PAPRIKA and RECIPE for TRADITIONAL HUNGARIAN GOULASH

PAPRIKA PEPPER

Paprika pepper is native to the West Indies and the South American continent, as is cayenne pepper. The paprika we but comes in powder form and its colours range from a bright red to a brown-orange, similar to cayenne pepper. It isn’t as pungent as cayenne pepper, and ranges from mild to hot. The mild form of paprika comes from the USA and Spain. These countries tend to produce sweet paprika pepper. The country most famous for its paprika production is Hungary.

Paprika pepper plants were introduced into Hungary by the Turks in the 16th or 17th century and it has been cultivated there ever since. Paprika is rich in vitamin C and one pepper has 7 times more than that found in an orange. However, much of this is lost in the process of drying it and making it into a powder. It has antibacterial properties, and like cayenne pepper, Paprika is a natural stimulant. It has much the same medicinal qualities as cayenne, but these are not as potent. It can help circulation and is good for digestion, and can help normalize blood pressure.

In Hungary, paprika is grown in Szeged and Kalocsa where there is a paprika museum and a paprika festival, held annually in October. If you go there you can see the peppers hanging outside houses to dry, as you can  on some Greek islands.

Paprika is used as a food colouring and as a flavouring in some cheeses. In Spain it is an ingredient of spicy sausages like chorizo.

Below is a recipe for traditional Hungarian goulash (gulyas) with csipetke (Hungarian dumplings).

HUNGARIAN GOULASH
Ingredients
600 gr beef (shin or shoulder is fine), cubed

2 tbsps oil

2 medium onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 carrots, diced
1 parsnip, diced
leaves from 2 celery sticks
2 medium tomatoes, peeled and chopped
2 green peppers, deseeded and sliced
2-3 medium potatoes, sliced
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp caraway seeds
2 bay leaves slightly torn to release flavour
freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste
water


Method
Heat the oil and fry the onions for 5 mins then sprinkle them with the paprika and fry, lowering the heat as paprika must not be allowed to burn, or the dish will be destroyed! Stir constantly to prevent this happening.
Add the beef and seal on all sides. If the beef doesn’t have much juice, add a cup or two of water.
Now add the garlic, caraway seeds, bay leaves and seasonings and simmer, covered, on a low heat for 1½ hours.
Add carrots, parsnips, celery leaves and more salt if necessary. And add 2 or 3 cups of water.
When the meat and vegetables are almost cooked (about 1 hour), add the tomatoes and green pepper.
Cook for another 15 minutes. If you think the sauce needs to be thicker, remove the lid.


CSIPETKE
Ingredients
1 small egg, beaten well
flour
pinch salt
1 tsp water

Method
Add flour and salt to the beaten egg until you have a stiff dough, add water as necessary. Make into thin pieces, about 1 cm long and add to the boiling soup. Boil for 5-10 minutes. These will thicken the soup, so if you are adding them you won’t need to remove the lid from your goulash.
Serve with crusty bread for a traditional Hungarian meal.

This has Taste and is a Treat.

TARRAGON: TARRAGON VINEGAR RECIPE: HOW TO MAKE TARRAGON DRESSING

TARRAGON or ESTRAGON or ESDRAGON

There are two main types of tarragon; French tarragon and Russian tarragon. There is also Mexican Tarragon or Winter tarragon, but this is a member of the marigold family, while the other two are Asteraceae or members of the aster family. French Tarragon is Artemisia dracunculus, or Artemis’ little dragon. It is said that the goddess Artemis (Roman name Diana) gave tarragon to the centaur, Chiron. Russian tarragon is Artemisia dracunculoides, and is considered to be inferior both in taste and aroma to French tarragon. Tarragon is native to parts of Asia including Pakistan, and to Siberia and southern Russia. It is believed to have got its dragon name because of its roots, and its reputation for strangling other plants.

Russian tarragon

In ancient Greece its roots were made into an infusion and this was used to stop toothache. As a folk remedy, travelers put it into their shoes to prevent fatigue. It has also been used to prevent flatulence, colic and was believed to cure rheumatism and to soothe the nerves when used as a tisane. It was also believed to be good for snake bites and the bites from other venomous creatures. In Persia it was, and still is believed in modern Iran, that eating tarragon will improve the appetite.

Centuries ago it was eaten as a vegetable, probably boiled in the same way as the Greeks cook their ‘horta’ and the way saag is cooked on the subcontinent.

It is generally believed that it was introduced into Europe by the Mongols and the crusaders when they returned from the Crusades.

The usually practical John Gerard wrote that if you put a flax seed into a radish root or a ‘sea onion’, tarragon would grow, but it was a relatively new herb to Britain in his time.

John Evelyn (1620-1706) the herbalist and diarist wrote that tarragon ‘is highly cordial and friend to the head, heart and liver.’

Tarragon is mainly used in cooking and is one of the staple herbs of French cuisine: they call it the ‘King of Herbs’. It is necessary to use it in the classic sauces, Béarnaise and Tartare. If you see recipes which call for a bunch of ‘fines herbes’ then you need a bunch of herbs consisting of parsley, chervil, chives and tarragon. Tarragon should be added about 15 minutes before the end of any cooking process, so that it does not lose its flavour.

You can make your own tarragon vinegar by putting a sprig of the fresh herb into a bottle of distilled white vinegar and leaving it until you think it tastes good. It’s better if you put it into white wine vinegar in my opinion. (Tarragon vinegar should be the only one used for a good sauce tartare.) The suggested substitutes for tarragon are a pinch of anise seed, or a little fennel seed and chervil, but the flavour will not be the same as intended. One tbsp of fresh tarragon is equal to 1 tsp dried tarragon.

Below is a recipe for a side dish of potato salad which calls for tarragon dressing. Try it with fish, chicken, or a variety of other salad dishes.

FRENCH POTATO SALAD

Ingredients

300 gr potatoes, peeled, boiled and cubed

1 small onion, sliced thinly

1 clove garlic cut in half

1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped

1 tbsp chives, finely chopped

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

TARRAGON DRESSING

Ingredients

3 tbsps olive oil

2 tbsps white wine vinegar

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 tsp Dijon mustard or a whole grain mustard of your choice

¾ tsp dried tarragon

black pepper to taste

Method

Put all the ingredients for the dressing together in a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake well to mix them.

Put all the ingredients for the salad in a bowl which has been rubbed with the cut garlic.

Pour the dressing over the potato salad and serve.

This has Taste and is a Treat.

CAYENNE PEPPER: CAYENNE CHUTNEY RECIPE

CAYENNE PEPPER
Cayenne pepper is a member of the Capsicum family, as is paprika, and of course, green, red and yellow peppers used in salads and cooking. Cayenne pepper originated in South and Central America and in the West Indies. It was introduced to Europe by Christopher Columbus, who was looking for more supplies of black pepper. He was not very discriminating, as he thought cayenne might just be black pepper. It’s made by drying and then grinding the chilli pepper, and is an orange-brown colour.
It was domesticated about 5000 years ago and by the time the Spanish conquistadores arrived in South America, there were dozens of different types of the chilli pepper, which the native Indians had selected and cross bred. It arrived in Asia in the 16th century and was rapidly adopted as a spice and it took to the climate, so it grows well in Asia these days.
It was sometimes referred to as the Guinea pepper and the name cayenne comes from the town in French Guiana on the north eastern coast of South America, where the pepper is cultivated.
Writing his Herball in 1597, John Gerard mentions that the little pepper (also known as the bird pepper or bird chilli) was cultivated in Britain, and he thought it was good as a treatment for skin and throat infections. It has been used in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and chills. It is a natural stimulant which has no narcotic properties. It has been used in the treatments of tumours, toothache, fever and respiratory ailments in the West.
The Mexican Indians now use it to treat fevers and as an intestinal purifier. They have been eating it for breakfast and as part of their evening meal for more than 2000 years.
Cayenne contains capsaicin which has been extensively studied recently. It has pain-reducing effects, helps prevent ulcers in the digestive system, and is excellent for opening the nasal passages. So if you have a blocked nose, spice up your food with some of this spice. It also contains Vitamin A and beta-carotene, which is a powerful antioxidant, so it can help prevent complications of the cardiac system associated with diabetes, and help prevent cancer of the colon. This cayenne pepper can help boost the immune system, and reduce the risk of stomach ulcers.
It’s very good for your health and adds that je ne sais quoi to your food, so consider investing in some if it’s not already in your food store.
Below is a recipe for chutney using the dried cayenne pepper, which you can buy in Asian shops, or online.


Cayenne Chutney
Ingredients
2 cucumbers, with skin, thinly sliced
100 gr shallots,sliced
1 onion, finely sliced
2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
small bunch of chives, finely chopped (optional)
2 or 3 pods of cayenne peppers
2 tbsps Madeira or dry sherry

Method
Mix all the liquids together,as well as the juices from the salted cucumber.
Mash the cayenne pepper pods well in the liquid.
Cover the cucumber, onion slices and the sliced shallots with the liquid and add the chopped chives.
Put in a clean jar with a tight fitting lid and placein the fridge.
Leave for a day or two and eat as an accompaniment to meat or chicken dishes.
This has Taste and is a Treat.

PISTACHIO NUTS: CITRUS FRUIT SALAD RECIPE

PISTACHIO NUTS
Pistachio trees are native to Asia and Asia Minor. They are in the cashew family, Anacardiaceae, and are now found all over the Mediterranean region. The same family contains the mangoes and poison ivy. Archaeological evidence from Turkey show that our ancestors were snacking on pistachio nuts as far back as 7,000BC, so they’ve been around for a long time.
There are legends in Asia and the Middle East which say that Adam brought these trees to Earth, but whatever the case they have been royal favourites. The Queen of Sheba forbade the common people to grow the nuts for their own consumption and decreed that they were exclusively the food of royalty. King Nebuchadnezzar is said to have had them planted in the hanging Gardens of Babylon too. The Mogul Emperor Akbar the Great was not as selfish as the Queen of Sheba, as he, reportedly, had his chickens fed with pistachio nuts 6 to 9 weeks before a banquet was scheduled, so that they would taste better when cooked.
In Lebanon the leaves from the pistachio tree are believed to increase fertility, and the Arabs believe that they are an aphrodisiac. Whatever the case, medical research has shown that they contain phytosterols which combat cholesterol, so they are good for the heart. They also contain antioxidants, and unsaturated fats (the ‘good’ fats). They are also rich in minerals, including potassium, and vitamins. Each nut contains 3 to 4 calories.
In Greece, the island of Aegina is rightly famous for its pistachio nuts. The ones you can buy there are superior to others I have tasted. You can see them growing on the many trees on the island, and they look very pretty, hanging in bunches of red, orange and brown. You have to peel away the coloured skin to get at the shell, so the nut, or seed, is well protected. The ones on Aegina are superior because of the island’s soil and Aegina has its own cultivar. They now have festivals to celebrate the pistachio too, generally held in September.
A Middle Eastern legend says that if young lovers stand under a pistachio tree on nights when the moon is full, and they hear the popping of the pistachios cracking their casings, they will be blessed and will marry.


CITRUS FRUIT SALAD

Ingredients

1 pink grapefruit, peeled and sliced across the segments

1 orange sliced as above

1 tangerine or Clementine, sliced across the segments

1 lemon, freshly squeezed

30 gr sultanas

50 gr pistachio nuts, roughly chopped

250 gr thick natural yoghurt

1or 2 tbsps honey

1 tsp ground cinnamon

mint leaves to garnish

Method

Put the sliced citrus fruit on a large serving plate, (use any citrus fruit in season). Soak the sultanas in the lemon juice for 15 minutes.

Decorate the fruit with the pistachio nuts, sultanas and torn mint leaves. Sprinkle with the remaining lemon juice.

Mix the cinnamon powder and honey in the yoghurt and serve separately. You can garnish this with mint leaves too, or add the torn leaves to the yoghurt mixture.

This has Taste and is a Treat.

EASY SPICY FRIED CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS RECIPE

garam masala spices

Simple Fried Chicken
Ingredients
6 chicken drumsticks
1 cup plain flour
2 eggs
1 inch ginger root finely chopped
4 cloves garlic finely chopped
½ handful mint leaves shredded finely
½ handful coriander leaves finely shredded
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tsps salt
1 tsp black pepper
oil for frying




Method
Put chicken drumsticks in a pan with half a glass of water, ginger, garlic, salt and cook over a medium heat until the water has gone.
Remove the drumsticks and leave until cool. Mix the coriander and mint in the eggs and whisk until blended.
Mix garam masala, cumin, salt and black pepper together.
One by one dip the drumsticks into the egg mixture and then coat them with the spice mixture, coating them evenly. Heat the oil in the frying pan and cook until the coating is crisp. This should only take 4-5 mins over a medium heat.
Serve with salad, French fries and our mint dip.
This has Taste and is a Treat.

MY SPECIAL CHICKEN RECIPE: SPICY CHICKEN DISH

My Special Chicken
Ingredients
½ kilo chicken
2 onion, sliced
3 tomatoes, diced
4 cloves garlic finely chopped
1 inch piece ginger root finely chopped
4 green chillies, finely chopped
4 tbsps fresh lemon juice
½ handful of both mint and coriander leaves
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp turmeric
1 curry leaf
½ cup cooking oil
salt and pepper to taste


Method
Fry onions, garlic, ginger and the curry leaf in oil for 5 mins on a very low heat. Add chicken, tomatoes, green chillies, spices and salt and pepper. Cook for 30 mins over a low heat. Add mint, coriander and lemon juice and cook for 2 mins. Remove from the heat and leave to stand for 5 mins.
Now it’s ready to serve with boiled rice, or breads of your choice and salad.
This has Taste and is a Treat.

NEEM or INDIAN LILAC TREE with AMAZING MEDICAL PROPERTIES

THE NEEM TREE OR INDIAN LILAC, OR MARGOSA TREE
If, like me you’ve never heard of this tree before, you are forgiven. It grows in the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, Africa and other parts of Asia. It is believed to have originated in Myanmar and Assam, in north eastern India. Its botanical name is Azadirachta indica, derived from the following sources: - azad, meaning free, dirackht meaning tree and indica, referring to India, so it’s the free tree of India. It belongs to the Meliacaea family of trees so is related to mahogany, and is easily carved into small boxes, toys and large chests for storing clothes. It is good for this purpose as it is a natural insect repellant.
In fact it is good for many things and modern medical research has agreed with Ayurvedic practitioners on the whole about its usefulness. The neem tree can live for 150 to 200 years, and every village has or had one. It was called the ‘village pharmacy’ as it cures many illnesses. Ancient Hindus believed that if they planted a neem tree it ensured them a gateway to heaven. They believed that it got its amazing properties because a few drops of heavenly nectar fell on it. It is used in around 75% of all Ayurvedic remedies, which use its leaves, bark, seeds and oil. Babies were laid on neem leaves to protect them from evil, and they were hung over cradles. They were also bathed in neem water and given small doses of neem oil on a daily basis. Brides bathe in baths of neem-infused water, and the smoke from the burning branches is wafted into rooms to purify them. The white flowers and the wood from the tree have a wonderful fragrance, apparently.
The neem tree is associated with snake cults as well as the goddess of smallpox, Sithala, who makes her home in them. The great goddess Kali is believed to dwell on the tree and stones representing her may be set in front of the tree and worshipped. The sacred neem tree is important to Hindus.
The bitter tasting leaves are eaten on New Year’s Day (Ugadhi) along with misri (rock candy) symbolizing acceptance of both the good and bad events that will occur during the coming year. It is said that Mahatma Gandhi ate a pickle made with the leaves of the neem, but no one else seems to eat them, as they are too bitter. However it is believed that in ancient times the leaves were cooked and eaten like spinach. Sap from the tree is sometimes made into an alcoholic drink. The gum from the bark is also used to make an adhesive for traditional Indian murals. This starts off a dark amber colour, but blackens with age. The bark produces a fibre which is woven into rope, and the oil is used for sweet smelling lighting fuel, while the wood is also used for fires. It also makes good charcoal. The timber is used to make boats and in other constructions, so it has many uses apart from medicinal.
It has been proven to have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, antiseptic, anti-diabetic properties as well as being a blood-purifying agent and a spermicidal (natural birth control).It is good for the hair, skin, immune system, and lowers cholesterol, so preventing, or reducing, the risk of heart disease. There are high hopes that it will be effective in the treatment of HIV/AIDS and cancer treatments. It is a true cure all.
Here in Pakistan people use neem for other purposes too. If they roll up their carpets in summer, they put neem leaves and tobacco in them to stop insects nesting in them. They say the bark is good to clean the teeth, and an infusion can help gums and teeth. If you boil neem leaves you can clean wounds, and use as a skin tonic. It is indeed a versatile tree.