Removing the seeds from a cucumber reduces the amount of watery liquid you get in the finished soup or salad in favor of the pure flesh of the cucumber. It's not always necessary (and the seeds are good for you), but it's easy to do when you want a more refined dish.
Slice the cucumber in half lengthwise. Then scoop the seeds out with the tip of a spoon. If you press down hard enough, one or two passes with the spoon should get most of the seeds.
Greek yogurt is a thicker, creamier version of the regular variety. It's thicker and creamier because it has been strained of its whey.
In Greece, yogurt is usually made with sheep's or goat's milk. Although there are "lite" versions available, Greek yogurt generally refers to the full-fat variety, the fat contributing to its rich taste.
Greek yogurt's velvety texture has won it fans in the United States in recent years. But if you can't find Greek-style yogurt, you can always make your own. Line a fine-sieved colander with cheesecloth or paper towels, place it over a bowl and allow the whey to drain off in the refrigerator. For small amounts, a cone-shaped coffee filter works well.
Strained yogurt is a healthier cream-cheese substitute -- lightly sweetened, it can be used to frost a carrot cake. Combined with chopped frozen mangoes, litchis or bananas and a splash of light rum, it makes a delicious homemade yogurt.
In Middle Eastern cuisine, strained yogurt is also known as labneh, which is often bathed in olive oil and showered with a spice mix known as Za'atar. It is also used to thicken sauces, mixed in at the last minute (the high fat content prevents curdling). Strained yogurt is the main ingredient in Indian raita and Greek tzatziki, dips made with cucumbers and garlic or spices. Garnished with a dollop of honey, strained yogurt is a popular dessert in Greece, and fit for the gods.
Recipe: Grilled Yogurt-Mint Lamb Kebabs (Cookthink)
Reference: What is Za'atar? (Cookthink)
Reference: What is tzatziki? (Cookthink)
Reference: What is raita? (Cookthink)
Biryani is a one-dish rice-based meal that consists of layering cooked rice and meat in a casserole, before baking it in the oven. Originating in Persia and popular in India and the Middle East, biryani can be made with chicken, seafood or meat, and can also be made as a vegetarian casserole.
Biryani is normally made with basmati rice and flavored with cloves, cinnamon, cardamon, bay leaf, coriander, mint, ginger, garlic and onions. Traditionally, orange saffron milk was sprinkled on the top of the dish before baking, so that the rice grains had a variated white and yellow-orange color and a subtle saffron flavor; today the high cost of saffron means that many restaurants unfortunately use yellow food coloring instead.
Biryani is often served with a yogurt-based condiment such as raita or a tomato, onion and cilantro relish. It is good for crowds and a favorite at Bangladeshi wedding receptions, Indian family dinners and Muslim dinner tables in Thailand.
