SUN-DRIED TOMATO RELISH RECIPE. THREE-BEAN RELISH RECIPE. TEN GREAT COOKING TIPS

SUN-DRIED TOMATO  RELISH RECIPE

THREE-BEAN RELISH  RECIPE

TEN GREAT  COOKING TIPS (SERIES #6)

COOKING TIPS (SERIES # 6).
1.What actually is relish in culinary?

According to Brittanica encyclopedia relish is a vegetable  side  dish  that is  eaten in  small quantities with a blander main dish to pique the appetite by its contrasting texture and spicy or piquant taste. 

Relishes are frequently finely cut vegetables or fruit in sour, sweet-sour, or spicy sauce

a)..something savory or appetizing added to a meal, as pickles or olives.

b)..a sweet pickle made of various vegetables, usually chopped or minced.

c)..an appetizer or hors d'oeuvre

The Indonesian and Malaysian sambal, Indian/ Punjabi chutney, achar,  andraita, and Korean  kimchi. Lombardy in Italy, specializes   in “mostarda di frutta”, a melange of fruits preserved in a sweet syrup,  sharp with mustard. In the United States (Pennsylvania German)  cuisine "seven sweets and seven sours".

2. Tip some great relish ingredients- Pickles fruits and vegetables, spices and condiments, onions, beets, crabapples, watermelon rind, nuts, pineapple and herbs…with pickled baby gherkins, my top favorite.

3. What is sundried tomatoes? Ripe tomatoes are placed in the sun to remove  their water content. The larger tomatoes can lose up to 93% water during the process. As a result, it takes about 8 to 14 kilos of fresh tomatoes to make a single kilo of sun-dried tomatoes. Sundried  tomato fruits still keep their nutritional values. Tomatoes are high in lycopene, anti-oxidants and vitamin C. They are low in sodium, fat and calories.

CV RELISH RECIPE

8 pieces packed sundried tomatoes (cut into smaller pieces)

4 tbsp golden/ purple  raisins

3 or 4 tbsp minced pickled gherkins

2 tbsp minced fresh coriander

¼ cube or 1 tsp anchovies powder

6  tbsp boiled red beans

1 clove garlic

3 tbsp almond slices

1 tbsp crushed black pepper (optional)

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

½ lemon (extract juice)

Sal and pepper

In a mixing bowl, put in olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper, salt,, pepper, minced garlic, coriander and anchovies and mix well.

Finally, add all the other ingredients.. A relish for your dish or casserole

COOKING TIPS

4. What is sulfite in food and how to detoxify?  Sulfites are a type of preservative commonly added to prepared food. An excellent source of the trace mineral, an intergral component, molybdenum, can detoxify sulfites.

1 cup of cooked kidney beans contain 177% of daily requirement of molybdenum. So, you would need half cup daily.

5. Any other great tip on cooking/ eating kidney beans? 1 cup cooked kidney beans contain 18% of daily requirement of thiamine, a synthesis for acetycholine.

Acetycholine is for  memory / retention power, not senile/ prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

6. Are kidney beans toxic, how to remove this? Kidney beans, are toxic  if not put at boiling point for 10 minutes at least.. These beans takes longer than 10 minutes to get cooked and soften, making  it  safe to eat.

7. What pairs best with kidney beans? Kidney beans are especially good in simmered dishes where they absorb the flavors of seasonings and the other foods in which they are cooked with.

8. How to shorten cooking time for kidney beans and make them easier to digest? Kidney beans should be presoaked. There are two basic methods for presoaking. For each method, place the beans in a saucepan with two to three cups of water per 1 cup of beans.

Method 1- Heat the beans, when water starts to boil, leave for two minutes only, then take pan off the heat. Cover and allow to stand for two hours.

Method 2- Soak the beans in water for eight hours or overnight, placing the pan in the refrigerator, so that the beans will not ferment.

Before cooking the beans, drain the soaking liquid and rinse the beans with clean water.

THREE-BEAN  RELISH RECIPE

Half cup each of cooked kidney beans, black beans and white beans

Combine all three to make a colorful three bean relish.

Mix with chopped zucchini, mint leaves  and scallions

Dress with olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, salt and black pepper.

COOKING TIPS:

9.Any quick Serving ideas? Serve cooked kidney beans over a piece of cornbread and top with grated cheese.

10. Other Serving idea? In a food processor or blender, combine cooked kidney beans with garlic, cumin and chili peppers for a delicious spread that can be used as a crudité dip or sandwich filling, with cheese added.


TIPS FROM PUBLISHED COMMENTS: see links in comment box. thank you.
1) From Jasna: " Beans in combination with corn (or rice) have complete protein (like meat), important for vegetarians. Love mashing it for dips!"


2) From Nava: "We need our relish with most of our meals Maznah, a little bit of sambal belacan, Indian pickles etc etc. In fact, these are always in the fridge and brought out as and when needed during our makan time.
That is a wonderful recipe you have shared and one more to be added to our meal. "


3) From Katrina: " Whenever I eat Indian/Mamak food - will go into their kitchen asking for chutney .
 I love to watch Korean dramas, they always mention Kimchis, must be their traditional dish - and looked delicious too!  Tks for all the tips.. very educational for me ".


4) From Amy:Thanks so much for these great tips....Every cuisine has their own relishing dishes...In Sri Lanka we use 'Achcharu' including 'Malay Achcharu'.Other than that I like Indian chutnies & sambal chili which I found here in Singapore..
Sundried tomato looks great!! 

PIYAZ RECIPE (ANTALYA BEAN SALAD). KABAK TATLISI RECIPE (PUMPKIN DESSERT)

PIYAZ    (ANTALYA BEAN SALAD)

KABAK   RECIPE  (PUMPKIN DESSERT)

Two weeks ago, I published a guest post from my  special guest blogger, Mr Isa  from Antalya the magnificent city  of Turkey.

Isa is currently pursuing a Masters Program in Political Science and International Relations at a university in Turkey. Having a great passion on political sciences, I am quite surprised that he is also a great cook!  

Many thanks to you Isa for your willingness to do this guest post for me, of which I have divided it in two parts.

Part 1 was published 2 weeks ago:

 http://cooking-varieties.blogspot.com/2011/11/sis-kofte-meatball-skewers-recipe.html

Finally, here is Part 2, do visit Isa, one of our aspiring student bloggers at his main blog-

http://antalya-magnificent-city.blogspot.com/

Isa’s other blogs- on the various tribes of Turkey.

http://turkicfamily.blogspot.com/

Isa's personal bog, 
http://isaburakgonca.blogspot.com

PART 2

MENU:
-  Piyaz (Antalya Bean Salad) 
-    Kabak Tatlısı (Pumpkin Dessert) 

NORTHERN BEANS OR WHITE BEANS

  

   

Piyaz (Antalya Bean Salad) 

Ingredients:

2 cups of cooked beans (northern beans)

1 onion cut finely in half-moons

1/2 cup parsley, finely chopped

1 or two hard boiled eggs, sliced

1 tomato, diced

1/4 cup tahini

1/4 cup vinegar

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 cloves of garlic, minced

NORTHERN BEANS OR WHITE BEANS

Tahini or sesame paste (Arabic: طحي‎), is a paste of ground sesame seeds used in cooking. The Arabic word tahin (طحين) simply means flour.

Tahini is a major component of humus (chickpeas with tahini) . It is sold fresh or dehydrated.

The method of cooking:

First, boil the beans. Then, parsley, garlic, dried and fresh onion rings for sure.

Put a little salt and blend in the oil. Sesame oil, garlic, lemon juice and mix them well. 

Pour over the salad that you make. The remaining oil, vinegar, pepper, drizzles clapped. 

Garnish with egg and olive.

Kabak Tatlısı (Pumpkin Dessert)
Ingredients:

1 pound of pumpkin
3 cups granulated sugar
Sesame Oil (Tahini)
Walnuts

The method of cooking:

Slice the pumpkins. Pumpkins sorting them in a pot sprinkle with powdered sugar. After waiting at least 2-3 hours, and cook over low heat their water. Pumpkins after cooking, place in oven. Cook 10 minutes more. After cooling the pumpkins serving dish, pour sesame oil on them and sprinkle with walnuts.

Antalya city

Antalya is set on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, also known as the Turkish Riviera. It is Turkey’s biggest international sea resort, with a mixed of traditional and cosmopolitan activities and excellent shopping centers and foodies. .

The sea and sun, beaches and moon, breathtaking waterfalls and authentic  localities

such as Olympos or the Taurus Mountains makes Antalya virtually a wonderland.  Here

are  a few more pictures on Antalya city.

One of the sacred animals in Turkey is the  Turkic  Dragon (Zilant- Ejderha)

Isa’s other blogs- on the various tribes and culture of Turkey.  

http://turkicfamily.blogspot.com/

KIDNEY BEANS JELLO RECIPE OR RED BEANS JELLO RECIPE. ALSO KNOWN AS AGAR-AGAR KACANG MERAH

NAME OF COOKINIG VARIETIES RECIPE
KIDNEY BEANS JELLO RECIPE
OR RED BEANS JELLO RECIPE
ALSO KNOWN AS AGAR- AGAR KACANG MERAH
Ingredients
1 packet (300 grams) sea grass (agar2).
OR use 300 grams jello, follow cooking instructions from the box
3 ½ cups water
½ cup kidney beans –soak overnight in the fridge OR use ½ cup red beans
½ cup sago beads
2 eggs- use the white only- blend/ beat up until foamy and fluffy
Rock sugar to taste
1 screw pine leaf- shred, for a fragrant aroma or 1 drop vanilla essence
Permitted food coloring- deep red
Wash kidney beans that had been soaked overnight in the fridge.

Boil until really soft. Drain water and mash a little.
Wash sago beads and  mix with beans. Set aside
Boil sea grass in water until all dissolve.
Add in kidney beans, sago, screw pine and red permitted food coloring
Stir continuously until sago becomes translucent
Add in sugar. When sugar dissolves completely, add in egg white and put off fire.
For a quick check, put 3 tablespoons of mixture on a saucer and put it in the fridge to cool. Test and see if your jelly is of the right mix- not too soft or hard.
If it’s a bit hard, add some water and reheat. Pour into a mould or casserole and leave to cool

GARDEN TEA

The Health benefits of kiidney beans:
Kidney beans contain protein which is good for healthy hair, high cholesterol-lowering fiber.
The high fiber prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after meals, making them a good choice for individuals with diabetes, insulin resistance or hypoglycemia-

Sulfites are a type of preservative commonly added to foods like delicatessen salads and salad bars.
Persons sensitive to sulfites, may experience rapid heartbeat, headache or disorientation. Reaction to sulfites, may be due to insufficient molybdenum stores to detoxify them. One cup of cooked kidney beans supplies 177.0% of the daily value for molybdenum.

Contains magnesium –which makes veins and arteries breathe a sigh of relief and relax. This lessens resistance and improves the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body
Thiamin (B1) in kidney beans is needed for the synthesis of acetylcholine, the important neurotransmitter essential for memory. Lack of this is a contributing factor in age-related impairment in mental function (senility) and Alzheimer's disease.

The Health benefits of Sago:
Sea grass and sago has a cooling effect on the body.
In Ayurvedic sago is used to "cool and balance one's body heat" when taking strong medicine or antibiotics

The Health benefits of Seaweed or Sea grass (agar -agar-a seaweed product):
Rrich in calcium, magnesium and iodine
Iodine is necessary for thyroid function and to prevent goitre. Excess intake of seaweed may raise iodine to toxic levels, however.

Seaweeds may have curative properties for tuberculosis, arthritis, colds and influenza, worm infestations and even tumors.
Other seaweed pills exploit the same effect as gastric banding, expanding in the stomach to make the body feel more full.
Absorption of excess salt in the body.
Contains calcium ten times higher than milk- prevent osteoporosis.
High nutritional content improves hormonal, lymphatic, and nervous system. Increase the body's defense function, improve heart and blood circulation, and digestive system