Okay, I was totally on the hunt for some Cannoli for Christmas last year. I searched online, newspapers and even companies who would ship from the East Coast! I was sooooo frustrated, and about to give up on the idea when I found Tutto Latte in LA. It's some little tiny hole-in-the-wall Italian cheese import place on VIne Avenue. They say don't let looks fool you ... so I went in. OH MY GOSH! They had so much stuff from "The Old Country" it was like walking into my grandma's pantry!

So, I ask about the cannolis. The owner is a little hard of hearing, but he pointed me to a huge fridge. They don't sell cannolis, they sell the ingredients - EVEN BETTER!!! So I bought the bag of filling (about 10 bucks makes about 40) and 50 shells. He even had chocoloate coated shells! It was heaven. My whole sale cost about 25/30 bucks and we had cannoli for Christmas!!!

The address is 1233 Vine St in Los Angeles, CA 90038. Be careful, you will pass it right up if you aren't paying attention! The first time, we even lost it while using GPS! So keep your eyes peeled. It has a faded little round shade cover on the top of the door, and a little rusted sign on the wall. Call ahead for hours, I know they are closed on weekends though! (323) 463-5041

Sutlac

It is a good combination of rice and milk. It is a dessert enjoyed by many people from all over the world. However, it is mostly peculiar to Asian cuisine. The main ingredients of Sutlac are rice, milk or cream, spices (cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg), flavorings (pistachio, vanilla) and sweeteners like sugar, honey and fruits. It can be served either hot or cold. It was first prepared in Ottoman kitchen by the order of Ottoman Emperor.

Pismaniye

It was invented by Agop Efendi, who was an Armenian descent in 19th century. Therefore, it is peculiar to Ottoman Empire cuisine. It is known as “Turkish Cotton Candy”, which includes a combination of flour, sugar and pistachio. Pismaniye is a soft, light, and fluffy dessert. It is mostly served at festivals or after coming back from a long journey in Turkey.

Sekerpare

The main ingredients of Sekerpare are flour, eggs, butter, pistachio and sugar. Sekerpare is made as small pieces and the amount of sugar in Sekerpare is very high. So, when someone eats two or three pieces, it makes him feel full. It can be served either hot or cold. It reminds many people of Tulumba dessert.

Banana leaf is used for serving food. Banana tree has a pseudo stem and used as vegetable. The flowers of banana are also used in cooking.

Medicinal use:

1. The skin and pulp of raw banana fruit contains anti fungal substances. The well ripened fruit has both anti-fungal and anti bacterial properties.
2. The flowers of banana are cooked and consumed with curd to get relief from menstrual pain and excessive bleeding. The juice of banana flowers is effective in controlling dysentery.
3. The juice simply crushed out of core banana stem has got very good medicinal use. This is used in urinary disorders.
4. Consumption of raw juice alleviates the pain and discomfort in abdominal area. This acts on kidneys and liver to improve their functioning in excretion of more urinary substances. It removes toxins, crystals and stones in the kidneys, gall bladder and prostrate glands as well in the urinary passage.
5. Banana is a simple nutritive food that promotes digestion, maintains youthfulness. Generally, it is considered to be having natural anti-aging properties.

Enjoy a Surprising, Delicious Recipe!

Nendhran variety of banana is versatile in its use.

The Nendhran fruit as such is consumed or some semi ripe fruits after peeling are cut into thick pieces and mixed with jaggary or country sugar while shallow fried with coconut oil.

1. Banana Chips

   Just peel unripe Nendhran banana fruit and keep aside the peeled outer skin. The banana is sliced by a simple knife attached chipper. The thin banana slices are deep fried in coconut oil. These Nendhran chips are very famous and are flown to Arab countries almost daily. It is a good deep fried snack goes well for biting with evening tea.

2. Banana Candy

   The Nendhran banana chipped slightly thicker and divided into 4 bits of a slice and deep fired to have good biting sense while taking a tea.

3. Banana Vegetable Curry

   The skinned out banana peels are cut into small pieces and cooked; added with onion, chillies and salt and shallow fried to use as a side dish for the supper with rice.

4. Banana Sweet Porridge

   In temples, well ripened banana fruits are mashed and mixed with other fruits like dates, dried grapes and spices like cardamom to bring into a natural honey like soft and sweet dish offered to deities and later consumed by all devotees.

Banana is a natural body building nutrient rich fruit that is special in all special occasions.

Ethiopia

They call pancakes Injeera. Pancakes served with meat and vegetables! Wow!

India (Southern)

They call it dosai, thosai, or dhosa. It is a South Indian crepe. Many ingredients are added such as black gram, potatoes or even pickles!

China

They call this a Green Onion Pancake made with green onions and served with mooshu dishes

Thailand

They call it Roti Kaeng Karee. A crispy pancake Muslim style with coconut-milk based curry. Plus, spices!

Japan

They call it as Dorayaki. It is a sweet pancake filled with bean paste.

Vietnam

They call it Banh Xeo. Had enough lettuce, fishwort and coriander, yet?

Korea

They call this one Pajeon and Bindaetteok and it is made with seafood, chili paste, and lots of veggies.

Middle East

They call it Pita. The most common stuffing is fried chickpea balls (falafel), but it is also often filled with the meat of chicken or lamb called Shwarma.