Tamil Cuisine, Indian Regional Cuisine

  

Tamil Cuisine includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Tamil cuisine was developed by Tamilians centuries ago in Southern India. Tamil people are known for its deep belief that serving food to others is a service to humanity. The unique factor of the taste of Tamil food is the use of coconut oil on a regular basis for cooking, unlike the other places in the country.

Features of Tamil Cuisine
Tamil Cuisine is very different from the food of other regions like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. It is a delectable blend of sweet, spicy, sour and tangy flavours. The presence of Coconut is found in almost all recipes because of its abundance throughout the coastline of the state. Other major ingredients used are rice, turmeric and tamarind. A Tamil meal is traditionally served on banana leaf. Traditional Tamil cuisine ensures that each main meal should include the six tastes - sweet, sour, salt, bitter, pungent and astringent. The goal behind such idea is to provide complete nutrition, minimise cravings and balance the appetite and digestion.

Use of Spices in Tamil Cuisine
Tamil Cuisine represents Tamil people’s love and respect for food through its richness. Tamilians put special emphasis on the use of authentic ingredients to give admirable aroma and delicious taste to their foods. There are various spices that are used in Tamil dishes like ginger, garlic, pepper, nutmeg, tamarind, chilli, cumin, cardamom, coconut and curry leaves.

For more, visit the link below:

https://www.indianetzone.com/18/tamil_nadu_cuisine.htm

Types of Indian Sweets

  

Types of Indian Sweets are an endless list. Sweets form an integral part of Indian cuisine. Apart from being a favourite confectionary, Indian sweets are also associated with culture and traditions of India. Many Indian sweets are considered auspicious and religious and cultural occasions remain incomplete without them. Factors like climate and availability of ingredients in different parts of the country dominate the type of sweets prevalent in that region.

Indian people, since ages have chalked out numerous recipes of delightful sweets. Some of the age old traditional sweets are still the most craved ones in the country.

Indian Milk Based Sweet
Khoya or mawa is a common yet important dairy product which is used for making many luscious sweet delicacies. Khoya can also be made at home, though the method is a little tedious. It is prepared by boiling and reducing the milk to a semi-solid stage. Different Types of Indian Sweets can be prepared by khoya which vary in terms of ingredients and recipe. Sweets made of Khoya include Kesar Barfi, Kalakand, Kaju Katli, Gulab Jamun and many more. Another delicious milk based sweet is Kheer which is made with milk, sugar or jaggery and rice.

Indian Flour Based Sweet
Many sweets in India are also prepared by flour. Flour based sweets enlist Jalebi and Gujiya with coconut fillings. Recipes of many sweets are a combination of flour and milk like Malpuas.

Indian Dry Sweets
A variety of dry sweets are prepared in India which is relished throughout the country. Popular dry sweets of India are Sandesh, Gujiya, Peda, Laddu, Petha, Modak and many more. Depending on the regions, different specialities of dry sweets are found in India. They are also used as gift hampers in the festive seasons since they have a long shelf life and are not easily perishable.

For more, check the link below:

https://www.indianetzone.com/18/types_indian_sweets.htm

Shrikhand, Indian Dessert

Shrikhand is an Indian dessert made of strained yogurt.

Shrikhand is a very common yogurt based Indian custard. It is mostly popular in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
In this recipe, plain yogurt is transformed into a mouth watering delicacy.

It comes in various flavours like strawberry shrikhand, mango shrikhand etc.

The plain as well as the flavoured recipe requires very few ingredients like curd, sugar, milk and cardamom powder.

It is very easy to make and can be prepared at home. It can also be purchased from various food stores.

Plain Shrikhand                                                        Mango Shrikhand

Strawberry Shrikhand

This yummy dessert can be consumed as a single dish or it can also be paired up with breads. Shrikhand is served during occasions like wedding, birthday etc.

Read more, how yummy fully tummy dessert is prepared: Shrikhand, Indian Dessert

Parwal Ki Mithai

Parwal Ki Mithai is commonly made during festivals and marriages. It can be easily made at home and tastes delicious at the same time. 

The sweet is commonly made in North India, West Bengal and Odisha. Parwal is known as Pointed Gourd in English.

To know, how yummy fully tommy dessert  is prepared visit here :Parwal Ki Mithai

Dry Fruit Sweets

Dry fruit sweets are modern sweets that are made from cashew nuts, almonds, pista, and dried coconut kernal. They have a long shelf life and are not easily perishable.

Dry fruit sweets are made from cashew nuts, almonds, pista, and dried coconut 

 
kernal. These
sweets do not contain any added flavours. Such sweets have a shelf life of 30 days.

Some of the famous dry fruit sweets include: kaju katli, anjir rolls, kaju anjeer moon, kesari kaju katli, anarkali, apple, butterscotch almond, chocolate almond, dry fruit flower, kaju bonbon, kaju kalinger, kaju pista roll, kalash etc.
Some of dry fruit sweets are as follows:

Almond Burfi & Badam Burfi 


Cashew Burfi


Badam Roll 


Almond and Pistachio Dessert 


To know the ingredients & method, how it is made

VISIT HERE : Dry Fruit Sweets

Khaja, Oriya Recipe

Khaja is a delicious Indian sweet mostly popular in the Odhisa state of India. In the said state it is regularly served as prasad at the Jagannath Temple of Puri. Khaja is also popular in Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. The chief ingredients of khaja are flour, sugar and refined oil. It is easy and quick to make and can be prepared at home.

The good point about khaja is it can be stored in a container for few days and can be consumed whenever one wishes

To know in detail, how it is made and its ingredients visit here: Khaja - Oriya Recipe

Shrikhand, Indian Dessert

Shrikhand is a very common yogurt based Indian custard. It is mostly popular in Maharashtra and Gujarat. In this recipe, plain yogurt is transformed into a mouth watering delicacy. It comes in various flavours like strawberry shrikhand, mango shrikhand etc. The plain as well as the flavoured recipe requires very few ingredients like curd, sugar, milk and cardamom powder. It is very easy to make and can be prepared at home. It can also be purchased from various food stores.

Ingredients of Plain Shrikhand

·  1 kg thick curd

·  3/4 cup powdered sugar

·  A few strands saffron

·  1 tablespoon warm milk

·  2 teaspoons cardamom powder (elaichi)

For Garnishing
Slivers of pistachios and almonds

Method of Preparing Plain Shrikhand

·  Hang the curds in a muslin cloth in a cool place for approximately 3 hours until all the liquid (whey) has drained off.

·  Rub the saffron into the warm milk until it dissolves. Mix together the hung curds, sugar, saffron mixture and cardamom in a bowl and churn using a hand blender.

·  Place in the refrigerator.

·  Serve cold garnished with slivers of pistachios and almonds.

Ingredients of Strawberry Shrikhand

·  1/2kg curds

·  300gms sugar

·  10 to 12 crushed strawberries

·  2 to 3 drops strawberry essence

·  1/2 tbsp almond crushed

Method of Preparing Strawberry Shrikhand

·  Hang curd in a clean muslin cloth overnight (6-7 hours).

·  Take into a bowl, add sugar and mix.

·  Keep aside for 25-30 minutes till the sugar is fully dissolved.

·  Beat well till sugar is fully dissolved into curd.

·  Pass through a big holed strong strainer, pressing with hand or spatula.

·  Add crushed strawberries and essence. Mix well.

·  Empty into a glass serving bowl and top with almonds.

·  Chill for 1-2 hours.

·  Serve.

To know more read:

http://www.indianetzone.com/17/shrikhand.htm

Almond Kheer

This recipe is one of the favourite of sweet lovers and also an integral part of the chappan (56) bhog in Janmastami. The interesting thing about Almond kheer is it can be served chilled as well as hot. For the recipe visit:  

http://www.indianetzone.com/18/almond_kheer.htm

Mysore Pak, Indian Sweet

This rich sweet comes from Southern India and is usually served as dessert. Very few ingredients are required to prepare this sweet like ghee, sugar, gram flour, and often cardamom. For the recipe of Mysore Pak visit: 

http://www.indianetzone.com/17/mysore_pak.htm

Traditional Indian Sweets

Every culture has many kinds of traditional sweets made of different ingredients and those are specific to various occasions and festivals. Generally, these sweets are made of easily available, natural ingredients and fancy or chemical ingredients are not used. Read here:
http://www.indianetzone.com/18/traditional_indian_sweets.htm