Shanthi Krishnakumar's cook book: TIPS

Showing posts with label TIPS. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Tips on grating tomato - two methods

Grating ripe tomatoes is a task. But, tomatoes can be grated with these 2 tricks.

It is difficult to grate tomatoes as it will easily slip off the hand and wound the hand. Generally tomatoes are pureed by blanching and peeling the skin. Pureeing the tomatoes in a mixie is another way. Coming to the interesting, tricky part....

To get a smooth tomato puree without the skin, I use this method. Certain gravy dishes will taste unique when pureed in this method.The pictures are self explanatory, yet a quick narration for amateurs.

METHOD 1:

Make a small cut , like a "+" or "x" on the smooth end of the tomato, using a knife. Hold the tomato on the stem end and grate using a grater. The skin stays back and an awesome puree is ready. You can apply this method when 1 or 2 tomatoes are used for a dish.

METHOD 2:

Half the tomatoes and grate through your palm. The skin stays back without wounding your hand.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Tips on cleaning copper and brass articles

After my post on tips for cleaning silver artiles, many friends asked me about cleaning the copper and brass items. Traditional way of cleaning, especially during karthigai festival, involves lot of time using tamarind, salt and lemon peels and also it is rough of your hands. This is a quick method of cleaning copper and brass items in bulk (sans shoulder and hand pain) and cheaper too.

How to clean brass and copper articles at home?

THINGS REQUIRED:

NON FRUIT VINEGAR
SALT

METHOD OF CLEANING:

Make a solution from NON-FRUIT VINEGAR and salt. Allow the salt to dissolve. You can also use table salt. Immerse the brass or copper items. While immersing, the colour will start changing. Leave it for a while. Take out and wash with a dishwash liquid and scrub. For bigger vessels, dab the scrub with the solution and wash as usual.

NOTE: For 1 cup of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of salt will be best. The quantity can be increased or decreased depending on the number of items you clean.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Tips on cooking pulses

Navarathri is approaching fast. This may be a handy guide for amateurs in cooking, especially newly wedded ones who ask a lot of clarifications from me, and I think, I have done justice to my utmost capacity, with my little knowledge. However, the cooking time depends on one’s stove condition, heat and family’s tastes.Generally for sundal recipes, the lentils or pulses should be softly cooked and should not become mushy. While cooking with water in a vessel, it takes a lot of cooking time , yet it is easy to check the consistency. But doubt comes when pressure cooking the lentils and pulses. Older people prefer to be mushy and youngsters prefer to be crunchy. Decide on it.

PULSES TO BE SOAKED OVERNIGHT & PRESSURE COOKED FOR 3 WHISTLES OR UNTIL SOFT

TAMIL NAME	ENGLISH NAME	HINDI NAME
Kondaikadalai	Chick pea - Black	Kala channa
Vellai kondaikadalai	Chick pea ( White)	Kabul channa
Pachai pattani	Peas ( Green)	Sukhe Matar
Vellai pattani	Peas ( White)	Sukhe Matar (Safaid)
Mochai kottai	Navy beans	Val dal
Sigappu kadalai	Red kidney beans	Rajma

PULSES WHICH NEED NO SOAKING AND TO BE COOKED IN WATER TILL SOFT BUT NOT MUSHY

TAMIL NAME	ENGLISH NAME	HINDI NAME
Kadalaiparuppu	Bengal gram	Chana dal
Payathamparuppu	Split green gram	Dhuli mung dal

PULSES TO BE DRY ROASTED AND SOAKED FOR ½ AN HOUR AND PRESSURE COOKED FOR 2 WHISTLES OR UNTIL SOFT

TAMIL NAME	ENGLISH NAME	HINDI NAME
Karamani	Cow peas	Lobhia
Vellai karamani	Black eyed peas	Lobhia
Pachai payaru	Green gram	Sabut mung

NUTS TO BE SOAKED FOR 3 HOURS AND PRESSURE COOKED FOR 5 WHISTLES

TAMIL NAME	ENGLISH NAME	HINDI NAME
Verkkadalai	Peanuts	Moonghphali

FRESH SHELLED BEANS WHICH NEEDS NO SOAKING AND CAN BE COOKED IN WATER TILL SOFT

TAMIL NAME	ENGLISH NAME	HINDI NAME
Pachai mochai	Field beans	Bakla
Thuvarai	Pigeon peas	------
Cholam	Fresh corn	Makki, makai,

SPROUTED GRAM NEEDS NO SOAKING AND CAN BE STEAMED OR MICROWAVED FOR 5 MINUTES AND SEASONED GENTLY WITH PEPPER , SALT, OLIVE OIL AND LEMON JUICE.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Tips on cleaning silver articles

As many friends asked me about cleaning silver articles, I am posting this eventhough this is a food blog. I am sure it will be of use to everyone.

Silver articles oxidise soon and cleaning is a tedious procedure and will consume most of your time. It becomes expensive at times. This is a hazzle-free procedure of cleaning silver items in bulk, with the basic things available in your kitchen.

Tips for cleaning silver articles, How to clean oxidised silver articles easily?,How to clean silver articles?

How to clean silver articles at home?

THINGS REQUIRED:

Cooking soda (Aapa soda) - a handful
Aluminium foil torn to pieces - 10"x10" sheet

METHOD OF CLEANING:

Take a very big vessel in which all your silver items fit. Boil water in it to the highest point , put in the soda and torn aluminium foil pieces (which we use to pack food) and also the oxidised silver items. Let it boil for 5 minutes. Switch off the stove. Take the items one by one using a long ladle and wash with a dishwash liquid and a scrub. BE CAREFUL.... IT WILL BE VERY HOT....For intricate items use a NEW toothbrush. YOUR SILVER ITEMS WILL SPARKLE AS NEW. Repeat this procedure once a month OR whenever needed. Do not worry, silver doesn't corrode. I have been cleaning silver items using this method for years. Some items shown in the picture are more than 30 years old.

Please DO NOT put the idols of deities or vigrahams in boiling water, just use the method to clean your articles except the vigrahams. We see idols as GOD. So, I felt that if we put the idols in boiling water, will it not be hot for the GOD OR GODDESS? That's the reason behind it. However, it depends on one's own mentality and conscience. Silver idols can be cleaned with toothpaste(white in colour) and a NEW TOOTHBRUSH. Even pitambari works. Tooth powder and viboothi can be used for idols.

NOTE:
The foil and soda can be increased or decreased according to the number of silver items you clean.
This method is hazzle free for cleaning silver items in bulk.

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