May 2022 – TransChef

Dry Coconut Chutney Powder (Kobbari Chutney Pudi)

Trans ChefMay 20, 20220

Kobbari Chutney Pudi, or Dry Coconut Chutney Powder, is something I’ve only recently discovered through an ex-partner. From time to to time his family would send these lovely little care packages brimming with sweet and spicy treats from home. It was the first time I had smelled such an interesting mix of sweet, spicy and buttery aromas that had me hooked on learning to cook Indian food after years of only eating the typical dishes you’d find in American “Indian” restaurants in the early 2000s.

Ratatouille

Trans ChefMay 15, 20220

Ratatouille is one of those country dishes that, despite its simple ingredients and appearance, is surprisingly complex to produce well. If you’re not careful it can easily turn into a watery/oily bowl of mushy vegetables. Something no one ever wants! However, with a couple simple little steps you’ll be well on your way to mastering not only ratatouille, but a whole world of wonderfully exciting veggie dishes that will keep your family coming back for MORE!

Five Spice Powder

Trans ChefMay 6, 20220

If you’ve eaten Asian food there’s a good chance you’ve had 5 spice powder (wǔxiāng fěn, 五香粉, Pong Palo). Especially if you’ve had dishes with fatty meats, braised dishes or many stir-fried noodle dishes. It offers a deep, rich flavor that helps cut through the fat and I’ve heard it said “it brings harmony to chaos”. (Sadly I don’t remember where I heard the reference.)