Radish & Beetroot Pachadi w/ Curry Leaf, Black Mustard Seed & Asafetida Tadka

Pachadi is Southern India’s version of the classic raita (yogurt curd w/ cucumber).  We had gorgeous radishes to use up from Little Wild Things Farm, so we’re using radishes instead of cucumber.   A Tadka is simply the addition of spices tempered in oil. 🌿 🌶 🌿 This is my first time using Asafetida … It’s a fascinating ingredient!  Ever wonder why we use ❤THIS ❤ symbol to represent love?  Read on!  Asafetida is widely used in Indian cuisine, but it became popular in Ancient Rome as a replacement for Silphium — the now-extinct giant fennel plant — which was both a culinary ingredient, an aphrodisiac & birth control for Ancient Romans! Apparently Nero was gifted the last existing plant to eat (figures!).  The giant fennel had heart-shaped seeds that were made into a beverage that women drank once a month to prevent pregnancy ♥️💗♥️  Consequently, the heart-shaped seeds of the plant made it onto ancient coins and are the reason why we now use the heart symbol to represent romance!  💗🌈💗

Irish Moss, Whiskey, & Honey Panna Cotta

Irish moss is found along the Atlantic coasts of North America and Europe, but it gets its name because, during the potato famine in Ireland, it was a critical source of food for many.  Now, it’s enjoyed in beverages in the Caribbean and is used as a thickener in many desserts, which is how it’s used here.  It’s extremely nutritious and contains nearly 100 essential minerals.  So clearly we had to even out all that healthiness with some heavy cream and whiskey!

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