Tips , tips , tips.

Dear Kalyani,
You cannot view it or download it unless & until you complete 50 posts!
I am sorry, Icannot help you in this matter - please understand.
Love,
Chithra.

 

Substitute For Sour Cream - if fresh sour cream is not available!

Fresh cream - 1 cup

Thick curds - 1-2 tbsp

Salt - 2 pinches

Whisk cream till it is thick & soft peaks form.

Add curds & salt & mix well.

Serve chilled.

Freshly hung cards can be substituted for cream.

 

Substitute for Self-Raising Flour

Maida - 1 kg

Baking powder - 1 1/4 tsp

Mix & sieve together atleast 4 times for perfect blending.

 

Substitute for Cream Cheese

To make cream cheese, boil, say, 1 litre of milk.

Remove & keep aside for 5 mts.

Mix 1 tsp citric acid (or white vinegar) with 1/2 cup of warm water & add.

It will curdle on its own.

If necessary, gently stir.

Now strain in a thin cloth, leaving it with little whey to get a creamy consistency.

Blend the hot residue till thick & creamy.

 

How to extract mango pulp?

When mangoes are available in plenty, I always extract the pulp and freeze it for round the year use.
There are 2 methods:

1 - For special juicy varieties like Rasalu.
select well rioe fruits. Cut off from the narrow end a piece 1"from the tip.. Now start squeezing it from the top, pressing nicely. The entire pulp flows out.

2 - For big fruits:
Make a circular cut all along the diameter of the fruit, with a sharp knife.
Hod right side with right hand & let side with left hand.Twist the fruit, right hand clockwise & left hand anticlockwise or vice versa. The fruit will get split into 2 parts, one with the seed & the other without. Now scoop ourt the entire pulp with a spoon.

In both methods, liquidise the pulp for a uniform texture.
I will post photos in the next few days.

 

Dear Sunitha,
Please search under the heading Mango in the A-Z recipes thread. You will see a whole list!
Thanks for your nice words.
You have coined a nice, stylish username!
Love,
Chithra.

 

Tomato idli – let us continue to play with mini idlis!

Cook 4-5 bright red tomatoes with 2-3 red chillies, salt & hing with 3 tbsp water till soft.
Liquidise & keep.

Mini idlis - 10-12

To temper:

Oil - 1 tbsp

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Urad & gram dhal - 2 tsp each

Heat oil & temper as given.

Add tomato chutney.

When it starts boiling add idlis till there are just enough to soak in the chutney.

Simmer for 2 mts, switch off & keep covered.

Idlis will soak & become soft.

Remove & garnish with cashewnuts fried in 1 tsp ghee.