More awareness and understanding of food items consumed in our regular life can help us lead healthy lives. Food is not only for energy and growth, it is necessary to repair tissues, rejuvenate cells and protect against diseases. Spoilt food and contaminated food are the cause of many diseases....
March and April were pickle season at home when we were children and the smell of salted mangoes filled the house. It was to fun to open the piece of muslin cloth that covered the tall porcelain jars of chopped and marinating fruit and pick a piece to taste it instantaneously without our...
Actor M R Radha famously derided Tamil love of traditions by saying Tamils use steam to make steamed food (puttu) whereas in Europe they use steam to drive engines. But today our steamed foods are discovered to be quite modern and healthy. Steaming comes under moist heat cooking (boiling,...
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...
