Author Archives: Safia Hothi-Bellamy

What is Tamarind and how do you use it?

Tamarind Chicken recipe by Pure-Punjabi cookery school

What is Tamarind and how do you use it? Tamarind is a fruit that grows inside pods that have a hard, brittle shell. Once this outer shell is broken, the soft fruit can be found on the inside, along with a fibrous casing (which supports the shape of the soft fruit) along with the seeds. […]

How to cook rice

how to cook rice by Pure Punjabi

One of the ‘Top 10’  questions relating to food, is ‘how to cook rice’, and it is one of the culinary questions that I am regularly asked to explain. Although we explain how to cook rice on our cookery workshop, it is still a subject worthy of further clarification. As someone of North Indian heritage, […]

Indian cooking at home – Essential equipment

Pure Punjabi cookery school, learn to cook Indian food, learn to cook Punjabi food, real Indian food, real Punjai food, Punjabi cookery school, Indian cookery school, best Indian cookery courses

You don’t need a lot of equipment for indian cookery, but here are our top cooking utensils that are essential for cooking Indian food at home. A mincing plate – A mincing plate is a stainless steel plate that works like a grater, which allows ingredients to be completely minced down.  A mincing plate that […]

Our founder named one of 2022’s most inspiring and dynamic female entrepreneurs

Surinder Hothi-Bellamy - fEntrepreneur #ialso 2022

Our founder Surinder (who happens to be my business partner and my wonderful mother) has been recongised as “one of the U.K.’s most inspiring and dynamic female entrepreneurs” in the #ialso’ list for 2022. This year’s f:Entrepreneur campaign celebrates inspiring and resilient female entrepreneurs who have flourished despite the challenges of the past years, with […]

Unrefined sugars that are used in traditional Indian cookery

palm sugar, palmyra, Indian sugar, purpeunjabi.co.uk, unrefined sugar

Unrefined sugar has historically been the main source of sugar in our diet.  Nowdays, it is more often found as a smaller sub-section of sugar, rather than the primary food source that it has always been. Why should you switch to unrefined sugar? Are you unsure about it’s appearance, texture and taste? Here’s an overview […]

Chickpeas

Pure Punjabi plant based food -chickpeasmeal kits for vegans and vegetarians

Chickpeas… Part of the legume family, chickpeas are such a versatile source of plant-based protein. They are one of the world’s oldest cultivated crops and are used in so many ways in Punjabi (and Indian) cuisine. Here’s just a few ways that we consume these wonderful pulses. Meal kit products using pulses

What is ghee?

Ghee, what is ghee, purepunjabi.co.uk

What is Ghee? Ghee is the Punjabi and Hindi word for clarified butter. It is butter that has been gently brought up to a simmer.  This causes the butter to separate into different layers, allowing you to remove the impurities that will burn if butter is used in cooking. This means that ghee can be […]

Fenugreek: an introduction to this lesser known spice

Fenugreek, purepunjabi.co.uk

Fenugreek: an introduction to this lesser known spice There are many spices, such as cinnamon, cumin and coriander seeds. The ones I have just mentioned are familiar to most people, but there are other lesser know spices, such as fenugreek, which we seldom see in western cookery and would probably never be able to identify […]

Fight off winter bugs with Traditional Indian remedies

Herbs and spices not only provide great flavour to so many dishes, but also contain a powerhouse of natural ingredients that boost our immune systems and help us fight off those seasonal bugs. Here are my 3 favourite Indian remedies that I use year after year to fight off Winter nasties… Winter cough: Turmeric ‘tea’ […]

​5 must-know tips to stress free entertaining

Pure Punjabi Ltd wedding catering

Chicken burnt, still not dressed and you’re about to either scream or burst into tears? No more! Follow our 5 must know tips to becoming a stress free host. Have you ever invited friends or family over for a meal, and been so excited. It’s a chance to try that recipe that you’ve been meaning […]

5 Indian food myths busted!

Chilli paneer, paneer, Indian cheese, Indian food, roti, chapatti, achaar, pickle, chilli pickle

  There are so many misconceptions out there about Indian food. Many of these stem from the belief that “all Indian food is the same”. So, I’m here to set the record straight! Even if you consider yourself a ‘curry afficionado’, I bet you will have been tricked by at least one of these…   […]

What is Langar?

Pure Punjabi Learn Cook Eat Meal Box and Cookery School

This system (langar) was implemented in Sikh temples over 500 years ago. Through initiatives such as National Langar Week (which takes place in either October or November), as well as other projects, Sikhs are hoping to spread the spirit behind the system of langar into the national and international community, so that everyone can benefit […]

Pancake day recipe: Turmeric & vanilla pancakes with agave syrup & lemon juice

Pancake day recipes vegan vegetarian turmeric lemon juice Turmeric & vanilla pancakes with agave syrup and lemon juice

  Pancake day recipe: Turmeric & vanilla pancakes with agave syrup & lemon juice These pancakes are quick to make and really delicious. They are vegan and dairy-free (not that you’d know). Note: These pancakes must be served with their agave syrup & lemon juice topping, as they complete this golden stack perfectly. Make 9 […]

Cookery hack: How to flatten Makki di Roti using the traditional method

Pure Punjabi Corn chapatti Indian meal kit, gluten free, gluten free bread, makki di roti, Punjabi food, flatbread, Indian flatbread, purepunjabi.co.uk

Cookery hack: How to flatten Makki di Roti using the traditional method Makki di Roti are the lesser known, yet equally delicious chapatti. They are made from cornmeal and are traditionally served with Saag (spiced mustard leaves). Naturally gluten-free, they are a quintessential Punjabi dish – that is to say – hearty, plant-based farmers food. […]


Customer Reviews

Indian Meal kits, Dinner Kits & Gift Boxes

Customer Reviews

Karen Taylor October 2018

We are having such fun cooking from The Spice Pack Collection and all the dishes have come out brilliantly. The smell is divine and Rob, who is very fussy, is particularly impressed. All our visitors are wowed when they smell the box – we’ve been too possessive to share any with others, as yet!

As a natural therapist I particularly appreciate the healthy aspect of each dish, none of which compromise on taste. Good ingredients freshly cooked makes a big difference.

We’re going on holiday with three other couples in a couple of weeks and going to take the pack with us to cook some dishes together.

Maria M / BBQ Meal Kit Box customer

“We had a BBQ for family and friends few weeks ago and we made the Lamb Kebabs & Coconut & Sesame Chutney and Crushed Tikka New Potatoes & Mango Chicken… We received such rave reviews!! All so easy to make with the spices and sauces all provided for us…food was all delicious!”

Chris & Debs - dinner kit with cook-along customer

“That was so fun…

Thank you for the zoom meet up. That was so fun. We will definitely be up for another. Please send another suitable invite and kit. We are predominately veggies so used the butternut squash version. If this continue the local takeaway will suffer for sure. Again thanks”.

Carol R. dinner kit with cook-along customer

“What a wonderful cookalong…

…The Mango Chicken was delicious and my naan bread actually looked amazing – like the real thing. I feel so successful. Thank you. Looking forward to our next cookalong”.

Pam Brown – dinner kit with cook-along customer

“Thank you so much both…

– the class was amazing and we both really enjoyed the food. It makes so much difference knowing exactly how to do things and that we can make such tasty food which is gluten free. Jeera rice has always been my favourite but many restaurants don’t have it on the menu”.

Sylvia M – dinner kit with cook-along customer

“Thank you so much...
... for a great hour of cooking on Saturday evening. I enjoyed it very much as I have never done anything like it before. The Punjabi chicken was delicious and we had enough to freeze for another time”.

Sue W – dinner kit with cook-along customer

“Well that was amazing…
... the best curry I've ever had and Jxx said it was like being in India ( as he’s spent so much time there with work ) loved the class and so did Exxx looking forward to coming to your workshops…
…and will order some more kits from your website”

Roy P…dinner kit with cook-along customer

“Many thanks…
...for the cook–along workshop yesterday. It was very enjoyable and the meal tasted lovely. As someone who is not a confident cook it was ideal to follow your teaching. I have recommended this to a friend of mine who is very interested in joining the next cook–along. I will definitely be doing it again”.

Ellie Pipe

I highly recommend this lovely family run local company…

... We’ve enjoyed 2 of their meal kits now along with an online cook along to show us what to do. Thank you.

Diane McGillivray

I love them all and would highly recommend…

...If I had to choose one it would be the Mango chicken.
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