Love shopping for your kitchen over the weekend and turning out a fancy meal without the help of a takeaway? Anoothi Vishal draws up a list of some interesting new ingredients that you can stock up on.
At a special meal, ITC master chef Koizumi feeds us some “correct” Japanese: Yakitori, followed by sushi and soup, followed by batter fried prawns, more the trademark of experimental American-Japanese than classical cuisine. But what I am struck by is a little saucer with a pepper-like powder that accompanies our grills — the only seasoning for the yakitori apart from a slice of lemon that the chef will allow. This is “sichimi” powder, a seven-spice mix, with an aroma of dried tangerine peel and chilli flavour. It can be used as a table condiment to flavour your soups, noodles and grilled meats and no Japanese kitchen, I am told, runs without it. As a fancier substitute for plain paprika powder, I decide it will do on my own kitchen shelves too.
Stocking up your kitchen with all manner of condiments, little bottles and jars full of exotic scents and flavours, can be a passionate pastime. If indeed you are the kind to enjoy a spot of “grocery” shopping on your weekend, here’s a list of some interesting new pick-me-ups: Apart from sichimi (S&B brand; Rs 150 plus for a small bottle), if you are into Japanese food, you may also like to know about the “right” wasabi to pick up. Though, I like mine with a sharp kick to it —something that the chef says is often achieved by adding mustard to the horseradish paste — I find that several restaurants and kiosks selling sushi in the metros serve really tame stuff. The good chef recommends the brand Kaneku for people like me. And while we are still on Asian cuisines, an unusual pick if you happen to be in Kolkata are some green tea noodles, sold, I am told, in dry packs at Tangra (Rs 200-280 a kg).
The movement away from Indian-Chinese has meant that we are now being treated to more imaginative desserts at chicer Asian diners than just staid date pancakes. Green tea is a popular flavour for everything from sorbets to icecreams. Next time you want to wow guests at home with the latter, try bringing home some green tea essence available at upmarket confectionery and food stores for just about Rs 70-80 for a 15-20 ml bottle. On the other hand, organic essences are the next big thing to hit India, says chef Sudipto Saha of Terroi, a modern European diner in Gurgaon. “Real essence of everything from raspberries to orange is coming into the market these days and this is so potent that just a drop of it in one litre of oil is enough,” he explains. But these scents are pricey — Rs 1,200 for just 25 ml; the best ones come from France and the Mediterranean. You’ll find these at supermarts like Metro in Bangalore and Kolkata and Le Marche in Delhi.
Indian diners — and cooks — really resent the lack of availability of quality fresh cheeses in the country, which has never had a tradition of making cheese (other than paneer) because of the injunctions against splitting milk in Hindu belief. In the recent years, while a fair amount of fresh cheeses are now available, usually imported — everything from blue cheese to Edam and smoked Gouda — these cost the earth. Now, a couple of farms on the outskirts of foodie centres such as Delhi, Bangalore and Pune have succeeded in bringing out their own European-style cheeses. Try Flanders’ range of Bocaccino, very young, slightly sweetish Mozzarella, preserved in brine, that goes well with tomatoes and basil in a variation of the highly popular insalata Caprese, the simple and fresh salad from the island of Capri. Flanders also has a pricier range of organic cheese. For goat cheese, while some relatively good Indian versions cost Rs 370-420 a kg, Austrian and Australian versions cost Rs 1,200 plus for the same quantity.
For people who thrive on frozen and ready-to-eat foodstuff, there is a new product in the market that I want to recommend: John Keells is Sri Lanka’s leading player in the processed frozen meats category. The company now has an India presence and has just launched a range of convenient, pre-cooked chicken and pork sausages in different flavours (as well as other snacks like chicken nuggets) which just need to be heated or shallow-fried before eating. There are a couple of other players in the market for frozen sausages but most of these offerings are so insipid that all they ever do is find their way into the dustbin as soon you’ve sampled the first! The Keells range is far superior both in terms of texture and flavour and the variety offered is pretty substantial: Choose from cheese and onion, garlic, “cocktail” (served skewered with potates), Bockwurst, “breakfast” and so forth ranges available.
Prices range from Rs 55 to 400 for different products and package sizes. These are widely available at various supermarts in Delhi and Mumbai, including Spencer’s and Godrej Nature Basket.
If you are worried that frozen and packaged foods rarely retain their nutritive value, look for “instant quick frozen” or IQR products that are increasingly available at various high-end stores in the metros. Everything from berries to fish is available in this format and the foodstuff retains its natural texture, flavours and nutrition even if the packs lie around in your freezer for up to a month-and-a half. Fish like mackerel, tuna and South African kingfish are available in pre-cut, frozen formats for Rs 400-500 per kg. Vaccuum packed quality foie gras too is available at stores like Metro in Kolkata and Bangalore; Rs 1,700 for 750 g, says chef Saha.
A new range of value added frozen products by Alliance Foods, under the brand name Frish, is recommended by restaurateur Sudha Kukreja. The company primarily sells shrimp products, including those marinated in Mangalorean masala, wonton-like “moneybags”, prawn rolls (like spring rolls), skewered shrimps and so forth. All you need to do is fry and serve these. Products are in the range of Rs 400 per kg.
If you are into healthy salads and sandwhiches, make sure to stock up on the likes of smoked salmon, turkey breast, duck and ham, available at stores like Sugar and Spice and Le Marche, to rustle up fancy sandwiches and salads at the drop of a hat. Even Parma ham is now available in smaller retail portions of 100g or 75 g at stores like Le Marche in Delhi.
When it comes to olive oils, a new one that you can now pick up is Leonardo Gold, a deluxe extra virgin Olive Oil for gourmets. A 750 ml bottle costs Rs 795. Finally, another interesting condiment to stock up on is apple brandy. Flavour your meats with it. Happy cooking!
| BEST BUYS
Fontina cheese: Rs 950 per kg Flander’s Bocaccino, Scarmoza, Ricotta and others: Rs 350-500 per kg Green tea noodles: Rs 280-290 per kg Imported organic essence: Rs 1,200 for 25 ml Frish, value-added fish/prawn products: Rs 400 per kg Delfa (Norwegian) smoked salmon and Highland (Scottish) smoked salmon: Rs 2,000 per kg |
Vacuum packed foie gras: Rs 1,700 for 750 g
Calvados apple brandy: Rs 900 for 750 ml
Nature Smith Cajun spice (Indian brand): Rs 60 for a small bottle
John Keells sausages; Rs 55-400 (for different varieties and package sizes)
