Instructions: Gram flour is made from chickpeas and is used in a variety of ways in the kitchen quite often being used to enhance curries. The word curry comes from kari which in south India means a blend of vegetables and spices. Apparently the 18th century British viceroy General Clive added water and meat to the kari to make what is now called Madras curry. However not all curries are fiery. The Sindhi curry typical of the immigrant Sindhi community from the province of Sind in pre partition India is a delicate medley of vegetables and spices held together by a gram flour sauce.

manufacture
Many people in India buy split chickpeas or Bengal gram clean them and take them to the nearest miller to have them ground. This flour is called besan. Big commercial mills in India also grind the dried chickpeas between huge rollers producing quantities of flour for home use and export.

appearance and taste
Gram flour has an unmistakable dull yellow colour and matte texture. Its aroma is earthy and dry. The taste is pleasant rather nutty and heavy.

buying and storing
Gram flour can be used in various ways so it is a good idea to buy a 450g bag. Remove to an airtight container and it will keep for about 6 months. In hot climates like India it is slightly roasted and stored in the refrigerator

other uses
Baby care in India relies on many natural products and homemade remedies. One of the gentlest skin cleansers used for babies baths as well as for face masks is a paste made of gram flour and milk.

culinary uses
Curries fritters and sweets can all be made from gram flour. Blended with yoghurt curry leaves and spices it becomes the delicate Gujarati kadhi. If mixed with sliced onions or vegetables flavoured with cumin and ajowan and deep fried it is seen all over the world as onion or vegetable bhajis. Cooked gently with jaggery and cardamom it features in many mouthwatering sweets.

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