Meen Kozhumbu (Fish Curry)

A staple dish hailing from the southern parts  of India!!

Have you ever experienced fresh aromatic, spicy and a festival of tastes when you had something really that great of a dish!!! You know what I have and had the chance to revisit that experience almost through out my life. I come from the southern region of India, Tamizh Nadu (Tamil Nadu) my city (Chennai) is by the East Coast of the state and fish was the staple of everyday living, though by time it was not easy to have fish every other day but, yes I have had a handful of time to experience it.

Nearly every other corner on the East part of the city you would find a local food kart serving, Rice with Fish Curry and Fried Fish,

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Image courtesy “Sundari Akka Kadai” (#sundariakkakadai) a famous local food kart serving lunch on the beach.

The Fish curry is so good, rich in taste we the people of the city #Chennai are made for it. As I grew up I needed to learn how to make the curry so I could enjoy it when ever I wanted, so here’s the recipe,

Serves 4
Start by, cleaning, remove tail, scales and if possible deboned 4 big slices of fish your choice, preferably salt water fish (my favorite Snapper, Seer or White Mullet) and keep aside,

• 2 Coconuts (Finely Chopped or Grinned into Milk)
• 3 Onions
• 4 Tomato’s
• Fenugreek leaves
• Cumin Powder
• Get them all into a mixing jar and grind them to a paste and keep aside.
• Then, take a medium size pot preheat at medium flame then add the following,
• 3 tablespoon of Oil (Olive or Sunflower Oil)
• Mustard Seeds (1 Teaspoon)
• Curry leaves
• Garlic 4 or 5 cloves (Just pealed and crushed)
• Let everything start to crackle, you will smell the tastes getting released from the garlic then add,
• Green Chili (With or with out the seeds depending on how Hot you want)
• Turmeric (Half teaspoon)
• Garam Masala (Mild one) then add the paste we made at the beginning and finish Salt (depends on how much you prefer) and close the lid for 30 Mins at medium flame,

After 30 mins, add the fish with 200 ML of Fish Stock again close the lid for 30 mins, once done you will see the oil getting getting released from the fish on the surface, stir slowly to mix the oil, that’s where the taste comes from, squeeze a lemon and throw in some fresh chopped parsley.

Voila it’s done,

Something like this (Image Courtesy- www.yummytummyaarthi.com)

I know it looks a long process but, take time, show some love am sure you won’t regret it.

I tried to put this as simple and easy as possible, please excuse if it is not legible, if you do try it, let me know how it was.

Eat good..

Yours always,

Big Bad Foodie.

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Fillet it, Fry it, Sushi it!!!

The best choice of Meat 365 Days & the best source of Protein & Omega-3 Fatty acids!!

Yes, you heard it right it is the best choice all around the year for a healthy life style, they come in all size and shape, vary taste from sea to river, can be eaten semi-raw in the form of Sushi (My preferable way) can be Filleted for Pan fry, grilled, or just boil it break it down and have it with a green salad, all taste so much great!!! Am here today to talk about the choice of fish food available in the local market which most of us ignore, even restaurants can try and see how it would help them elevate their presence…

Choice of Fish!!

You know there is a perception that only few fish are considered a delicacy and are a better option when it comes to the choice of Fish, it is WRONG !!

Salmon (Alaskan) // COD // Herring // Mahi Mahi // Mackerel // Perch // Trout // Striped Base // Tuna // Pollock and a few more as far as I’ve read it and seen it right.

Its like these fish options are the only suitable meat to try and are treated elite in class, they all taste good I accept that but, the Ocean is Vast there are tones of other options to chose from, people have to explore a bit more to learn about other fish options which are in their reach and taste just as good as any other fish !!! this only makes Fish available for everyone and not just for the fancy…

Let me give a small list of viable options (Mostly from the Indian & Pacific Oceans)

Red & Yellow Snapper // Black & White Pomfret // Bengal Carp // Malabar Anchovy // White Mullet // Seer and these are just the tip of the ice burg, there are lot which can explored and tried…

Nutrition Facts:-

Snapper: Fillet 170g (Serving 1)  Protein: 45g /Potassium: 887mg/Total Fat: 2.9g

Pomfret: Whole Fish (Serving 1): Protein : 18.8g/ Potassium : 430mg/ Total Fat : 2.6g

Carp: Fillet 170g (Serving 1): Protein : 38.9g/ Potassium : 726mg/ Total Fat : 12.2g

White Mullet: Fillet 100g (Serving 1):Protein : 19g/ Potassium : 357mg/ Total Fat : 3.8g

Malabar Anchovy: Anchovy 4g (Serving 1): Protein : 1.2g/ Potassium : 22mg/ Total Fat : 0.4g

Seer (Vanjaram): Fillet 100g (Serving 1)1: Protein : 24g/ Potassium : 502g/ Total Fat : 15g

 

Well hopefully you liked this thought through choices and its benefits, I will post another article on some beautiful recipes with these type of fishes, wait for it 😉

Stay healthy, until next time.

Note: The variety of Fish showcased here are widely available and being used in India, the article is to suggest other countries to try them.

Big Bad Foodie.

Vegan or Not. Is it a Question ?

To Be Vegan or Not To Be!!

Yeah right something to dig right into, I know you all are reading this to see who wins the fight a Vegan or a Non Vegan, well before you start reading this, me myself am not a Vegan nor a Vegetarian but, I will try to keep this post as neutral as possible.

Personally I believe,
Vegan or not it’s your choice, don’t force it on yourself nor on others – BBF

You all must of come across an Vegan argument at least once in this past couple of years, that’s how new it is and how fast its growing, the talk usually begins with an environmental factor, then how natural resources are depleting, I get that and even the person sitting opposite to you agrees it but, this is my choice right ? I don’t get to choose what I need to eat anymore ? is that’s how it is ? No, it shouldn’t right.

Let me show you an understanding of a recent post which came to me in my FB page and how it inspired me write this post, just look at the below image,

Now observe the image on the left, it says 100g of Beans has 22g of Protein now look at the image on the right side, from an independent calorie measuring site, 100g of Beans has no more than 6.56g of Protein, what am trying to tell you is don’t go by false advertising its not going to help, I did a lot of research after I saw that post on my wall and came across so many false advertisments and articles on both sides.

Now this article for instance it talks about how grass fed beef helps in improving biodiversity Natural Grass Fed Beef see if you find something out of order, I read it and understood how the natural cycle works. So, the point Vegan or Not its your choice, don’t believe everything what you hear or see there is more to it that meets the eye, corporate companies are trying to rip you off someway or the other and this one big market for them, don’t become a campaigner for them.

Vegan Diet

This is another topic in which people are being motivated to take up Veganism. No, being Vegan is not a Diet, no dietary method tells you be completely Vegan, no dietitian will recommend this way, it won’t help, it won’t fulfill the need of getting into a diet. Any proper Diet will involve natural Protein and Fat intake and a balance meal in any diet will have meat and veg on proportional scale.

So, being Vegan is just a CHOICE of ones life to represent their contribution towards the environment, it is not a Diet option and definitely not something to be imposed on others and nor on your self, make sure you think twice, know what you can consume based on where you live and it has to be affordable, respect the choice of your friend, brother, sister, etc, if he/she feels what they are doing is good for the environment, let them do it!! right or wrong they will realize.

I don’t mean to offend or disrupt anyone of their followings or ideals, this post is for those who are good at heart and trying to decide to chose a side which would best suit for the environment around them, this is just a small grain of salt to the broth, think it over.

Eat good you all…

Big Bad Foodie.

Biryani!! An Indulgence.

Ah!!! just breathe it in and don’t let go of the scent, that’s how it feels when you see a plate of Biryani, it’s just so satisfying …

Yes, people it’s the best, just imagine flavored rice, tender juicy succulent meat, strong essence of aromatic masala and the best dish to have it with friends and family together in events, weddings and so forth.

We need Pie!! My grand daddy always said, if you got a problem that you can’t solve, helps to get out of your head. Pie, it’s good – Agent K (MIB)

Now, this is how much we love it, read it again below,

We need Biryani!! My grand daddy always said, if you got a problem that you can’t solve, helps to get out of your head. Biryani, it’s good – BBF

A staple among Indians and also in other countries, just a nod to how strong Biryani has an influence in India especially Southern region, you’re in a wedding and happen to ask the Groom an hypothetical question, to choose between a full plate of Biryani or the Bride, he would go for the plate.. that’s how much we are in love with this dish, you can have a stranger march a rally  for you, just hand them a packet of Biryani!! am serious not joking guys.. we love our Biryani.

Types of Biryani from Different part of India:

Over the years this dish has become kind of like a National Delicacy where every State of India as it own way of doing it, all of them are unique because of the kind of rice and masala used in it,

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Let me rank it down based on my personal experience,

1. Mugalai Biryani – Uniquely cooked, only available in few parts of Delhi, the Rice (Basmathi) has to be Aged enough for the flavor to build up and the recipe is preserved and followed by old families who belong to the Mughal era, one of the best places to have – Mugalai Biryani
2. Hyderabadi Dum Biryani– One can identify a proper Hyderabadi Biryani by looking at it, since its the only one made in two visible layers, one part plain and other part with the masala, you can chose how much masala you need with the plain rice when you eat, since its very strong with aroma and spices, one of the places to have – Hyderabadi Dum Biryani
3. Ambur Biryani– Hailing from one of the smallest towns of Tamil Nadu this biryani has almost a 3 generation time line of unchanged method, its uniqueness is the use of Zeeraga Samba rice the queen of all rice, best place to have – Ambur Biryani
4. Bangladeshi Biryani– Now this one didn’t actually hail from West Bengal , back when India was under the Queens Rule, there was a King from Lucknow who was dethroned and sent out, he was very much fond of the Lucknowi Biryani, his chefs would include large chunks of potato’s to the mix since meat was a scarcity during his exile and over the years Kolkata has evolved the dish and perfected it. *I had this Biryani at a friend house, so, could not suggest a restaurant for it.
5. Karnataka Donne Biryani– This one is a recently acquired taste, I came across this place in the month of April’18, it caught my eye as I was searching for a place to have lunch, there was a huge line of people waiting to get bite to eat and this place was serving nothing else than Biryani. The taste was very different and unique, no veggies used, not a lot of spices, I couldn’t guess how they made it by then but, the over all taste comes from the fat of the meat and citrus effect from the lemon. One of the place you could have it – Karnataka Donne Biryani
6. Chennai Biryani– Now this is close to my heart, as I live and breathe in this city, this one has typically become a part of my life. The taste as described in the image is inspired from Ambur, Hyderabad and Kerala (Malabar) every biryani stall you come across in the city would definitely give you a hint of all those places if you have had them all. One my favorite places to have in the city – Chennai Biryani
7. Malabar Biryani– This is biryani almost tastes like Ambur Biryani since both use Zeeraga Samba rice but, this one is less spicy and it specially steamed inside a bamboo shoot, it has that freshness to it from the bamboo, rich flavor of Kerala spices and to suck it all in the rice which just elevates it to the next level. You would find loads of restaurants who follow this style of cooking Biryani in the northern part of the state of Kerala.

I wanted to share my love of Biryani to all and have done so, if there is any other crazy person like me who would like share their experience on this, please feel free to.

Hope you guys drooled enough, now find the nearest place in which ever part of the country your in and grab a plate… Happy Eating you all.

Big Bad Foodie.

Fast Life & Fast Food!!

Fast food when done right is good for health.

This is a raging topic when it comes to comparing home cooked meals and having fast food from local or famous food joints (i.e., McDonald’s, Taco Bell, etc,) since we don’t have time and living in something called the Fast Life!!

When we talk about fast food, people seem to forget fast food is nothing but having meal prep and ready to cook, this does not essentially mean it’s not healthy, but, there is a catch to it, there are Health articles online which would suggest having a burger at McDonald’s is a healthy option but, no it is not, prepping a meal ready to cook does not mean serving preservative or packaged food and it is definitely not healthy at all!!!

Look at the below article from a Health site, which is suggesting having a meal in McD is an healthy option,

If I were to go by this the first thing I would get from this “Healthy Treat” is a gift of Obesity !!

So again No, having packaged or preservative fast food is not an healthy option, however if we dig deep a proper meal prep, for instance pasta freshly made from egg, semolina, mixed with some simple veggies organic or from the nearest vegetable market, made to order quick and easy is very much healthy!!! I can you give you loads of such simple menus which are now becoming famous worldwide.

Let me fetch you some options which are stomach friendly and also does not disturb your taste buds,

1. Pasta (made from egg and semolina)
2. Ramen Noodle (Rice Noodle) – Very good for Losing Weight a wonderful dietary option.
3. Any Grilled Red Meat (Mutton or Beef) I wouldn’t recommend Chicken though since finding an eatery serving organic chicken meat is like searching a needle in a haystack!!
4. All kinds of Seafood the best and the cheap ones are I guess a slice of Seer, a Snapper Red/ Yellow, a Tuna Sandwich.
5. Tandoori Items are really staple fast food option in any part of India.

And the list can go on, make sure if you pick a fast food spot ask them at least if they use the same oil from yesterday because, using Cooking Oil in your food be it any kind is not all that bad, the body needs it and it is an essential element but, if its reused multiple times or not preserved right, it is very very harmful and another thing don’t hesitate to tell the cook not to use “Ajinomoto” Monosodium glutamate almost 60% of fast food joints in India use it and don’t even know the side effects of it, I would describe it in simple term – Slow Poison!!

Next time when you crave for fast food, take that extra step, walk a mile find a good spot, make sure the menu and the produce used is fresh even if it’s not organic. So, fast food is not bad, just find the right place to have it.

It’s not what you eat, its where you eat that matters – BBF

I really thought I could shed some light on this topic and the fact that I have eaten in 100’s of fast food joints for a good part of my Fast moving life, this made a lot of sense, hope it helps.

Big Bad Foodie.

Food !! How good is that.

Hey everyone!!

Hi, this is something which I was holding back for a very long time but, now decided to go for it, see I basically love food and everything associated with it, like what it is, where it is from, where it goes, who like it most, which restaurant cooks it how, which was good, which could have been better and all sort of things, speaking about it to people has become old, so, decided to write about it now…

this is how it begins, hope you all enjoy it..

Cheers…

Big Bad Foodie.

I get way too much happiness from good food. — Elizabeth Olsen