Saturday 23 January 2016

Frozen Green Peas

Things needed :

Stove
2 Deep Pots
Colander
Spatula / Spoon
Zip lock bags
Lots of ice

Ingredients :
Green pea pods - 250 gms
Water

Method :

1) Peel and place peas in a colander. Wash thoroughly under running water.  Keep aside
2) Bring water (approx. 4 cups) to boil in a deep pot.
3) Add peas to boiling water and cook for exact 90 seconds. Meanwhile place ice in another deep pot and add 4 cups of water to it and keep it aside.
4) After 90 seconds, remove from heat, using a colander, strain the peas and put the hot peas in ice water to stop the cooking process.
5) Once cooled, remove from water and put in zip lock bag and keep in freezer. Use it anytime later. The average shelf life is 90 days.



Tips :

1) You can also add some salt to water to increase shelf life as salt acts as a preservative, only remember while using it in a dish add salt accordingly.

Dried Fenugreek (Kasuri Methi) in 10 minutes - Microwave

Things needed :

Microwave
Microwave safe tray
Colander
Heat Safe Gloves
Spatula / Spoon
Air tight container

Ingredients :
Funugreek or Methi - 250 gms

Method :

1) Remove stems of fenugreek leaves. Place leaves in colander. Wash thoroughly under running water. Keep aside till water dries completely.
2) Spread leaves on a microwave safe tray. Avoid double layers. Place tray in microwave and microwave for 3 minutes.
3) Remove (use gloves) and using a spoon or spatula toss the methi around in the tray. Microwave again for three minutes.
4) Remove tray using gloves and toss the methi for one last time. Microwave for 2 minutes. Remove and let it cool for some time. Store in a air tight container.




Tips :

1) Use microwave on maximum setting for best results.

Saturday 16 January 2016

No-wax candles

Things needed :

Pan
Spoons
Crayons
Wicks
Container (To pour candle into)
Glue
Cloth pins


Ingredients :
Vegetable Shortening (Dalda/Crisco)
Essential Oil of your choice

Method :

1) Take some vegetable shortening in a pan depending on how big your container is. Heat the pan on medium heat, till the shortening melts.
2) Meanwhile, take a crayon of your choice. Remove the wrapper and cut in small pieces.
3) Glue the wick to the centre of the container.
3) Once shortening is melted, remove from heat. Add the crayon pieces and mix well till crayon is melted. Add essential oils and mix well.
4) Pour the mixture in glass container. Keep the wick straight in centre using cloth pins if required.



Tips :

1) For easier and cleaner way to make this, use a microwave instead of a stove.
2) In case you want to use microwave, you can directly mix shortening and crayon in the glass container you want to make candle in and add the wick when the candle begins to solidify.