Spring is here, and I'd like to take this opportunity to offer you an overview of Rub(s)...for parties and, of course, lunch 😉 What is a Rub? Rub in English means to rub. So we're dealing with spices to rub... on meat or fish. What do you have in mind? Yes! ham, which is salted and then rubbed before being smoked: rub's primary use; or pepper steak, which is...Continue Reading
Masala chai, or "spiced tea", is renowned for its abundance of comforting spices. There are many variations of chai spices, depending on region, family tradition and individual preference. Here's a guide to the Masala chai spices used in India and elsewhere. Main organic spices in Masala chai These spices are present in almost all versions of Masala chai: Real cinnamon Cinnamon is rich, very slightly pungent and tannic - a great base for most...Continue Reading
In 120 hours, the garlic is totally transformed, going from white to black and from hard to soft. The temperature is a constant 80 degrees day and night, and the humidity is 85/90%, with the first 24 hours at almost 100%. Some heads have lost more weight than others, which is quite uneven. I'll try to find out why, but the fact remains. A bulb that weighed...Continue Reading
Marathon runners tend to drink this beverage on a daily basis for a reason. This is what we call an "effort" or isotonic drink, with the difference that in our recipe we won't be adding maltodextrin-type sugars (slow sugars excellent for endurance and recovery). In these hot weather conditions, drinking an "effort" drink may seem rather surprising, but in the end it's not. In summer, we dehydrate much more...Continue Reading
You either know Vadouvan or you don't. If you've tasted it or smelled it once, you'll never forget it! If you've tasted or smelled it once, you'll never forget it! Its unique, bewitching fragrance will leave you breathless, and its musky, amber, smoky, sweet and salty taste is inimitable. What is vadouvan? Vadouvan is a blend of spices, the first part being onion, shallot and garlic, and the second part spices such as fenugreek, cumin and turmeric. A lot of...Continue Reading
In India, sesame seeds are considered a symbol of immortality, and perhaps this is one of the reasons for the exceptional longevity of the Japanese, for whom gomasio is one of their flagship condiments? What is gomasio? On paper, nothing could be simpler: sesame seeds and salt. But not just any sesame, nor just any salt. For the sesame, choose organic wholegrain (blond or black); for the salt, a sea salt such as fleur de...Continue Reading
It's the new discovery of top chefs, but little known to the general public: loumi. But what is loumi? Loumi is originally a lime that has been scalded and then dried in the sun for several days. It's better known as black lemon or dried lemon. Iraqis call it noomi basra, while in Iran it's known as limoo omani or loomi tout court in the Sultanate of Oman...Continue Reading
August 26 is raksha bandhan in India, the festival of brotherhood between brothers and sisters, or between friends as brother and sister. A small cord that the sister ties to her brother's wrist, asking for his protection, represents this bond. Rakhi Day is a special day in India, and even more so this year, when floods have swept across Kerala in the south of the country. It takes place at the time of the full moon at...Continue Reading
A cross between bread and cake, breadcakes are quick to make and ideal for vegetarians, as they can be made without gluten or lactose. So 100% vegan, for a super-healthy, energizing and balanced product. Breadcake for athletes Votes: 3 Rating: 3.33 You: Rate this recipe! Print Recipe In the morning before going for a run, bike ride or swim, or in the afternoon to break a hunger strike, this delicious breadcake is just the thing for you, sporty friends. Breadcake for athletes Votes: 3...Continue Reading
It's summer, and we're avoiding turning on the oven in favor of salads, barbecues and chilled desserts. So here's a simple yet refreshing recipe for this hot summer season. Made with fresh fruit and Indian spices infused in brown cane sugar syrup, this fruit salad is a delight. Depending on your eating habits, you can replace the cane sugar with a lower glycemic index sugar. Fruit salad with Indian spices...Continue Reading
Whether it's from Algeria, Tunisia or Morocco, couscous is all about sharing and celebrating with family and friends. Berbers celebrate the New Year with couscous, and colorful eggs are sprinkled throughout the dish. What are the origins of couscous in France? It's no coincidence that couscous is one of France's top 10 favorite dishes. It's been known in France since the 16th century, and in 1534 Rabelais wrote "Force coscossons, et renfort de potages" (Gargantua,...Continue Reading
Eggplant caviar and its long series of recipes, each one different from the next. What haven't I read? Incorporated with mayonnaise for some, mixed with garlic and parsley for others, with cumin and olive oil, recipes vary according to regional moods and traditions... So what is eggplant caviar? Eggplant caviar is a reduction of the pulp of the cooked/confit fruit, which, depending on the country, can be seasoned with different...Continue Reading
I've been drinking this infusion for years, as it's an excellent revitalizer after intense or long sports training sessions. Marathon runners will appreciate it for its taste, of course, but also for its real anti-inflammatory and antioxidant virtues. Sprinters and half-distance runners will find it beneficial for their recovery after certain split sessions. In short, a powerful detoxifier. What is lemon turmeric ginger infusion? It's well known that turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory, but it's...Continue Reading
It's summer, it's hot, so it's not surprising to see Senegalese and Egyptians drinking hibiscus flower juice all day long. For thousands of years, the Egyptians' Karkadé (carcadet) has helped to lower body temperature, which is a good thing when midsummer temperatures flirt with 50 degrees in the shade. Let's discover this marvellous, tangy beverage to drink without moderation. Scientific name: Hibiscus sabdariffa English name: roselle You can...Continue Reading
Of Arabic origin, the word "coffee" comes from "qawha". Coffee was introduced to Egypt in the 15th century (during the Mamlûk period) from southern Egypt (Nubia) via Yemen and Arabia. The Mamlûks had complete control over the trade, which was initially limited to the upper social classes. As you may have read in our various episodes on the history of the world's spices, the 15th century saw the discovery of the Cape of Good Hope, enabling...Continue Reading
Clearly, we're not all in the same boat when it comes to buying tomatoes as summer approaches. Of course, we'd be well advised to avoid imported, graded tomatoes straight from northern Europe, after having transited by truck or plane through the Mediterranean basin, if not further afield... In short, we all know the drill, but I always prefer to come back to it, because nothing beats local consumption of fresh produce. It's...Continue Reading
It's decided, the barometer looks set to stay on a high, so barbecues are out. Olive wood, beech wood or charcoal for the less patient, it doesn't matter what you use as long as you've got embers. So get out your chicken thighs (or sleeves only), remove the skin (unless you like fats that aren't super-essential for our good health 😉 and score the flesh widely, forming crosses. In a bowl,...Continue Reading
Barigoule is originally a mixture of mushrooms stuffed with bacon, shallots and carrots. There are different ways of writing it, depending on the era and region of Provence (bérigoule, barigoula, barigoulo, brigoule, bourigoule or baligoule). Our recipe here is much simpler. Serves 4: 16 small violet artichokes from Nice 4 nice cebettes niçoise (alternatively fresh spring onions) 4 nice slices of bacon...Continue Reading
