Kitchen Tips and Tricks

In this section, I am providing links to some really interesting Kitchen Tips and Tricks found in the Internet.

Easy Chopping:

Chopping is perhaps the task that takes the longest time in cooking ( Ofcourse there's cleaning too!). These are some simple techniques that will go a long way in reducing the mess and effort required in chopping those veggies and fruits. All these are videos so you can see this in action!

How to cut a bunch of grapes in half - This one is really amazing. I have spent so many hours chopping grapes and  cherry tomatoes for salads and desserts. Well, its a breeze now.

Chopping an Avocado - neatly without getting messy

Peeling Garlic in a jiffy

Fun and easy way to separate egg yolks

Peeling a pomegranate : without the mess and juices flowing all over

Checking For Freshness:

These days when we buy from supermarkets and food stays in our fridge for a while before getting used - it is important to check the freshness of some critical items. This section gives some tips on this.

Checking For The Freshness of eggs:  

Place the eggs in about 10 - 15 cms of water. 

Fresh Eggs : Sinks and stays at the bottom

Stale Eggs : Floats to the top and should be discarded

Reuse:

This section discusses tips on how certain things we throw can be reused in the Kitchen.

Nourishing Water For Plants : When you boil Pasta, potatoes or other vegetables and then drain the water. Don't discard this. Let it cool and use it to water your plants. This water has a number of nutrients that is missing in normal water and is good for the plants.

Ragi Chocolate Muffin ( Finger Millet)

As many of you know, I just love Ragi. It is highly nutritious and low calorie. I love the simple ragi congee for breakfast. Its most satisfying and guilt free food that I enjoy.

In my quest to make satisfying, filling but healthy snack that will not perish or spoil easily, I decided to try out Ragi Muffins. Expecting nothing much, I was in for a big surprise. It actually looked like a muffin and tasted good too. Ofcourse as a friend said it did taste "healthy". Well, one can always eat it with cream, sweetened youghurt or even add a dollop of jam on it.

My version as usual is healthy, but there are tips at the end to making it rich and less "healthy"

                                   

Ingredients:

(makes 12 medium sized muffins)

Dry Ingredients:

3 cups ragi powder

1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda

pinch of salt
Sugar 1/2 cup
4 tbs coco powder
Chocolate Chips to taste

Wet Ingredients :

2 eggs ( beaten lightly)

1 cup milk/soya milk/almond milk ( add later)

1/2 cup butter or oil

Method:

1) Mix all the dry ingredients

2) Beat up the eggs lightly. Mix the beaten eggs and butter/oil. Add half the milk to this.

3) Now mix the wet and dry ingredients together. Now adjust the remaining  milk to give  a slightly moist dough. Use whatever milk you are comfortable with. I use Soya Milk.

                                         

4) You can now add chocolate chips, nuts, raisins etc and mix.

                                  

5) Oil a muffin tray with 12 cups or insert paper muffin cups into each of these holders. Equally divide the dough into these 12 holders for medium sized muffins

                                         

                                      

6) Pre heat oven to 350°F  or 220°C

7) Bake at this temperature for 13 - 15 minutes till golden brown. Place the muffin tray at the middle of the oven.

8) Insert a stick into the muffin and ensure that it comes out clean. 

9) Remove the muffins and cool on a cooling rack.

10) Best when served fresh. Store in an airtight container for 2 - 3 days. Will stay longer in the fridge.

Optional Additions:

a. Can use 1 mashed banana in the above recipe.

b. For a richer muffin, increase the butter to 1 cup.

c. Since the baking duration is small, adjust the temperature based on your oven. Keep a watch over the muffins the first time.

Nutrition:

High in Calcium and iron.

Dietary Considerations of the Basic Recipe:

Gluten Free

Nut Free ( if you don't add nuts)

Lactose Free (replace milk with alternatives)

Low oil Usage