The yabbit has done it again...
Posted by yabbitgirl on Apr 01, 2011 · Member since Apr 2006 · 14266 posts
Well I've been cruising my Asian supermarket again. Went for some gram flour but it was so freakin' expensive all of a sudden (over double in price) that I left it there and came home with some more interesting things.
Among them was "Pan Mukhwas." This is a blend of whole spices such as fennel, roses, curry leaves etc...and sugar. I tried to websearch and only came up with sellers. I take it PM is meant to use as "breath freshener"...but do you brew it as tea, or chew it, or what?
Tweety? Anybody?
I believe you're correct about it being a breath freshener and you chew it as is.
I'm tempted to use it to make chai, even though it has "menthol" in it.
Just chew it after a meal. Fennel seeds are very helpful in aiding digestion and preventing bloating. I supposed you could make a tea out of it, but the benefits would be much greater if you just ate a spoonful of it raw.
I don't have any paan leaves, so I guess, you just toss a spoonful or so of loose herbs in your mouth and chomp away?
Took me a minute to remember what "paan" is. I remember now.
Never heard of it, but I think I remember fennel being used as a breathe freshener. Maybe it's just one of those after dinner things. I love how you're brave in buying things you've never heard of.
I found a list of ingredients on line and it sounds like the contents of a dish sitting by the register of an Indian restaurant DH and I visit occasionsally. It has a spoon in it and most patrons put a small spoonful in their hand and toss it in their mouth, chewing as they leave. Enjoy! ;)b
I think I've seen bowls of something like that at Indian restaurants. I'm always afraid to try some because of the cleanliness factor (it's just out in the open with a spoon in it).
I think I've seen bowls of something like that at Indian restaurants. I'm always afraid to try some because of the cleanliness factor (it's just out in the open with a spoon in it).
I tend to watch people in public places and I have never seen anyone do anything other than touch the spoon handle here. I have seen much worse behaviour at salad bars :o I think it helps that the cashier is right there so people tend to behave.
I've definitely seen kids stick their whole hand in the bowl.
Speaking of going to buy gram flour (though I know that's not what the convo's about), I went to get some yesterday and was discouraged to see that a big bag of it had a July 2011 expiration date. Does it usually have a short shelf life or was I just unlucky? I asked the guy who worked there if they had any smaller bags, since I knew I would be able to use so much in the next couple months, but he said no. But he gave me a small discount, so that's cool I guess.
Try storing it in your freezer if you have room. I've never had any trouble with it going bad, even in our hot climate, but if it bothers you, freeze the part you're not using.
Oh yeah, that's a good idea. My mom stores all of her flours in the freezer. But then again her freezer is about 4x times the size of mine. Hopefully it will be fine on my shelf if it's fine on yours. Thanks :)
Speaking of going to buy gram flour (though I know that's not what the convo's about), I went to get some yesterday and was discouraged to see that a big bag of it had a July 2011 expiration date. Does it usually have a short shelf life or was I just unlucky? I asked the guy who worked there if they had any smaller bags, since I knew I would be able to use so much in the next couple months, but he said no. But he gave me a small discount, so that's cool I guess.
I go through gram flour like it's going out of style. Lots of Indian sweets require gram flour. I also use it to make omelets, and I put a few tablespoons in almost every curry I ever make. It's awesome!
Oh yeah, that's a good idea. My mom stores all of her flours in the freezer. But then again her freezer is about 4x times the size of mine. Hopefully it will be fine on my shelf if it's fine on yours. Thanks :)
I have this huge glass jar that I put it in, like a gallon and a half. That way no critters can get to it.