Cohen Allowed Cooking Condiments

[divineparadise]

Hi there, I am based in Singapore and doing research on what cooking condiments such as oil, salt, herbs are allowed for the Cohen programme. I will only start the programme in 3 weeks but I want to start learning how to cook the Cohen-way. Some questions that I hope to have answers:

1) I searched the forum for oil and most members here seems to be using an oil/cooking spray. I don't have a cooking spray but if I use a tsp of olive oil and use a pastry brush to coat the frying pan, will it be OK?

2) I did see cooking sprays for sale but besides their exhorbitant prices, most are canola oil-based and contains soyabean lecithin. Is it more advisable to use this sort of spray or can I use the method described in Question 1?


3) Curry Powder - I have scoured markets and supermarkets for curry powders and unfortunately most contain either one of the following:

• Rice Powder
• Cornflour
• Sugar
• Tapioca Powder

I believe these are not allowed? For those using curry powder, what brand are you using that is Cohen-safe or is there a homemade recipe with the approved condiments? What I have bought for my pre-Cohen food program is the A1 brand which does not have the starch ingredients but do contain sugar.

Thanks for helping me on these questions.

[Future Yummy Mummy]

HI Divine Paradise

I can't claim to be an expert as I'm only on Day 4 but I'm sure someone will be along to correct me if I'm wrong.

I bought an oil spray from Marketplace at Tanglin Mall ($9.65ish). It does produce a very thin spray, far less than a tsp of oil I'd say. You could also buy a bottle to spray oil, but from what I remember on another board you have to buy a bottle designed for that purpose else it clogs up (and they're expensive). If you use a norml bottle a drop of vodka in it apparently unclogs it, but that's not allowed!

I made my own curry powder. I mixed equal amounts of chilli powder, cumin, coriander, garam masala, turmeric, and it tasted OK.

Good luck.

[hexi2]

The brand of curry powder allowed is Clive of India...as for olive oil sprays in Australia we pick them up cheap in the supermarket...

not sure what the situation is in singapore but they do last for ages...

[sundaymorningstaple]

I don't think you can find Clive of India here in Singapore as we have the real community here. But as curry powder is only 5 to 7 spices, it's easy to make your own or go down to little india and buy it there without anything but the spices innit!

I used the spray oil (olive oil) and it worked fine. Otherwise, a wipe with EVOO is good. I generally only used the spray oil with my omelet in the mornings, the rest was stirfried or using EVOO or more often a mixture of 50:50 balsamic vinegar & water. Worked a treat for me!

Still cook much the same today.

[divineparadise]

Ok i think what I will do is the wipe method with Extra Virgin Olive Oil cos I can't find any Olive Oil Spray here

[sundaymorningstaple]

Check "The Market Place" in the basement of Raffles City. That's were I usually found it (but not always). The safest way is EVOO wipe though.

[divineparadise]

Was there yesterday but really it isn't any spray with Olive Oil... I give up.

Btw is there a difference between EVOO and OO? I have both... OO doesn't oxidise so easily when heated, is it better?

[fornight]

I don't use oil spray. I just make sure I am using extra virgin olive oil (first cold-pressed) and limit as little as possible. I think it is also important to get a good non-stick pan.

Actually it is not advisable to cook with too-high-heat pan. It kills all the nutrients in the food you are cooking. If heat is too high, olive oil might turn toxic.

EVOO is good for health and its nutrients is better than normal olive oil. There is no need to get organic olive oil though. Organic olive oil's taste/smell is kind of too raw.

[Future Yummy Mummy]

I thought EVOO is carcinogenic when heated and should only be used for salad dressing?

DP: I got Olive Oil spray (no other ingredients except propellants) in Tanglin Marketplace yesterday.

[divineparadise]

wow sounds like I have to make a trip there. how much does it cost?

Yes EVOO "burns" easily so cooking has to be on low heat... i do have the regular olive oil as well but is it not that good? I am not sure...

[Future Yummy Mummy]

$9ish, but I imagine will last for ages.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I used only 2 can's of it during the 5.5 months I was on the programme, but I did use several bottles of good balsamic vinegar to cook with as well as regular EVOO but that bottle lasted for almost a year. I still only cook with spray oil or EVOO and occasionally balsamic/water mix. By using only a wipe or a spray of Oilive oil, I really don't think you need to worry about carcinogens all that much, if in fact that is really true.

[divineparadise]

I have balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar.... i'll try the wipe method until I officially get my program...

[sangi]

I bought two EVOO's from the cohen's clinic itself. they cost abt 12.50 each.

[divineparadise]

Hi, does anyone know how much balsamic vinegar is allowed for the program?

[jlou]

Balsamic is classed as "limit" so try to use sparingly.

And Clive of India curry powder is no longer allowed on the program - they have discovered it contains fenugreek which is not allowed so look out for that as well as sugar and the other items you mentioned

[divineparadise]

Singapore Cohenites, which brand of balsamic vinegar do you use? I checked the ingredients of mine (De Nigiris) and realised that there is Grape Must and Caramel E-something. I guess I need to look for another brand.

[shuki]

WHAT NO CLIVE OF INDIA - Are you sure Jlou because that is what my clinic told me to get 4 weeks ago and i have eaten it!!! EEEEEEEKKKKKKK run for the hills....well that is it - if in doubt i will not touch it again!

[shuki]

I consider limit to be one tablespooon which was in a recepie someone posted. If i have that in one meal then that is it for the day - hope it's not too much

[jlou]

Shuki it used to be recoended but is definitely off limits now as they realized about the fenugreek. I can't search properly from my phone but I reckon you would find a thread or post on here about curry (or just Clive) and look for a post by Asy. But I am 100% positive on this. It is the main reason I don't bother with curry as I don't like the one I made and can't buy one.

That's what is good about this forum...