The recipe for ingredients, sauce and spice mixtures that serve as a base for cooking is compiled in this page.
1.Method to prepare paneer / cottage cheese at home
Milk - 1 litre
Lemon juice / curd - juice of two lemon or 100 ml curd.
Boil the milk. Add the lemon juice. Simmer for 5 minutes. This will allow the milk to curdle and separate the whey. Turn off heat. Pour it through a colander. Wash the paneer to get rid of the smell of curd or lime. Place the strained paneer in a muslin cloth and tie the cloth. Excess water will ooze out though the cloth. Place a heavy box on the paneer to make it thick. I usually place a bottle full of beans or salt on the paneer.
2. Method to prepare cheese cream at home
Prepare cottage cheese by following the above method. Wash the cottage cheese / paneer and blend it in a mixer until it turns smooth. Use it up within 12 hours to make cheese cakes or spreads or salads
3. Method to prepare tomato puree at home
Boil adequate water to immerse tomatoes. Make cut marks on both ends of the tomato. Place it in boiling water for one minute. You can see the skin of the tomato rolls up or moves from the fleshy part. Turn off heat. Drain the tomatoes into a plate. Peal off the skin. Deseed the tomato if you prefer. Cut it into pieces and blend it in a mixer. Addition of salt and oil roasted chilly powder is desirable for a flavorful tomato puree.
4. How to blanch tomatoes
Boil adequate water to immerse tomatoes. Make cut marks on both ends of the tomato. Place it in boiling water for one minute. You can see the skin of the tomato rolls up or moves from the fleshy part. Turn off heat. Drain the tomatoes into a plate. Peal off the skin.
5. How to freshen up a dry loaf / slices of bread?
A three day old bread can turn dry and unpleasant. Just steam it to make it soft and use up immediately.
6. Method to prepare desiccated coconut at home
A three day old bread can turn dry and unpleasant. Just steam it to make it soft and use up immediately.
6. Method to prepare desiccated coconut at home
Take the coconut out of its shell using a knife. Shave off the brown side. Now both sides of the coconut will have white colour.
Grate the coconut using a carrot grater (do not use the traditional coconut grater).
Place the grated coconut in the oven at 120 C for 6 - 8 minutes. Every two minutes stir the grated coconut to ensure all the moisture is thoroughly evaporated. Since oven temperatures differ please check for a plastic like texture after 6 minutes. When the desiccated coconut is done cool it completely, transfer to an air tight container and leave it in the freezer. It stays intact for more than two months.
7. Get rid of yeasted dough rising woes
Sometimes yeasted dough may not rise in room temperature. In that case, boil a pan of water and cover it. Place the bowl with the dough on the boiled water. It takes about 1 1/2 hours for the dough to rise to double its quantity.
More tips & info to come.......
