Depending on where in South India it comes from, tamarind rice is known variously as puliyogare, pulihora, puliyodarai, or puli sadam. Although its registers may shift—fewer ingredients, fluctuating quantities of spice, the addition or subtraction of cashews and coconut—the paste is traditionally built on tamarind, red chile, mustard, coriander, curry leaves, and dal. Most Indian …
In the beginning, there was tamarind. Originally carried to the subcontinent from Africa by traders, its name alone is emblematic of its deep roots in India—drawn from tamar-i-hind (“the fruit of India”) and so-called by early Arab traders possibly “because of the brown fruit that resembled dates,” write Harini Nagendra and Seema Mundoli in their …
From Chutney to Curries, This Beguiling Fruit Has Enlivened Indian Dishes For Millennia Read More »
This rich peanut sauce from chef, cookbook author, and satay expert Vanja Van der Leeden ticks all the boxes. It’s creamy, nutty, spicy and aromatic. Traditionally made in a heavy mortar and pestle, Van der Leeden’s version can be made quickly and easily in a blender. Unable to eat peanuts? Try swapping them out for …
In the Syrian Jewish kitchen, this Middle Eastern basic gets a sweet-and-sour spin with the addition of brown sugar and dried apricots—a pleasant, tart foil to the rich and meaty filling. In the warmer months, try to find fresh, young grape leaves, which are more tender and flavorful than the jarred types. Out of season, …