garlic, chillies, sweet corn and peas in the butter add the soup and bring to a boil if we need to dilute the soup add 1/2 cup warm water and adjust salt and pepper as per taste garnish with coriander and serve hot 😊

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

#Supacorn Product Review


Hi Friends, I was contacted by Supa Corn company PR in mid march 2017 and was sent a lot of corn samples for tasting and review. I was so impressed with the product hence inspired to create recipes using the corn and wanted to post a complete review after use.


Sweet corn is very easily avaiable at supermarkets or at local grocery markets these days. I normally purchase a large batch and store in fridge. The fresh corn cannot be stored upto a week it tends to turn color and also loose most of its taste but with supacorn since its oxy packed the corn kernels remains fresh until 9 months without refrigeration. There is No preservatives added. 

What I like about supacorn is their option to serve the corn as it is or we can add to any dish. Corn kernels cooks fast under 2 minutes in microwave or we can cook in a pan. We can also consume the corn directly from the packet. 

Supa corn comes with chipotle, peri peri, achari, classic plain corn kernels and corn on cob priced between 34/- to 70/- per pack 

Visit http://www.supafood.in/ for more info. I totally recommend this product its avaiable at all supermarkets and online food app stores....Bigbasket etc. A very convenient product to store at home for easy snack can be packed and carried if we are travelling on a long journey. 
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 Corn on Cob

 Achari Corn Kernels (Corn with pickle spices )

 Peri Peri Masala Corn Kernels

 Classic Plain Corn Kernels

 Chipotle Masala Corn Kernels


Recipes I created using #Supacorn









Sunday, November 12, 2017

Street Food Series: Sev Puri Chaat Recipe

I am compiling easy to prepare Indian snack recipes on my blog and sev puri chaat is one among many chaat recipes. Please pre-plan and prepare all the basic base ingredients used in chaats like the puris or papdis and chutneys ahead of time and store it. 

Papdis can be stored upto 2 weeks in a airtight container and chutneys store in the fridge upto 2 to 3 weeks I normally freeze it.  The assembly is very easy later. This recipe measure serves 4 generous portions. We normally indulge in such snacks during tea time or before dinner and also serve these snacks at birthday parties.
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Ingredients:
10 Pre-made Papdis (Please follow the recipe and prepare ahead of time)
2 Large Boiled Potatoes
1 Large Onion (finely chopped)
1 Large Tomato (finely chopped)
2 Large Carrots (Peeled and grated)
10 Sprigs Coriander (finely chopped)
1/2 Cup Store-bought Sev (oma podi)
1 Tbsp Chaat Masala
8 Tbsp Tamarind Chutney
8 to 10 Tbsp Chilly Chutney
8 to 10 Tbsp Coriander Chutney
Salt as per taste...


Method:
I normally cook the potatoes in a pressure cooker and allow to reach room temperature and place the potatoes in the fridge until use. To prepare chaats always prep up some potatoes and reserve in fridge.

I would normally thaw the potatoes 2 hours a head of time before serving and then start to peel the potatoes  and gently crush in-between my fingers to crumble it or I will use a fork, please make sure not to mash it. Once the potato is crumbled season with salt and reserve.

Line a serving plate or tray with banana leaf we can also use fancy wrapping paper to make it look attractive depends on which occasion you want to serve these papdis.


Smear each papdi with 1 tbsp tamarind chutney. Top with crumbled potato followed by the onion, tomato and grated carrots. Before serving top with chilly and coriander chutney garnish with sev and chopped coriander, sprinkle chaat masala and salt serve right away...Enjoy😊