3824ceff

HOW TO FINE DICE AN ONION

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 07:21:18 GMT

Sashi shares some of his secrets to preparing onion.

HOW TO KEEP LETTUCE FRESH

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 07:10:33 GMT

Sashi shares some of his secrets to preparing lettuce.

ALL THE DIFFERENT CUTS OF CHICKEN MEAT

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 06:56:52 GMT

Sashi shares some of his secrets to cooking chicken.

MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA 2018 RECIPES

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 02:02:22 GMT

Sashi Cheliah won MasterChef Australia in 2018 with his methodical approach and delicious, spice-laden Indian and Malaysian food.

It was then he started following his cooking dreams, signing up to MasterChef on a whim after seeing a Facebook post.

“I don’t believe age should be a barrier to achieving dreams,”

says Sashi. “And it wasn’t!”

Sashi's background

The eldest of seven children, the Singapore-born Sashi’s passion for food came early in life when he watched his aunties and mother, a café-owner, cooking – even though a boy in the kitchen wasn’t encouraged in his culture.

“Whenever they cooked, I was always in the kitchen watching,” says Sashi. “Food is a huge part of my culture and there’s always plenty of food to prepare at every cultural festival and event.”

He says there are often 60-70 people to cook for when there’s a family occasion.

“I can still remember being in the kitchen at ten-years-old - watching my mother cook and smelling the spicy aromas,” says Sashi. “I’d like to say I waited patiently for my turn to taste her food!”

He didn’t go directly into the food business, instead working for 12 years in the Special Tactics and Rescue (STAR) unit of the Singapore Police Force, where he trained in tactics, rescue operations, counter terrorism, kidnappings and high-profile protection in the riot police.

In 2012, he moved to Adelaide and worked as a prison guard, which gave him more time to cook for his wife Rabicca Vijayan (a nurse), their two sons and friends and family.

In the finale of his MasterChef victory episode, he received a record 93 out of a possible 100 score.

His Melbourne pop-up restaurant named "Gaja by Sashi" was also a success, paving the way for a permanent restaurant space in Adelaide by the same name.

Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Kits are the next step in the plan to bring his food to as many people as he can – sharing his signature flavours and passion for cooking for family and friends.

Here is one of Sashi’s recipes from MasterChef Australia…

Fish Curry with Cumin Rice

Ingredients

Fish Curry

2 tbsp coriander seeds

2 tsp cumin seeds

5 cardamom pods, husk removed

1 cinnamon stick

2 shallots, roughly chopped

2cm piece ginger, roughly chopped

1 birdseye chilli

2 clove garlic

2 tbsp coconut oil

2 stems curry leaves

1 tbsp chilli powder

1 tbsp turmeric powder

1 ½ cups coconut milk

1 birdseye chilli

20g tamarind paste

20g palm sugar

150g x 4 snapper fillets, skin removed

salt, to taste

Cumin Rice

1 cup basmati rice

2 tsp cumin seeds

1 cinnamon stick

2 tbsp ghee

1 tsp salt

Cucumber and Pineapple Archar

½ small cucumber, sliced into ribbons

¼ pineapple, thinly sliced

1 long red chilli, thinly sliced

30g palm sugar

60ml white vinegar

Coriander leaves, to garnish

Steps

Fish Curry

1. Dry roast the coriander, cumin, cardamom and cinnamon in a small frypan until fragrant and lightly brown. Remove from heat and place into a food processor along with shallots, garlic, ginger and chilli to make a smooth paste.In a large saucepan, add coconut oil and when hot curry leaves.

2. Cook until crispy then add spice paste and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.

3. Add ground turmeric and chilli powder and cook for 6 minutes.

4. Add coconut milk and 1 ½ cups water and reduce the heat to low.

5. Once the curry comes to boil, add tamarind, sugar and salt.

6. Add the fish to sauce and simmer gently, basting fish with sauce and turning halfway, until fish is just cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the fish from sauce and place on a tray.

Cumin Rice

1. Mix ingredients in a large non-stick saucepan along with 2 cups water.

2. Bring the rice to a boil and reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.

3. Remove the rice from the heat and rest for 5 minutes.

4. For the Cucumber and Pineapple Archar, place ingredients into a large bowl and set aside to pickle for 20 minutes.

5. Using a 6 or 7 cm round ring cutter, mould rounds of Cumin Rice into the centre of each plate. Top with a portion of fish and garnish with Cucumber and Pineapple Archar and coriander leaves.

6. Serve the curry sauce in a serving jug on the side.

Recipe from MasterChef Australia website.

Sashi's Secret

The range has 6 flavours including Beef Rendang Curry, Singaporean Chilli Prawn, Malaysian Chicken Curry, Nasi Goreng, Curry Laksa and Sweet and Sour Pork.

You can see how to make naan here

See which Sashi's Secret Home Chef Kits are vegetarian friendly.

Our socials - Facebook here and Instagram here

Sashi's Secrets Home Chef Kits are available from Woolworths , in store and online and selected independent retailers across Australia.

HOW TO MAKE NAAN

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 05:31:41 GMT

Chef and Sashi’s Secret founder Sashi Cheliah understands the importance of family and sharing meals together, “Family meals provide an opportunity for everyone to come together. It strengthens the ties and build better relationship between parents and kids.”

Sashi loves to prepare nutritious meals with his family, “It’s always a pleasure to teach my kids who have passion in cooking!

I’m pretty amazed what they can pull off at this young age :)

Support your kid’s dream and they will show you what they can achieve!”

We're so excited to have Sashi share with us how to make Naan with his quick and easy recipe, which goes well as a side dish for the Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Kits , especially the Beef Rendang and the Malaysian Chicken Curry .

This recipe is budget and family friendly plus an amazing, tasty substitute for bread. A simple but effective recipe that the kids can help you make on Friday or Saturday takeaway night, with supervision of course.

“Below is an easy Naan recipe that can be made in the oven.” Shares Sashi.

Oven Baked Naan

Serves 10 pax

Ingredients

100ml tepid water

1tsp active dry yeast

1tsp caster sugar

380g self - raising flour, plus extra for dusting

20ml veg oil or ghee

30ml natural yogurt

pinch of salt

Garnish:

Toasted sesame seeds, nigella seeds, garlic or herbs.

Method:

Whisk the tepid water, yeast, and sugar in a bowl until the sugar dissolves. Leave it to stand for 10 mins.

Sift flour, salt, oil or ghee and yogurt to yeast mixture and form into a soft dough. Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5 mins until the dough is smooth.

Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a damp tea towel for 2hrs in a warm place.

They should double in size, punch down the dough and knead again for 3mins. Divide the dough into 10 equal balls and roll the dough into any required shapes.

Place the naan on a lightly grease the baking tray and cook in an oven at 200 degrees for 4-5 mins until the naan is puffy.

Remove the naan from the oven and lightly brush ghee on it and sprinkle your favourite garnish.

Sashi's Secret

The range include 6 flavours including Beef Rendang Curry, Singaporean Chilli Prawn, Malaysian Chicken Curry, Nasi Goreng, Curry Laksa and Sweet and Sour Pork.

You can see how to make rice for fried rice blog here

See which Sashi's Secret Home Chef Kits are vegetarian friendly.

If you try this recipe, share it and tag @sashissecret in your post.

Our socials - Facebook here and Instagram here

Sashi's Secrets Home Chef Kits are available from Woolworths , in store and online and selected independent retailers across Australia.

HOW TO COOK RICE FOR FRIED RICE

Mon, 25 May 2020 01:57:43 GMT

Fried rice is a budget friendly family dinner staple, it is easy to make and full of delish ingredients. Fried rice goes really well as a side dish with Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Kit Recipes.

We want to give you a few tips on how to cook rice for fried rice.

Recipes

Finding the best fried rice recipe in the world may be hard as it is down to personal preference, depending if you like a meat version or a vegetarian option, a more traditional Chinese fried rice restaurant style or an Aussie take on this classic recipe.

Part of the appeal of fried rice is that you can change the recipe to suit your taste or use leftovers that you have in the fridge.

Preparation is key

Preparation is key to Fried Rice as the ingredients are cooked quickly. Pre-cutting all of your veggies and proteins is best for easy frying for a quick and easy meal.

You can use white long grain rice or Basmati rice for fried rice, and a special tip is that it’s best to use cold pre-cooked rice for this dish. If you have time, cooking the rice the day before and leaving it in the fridge overnight can be beneficial as it dries out and is less likely to be gluggy or stick together in the fried rice.

If you do not have time to pre-cook and leave the rice in the fridge overnight try a Sashi tip and spread freshly cooked rice on a baking sheet and freeze it for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking your fried rice.

How to cook rice for fried rice

1. Rinse the rice - this gets rid of dusty starches that may result in excess stickiness. Just place your rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear.

2. Remember 1:2 - 1 cup rice to 2 cups water, which you can scale up or down. (Double-check your rice packaging to be sure.) Feel free to swap in chicken or vegetable broth for more flavour.

3. Bring the water to the boil - then stir in rice and a pinch of salt.

4. Get it to a simmer - gently simmer, keeping the lid on - cover the saucepan and reduce heat to low.

6. Check at 18 minutes - you can set a timer or let the rice be your indicator, not the water. If there's a little water leftover, it's just tilt the saucepan slightly to drain it out. (Cooking brown rice? Check at 30 minutes)

7. Rest for a few minutes - turn off the heat, replace the lid, and let it rest for a few minutes in the steamy saucepan.

If you have a rice cooker, it is a lot easier. Use the same ratio and throw everything into the rice cooker, which does all the work for you.

Thanks to Delish.com for the rice tips.

Sashi's Secret

The range include 6 flavours including Beef Rendang Curry, Singaporean Chilli Prawn, Malaysian Chicken Curry, Nasi Goreng, Curry Laksa and Sweet and Sour Pork.

See which Sashi's Secret Home Chef Kits are vegetarian friendly.

Get yours today, you can Follow Sashi’s Secret on Facebook here and Instagram here

Sashi's Secrets Home Chef Kits are available from Woolworths , in store and online and selected independent retailers across Australia.

FAST AND EASY RECIPES WITH JUST A FEW INGREDIENTS

Fri, 01 May 2020 04:32:47 GMT

Why Choose Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Meal Kits?

Sashi's Secret Home Chef Kits are super easy to use, taking under 30 minutes to create, and are great for families with busy schedules.

Fast and Easy Recipes

There is no such thing as a tricky recipe with Sashi's Secret's Home Chef Kits, just fast and easy recipes that the whole family will love. These are some of the easiest recipes with authentic flavours that can be created with any skill level. Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Kits are so simple to use in either a 3 or 4 step process.

“Food is about sharing and spending time together,” says Sashi. “You don’t have to spend a lot of money or time to enjoy delicious meals and bond at dinner time.”

Few ingredients are needed

Each kit contains everything you need to create a delicious meal for yourself, family and friends – just add meat and vegetables! Because the kits and flavours are versatile, you don't have to use exactly what's on the pack. You can add extra vegetables or use different proteins that you have. You can also add other vegetables and proteins you have available in the fridge, including other meats, seafood, tofu and/or plant protein.

The range include 6 flavours:

Beef Rendang Curry
Singaporean Chilli Prawn (featured above)
Malaysian Chicken Curry
Nasi Goreng
Curry Laksa
Sweet and Sour Pork .

See which Sashi's Secret Home Chef Kits are vegetarian friendly .

Few ingredients are needed

Sashi has selected the ingredients focusing on quality and authenticity for a delicious mix of Singaporean and Malaysian tastes. Although these tastes are authentic, you can adjust the amount of flavour and spice level to suit you and your family - just add a little less of the flavour paste or a little more of the spices to make the level of spice perfect for you. Because not everyone has the same tolerance for chilli, you can also adjust the amount of chilli you want to add, making it perfect for any taste.

The creator of Sashi's Secret

Sashi Cheliah won MasterChef in 2018 with his methodical approach and delicious, spice-laden Indian and Malaysian food. Now, Sashi can share his flavoursome food with everyone with his Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Kits. We all love recipes with fewer ingredients and Sashi is excited to share his quick and easy dishes with you!

“I want everyone to be able to taste my food,” says Sashi. “That’s why I created my Home Chef Kits – to share my secrets!”

Get yours today, you can Follow Sashi’s Secret on Facebook and Instagram

Sashi's Secrets Home Chef Kits are available from Woolworths , in store and online and selected independent retailers across Australia.

WARM UP WITH SASHI'S SECRET HOME CHEF KITS

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 02:29:54 GMT

Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Kits are not only warming soul food, the traditional recipes are packed with yummy ingredients including Garlic, Ginger and Chilli.

The Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Kit’s are vegetarian friendly , so the meat can be substituted with plant based protein and/or vegetables.

They also taste great with other meats and seafoods so you can use whatever you have in the fridge.

The Home Chef Kits are family friendly, plus are great option for meal prep and freezing too.

“These are all special recipes with meaning for me and my family.

Not everyone can visit my restaurant, but now everyone in Australia can experience my food for themselves.” Sashi says.

Sashi’s Secret is available at Woolworths Australia ONLINE and in store in the Asian food section.

As well as selected specialty grocery stores Australia wide.

You can Follow Sashi’s Secret on Facebook here and Instagram here

FAMILY DINNERS WITH SASHI'S SECRET

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 03:17:16 GMT

“Food is about sharing and spending time together,” says 2018 Masterchef winner and Sashi’s Secret creator, Sashi Cheliah.

“You don’t have to spend a lot of money or time to enjoy delicious meals and bond at dinner time.”

Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Kits are the next step in Sashi’s plan to bring his food to as many people as he can – sharing his signature flavours and passion for cooking for family and friends.

Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Kits mean that you can too cook at home with Sashi.

“My Singapore Curry Laksa is super simple but so delicious you'll have them coming back for more.” says Sashi. (Pictured above)

You can find Sashi’s Secret at Woolworths Australia, in the Asian food section, and Woolworths online.

As well as selected specialty grocery stores Australia wide.

See the Sashi's Secret Facebook page here

Shop Sashi's Secret online at Woolworths here

BEEF RENDANG CURRY IN 4 SIMPLE STEPS

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 07:30:15 GMT

You can make the delicious Beef Rendang Curry at home in just 4 simple steps.

You'll love the authentic flavour and you can enjoy a mild or hot version just by adjusting the amount of chilli.” says Sashi Cheliah of Sashi’s Secret.

The Sashi’s Secret Beef Rendang Curry Home Chef Kit is vegetarian friendly, so the beef can be substituted with plant based protein and/or vegetables. It also tastes great with pork or chicken.

Sashi’s Tips for his Beef Rendang Curry...

You can thinly slice the beef to reduce the cooking time for this dish.
Cut your vegetables so they cook at the right speed - thinly slice hard vegetables like carrots, but keep softer vegetables larger so they retain their texture and flavour.
If you're feeling creative, you can try the Rendang Curry Kit with chicken, it's delicious!
Serve with coconut rice and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

Sashi’s Secret is available at Woolworths in Australia in the Asian food section, and Woolworths online, as well as selected specialty grocery stores Australia wide.

You can Follow Sashi’s Secret on Facebook here and Instagram here

YOU CAN NOW COOK WITH MASTERCHEF WINNER SASHI CHELIAH

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 04:43:03 GMT

Sashi Cheliah won MasterChef in 2018 with his methodical approach and delicious, spice-laden Indian and Malaysian food. Now, Sashi can share his flavoursome food with everyone with the launch of Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Kits. Available from Woolworths Australia wide, online and in store!! Also speciality grocers in Australia.

Sashi’s tips for his Malaysian Chicken Curry…

Use chicken thighs - they provide extra flavour and are a perfect texture for this dish.
Dice your chicken and potatoes into equal sizes so they cook at the same time 3cm x 3cm is a perfect size for this dish.
Add 1 sliced carrot for colour and to give the curry a little twist.
If you're feeling creative, my special chicken curry kit also works well with prawns, fish or vegetables.
Serve with rice or roti bread and garnish with fresh chopped coriander leaves.

Sashi Cheliah shares, “It's one of my families favourite dishes.”

SASHI'S SECRET FOR VEGETARIAN & PLANT BASED DIETS

Mon, 17 Feb 2020 01:03:18 GMT

Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Kits mean that you can now cook at home with Masterchef 2018 winner Sashi Cheliah! “I want everyone to be able to taste my food,” says Sashi. “That’s why I created my Home Chef Kits – to share my secrets!”

The great thing about Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Meal Kits is if you are on a plant-based diet you can still enjoy the delicious mix of authentic Singaporean and Malaysian tasting dishes.

You can easily substitute meat with vegetables or plant-based protein. You have the options of Singaporean Chilli , Malaysian Curry and Rendang Curry .

Please note that Curry Laksa and Nasi Goreng both contain dried shrimp as an ingredient and Sweet & Sour has oyster sauce as ingredient.

Please check the ingredients on the side of the pack – you’ll see that some varieties are vegetarian friendly until you add meat so just using vegetables/tofu/eggs in place of meat will make a vegetarian option.

The Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Kits are available from Woolworths nationwide, in store and online as well as at selected independent retailers nationally.

TOO SPICY? HOW TO COUNTERACT CHILLI HEAT

Sat, 21 Dec 2019 01:54:20 GMT

“People naturally want to drink water when they eat something spicy, but that can make it worse...” Sashi Cheliah

Chilli is one of MasterChef winner and restaurateur Sashi Cheliah’s favourite ingredients, but when he overdoes it on the heat, he knows how to cool it down.

“People naturally want to drink water when they eat something spicy, but that can make it worse,” says Sashi. “Capsaicin, the chemical in chillies that makes your mouth temporarily go numb is an oil, which doesn’t mix well with water – so you may be spreading the oil to other parts of your mouth if you reach for a glass of water to cool down your taste buds.”

Instead, Sashi recommends these options:

- A good dose of dairy: a sip of cold milk, a spoon of yoghurt or a mango lassi drink will take away some of the burning sensation, because a protein called casein is present in dairy and binds with capsaicin to prevent it reaching the mouth’s pain receptors.

- A burst of sweetness: half a teaspoon of sugar or honey on your tongue can absorb the capsaicin, so pop a sugar cube on your tongue to suck for relief.

- Eat some starch: naan bread or paratha, rice or potatoes can all help to absorb capsaicin, which should soothe your mouth immediately.

- Acid test: alkaline tomatoes and lemons counteract the acidity of the chilli, so have a refreshing salad or lemon wedges handy when you have a spicy meal.

When preparing chilli for a dish, prevention is better than the remedy, so Sashi recommends wearing gloves to cut chilli. If you don’t, you may get some of the capsaicin under fingernails, in your eyes or nasal cavities if you touch it. This will give an uncomfortable burning sensation to the area that’s been touched.

“You can put some olive oil on your fingers before you cut the chilli to help prevent it seeping in, or splash rubbing alcohol or even vodka on before washing your hands to get rid of more of the chilli,” says Sashi.

MANGO LASSI RECIPE

To make a cooling mango lassi simply blend 1 cup diced fresh or frozen mango, 1 cup plain yoghurt, ½ cup milk, 2 tablespoons of white sugar (if desired) and a dash of or cardamom (optional). To make it a vegan-friendly option – swap out the cow’s milk and yoghurt for almond milk variations. You can also garnish with a few chopped pistachio nuts and saffron strands. Experiment with different flavours – such as pineapple and ginger lassi, raspberry and coconut or caramel espresso lassis.

Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Kits give you the ability to add as much or as little chilli as you need, so can be adapted for individual taste buds. Available from Woolworths in store and online.

NICE RICE: WAYS TO SPICE UP YOUR RICE

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 01:10:40 GMT

Easy ways to spice up your rice... Rice is a staple side dish for MasterChef winner Sashi Cheliah’s home chef meal kits, but did you know you can spice up your rice with a few simple ingredients?

“Most people cook rice in the basic way, but if you add a bit of spice it can change the whole experience of the dish,” says Sashi. “Flavouring rice is a great way to try out different flavours next to a favourite recipe.”

Some of his ideas to try are:

Add a few strands of saffron to the rice when you’re cooking it for a bit more flavour and colour.
Add slices of garlic, a little butter and chopped shallots to your rice. Think of how much better garlic bread can taste to original bread flavours.
Create a herb and lemon rice by adding some lemon juice (or cilantro lime) and chopped up herbs at the end of the cooking cycle.
Add half a can of coconut milk to basmati rice instead of water for a nuttier flavour.
Put a sprinkle of the anti-inflammatory turmeric powder to the rice for added health benefits, as well as more flavoursome rice.
Cooking the rice in stock, rather than water, can also add more flavour.

Don’t forget to rinse the rice before cooking to remove the starch and get a fluffier rice. Another tip is to stop cooking the rice before it’s ready, then leaving it to cook with the lid on and heat turned off for a fluffier result.

Sashi’s Secret home chef kits are available from Woolworths store nationwide, as well as online.

SASHI’S GUIDE ON HOW TO CHOOSE FISH

Thu, 24 Oct 2019 07:02:17 GMT

2018 MasterChef winner Sashi has a special Curry Laksa as part of his new Sashi’s Secret product range, which is perfect for a fish curry dish. But, how do you choose the best fish to use?

“In Australia, we’re so lucky to be surrounded by coast and that means one thing to me – fresh fish,” says Sashi. “The trick is to buy the best fish you can by knowing a few simple tips when shopping.”

Sashi’s tips include:

Smell the fish: it should smell like the sea – like fresh water or a little briny, just not too ‘fishy’ or foul-smelling.
Check the eyes: they should be bright, shiny and full. Milky or sunken eyes can mean the fish has been sitting around too long.
The fresher the fish, the brighter and more metallic the skin, so take a look at the skin and scales. Also make sure the gills are clean and bright red, not dull and brown. Slimy gills mean the fish is starting to go bad.
Touch the fish to make sure it’s nice and firm, springing back when you touch it, rather than being too soft.

Fish fillets can be harder to judge in a store, but Sashi says you can still look for signs, such as:

Look for vibrant-looking flesh, because as fish ages its flesh will fade and lose its glossy appearance.
Given the choice, go for fillets with the skin on, because then you can check for discolouration and make sure there are no black spots, indicating a parasite.
Smell is still a good way to test the fish.
Check if there is any liquid on the fillets – if it’s milky, it’s the first sign of rot, so don’t buy this fillet.
If you can feel the fish, make sure it’s springy to touch and if your fingerprint remains on the flesh after touching then choose a different fish.

“It’s also best to choose a fish that’s firmer of flesh for a curry,” says Sashi. “And when cooking, try out the biggest chunk you’ve got in the pan to test it’s cooked all the way through.”

Oilier fish is also good for adding flavour to a curry – options include mackerel, salmon, swordfish or kingfish. If you prefer a milder flavoured fish, options include blue-eye trevalla, ling or ray/skate.

Once you have your fresh fish selected, it’s also important to make sure it’s cut well, so there are similar sized chunks that cook in a similar way throughout the dish.

“Fish fillets can be uneven – from a thick head down to a skinny tail,” says Sashi. “What you need then is a little bit of ‘fish origami’ to balance out the portions.”

Serious Eats offers step-by-step directions on how to perform fish origami

Leave a comment below with any of your own tips on the best ways to buy and cook fresh fish for your curry dish.

SASHI’S TIPS ON COOKING WITH CHILLI

Thu, 24 Oct 2019 06:43:09 GMT

2018 MasterChef winner Sashi Cheliah loves cooking with chilli and now he shares his chilli cooking tips with you at home.

“Chilli is one of my favourite ingredients and I’ll always have it in my kitchen,” says Sashi. “The great thing about using chilli at home is that you can have your dishes at the perfect heat for your preference.”

Chilli can be used not only in curries, but in many other dishes to add flavour – such as sprinkled on homemade chocolate bars, added to jams and sauces, mixed into vegetable side dishes and even used to spice up smashed avocado and poached egg on toast.

“Chilli is actually great to add to breakfast foods, because it definitely wakes you up,” says Sashi. “It was even used on the first direct Dreamliner New York to Sydney flight in a spicy soup that aimed to keep people awake early in the flight, so they could adjust to Sydney time more easily and reduce jet lag.”

Belonging to the capsicum family, chilli can be eaten fresh or dried and can vary greatly in shape, size, heat and flavour.

“Buy a bagful of fresh red chilli from Woolworths and then put into the freezer, to use as you need,” says Sashi. “Chilli contains capsaicin, which heightens our sense of taste, as well as promoting endorphins to be released – increasing our sense of pleasure in eating. So, there’s also a scientific reason why we love chilli in our food.”

You don’t want to overdo it, though, experiment with the level of heat you would like to add to your meal and increase it the next time you cook, if it wasn’t to your liking.

As for the seeds – they are edible, so you don’t have to remove them, but they don’t contain capsaicin, so don’t add to the flavour of the dish.

“I remove the seeds by slicing the chilli lengthwise and using the knife to brush out the seeds,” says Sashi . “They are harmless, but can add a bitter taste to the dish, as well as a crunchy texture.”

There are many types of chillies available in Australia and a good reference is here . It shows you a range from medium-hot seasonal purple Jalapeño to the world’s hottest chilli, the Reaper.

“Not all chillies are the same – make sure you know the heat of the chilli you’re using so you don’t over or underpower a dish,” says Sashi. “Also wash your hands after cutting up chilli – if you have any hot chilli juice left on your skin and you touch your eyes or nose, watch out - it will sting.”

As well as adding flavour and heat to a dish, chillies are very high in powerful antioxidants, as well as vitamins and minerals to help with immune function and energy metabolism.

“In my new range of Home Chef Kits , I make use of chilli in my ingredients,” says Sashi. “One of my cooking mottos is ‘flavour, flavour, flavour’ – come and cook with me at your home and you’ll fall in love with flavour, too.”

And, because not everyone has the same tolerance for chilli – Sashi has designed his spice packs so you can control the amount of heat in the dish – spice it up with extra chilli or simply enjoy the flavours and aromas of the spices and herbs.

“You have to try it, to taste it,” says Sashi. “If you don’t try it, you don’t know what you’re missing out on!”

COOK WITH SASHI AT HOME

Mon, 09 Sep 2019 05:26:08 GMT

MasterChef 2018 winner Sashi Cheliah has launched a range of Home Chef Meal Kits called ‘Sashi’s Secret’, available from November through Woolworths stores across Australia.

“I’m so excited to share my Sashi’s Secret range with you,” says Sashi. “These are all special recipes with meaning for me and my family. Not everyone can visit my restaurant, but now everyone in Australia can experience my food for themselves.”

The range includes flavoursome Singapore Curry Laksa ; Sweet and Sour Pork for a delicious update on a traditional favourite; Malaysian Chicken Curry , a Cheliah family favourite; Nasi Goreng , which is quick to cook but very tasty; Singaporean Chilli Prawn , a signature Sashi dish and crowd favourite; and Beef Rendang with its authentic flavour and adjustable heat – you choose how much chilli to add.

In either a 3-step or 4-step process, the meals just need meat and/or veggies added, with a 20-minute cooking time (35-minutes for the Beef Rendang), making them perfect for a quick, but delicious meal at home. They contain quality authentic flavours and ingredients selected by Sashi.

“Your mood reflects on the food you serve,” says Sashi. “If you are happy, the food will be delicious!”

SASHI’S FAVOURITE INGREDIENTS

Fri, 06 Sep 2019 08:43:04 GMT

Sashi is known for his flavoursome Singaporean and Malaysian dishes and was praised as the winner of MasterChef for his use of ingredients and skills with spices.

“My favourite ingredients are chilli and lemongrass,” says Sashi. “They will always be in my fridge, with chilli definitely the king in the kitchen!”

As well as adding flavour and heat to a dish, chillies are very high in powerful antioxidants, as well as vitamins and minerals to help with immune function and energy metabolism.

In some cultures, clusters of chilli peppers are hung in the kitchen to bring good luck and they symbolise warmth and friendship, something that Sashi values highly.

His favourite all-time spice is turmeric, and he also always has coriander on hand while in the kitchen.

As well as providing a spicy flavour and aroma, turmeric is also valued for its anti-inflammatory properties. In some cultures, it’s also linked to fertility, luck and the sun and is sometimes known as ‘Indian saffron’.

“In my new range of home chef kits, I make use of these ingredients,” says Sashi. “One of my cooking mottos is ‘flavour, flavour, flavour’ – come and cook with me at your home and you’ll learn to love these ingredients, too!”

3824ceff

HOW TO FINE DICE AN ONION

Sashi shares some of his secrets to preparing onion.

HOW TO KEEP LETTUCE FRESH

Sashi shares some of his secrets to preparing lettuce.

ALL THE DIFFERENT CUTS OF CHICKEN MEAT

Sashi shares some of his secrets to cooking chicken.

MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA 2018 RECIPES

HOW TO MAKE NAAN

Chef and Sashi’s Secret founder Sashi Cheliah understands the importance of family and sharing meals together, “Family meals provide an opportunity for everyone to come together. It strengthens the ties and build better relationship between parents and kids.”

HOW TO COOK RICE FOR FRIED RICE

Fried rice is a budget friendly family dinner staple, it is easy to make and full of delish ingredients. Fried rice goes really well as a side dish with Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Kit Recipes. We want to give you a few tips on how to cook rice for fried rice.

FAST AND EASY RECIPES WITH JUST A FEW INGREDIENTS

Why Choose Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Meal Kits?

Sashi's Secret Home Chef Kits are super easy to use, taking under 30 minutes to create, and are great for families with busy schedules.

Fast and Easy Recipes

Few ingredients are needed

Few ingredients are needed

The creator of Sashi's Secret

WARM UP WITH SASHI'S SECRET HOME CHEF KITS

Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Kits are not only warming soul food, the traditional recipes are packed with yummy ingredients including Garlic, Ginger and Chilli.

FAMILY DINNERS WITH SASHI'S SECRET

“Food is about sharing and spending time together,” says 2018 Masterchef winner and Sashi’s Secret creator, Sashi Cheliah. “You don’t have to spend a lot of money or time to enjoy delicious meals and bond at dinner time.”

BEEF RENDANG CURRY IN 4 SIMPLE STEPS

You can make the delicious Beef Rendang Curry at home in just 4 simple steps.

YOU CAN NOW COOK WITH MASTERCHEF WINNER SASHI CHELIAH

SASHI'S SECRET FOR VEGETARIAN & PLANT BASED DIETS

Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Kits mean that you can now cook at home with Masterchef 2018 winner Sashi Cheliah! “I want everyone to be able to taste my food,” says Sashi. “That’s why I created my Home Chef Kits – to share my secrets!”

TOO SPICY? HOW TO COUNTERACT CHILLI HEAT

“People naturally want to drink water when they eat something spicy, but that can make it worse...” Sashi Cheliah

NICE RICE: WAYS TO SPICE UP YOUR RICE

Easy ways to spice up your rice... Rice is a staple side dish for MasterChef winner Sashi Cheliah’s home chef meal kits, but did you know you can spice up your rice with a few simple ingredients?

SASHI’S GUIDE ON HOW TO CHOOSE FISH

2018 MasterChef winner Sashi has a special Curry Laksa as part of his new Sashi’s Secret product range, which is perfect for a fish curry dish. But, how do you choose the best fish to use?

SASHI’S TIPS ON COOKING WITH CHILLI

2018 MasterChef winner Sashi Cheliah loves cooking with chilli and now he shares his chilli cooking tips with you at home.

COOK WITH SASHI AT HOME

MasterChef 2018 winner Sashi Cheliah has launched a range of Home Chef Meal Kits called ‘Sashi’s Secret’, available from November through Woolworths stores across Australia.

SASHI’S FAVOURITE INGREDIENTS

Fried rice is a budget friendly family dinner staple, it is easy to make and full of delish ingredients. Fried rice goes really well as a side dish with Sashi’s Secret Home Chef Kit Recipes.

We want to give you a few tips on how to cook rice for fried rice.

“Food is about sharing and spending time together,” says 2018 Masterchef winner and Sashi’s Secret creator, Sashi Cheliah.

“You don’t have to spend a lot of money or time to enjoy delicious meals and bond at dinner time.”