AFVOA Newletters of Year 2003

Page 92 of 170 Cumin seeds = 2 tsp. Oil as needed for frying the Murukku mould in circles into a paper towel. Carefully move it from the towel to your palm and very carefully drop it in the hot oil and deep fry. Drain and store in an airtight container. (Source; Shilpa Bharathan Iyer - http://www.womenexcel.com/cuisine/festivereipes.htm Some Tips.... We are giving below more tips which we do hope will be of some use to the community. a) Warm dry spices ever so lightly, over a heated griddle, to lighten them so crushing is much easier and faster. Also the aromas exuded will be much richer. b) Wear surgical gloves or use scissors to cut green or fresh chillies, since the oils in them tend to burn the hands long after cutting. So save tears by using scissors and gloves. c) Powder vermicelli or sago and roll patties or croquettes in this powder before frying, to get a crisp crunchy cover. At the same time, much less oil will be absorbed while frying. d) Have an invigorating bath by finishing off with a bucketful of water to which 3 tbsp. of white vinegar, 2 tbsp. rose water and a few drops of your favourite flowery essence has been added. The vinegar makes skin supple and avoids the dryness and scaliness of skin. e) Rub brinjals with a little salted oil after slicing to avoid discolouration. f) Wash, grind and apply a mixture of drumstick leaves and jaggery as a poltice over wounds, and add a tsp. or so of turmeric if wound is septic, for quick and gentle healing of wounds. g) Any pickle will last much more longer if a little care is taken to avoid moisture contact at any stage, and jars, bowls, ingredients used, etc. are wiped dry with a clean dry kitchen cloth, which does not have lint fibres. h) Strained fresh bittergourd juice is applied over wounds to heal quickly. Even a poltice of grated Bittergourd tied over the wound works wonders. i) Juice extracted from raw grated bittergourd can be mixed with a helping of honey and Salt, and add some plain water. Drink this extract to rid of small home ailments and give A general feeling of goodwill. j) Collect clean scrapings of bitter gourd. Tie in a thin clean muslin cloth and use as a facial and body loofah to scrub out dead cells. k) Never discard nutritious skins of apples, when peeling. Eat them or add them to a chopped salad, raitha. l) Making a note of what you are going to make a few minutes before going to bed. That will save a lot of searching and fumbling and thinking and swearing, to begin the next day with. m) Make many variations of basic recipes like chutney parathas, by adding ajwain/veggies/mint, etc. One may use red coconut chutney too. Just make sure, no chutney is running, but very stiff. n) Usually greens contain some amount of soil and have to be washed thoroughly before cooking. Put chopped leaves in plenty of water, keep for 5 minutes, allowing the mud to settle at the bottom. Then with open palm lift out all the leaves from the top of the water. Gradually pour out leftover greens into a colander, to let the water drain. Take care not to disturb the muddly deposit at the bottom of the vessel. A Smirk Of Wisdom