Posted in Cooking Class, Spices, tagged Arvinda's, Cooking Class, Ethné Philippe De Vienne, Indian, Jean-Talon Market, Marche Jean-Talon, masala, Montreal, Olives et Epices, spices on April 19, 2010 | 4 Comments »
All spices are not created equal. As with searching for a great wine or good olive oil where there is always so much choice and lots of variation in flavour profile and quality, the same can be said about spices too. Spices, being the building blocks of Indian cooking, leave absolutely no room for ‘short-changing’ your dish with stale spices that are ‘past their prime’. The end-result will tell all!
For all your Indian cooking, use nothing but the best quality spices
Posted in Beverages, Breakfast, Cooking Class, Indian-Inspired, Recipes, tagged apple, Arvinda's, beverage, chai masala, Cooking Class, healthy, Indian, Indo-Canadian Report, kids cooking, March Break Chef Camp, pressed, Radio Canada International, Rashi Khilnani, samosa, Victor Nerenberg, Whole Foods Market on March 21, 2010 | 1 Comment »
As March Break wraps up and the kids head back to school, many will be enthralled by their winter break cooking experiences and kitchen stories. A couple days ago I was at Whole Foods March Break Chef Camp for the Spices of India session, to teach the kiddies about spices. As I walked into the room, these clever little munchkins were cooking up Samosas and Tandoori Chicken with my friends Amanda and Rose. Impressive!
Even though I was enthused by their excitement and liking to the spices, I really shouldn’t be all that surprised. Over the years, we’ve run a number of Indian cooking classes for kids and have had a handful of aspiring teenage chefs join our adult classes—all wanting to learn authentic Indian cuisine!
A few weeks back, I spoke to Victor Nerenberg on the Indo-Canadian Report at Radio Canada International about how we’ve had excited young chefs in our classes, amongst other Indian cooking techniques. Listen to the radio clip.
Apple Ginger Chai Pressed Juice
Posted in Appetizers, Soups & Snacks, Events, Trade Shows, Benefits, Indian-Inspired, Vegetarian, tagged Arvinda's, chai, Cooking Class, Cooking with Curtis, curried, curry masala, Curtis Stone, flourless torte, Indian, masala, recipe, relaxed cooking, The Celebrity Apprentice, Vegetarian on March 11, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
About a year ago, I was lucky to catch the talented and charming LA-based Aussie chef Curtis Stone in an intimate live cooking demonstration. Curtis Stone–chef, host of the popular program Take-Home Chef and entrepreneur who recently designed and launched a line of really cool kitchenware–entertained the group with not only delicious food, but also with his animated stories of the restaurant biz and tales of the life as a well-known chef.
Cooking with Curtis
At the meet n' greet!
Arvinda's Macerated Chai Cherry Compote
Flourless Chocolate and Pecan Torte with Arvinda's Macerated Chai Cherry Compote
Posted in Baking, Sweets & Desserts, Cooking Class, Entertaining, Garam Masala, Holidays, Indian-Inspired, tagged Arvinda's, Baking, Sweets & Desserts, chai masala, Christmas, cookie exchange, cookies, Cooking Class, curry powder, dessert, Elizabeth Baird, Entertaining, Food Network, Garam Masala, gift idea, holiday, holiday cookies, Indian, masala, Merry Masala, Nella Cucina, recipe, spotlight Toronto on December 3, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Welcome December, which also means welcome in the sweets and treats, and cookies galore! The last few days I’ve been in the grocery and specialty stores to stock up on baking supplies, all which have ‘end caps’ brimming with flour, sugar and candied cherries waiting to be turned into fruitcakes, sugar cookies, shortbread and more. Are you inspired yet!?
If you’re looking for a ‘sweet’ change of pace to this year’s cookie bake-off, try using Arvinda’s Indian spice blends paired with your traditional festive ingredients.
Arvinda’s Chai Masala is great in sugar cookies, shortbread, fruit-based desserts like a roasted apple or pear cake. Also makes a rich, steamy authentic cup of Masala Chai too!
Arvinda’s Garam Masala is the perfect spice mix in your fruitcakes – the richness of fruit, nuts and brandy can handle this spice blend’s intensely intoxicating aroma and flavour. Pairs nicely in savoury cheese biscuits and crackers too, ideal for a cheese plate. Or try an unconventional savoury and sweet Garam Masala Crème Brulee.
All those who attended Arvinda’s Merry Masala Cookie Exchange this week had a chance to experience our spicy creations first-hand (and were good at it too…delicious!). Thank you for coming and take a peek at our cookie mayhem!
Elizabeth Baird, Canada's very own baking guru was there too - what an honour!
Busy, busy baking
Finishing station
Before
After!
Simply festive Garam Masala Gingerbread Squares
The fan's favourite
Time to eat!
Thank you also to Food Network Canada and Spotlight Toronto for the tweets that night!
Posted in Appetizers, Soups & Snacks, Entertaining, Gluten-Free, Holidays, Indian-Inspired, Recipes, Vegetarian, tagged appetizer, Arvinda's, chick pea, Cooking Class, curry masala, curry powder, dip, Entertaining, healthy, holiday, hummus, Indian, recipe, snack, Vegetarian, yogurt on November 24, 2009 | 1 Comment »
At this time of year we’re in full swing festive mode. It’s getting busy and with all the holiday soirees and get togethers, we let down our guards and embrace the festivities with good food, sharing and of course a few extra indulgences. I myself have already started!
When I’m planning to attend a dinner party or event where there will be a plethora of delicious treats, I prefer to keep my preceding snacks and meals moderate and healthy so I can enjoy new foods and tastes at the party. This is what the holidays are all about, isn’t it!?
Posted in Appetizers, Soups & Snacks, Cooking Class, Entertaining, Holidays, Recipes, Vegetarian, tagged appetizer, Arvinda's, baked, Cooking Class, curry masala, Garam Masala, healthy, holiday, Indian, madras masala, phyllo, recipe, samosa, snack on November 15, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Samosas are one of India’s most loved appetizers and is probably the most known out of the immense variety of Indian snack foods available in the world.
Always a triangular shape, samosa filling ingredients and pastry type can vary greatly depending on which part of India you are in. With that in mind, the recipe below is not your typical samosa. Baked not fried, this recipe uses a simple and easy phyllo so you don’t have to fuss too much with the pastry — making it easy yet impressive for holiday entertaining season!
Posted in Cooking Class, Entertaining, Holidays, tagged Arvinda's, baking, chai masala, cookie exchange, cookies, Cooking Class, curry powder, Garam Masala, holiday, Indian, masala, Nella Cucina on November 5, 2009 | 2 Comments »
I started assisting my mother with her Indian cooking classes through her cooking school Arvinda’s about 16 years. At the time, I was timid about Indian cooking and intently watched and listened to my mother talk about all the delicious Indian foods I ate growing up. I delectably devoured my mother’s meals but never knew how these delicious dishes really came together. This was the start of the Indian culinary transmission of knowledge, from mother-to-daughter in a formalized cooking class setting. Lucky for me!
Baking however was my first love and baking is where I felt right at ‘home’ in the kitchen. Since the age of five, my mother and I would have a ‘marathon’ holiday baking sessions baking up dozens of varieties of holiday goodies year-after-year. Since then, my favourite pastime was baking anything sweet of course to satisfy my incredible sweet tooth! My love for anything sweet led me to more baking experiments in the kitchen. For my Grade 6 Science Fair, the only project that kept me motivated about the science was baking, so I pitched the idea to my science teacher who said “Cake Baking” as a science project was never done before. The result was 2nd prize (who would have known?) and a pile of cakes to be eaten by me!
With the holidays fast approaching, I’m left thinking about what cookies and other sweet delights I’ll bake with my mother for the 2009 season. This year, a couple friends suggested we teach some of our most-loved masala-infused holiday goodies in a hands-on cookie exchange. What a great idea! In this class we’ll show you some of our treasured holiday favourites including:
- Crunchy Pistachio Cranberry Chocolate Chai Biscotti (the ideal dipping cookie served with your favourite hot beverage OR a warming cup of Masala Chai tea which will be served)
- Holiday Chai Spice Ladoos (Snowballs) – healthy, nutrient-packed and delicious! (see photo)
- Festive Garam Masala Gingerbread Squares
- Citrus Chai Spice Sugar Cookies
- Mango Curry Snow Crescents
Everyone will leave with a selection of each of the above cookies handily boxed for you to freeze or enjoy right away, a recipe booklet containing the evening’s offerings (including the hot beverages) and one tin of Arvinda’s Artisinal Spice Blends , either Arvinda’s Chai Masala or Garam Masala.
Details: Class fee per person is $60 (includes pre-class savoury snacks, beverages, recipe booklet, take home cookies, your gift of an Arvinda’s Artisanal Spice tin and a no-fuss holiday season!) To book your spot, go to: Nella Cucina for mor info or call: 416.922.9055.
We hope you can join us – we would love to share our holiday traditions with you!
