Homemade Washing Powder
Sunday, March 20, 2011

On a recent trip to Kalustyan’s, I was pleased to find orange rind powder, which I purchased to mix into my homemade face washing mix.

The recipe that I use for homemade face washing mix is from Pratima Raichar’s book Absolute Beauty. The approach to skin care in this book is Ayurvedic, the ancient Indian science of life. I recommend the book if you have an interest in Ayurveda and/or concocting you own natural skin-care  products.

Absolute Beauty by Pratima Raichur

Among other things, the book has wonderful recipes for creams, moisturizers, lip balms, and cleansing powders. You first have to determine your skin type, which is easily done after taking an extensive questionnaire.

The Ingredients

For my skin type ­– which is sensitive – a good cleansing powder mix is a combination of orange rind powder, almond meal, and dry milk powder. I make up a couple of cups at a time, a big enough batch to last for months. The combination smells pleasantly orangey, and leaves my skin clean and soft.

I purchased the milk powder at Little India, around the corner from Kalustyan’s on 28^th street between Park and Lexington. As the name implies, this little gem of a store specializes in Indian groceries. You can purchase unusual produce such as methi (fenugreek) leaves, dudhi (zucchini-like squash) and kerala (knobbly bitter melon) here, as well as a wide variety of Indian legumes, flours, and dry goods.

dudhi and kerala

Amusing Trivia about the History of Kalustyan’s
Friday, March 11, 2011

Kalustyan’s  second floor, in addition to an extensive tea selection, has a delightful little deli. While enjoying a mujaddarsh sandwich or other Middle Eastern delicacy at one of the handful of tables, you can read an interesting article posted on the wall about the history of the building.  I’ve shared this story in numerous classes that I’ve taught, and it has never failed to amuse the class.

Kalustyan's was home to one of our presidents

Here is the story in its entirety:

What was in store for forgotten prez

by Gersh Kuntzman

Sayedul Alam says he’s no history buff, which is surprising, considering that his Middle Eastern grocery store, Kalustyan’s, is located at 123 Lexington Ave., one of the city’s most historic buildings.

Blame the new glass-and-steel façade, but it’s easy to forget that Chester Arthur was sworn in here as the 21^st president – the only president besides Washington to take the oath in New York City.

Where else but New York could a building be a former presidential home and home of an outstanding  mujadarra sandwich?

On Sept. 20, 1881, 123 Lex  was surrounded by reporters after the news spread that President James Garfield had finally died three months after being shot by a disgruntled office seeker.

Arthur had been hiding in his New York pad, lest he appear to be just waiting in D.C. for Garfield to die.

But die he did – and Arthur was anything but pleased. The Tines reported that he was “sobbing like a child” in his room – exactly where the mujadarra is prepared today.

He later took the oath of office in the ground floor parlor – where you can get great deals on bulk nuts and spices.

Sure, Chet Arthur was a political hack – but he was our hack, a great New Yorker who has been unfairly forgotten.

“There should be a museum at 123 Lexington,” said historian James Bradley. “(Arthur) fought to integrate city streetcars, equipped Union soldiers in the Civil war and ran the Port of New York. He deserves his due.”

Until there’s a museum, the best we can do is head to 123 Lexington, grab a mujadarra sandwich and eat a toast to Chet Arthur, New Yorker.

Kalustyan’s
Friday, March 4, 2011

Anyone who is taken an ethnic cooking class with me in New York knows that I wax enthusiastically about Kalustyan’s, one of my favorite markets in New York. It is located on 123 Lexington, between 28^th and 29^th, in the “curry hill” section of Manhattan.   A trip through Kalustyan’s is like a culinary education around the world.

Kalustyans has an extensive selection of spices, condiments, and specialty imports. Their focus is on South Asian and Middle Eastern goods, but you will find a wide variety of other products from all over the world as well. For example, should you want to purchase pomegranate molasses or tamarind paste, you will find virtually all the varieties currently imported. You will most like be amazed at the enormous selection of dried legumes, which includes selections ranging from the large Christmas Lima beans to tiny rice beans. You can find galangal and kaffir lime leaves in the freezer, curry leaves and fresh tumeric root in the refrigerator.

Look at all the mustards!

My favorite section of Kalustyan’s is their newly renovated spice room. They have the best selection of spices in town. Since they took over the storefront next door, however, they now are able to display their spices in an easy-to-navigate orderly fashion. Should you wish to purchase paprika, you will be be confronted with a  choice of mild, hot, sweet smoked, hot smoked, as well as various other varieties. If it’s black pepper you want, you will have to decide whether to try the peppercorns from India, Turkey, Ecuador or Iran. All the spices are neatly packaged in a variety of sizes, so you can purchase a small amount if you just want to experiment.  On a recent trip, I was pleased to find orange rind powder, which I purchased to mix into my homemade face washing mix.

A Sample from the Spice Room

If you’re unable to visit the store, you can visit their website www.Kalustyans.com. to purchase their products on line.

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