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Relish & Preserve Recipes to Make at Home with Seasonal Summer Ingredients

We have seen our grandmothers make relishes, pickles, and chutneys with seasonal produce. Though it is a treasured art, preserving food ingredients can be easy and fun to do. While you have some extra time at hand, it is time to take some of the bountiful summer produce and make some delicious preserves and chutneys. In India, summer is all about juicy mangoes, cucumber, watermelon, papaya, litchi, and much more. Get your pickling jars, sterilize and get ready to prepare some delicious preserves and chutneys with pantry staples: 

Raw Papaya Chutney

Grate raw papaya and set aside. In a pan add some fennel seeds and the grated papaya. Add water, castor sugar, bay leaf, and raisins. After this, add the spices like cumin and red chili powder. Let it to gently simmer for 30 minutes till it thickens up. Let the chutney cool down completely before transferring in sterilized glass jars. Seal the jars and refrigerate. 

Cucumber & Dill Pickle

Cut 2-3 English cucumbers into round circles. Tap the cucumber with kitchen tissue to remove the excess water. In a saucepan, add Del Monte brewed vinegar and water. Bring it to a gentle simmer and add sea-salt. Remove the mixture from heat and let it cool completely. Place the cucumber slices in a jar and top with the vinegar brine. Add some fresh dill leaves. Seal the top of the jar and put it in a water bath. Store the cucumber pickle for up to 3 months in the refrigerator. 

Peach & Rosemary Preserve

Summer gets a bounty of local peaches from Shimla and adjacent Himachal regions. Start with slicing the peaches. Place the peaches in a pan and sprinkle some vanilla sugar. Add the fresh rosemary sprigs and honey. Set it in low heat to gently simmer. Cool the preserve before transferring in glass jam jars. Serve this jam on a piece of crusty sourdough bread and top with crumbled goat cheese. 

Orange Chili Preserve

Zest and juice three medium-sized oranges. In a saucepan add the orange juice, castor sugar, and lemon zest. De-seed and add one thinly sliced red chili. Set it on a gentle simmer for 20 minutes, until it thickens. There’s no need to add pectin or any other preservatives as orange has natural pectin. Cool the preserve before transferring in glass jam containers. Serve it on sourdough toasts. 

Sweet Mango Pickle

Grate raw mangoes and set it aside. In a pan sauté some fennel seeds, cumin seeds, coriander seeds until fragrant. Add the grated mango and sauté until tender. Add some castor sugar and water. Add Del Monte vinegar. Set it to a gentle simmer until it thickens. Transfer in sterilized jars and store in the refrigerator. 

Make a big batch of these preserves and pickles to relish it throughout the year. These pickles can be stored for a longer time period in a root cellar. 

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Healthy Recipe Ideas to Cook with Pantry Staples During COVID-19 Outbreak

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the entire world. This outbreak has caused many of us to be quarantined or lockdown at home. There is also a looming grocery shortage in some countries. People are left to cook with whatever is easily available in their pantry. Looking for some healthy and easy recipes with basic ingredients from your kitchen cupboard? Check out these easy recipe ideas that are wholesome and immunity boosting:

Breakfast Porridge with Caramelized Bananas

Star-anise and cinnamon are anti-inflammatory spices that aids in the healing tissues. Add cinnamon, vanilla essence, nutmeg, clove, ground ginger to the oatmeal. You can add other wholegrains like quinoa to this dish. Make this delicious oatmeal with almond milk and top it up with caramelized bananas.

Golden Spice Khichdi

Add raw turmeric and ginger to make this light khichdi. These roots are anti-inflammatory and immune boosting. Use the basmati rice and yellow whole daal to make this delicious dish. Ladle into a serving dish, and drizzle over some Del Monte olive oil. Serve with a side of papad.

Beans, Potato & Greens Stew

Make this easy stew in cooked in a vegetable broth. Add boiled potatoes in the broth. Add coconut milk to add some texture and taste to the stew. Add a handful of baby spinach and kale leaves. Gently simmer for 12 minutes. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves. Serve it with basmati rice and flatbreads.

Carrot Hummus

Lemon adds a boost of vitamin C and garlic has various anti-bacterial properties. Addition of carrots not only adds a vibrant colour, but it also improves the immunity of the body. Drizzle with Del Monte extra-virgin olive oil. Serve it with warm homemade pita bread.

Immunity Smoothie

Blitz orange juice, carrots, raw ginger, coconut water, blueberries, coconut flesh and mint in a food processor to make this anti-inflammatory, vitamin C and beta-carotene rich smoothie, perfect for improving the body’s immunity levels.

Detox Tea

To make this detox tea, add grated ginger, turmeric, garlic, star-anise, cinnamon stick, and freshly cracked black pepper. Bring it to a gentle simmer. Turn off the heat and strain the tea with a mesh strainer. Before serving add a drizzle of raw local honey. You can store this tea in glass bottles.

Make these recipes that are not only comforting but also healthy. It is recommended to eat food items that supports and improve your immune system.

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Immunity Boosting Recipes for the Cold Weather

The cold weather is also the season where many people battle sickness and flues. It is also that time when the farm stands get filled with fresh seasonal produce. Our body metabolism reacts in a different way with changing seasons. A diet that is rich in antioxidants, minerals, vitamins is ideal for our body. The most important thing to keep in mind during any season, is to drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated. Check out these immune-boosting recipes for the cold weather:

Spiced Porridge with Strawberry Compote

Cinnamon is an anti-inflammatory spice that aids in the healing tissues. Add cinnamon, vanilla essence, nutmeg, clove, ground ginger, and allspice to oatmeal. Make this delicious oatmeal with almond milk and top it up with fresh strawberry compote.

Minestrone Soup

Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil. Add chopped carrot, celery, zucchini, bell peppers, cannellini beans, thyme, oregano, salt, pepper and tomato paste. Cook for 15 minutes and add the small shell pasta. Add vegetable stock and bring it to a gentle simmer. Cook for 30 minutes on low heat. Add a handful of spinach and basil. Ladle the soup in a bowl and finish with a handful of fresh basil. Drizzle some Del Monte extra virgin olive oil before serving. This delicious Italian soup makes for a hearty meal with a slice of crusty garlic bread.

Lentil & Winter Greens Stew

Make this lentil stew in an aromatic blend of lemongrass, galangal, ginger, kaffir lime, and coriander leaves. Add coconut milk to add some texture and taste to the stew. Add a handful of baby spinach, beet greens, and kale leaves. Gently simmer for 12 minutes. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves. Serve it with brown rice and flatbreads.

Beetroot Hummus

Lemon adds a boost of vitamin C and garlic has various anti-bacterial properties. Addition of beetroot not only adds a vibrant color, but it also improves the immunity of the body. Drizzle with some olive oil and serve with warm homemade pita bread.

Vitamin C Smoothie

Blitz orange juice, carrots, raw ginger, coconut water, coconut flesh and mint in a food processor to make this anti-inflammatory, vitamin C and beta-carotene rich smoothie, perfect for the flu season.

Detox Green Smoothie

To make this detox juice, add kale, baby spinach, mint, banana, coconut water, lemon in a juicer. This juice is packed with nutrients and best consumed fresh. Keep yourself hydrated with this smoothie. Add some dried dandelion leaves to aid the detoxification.

These recipes are delicious and best during the flu season. Keep ingredients like garlic, ginger, lemon, oranges, stocked up in your cupboard.