Cooking Tips and Tricks

Mango Sticky rice

Story of the Week: Love In the Time of COVID - https://mailchi.mp/indiacurrents.com/february-1-2022

Trick for cutting Red Pumpkin into cubes.
Use a tablespoon to remove all the seeds and access fiber.
Removing pumpkin skin can be challenging. Keep a large size of pumpkin slice and microwave for one to two minutes according to the size of the slice. Bingo the peal will be so easy to take off ! And then slicing also is so easy.

How to get oven roasted or Airfryer Sprouts to perfection?
Buy tender organic fresh brussels spourts of similar size. Then cut them in half and take out the top bad layers if there are any. Then keep them on their flat side and give a coat of olive oil on all sides. Make sure they are very well coated and not just a drizzle of oil. Then sprinkle sea salt on it. Arrange them evenly on the pan without crowding them. Now back them at 425 Degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 25 minutes until they become slightly browned and tender. If you use this method they are crispier outside and tender inside because the moisture is held inside the dome of brussels sprouts.

How to keep your cellphone clean while cooking, cleaning and gardening: Here is the trick . Wrap your phone in Saran Wrap and use it The phone remains clean and you can use all features. If you are cooking and your hands are going to be dirty and the mobile is going to ring for sure. Wrap your mobile in Saran Wrap and use the mobile without making it dirty. The touch screen works behind the Saran Wrap.
How To Keep Your Phone Clean While Working In Kitchen Or Garden. https://youtu.be/oOYO5VGYGpQ

How To Keep Your Phone Clean While Working In Kitchen Or Garden Wrap your phone in Saran Wrap and use it The phone remains clean and you can use all features. If you are cooking and your hands are going to be dirty and th...

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how to make a soft mask out of socks How to make a soft mask using airline or old socks. If you do not want to fog your glasses while wearing a mask, tuck them under your glasses, or wash your g...

Do you know you can keep your rice warm in Zojirushi NS-LHC05XT Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer? I make rice in this rice cooker and keep it warm for a couple of days. Rice stays warm fluffy for two days. It makes the best basmati rice on the long-grain setting. I have been using it for 5 years and this one is best for a small family of two to four. This saves so much time, no cleaning pots, and keeping and rewarming rice. I feel reheated rice does not taste the same.I feel nothing tastes good than warm fresh rice. When family members come home at different times and eat at different times this is the best.

Zojirushi NS-LAC05XT Micom 3-Cup Rice Cooker and Warmer, Black and Stainless Steel Zojirushi NS-LAC05XT Micom 3-Cup Rice Cooker and Warmer, Black and Stainless Steel

Do you know it is so easy to grow garlic at home. In about two to three months one little clove of garlic will become a whole bulb of garlic. The cloves might be smaller, but it smells and tasts like garlic in India.
How to grow- keep few cloves of garlic wrapped in wet papertowel in a small container. After few days you will see that the roots start coming out. Then you can plant in a container or in groud. After few months the upper leaves start drying out then you can take it out.

Delxo 5 Pack 7 Gallon Potato Grow Bags Two SidesVelcro Window Vegetable Grow Bags, Double Layer Premium Breathable Nonwoven Cloth for Potato/Plant Container/Aeration Fabric Pots with Handles（Green） Delxo 5 Pack 7 Gallon Potato Grow Bags Two SidesVelcro Window Vegetable Grow Bags, Double Layer Premium Breathable Nonwoven Cloth for Potato/Plant Container/Aeration Fabric Pots with Handles（Green）

Cilantro, Lettuce, other green salad, spinach, green leafy vegetables stay fresh for 3 to 4 weeks in aluminum foil.
Wrap Veggies in Aluminum Foil Before storing broccoli, lettuce, spinach, green leafy vegetables, carrots, corn, and celery, wrap it in aluminum foil. The foil will help to keep veggies crisp for up to 4 weeks. Just wrap in foil and store in your fridge’s crisper drawer. Instead of throwing out lettuce and other vegetables a few days after you buy them, you can keep them for up to a month so you don’t have to rush to eat them the minute you get home from the grocery store and no wastage done.
You can use just aluminum foil or just purchase these zip lock bags of various sizes. This will save you a lot of money. For large leafy vegetables maybe, better to purchase large bags.

SumDirect Reusable Aluminium Foil Zip Lock Stand Up Food Pouches Bags with Notch for Food Storage 3.5x5.9 Inches, 2.8oz, Pack of 50 SumDirect Reusable Aluminium Foil Zip Lock Stand Up Food Pouches Bags with Notch for Food Storage 3.5x5.9 Inches, 2.8oz, Pack of 50

This is one of the best deals on Amazon if you're looking for stuff store your chilies, cilantro and to, put fruit and veggies and leftovers.
Really good clear so the contained product is visible. Clean up quite good (no red or yellow staining from tomato, paprika, turmeric; etc. )
lids and containers stack easily which makes my cupboard much more organized, they are microwaveable, they are freezable and do not leak.
These containers are of the perfect portion for sending them home with your guests.
These are small in size but because of their shape takes quite a bit of food.
They are microwaveable, dishwasher-safe, and BPA-free. I do not use plastic in the microwave but to store in the freezer or Freeze these are the best. They stack & takes less storage place.
They are 18.99 for 50 boxes Cons: They are small in size. They take 17 oz about 2 cups of food.
For me, that is perfect size.

Food Storage Containers with Lids - Plastic Containers with Lids (50 Pack,17 Ounce) Plastic Containers for Food Container - Freezer Containers Plastic Food Containers Deli Containers by Prep Naturals Food Storage Containers with Lids - Plastic Containers with Lids (50 Pack,17 Ounce) Plastic Containers for Food Container - Freezer Containers Plastic Food Containers Deli Containers by Prep Naturals

To recap, how we can make our cilantro, ginger, lemon and chillis stay longer...
keep washed ginger and lemon in a glass bottle filled with water. If you have a lot of ginger stored like me ( I get from costco the organic ginger) after few days or when ever you use it, just change the water.
For chillis, wash & dry, wear gloves to pull out the stem, keep in the airtight, dry box wrapped in paper towel. Take out all bad ones
You can also freeze washed and dried chilles in the airtight box or freezer grade zip lock.
For Cilantro, wash and dry, cut of the roots, get only good leaves and wrap them in paper towel and goes in dry airtight box again.
Also for Cilantro you can make a cilantro pot like a flowerpot and put a plastic bag on the top and put a rubber band around.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHAB6zCM-tM&t=5s
You can wrap clean dried without roots Cilantro in smaller bundels and wrap them in saran wrap and freeze it.

I use these Organza Gift Bags to save my figs, persimmons, pears and other individual fruits from birds, especially we have a lot of crows these days. You can use the ones you might have that came from wedding favors etc.

100 Pack 8x12 Inches Organza Gift Bags 10 Mixed Solid Colors for Toys Candy Chocolate Party Christmas Wedding Favor Gift 100 Pack 8x12 Inches Organza Gift Bags 10 Mixed Solid Colors for Toys Candy Chocolate Party Christmas Wedding Favor Gift

This is the one I was using while making Pav Bhaji. Johnson and Johnson is nice brand. Today it is 9.50 off of the sales price

Joseph Joseph Elevate Carousel Nylon Kitchen Utensil Set with Rotating Storage Stand, 6-Piece, Rainbow Joseph Joseph Elevate Carousel Nylon Kitchen Utensil Set with Rotating Storage Stand, 6-Piece, Rainbow

Everyone who saw the demonstration is asking about the Futura Pan that was used for roasting bread. - Here is the link https://amzn.to/38Fy4ur
This Pan can be used for making dosa as well.
I have three of these and I highly recommend it. It is for 43.39 now some $3 off.

Hawkins/Futura Nonstick Tava/Griddle, 0, Gray Hawkins/Futura Nonstick Tava/Griddle, 0, Gray

Always, First, heat the pan and then add the oil.
Add oil to a hot pan to prevent the oil from breaking down and forming a gummy substance on the pan. The food sticks less to the pan if you heat up the pan and then pour oil in it. When the oil gets hot it gets the ripples and shimmer then add the ingredients.
Also, first heating the pan will make sure there is no water in the pan.

Learn to Control Heat when you are cooking.
Typically, you are going to start cooking on high heat because everything is cold and you want all the ingredients to become hot. Also if you are heating oil or butter, you need to have the heat on high. Once all the ingredients in the pan are simmering or sautéing is done then you need to bring the heat down and cover the food. So at this point, your heat should be medium to low. Once the food is completely cooked to your desire, as the last finishing process, you can again turn the heat to high and mix the food well together and add your final garnishes like lemon juice or a bit of butter or Cilantro. Lemon juice and Butter makes the food shiny and fresh.
If you are in control of the heat, while cooking then the food comes out very nice. Also, heat depends on what you are cooking - for example, if you are frying then you will have to maintain high heat throughout but not overheat the oil.

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Jayashree Patil

Learn to control Moisture when you are cooking.
The correct amount of moisture is key to your cooking. Food cooks well, by adding the right amount of water at the right time. Also when you are adding water, if you use hot water, that really makes a difference. While cooking you do not want to bring the temperature down of the food, that you are cooking. So use hot water. This also brings your cooking time down. I always start boiling a small amount of water in a small pot when I start cooking, so the hot water is ready when you need it. Also if you have hot water dispenser use the hot water instead of cold water while cooking.

While cooking vegetables sprinkle water as needed in small amounts. While making Curry, add little less than you think is needed, check the consistency, and then add more.

Cooking Tips and Tricks updated their phone number.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imEawbCPF0Q

Quick simple, easy, and tasty Dosa Chatni. Admired by many of my Dosa fans. https://youtu.be/OTT1h0IEAbw is the dosa link
Add Salt and Chilly according to your taste. Mine I make spicy. Add less salt and chilly and then you can add later. Also, you can add red chilly powder instead of whole chilly.
Curry leaves test very good but you can make chatani without as well still tests good.

Dosa Chatni Gram lentils ( Harbara Dal) 1/2 cup Red Chilly three use according to your taste. half a spoon salt. ( according to the taste and if needed you can add a pin...

Ingredients for Pav Bhaji and Chia kheer

http://nirvanastyle.com/pav-bhaji-street-food-of-bombay.html
http://nirvanastyle.com/healthy-chia-kheer-.html

Pav Bhaji: Street Food of Bombay Everything about Lifestyle ! Art, Food,Culture and more !

Please cook with me on zoom on July 5th and your dinner for the evening will be ready to enjoy with your family.
We will cook-Pav Bhaji -the famous Mumbai street food and healthy Chia Kheer pav bhaji When: Sunday, July 5th, 2020 @ 4PM
RSVP IS A MUST Class is FREE, since arranged by Saratoga Temple.
https://tinyurl.com/ybjywo8y scroll down & fill up RSVP
Once you RSVP YOU WILL GET THE Zoom LINK FOR THE CLASS from them
The ingredients list is here.
http://nirvanastyle.com/pav-bhaji-street-food-of-bombay.html
http://nirvanastyle.com/healthy-chia-kheer-.html
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Community Events RSVP form For our complete list of our free Sunday classes visit www.tinyurl.com/shtcc For listing of our youth STEM + Arts programs, visit www.tinyurl.com/SiliconValleySTEAM Our events are conducted under the non-profit umbrella of SHTCC 501C3 *THANK YOU GRAND SPONSOR: ANTHEM REALTORS AND DEVELOPERS Email: k...

https://youtu.be/oOYO5VGYGpQ
Wrap your phone in Saran Wrap and use it
The phone remains clean and you can use all features.

If you are cooking and your hands are going to be dirty and the mobile is going to ring for sure.
Wrap your mobile in Saran Wrap and use the mobile without making it dirty.
The touch screen works behind the Saran Wrap.
You can use the trick also while cleaning, gardening etc.

How To Keep Your Phone Clean While Working In Kitchen Or Garden Wrap your phone in Saran Wrap and use it The phone remains clean and you can use all features. If you are cooking and your hands are going to be dirty and th...

Want to have fresh Cilantro ( Kothamir) all week long? Here is a simple trick. Take a bottle and put a rubber band around it. Fill half the bottle and then put the cilantro in it and then put a small plastic bag around it like a balloon by gathering the plastic bag tucking it in the rubber band.
This also can be kept in the door of the Fridge. I have one compartment where I keep all my ginger, cilantro etc.

https://youtu.be/KHAB6zCM-tM

Cilanthro Want to have fresh Cilantro ( Kothamir) all week long? Here is a simple trick. Take a bottle and put a rubber band around it. Fill half the bottle and then p...

https://youtu.be/ajVGLezmUgo

Cilantro or Coriander gets bad very soon. So to preserve it for many days this is one more method. Take clean washed and dried Cilantro. Make small bunches- as per how much approximately you use for each time use. Then cut the stems out. Wrap the bunches individually tight in Saran Wrap.
When you want to use take out one packet and cut it finely. This is frozen fresh, next best to Fresh Cilantro.
You can also save mint, parsley, and other herbs using this method.

How To Preserve Cilantro or Coriander for long time. Cilantro or Coriander gets bad very soon. So to preserve it for many days this is one more method. Take clean washed and dried Cilantro. Make small bunches- ...

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Jayashree Patil

Apricots are in season and I had a good crop this year.

so I am trying various apricot dishes.

https://youtu.be/YgpXx2hfkKo

Apricot Chatni is an Indian and middle eastern dish. It can be eaten with Nan or bread.
Apricots are in season and I get fantastic apricots in my garden.
Some recipes need the peeled apricots and that looks like such a tedious job if you have tried peeling one. The fuzzy but smooth skin just would not come off easily. Here is the trick to peel the apricots – just blanch them. So take boiling water, and add the apricots in the water for 20 seconds and then plunge them in ice water. The skin will peel very easily.

Cut apricots change there beautiful color and start becoming dark and black. To avoid this just put some lemon juice on it.

1 tablespoon oil
1 onion- red preferably
1 tablespoon ginger (fresh)- cut in small pieces or ground
30 apricots (yes, 30- they're small and this makes a lot)
5 heaping tablespoons honey or equivalent amount of sugar
4-5 tablespoons vinegar (apple cider vinegar or kombucha vinegar or white vinegar would work best, but lemon juice can also be used)
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins
1/3-1/4 cup potato starch (optional- as a thickener)

Instructions:
1. Chop up onions and saute until golden.

2. Remove seeds of apricots, and put in the pot with the onions. Cover, and cook until softened and they release their liquids.

3. Add the rest of the ingredients, and cook until thickened.

4. Serve cold.

Apricot Chatni Apricot Chatni is an Indian and middle eastern dish. It can be eaten with Nan or bread.

If you have fruits that need to ripe, keep them in a brown paper bag. If you add a banana to this bag, Banana's enzymes help the fruits to ripe quicker.