Among the newsmakers in the Nayan-Shivan wedding was Jackfruit Biryani that was served to guests. This mock-meat dish may have helped guests eat a biryani with the texture of meat but without actually eating meat. But how healthy is jackfruit biryani? Can biryani be made healthier while...
Organic produce is often marketed as non-toxic in Chennai but without any certification. Sales depends on trust created by word of mouth. Below is the second part of (read first part here) of the interview with Arogyam Organic Foods managing director S Arumugasamy on this topic. What is the...
The spread of the ghost kitchen in Tamil Nadu has transformed the dining experience from eating in restaurants to enjoying cuisines delivered through food aggregators by delivery modes (i.e. outside a restaurant). This has changed eating habits in cities including in Chennai and Coimbatore....
Plant-based meats refer to food products that mimic animal meat products. The eating experience and taste are equivalent to consuming meat. They appear like meat too. They may also be called “fake” meats, “meat alternatives,” or “vegan meats.” A variety of plant-based products are taking the...
The traditional rice varieties of Tamil Nadu are seeing a renewal in interest (click here and here for more on this). This article summarizes the scientific aspects. Rice is India’s pre-eminent crop and is the staple food of the people of the eastern and southern parts of the country. Apart...
Shawarma is one of the most popular Middle East foods. Its vertical cooking style cooks the meat in its melting fat. Although vertical cooking of meat was introduced by the chefs of Ottoman Empire, it was Iskender Effendi, a Turkish man, who first made shawarma in 1870. It was called kebab. The...
Banana leaves have been an integral part of desi food and traditions. They offer health benefits, help farmers and meet ecological needs. Apart from just serving as a leafy plate, banana leaves are also used for cooking and wrapping as well. The leaves have a wide range of applications because...
A hugely popular snack, pani puri is sold in pushcarts in the streets. Adults and children love it. The combination of flavours from sweet to tangy to spicy makes it the quintessential Indian chaat full of carefree fun and wholesome flavour. Made popular by migrant workers, pani puri carts...
Native rice varieties of Tamil Nadu seems to be everywhere yet actually only somewhere. Rice has been closely associated with the cultural life of people since the Sangam era. Tamil Nadu had a great collection of native landraces (varieties) of rice, but they all lost their importance with the...
The mention of pickles makes our taste buds mouth- watering. Pickling has been relied upon both to conserve foods and add to their flavour. No Indian meal is complete without a smidgen of pickle. Every Indian household south or North has its distinctive pickles. In recent times pickles have...
