Guide to cooking gourmet this summer vacation

With summer vacation approaching, the big question is what to do with all the free time. Instead of frittering the summer away doing nothing, how about you try your hand at making those scrumptious dishes you have seen on all those fancy cooking shows. If you are clueless as to where you would like to start, worry not, we have got your back. Bring gourmet cuisines of the world right to your kitchen with these 10 ingredients and dig into the delicious food that you made.
Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a herb you find in many South East Asian dishes. It has a sweet lemony flavour and can be added directly without any preparation. The bulb of the plant is usually used for cooking while the stalks can be used to make a warm cup of tea. Use lemongrass to bring out the flavour when cooking a vegetable curry or a noodle soup (this works well with Vietnamese and Thai cuisine).
Fennel

Fennel is full of health benefits and helps in heart strength, improves brain functioning, relieves indigestion. It is also incredibly tasty. Mainly found in Italy, fresh fennel, or even fennel seeds, add a sweet-anise flavour to your dish. Use the bulb of the plant to bring authentic Florentian pastas and salads right to your table.
Sesame

Considered one of the oldest oil seeds in the world, sesame adds a nutty, crunchy flavour to your dish. Roasted or raw, sesame is great either way. Make Til Ladoo the way your grandmother does, with sesame seeds, khoya and sugar. You can also transform plain roasted chicken or a humble salad with just a garnish of these seeds. Sesame also has a ton of health benefits, from improving skin and hair to boosting metabolism.
Cayenne Pepper

Use cayenne pepper to spice up your taste buds. Don’t just use it for chicken dishes and fish curries, get experimental. Add it to lemonade, chocolate desserts and mango smoothies to give them a kick and truly set them apart from the ordinary.
Sumac

Sumac adds a lemony-vinegar taste to your dish. Take yourself on a Middle Eastern journey with this deep red spice. Add it to fried eggs in the morning or sprinkle it on top of melon with black pepper and red chilli flakes for a cool afternoon snack. If you wish to cook a fancy dinner, whip up some grilled eggplant baba ganoush or fattoush with the help of this strong spice.
Anchovies

Used in pastas and salads, anchovies can bring about a whole new flavour and add a twist to even the blandest of dishes. Forget the pungent smell and try them out — you might just find your favourite new fish.
Paprika

Originally from Mexico, paprika has made its presence strong in dishes from around the world. From Turkey to Portugal to Spain, paprika has become almost an essential spice. It is made by grounding up a variety of Capsicum annuum peppers, which include bell peppers and red peppers among others. Use this spice in homemade romesco sauce, goulash and grilled chicken. If you just want a subtle taste of paprika, slice up some bell peppers and toss them into your curry or pasta sauce.
Miso

Miso is a soy based paste that is widely used in Japanese soups. It brings to your kitchen a salty, earthy flavour, perfect for the days you want to stay at home and unwind. Chicken, salmon and pork all pair perfectly with miso.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

One of the most underrated ingredients, extra virgin olive oil really knows how to level up anything you cook. Drizzle it generously on top of any pasta or salad to give it that gourmet finish. It boosts each individual flavour and adds a delicious aroma. It is super healthy and might make you feel like quite the culinary expert.
Dill

Dill mainly originated in the Mediterranean region and exudes a strong tangy fragrance and flavour. It is one of those herbs you can add almost anywhere and it will improve your dish by leaps and bounds. Add it to scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes or a chicken dish to experience the flavour and punch that this herb packs into your dish.
Students speak:
"I had previously seen a Nigella Lawson video on how to make shepherd’s pie — I tried that out on an earlier occasion. This summer vacation, I’d love to try out Roasted Stuffed Paprika with cheddar cheese and ground meat stuffing. "
— Pearly Roberts, first-year student, St.Joseph’s College
"I got interested in Thai cuisine through Cookery shows. I would love to work with lemongrass. I have a sweet tooth, so, I can’t wait to make Lemongrass Ice Cream."
— Joan Cherian, final-year student, Christ (Deemed to be University)
A sophisticated take on everyday munchies
Add paprika to a bag of your favourite popcorn for a quick and spiced snack to eat while binging on the latest TV series. For those late night hunger pangs, while cooking instant noodles, try adding a bit of miso paste instead of the regular masala packets. Top it off with cubed tofu and chopped green onions to add a southeast asian variation to everyone’s favourite comfort food.
Whip up an exquisite Thai Lemongrass Soup

If you want to cook a restaurant-quality dish from scratch, try out this Thai Lemongrass Soup. It is all
elegance and super easy to make.
Ingredients
Lemongrass
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2garlic cloves
1 tablespoon grated ginger
4 cups vegetable stock
2 cups sliced shiitake mushrooms
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1 cup tofu
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Soy sauce to taste
Recipe
Cut the lemongrass and press them so that it releases the flavour. Heat oil and add ginger with garlic, saute until golden brown. Then add vegetable stock, lemongrass, mushrooms and tomatoes. Allow mushrooms to cook until soft and tender. While it simmers cut the tofu and cook it in another pan, until it is golden brown. Add it to the vegetable stock. Squeeze in lemon juice according to taste. Season with soy sauce, remove the lemongrass and enjoy hot.
- Recipe by Shereen Jain, second-year student, Christ (Deemed to be University)