STUFFED POMFRET WITH GREEN MASALA.

STUFFED POMFRET WITH GREEN MASALA.


Today I have a special guest blogger, Suja Manoj from Ohio. I have always love her Stuffed chicken and Stuffed fish recipes. Noting her stuffing ingredients differ from mine, as well looking very delicious, I requested her to be my guest.

I am glad she agreed and came up with this “Stuffed Pomfret With Green Masala”. It is so flavorful, especially with prawns added, giving a new flavor to pomfret.

My special thank you to Suja for her willingness to be my guest and sharing with us this authentic seafood dish. Let us hear it from Suja:

DO CHECK OUT SUJA'S LINK AT MY SIDEBAR. THANK YOU.

Hi Cooking Varieties Readers!
This is Suja of Kitchen Corner- Try It.


I am from Kerala, India and currently residing in USA, Ohio with my husband and kid. Kitchen Corner blog was the result of a desire to make tasty home made food and to bring back some happy memories.


My husband and myself belong to the north and south of Kerala and so the flavors we were familiar from childhood also varied. Many times we used to discuss about food, regional specialties and the flavors that we found interesting during travel. All that encouraged me to experiment and write down those recipes.


To me the most inspiring cook is my mother. She always cooks great meals and is confident in experimenting and  planning stress free meals... she is my source of inspiration. Blogging has been a wonderful journey and I made friends with some amazing foodies. In future I wish to improve my blog and to take a more serious approach in blogging with better clicks and fusion recipes. 

Today's recipe is for fish lovers. It is a delicious and flavorful stuffed pomfret fish with green masala. The filling used is coconut, coriander and mint paste mixed with prawns. Adding prawns gives a unique flavor to this fish fry but you also make it with just the green chutney. I love to use pomfret fish to make this type of stuffed fish recipe because it is soft and has a mild flavor. 
To make slits or pockets for the stuffing you can make deep cuts as is seen in this recipe or make slits in the top side or the dorsal side of the fish. Try this recipe, you will surely love it.


STUFFED POMFRET WITH GREEN MASALA.


INGREDIENTS
White pomfret fish-2
Turmeric powder- 1/3 tsp
Pepper powder- 1/3 tsp
Lemon juice- 1/2 lemon
salt to taste


INGREDIENTS FOR STUFFING
Prawns - 8-10 medium
(chop or slit them into thin slices)
Onion- 1 medium
Shredded Coconut- 1/2 cup
Coriander leaves chopped- 1 cup
Mint leaves- a few
Green chilly- 5-6
( adjust to taste)
Garlic pods- 4-5
Ginger- 1 inch thick
Pepper powder- 1/3 tsp
Garam masala- 3/4 tsp
Lemon juice- 1/2 lemon
Salt to taste
Oil for frying

PREPARATION:
Clean the fish and cut open the stomach of the fish. Remove the gills and wash the fish thoroughly
Lay the fish flat on a cutting board and slide in the knife and slit open length wise close to its bone reaching to the tail. . Do not cut open all the way through. It should resemble a pocket.

Squeeze lemon juice and let the fish rest for two minutes and wash again. This will help eliminate the fishy smell.

Make a paste of turmeric powder, pepper powder, salt, lemon juice and marinade the fish and keep aside for ten to fifteen minutes.

TO MAKE THE STUFFING
Make a fine paste of coconut, coriander leaves, mint leaves, ginger, garlic and green chilly and set aside.
Heat oil in pan and add finely chopped onion and saute till onion changes color.
Now add the coconut green masala paste and saute for a minute till the raw flavor disappears.
Next add cleaned and chopped prawns. Cover and cook for about three minutes and till the masala becomes dry. Switch off the flame and allow to completely cool before stuffing the fish.


Once the stuffing comes to room temperature fill the pockets of the the fish with this masala paste.
You can also use a kitchen twine and gently go round the fish two or three times and tie a knot. This will help to keep masala intact.

Heat 1/3 cup of oil in a pan and fry the stuffed fish in low medium flame ( you can also cover with a lid for two minutes while frying to ensure that it gets properly cooked). Fry till both sides are evenly browned up or cooked. Serve with lemon wedges.

Once again thanks Wan
Try this..
Hope you will all enjoy..
PLEASE FIND THE LINK TO SUJA'S BLOG AT MY SIDEBAR..

GUEST POST COMING SOON..

                           SEE YOU SOON... 
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THE COOLING FRUITS DRINK RECIPE. CHERIMOYA, CANTALOUPE DRINK RECIPE

THE COOLING FRUITS DRINK RECIPE

CHERIMOYA, CANTALOUPE  DRINK RECIPE

The weather is a bit hotter than usual over here. Even though shying away from the sun, I still feel the need for drinks that have a cooling effect on me and my system.

At the same time, there must not be excessive sugar content such as cream, caramel, milky, sugar this and that. I am not the sweet tooth kind either. The cooling effect is my number one priority.

I am just going to use honey for a natural sweet effect. Every ingredient has to be nutritious as well, but the major/ main ingredient has to be a coolent for my fever.

It’s been more than 24 hours, my fever has not subsided yet. I am not the type who would run to a doctor at the slightest sick feeling I get in my system.

The I remembered coconut water and had that..yes my fever went down and  I know for certain young coconut water (not coconut milk) is very cooling, my fever is gone. You may view my earlier post on this – please check “Links to my recipes” at my sidebar.

Coconut water is also high in vitamin B and potassium.

Now, back to normal, I am able to walk about and surf the net.. yes, trying to look for the thingy than can cool down body heat. 

I am now thinking of alternatives to coconut water- a superior fruit or vegetable, that can easily be consumed as a drink. There is no need to cook, because when I feel sick, I don’t cook…

WHAT I DISCOVERED

So I found about six fruits and a few veggies/spices, I realized it’s not easy to look for one. Fruits are refreshing but barely known for cooling the body.

Some said many vegetables have cooling effects, but they are not scientifically proven. What compound is present in that veggie that has a cooling effect, else it is just a myth.

Melons and cucumbers also have high water content to replace lost water  and refreshes  the body.

Honeydew melon juice is one of the most beneficial and delicious fruit juices that are available. 

It has a very sweet taste, needs no sugar and I was so excited that this delicious cantaloupe, does give a cooling effect to those who consume it.

Jasna of  Jasna's kitchen creations  was kind enough to email me this : “Have you heard of 'Stevia' sugar - it's natural (from stevia plant) contains only a few calories, and it's not dangerous as diabetic sweeteners...It's expensive and called 'stevia' or 'natvia' sugar. “

Thank you Jasna,  will share this great tip- 

Citrus fruits like oranges and limes have lots of vitamin C which can help increase body immunity in fighting against heat, colds and flu. A certain compound in lemon has a cooling and refreshing effect.. such a versatile fruit, simply love this.

Mangosteen, another seasonal tropical fruit, also have cooling properties

Dandelions- Since hot flashes (hot flushes or night sweat) are caused by hormonal imbalances in women.

Dandelion helps to control them because dandelion contains two hormone-balancing nutrients. This is proven.

Edible parts for culinary and medicinal properties are the roots and leaves.

Roasted fennel seeds is also cooling, can add that to you juice or in daily dishes I guess. I am not sure if by cooking, it will destroy the cooling effect- anyone knows the fact on this? do share in my comment box please..

Fresh rosemary and mint leaves has a cooling sensation but I am not sure of a cooling effect, like they can bring down a fever.

Basil shoots and seeds too.

Tamarind is consumed in many parts of the world for it’s cooling effect. Among the many (over 20) medicinal uses are: antiseptic, astringent, colds, conjunctivitis (pink eyes), dry eyes, eye inflammation, sore throat, sunscreen, sunstroke.

My number one priority is still coconut water. To me, the natural taste of a half ripe coconut is so delicious, I don’t think those synthetics can copy it’s exotic taste, else it would have long been manufactured.

Next choice, just mixing ingredients my way- they are all cooling except Cherimoya, which I added, just to have an exotic flavor.

THE COOLING FRUITS RECIPE (CANTALOUPE, CHERIMOYA)

Ingredients:

1 long slice green Cantaloupe-peeled (or use the yellow variety)

Half a medium size cucumber- no peel

1 long slice Cherimoya-peeled and seeded

Half teaspoon fresh tamarind juice

A pinch of salt, Blend and refrigerate

WITH YOUNG COCONUT FLESH ADDED

Soursop/ Cherimoya etc

The aromatic Soursop tropical fruit, is in the same genus as the Cherimoya, Custard Apple, Sugar Apple and the Paw paw.. In Malaysia we call it Durian belanda. It is a native fruit to South and Central America and Sub-Saharan African countries that lie within the tropics. Today, they are also grown in some areas of South East Asia.. It is an exotic fruit, one of the best tasting in the world

Cherimoya is a very nutritious fruit – a rich source of carbohydrates, vitamin and minerals. It is a complete fruit containing almost all the essential nutrients in adequate proportions. 

Besides several health benefits, it’s high vitamin C content, is a stress alleviator.

This exotic fruit, depending on genus and areas grown, tastes mixed, like pineapple, creamy coconut and banana flavor, part strawberry, part apple taste and also with sour flavor notes. 

Mark Twain called the cherimoya "the most delicious fruit known to men”.

There is virtually no side effects, but their seeds and skin are non-edible, so you should not eat it. You can be paralyzed for 4 to 5 hours if you consume the cherimoya skin. The kernels are also toxic.

There is evidence indicating that the fruit's extracts selectively inhibit (prevent) the growth of human breast cancer cells.

TIPS FROM KATRINA
We have two kedondong trees behind my house, usually I make fresh juices and very cooling taken during hot weather. I normally add some sour dried plums plus sugar, taste better than green apple juice!...
According to my Chinese neighbour, they belief, it also helps lower the pressure..

.....Kedondong (and its alternative binomial, Spondias cytherea, Malay apple)also known as Hog plum and Tahitian apple or golden apple, pomme cythere in Trinidad and Tobago,June plum in Bermuda and Jamaica,juplon in Costa Rica, jobo indio in Venezuela, caja-manga in Brazil, and quả cóc in Vietnam.

In Sinhalese it is called Ambarella, and it is simplified and commonly called as Ampula or Ambra, so now I know why we in the northern states call this fruit Buah Ambra!
THANK YOU KATRINA FOR SHARING THIS GREAT TIP- wan
TIP FROM LENA  lena
good morning wan, my mother and some older relatives also believe that cucumber has a cooling effect on our bodies. Unlike some of us who just make juices straight out of them, they cook and boil it with a pot of water for an hour or so, just take it like as herbal tea. Thank you for sharing the facts here on cantaloupe and cherimoya, yea, i only know them as durian belanda. I was also told that the cherimoya is good for detoxification and blood cleansing, might help to conter acne and pimple problems. 
THANK YOU LENA FOR THIS GREAT TIP ON CUCUMBER  

EARTHQUAKE  RATTLES

A powerful 8.6 magnitude earthquake and a series of strong aftershocks struck off Indonesia on April 11^th, but no big tsunami.

Many thanks to all those concerned about me in Malaysia, being very close neighbor to Acheh, on the mega quake that hit Acheh, Indonesia.

I am  thankful that Cindyrina safely left Phuket and came back to Kuala Lumpur, the same day they closed the Phuket airport in Thailand, in anticipation of a tsunami, which already slightly hit a nearby town.

I am glad Suja’s mom and family in India are doing fine. 

Suja is residing in USA and was very worried because certain parts in India felt the tremor too.

As well, two large earthquakes struck western Mexico, shaking buildings at a magnitude of 6.5 on April 11th and 12^th.5 am.

My condolence to all who encountered this disaster and suffered  casualties.

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF COCOA. THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHOCOLATES. ZESTY CHOCOLATE SAUCE FOR DIPS RECIPE. CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM FLOAT RECIPE

IT SEEMS BITTER FRUITS HAVE GREAT NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS
SUCH AS COCOA, BITTER GOURD AND NONI FRUIT


THE SUPER BENEFITS OF COCOA

THE HEALTH BENEFITS IN CHOCOLATES

ZESTY CHOCOLATE SAUCE FOR DIPS RECIPE

CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM FLOAT RECIPE

"Our findings indicate that milk may interfere with the absorption of antioxidants from chocolate ... milk may negate the potential health benefits from eating dark chocolate."

Translation: Say "Dark, please," when ordering at the chocolate 
counter. Don't even think of washing it down with milk.

And if health is your excuse for eating chocolate, remember the word "moderate" as you nibble…Italy's National Institute for Food and Nutrition.   www.everyone-loves-chocolate.com

To realize it's health benefits. Studies show that one ounce a day of chocolate is plenty, but ensure your chocolate has at least 70 percent cocoa.

Also for example, part of  the "GHIRALDELLI" product range, they have:

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS with 60% CACAO, delivering an intensely rich yet balanced chocolate sensation.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE (35-99% Cacao Content)

UNSWEETENED CHOCOLATE (100% Cacao Content) also called chocolate liquor, made from finely ground roasted cocoa nibs.

Research shows that chocolate contains a hormone known as phenylethylamine, which creates a happy aura. It is the same as the good feeling hormone triggered by the brain when we fall in love.

Cocoa bean (cacao) is the dried seed, from which cocoa solids and cocoa butter are extracted.. To make 1 kg (2.2 pounds) of chocolate, about 300 to 600 beans are processed, depending on the desired cocoa content.

Cocoa and dark chocolate contain a high level of flavonoids, specifically epicatechin, which with prolonged intake, may have beneficial cardiovascular effects on health

This refers to raw cocoa. The amount is less in dark chocolate, since these flavonoids degrade during cooking and alkalizing processes

Cocoa possesses a significant antioxidant action, protecting against LDL oxidation,

perhaps more when compared to other polyphenol antioxidant-rich foods and beverages.

A cocoa plant in my neighbor's garden.

Cocoa  increase blood flow to the brain and reduces  the risk of these diseases.” Several studies have shown that a decrease in blood flow to the brain is tied to both dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and stroke.”

NEWS FROM HAVARD… NOT JUST ANY UNIVERSITY..

1-Hollenberg, a professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School studied the effects of cocoa and flavanols on the Kuna Indian population of Panama. 
Research showed that the Kuna Indians cocoa drinkers, living on the islands had significantly lower rates of heart disease and cancer, as compared to those living on the mainland who do not drink cocoa. 

The island people drink more than five cups of cocoa a day. So it was not due to their genes.

His experiments dealt with natural cocoa, not those processed varieties. The natural cocoa beans are full of ingredients called flavanols, antioxidant compounds. http://news.harvard.edu

Strokes and so-called vascular dementia involve restricted flow of blood to the brain, so Hollenberg and others naturally regard flavanol-rich cocoa as a possible treatment for those ills. Stroke is one of the world’s major killers, and dementias, including Alzheimer’s disease, afflict 10 percent of people over the age of 65.

One study, more than 1,300 elderly people in France, found that flavanoids, a larger category that includes flavanols, decreased the risk of dementia.

2- A 15-year study of elderly men published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2006 found a 50 percent reduction in cardiovascular mortality and a 47 percent reduction in all-cause mortality for men who regularly consume the most cocoa, compared to those who did not.

Chocolate and cocoa contain a high level of xanthines, specifically theobromine and to a much lesser extent caffeine,

3-Muscle recovery

A study from James Madison University, USA, showed that post-exercise consumption of low fat chocolate milk provides equal or possibly superior muscle recovery, compared to a high-carbohydrate recovery drink with the same amount of calories. Athletes drinking chocolate milk had significantly lower levels of muscle damage.

MODERN MEDICINE- wiki

In modern medicine, theobromine is used as a vascular (a blood vessel widener), a diuretic (urination aid), and heart stimulant

Theobromine increases urine production. Because of this diuretic effect, and its ability to dilate blood vessels, theobromine has been used to treat high blood pressure

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Theobromine (theobromide), also known as xantheose, is a bitter alkaloid of the cocoa plant

The bitter theobromine in chocolate varies  from 2% to 10% , usually having higher concentrations in "dark" chocolate. A small amount can be found in tea plant.

Research suggests that theobormine may even act as a cough suppressant, although the level tested was much higher than what is found in dark chocolates.

Cocoa is the number one plant species with the largest amounts of theobromine.

THEOBROMINE concentrations in cocoa and carob products are

ITEM                              THEOBROMINE CONTENT (mg/g)

Cocoa                                              20.30

Cocoa beverages                                2.66

Chocolate bakery products                   1.47

Cocoa cereals                                    0.69

Chocolate ice creams                          0.62

Chocolate milk                                   0.23

ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN SCIECE DAILY MAGAZINE; http://www.sciencedaily.com/ 

1-Cocoa reduce blood pressure, but drinking Tea may not.

-ScienceDaily (Apr. 9, 2007) — Foods rich in cocoa appears to reduce blood pressure but drinking tea may not, according to an analysis of published research  issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

Tea and cocoa are both rich in polyphenols, but of different types.

Most of Black and green tea  polyphenol is known as flavan-3-ols.

Most of Cocoa polyphenol is known as procyanids.

The cocoa phenols are more active in preventing cardiovascular disease, as compared to the tea phenols.

2- Eat 30 calories a day lowers blood pressure without weight gain.

-ScienceDaily (July 3, 2007) — Eating about 30 calories a day of dark chocolate was associated with a lowering of blood pressure, without weight gain or other adverse effects, according to a study in the July 4 issue of JAMA.

3-Brisk walk could help Chocoholics stop snacking

ScienceDaily (Nov. 11, 2008) — Researchers at the University of Exeter have found that a fifteen minutes walk, can reduce chocolate cravings.

Professor Adrian Taylor comments: "Our ongoing work consistently shows that brief physical activity reduce cigarette cravings, but this is the first study to link exercise to reduced chocolate cravings.

Neuroscientists suggested the common processes in the reward centres of the brain between drug and food addictions 

and exercise may effect brain chemicals to regulate mood and cravings.

This is good news for people who struggle to manage their cravings for sugary snacks and want to lose weight."

“This research furthers our understanding of the complex physical, psychological and emotional relationship we have with food."

4-Dark chocolate is more filling than Milk chocolate and lessens Cravings

ScienceDaily (Dec. 10, 2008) — New research at the Faculty of Life Sciences (LIFE) at the University of Copenhagen – shows that dark chocolate is far more filling than milk chocolate, lowers our craving for sweet, salty and fatty foods. In other words eating dark chocolate may be an efficient way to keep your weight down.

5-New evidence that Dark chocolate helps ease Emotional stress

ScienceDaily (Nov. 11, 2009) — The "chocolate cure" for emotional stress, supported from a clinical trial published online in ACS'Journal of 4Proteome Research. It found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed. Also partially corrected other stress-related biochemical imbalances

6-Why Chocolate protects against Heart disease

ScienceDaily (Nov. 10, 2010) — Cocoa has a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases. This has been uncovered by researchers at Linköping University in Sweden. When a group of volunteers devoured a good-sized piece of dark chocolate, it inhibited (prevent) an enzyme in their bodies that is known to raise blood pressure.

In the study, scientists identified stress hormones were reduced and other stress-related biochemical changes in highly stressed volunteers who ate dark chocolate for two weeks.

"The study provides strong evidence that a daily consumption of 40 grams [1.4 ounces] dark chocolate, during a period of 2 weeks is sufficient to modify the metabolism of healthy human volunteers," the scientists said.

ZESTY CHOCOLATE SAUCE FOR DIPS RECIPE

Ingredients:

1 cup cocoa powder

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups water1 tbsp lemon zest

½ teaspoon vanilla essence

A pinch of salt

Method:

Mix and stir all ingredients.

Boil for 5 minutes or more, stirring rapidly, until sauce begins to thicken.

Put off fire, remove from oven and  let cool. Refrigerate.

CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM FLOAT

Place 2 scoops chocolate ice cream in a large serving glass.
Add Coke Cola or Ginger Beer

Top with a little whipped cream and 2 fruits cherry, strawberry.
Put one round marble size dark chocolate on top

The World Health Organisation predicts that by 2030, nearly 23.6 million people will die from heart disease. Lifestyle and diet are key prevention factors.

Chocolate has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies showed that eating chocolate reduces blood pressure and improve insulin sensitivity and lower risk of cardiovascular events.

They found that the "highest levels of chocolate consumption were associated with a 37% reduction in cardiovascular disease and

a 29% reduction in stroke compared with lowest levels."

No significant reduction was found in relation to heart failure.

Commercialized chocolate is very calorific (around 500 calories for every 100 grams) and eating too much can lead to weight gain, risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Due to the health benefits of eating chocolate, one must find ways to reduce the current fat and sugar content in most chocolate products.

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted by Science Daily, from materials provided by BMJ-British Medical Journal, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Disclaimer from Science Daily: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.   http://www.sciencedaily.com/