Earth and Space News: Caesar Salad substitutes

Showing posts with label Caesar Salad substitutes. Show all posts

Thursday, June 30, 2022

Mumbai Chef Vicky Ratnani Exoticizes Tandoori Pineapple Caesar Salad

Summary: Mumbai Chef Vicky Ratnani exoticizes Tandoori Pineapple Caesar Salad with cherry tomatoes, a romaine-sorrel blend, pineapple slices and spiced yogurt.

Mumbai Chef Vicky Ratnani exoticizes Tandoori Pineapple Caesar Salad with cherry tomatoes and spiced yogurt-slathered pineapple slices on a colorful salad base of romaine lettuce and sorrel leaves.

Italian immigrant restauranteur Cesare "Caesar" Cardini (Feb. 24, 1896-Nov. 3, 1956) is credited with creating the now world-famous Caesar Salad. He introduced his salad in 1924 in his restaurant, Caesar's Restaurant, housed in Hotel Caesar in Tijuana, Baja California state, northwestern Mexico.

Apart from anchovy flecks in Worcestershire sauce, Caesar's salad premiered as a vegetarian salad. Caesar Salad's subsequent global popularity has inspired vegan, non-vegetarian and vegetarian variations of the original recipe.

Chef Vicky introduces Tandoori Pineapple Caesar Salad as ". . . one of my favorite. . ." The recipe represents trendy fusion cuisine, which fuses elements from diverse culinary traditions to create new recipes. Combining fresh fruits with tandoori masala yields a nuanced, desi (Sanskrit देश, deśá, "land, country") variation of Caesar Salad and expands tandoori masala beyond the marinade's traditional association with chicken. Tandoori masala (Hindi: मसाला, masālā, "spices") designates the yogurt-based spice blend used in the Indian subcontinent's traditional cooking with a tandoor (Hindi: तन्दूर, tandūr), a clay oven.

Chef Vicky's vegetarian recipe begins with pineapples. He places four slices in a bowl.

Then he sprinkles tandoori masala on top of the pineapple slices. He does not specify the blend of masala. Tandoori masala consists of a variety of spices. Its spice profile features coriander, cumin and turmeric as staples.

He adds chopped parsley and then chopped coriander. He next sprinkles salt and black pepper.

The spices need to be mixed into the pineapple slices. He coats the fruit with the spices by redistributing the slices and rubbing the fruit into the mixture.

He mixes yogurt into the spiced pineapple slices. Combining yogurt with spices validates the sauce as tandoori masala.

The next step calls for pan-searing the pineapple slices. He sets aside the fruit and squirts olive oil into a frying pan. He notes that the oil needs to be hot for the pineapple slices.

While the pan heats, he prepares the salad base. He combines torn romaine lettuce leaves with sorrel (Rumex acetosa) leaves. Chef Vicky expresses his affinity for using sorrel in salads because their red-veined leaves look "very, very pretty on the plate ."

He sets the salad aside and takes a momentary break to sip Fuze Tea. He explains that stocking the cooking area with "something refreshing" helps for cooling down in a hot kitchen.

The oil is sizzling, so he grips the pineapple slices with tongs for transport into the pan. He cautions against cooking the slices. Rather, the objective is to create a nice coating of the masala through quick searing. The seared pineapple slices then are set individually, via tongs, in a flat bowl.

The next step entails making the dressing. He spoons two large dollops of low-fat mayonnaise into the dressing bowl. He announces the dressing's fusion with other flavors. He half-fills the spoon twice with Dijon mustard. Then he sprinkles salt and black pepper. Next he adds finely chopped garlic, coriander and parsley.

Chef Vicky stirs the dressing well. Then he adds squirts of olive oil and red wine vinegar and stirs all ingredients well. He describes the dressing now as having "a lot of flavor" with "a very nice rich garlicky mustardy parsley" taste.

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

North Indian Chef Vicky Ratnani, who constructs his recipes with fresh ingredients, poses with onions at Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex, western Chennai, northeastern Tamil Nadu state, southeastern India: Vicky Ratnani, via Facebook March 13, 2021, @ https://www.facebook.com/chefvickyratnani/posts/3871657616216789/Bangalorean Chef Shazia Khan, first runner-up in the second season (Oct. 22, 2011-Jan. 1, 2012) of MasterChef India, conducts cooking demonstrations and culinary workshops, in person and via media, in her hometown and afar: Anjali Reddy J, CC BY SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shazia_Khan.jpg

Chef Vicky Ratnani, "How To Make Tandoori Pineapple Caesar's Salad / Vicky's World," via YouTube Dec. 27, 2015, @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kfM0OR0uoI

For further information:

Bhargava, Eshiva. "Cooking For Nelson Mandela Will Always Be Special: Chef Vicky Ratnani." Outlook India > Features. April 21, 2021.
Available @ https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/feature-cooking-for-nelson-mandela-will-always-be-memorable-chef-vicky-ratnani/380827

Garg, Ruchika. "The pandemic has made us aware of micro cuisines: Vicky Ratnani." Hindustan Times > Cities > Delhi News. Aug. 13, 2021.
Available @ https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/the-pandemic-has-made-us-aware-of-micro-cuisines-vicky-ratnani-101628859774435.html

Goswami, Shreya. "Chef Vicky Ratnani gets adventurous in Australia; watch him explore the land Down Under." India > News > Food & Drink > Food > Buzz. July 31, 2016.
Available @ https://www.indiatoday.in/food-drink/food/story/vicky-ratnani-taste-down-under-australia-food-adventure-series-lifefd-332417-2016-07-31

Gupta, Niru. "Tandoori Masala Recipe." NDTV Food > Recipes > Back to Basics.
Available @ https://food.ndtv.com/recipe-tandoori-masala-218611

Madan, Shilpi. "Chef Vicky Ratnani: My daughter and I love cooking together." The Indian Express > Parenting > Family. Oct. 4, 2018.
Available @ https://indianexpress.com/article/parenting/family/chef-vicky-ratnani-daughter-cooking-together-5377069/

Mail Today. "Food from Down Under: Chef Vicky Ratnani shares his culinary experience from Australia." India Today > News > Food & Drink > Food > Chef speak. Sep. 4, 2016.
Available @ https://www.indiatoday.in/food-drink/food/story/vicky-ratnani-australia-taste-down-under-food-lifefd-339090-2016-09-04

Marriner, Derdriu. "Bangalorean Chef Shazia Khan Creams and Crisps Chicken Caesar Salad." Earth and Space News. Thursday, June 23, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/06/bangalorean-chef-shazia-khan-creams-and.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Beware the Ides of March: The Assassination of Julius Caesar." Earth and Space News. Thursday, March 3, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/03/beware-ides-of-march-assassination-of.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Caesar Salad Recipe: Named for Chef Cesare Cardini, Not Julius Caesar." Earth and Space News. Thursday, March 17, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/03/caesar-salad-recipe-named-for-chef.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Chef Sanjeev Kapoor's Caesar Salad: Italian-American Classic in India." Earth and Space News. Thursday, May 19, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/05/chef-sanjeev-kapoors-caesar-salad.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Chicken Caesar Burger by Sanjeev Kapoor: Grilled and Caesar Flavored." Earth and Space News. Thursday, April 28, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/04/chicken-caesar-burger-by-sanjeev-kapoor.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Chicken Tikka Caesar Salad by Sanjyot Keer: Indian Flair for a Classic." Earth and Space News. Thursday, May 5, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/05/chicken-tikka-caesar-salad-by-sanjyot.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Kolkatan Chef Kirti Bhoutika Styles Caesar Salad With Olives and Tomatoes." Earth and Space News. Thursday, June 9, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/06/kolkatan-chef-kirti-bhoutika-styles.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Kolkatan Chef Kirti Bhoutika's Ragi Wheat Crackers Complement Caesar Salad." Earth and Space News. Thursday, June 16, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/06/kolkatan-chef-kirti-bhoutikas-ragi.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Mumbai Caesar Salads: Creative, Original and Sophisticated Variations." Earth and Space News. Thursday, March 24, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/03/mumbai-caesar-salads-creative-original.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "North Indian Caesar Deviled Eggs by Sanjeev Kapoor Blend Two Classics." Earth and Space News. Thursday, April 7, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/04/north-indian-caesar-deviled-eggs-by.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "North Indian Caesar Chicken Salad in Parmesan Cups by Sanjeev Kapoor." Earth and Space News. Thursday, April 21, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/04/north-indian-caesar-chicken-salad-in.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "North Indian Chef Kunal Kapur's Veg Caesar Salad Crunches With Flavor." Earth and Space News. Thursday, May 26, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/05/north-indian-chef-kunal-kapoors-veg.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "North Indian Chef Shantanu Gupte's Vegan Caesar Salad Colorfully Appeals." Earth and Space News. Thursday, June 2, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/06/north-indian-chef-shantanu-guptes-vegan.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "North Indian Chicken Caesar Salad: Celebrate Julius Caesar's Birthday July 12 or 13." Wizzley. Monday, July 12, 2021.
Available @ https://wizzley.com/north-indian-chicken-caesar-salad-celebrate-julius-caesar-s-birthday-july-12-or-13/

Marriner, Derdriu. "South Indian Caesar Salads: Classic and Wrap Variations in Chennai." Earth and Space News. Thursday, March 31, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/03/south-indian-caesar-salads-classic-and.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Veg Caesar Wraps by Ajay Chopra Satisfy Caesar Salad and Wrap Cravings." Earth and Space News. Thursday, May 12, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/05/veg-caesar-wraps-by-ajay-chopra-satisfy.html

Miller, Karryn. "A Conversation With: Chef Vicky Ratnani." The New York Times. June 7, 2013.
Available @ https://archive.nytimes.com/india.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/a-conversation-with-chef-vicky-ratnani/

Nagpal, Rashima. "Vicky Ratnani Celebrity Chef." Travel + Leisure > T+L A-List.
Available @ https://www.travelandleisureindia.in/a-list-vicky-ratnani/

Salim, Lubna. "'We earned ₹75 per event as waiters while in college,' says Vicky Ratnani." Hindustan Times > Lifestyle > Brunch. Aug. 15, 2021.
Available @ https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/brunch/we-earned-rs-75-per-event-as-waiters-while-in-college-says-vicky-ratnani-101628999856175.html

Thoppil, Joy. "The Sorrel Story." The Hindu > Features > Metroplus. July 25, 2016.
Available @ https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/the-sorrel-story/article2783042.ece

Times Food. "Restaurant Review: The SpeakEasy Kitchen." Times Food > Recipes > Food Trips. Aug. 12, 2021.
Available @ https://recipes.timesofindia.com/us/articles/food-trips/restaurant-review-the-speakeasy-kitchen/articleshow/85282985.cms

TT Bureau. "Vicky Ratnani -- The Chef With Finesse." Today's Traveller > Food Voyager > News > Today's Traveller Interviews. Jan. 19, 2021.
Available @ https://www.todaystraveller.net/vicky-ratnani-the-chef-with-finesse/

Vicky Ratnani. "At Koyambedu Vegetable market." Vicky Ratnani, via Facebook March 13, 2021.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/chefvickyratnani/posts/3871657616216789/

Thursday, June 23, 2022

Bangalorean Chef Shazia Khan Creams and Crisps Chicken Caesar Salad

Summary: Bangalorean Chef Shazia Khan creams and crisps Chicken Caesar Salad with a smooth dressing, boiled or pan-fried chicken nuggets and toasted croutons.

Bangalorean Chef Shazia Khan, first runner-up in the second season (Oct. 22, 2011-Jan. 1, 2012) of MasterChef India, conducts cooking demonstrations and culinary workshops, in person and via media, in her hometown and afar: Anjali Reddy J, CC BY SA 3.0 Unported, via Wikimedia Commons

Bangalorean Chef Shazia Khan creams and crisps Chicken Caesar Salad with a salad base of crunchy green leaf lettuce and iceberg lettuce, topped with boiled or pan-fried chicken breast nuggets and toasted croutons, and dressed with a smooth sauce.

Italian immigrant restauranteur Cesare "Caesar" Cardini (Feb. 24, 1896-Nov. 3, 1956) is credited with creating the phenomenally successful Caesar Salad. He introduced his appealing salad in 1924 at his restaurant, Caesar's Restaurant, in Tijuana, Baja California state, northwestern Mexico. In the almost 100 years since its introduction, Caesar Salad has established a confident presence in cuisines throughout the world. The classic recipe has inspired a plethora of variations, with vegan, non-vegetarian and vegetarian versions.

Chef Shazia begins her Chicken Caesar Salad recipe by placing four slices of bread into the toaster. While the bread toasts, she attends to the dressing. She deposits into the dressing bowl 2 finely chopped garlic cloves, 3 tablespoons of vegan mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon finely crushed black pepper powder, 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of grated or shredded Parmesan cheese and salt, to taste. The ingredients are whisked together smoothly.

The toasted bread is removed from the toaster. The toast is set aside to cool.

The dressing bowl is used for constructing the salad. Two lettuce varieties are placed on top of the dressing. First, 200 grams (1 cup) of rinsed and roughly torn green leaf lettuce are added, followed by several torn iceberg lettuce leaves. Chef Shazia next adds 100 grams (1/2 cup) of boiled chicken breast pieces, 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 boiled, cubed egg. She tears the toasted bread into bite-sized pieces for distribution across the salad. She mixes all ingredients of the salad into the dressing with two large tossing spoons.

The salad is ready for plating. Chef Shazia's Chicken Caesar Salad appeals as a creamy, crispy, crunchy recipe that features vegan and non-vegetarian components via vegan mayonnaise and boiled chicken breast nuggets, respectively.

Chez Shazia's salad repertoire extends beyond Chicken Caesar Salad. Her array of salad recipes includes Couscous Salad with Chickpeas and Red Beans, Crispy Potato Salad, Fig and Asparagus Salad, Italian Grilled Chicken Salad and Twice Cooked Baby Potato Salad.

In her article, "A Masterclass on Salads," published Sep. 11, 2016, in Bangalore Mirror, food writer Shivani Kagti describes Chef Shazia's Twice Cooked Baby Potato Salad recipe as "indulgent." The article references the recipe's description, in Chef Shazia's first cookbook, What's On the Menu (2016) as a "big hit" that is so kid-friendly that kids ". . . can never have enough of it," Chef Shazia explains.

Chicken Caesar Salad also numbers among chicken recipes in Chef Shazia's portfolio. Her lineup of chicken recipes include Chicken Cutlets, Chicken on the Go and Murgh Malai Kebabs (Creamy Chicken Kebabs).

Salma Shazia Fatima Khan participated in the second season of MasterChef India. The Mumbai-based, popular Indian Hindi-language competitive cooking reality show's second season was aired from Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011, to its grand finale, New Year's Day, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012. The season's three judges, Amritsar-born Vikas Khanna (born Nov. 14, 1971), New Delhi-born Kunal Kapur (born Sep. 18, 1979) and Lucknow-born Ajay Chopra (born Feb. 8, 1977) recognized Shimla-born Shipra Khanna (born Nov. 17, 1981) as the season's winner and Bengaluru-born Shazia Khan as first runner up.

Chef Shazia's first cookbook, What's on the Menu, was released by Noida, Uttar Pradesh-based Om Books International on Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. Food writer Shivani Kagti describes Chef Shazia's cookbook as a blend of "desi and international foods."

Modern and traditional desi (Sanskrit देश, deśá, "land, country") recipes inspire Chef Shazia's fusion repertoire. She describes modern Indian cooking as a fusion of international cuisines with Indian flavors in her interviews for Chennai-based journalist Anusha Surendran's "The Kitchen Wiz" (À la Carte, May 2013) and Bengaluru-based journalist Varsha Rao's "Experimenting in the kitchen" (Deccan Herald, March 18, 2017). Tandoori Chicken and Spinach Roulade, one of 90 recipes in her book, exemplifies her fusion-based style. She explains to Varsha Rao that the recipe begins ". . .by applying a tandoori chicken marinade on a chicken breast and then roll the chicken, just like the French do it."

Chef Shazia's other ventures include founding The Cooking Studio in October 2017 in her hometown in southwest India's Karnataka state. The Golden Eye Chef website describes the enterprise as "Equipped with state-of-the-art equipment . . ." The Cooking Studio's Facebook profile self-characterizes as ". . . a fun and interactive space to gather all culinary experts and students under one roof. We help you create memorable times by teaching you how to prepare memorable meals."

The Cooking Studio is located at No. 28, Pattalamma Temple Street, in Bangalore's Basavanagudi (basava, "bull"; gudi, "temple") neighborhood. The Basavangudi neighborhood is located in South Bangalore, in one of Bangalore's oldest neighborhoods. Bangalore (Bengaluru) is sited, at an elevation of over 3,000 feet (meters). Its elevation accounts for the year-round pleasant climate enjoyed by Karnataka state's cosmopolitan capital. Nicknames such as "Garden City," "IT Capital of India," "Science City," "Silicon Valley of India" and "Space City" honor Bangalore's achievements and attractions.

Perhaps the nickname of "Culinary City" may be added in the near future. Prestigious cooking schools, such as Academy of Pastry and Culinary Arts, Bangalore Culinary Academy and Bangalore Culinary Institute by ASKIHMCA (ASK Institute of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts), join Chef Shazia's The Cooking Studio in establishing Bangalore as a culinary center.

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Dedication

This post is dedicated to the memory of our beloved blue-eyed brother, Charles, who guided the creation of the Met Opera and Astronomy posts on Earth and Space News. We memorialized our brother in "Our Beloved Blue-Eyed Brother, Charles, With Whom We Are Well Pleased," published on Earth and Space News on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, an anniversary of our beloved father's death.

Image credits:

PrestigeSocial, "How To Make Caesar Salad / Salad Recipes / Chef Shazia Khan," via YouTube April 17, 2019, @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP9HjxXOynE

For further information:

Acharya, Ahalya. "Attend A Masterclass Or Many At This Masterchef Finalist's Cooking Studio." LBB > Bangalore.
Available @ https://lbb.in/bangalore/the-cooking-studio-shazia-khan-basavanagudi-bangalore/

Borkar, Amey. "Shazia Khan: Smiling to glory." When Work Equals Fun. Oct. 15, 2012.
Available @ http://amey6606.blogspot.com/2012/

Chef Shazia Khan. "Chicken on the Go." FoodFood > Chefs > Chef Shazia Khan > Recipes From Chef.
Available @ https://www.foodfood.com/recipedetails/chicken-on-the-go

Chef Shazia Khan. "Crispy Potato Salad." FoodFood > Chefs > Chef Shazia Khan > Recipes From Chef.
Available @ https://www.foodfood.com/recipedetails/crispy-potato-salad

Damodaran, Akhila. "‘Bond that was born in the kitchen inspired me.'" The New Indian Express > Cities > Bengaluru. Jan. 28, 2017.
Available @ https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2017/jan/28/bond-that-was-born-in-the-kitchen-inspired-me-1564194.html

FoodFood. "K For Kids / Chicken On The Go Recipe / Chef Shazia Khan / Kids Special Recipes." YouTube. May 16, 2015.
Available @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kjp59_ELPPQ

FoodFood. "Chef Shazia Khan." FoodFood > Chefs.
Available @ https://www.foodfood.com/chef/chefdetails/chef-shazia-khan

Golden Eye Chef. "Shazia Khan: MasterChef India, Author, Culinary Expert." Golden Eye Chef > Jury > Jury / 2nd Round -- Golden Eye Chef 2021.
Available @ https://2021.goldeneyechef.com/shazia-khan/

Hajela, Nitin. "Rendezvous With MasterChef Season-2 Runners up Shazia Khan." The Foodie Tales > Restaurant. March 27, 2017.
Available @ https://thefoodietales.com/rendezvous-masterchef-runner-up-shazia-khan/

HungryForever. "Chef Shazia Khan Launches New Cook Book 'What’s On The Menu' In Mumbai." HungryForever > Celebrities.
Available @ https://www.hungryforever.com/chef-shazia-khan-launches-new-cook-book-whats-on-the-menu-in-mumbai/

indiantelevision.com Team. "FoodFood launches 'K for Kids.'" Indian Television > Television > TV Channels > Specialised and Niche. May 2, 2014.
Available @ https://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/specialised-and-niche/foodfood-launches-k-for-kids-140502

Iyer, Deepa. "A culinary journey -- Shazia Khan." Food and All. Tuesday, March 5, 2013.
Available @ http://notjustanothercookeryblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-culinary-journey-shazia-khan.html

kagti, shivani. "A masterclass on salads." Bangalore Mirror > Opinion > You. Sep. 11, 2016.
Available @ https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/opinion/you/a-masterclass-on-salads/articleshow/54269353.cms

kagti, shivani. "shivani kagti." LinkedIn India.
Available @ https://in.linkedin.com/in/shivani-kagti-3190aa8b

Khan, K. Rahman. "K Rahman Khan." LinkedIn India.
Available @ https://in.linkedin.com/in/k-rahman-khan-6814ba1b

Khan, Shazia. "Tandoori Chicken and Spinach Roulade." What's on the Menu, page 92. Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India: Om Books International, February 8, 2016.
Available via Google Books @ https://www.google.com/books/edition/WHAT_S_ON_THE_MENU/d4zFDAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=shazia+khan+tandoori+chicken+roulade&pg=PA92

Khan, Shazia. "Twice Cooked Baby Potato Salad." What's on the Menu, page 41. Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India: Om Books International, February 8, 2016.

Khandelwal, Heena. "Chef Shazia Khan shares a full-day meal plan for pregnant women: 2. Mid-morning: Grilled Chicken With Avocado And Mango Salad." The New Indian Express Indulge > Lifestyle > Recipe. Dec. 2, 2019.
Available @ https://www.indulgexpress.com/recipe/2019/dec/02/chef-shazia-khan-meal-plan-for-pregnant-women-recipe-chuski-smoothie-20258.html

Maskeri, Anju. "MasterChef contestant Shazia Khan digs into family recipes for her book." mid-day > Mumbai Guide > Mumbai Food News. May 8, 2016.
Available @ https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai-guide/mumbai-food/article/MasterChef-contestant-Shazia-Khan-digs-into-family-recipes-for-her-book-17210181

Mehrotra, Monalisa. "Shazia Khan’s What’s on the Menu Cookbook Review." Bellydriven. April 19, 2016.
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noorainsobiya (Noorain Sobiya). "Prestige TTK's 'Masterchef Shazia Kahn's Food Tasting Event." The Plate Memoirs. March 30, 2017.
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Prakah, B S (Bellur Sharmarao). "How Bangalore became an adjective and a verb." Deccan Herald > Opinion > Panorama. Nov. 23, 2010.
Available @ https://www.deccanherald.com/content/115306/how-bangalore-became-adjective-verb.html

PrestigeSocial. "How To Make Caesar Salad / Salad Recipes / Chef Shazia Khan." YouTube. April 17, 2019.
Available @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP9HjxXOynE

PrestigeSocial. "How To make Murgh Malai Kabab / Chicken Kabab / Malai Kabab / Chef Shazia Khan." YouTube. Jan. 29, 2019.
Available @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJstGqJY390

Rao, Darsha. "Experimenting in the kitchen." Deccan Herald > Living. March 18, 2017.
Available @ https://www.deccanherald.com/content/601882/experimenting-kitchen.html

The Restaurant Times. "MasterChef India Winners: A Rundown." The Restaurant Times > Features.
Available @ https://www.posist.com/restaurant-times/features/masterchef-india-winners.html

Shazia Khan @masterchefshaziakhan. "Chicken Cutlets." Facebook. June 13, 2016.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/134963106620705/posts/1-chicken-cutletschicken-cutlets1-kg-potatoes-boiled-remove-skin-and-grated500-g/976829502434057/

Sreenivasan, Ambassador T P (Thettalil Parameswaran Pillai). "B S Prakash: 'A good man left us well before time.'" Rediff.com » News. Oct. 5, 2021.
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Sugunan, Shiju. "Chef Workshop with Shazia Khan." Cranium Bolts > My Photo Tours Gallery. January 2017.
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Available @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlVPTSuHfqY

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Kolkatan Chef Kirti Bhoutika's Ragi Wheat Crackers Complement Caesar Salad

Summary: Kolkatan chef Kirti Bhoutika's Ragi Wheat Crackers complement Caesar Salad as crunchy side dish or crouton substitute for the classic salad.

Kolkatan chef Kirti Bhoutika's Ragi and Whole Wheat Crackers flavorfully crackle as crouton substitute, side dish or snack: Kirti Bhoutika, via Facebook Aug. 4, 2019

Kolkatan chef Kirti Bhoutika's Ragi Wheat Crackers complement Caesar Salad as a crunchy side dish for her version of the classic salad or as a crispy substitute for the salad's croutons.

Chef Kirti shares her Ragi and Whole Wheat Crackers recipe via Facebook Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019. She backdrops her recipe choice: "Made these Ragi and whole wheat crackers to satisfy my chips and dips cravings."

The recipe is also available on her website, Chef Kirti (chefkirti.in), with the delectable title, "Ragi and whole wheat crackers with guacamole." The recipe's image, identical with her Facebook post, frames an enticing bowl of chopped avocado-and-tomato guacamole with perfectly baked ragi and whole wheat wedges. Chef Kirti's website provides the selfsame Facebook recipe for the delicious, healthy crackers.

Chef Kirti's Ragi and Whole Wheat Crackers recipe begins with making a dough. The flatbread's flours are proportioned at 1/2 cup of ragi flour and 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour. The flour is seasoned with 2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of red chili powder.

The dry ingredients are moistened with 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and 3 tablespoons of yogurt. Warm water is added, as required, to soften the dough.

The dough is set aside for 30 minutes. Then it is rolled as thinly as possible. Chef Kirti recommends avoiding sticky surface complications by rolling the dough between two Silpat silicone baking mats or two sheets or parchment paper.

After rolling, the dough may be cut as crackers with a pizza cutter. Chef Kirti partitions the dough into attractive wedges. Nevertheless, the crackers may assume traditional shapes as squares or triangles or alternative shapes, such as ribbons, according to preference.

The doughy crackers are transferred to a preheated oven and baked, to crispness, at 170 degrees Celsius (338 degrees Fahrenheit) for 20 to 22 minutes. Chef Kirti cautions against overbaking or underbaking.

Allow the crackers to cool. They may be stored in airtight containers or served, when cool, "with a dip of your choice."

Chef Kirti's Ragi and Whole Wheat Crackers recipe refreshes as a chips-and-dip snack. The recipe also pleases as a side dish, especially with such fresh vegetable dishes as Caesar Salad. Chef Kirti's version of the classic salad crunches with iceberg lettuce and brightens with brown bread croutons, black olives and sun-dried tomatoes ("Kolkatan Chef Kirti Bhoutika Styles Caesar Salad With Olives and Tomatoes," Earth and Space News, Thursday, June 9, 2022).

Beyond accompanying Caesar Salad as a side dish, Chef Kirti's Ragi and Whole Wheat Crackers also qualify as flavorful substitutes for the salad's signature seasoned croutons. The cracker wedges may be cubed or broken into attractively irregular pieces as crouton substitutes.

As her recipe title indicates, Chef Kirti's Ragi and Whole Wheat Crackers recipe calls for ragi. Ragi is familiar in India as a versatile staple, according to The Hindu Business Line's Jan. 1, 2012, article, "Ragi: Versatile, Wonder Grain." Ragi is marketed in the West as a specialty flour.

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is known as ragi in India. The annual herbaceous plant is grown as a cereal crop, i.e., a grass with an edible grain, in Africa and Asia. Ragi is a gluten-free whole grain.

As a gluten-free grain, ragi lacks the protein, gluten, found notably in wheat and other cereal crops such as barley and rye. Gluten sensitivities range from allergies to serious medical conditions, such as celiac disease and gluten ataxia. Contrarily, ragi offers easy digestibility.

As a whole grain, ragi retains the three edible parts (bran, germ, endosperm) of its seeds, also known as kernels. Also, whole grains preserve the proportions of bran, germ and endosperm presented during the field-growing stage.

Chef Kirti's repertoire of cracker and ragi recipes extends beyond her Ragi and Whole Wheat Crackers recipe. She also presents Cheese Jeera Crackers via Facebook Oct. 3, 2020; via Instagram Oct. 3, 2020; and via YouTube Oct. 5, 2020. She shares her Chilli Cheese Crackers recipe via Facebook April 29, 2022, and via YouTube April 27, 2022. Her recipe for Oat and Ragi Bread appears Jan. 19, 2021, via Facebook and Instagram.

Kirti Bhoutika's win in the fifth season of MasterChef India epitomizes the Kolkata-born Bengali's culinary commitment and talent. Her win, at age 20, on Christmas, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016, qualifies her as the youngest MasterChef India winner.

Youngest MasterChef India winner Kirti Bhoutika poses with the treasured medal, December 2016: Kirti Bhoutika, via Facebook Dec. 31, 2016

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Dedication

Kolkatan chef Kirti Bhoutika's Ragi and Whole Wheat Crackers flavorfully crackle as crouton substitute, side dish or snack: Kirti Bhoutika, via Facebook Aug. 4, 2019, @ https://www.facebook.com/chefkirtibhoutika/photos/pb.100044500056871.-2207520000../2469656369929601/

Youngest MasterChef India winner Kirti Bhoutika poses with the treasured medal, December 2016: Kirti Bhoutika, via Facebook Dec. 31, 2016, @ https://www.facebook.com/chefkirtibhoutika/posts/1900569896838254/

For further information:

Acharya, K.T. (Konganda Thammu). "Ragi." Pages 21-22. The Story of Our Food. Chapter 3 "How Weeds Became Foodgrains," 18-29. Hyderabad, India: Universities Press (India), Limited, 2000.
Available @ https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Story_of_Our_Food/bk9RHRCqZOkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA21

Bhoutika, Kirti. "Kirti Bhoutika." LinkedIn India.
Available @ https://in.linkedin.com/in/kirti-bhoutika-14a1b2140

Chef Kirti Bhoutika. "About Me." Chef Kirti > About Kirti.
Available @ http://chefkirti.in/about.php

Gomes, Lygeia. "Rise of the Digital Chef: 200K followers on Instagram? ‘My secret ingredient is to be myself,’ says Kirti Bhoutika." The Telegraph Online > My Kolkata > People. March 23, 2022.
Available @ https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/people/masterchef-india-winner-kirti-bhoutika-on-her-youtube-and-instagram-game-cooking-show-kolkata-baking-studio-sugarplum-cakery/cid/1857251

The Hindu Business Line. "Ragi: Versatile, Wonder Grain." The Hindu Business Line > Markets > Commodities. Jan. 1, 2012.
Available @ https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/markets/commodities/Ragi-Versatile-wonder-grain/article20380256.ece

Kirti Bhoutika. "ALL ABOUT SUGARPLUM CAKERY by KIRTI BHOUTIKA." YouTube. March 11, 2019.
Available @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxCJsFT0B4Y

Kirti Bhoutika. "BEST EVER CAESER SALAD." Facebook. May 28, 2021.
Available @ https://m.facebook.com/chefkirtibhoutika/videos/233601101441744/

Kirti Bhoutika. "BEST EVER CAESER SALAD." YouTube. May 28, 2021.
Available @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRydXVZ-a0w

Kirti Bhoutika. "Cheese Jeera Crackers." Facebook. Oct. 3, 2020.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/chefkirtibhoutika/videos/cheese-jeera-crackersflaky-buttery-and-cheesy-crackers-that-are-perfect-with-a-d/1857944297676684/

Kirti Bhoutika. "Cheese Jeera Crackers / Only 4 Ingredients." YouTube. Oct. 5, 2020.
Available @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tRjh4sCV0s

Kirti Bhoutika. "Chilli Cheese Crackers." Facebook. April 29, 2022.
Available @ https://m.facebook.com/chefkirtibhoutika/videos/chilli-cheese-crackers/527423492117286/

Kirti Bhoutika. "Chilli Cheese Crackers / Perfect tea time snack." YouTube. April 27, 2022.
Available @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmKNvKxvuDk

Kirti Bhoutika. "First post of 2017. Ready to cook and bake through this year #masterchefindia5 #masterchefindia #notjustahobby #goodfood #newyear #newyearnewme #2017." Facebook. Dec. 31, 2016.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/chefkirtibhoutika/posts/1900569896838254/

Kirti Bhoutik. "I love breads but I love eating my whole grains! Which is why, this OAT AND RAGI BREAD is perfect!" Facebook. Jan. 19, 2021.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/chefkirtibhoutika/videos/i-love-breads-but-i-love-eating-my-whole-grains-which-is-why-this-oat-and-ragi-b/417440606173957/

Kirti Bhoutika. "It was all worth it. All the pressure and hard work, everything. Thank you each one of you for your support. This journey from a homecook to a chef would not have been possible without you. #masterchefindia5 #masterchefindia #notjustahobby #goodfood #coat #cooking #cook #food." Facebook. Dec. 11, 2016.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/chefkirtibhoutika/posts/1890598134502097/

Kirti Bhoutika. "I’ve been lately obsessed with changing my food habits and making healthier food choices and it has helped me in more ways than I can explain. Made these Ragi and whole wheat crackers to satisfy my chips and dips cravings🤤 Sharing my recipe here, happy baking." Facebook. Aug. 4, 2019.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/chefkirtibhoutika/photos/pb.100044500056871.-2207520000../2469656369929601/
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/chefkirtibhoutika/posts/2469656369929601/

kirtibhoutika. "Best Ever Caeser Salad." Chef Kirti Bhoutika (@kirtibhoutika). Instagram. May 26, 2021.
Available @ https://www.instagram.com/tv/CPVenpsBciH/

kirtibhoutika. "Cheese Jeera Crackers." Instagram. Oct. 3, 2020.
Available @ https://www.instagram.com/tv/CF36ClVhcOy/

kirtibhoutika. "Oat and Ragi Bread." Instagram. Jan. 19, 2021.
Available @ https://www.instagram.com/tv/CKN_FBEBP-C/

Lifestyle Desk. "Make crunchy Caesar salad tonight with this easy recipe." The Indian Express > Food & Wine. July 19, 2021.
Available @ https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/food-wine/caesar-salad-7375645/

Oldways Whole Grains Council. "What's a Whole Grain? A Refined Grain?" Oldways Whole Grains Council > Whole Grains 101 > Help Is on the Way > Understand What Whole Grains Are.
Available @ https://wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/whats-whole-grain-refined-grain

Picuki. "@kirtibhoutika Chef Kirti Bhoutika." Picuki > Profile > kirtibhoutika.
Available @ https://www.picuki.com/profile/kirtibhoutika

The Restaurant Times. "MasterChef India Winners: A Rundown." The Restaurant Times > Features.
Available @ https://www.posist.com/restaurant-times/features/masterchef-india-winners.html

Vikaspedia. "Ragi." Vikaspedia > Agriculture > Crop Production > Package of Practices > Cereals and Millets.
Available @ https://vikaspedia.in/agriculture/crop-production/package-of-practices/cereals-and-millets/ragi#