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This root is comprised of a cluster of long, slender, orangish brown fingers joined to an insignificant, knobby ginger-like rhizome. It has an exuberant, aromatic quality. The fingers are cut into fine slivers and tossed along with other fragrant herbs into hot-and-spicy seafood stir-fries, curries and soups.
Krachai is not just any rhizome, but a very specific kind with its own distinctive piquant flavor and tangy fragrance that cannot be mistaken with other members of the ginger family to which it belongs. Known also as "lesser ginger", "lesser galangal" and "Chinese key," this root is comprised of a cluster of long, slender, orangish brown fingers joined to an insignificant, knobby ginger-like rhizome. It has an exuberant, aromatic quality. The fingers are cut into fine slivers and tossed along with other fragrant herbs into hot-and-spicy seafood stir-fries, curries and soups.
Kra Chai is a relative of ginger, and is renowned for its sweet taste and peppery bite. While kra chai may offer less of an aromatic bouquet than ginger, it has an unusual lemony aspect.
Kra Chai is mostly used in Southeast Asian cooking, particularly in soups and coconut milk-based dishes. It makes an excellent ingredient for stock, as well as chutney.
The rhizomes are commonly used as vegetables in main dishes or eaten raw when young. It is also popularly used in flavorful curry dishes.
Krachai is generally either grated (most common) or sliced very thin for use in recipes. You can scrape the skin off if you wish but it hardly seems worth the bother. It is most commonly used in curry pastes and as an aromatic vegetable.
Note: Images are only for illustrative purposes, actual product and colour may slightly differ.
Rs. 100.00
Fresh Bamboo shoot is delicious in any stir-fry but please note that it cannot be eaten raw - it can be toxic.
Peel the skin, cut and soak, then boil it for half an hour to remove any bitterness. Brine it or slice and use in stir-fries.
You can add vinegar and/or sliced red chillies while boiling it. It is used a lot in Chinese cuisine as well as in North Eastern cooking and also in Konkani cooking.
Seasonal: Available June-September
Rs. 460.00
Harvested when young and tender and brined for convenience. A staple of Chinese cuisine, bamboo shoots are best cut into slices and added to stir fries with other vegetables.
Drain from the brine wash under fresh water and then cut and add them to your stir fries, stews or soups.
Taste better after cooking as they loose their slight bitter raw taste and are appreciated for their bite and slight sweet flavour.