Saturday, October 29, 2011

Kitchen Hints


- THE pots, in which milk is kept and boiled, usually have cream stuck around the sides. While washing do not throw the milky water. Instead, use it to water ‘motia’ and ‘chambeli’ plants. They will grow better and have more flowers. 


- IT is not easy trying to figure out the freshness of fish nowadays when sellers smear them with red colour! Here are certain points that your should always consider while buying fish:


a) A fresh fish has clear, shining and protruding eyes while a stale one’s would be a bit hazy, pinkish and buried in their sockets. 
b) The skin of a fresh fish would be shiny and firm. A stale fish’s skin is not firm or lustrous.
c) The gills should be clean and red. A stale fish’s gills are brownish or are turning greenish colour.
d) Fresh fish meat sticks to its bones while stale meat is soggy and difficult to handle.


- If the onions burn while browning, remove all the burnt bits, change the pot and add a little fresh oil, otherwise the burnt taste will pervade the curry. You may have to start again.


- If the curry has become too hot, and contains tomatoes and/or whipped yoghurt, or coconut milk, and an extra tomato or two. Also add ½ -1 teaspoon of sugar.


- If the curry has become too salty, add pieces of potato, or a piece of dough, which you must remove before serving. The potatoes and dough will absorb the liquid and then you can top up with cup plain water, which will dilute the saltiness.


- If the curry is too liquid, boil uncovered (keep your exhaust fan on!) for a few minutes.


- If the curry is not spicy enough, fry whatever spices you like with some chopped green chilli in hot oil in little saucepan or ladle (be careful as the chilli can splutter) and add to the curry.

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