Fruit in a jar - guava jelly

The market is flooded with oranges, kinnow (mandarin oranges) and guavas, both winter fruits. Guavas are available in the monsoon season too, but they are sweeter at this time of the year.

Allahabad, a town in UP is known for its guavas. The ones from there are often pinkish in color and are touted as being as sweet as mishri (sugar candy).

The slightly harder ones are a favorite with us and with some kala namak (black salt) sprinkled on them they are great fun to eat. I had some guavas at home which had become too soft to be eaten so a good option was making guava jelly. I am not a big fan of jellies as unlike jams the whole fruit does not end up being used,  though jellies with their pellucidity do look incredible and the flavor of the fruit does come through beautifully.

So here's my guava jelly recipe and it’s turned out wonderful! There is a strong taste of guavas and the dark rusty hue of the jelly is very appealing. It tasted fabulous drizzled over breakfast pancakes. All in all, it was great making it and the end product surpassed my expectations.

Guava jelly

2 kg guavas (ripe)

Sugar- 3/4 cup per cup of guava juice

Juice of 2 lemons

Wash and cut the fruit into small pieces. Place in a large pan with enough water so that the guavas are well covered. Bring to a boil then let it simmer, covered for about 30 minutes or until the guavas are tender.

To get a clear liquid, do not mash the guava pulp. Strain the juice through a muslin cloth or a jelly bag and leave it to drip overnight.

Measure the juice obtained, which would be around 7-8 cups and add it to a pot. Add the sugar and stir it till the sugar dissolves. Boil rapidly and skim off the scum from the top. It would take around 20 minutes to reach the setting point. Test for setting and then fill into sterilized jars and seal. 

Trials and tribulations of a jam maker

"The Quangle Wangle said
To himself on the Crumpetty Tree,--
'Jam; and Jelly; and bread;
Are the best of food for me!"
- Edward Lear

How did I ever get into making jam? To begin with, I really had no clue of what I wanted to do, though I was certain, it had to be food related because cooking was one of my passions.

One day I had this Eureka moment, why not preserves? This thought was also fuelled by the abysmal quality of preserves that were available in the market. There was something missing in them- they were cloyingly sweet and the taste of real fruit just wasn't there. 

Also processed food has never found favor with me so the thought of making a preservative and pectin free jam, seemed just so right.

That was also the time when I read about the artisanal food movement sweeping across America and the idea of producing something handmade and in small quantities appealed a great deal.The mass produced edibles can never match up to a small batch, handcrafted product which oozes flavor and freshness.

But I knew next to nothing about jam making. My previous foray had been eons back when I was living in Melbourne. The Chinese oranges (kumquats) growing in the backyard had tempted me into making marmalade.

What I remember of that experience was that apart from me, the only other person who took to it was my husband's friend ... and now at hindsight I cannot help think that maybe he was just being polite.

 Anyways, I was quite set that this was what I wanted to try my hand at.

One of the first jams I made was with oranges. I followed the recipe to the T. The marmalade was boiling along nicely and then ... I made the cardinal mistake, of attending a call and not keeping a watchful eye on the jam.

That minute or two of distraction made all the difference. The marmalade had taken a lovely caramelized color and looked great, tasted also yum ... only one glitch!  It had reached the hard ball stage and needed some warming up to make it spreadable. My sister came over to taste my first fruits of labor - the orange marmalade and tomato chutney that I had freshly made. Very forthrightly she told me as only sisters' can, that maybe I should forget about making fancy stuff like jam and stick to the more desi familiar chutneys. The kids cheekily suggested that the labels on the jar could have instructions like please microwave before use. 

There was a fleeting thought that maybe it was not my cup of tea, but I wasn't going to give it up tamely.

My next attempt was at making lemon marmalade. But what the heck? What were these Meyer lemon that all the jam makers spoke about in reverential terms? Apparently these are popular in the culinary world for making lemon marmalade as they are known for their juicy pulp and exotic aroma.

I don't get them where I live so instead of fretting on it I settled for the normal ones. The marmalade looked lovely with specks of the rind floating in it. I could not wait for it to set, to taste it. Slathered on the toast it glistened and I swelled with pride at my handiwork. One bite into it, yum! and then it hit - the marmalade had great looks and texture, had  a perfect set but well its one and only flaw... it was amazingly bitter.

The marmalades were proving to be my bane; I needed a break from them. After taking a short hiatus to recover my lost confidence I again plunged into other jams - mango, which thankfully turned out fine. Then the stone fruits – peach, plum and other summer bounty. That's not to say that all of them turned out perfect there were always slight hiccups on the way, the plum tasted sour, the peach (being low in pectin) didn't set too well.

But all these were minor aberrations and as I kept on making, my confidence grew and from tentative and unsure beginnings, to the point where I now thoroughly enjoy the whole process. The gleaming jars give me a sense of accomplishment - all my naysayers have turned around and simply luv the stuff that I now churn out. However when I tell people that I make preserves they look very lost, so then I have to explain in plain terms that it's actually jam, as in 'Kissan' jam.

Lots of learning, but foremost was not to multi task, to keep the focus on the jam when its cooking. Then a lot depends on the produce and each batch will have slight variations in taste. Judging a jam's set is always guesswork in the beginning. It’s mostly after a couple of tries that guesstimate starts giving way to more surety of its doneness.

My tribulations in making the jams have come to an end ... however, a new one has emerged ... people think of jams as a sure recipe for becoming diabetic ... yes, provided you have the typical market processed stuff, otherwise they are no worse than your ice creams and gulab jamuns! 

  

Tangy and Spicy Pickle to tickle your tastebuds

We are nearing Christmas, and we Delhiites are waking up to fog laden mornings and chilly temperatures (my son though is quite amused when I complain about the weather, as the temperature in Ithaca the place he is in, goes down to minus ten) but for us in the sub-continent used to a tropical climate, the dull grey days can be quite a killjoy.

The cold though  hasn't  dampened our appetites, on the contrary one feels more ravenous and it’s great fun gorging on  seasonal  specialties - stuffed paranthas of methi (fresh fenugreek leaves), cauliflower, and of course potatoes which are accompanied by a side of fresh butter and a delectable, mixed vegetable pickle, that is made during this time of the year.

A very popular pickle in North India, the Punjabi mixed vegetable pickle sure elevates even the most boring meals.

Fresh and firm winter vegetables are used to make this pickle. It goes splendidly with paranthas, plain or stuffed, dal-chawal, well virtually with almost everything!

This pickle has an assortment of vegetables which are blanched for a few minutes so that they retain their crunch. The pickle keeps well and one gets to enjoy the winter veggies all through the year.

 Pickling at home might seem like a chore but one should go for it not only for getting the feel of the original taste but also for the fact that it is preservative free.

This was one of the things the daughter too enjoys. I was waiting for her to pass the verdict. So when she said that it tasted just the way she remembered it, I sure felt that I had passed the litmus test.

Mixed Vegetable Pickle (Khatta Meetha Achar)

11/2 kg cauliflower (gobhi) cut into big florets

1/2 kg turnip (shalgam) cut into thick round slice

1/2 kg carrots (gajar) cut into 5 cm long pieces

1 liter mustard oil

125 gm ginger ground to a paste

125gm garlic ground to a paste

750 ml white vinegar

350 gm jaggery (gur)

125 gm garam masala

50 gm red chilli powder

125 gm mustard (rai) powder

150 gm sea salt

Immerse the vegetables in boiling water for just a minute. Drain the water and spread the vegetables on a cloth and leave to dry overnight.

Heat the mustard oil in a wok (kadhai) to smoking point. Let it cool a bit then add the ginger and garlic pastes and fry until well browned.

Gobhi, gajar, shalgam ka achaar

Boil the vinegar and jaggery together in a separate wok until it gets a single thread consistency.

In a large pan mix the vegetables with all the dry spices. Add the jaggery syrup and the fried ginger and garlic pastes. Mix it well and pack in a sterilized jar. Keep in the sun for a fortnight.

This achar (pickle) is so very Indian that it brings back the nostalgia of an era gone by ... it’s easy to make, give it a shot and you will love it not merely for the tangy taste but the memories it would evoke !!!

Two months ago: Spicy Indian green chilli pickle

Bangalore - old world charm or an urban sprawl ?

I had always been keen to visit Bengaluru although I had been forewarned not to expect much. But I did not think much of these naysayers and brushed it all aside ...  thinking that it was typically a guy thing to be oblivious of your surroundings (as they tend to find all cities the same) ... guess these corporate slaves see little more than just their office, airport and the hotel.

Street Art

My first impression- a modern and well tended for city. The well maintained foliage and wide roads near the airport all give it the appearance of a cared for city. On the way to the city I got busy capturing some vivid street art depicting local history and religion.

As a first timer to this place I was curious to see how this place stacked up vis a vis other metros. What is conspicuous about this place is its greenery, and thus aptly known as the garden city. The tree lined wide boulevards of Delhi might be missing but it boasts of a fair number of parks and gardens.

The eighteenth century Lalbagh, a horticultural garden and a spot synonymous with Bengaluru is a must do. It’s a green sprawl and involves a fair bit of walking, so do wear comfortable shoes because it’s really spread out but truly worth the visit. The garden is host to many tropical and subtropical plants many of which are rare species.

Cubbon Park

Another oasis in the middle of the city is the 300 acres nineteenth century Cubbon Park, it's a great retreat for the weary city folks, with its innumerable trees, natural outcroppings of rocks and some of the trees seem fairly old, as their girth is amazing.

This place is a big draw with morning walkers and joggers. Very clearly; these two parks are to Bangaloreans what Central Park is to New Yorkers.

Bull Temple

South Indians are deeply religious people and the city is dotted with ancient temples. We visited the Bull temple in Basavanagudi. The temple is dedicated to Nandi, the mount of Shiva. The bull idol is huge and fills up the entire temple; it's an awesome piece of sculpture built by Kempe Gowda in the Dravidian style. It has been carved out of a monolithic rock and is one of the most ancient  murtis of Nandi, definitely not to be missed sight. In the month of November- December a groundnut fair is held here and the newly harvested groundnuts are offered to Nandi.

Art Of Living Centre

My husband was very keen to visit Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Ashram which was an hour away from the city. The Ashram is spread out in hectares of land and the day we had gone there was ashtami pujan and was filled with devotees from far. Well I would suggest that it is worth a visit if and only if you are into such modern age pseudo spiritualism ... no offence intended but I personally prefer in the face religious and spiritual feel of our good old temples.

Tipu Sultan's Palace

Tipu Sultan's summer palace is within the city precincts and features as one of the sightseeing options.This two storied structure built in 1791 is made mostly of wood. This building is now past its prime and looks quite forlorn. For such a rundown, derelict palace the entry ticket was rather on the steep side and I guess that explained why the tourists to be seen out here were a handful of NRI’s.

I had heard a lot about Bangalore's salubrious climate ... some folks going to the extent of saying that the summers are also pleasant. The October sun was scorching and there was no balmy breeze blowing, it was killing to step out in the day time and we were left wondering from which angle could this city possibly lay claim to having an ideal climate ... though to be fair this could well be a fallout of the high levels of pollution the city has seen in recent times. Some of the Old timers we met also cribbed about how Bengaluru is no longer pleasant all year round and is quite warm till the rains arrive in late October.

Mahatma Gandhi Road or MG Road and Brigade Road are a shopper’s haven, where you will find all the hip trendy stores.  If you are a highbrow then head to Higginbotham’s, this 166 years old book house is legendary-an institution in itself  and one of Bangalore's landmark for book lovers. Looking for bargains ... then Commercial Street is the right spot ... a shopping place quite akin to Delhi's Janpath or Sarojini Nagar or Mumbai's Linking Road, patronised by college students looking for something which is easy on the pocket.

This is the city which initiated the pub culture and it doesn't seem to have faded if one was to go by the number of pubs peppering this place... Peco's is an iconic pub and one of the oldest surviving ones, popular with the youngsters as a place to hang out in the evenings.

My sense of this place was very mixed up ... in parts it is very cosmopolitan, great buildings, swish stores, lots of greenery but all that is confined to the central area. Once you move away from the posh Central Residency area you realize how haphazardly the city has grown.

Eons ago Bangalore was one of the cities favored as a retirement destination but now calling it a Pensioners paradise would perhaps be a misnomer, its halcyon days are long over and the city seems to be now taken over by the software boom which has resulted in chaotic construction of multi-storied buildings all over Bengaluru and even its suburbs. The city has grown in an unplanned manner and there is little infrastructure to support it.

It is no longer a dream city and is virtually splitting at the seams. The town planners do need to get their act together and clean up the mess. The construction of Metro has been delayed ... and it would take a couple of decades before public transportation eases the traffic snarls that you regularly witness ... traffic is horrid virtually all throughout the day and not just in the morning and evening office hours.

The positives that I took about this place were its people who are very friendly and helpful. It is essentially a simple society. The city is a unique blend of cosmopolitan and traditional culture which exists side by side. Most people know English so language is not an issue here, even the chappie who was chauffeuring us around would pip in, in our conversations about the city.

All in all ... though I was not particularly fascinated by Bengaluru, but it still has some charm ... needs to invest in building its public infrastructure ... that alone could ensure it retains and builds on its cosmopolitan allure.

One month ago: Tea and Coffee Country - Coonoor
Two months ago: A getaway to the Blue Mountains

Delhi Elections - promise of a better polity?

The recent Delhi Elections have been on everybody's mind and the political outcome is anybody’s guess? Today I have a guest post on this from my hubby Atul, who has passionately been following these elections

The Delhi Elections represent a watershed in the history of the young Indian polity. In no short measure, its outcome represents whether we Indians really care or are pretty much agnostic to how we are governed? Are we nothing but a herd of cows that care little who shepherds us and how? Delhi, which  arguably has an informed electorate,  the distinction of having the largest per capita income and one of the highest  literacy standards cannot but be the first to answer the above questions? Our choice (read vote) today shall equally reflect on us as a society – whether we want to see a decisive change by demanding clean and transparent governance or are we content with the existing political skullduggery?

Ideologically, the existing politics and politicians, of whatever hue – be it Congress or BJP or of regional parties have nothing new to offer– more often than not they all seem to be a bunch of self-seeking individuals having little to show for integrity and honesty.

We have seen it all – 66 years of independence has only worsened the political value system – with politicians largely thinking of politics as a business proposition. It’s not for nothing that Samuel Johnson likened the patriotism of the politician as being the last refuge of the scoundrel!

Corruption in this existing political firmament is pervasive and has eaten into the progress that this country could have made given its vast physical and intellectual capital. Most parts of the country remain underdeveloped with poor or non-existent health, education and infrastructure.

The emergence of the one year old Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has resulted in not merely heckling the existing political class but more importantly in capturing the imagination of the nation. It has made us think of corruption as a dangerous and grave disease which is eating into the nation’s ability to rapidly develop and progress.The Lokpal bill agitation of Hazare and Kejriwal struck in public conscience the issue of corruption and made people think that the Vadras and Gadkaris (if guilty) should not be permitted to go scot free.

Pilfering of public money needs to be punished and corruption in governance structures needs to be dealt with mercilessly.The emergence of AAP as a potent third force in Indian politics is of tremendous significance, for bringing the issue of political integrity and corruption to the center stage, and for ensuring that value system based on bedrock of honesty and integrity in public life becomes a non-negotiable principle of political governance. AAP‘s existence at least holds the promise of a cleaner polity in the near future.

If AAP does not in the 2014 national elections emerge as a formidable political voice – we Indians would have lost this opportunity and pushed back the path of development of this nation several decades back. The existing political class which has monopolized power since independence represents essentially a decadent political value system. They need to be shaken out of their colossal tolerance for corruption… Delhi elections are a litmus test not merely for AAP but more so for WE Indians – do we care to shun corruption in public life or are we happy to live with ‘chalta hai’?