Category Archives: Food

தேங்காய் பூ — Edible Coconut Cotyledon

Posted on June 1, 2023 by rgeeta

தேங்காய் பூ, thEngAi poo is the delicious spongy/crispy, edible cotyledon of the coconut that develops at the time of germination. Once the fruit is mature, the seed is ready to germinate. Often, at the time when coconuts are being readied … Continue reading →

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Quasi Eastern Mediterranean recipes

Posted on October 20, 2022 by rgeeta

Modified from ‘The Cooking of the Eastern Mediterranean” Paula Wolfert Pomegranate molasses: Two cups fresh pomegranate juice; 1/3 cup sugar (I added less, brown sugar); 1/3 cup lemon juice (I added lime juice). Boil, reduce to abt 1/3 cup–rather, to … Continue reading →

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Thakkali Vattal and Manga Thira

Posted on June 22, 2021 by rgeeta

Inspired by the abundance of cheap tomatoes and the intensely hot days of May during a COVID-19 lockdown, I decide to make sun-dried tomatoes. Definitely worth it, despite the spells of rain (naturally) that threatened the enterprise. “Thakkali vattal-aa?” exclaims Maheswari. … Continue reading →

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GM Brinjal, Haryana

Posted on May 14, 2019 by rgeeta

What we do know:  Where? Sirsa and Fatehabad Districts, Haryana What we do not know: What? – GM brinjal – not Bt brinjal?? Whose? – Mahyco? TNAU Coimbatore? UAS Dharwar? Bangladesh? Other? 2019 05 18 Illegal GM brinjal was second crop, officials destroy … Continue reading →

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Potatoes, Pepsico, PPV&FR

Posted on May 3, 2019 by rgeeta

Some background on the Gujarat farmer-Pepsico war What is this hot potato, anyway? Potato cultivar FL2027 patent holder is Frito Lay North America Inc. This is the same name under which it was registered (2016) under the PPV&FRA, 2001, India … Continue reading →

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Discovering India in Delhi

Posted on October 21, 2017 by rgeeta

Finally, three months later than planned, I set off for a bit of shopping, target: Bihar emporium (Ambapali) to buy Bhagalpuri silk. Get off the metro, out via gate 7, pass a group of “Asian Ambassadors of Peace” (or some … Continue reading →

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Chiles! Salsa, sambal, chutney

Posted on March 27, 2017 by rgeeta

Ever since I got a fresh supply of assorted chiles from Oaxaca about a year ago (thanks to a kind niece, her husband and son), I’ve had in mind a meal–an assortment of salsas, each made using a different chile. It … Continue reading →

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Turmeric: what you might not want to know

Posted on September 11, 2016 by rgeeta

How and why does lead chromate (a poison) find its way int0 turmeric powder (an edible spice)? Lead chromate                   Turmeric              Central Food Technology Research Institute (CFTRI), … Continue reading →

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pooshini/petha/ash-gourd/Benincasa hispida

Posted on September 19, 2015 by rgeeta

However small a fruit one buys, it is always large. That is, lots to experiment with. Much modified recipe for Kairi Chi Amti to make a Pooshini Chi Amti. Chop up ash gourd; cover with a suspension of coconut milk + red … Continue reading →

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Dhansak: Ingredients like sambhar, but not the sequence

Posted on September 6, 2015 by rgeeta

10 July 2015 A sketchy summary, just to remind me that it ain’t as complicated as it seems. Basic steps: Pressure cook Dal mix + Veggies mix + masala; mash it all up Saute in ghee whole garam masala, onions … Continue reading →

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