Blogs by Paridhi

Sea Buckthorn Tangy Treasure of the Seaside Hey ya'll and welcome back. Here's me typing excitedly as I introduce to you this new ingredient that I recently stumbled upon. It is a little gem that caught my attention and sparked my curiosity: Sea Buckthorn, a vibrant orange berry with a tangy punch and a host of health benefits. Join me as we uncover its characteristics, fascinating flavors and nutritional wonders.   I ntriguing and alluring, Sea Buckthorn is a deciduous shrub native to the coastal regions of Europe and Asia. Its slender branches are adorned with clusters of small, bright orange berries that hold a great amount of nutritional value within their tine frames. These "wonder berries" as they refer to it, have been cherished by ancient cultures for centuries, revered for their medicinal properties and versatility in culinary applications. I happen to have tasted this ingredient and it surely is a unique one. The flavor is an exciting balance of tangy and s...

Liquid Glucose The Sweet Alchemy Hi again! Welcome back to another exciting chapter in our series of uncommon ingredients. Whilst all of my other ingredients have been either a vegetable or a herb, I thought of changing the track a little bit and highlight this particular ingredient that plays a crucial role in the food industry and offers a myriad of benefits. My first ever encounter with this ingredient was when I was at my Internship. Neither was I familiar with this ingredient nor did I know about its thick, viscous texture. And following that was probably a mistake no one would want to do, I put my bare hands in to scoop it out. Trust me it was as annoying as it sounds. Probably spent an hour washing it off! Either way, let's delve into this blog and learn something new today! Liquid Glucose, also known as glucose syrup, is a baker's secret weapon that adds a touch of culinary magic in a wide array of baked goods. It is a thick, viscous syrup made from the hydrolysis of st...

Kaffir Lime Leaves Unveiling the Citrus Symphony In my continuous quest to explore the world of flavors, I stumbled upon an ingredient that has become a treasured gem in my culinary repertoire: Kaffir lime leaves. These vibrant, aromatic leaves from Southeast Asia have the power to transform any dish into a tantalizing citrus symphony. Join me as I delve into the enchanting world of Kaffir lime leaves and share my personal journey of discovery. The first time I encountered Kaffir lime leaves, their mesmerizing fragrance instantly transported me to a tropical paradise. Their refreshing, citrusy aroma is like a breath of fresh air, awakening the senses and igniting a sense of culinary excitement. It was a scent I couldn't resist exploring further, and little did I know the magic that awaited me. Kaffir lime leaves possess a flavor profile that is both unique and captivating. Their citrusy taste carries a subtle blend of lemon, lime, and floral notes, adding a refreshing zing to any d...

Sunchokes Your Ultimate Guide to this Ingredient Hi again! Welcome to another blog and a new ingredient. It's about time I kill your curiosity and introduce you to our topic for today. This particular ingredient caught my attention and at first, by the sound and looks of it I thought Sunchokes are possibly a family of artichokes or even ginger but what is it really? Well I am thrilled to let you all know about this ingredient and hopefully convince you as to why Sunchokes deserves a prominent place in your kitchens.  Funnily, when I heard that there is an ingredient called Sunchokes or even its other name, Jerusalem Artichoke, I most definitely expected an exotic Middle Eastern Vegetable that looked completely different. But lo and behold, these tubers are knotted root vegetables belonging to the sunflower family and are native to North America. They look similar to ginger on the outside and more like potatoes on the inside.  Well it was definitely a case of mistaken identity ...

Black Garlic An Ingredient's Recipe Black Garlic? Sounds weird right but guess what? This is a legitimate ingredient and has been used and consumed for over 4000 years in Asian cultures. I bet some of you already have this fermented delight in your food pantry already. Regardless, in this blog i'll let you all know everything important about this ingredient. Especially its recipe. So keep calm and read through. When a fresh garlic bulb is made to age over a tenure of weeks or months, we get black garlic. It is aged through a process called the Millard's Reaction. It is this process that gives the black garlic its mildly sweet, molasses-like taste a comparatively soft, delicate texture. These properties make this ingredient a great alternative to use with cheese, in pizzas, to make condiments like aioli and many more.  During Millard's Reaction, reducing sugars and amino acids react chemically hence reducing the allicin content which is comparatively higher in raw garlic...

Discovering the Lotus Stem A Culinary Delight Have you ever aimlessly scrolled through a social media platform and possibly come across something that you've quite often heard about but don't know much in detail? Well I have. Recently, I came across a post which featured a dish consisting of the lotus stem as a garnish. The question was, what exactly is a lotus stem? To begin with, the lotus stem indeed is the stem of one of the most beautiful aquatic plants and also India's national flower, Lotus. The fact that the lotus stem is considered an aquatic vegetable is quite often overlooked. It consists of a treasure trove of flavors and textures, making it a versatile ingredient. It has a long history in traditional medicine and culinary arts hence, this blog aims to highlight its importance and why it shouldn't be forgotten in kitchens around the world. Kamal Kakdi, Nardu, Thamarai Thandu and Bhein are other names for this popular Asian ingredient. It consists of vitamins...