Mastering Cooking Cream

Benefits of cooking cream:

1. Versatility Personified: One of the most remarkable attributes of cooking cream (see Tropolite's Flexi Gold, the most premium cooking cream in India) is its unparalleled versatility. It seamlessly integrates into both savoury and sweet dishes, offering endless possibilities for culinary creativity and can often be used in dessert applications like mousse or Indian sweets.
2. Creamy Indulgence: Cooking cream adds a luxurious creaminess to a wide array of dishes, elevating them from merely good to absolutely divine.
3. Thickening Wonder: Fresh cooking cream possesses exceptional thickening properties, allowing chefs to craft luscious and velvety sauces and soups that tantalize the taste buds.
4. Curdle Proof: Cooking creams are made to avoid curdling or splitting on high temperatur cooking or when mixed with tangy lemons or other acidic ingredients (so you can use it marination purpose too or creating citrus-infused dishes).

Deciphering the Difference: Cooking Cream vs. Heavy Cream

Heavy cream is often regarded as a luxurious and indulgent ingredient, favored for its rich and creamy texture. It is commonly used in decadent desserts and luxurious gravies and sauces due to its ability to enhance flavor profiles and create velvety-smooth textures.

But here's the twist: cooking cream are often UHT processed and won't curdle or split when cooking on high temperature or mixed with acidic tangy ingredients, making it a versatile companion for everyday cooking.

While heavy cream brings richness and depth to dishes, cooking cream adds a lighter touch without compromising on taste. Think of heavy cream as the prima donna of the culinary world and cooking cream as its understated counterpart, ready to shine in any recipe.

A number of times you will also hear heavy cream being referred to as whipping cream too but these heavy cream, as a standard, have at least 36% milk fat content. In India, we usually categorize cream with 35% fat as heavy cream. For example, check out Tropolite Cook N Whip which is a pure dairy whipping cream carrying rich 35% sumptuous fat content. Unlike other whipping creams, Cook N Whip can be used for both bakery dessert applications as well as in creating gravies, sauces, soups and other creamy dishes.

There's more to the world of creams. Here's a detailed walkthough on the different types of cream (like Fresh Cream, Clotted Cream, Double Cream, Half-and-Half) that every chef or bakers should know.

Exploring the Culinary Possibilities

Now that we've uncovered the magic of cooking cream, let's talk about its endless possibilities in the kitchen. From creamy pasta sauces to velvety soups, cooking cream is your ticket to culinary nirvana.

1. Savoury Sensations: With its higher fat content and heat stability, cooking cream is the perfect addition to savoury dishes like pasta sauces, soups, and curries. Say goodbye to curdled messes and hello to silky smooth textures.
2. Divine Desserts: Who can resist the allure of a creamy dessert? Add cooking cream to your favourite sweet treats for a luscious texture that will leave your guests begging for more. From cakes, mousse to puddings, the possibilities are endless.
3. Gravy Goodness: Elevate your gravies and curries to new heights with a splash of cooking cream. Its velvety smoothness adds a satisfying richness that will have you licking your plate clean.
4. Garnish Galore: Want to add a finishing touch to your dishes? Look no further than cooking cream. A drizzle here, a dollop there, and voila! You've transformed an ordinary meal into a culinary masterpiece.

Popular Indian Dishes You Can Elevate With Cooking Cream:

With Tropolite's range of rich cooking creams (among which Tropolite Flexi Regular and Tropolite Flexi Delight are chef's favourites), your restaurant or food outlet can elevate customer's culinary experience with these creamy and flavorful dishes:

• Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani): Tender chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, cooked in a creamy tomato gravy with butter and cooking cream.
• Shahi Paneer: Cubes of paneer simmered in a luxurious gravy of onions, tomatoes, cashews, and cooking cream.
• Paneer Makhani (or Paneer Butter Masala): Soft paneer cubes in a creamy tomato gravy with cooking cream, served with naan or rice.
• Malai Kofta: Deep-fried balls of paneer, potatoes, and vegetables in a creamy gravy with tomatoes, onions, cashews, and cooking cream.
• Kadai Paneer: Paneer and bell peppers cooked in a thick gravy of tomatoes, onions, spices, and cooking cream.
• Methi Malai Mutter: Fresh fenugreek leaves and green peas in a rich gravy with onions, tomatoes, cashews, and cooking cream.
• Vegetable Korma: Fragrant curry with mixed vegetables in a creamy gravy of onions, tomatoes, coconut milk, cashews, and cooking cream.
• Navratan Korma: Assorted vegetables, fruits, and nuts in a creamy Mughlai gravy with onions, tomatoes, yogurt, spices, and cooking cream.

• Palak Paneer: Paneer cubes in a vibrant spinach gravy with onions, tomatoes, spices, and cooking cream.
• Paneer Tikka Masala: Grilled paneer cubes in a tangy tomato gravy with cooking cream, a vegetarian twist on a classic dish.
• Dal Makhani: Slow-cooked blend of black lentils and kidney beans in a creamy tomato gravy with butter, onions, spices, and cooking cream, served with rice or naan.
• Tandoori Snacks like Chaap and Chicken Tikka: Marinated chaap or chicken tikkas grilled in a tandoor, enhanced with yogurt, spices, lemon juice and cooking cream for tender and flavorful results. 

Storage Secrets: Preserving the Perfection

Now that you're armed with the knowledge of cooking cream's culinary prowess, let's talk about storage. To keep your cooking cream fresh and delicious, follow these simple tips:

• Refrigeration Revelation: Store cooking cream in the refrigerator at all times to maintain its freshness. Make sure to seal the container tightly to prevent any odours from seeping in.
• Freezing Finesse: Can you freeze cooking cream? Absolutely! Pour leftover cream into ice cube trays and freeze for future use. Just pop out a cube whenever you need a creamy addition to your dish.

Creating Magical Moments

Cream is a culinary marvel that has the power to transform ordinary dishes into extraordinary culinary delights. Its creamy and indulgent touch elevates recipes to a whole new level of decadence. Whether you're crafting a silky pasta sauce, a comforting soup, or a sumptuous dessert, cooking cream introduces a richness and luxury that is unparalleled. With its velvety texture and seamless integration into recipes, cooking cream leaves a lingering, irresistible sensation on your palate. Don't hesitate to infuse your culinary creations with the magic of cooking cream, for an unforgettable dining experience awaits. So, the next time you step into the kitchen, don't forget to invite cooking cream along for the ride. With its smooth texture, rich flavour, and endless possibilities, it's sure to take your dishes from ordinary to extraordinary. Happy cooking!

Discover Tropolite's selection of rich cooking creams and find quality and convenience in every product. Visit us today to explore our cream collection and enhance your cooking experience!