Food

5 Great Soups For Rainy Days

Published

3 years ago

September 17, 2021

To make a good soup, you have to build flavours as you go. Vegetables like onion, garlic, celery and carrots — referred to as ‘aromatics’ — are part of most soup recipes for this very reason, sautéed in oil or butter as a first step of flavour-making.

We all love soups in all forms and flavors and they are so easy to prepare too!

Vegan Sweet Potato Soup

The sweet potatoes give this soup a creamy texture, so there’s no need to add cream or milk.

Ingredients

2 tsp groundnut oil

1 onion, finely diced

2 sticks celery, finely diced

500 g sweet potato, peeled and cut into small dices

1 tbsp grated ginger

1 hot chilli, seeded and chopped (or to taste)

2 cloves garlic, sliced

2 tomatoes, diced

1 litre vegetable stock

2 tbsp smooth peanut butter

Chopped coriander leaves, to serve

Slivered almonds, to serve

Method

Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium-high flame, add the onion, celery and sweet potato, and cook for 10 minutes until the onion and celery have softened.
Add the ginger, chilli and garlic, and cook for two minutes.
Add the tomatoes and stock. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 20 minutes. Season.
Stir in the peanut butter, then blend until smooth.
Serve garnished with coriander leaves and almonds slivers.

Roasted Tomato Soup

This Roasted Tomato Soup is the perfect combination of sour, sweet, and savory flavors that will satisfy you; this recipe is a keeper.

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil

½ onion, finely chopped

1 carrot, finely chopped

1 stick celery, finely chopped

100 ml tomato paste

4 large ripe tomatoes, blanched, peeled and chopped

½ stock cube

200 ml water

A pinch of sugar

Salt, to taste

100 g pasta, cooked

To serve:

Grated Parmesan cheese

Chopped basil

Method

Heat a saucepan over a low flame and add the oil.
Add the chopped onion, carrot and celery and cook for about 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Add the tomato paste and chopped tomatoes and bring to a boil.
Add the stock cube, water, sugar and salt to season and simmer for 20 minutes.
Stir in the cooked pasta and allow to heat through.
Remove from the flame and divide between serving bowls.
Serve hot, garnished with the cheese and basil.

Mint and Zucchini Soup

This delectable soup is like many spoonfuls of wellness!

Ingredients

3 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

Salt, to taste

3 cloves garlic, sliced

6 zucchini, thinly sliced

740 ml vegetable stock

150 ml crème fraîche + extra to serve

1 small bunch mint leaves, chopped (divided usage)

Method

Heat the olive oil in a pan over a medium flame, and cook the onions with a pinch of salt for 10 minutes until softened; do not allow them to colour. Add the garlic, and cook for a few minutes. Add the zucchini, and cook on a low flame for 20 minutes.
Add the vegetable stock, bring to a boil, and allow to cook for a few minutes.
Blend the soup until completely smooth. Stir in the crème fraîche and three-fourth of the mint. Blend again, and season to taste
Divide into serving bowls, and serve, drizzled with crème fraîche and garnished with mint leaves

Walnut & Mushroom Soup

This soup is so rich in flavors that you’d think it would take hours to cook, but, no, it is as easy as it gets, with a handful of ingredients and minimum time.

Ingredients

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

450 g fresh mushrooms, sliced

2/3 cup finely-chopped shallots

430 g vegetable broth

1½ tsp chopped fresh thyme or ½ tsp dried thyme

1 cup walnuts

½ cup water

Freshly-cracked black pepper, to taste

Sea salt, to taste

Method

Heat the oil in a saucepan over a medium-high flame.
Add the mushrooms and shallots, and cook for five minutes until softened, stirring several times.
Add the broth and thyme, and bring to a boil. Reduce the flame, and simmer, covered, for five minutes.
Place the walnuts and water in a food processor or blender. Whirl until the walnuts are completely blended and smooth and paste-like.
Stir into the mushroom mixture, and season with the sea salt and freshly-cracked black pepper. Simmer over a medium-low flame for five minutes until slightly thickened, stirring frequently.
Serve as is, or puree soup with an immersion blender or in a blender until smooth.

Broccoli and Almond Soup

This soup is loaded with rich flavors and nutrition that your body is going to thank you for!

Ingredients

250 g broccoli

150 g spinach, blanched and placed in ice water

1 tsp oil

1 tsp butter

1 small onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1 bay leaf

15 g almonds, soaked

500 ml vegetable stock

1 green chilli

Salt and pepper, to taste

Pinch of nutmeg

Method

Bring salted water to the boil in a large saucepan. Blanch the broccoli in the boiling water for two minutes.
Remove the broccoli to a bowl of iced water, and blanch the spinach for two minutes in the same boiling water. Remove and add to iced water.
Heat the oil and butter in another saucepan. When warm, add the onion, garlic and bay leaf, and cook for two to three minutes until the onion is pink and translucent.
Remove the mixture from the flame, discard the bay leaf, and blend to a smooth paste along with the blanched broccoli and spinach.
Return the paste to the saucepan.
Add the almonds to the grinder, and blend to a smooth paste.
Add the almond paste to the spinach-broccoli paste along with the vegetable stock, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Simmer, covered for five to seven minutes. Serve hot.

Food

Benefits of Including Crab in your Diet

Published

1 month ago

March 23, 2024

Reshma Vivekanandan

Crab has all the attraction of seafood without the fishy flavor that some people want to avoid. It is delightfully salty with a delicate mineral sweetness. Crabs were reportedly among the foods that coastal societies eaten a hundred years ago. On the menus of the greatest restaurants today, it stands out as the highlight dish. Crab is famous for its distinctive, exquisite flavor as well as for the health benefits it provides.

Omega-3 fatty acids and protein are abundant in crabs. The Food Experts advise two servings of fish and seafood every week, which is not difficult.

Good Protein Source

Crab is a low-fat, nutritious protein source that boosts metabolism and gives you energy. In reality, crab has less saturated fat and about the same amount of protein per 100 grams as other meats.

Strengthens Heart Health

Consuming a lot of crab meat can actually benefit your cardiovascular system. The Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and protein found in crab are all beneficial sources of lowering cholesterol. Having lower cholesterol lowers your chances of heart attacks and strokes.

Increases Brain Activity

Crabs are healthy for you since they are a high source of selenium, vitamin B2, copper, and other vital vitamins and minerals. Together with omega-3 fatty acids, these nutrients support healthy brain ageing and reduce the risk of dementia. They aid in defending against oxidative stress, inflammation, and other elements that may have an impact on the growth and health of the brain.

Strengthens bones

You may already be aware of the significance of calcium for bone health. However, did you realize that phosphorus plays an equal role? Due to its high phosphorus content, crab flesh can aid in the development of strong, healthy teeth and bones.

Contains selenium

Compared to other meats, crab offers a substantially higher supply of selenium. As an antioxidant, this necessary mineral not only assists in preventing cell damage from free radicals but also strengthens your immune system. Selenium aids in the regulation of your metabolism and is essential for healthy thyroid function.

An aphrodisiac

The aphrodisiac property of crab meat promotes libido and sexual energy. They have high quantities of zinc and substances that increase estrogen and testosterone levels, enhancing sexual desire.

Makes the blood flow faster

Copper is yet another significant mineral present in crab meat. One significant advantage of copper is that it facilitates the body’s absorption of iron, which enhances the creation of red blood cells. After injuries and illnesses, proper circulation aids in the healing process.

Consuming excessive amounts of crab can have certain unfavorable impacts, just like with most other foods. If you eat too much of some of the nutrients in crab, such copper and zinc, you could get sick. Crab, however, is a fairly nutritious item to eat in moderation unless you have a seafood allergy, and adverse effects are uncommon. Before consuming any seafood, always make sure you don’t have any allergies.

Food

The Taste Of Malayali Kitchen In Sweden

Published

2 years ago

May 23, 2022

Contributor

A Kochi-based malayali is creating a sensation by preparing Kerala Cuisine in the foreign swedish kitchen. Devi Nair, who has been settled in Sweden with her husband for almost 10 years, wanted her daughter to experience the delicacies of the Malyaali culture along with her International palette. The sense of homesickness and nostalgia has a part to play in this venture as well. In recent years, as the pandemic hit she chose to share her cooking extravaganzas on Instagram which led her to become more known to the public. Her recipes featured celebratory treats like the Bengali confection Rosbora, local parotta, and non-vegetarian Kerala foods that are popular on social media because they’re simple to make yet delicious to eat and look at. Devi whips up a storm of authentic Kerala delicacies during Malayali festivals. Tender, plump unniyappam, spongy kozhukkatta, rice dumplings, Vishu ada, and Vishu katta are just a few of the items on her Vishu menu this year. She prepared undaputtu with spicy prawn filling, kilikkoodu with meat and egg white, and ammini kozhukatta, a spicy rice dumpling, for Eid. It is also heard that she is planning to launch her own bakery in Sweden as well.

Words By : Goutham Satheesh

Food

Some Flavourful Delights to Savour this Festive Season

Published

2 years ago

April 16, 2022

Contributor

Vishu and Easter festivities are around the corner. Along with dressing up and gathering around for some fun family time, you would definitely want to indulge in these simple but festive special treats.

Lilly’s Pattisserie

What if we told you could have Payasam cakes? Yes. You heard that right. The Lilly’s Patisserie, Thrissur is offering Payasam cakes on it its Vishu Special menu as a distinct highlight. Try out their Palada and Pazham Pradhaman cakes which are available in two sizes.They have also got you covered for Easter with a range of Hot Cross Buns from traditional to chocolate and candy berry flavours. You can also spice up your Easter treats with their artisanally crafted Easter Eggs.

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Pandhal Cake Shop

The Pandhal Cake Shop, Kochi is shelling out some amazing Easter Egg Surprises this Holy Season. Their marzipan-based eggs come in varied sizes and colours vibrant enough to cheer the grimmest of the lot. Also, check out their Easter Egg Baskets that are sure to surprise you!

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A post shared by Pandhal Cake Shop (@pandhalcakeshop)

Lebanese Grill

No Easter is complete without some spicy meat-based main course to savour. This Kottayam-based Arabian restaurant is all about gifting your loved ones with some flavourful rice for the festive season. This Easter they are introducing the Mutton Cask Biriyani. The cask comes along with pappad, pickle and raita. These are only available on a pre-order basis. So, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and order now.