Cooking Tips

What is Steaming? Steaming is a cooking method that utilizes hot steam to cook food. It is one of the oldest cooking techniques and is known for retaining the texture, color, and nutritional value of the food. The temperature for steaming is typically 212°F (100°C), similar to boiling water, but it can be increased under […]

Carom seeds, also known as ajwain or bishop weed, are small seeds used as a spice in cooking. They have a thyme-like aroma and are highly fragrant. Carom seeds have a strong flavor with notes of anise and oregano, and they possess a pungent smell. They were historically used in African and Indian cuisines. Carom

When we didn’t have pizzas and burgers, Bok Phool Bhaja or fritters used to give us a delightful treat. Bok Ful is a flower with a bitter taste that is dipped in a batter made of rice flour, salt, and spices. It is wonderfully crispy, and the bitterness of the Bok Ful offers a unique

Beto shak is widely consumed, and according to Ayurveda experts, it contains an oil that cleanses the intestines. Beto Shak, also known as beto tendrils, is delicious when served with steamed rice. It can be easily obtained from the market and cooked at home. This vegetable is famous in Bengal and Bangladesh. Uses of Beto

Khesari Saag, also known as Khesari Shak, is one of the best shaak recipes popular in West Bengal and Bangladesh. With just a few ingredients, it can be prepared. You can cook this recipe anytime and serve it with steamed rice. Uses of Khesari Saag in Indian Cuisine Khesari Shak is a delicate and tasty

What is Tenderizing? Tenderizing is a cooking process that involves tendering the whole food on which it is applied so that it becomes easy to cook, chew and digest. It depends on the choice of using tenderizing techniques like marinating the food, braising, and even using the mallet. During the process, the soft connective tissues

What is Marination? Marination is the process of soaking food in a seasoned or flavored liquid, usually acidic, called a marinade, before cooking. The term originated from the Latin word “sea,” meaning “mare.” It is primarily used to tenderize the food, add flavors, and enhance the overall taste. The marinating process can last from a

What is Piercing? Piercing is a cooking technique where small holes are made in the food either before or during the cooking process. These holes allow marinades, oils, and heat to penetrate the food, resulting in enhanced flavor absorption and even cooking. Piercing can be performed both prior to and during cooking to ensure that

What is Searing? Searing is a cooking technique that involves exposing cooking ingredients to high temperatures, resulting in a crispy and brown exterior. During searing, a small amount of fat or butter is often used to enhance the flavor of the dish. While searing helps develop texture by creating a brown and crispy surface, it

 What is Stir Frying? Stir frying is a cooking method that offers a fresh way to cook by tossing the food and ingredients in a little fat in a wok or a pan over medium to high heat. It is done within a few minutes. The meats remain tender and well-seared, and vegetables persist to

What is Frying? Frying is a cooking technique that involves submerging food in hot oil at temperatures between 350 and 375ºF. This thermal process results in a crisp exterior and a moist interior, with the food turning golden brown. Frying can be used in both industrial and residential settings, and is popular worldwide due to

What is Sautéing? Sautéing is derived from the French verb “Sauter” which refers to the English word “jump or jumping”. This cooking method is mainly done with a dry heat process which involves the usage of less fat on a hot pan. You can simply toss the ingredients as needed. The main rationale is to

What is Simmering? Simmering came from the word simmer which is the state of bringing the liquid just below the boiling point. The method involves slowly softening the food with time and then adding the seasoning and other ingredients to the dish. You can see bubbles that rise on the surface of the food. It requires

What is Poaching? Poaching is a cooking technique that involves cooking delicate foods such as eggs, fish, poultry, and fruit in a liquid that is heated to a temperature ranging from 158–176 °F (70–80 °C). The food is typically submerged in a liquid such as wine, stock, milk, or water. During the poaching process, the

What is Stewing? Stewing is a cooking method that involves slow-cooking pieces of meat, seafood, or vegetables in a liquid mixture over low heat for an extended period. The liquid can be a combination of water, stock, wine, or other flavorful liquids, and it is typically seasoned with herbs, spices, and other ingredients to enhance

What is Boiling? Boiling is a widely used moist-heat cooking technique in which food is cooked in water that has reached its boiling point of 100 degrees Celsius. To ensure uniform cooking, the food is fully submerged in the water. When the water is at a rolling boil, bubbles form and break quickly and vigorously

What is Blanching? Blanching is a cooking process that involves briefly scalding a food item, typically a vegetable or fruit, in boiling water, then quickly removing it and submerging it in ice water or running it under cold water to stop the cooking process. The purpose of blanching is to inactivate enzymes, alter texture, remove

What is Grilling? Grilling is a cooking technique that involves applying dry heat to the surface of food, typically from the top, bottom, or side. It is a popular method used to quickly cook meat and vegetables and typically employs direct, radiant heat. Grilling is done on an open wire grid or grill that has

What is Rotisserie? Rotisserie, also known as spit roasting, is a classic cooking technique that has been used for centuries. It involves skewering meat on a long, solid rod and cooking it over an open flame or in an oven. While traditionally used for whole animals such as pigs and turkeys, this method is also

What is Broiling?  Broiling is a cooking method that uses radiant heat from above to cook food, making it similar to grilling but upside down. This cooking technique typically uses a higher temperature compared to other methods such as grilling or roasting. Leaner and thinner cuts of meat, such as butterflied chicken breasts, strip steaks,

What is Barbecuing? Barbecuing is a cooking method that originated from the English word “barbecue”. It involves cooking food with live fire, typically using low heat and slow cooking. Whole chickens, turkeys, and cuts of meat like ribs and shoulder are often used in this process. These types of meat are tougher and require the

What is Roasting? Roasting is a method of dry heat cooking that involves surrounding food with hot air from an oven, open flame, or other heat source, which cooks it uniformly on all sides. The Maillard reaction, which imparts roasted food with a crisp, browned exterior and rich, caramelized flavors, is one of the primary

What is Baking? Baking is a cooking technique that uses dry heat in an enclosed space, usually an oven, to transform raw dough or batter into finished baked goods with a firm, browned exterior and a soft, moist interior. Baking involves a combination of physical and chemical processes that occur when heat is applied to

Sesame is cultivated as an edible seed that is eaten when fully ripe. These are cleaned and the exterior coat is being removed by hulling. This is a very small seed but the oil content is a maxim and offers a nutty flavor when toasted. It was traded during 2000 BC and first grown in

What is Soya Chunk? Soya chunks, also known as soya nuggets or soya vadi, are plant-based proteins. These chunks have a meat-like texture and are obtained from defatted soya flour after oil extraction. Soya chunks are a kind of mock meat popular across India. Soya chunks are loaded with nutritional benefits. These chunks are popularly

Thanks to the growing popularity of Chinese cuisine, Indians are quite familiar with soy sauce. Though many Chinese dishes have been Indianized, soy sauce is an important ingredient to bring the kind of desired taste, color, and flavor to authentic Chinese or Indo-Chinese delicacies. Whether you are cooking restaurant-grade macaroni, street-like noodles, or serving momos,

Coffee, a popular beverage enjoyed by millions of people worldwide, has a rich and flavorful texture that is sure to delight anyone who tries it. While tea may be the preferred beverage of choice in India, coffee culture in the country is rapidly growing. With a variety of flavors and textures to choose from, coffee

Noodles are one of the much-loved and most popular street foods in India. It is also cooked in Indian homes. Different preparations of noodles are perfect for a hearty and delicious breakfast. Though street-like noodle dishes are our lingering obsession, if it comes to health and hygiene, we will surely go for the home-cooked ones.

Vermicelli is a kind of traditional pasta. It is similar to but thinner than spaghetti. It is broken down into several small pieces before cooking. It is easily available at grocery stores. There are varieties of vermicelli. Some are thick and some are thin.  I prefer roasted vermicelli for both savory and sweet dishes. However, non-roasted

Over the years, Quinoa has gained popularity as a superfood in the United States and is now also greatly used and liked in India for its nutty flavor. In Bengal, it is known as “Kawon er chal” and is used in various religious occasions to make rice pudding, khichuri, and other dishes. Quinoa is a