Valley Spice

Indian cuisine is famous across the globe for its tantalising flavours, rich aroma, and finger-licking taste. Among the many magical ingredients that make the cuisine so inviting is garam masala .  Full of aroma, garam masala adds a unique taste to the dish and makes it even more inviting. Origin and Characterises of Garam Masala   Believed to have originated in North India, the flavourful spice is the coming together of many spices. It is now gaining popularity across the globe. ‘Garam,’ is hot and ‘masala’, is spices.  However, the blend is not a spicy mix, but an intense one, which is full of flavours and gives a warming effect to the food. Known for its rich flavour, around 10-30 spices (depending on the recipe) go in making this spice mix. This amalgamation of spices is not only extraordinarily flavourful, but also brings together the health benefit of each spice. Each region and household has its unique recipe to prepare this blend that is passed dow...

Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most significant festival in Indian culture. Apart from being the ‘festival of lights’, it is one of the most important festivals that call for several traditional dishes. From the mouth-watering sweet treats to savoury snacks, Diwali special recipes and food is something we all look forward to cherish. Here is a list of Top 5 must-try Diwali special food and Diwali special recipes for the most awaited time of the year- 1. Mithai : Indian sweets are popularly known as mithai and are a staple part of Diwali celebrations. They may vary from region to region, but common ones include – Barfi, Kaju Katli, Laddoos, Soan Papdi etc. It is a custom to exchange a box of mithai among family and friends during Diwali. 2. Chivda : Snacks are the soul of any Diwali menu. Most of them come in the form of chivda, a spiced Bombay mix which consists of a variety of dried ingredients, such as chickpeas, peanuts, fried lentils and fried onion. These ar...

Online shopping is the new thing. Highly convenient, it is fast becoming the driving force in the lives of urban families. Yet, one still gets confused when one wants to buy spices online . We have all grown up seeing our parents buying spices from the local kirana store, and now suddenly to buy spices online throws one off. Spices are the all-important part of Indian cooking. They have the power to make or break a dish and are that X-factor that adds a delicious appeal to the dish. Therefore, they should be bought with a lot of care, especially when statistics prove that the Indian spice market is flooded with adulterated spices. The consumers today are increasingly aware of the importance of staying healthy and are very conscious of their wellbeing. To carry this commitment forward, one must be mindful of seeking purity and authenticity in all that we consume, even seemingly small thing like spices. Here are a few points to keep in mind while buying spices online or...

Turmeric has been adding value to our lives for centuries. An integral part of Indian cuisine, giving it a vibrant colour and distinct taste, it is known equally for its medicinal and healing powers. Therefore, a teaspoon or two of turmeric powder in your food, drink and as a face pack every day can do wonders for your health and wellbeing. Loaded with the bioactive compound, curcumin, and many other powerful antioxidants, turmeric spins its magic, in whatever form it is used. Three home remedies that prove turmeric benefits us all 1.    Turmeric Tea Put 1 cup water in a pan and put on heat. Add some grated ginger and a ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder and bring to boil. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes. Take the pan off the heat, strain and pour in a glass. Let it cool a bit. Add the juice of half a lemon and 1 teaspoon honey. How does it help? •    Provides relief from cold as turmeric is an excellent decongestant. •    Together with honey...

Coriander or cilantro is an integral part of Indian kitchens. Used fresh, as dried whole seeds or as coriander powder , it adds a distinct taste and aroma to the dish. One of the oldest Indian spices, it lends itself beautifully to nay and every dish it is used in. Coriander is considered both a spice and herb. Fresh coriander leaves are herbs and bring a pleasant and refreshing taste to the dish, it is garnished with. It is also used extensively in Indian kitchens to make lip-smacking coriander chutneys. The whole seeds (sabut dhaniya) and coriander powder ( dhaniya powder ) are the spices we use in our dishes. Apart from adding taste and flavour to our food, livening up our marinades, coriander adds immense value to our health as well. Coriander is a godsend, whether added to our food or as part of home remedies. Coriander Powder Benefits  A rich source of iron, folate, vitamins A, K & C, dietary fibre, magnesium, calcium and potassium, coriander is known to h...

Salt and black pepper powder have been doing the tango on dining tables across the world for ages now. Also known as ‘Kali Mirch’ in India, this smoky, pungent and sharp spice brings a unique flavour to the food, while also giving the character of the other ingredients in the dish a boost. Black pepper powder stimulates the appetite, giving the dish a gentle kick because of its warming properties. The aromatic spice is used both as a powder and in the whole form as black peppercorns and is an essential ingredient in many dishes. Apart from lending its characteristic flavour and taste to the dishes, black pepper benefits our health in a big way as well. An excellent source of iron, vitamin K, B6, C and E, manganese, zinc, calcium and thiamine, black pepper also contains folate and dietary fibre. Listed below is a snippet of the many ways black pepper benefits us The bioactive compound, piperine, in the spice has impressive antioxidant properties which help fight inf...