Eureka's Green Thumb!

As the New Year steps in, many of us will have made various resolutions that have something to do with eating. Some folks will decide to restrict a particular food or beverage; some folks will have taken the drastic step of cutting out certain foods and drinks altogether. However, I hope some of you will be like me. I have resolved to experiment more and try new things and explore new ways of using familiar ingredients. I want to expand my palate and the palates of those with whom I share my meals and the use of herbs is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to expand and experiment in the kitchen. Click here to read the entire column and to meet Eureka!

This collage is just a sample of some of the herbs that can be found in Eureka's garden and at her stall.

Follow this link for a closer look at the herbs, a description and how you might use it. I have also included informative links from here, here and here about herbs, how to grow them, preserve them etc.

You may find my previous posts on Green Seasoning and Thyme useful as well.

CLICK the photography event is back and this month, the theme is RED! Participating also gives you a chance to win a copy of my book! So take out those cameras and get CLICK-ing! Read all the details of the event here.

Don't forget that you can also win a copy of the book by participating in the Royal Foodie Joust and the Eat Healthy Contest!

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I did it! I made Paneer!

A few months ago when Richa blogged about another of her favourite paneer recipes, my comment included the fact that I had never had paneer. That same day, I received an email with a how-to-make paneer guide. Richa, said, “I cannot let you go on and not try paneer.” She even sent me a link which I filed away. As I continued to visit many other blogs including non-Indian bloggers, I heard them raving about paneer. And then more recently, Jugalbandi and Soul Food gave demos and instructions on how to make this Indian cheese, Paneer. So, I thought that it was time to make paneer and this week’s column is about my findings as it relates to paneer making. You can read all about it here.

Among the things I found interesting is how different milks offer varying degrees of whiteness and the difference in taste when salt is added to the milk when making it and not. I followed the recipe from here for 1 litre of whole milk.

Another thing discussed in the column is how I preferred to use the paneer in a manner that was familiar to me before venturing out. Will I venture out and make paneer again and try the more popular dishes such as mattar paneer (paneer & green peas) and palak paneer (paneer & spinach)? Find out.

Here are the ways I had the paneer I made.

Cubed & Fried

Drizzled with honey

Dressed with cilantro-lime dressing

Dry-curried eggplant & paneer

I also cooked it sauteed with okras, tomatoes, onions and fresh herbs and if you want to know what I thought of these dishes, I discuss it in the column.

As I was making the paneer and watching the milk curdle, it remined me of a sweet my Aunt Betty would make whenever she had curdled milk. She'd add cinnamon, cloves and sugar to the curdled milk and let it boil until reduced. This was such a treat. She called it "paynuse" I am not sure of the spelling this is how the word sounded :)

By the way, have you noticed the spoons in the pics? Guess what? They are gift from a friend down under, Kiriel of Papillon Pantry. I first saw her post of tea noodles and the spoons in which she served them. I merely complimented her on the good tableware find and yes, the same day (see, there’s a theme here today) I received an email from her requesting my address so that she can send me some spoons and so I have spoons! I love them very much. Thanks again, Kiriel!

Speaking of noodles, please don’t forget to CLICK and send in your entries for this month’s theme. You still have time to CLICK and submit here.

Have a good week, everyone!

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