Creating spice blends at the Cooking Academy - Hertfordshire

Indian cooking classes in Hertfordshire

All time favourite class today – The One day Indian cookery class here in Rickmansworth.  We’ll be covering the all important ‘Spice Trail’ which is a comprehensive guide of the herbs and spices used in Indian cookery. 

This is an ‘all senses’ experience, where the participants will be touching, feeling, smelling, tasting, each and every spice to familiarise themselves with the taste and aroma to be able to distinquish the flavours in food.  The delegates will then go on to create several spices blends.  This is alchemy at its best – where the science of food crosses over into taste and flavours and creates a food feast.

Our aim is to get the delegates involved in ‘real cooking’ to grasp the true essence authentic food; following a recipe is one thing but getting underneath it, is what we do in our classes here at The Academy.  This is the real deal getting down and dirty – sleeves rolled up.

To book your place on our next class contact us on 01923 77 8880 or email cara@thecookingacademy.co.uk

Exam food – Top 10 Brain Foods

Yes it’s that time of year and you will need to keep your brain sharp and nourished.

Here are 10 highly effective brain foods that improve memory, mood, concentration, and overall clarity of mind.  So eat up.

 1.    Blueberries —Blueberries serve a wide range of functions for improving mental function. Most notably, regular blueberry consumption has been shown to improve memory function. Furthermore, blueberries are rich in antioxidants, helping to prevent free radical damage. Do you still need some more to convince you.  Research has found that blueberries can also reverse age related declines in motor function, balance, and co-ordination. 

2.    Salmon—Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, salmon helps your brain develop tissue for increasing your brain power. Furthermore, salmon also plays a key role in fighting Alzheimer’s and other age-related cognitive disorders.

3.    Linseed —Linseeds are packed withALA- a healthy fat that aids the cerebral cortex in functioning better. This is the portion of the brain responsible for processing sensory information. Keeping it sharp is vital.  Sprinkle 1 tbsp on your cereal.

4.    Coffee—regular coffee drinking has been shown to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and other mental disorders. That’s because caffeine is good for the brain (in moderation), and it contains antioxidants. The important thing to note is you shouldn’t add in all the other junk to your coffee (I’m talking about the ridiculous Starbucks /café Nero type of drinks crammed with sweeteners and fatty products). 

 5.    Mixed nuts—Peanuts, walnuts, pecans, and other nuts contain properties that help with everything from fighting insomnia to promoting mental clarity and strong memory. Walnuts are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids while almonds contain natural mood-enhancing neurotransmitters. 

 6.    Avocados—Don’t let the avocado’s fat content fool you. It’s a healthy fat that promotes blood flow, keeping your mind functioning at its peak. That’s not all: Avocados have also been shown to reduce blood pressure – whilst that might not worry you at a tender age its function is still relevant, it absorbs stress which might be highly relevant at this stage.

7.    Eggs—Egg yolks are rich in choline, an essential nutrient to improving memory function.  Did you know that 6 grams of protein hide out in each egg? One egg also contains 5 grams of fat, but the kind of fat your body wants, it prevents ageing and aids the brain to function. Often people avoid eating eggs because they assume egg consumption will send their cholesterol levels through the roof. Fortunately, that’s not necessarily true. Controlled consumption will keep your cholesterol levels in check, allowing you to reap egg benefits.

 8.    Whole grains—From oatmeal to whole grain bread, whole grains are excellent brain foods as they improve circulation and contain essential fibre, vitamins, and even some Omega-3. Just make your sandwiches from whole grain breads to enjoy the benefits.

9.    Chocolate—For me, this is the yummiest brain food of all. Dark chocolate (85% coco solid Green and Blacks) is antioxidant-rich, and it also improves focus and concentration. Milk chocolate, on the other hand, improves memory and reaction time.

10.    Broccoli—Broccoli has been shown to improve memory function as well as slow the aging process. This means a broccoli-rich diet will keep you young and sharp. 

Author – Kumud Gandhi – Founder of The Cooking Academy – A unique cookery school that put the medicinal value of ingredients at the heart of every thing they teach.

www.thecookingacademy.co.uk

Watercress - The Cooking Academy cookery school

What’s in Season this month -  January 2012

Acorn Squash

Baby Plum tomatoes & Beef tomatoes

Sage

Basil

Beetroot

Brussels sprouts

Celeriac

Chantenay Carrots

Cara Potatoes

Cauliflower

Chanterelle Mushrooms

Chesnut Mushroom

Globe Artichoke

Galangal & Ginger -

Mustard cress – great for sandwiches

Leeks

 Parsley 

Peppers

Purple sprouting broccoli – Broccoli has been shown to improve memory function as well as slow the aging process. This means a broccoli-rich diet will keep you young and sharp. 

Red Onion

Red Cabbage

Swede

Thyme

Spring onions

Shitake mushrooms

Savoy cabbage

 Watercress

Thai cookery classes - Traditional & Authentic

We’re running the ever popular Thai Cooking Class today, and although its only Thursday 3rd week in January it seems like June already….  we are fully booked with Asian cooking classes since the new year.    Trust me – I’m really not complaining, this is my labour of love and a passion and not many people can say they do what they want to do everyday, But i do!

In our 1 day Thai cookery classes we’ll be learning all about the spices used in traditional Thai cookery, the kind of equipment used to cook authentic Thai food.  We will take a journey through the spice trail and get to grips with essential thai herbs and spices.   This class will provide a really good grounding and cover a number of key dishes that are the cornerstones of a Thai diet as eaten in Thailand. 

To find out more information or to book your place please contact Sonia Basra at the Cooking Academy. tel 01923 778880. www.thecookingacademy.co.uk

it seems like I’ve taught much of London to

A recipe for the heart  – Purple sprouting broccoli  & mange tout with an oriental dressing

Purple sprouting broccoli is in season and besides tasting very good, medicinally has some pretty compelling reasons to be eaten.  Now this tasty and quick recipes make broccoli infinately more interesting and edible. 

Purple Sprouting Broccoli with Chilli and Sesame Dressing

 Serves 3-4

 Ingredients

 350 g purple sprouting broccoli

200g mange tout

salt

 For the dressing: 

  1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

 1 tbsp sesame oil

 1 tbsp lime juice

 1 tsp Thai fish sauce

 1 tbsp Japanese soy sauce

 1 small red chilli, finely chopped

2 cloves of garlic finely chopped

Salt to taste

 Cooking Instructions

1.  Start by preparing the broccoli by cutting it into even-sized pieces, stalks as well.  Top and tail and take the rind off the mange tout.  Wash thoroughly.
2.  Place both of the ingredients into fan steamer, place into a saucepan, add a little boiling water, sprinkle with a little sea salt and place the lid on firmly shut to allow to steam cook for about 4 minutes.
3.  Meanwhile, to make the dressing, place all the dressing ingredients into a bowl, stir well and taste, season as per your preference.�When the vegetables are cooked, remove from the steamer and transfer to a warm serving bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the vegetables, toss it around and serve straight away. 

 Serve with steamed rice or with a meat/tofu main dish

 Health tips 1:  Did you know that broccoli contains more vitamin C than most citrus fruits and it has more calcium than a glass milk and has more fibre than whole wheat bread. 

 Health tips 2: The best way to eat broccoli is to steam it, boiling it loses its mineral value very quickly, though broccoli can be eaten raw as well. 

 Broccoli is high Vitamin A, C and Vitamin B1 (Thiamin), B2 (Riboflavin), B3 (Niacin), B5 (Pantothenic acid), B6, B9 (Folate).  It also comes packed with lots of good minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.

 Broccoli for weight loss

Broccoli  is considered a low-glycemic food which helps to normalize blood sugar. One of the keys to weight loss is controlling the body’s response to insulin.  

 The real potent nutritional value of broccoli lies in substances called isothiocyanates.  (Don’t let the name put you to sleep).  Isothiocyanates are a class of very potent anti-carcinogens. Meaning, they fight and help prevent cancer.

Broccoli is Anti-cancerous

Specifically, tests have shown that broccoli’s anti-cancer compounds greatly protected mice from stomach cancer. Although you don’t hear about stomach cancer much per se, it is actually the second most common form of cancer.   Studies conducted at the John Hopkins University (USA) showed that broccoli contains compounds that trigger the body to produce a substance (sulforaphane) that, in turn, manufactures enzymes that are powerful cancer fighters.

Author – Kumud Gandhi – Founder of The Cooking Academy – A unique cookery school that put the medicinal value of ingredients at the heart of every thing they teach.  www.thecookingacademy.co.uk

Indian Cookery classes for beginners

If you’re beginning to dabble with spices and herbs to make your own ‘Indian’ then this course is for you. 

It is a very gentle but intense look at Authentic Indian cookery.  It dispels the myths surrounding Indian food and its so called complexities.  You’ll throw away any remaining  jars, you’ll restock your spice cupboard and you’ll look forward to coming home to ‘cook your fit’ with our beginners guide to real indian food! 

Not only that, most importantly this class will also change your mind set from the sloppy curry scene to real Indian dining – gourmet style just like the myriad of British Indian families eat every night. 

For more information contact Cara@thecookingacademy.co.uk

Real Indian food starts with The Cooking Academy

Cauliflower & Cheese Soup

It’s definately soup day today!  The sun may be out but dont be fooled into thinking it’s spring, the temperature is touching 4 degrees in Hertfordshire today and thus demands soup to warm up the cockles.  Would someone please tell where the cockles can be found on the human anatomy!!  It’s a northern expression that sounds great but what are cockles ?  

I had this soup for supper yesterday and thought of a dear customer who is confined to a pureed food diet for the time being.  I thought of her instantly as she described her pain and dedicate this recipe to her.  

Cauliflower & Cheese Soup  

 Serves 4

 Ingredients

 1 Cauliflower – Florets separated and cut down if very large pieces

4 or 5 charlotte potatoes – peeled and cut in half

1.25  litres of vegetable stock

4 sticks of celery – finely diced into ½ cm cubes

5 bay leaves

25g unsalted butter

1 tsp salt or to taste

5 black peppercorns fresh or dried, add in whole

50 g cheddar cheese or Manchego cheese

Splash double cream or crème fraise

 Cooking Instructions

 In a large pan, melt the butter then add the bay leaves, celery, and black peppercorns garlic and cook for 15 minutes without colouring but softened. Now add the cauliflower and potatoes and cook for a further 15 minutes, stirring gently from time to time.  

 Now add the stock and bring to the boil. Once boiling, turn down to a gentle simmer and cook for 30 minutes.

 Remove from the heat and liquidise the soup very gently; or if you prefer a little more texture then use a potato masher to mash the solid vegetables.  

 Return to the heat; now add the cheese and cream and check the seasoning after the cheese has disintegrated (cheese can be salty and will therefore add its own seasoning).  Sprinkle a little cheese on top and grill for a few minutes to develop a little crust … garnish with a few strands of rocket if desired or trying to show off your culinary skills to your family and friends …..

 Serve with some fresh crusty bread  - enjoy

 Cooks tip 1: Use broccoli instead of cauliflower if desired

Cooks tip 2: Manchego Cheese or stilton cheese is delightful

 Health tips 1: Cauliflower is from the same family as broccoli.  It is rich in folate, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene. 

 Folate helps in making and stimulating blood; Folate is also essential for growth of body tissues and can prevent severe diseases like cancer and heart disease.   Vitamin C, acts as anti-oxidant; Vitamin E and beta-carotene, makes our immune system strong.

 Recipe by Kumud Gandhi – copyrights to The Cooking Academy Cookery school

Indian Cookery class – Advanced – Authentic Indian Cookery classes

Today I’ve been taking students further along their journey into the delights of authentic Indian Cookery!  

This is their 2nd Indian Cookery class,  at least, with us here at The Cooking Academy, and tonight they will likely share the spoils of the day with their family and friends… if they’re not too exhausted from their experience.   It’s a very enjoyable class with no more than 5 delegates, giving it a certain intimacy of a dinner party, getting to know people better and sharing clips of their lives and their cooking.  It is a labour of love – I can truely say and I enjoy every class. 

I am glad to say so many students come back to after their first cookery class with us, to learn more.  That makes it a real honour for us here at the Academy.   Cookery classes are more than just a gift experience!  It is a journey and here at the Academy we work hard to ensure our customers enjoy every minute of it and are inspired to cook. 

To find out more about our cookery classes contact us on 01923 778880 or email cara@thecookingacademy.co.uk