1. Saffron, a spice grown worldwide, is derived from the saffron crocus flower. A pound of dry saffron (0.45 kg) requires 50,000–75,000 flowers to make, meaning an entire football field of these flowers. Requiring so much resources and labor, prices for the spice go around US$500/pound to US$5,000/pound (US$1100–US$11, 000 per kilogram). |
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Most Expensive Food and Drinks in The World!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Dewey's Bakery Cafe Winston Salem
In my opinion the difference between this and a local starbucks is the fresh cookies, cakes breads baked fresh daily in town. Its very hard to find fresh baked cakes these days and you can really taste the difference, they also supply to Brew Nerds coffee. Also you can buy the famous Moravian cookies online. They are special at this time of year and wow there have so many flavors, like key lime pie, ginger, moravian spice, pumpkin spice, apple cider and many more. I brought a couple to take to my Grandma's in the UK.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Guest Post: We're Goan Make Pizza!
A few weeks ago Rebecca @ Chow & Chatter asked me to guest host for her site, and what better way than include some Indian Cuisine from the region of Goa (in the western part of India). Of course if you are familiar with my cooking methods, and love of all cuisines; it will be a little of this and food history. I have always loved learning about why, when, and where food came into existence.
A visit last week to Steph @ Live.Love.Eat. Over there she has a mouth watering breakfast and vegetarian pizza using pre-made Naan. She has cleverly named her post 'I Love You Naan'. Naan, for those of you not familiar, is bread grilled in the clay oven. This bread is not difficult to make at home, if you cook it on the back of a cast iron skillet, or pizza stone.
Reading her post made me realize with so much traveling I have not sat down and eaten any good curries. who also is not in the mood for Pizza? So last week I picked up vegetables for a curry, and of course a few packages of Naan...
Research begins: 'Goan' is not a southern phrase for 'goin' to do something(I am from Texas). However; it did spring up from me saying something in reference to working upstairs to my husband, but he heard 'Goan'. Go figure, he thought I was telling him I was making Indian cuisine for dinner. Inspired I pulled out my 'Food From Around The World' text, and did some research on Goa and Goanese cooking.
Goan Cuisine was influenced by Portuguese traders. The foods are referred to in two different categories- Christian, or Catholic Food; the other, Hindu Food. Both diet staples consist of seafood, sweet rice- Kheer, spicy curry, and fish cakes, Vindaloo, samosa, fish cutlets, Halva (sweet- pistachio-tahini paste), coconut oil, and includes use of coconut milk and Kokum, a spice that is substituted for tamarind and in sweet recipes. Meat can be found, but due to religious aspects of parts of the region you may only find fish and vegetarian dishes.
As like in many areas of India, each sect has its own beliefs and practices. They also have many cooking techniques and ingredients that do cross over. What may seem like similarities in the countries cuisine in American restaurants; their country has many different preparations, influences, and seasonings. We know from history the 'Trade' and 'Spice' routes brought in many new ingredients and influences from all around the world, shaping cuisines. So many people you talk to here in the states would tell you so many different ways to prepare their foods, and reasons why.
Religious beliefs can also influence the food: Within the Goa community there are Hindus, and an offshoot of that sect are the Konkani Brahmins. This community eat mostly fish with the exception of chicken; they do however eat strict vegetarian diets during certain parts of the week, and on holidays. Strict Hindu's eat a diet of vegetables, lentils, pumpkins, gourds,bamboo shoots, roots etc. Their food is less oily from coconut oil.
Indian food can seem complicated, and even to me it is mind boggling, but after reading information, and remembering no matter what you prepare; they open up seeds and spices with heat for a more aromatic food flavor. Along with spices to make my vindaloo, I usedlobster tails (which right now are very inexpensive)stored in my freezer, the naan, and other ingredients I had on hand. I am on a seafood and 'wanting to cook more Portuguese' kick; it seems fitting that I share this post with Rebecca. As fate would have it, Goan cuisine fit the bill.
The meal comes together: Taking inspiration from Live.Love.Eat's pizza post, and Chow & Chatters hubby's Indian heritage (she also trying to learn more on cooking Indian cuisine), I made a 'Fiery Goanese Pizza'.
I also made sweet vegetable rice for our next meal. Traditionally called arroz doce- a Portuguese derivative of kheer (sweetened rice). Using the lobster tails for stock, and leftover homemade Vindaloo sauce for the vegetable curry was indeed another good fix for my Indian cuisine appetite! For dessert, I picked up a package of Halva. I had not had it before and was curious. The region of Goa also makes several versions of this dish, I chose Pistachio (a favorite nut of my client). The sweetness helped cut the heat of the vindaloo sauce.
Goanese Fiery Lobster Pizza
vindaloo pizza sauce-
- Vinegar (traditionally it is used, but I used the juice from diced tomatoes)
- 1/2 Gewurztraminer Wine
- 1 cup Del Monte Jalapeno Diced Tomatoes, and its juice to replace vinegar
- 1/4 cup finely chopped Red Onion
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon Tamarind paste
- 1 tablespoon hot prepared mustard
- salt/pepper to taste (careful tomatoes, and prepared mustard are salted)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unbleached flour
- In pan on medium high add coriander and mustard seeds.
- When they begin to pop add olive oil, red onions, seasonings, and flour; quickly stir in prepared mustard and wine, blending well; add diced tomatoes and juice; let simmer until thickens. Set aside to meld flavors.
- let a few tablespoons of butter soften, and coat the lobster pieces before placing on top of sauce; then sprinkle some light mixed shredded cheese on top and bake.
*Vindaloo- Actually Portuguese in origin, though it comes from the Indian subcontinent. The name is ultimately Portuguese, from the phrase vinho de alho or "wine of garlic." Portuguese sailors brought their garlic-flavored vinegar stew to Goa, which from 1510 to 1961 was a Portuguese colony on the southwestern coast of India. The Goan spiced up the recipe and the name, making it vindaloo in their Konkani language.
-W. H. Dawe explains in The Wife's Help to Indian Cookery, published in London, 1888: "Vindaloo or Bindaloo--A Portuguese Karhi.... The best Vindaloo is prepared in mustard-oil....
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Spicy Tuna and Potatoes and Bonfire Night!
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- one can of tuna
- 3 small chopped and boiled potatoes
- a little chopped fresh cilantro
- salt to taste
- fish fry masala
- 1/2 red onion
- ginger/garlic paste
- a pinch of turmeric
- cumin powder
- 1/4 of a green pepper
- a few curry leaves
- Heat the oil and saute the onion, curry leaves, ginger/garlic paste and green peppers for 3 minutes
- then add a pinch of turmeric, cumin, salt, and fish fry masala and the cooked potatoes and stir fry for a few minutes
- add the tuna and stir fry another couple of minutes and its done.
Love Your Body
I Just wanted to share this piece I wrote for a new site allisluv.com is all about woman, life and dating should be great.
Love Your Body
Written by Rebecca Subbiah
Love your body, it was this wonderful and perfectly created masterpiece, with a heart that can circulate your blood around your body more than 1000 times a day, with bones that are 4 times more stronger than concrete and that can replace one billion cells each hour.
Not only that but think back over your life so fall with all the ups and downs, good times and bad, it was this body that made your heart skip a beat when your first fell in love, and walked you down to the podium to receive your degree.
It was this body that helped you take your first steps and lifted you back up again when you fell. It was this body that helped you coordinate your arms and legs in rhythm to learn how to swim. This body that with your eyes and fingers learnt how to read and write opening up the world of education and opportunities.
All too often we get caught up in the hussle and bussle of life, with work and meeting deadlines, taking care of our partners and kids, and making time for everyone but not ourselves. Take a moment to think of how precious our bodies are and no matter what your size be thankful for yours, love it and care for it. Make a point to schedule time to be more active, take a walk and enjoy life’s small pleasures, smelling the flowers, and hearing the breeze. Make time to cook more and enjoy meals with friends and family and think of the choices you make to nourish your precious body to keep it healthy and strong for years to come.
For tips and advice on staying healthy and content follow along at allisluv.com
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Thai Peanut Marinated Salmon over Fried Rice and Awards
- 2 Wild Alaskan Salmon Steaks
- 1 cup of cooked rice
- some frozen peas and carrots, added to the rice while cooking
- 1/2 red onion
- 1 tablespoon of fish sauce
- 6 cloves of garlic
- 2 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 orange pepper
- 1 cup San J Thai Peanut Sauce
- Marinate the Salmon steaks for a couple of hours
- heat a little olive oil in a pan add the salmon in the sauce and poach for 10 minutes
- meanwhile heat the oil, add the onion and garlic and saute for 3 minutes then add the pepper and scramble the egg into the mixture
- slowly add the cooked rice stirring well as not to stick with soy sauce and its done!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Guest Post: Pumpkin Cupcakes
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 egg whites
- 2 whole eggs
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 3/4 cup low fat buttermilk
- 1 can of pumpkin (15 oz. can) OR 2 cups of fresh pumpkin puree
- Preheat oven to 350° F
- Put all dry ingredients (from all purpose flour through allspice) in a bowl and mix together with a whisk.
- Beat together sugar, oil, egg whites, and eggs until well blended.
- Add in the buttermilk and pumpkin and mix until blended.
- Mix the dry ingredients to the liquid mixture, until just blended.
- Coat muffin pans with non stick spray, or line with paper muffin cups. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25, or until a tooth pick comes out clean.
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese (allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to soften)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- a small amount of water (if necessary)
- Using an electric mixer, mix together the mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla. If the frosting seems too thick, add a tiny amount of water to thin it out.
- Wait until cupcakes have completely cooled to frost.
- Store in an airtight container n the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Great Foodie Quotes
- Fish, to taste right, must swim three times - in water, in butter, and in wine. ~Polish Proverb
- After dinner sit a while, and after supper walk a mile. ~English Saying
- When baking, follow directions. When cooking, go by your own taste. ~Laiko Bahrs oh this one is so true, thats why I am not a good baker!
- Welcome to the Church of the Holy Cabbage. Lettuce pray. ~Author Unknown
- No man in the world has more courage than the man who can stop after eating one peanut. ~Channing Pollock
- Shipping is a terrible thing to do to vegetables. They probably get jet-lagged, just like people. ~Elizabeth Berry
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Coconut Lamb Curry and an Award
- chopped lamb with bones
- 1/2 can coconut milk
- 1/2 red onion
- 2 Cinnamon sticks
- 2 tablespoon mutton masala powder
- one spoon garam masala
- 1/2 spoon coriander powder
- 2 cloves
- 3 green chili's
- ginger/garlic paste
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 small tomatoes
- 5 curry leaves
- canola oil
- heat the oil and add the lamb with some masala powder and cook a little for 5 minutes and keep to one side
- then heat oil and ad the cinnamon and cloves, curry leaves, chili and onion and saute for 5 minutes
- add the tomato, ginger/garlic paste and garlic, coriander powder and masala power, turn to a low heat and let it reduce down to a paste
- then add the coconut milk, salt to taste and the lamb and let it slowly simmer for 20-30 minutes.