Monthly Archives: October 2012

Black Gram

Black gram (Urad Dal) is a widely used lentil in Southern India. It is available as whole or split. Whole ones are black in color and the split ones are creamy white in color without the black skin. Also with black skin split urad dal is available. Urad dal is the most important ingredient for making Dosas and Idlis.

Baking Powder

Baking powder is extensively used in making breads, cakes and in some fries. It is a mixture of Sodium-bi-carbonate (Baking Soda), starch and is used as a leavening (raising) agent. It should be stored in air tight container and looses its property very easily. When the baking powder is mixed in a batter with the wet ingredients, the dry acid and the baking soda can then react together and release carbon dioxide.

Bengal Gram

Bengal gram is one of the most widely used lentil. It is available as whole, split or as a powder. Whole Bengal gram are reddish brown in color with a thick skin. They need to be soaked overnight due to the hard thick skin. Split Bengal gram is yellow in color because of the yellowish inner core. Powdered Bengal gram is known as Besan. Also known as chickpea = chick-pea = garbanzo bean = garbanzo pea = garbanzo bean = white chickpea = ceci bean = cici bean = Egyptian pea = Kabuli channa = kabuli channa = kabli chana = kabli channa = pois chiches = chole.

Bread crumb

Available ready made in store. Used for covering various type of fried dishes. Can be made fresh at home by crushing toasted bread in an electric grinder. Tips: Do not throw away trims of bread. But collect and roast in oven and crush to make bread crumb.