Spicy Mango-Cucumber Salad W/Lime Dressing

Spicy Mango-Cucumber Salad W/Lime Dressing is a refreshing side salad or can be paired with your favorite chips or tortillas instead of or in addition to the regular tomato salsa for a lovely starter.  Serve this delicious salad any way you like with any meal. Simple and simply delicious!

Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS:

1 large ripe but firm Mango, peeled and diced

1-2 green Onions, thinly sliced 

1 English Cucumber or about 3 small Persian type, diced

A little Salt

1 Shallot OR 1/2 small Red Onion, thinly sliced

4-5 Tbsp Cilantro leaves

Dressing:

1-2 cloves Garlic

1 fresh red Thai Chile OR 1/2-1 Serrano/Jalapeño Chile, minced

a generous pinch of Salt

1 Tbsp Jaggery (Indian brown sugar)

1 large fresh Lime,  juiced - divided

METHOD:

Make the dressing: 

Carefully mash garlic and chiles with the salt into a coarse paste using the mortar and pestle. Avoid getting splattered with the juices. Add jaggery and mash until it is incorporated and dissolves. Add  about 3-4 Tablespoons of the lime juice and mix well. 

Make the Salad:

Combine the mango, cucumber, green onions and cilantro in a bowl. Add dressing and mix well. Taste and add more salt, lime, jaggery, etc to taste.

Serve immediately or reserve for up to 30 minutes in the fridge. 

Enjoy!

Qinoa Bowl With Marinated Tofu & Spicy Chickpeas

This protein-packed Quinoa Bowl is so full of tasty ingredients that each bite is a treat! Marinated Tofu and the Seasoned Chickpeas could stand alone as starters, snacks or side dishes; so I often double the quantities so there is plenty for extras and for another recipe.

This recipe is great for batch cooking; make the components in double or triple quantities as desired so you can mix and match for a few meals. The tofu, chickpeas, and roasted veggies maybe added to pasta or salads to change them up.

NOTES:

Instead of the quinoa, other favorite grains like farro, brown and wild rice, millet, or a combination of grains maybe used.

Marinate Tofu and Chickpeas at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours ahead. If marinating more than 30 minutes to 1 hour, reserve them in the fridge until needed.

4 Servings

INGREDIENTS:

Marinated Tofu:

½ teaspoon Chinese type sesame oil

1 tsp Sriracha type hot sauce

2  tsp thyme

1  tsp paprika

½ tsp salt

½ tsp Garlic, minced (optional)

8 oz tofu

Seasoned Chickpeas:

1 1/2 cups cooked Chickpeas (1 standard can)

1 Tsp Oil

½ tsp Salt

½ tsp Pepper, freshly ground

½ -1 tsp Red Chile powder

½ tsp Garlic minced (optional)

Roasted Vegetables:

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized cubes

2 Carrots, cut into bite-size cubes

1 Large Onion, diced

1-2 cloves Garlic, minced (optional)

1 Tsp oil (optional)

Salt & Pepper, to taste
Fresh or dried herbs

For the Bowl:

1 cup dry quinoa or other grains

2 cups Spinach, Arugula, or other favorite greens

1 Small Avocado, peeled and diced

1 Lemon, juiced

Garnishes:

4 Green Onions, thinly sliced including green part

1 Handful Fresh Coriander/Cilantro, coarsely chopped

1 Lemon cut in wedges

METHOD:

TOFU: Drain tofu well and wrap in paper towels and place a heavy weight on top for about 30 minutes. Combine the marinade ingredients for tofu in a small bowl and whisk to mix well. Cut the tofu into cubes, batons, or slabs, mix well with the marinade to coat. Place tofu a resealable plastic bag or other container along with all the marinade; let marinate.

When ready to bake, place on one side of the prepared baking sheet. 

CHICKPEAS: Combine all the ingredients under "Seasoned Chickpeas" and mix gently but well; let marinate. Transfer the chickpeas to another rimmed baking sheet; spread into an even single layer.

Preheat oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy clean-up  or with a little oil.

ROASTED VEGETABLES: 

Combine sweet potato, carrots, onion, and garlic if using with oil, salt, and pepper; place on half of a baking sheet with the tofu. Sprinkle the herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage, etc) on top.

Bake the sweet potatoes, tofu and chickpeas for 20-25 minutes shaking and turning the veggies and tofu once half way through baking using a thin metal spatula. Keep the veggies and tofu separate; do not mix while turning. By keeping them separate, you can decide on their usage and arrangement for serving later.

Alternately, tofu, sweet potatoes and chickpeas may be cooked in a skillet; cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until done.

QUINOA OR GRAINS: Cook the quinoa or the grains of your choice according to package directions and keep warm.

ASSEMBLY: When ready to serve, Divide the greens, quinoa, carrots, chickpeas, and tofu among four large bowls. Add avocado on top and drizzle with lemon juice. 

Sprinkle each bowl with sliced green onions and coriander/cilantro; pass the lemon wedges. Serve immediately.

Alternately, set out all the components for a buffet style meal.

Enjoy!!

Stuffed Karela (Bittermelon With Onion-Tomato Filling)

My friend EJ loves Indian food including karela or bittermelon! She asked for a good recipe for stuffed karela. Since we enjoyed the Karela Atho so much, I thought it might be fun to make it into Stuffed Karela for EJ with a few minor changes!

NOTES: I find that leaving the stem ends of the veggies intact keeps them from falling apart while cooking. Trim off only any excess or discolored stems leaving about 1/2 to 1 inch of the stem intact. Indian or Asian karela may be used to make this dish.

Zucchinis may be used instead of karela. Prepare the zucchini by trimming the blossom ends, and make a slit along the length without cutting through. Remove some of the center carefully with a little spoon or a melon baller; just enough to hold the stuffing. Save the the removed portion, chop and add to the onion mixture.

4 Servings

Ingredients

4 medium Karela
1/2 tsp Salt + 1/2 tsp Sambar/Rasam powder
1 Tbsp oil for cooking the stuffed veggies
2-3 Green Onions, with long leaves for tying the karela

Filling:

1/4 cup White/Tan Sesame seeds

1/3 cup Peanuts

1 pinch Cumin Seeds
1 large Onion

1-2 tsp grated Ginger

2 large Tomatoes

1/2 tsp Turmeric

1 Tbsp ground Coriander seeds

1-2 tsp Sambar or Rasam Powder

Salt to taste

1 tbsp Coconut Sugar, jaggery, or Brown sugar

1/4 cup fresh Coriander/Cilantro, chopped 

2 Tbsp fresh Coriander/Cilantro, chopped for Garnish

METHOD:

Prepare Karela and green onions:

Karela: Prepare the karela by trimming blossom ends and making a slit along the length, taking care not to cut through. With your fingers or a spoon, remove the seeds and the soft innards; discard the seeds and innards. Rub the 1/2 teaspoon salt and sambar/rasam powder mixture inside each of the veggies; I find that this step seasons the veggies nicely. Steam or microwave the karela or just until softened; about  5-7 minutes for steaming or about one to two minutes for the microwave. Set aside to cool until ready to stuff.

Green Onions: Start a small pot of water to boil; turn off when boiled. Have an ice bath ready: a small bowl filled with water and some ice cubes. Separate the leaves from the green onions and dunk them in boiling water for just a minute. Remove and plunge into iced water. Take them out and keep on a paper/kitchen towel. 

Filling:
Dry roast the peanuts if raw and the sesame seeds separately; set aside to cool. Pound the sesame seeds first using a mortar and pestle; when the sesame is coarsely ground, add the peanuts and pound a bit more to crush them well. If made ahead, keep in an airtight jar or container until needed.

Heat a skillet. Add the onions with a pinch of salt and cook until soft and beginning to brown a little. Add the tomatoes, turmeric, coriander, and Sambar or Rasam powders. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the tomatoes begin to soften. Stir in the jaggery and cook for a minute to combine well. Add salt to taste,  peanuts, sesame, and coriander leaves, then turn off the heat and set aside until cool.

Assembly and finishing:
Stuff the prepared karela with the onion-tomato mixture; use one of the green onion leaves to wrap and tie them to keep the stuffing in while cooking. I seldom do the tying as I do not mind some of the stuffing escaping into the pan.

Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a cast-iron or non-stick skillet. Place the stuffed veggies in the skillet in a single layer and cook over low to medium heat, turning to cook all sides until lightly browned and veggies are tender, about 10 - 15 minutes. Adjust heat as necessary to avoid burning the veggies.

Let rest for 5 minutes, and sprinkle the rest of the coriander/cilantro.

Serve hot with some plain dal and rice, grains, or roti.

Enjoy!

Coleslaw 2 Ways - Cabbage Salad With Creamy OR Lemony Dressing

Coleslaw With Creamy OR Lemony Dressing is a delicious way to include nutritious cabbage in your diet. I love anti-oxidant and anthocyanin rich red cabbage for this recipe; green cabbage or a combination of red and green cabbages would be fine too. Both the lemony and creamy dressings to choose from - are utterly delicious.

NOTES:

6 cups of cabbage might seem like a lot; when salt is added it wilts and reduces to a much smaller amount!

Salting the cabbage is an important step as it removes excess moisture from the cabbage and eliminates a soggy and watery slaw.

The optional nuts/seeds boost nutrition and add a nice crunch. You may use one kind only or a combination.

4-6 Servings

INGREDIENTS:

6 cups Red Cabbage, thinly sliced

1 small Red Onion, thinly sliced

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Sugar

2 cups Carrots, shredded

3-4 Tbsp Parsley, finely chopped

2 Green Onions, finely chopped

Creamy Mayo Dressing:

1 clove Garlic, mashed

1/2- 3/4 cup Vegan Mayo

1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

1-2 Tbsp fresh Lemon Juice
1 Tbsp Maple Syrup/Sugar

Salt & Freshly ground Pepper to taste

Lemon dressing

1 clove garlic, mashed
1 Tbsp  olive oil

1 Tbsp prepared Mustard

2 -3 Tbsp fresh Lemon juice

½ teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon salt

Optional Topping:

Assorted Seeds: Pumpkin, Sunflower, Sesame, etc

Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, or pecans, chopped

METHOD:

Optional Nuts and Seeds:

Measure out your seeds and/or nuts into a small skillet. Toast over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they are fragrant and lightly toasted. Pour the toasted seeds/nuts into a bowl/plate and let cool.

Slaw:
In a medium serving bowl, combine the prepared cabbage and onion with the salt and sugar and allow to rest for 15-20 minutes. Gently squeeze out the accumulated juices and save to add to vegetable broth or in another recipe. It is not necessary to squeeze the cabbage dry though. This step removes excess moisture from the cabbage and eliminates a soggy and watery slaw. Add carrots, green onions, and parsley. Set aside.

Dressing: Choose Mayo or Lemon dressing:

In a small bowl, combine the  ingredients for the dressing you are using and whisk until thoroughly blended.Taste and adjust lemon, salt and pepper, etc.

Assembly:

Add enough of the dressing to the slaw and toss until all of the ingredients are coated in dressing. Taste and add an additional dressing or seasonings. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate to marinate for several hours or overnight.

Stir well before serving. Taste the salad for seasonings. Serve cold with the nuts/seeds sprinkled on top.

Enjoy!!

Fresh & Tangy Cucumber Salad With Chili-Lime Dressing

Fresh and Tangy Cucumber Salad With Chili-Lime Dressing is so delicious that even those who are not salad afficionados will enjoy it. The dressing adds sweetness, tartness, and heat; combined with crunchy fresh cucumbers, it is a match made in foodie heaven!

Cucumber Salad With Chili-Lime Dressing

Fresh and Tangy Cucumber Salad maybe served with any meal or enjoyed as a refreshing starter or snack. I love to offer it especially with Asian/Indian themed meals.

NOTES:

Use the greenhouse grown English type, Japanese , Armenian or the smaller Persian cucumbers. Regular cucumbers release a lot of moisture; but if only the regular types are available, remove the core and seeds and use. 

Fresh red chilies add a lovely flavor to the salad; if not available, soften dried chiles in warm water or use a little ground cayenne.

The salad maybe served with or without the nut/seeds.

2-4 Servings

INGREDIENTS:

Dressing:

1 clove fresh Garlic

1-2 pinches Salt

1 Tbsp Jaggery or Brown Sugar

3-4 ripe fresh Red Chilies

2-3 Tbsp fresh Coriander/Cilantro

1 Lime or Lemon, juiced

Salad:

1 Large or 4-5 small Cucumbers, thinly sliced

1 Shallot, thinly sliced

Toppings:

1 Tbsp toasted Sesame Seeds, crushed

1/4 cup roasted Peanuts, crushed

2 Green Onions, finely sliced

METHOD:

Pound and mash the garlic with the salt using a mortar and pestle; add jaggery and mash together. Stir in chilies  and Cilantro, mash a little. Add lime or lemon juice to taste.  

Combine cucumbers and shallots in a large bowl and slightly crush with the pestle with a couple smashes. Pour the dressing over the veggies. Taste and adjust salt, jaggery and lime/lemon.

Sprinkle the toppings over the salad and serve immediately.

Enjoy!!

Cucumber Salad With Chili-Lime Dressing

Pumpkins (Winter Squash) 2 ways: Thoran (Stir-Fry) & Kootu (Stew)

Pumpkins and winter squashes are versatile veggies-in-waiting which bide their time patiently to sit in the veggie basket, pantry, or cellar until needed. They last well for weeks which makes them a great veggie to keep for emergencies. Although I love them all, and give an equal opportunity to all types of winter squashes, my all-time favorites are full and sweet flavored kabocha and butternut; banana squash comes in a close second.... or is it third?!

Pumpkin or winter squash with coconut may be prepared in many ways. Here I have given two recipes: stir fry with coconut or a thick stew. Two very different tasting dishes with practically the same ingredients!

Kabocha does not need peeling as the skin is thin and cooks well. Some winter squashes need peeling as they have tough skins.

Thoran/Poriyal

1 tsp Oil

1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds

1 Tbsp Urad Dal

1-2 dried Red Chiles
1 Onion, finely chopped (optional)
1 Stem fresh Curry Leaves

1/2 Medium Kabocha, Winter Squash or Pumpkin, cut into small dice

1 tsp Sea Salt

1/2 tsp Turmeric

1/2 cup fresh or frozen grated Coconut

1 hot dry red Chile (optional)

1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds

Wash and cut into small dice the Kabocha,  peel the Winter Squash or Pumpkin before dicing.

Heat the oil in a kadai/wok or skillet and add the mustard seeds, dal and chiles. 

When the mustard pops and the dal turns pinkish, add the onion if using and curry leaves.

Stir in the kabocha or squash. Sprinkle the turmeric and salt, stir well, cover and cook until tender.

While the veggies are cooking, pound together the cumin (and the optional hot red chile if you wish), and combine with coconut.

When the pumpkin is tender, stir in the coconut mixture and cook until heated through.

Serve hot with rice/roti, Sambar, any Kuzhambu and a salad or raita.

Enjoy!!

Pumpkin Kootu - Thick Stew  - Kootu maybe prepared with or without tamarind. 

Masala:
1/2 - 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
1-2 dried Red Chiles
1/2 cup fresh or frozen grated Coconut

Kootu:

1 Winter Squash or Pumpkin, cut into small dice or thin slices

1 tsp Sea Salt

1/2 tsp Turmeric
1-2 Tbsp of Indian Jaggery or brown sugar (optional)
1 tsp Tamarind Concentrate (optional)
1/2 cup Toor/Mung Dal or Red Chori beans, Cooked (optional)

Thalippu/Tadka:

1 tsp Oil

1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds

1 Tbsp Urad Dal
1 stem fresh Curry Leaves

Masala: Coarsely grind the coconut with the cumin with a small amount of water - about 1/2 cup (and the optional hot red chile if you wish). Set aside.

Wash and cut into small dice the Kabocha; Winter Squash or Pumpkin will need to be peeled first.

Combine the vegetables in a medium sized saucepan with half a cup of water. Sprinkle the turmeric and salt, stir well, cover and cook until tender. Add the Indian Jaggery or brown sugar and tamarind if you like the kootu sweet and tangy.

When the pumpkin is tender, stir in the ground coconut mixture along with one of the beans/dal if using and bring to a good boil; remove from heat, add the crushed curry leaves on top and cover.

Heat the oil in a small pan and add the mustard seeds, dal and chiles. 

Thalippu/Tadka: When the mustard pops and the dal turns pinkish, add the curry leaves and cook for a few seconds.

Add the mustard mixture to the pumpkin; allow the kootu to rest covered for a few minutes for the flavors to meld. 

Serve hot with rice/roti, any beans/dal, and a salad or raita.

Enjoy!!

Traditional Mor Kali (Coconut-Scented Savory Rice Cake)

Mor Kali is an old-fashioned, home-style South Indian snack. Although called mor kali, this recipe has no mor (buttermilk) in it and is a naturally vegan recipe; not does it need any since the batter is fermented and is naturally a little tart. It is another instance of our foremothers being thrifty as well as innovative with leftovers. Mor Kali was often made with leftover batter from making Verum Arisi Dosai or Adai, a rice and coconut pancake; but since most everyone loves it, it was made at other times too without waiting for leftover batter. 

When batter becomes fermented, it devolps a lovely tart taste which is highly prized in Idli/Dosa/Aappam batters.

NOTES: Although Indian Sesame oil is the best for preparing Mor Kali, any vegetable oil may be used. If Indian sesame oil is not available, a couple of drops of Chinese sesame oil may be added at the end of cooking to add aroma.

I have used green chiles instead of the dried yogurt chillies (thair or mor milagai) typically used. Leave the cores in if you like the kali to be spicy.

I love the chewy dals in the kali. Others may prefer a more homogenous kali that glides effortlessly through the throat into the stomach; so if a smoother kali is prefered, the dals may be omitted without unduly diminishing the taste.

4 Servings

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup Parboiled Rice

¼ cup Coconut fresh/frozen OR 2 Tbsp dessicated

1 tsp Salt

2 tablespoon Sesame/vegetable oil

½ teaspoon Mustard seeds

1 teaspoon split white Urad dal

1 teaspoon split yellow Chana dal

2-3 hot Green Chiles, cored and minced

2 sprigs Curry leaves, chopped

1-2 pinches Asafoetida

METHOD:

Grind the dry rice into a coarse powder first; this helps to ease the grinding process after soaking.

Soak the rice in water for 24 hours; grind the rice along with coconut with a little extra water if needed. Mix in the salt and set aside to ferment in a draft free place for 24 hours.

The batter will smell sour and maybe a little foamy. Add water to dilute; it should be a thin batter, total amount should be approximately 1 liter or a little more than a quart after mixing.

Lightly oil a thali or a cake pan and keep it ready.

Heat oil in a pan and add in the mustard seeds and let it pop. Add in the urad and chana dals. Let the dals turn pinkish gold. 

Carefully add the curry leaves (they tend to spatter, so cover quickly), chiles and asafoetida. Cook briefly for a few seconds. 

Tip in the batter, cook stirring on medium heat. The batter will keep thickening. Keep stirring until it has thickened and does not stick to the pan anymore. Cover and let it steam on low heat for about 5 minutes.

Turn off the heat and spread on an oiled plate. Let it cool. Cut into squares and serve at room temperature.

Okra Curry With Roasted Coconut & Tamarind (Vendakkai Thenga Kuzhambu)

Okra Curry With Roasted Coconut & Tamarind (Vendakkai Thenga Kuzhambu) is a delicious stew typically served with rice for lunch or dinner.  Delicious over plain rice, roti or yogurt rice.

Frozen okra work very well in this recipe if fresh ones are not available. Dried unsweetened coconut maybe used instead of the fresh or frozen.

Sometimes I like to add cooked toor dal to make it hearty; half a cup of dal should work very well. When adding the dal, increase the amount of spices, salt, and tamarind.

4 Servings

INGREDIENTS: 

Masala

½ tsp whole Black pepper

2-3 Dried Red Chiles

2 tsp Chana Dal

2 tsp Coriander seeds

¼ tsp Fenugreek seeds

⅓ cup shredded Coconut, fresh/frozen

Curry:
1 lb Okra

1 Onion, slivered thickly or diced large (optional)

1 Ripe Tomato, chopped (optional)

1 tsp Oil (preferably Indian Sesame oil)

½ tsp Mustard seeds

1-2 dried Red Chiles

1 pinch Asafetida

2 stems Curry leaves, finely sliced

½ tsp Turmeric 

1 tsp Salt or to taste

1-2 tsp Tamarind concentrate

METHOD:

Dry roast all the spices and dal listed under "masala" together except coconut on low heat until fragrant. Add the fresh shredded coconut, fry for a couple of minutes until slightly golden. Let cool and grind the roasted masala with ½ a cup of water to a smooth paste. Set aside.

Wash, dry and remove excess stems; it is not necessary to discard the caps. Cut okra into two if they are long; short ones may be left whole. Prepare onion and tomato if using.

Heat oil in a saucepan. When the oil is hot, add the mustard seeds, and the dried red chillies. When the mustard seeds pop, carefully add curry leaves and cook until they change color. Stir in the asafetida.

Tip in the onion, cook for a couple of minutes or until they are slightly softened; add the okra, tomatoes if using, turmeric, and salt. 

Add the tamarind paste, one cup of hot water, and simmer for 5-7 minutes.

Pour in the ground masala and sluice the blender with a half cup of water to gather all spice mixture and add to the stew/kuzhambu. Bring to a boil again and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and serve hot with rice.

Enjoy!!

Lentil Burgers

Lentil Burgers

Lentil Burgers are easy, delicious, economical. When you make it yourself, you know exactly what's in the food - no preservatives, conditioners, or other strange stuff! The basic mixture can be prepared in many versatile ways: as burger patties, muffins, or a loaf - take your pick. I prefer making burger patties or muffins as they are perfect for individual servings and freezing - and the bonus is that they cook faster too!

Lentil burgers maybe served with buns and the usual accompaniments or by themselves with or without a Green Chutney, Tomato Chutney or  sauce, or Homemade Gravy.

Since the burgers freeze and reheat well, it is great to make a big batch of these; freeze for upto 3 months or so.

Notes: 

Do use the old fashioned rolled oats and not the steel-cut oats.

If you like the Lentil burgers well spiced, add more of the spices to the lentil mixture.

Ingredients: About 15 Burgers

1 cup dry Lentils cooked

1 1/2 cups dry Rolled Oats (old fashioned)
1/2 cup Finely Chopped Walnuts/Pecans/Almonds (Optional)

1 Carrot, coarsely grated

1 Zucchini, coarsely  grated

1 small bunch Green Onion, finely chopped

2 ribs Celery, finely chopped

1-2 cloves Garlic, minced

1/2 tsp Turmeric
2 tsp Cumin, ground

1 small bunch Parsley, chopped

2 Tbsp fresh Thyme leaves

1 sprig Sage, minced
3 Tbsp ground Flax Seeds
3 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast

1/2 tsp Each: Black and Red Pepper
1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
2 tsp Sea Salt

about 1/2 cup Cornmeal for coating

To Serve:
Burger Buns or Pita Bread
Lettuce
Sliced Tomatoes, Onions, Avocadoes
Dill Pickles
Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo

Method:

Cook the lentils with about 2 cups of water until soft; let cool. Instant Pot is great for cooking the lentils.

Prepare the veggies and herbs. The celery, garlic, and herbs maybe processed in a food processor to mince finely with a few pulses.

Combine lentils, oats, nuts, veggies and herbs in a large bowl.

Add the rest of the ingredients to the lentils and mix well. Let rest for about 30 minutes in the fridge. This mixture can be prepared up to this point a day ahead of time and chilled until ready to bake.

When ready to bake:
Begin heating the oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Form the mixture (about 1/2 cup) into burgers, coat with the cornmeal, and place on the parchment lined baking sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes or until the mixture is set and lightly browned on the bottom; flip the burgers and bake for 20 more minutes.

Instead of baking, the burgers maybe cooked in a lightly oiled skillet also; cook slowly over low-medium heat until both sides are browned, about 7-8 minutes total time.

Cool slightly before serving.

Serve hot with  toasted buns or pita bread.

Enjoy!!

Maple Roasted Carrots With Citrusy Carrot-Tops Chimichurri

Maple Roasted Carrots With Citrusy Carrot Top Chimichurri uses the carrots as well as their tops, a delicious, no waste, naturally gluten-free and vegan recipe. Multicolor carrots work really beautifully in this recipe. Maple Roasted Carrots are a perfect side for any holiday meal.

Chimichurri is a wonderful condiment for adding to anything you like, pasta, soups, stews, sandwiches, or salads. The chimichurri may be frozen; an ice cube tray is handy for this. When frozen, store the frozen cubes in a resealable freezer plastic bag or container. To thaw, remove the required amount from freezer and allow to come to room temperature. You can also use it to flavor soups and stews by dropping a cube or two in them.

Chimichurri may also be prepared using equal parts parlsley and cilantro. Also check out this recipe for carrot tops Chimichurri.

2-4 Servings

Ingredients:

Carrot-Tops Chimichurri

3 cups Carrot-tops, washed, drained and finely chopped 

2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive oil

1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes

1/3 cup Red onions, finely chopped

1-3 cloves Garlic, minced

Sea Salt to taste

Freshly ground Black Pepper to taste

2 tablespoon White Wine Vinegar

Key Limes - 1-2 Tbsp freshly squeezed juice

1 tsp Key Lime zest

Maple Roasted Carrots

2 lbs Carrots, washed, dried and cut in half lengthwise if very thick

1-2 clove Garlic, minced

2-3 Tbsp Maple Syrup

7-9 sprigs fresh Thyme

Sea Salt, a generous sprinkle

Freshly ground Black Pepper to taste

Method:

Carrot-Tops Chimichurri

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to combine well, scoop into a container with a well-fitting lid and set aside to allow the flavours to marry. You may use mortar and pestle to pound and mix the chimichurri into a sauce.

The chimichurri can be stored in an air-tight container in the fridge. The olive oil may harden once it becomes cold. Remove from the fridge and allow to sit at room temperature for a few minutes until it softens again and then mix well.

Maple Garlic Roasted Carrots

Preheat oven to 425 degrees fahrenheit.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, a silicone mat or greased foil. Set aside.

Place the carrots on the baking sheet, sprinkle and drizzle the seasonings and maple syrup over the carrots. Shake the pan to mix well or use your hands to coat the carrots with all the ingredients evenly.

Roast for 15-20 minutes in the oven, watching to ensure they don't burn.

Remove and allow to cool slightly. Season with a little more salt if necessary.

If made ahead, store the carrots in an air-tight container in the fridge after they have cooled completely. They can be re-heated in the oven or the microwave.

Serve warm topped with the chimichurri.

Enjoy!!

Kathirikai Rasavangi (Eggplant Stew With Dal & Coconut)

Eggplant Rasavangi is a traditional South Indian Stew aromatic with freshly toasted spices and coconut. This delicious tangy stew is a nice alternative to Sambar or another Kuzhambu and can be served over freshly cooked rice or grains, Idli, Dosa, etc.

Although any eggplant maybe used, the long types hold their shapes better without disintegrating. Dried unsweetened coconut maybe used - use about 2-3 tablespoons.

2-4 Servings

Ingredients

Masala - roast and grind:

11/2 tsp Channa dal

2 tsp Coriander seeds

1-3 dry Red Chiles

1/4 tsp Fenugreek Seeds

1/2 cup grated Coconut, fresh or frozen

Rasavangi

2 long Eggplants, Japanese type preferably

1/2 cup Toor dal

1 tsp Tamarind concentrate

1/2 tsp Turmeric

1 stem Curry Leaves

Salt to taste

Thalippu/Tadka:

1 tsp Oil

1 tsp Mustard seeds

11/2 tsp Urad dal

1/8 tsp Asafetida

1 Stem Curry Leaves, leaves finely chopped

Method:

Make the masala:

Toast channa dal, coriander seeds, and red chilies Cook stirring until fragrant and lightly browned in a small dry skillet. Stir in grated coconut and toast for about a minute. Pour into a bowl or plate to cool. Grind to a fine paste by adding a little water.

Make the rasavangi: 

Sort, soak the toor dal for 30 minutes in fresh water, drain and rinse. Add 1 cup of water and cook until soft, set aside. Dal maybe cooked in a pressure cooker.

Trim the ends of eggplants and cut into 3-4 pieces lengthwise; cut each section into halves or quarters  depending on size longitudinally.

Mix tamarind paste in 1/2 cup of water, and add eggplant, curry leaves, salt and turmeric. Cover the pan and let the eggplant cook in tamarind water for 10minutes on medium flame.

Add cooked toor dal, ground masala, and about 1/4 -1/2 cup water if the stew is too thick and mix well. Bring the mixture to a boil.Turn off the heat.

Prepare Thalippu/Tadka: 

Heat the oil in a small pan or skillet; when its hot, add mustard seeds and cook for 30 seconds. Add urad dal and dry red chili and cook for 30 seconds or until dal turns pinkish. Add curry leaves and asafetida and let it cook for few more seconds. Add the/tadka to the eggplant/rasavangi and mix well.

Taste the rasavangi and adjust salt.

Serve hot with rice or grains, roti, etc.

Enjoy!!

Quick and Easy Spinach Salad

Quick and Easy Spinach Salad, is a pretty and tasty salad; deep emerald green spinach and gorgeous red-purple cabbage make a stunning combination! Purple radicchio maybe substituted for the red cabbage. Napa or Savoy Cabbage with their pale green and crinckly leaves make a lovely addition if red cabbage is not available. Use the dressing given here or your favorite.

2 servings

INGREDIENTS:

Salad:

4 cups Spinach (6 oz)

1 cup Red Cabbage, thinly sliced

1/4 cup Red Onions, very thinly sliced

1/4 cup Dried Cranberries

1/2 cup Toasted Walnut pieces

1-2 Tbsp Fresh Herbs 

Dressing:

1-3 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar

1 clove Garlic, mashed
1 tsp prepared Mustard

Salt and Pepper to taste

METHOD:

Combine the dressing ingredients and whisk until an emulsion forms; taste and adjust seasonings.

Tip spinach and the rest of the salad ingredients and mix.

Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat well. Taste and adjust the seasonings.

Serve immediately.

Enjoy!!

Almost Bagel Spice & Seed Mix

Almost Bagel Spice & Seed Mix is a savory spice mix that can be sprinkled on just about everything for a nutty, crunchy flaovor boost. It is my version of a very popular spice mix. The toasted seeds, crisp onions and garlic add a lively and wonderful flavor to even the simplest of foods. Delicious on toast, salads, pasta, guacamole, hummus, or anything at all.

Toast the seeds before mixing with the rest of the ingredients to bring out their nutty flavor. Onions and garlic maybe omitted if you like; add a couple of pinches asafetida instead along with the pepper and chile. Just like the sesame seeds, I like using a combination of black and white poppy seeds also. White poppy seeds and Asafetida are available in Indian markets.

INGREDIENTS:

3 Tbsp Poppy seeds

3 Tbsp Sesame seeds, a mixture of black and white

1 Tbsp dried minced Garlic

2 Tbsp dried minced Onion

3 Tbsp coarse Sea Salt

Optional
1- 2 tsp freshly cracked Black Pepper
1/2 - 1 tsp Cayenne or Red Chile Flakes

METHOD:

Measure out all the ingredients and keep them ready.

Heat the seeds in a small skillet over medium heat, cook, swirling the skillet and stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, about 2 minutes.

If using the optional pepper and cayenne or red chile, add it at this time and cook stirring for about 30-40 seconds or so.

Stir in the garlic and onion and turn off heat. Swirl and stir the seed mixture in the hot skillet for a minute. Transfer to a heat proof bowl and stir in salt.

Let cool completely then transfer to a resealable container. Store at room temperature.

Enjoy!!

VEGETARIAN BOLOGNESE SAUCE WITH VEGETABLE "PASTA"

Flavored with aromatic herbs, spices, and the mirepoix, vegan Bolognese Sauce uses borlotti or other beans for a hearty and delicious meal. Mirepoix (pronounced meer-pwah), the flavorful base used in many sauces, stews and soups (similar to soffrito, is a melange of onion, carrot, and celery cooked slowly without browning or caramelizing).

The spiralized mix of green zucchini, yellow summer squash, and orange carrots makes a colorful, healthy, fresh, and gluten-free alternative to traditional pasta. Spaghetti squash is another lovely option. Fresh or dried pasta maybe used instead.

If Borlotti beans are unavailble, use Pinto or Kidney or Cannelini beans. In a pinch, 2 cans (14 ounces Each) of  the beans maybe used instead of the freshly cooked. 

5-6 Servings

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups dried Borlotti Beans, cooked

1 cup Onion, finely diced

1 cup Carrots, finely diced

1/2 cup Celery, finely diced
2-3 big cloves Garlic, minced finely

1 can (28 ounces) Tomato puree

2 Bay Leaves 

1-2 teaspoons  dried Sage

1 teaspoon  Paprika
1 pinch freshly grated Nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground Black Pepper

1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt

1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper, Crushed
3-4 Tbsp Fresh Flatleaf Parsley, finely chopped

Vegetable Spaghetti:

2 pounds total of yellow squash and zucchini
1 medium Carrot
1 small clove Garlic, minced
Salt and freshly ground Pepper

Toppings:
Vegan Parmesan OR toasted ground Almonds
Nutritional Yeast
Fresh Flatleaf Parsley, finely chopped

Method:

BologneseSauce:

Sort, soak, and cook the beans until soft. Reserve. Beans maybe cooked ahead and saved in the fridge or frozen.

Heat large soup pot on low heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots and celery with a pinch of salt; cook covered for 10-15 minutes or until vegetables just soften. Mirepoix might need a sprinkle of water to keep from drying out or burning.

Stir in tomatoes, bay leaves, spices and a little salt; cook and stir for about 2-3 minutes

Add the beans along with their cooking liquid as needed for the right consistency mashing some of the beans slightly with the cooking spoon.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer, partially covered, 25 to 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and let rest for 10 minutes. Stir in the parsley. Taste and adjust seasonings.

"Pasta" (Vegetable Spaghetti):

Meanwhile, trim the ends of zucchini, yellow squash, and carrot. Cut squash into spaghetti-shaped strands using a julienne peeler or spiralizer until you reach the core. A good knife maybe used to prepare the "pasta". Reserve the squash core for another recipe.

Season "pasta" with a couple of pinches each salt, pepper and the garlic. Heat large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add the veggie “spaghetti” and cook stirring gently for about 30-40 seconds or until heated through.

To serve, divide the hot "pasta" among individual serving bowls or plates and top with Bolognese sauce. Sprinkle with toppings.

Enjoy!!

Buttery Chickpeas ( Vegan Garbanzo Bean Stew)

Vegan Buttery Chickpeas is a delicious entree that works well for batch cooking, it keeps in the fridge for a week or freezes for up to 3 months. Although there is no butter nor any dairy ingrediens, the cashew cream adds the rich buttery and creamy taste. The sauce is wonderful as a base for Vegan Chik'n chunks/strips, Soy Curls, Tofu cubes, Cauliflower florets, etc also.

Vegan Buttery Chickpeas doesn't need much to complete the meal; a platter of fresh sliced veggies and hot cooked rice/grains or roti/naan will make it a feast. If you have either the chickpeas or the sauce made ahead, it goes together very quickly.

Notes:
Preparing Chiles: Core and discard it with any seeds and whitish ribs (the heat source with the most amount of Capsaicin) unless you want a spicy curry. Garam Masala, ginger, and cayenne contribute enough spice so try the recipe with cored chiles first and then decide if you want to take it up a notch with the whole chiles and/or more cayenne.

You may use 2 cans (15 oz each) of Chick peas instead of freshly cooked.

Check directions below for using Instant Pot or a regular stove-top pressure cooker.

Vegan Buttery Chickpeas

Ingredients:

Buttery Chickpeas:
1 cup dried Chickpeas/Garbanzo beans, cooked

1/4 cup Cashews, soaked in warm water

1/2 hot Green Chile (Serrano/Jalapeño), cored & sliced or minced

1-2 thin slices fresh Ginger, minced

1/2 Tsp Garam Masala

1/2 tsp Kashmiri Chili powder/Paprika

1/4 to 1/2 tsp Cayenne

1 tsp Salt or to taste

Sauce:

3 large ripe tomatoes OR 1 can (15 oz) whole peeled tomatoes

1 Date, pitted (optional)

3-4 cloves of garlic

1/2 inch piece  ginger

1 hot green chile (Serrano/Jalapeño), cored

Finishing: 

1/2 Tsp Garam Masala

1-2 Tsp Kasoori Methi - dried Fenugreek leaves

1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped 

To Serve:

Thinly sliced - Red Onions, Tomato & Cucumbers

Fine Ginger juliennes 

1 Handful Fresh Cilantro/Mint

Freshly cooked Rice/grains, Roti, Naan, etc

Method:

Sort, soak and cook chickpeas in fresh water until soft. A pressure cooker maybe used to cook. Chickpeas maybe cooked ahead of time and reserved in the fridge. Or use canned chickpeas. 

Place the drained cashews in the blender carafe blended with 1/2 cup fresh water and process until smooth; pour into a small bowl; no need to empty completely or wash the carafe.

Add the sauce ingredients to the carafe: tomatoes, date if using, garlic, ginger, and the chile (remove core and seeds for mild curry) to the carafe and process until smooth.

Tip pureed tomato mixture into a pan large enough (4 quart/liter size) for the curry. Add about 1/4 cup of water to the carafe to swirl and gather any sauce remaining and add to the pot. 

Bring to a simmer and let cook for 5-7 minutes stirring occasionally.

Add chickpeas with the cooking liquid, sliced/chopped chile, minced ginger, spices, salt, most of the cahew cream (save a tablespoon or so for garnish). Add a little more water if too thick. Close the lid and simmer for about 10 to 12 minutes stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat, sprinkle the garam masla and the kasoori methi (fenugreek leaves), stir in the chopped cilantro, and let rest for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Just before serving, swirl the reserved cashew cream on top.

Serve hot over rice, roti or Naan.

Top each serving with a couple of pieces of ginger juliennes if you wish. Pass the salad.

Enjoy!!

Vegan Buttery Chickpeas

Alternately, this recipe maybe cooked in an Instant Pot or a regular pressure cooker.

Instant Pot: Tip pureed tomato mixture into the cooker bowl. Add spices, salt and chickpeas. Close the lid and cook on Manual for 8 to 10 minutes Let rest for 10 minutes. Quick release after 10 minutes following the manufacturer's guidelines.  

Start the IP on saute; add the cashew cream, chopped green chile, ginger and cilantro to the chickpea mixture and bring to a boil.  Press cancel to turn off heat. Sprinkle garam masala, and fenugreek leaves, cover and let rest for 10 minutes.Taste and adjust sseasonings; add more cayenne and salt as needed.

Regular Pressure Cooker:  Tip pureed tomato mixture into the cooker. Add spices, salt and chickpeas. Close the lid and cook for 7 minutes for stove top pressure cooker after it has become pressurized. Let rest for 10 minutes. Quick release after 10 minutes following cooker manufacturer's guidelines.

Heat the contents of the pressure cooker, add the cashew cream, chopped green chile, ginger and cilantro and bring to a boil. Turn off heat. Sprinkle garam masala, and fenugreek leaves, cover and let rest for 10 minutes.Taste and adjust sseasonings; add cayenne and salt as needed. 

Holiday Bread Casserole, Gluten-Free

Holiday Bread Casserole, Gluten-Free  (a.k.a. dressing/stuffing), like its Indian cousin Bread Upma, can be presented as a substantial dish on its own for a light meal or snack. Toasty cubes of gluten-free regular or corn bread with succulent bits of veggies combined with delightful fragrant herbs, all this casserole needs is a little gravy.

If you want a good Bread Casserole, you have to start with good gluten-free bread - you can use homemade or purchased breads to making this fabulous treat. Although a day old or stale bread is preferable, fresh bread may be used also with a little extra care. If the bread is fresh, cut/crumble and let air dry while preparing the rest of the meal or ingredients. 

Good bread doesn't need be discarded just because it gets a little old or stale. Just slice, cube, or crumble and freeze with or without toasting. If you prefer dry bread crumbs/cubes, do the crumbling or dicing while the bread is still a little soft and not hard and dried.

Ingredients:

1 (about 1 lb) day old good Gluten Free Loaf of Bread

OR dried bread cubes from 1 loaf OR Cornbread

1 large Onion, chopped

1 small bunch Celery, chopped

1 large Carrot, diced
8 oz Cremini Mushrooms, sliced

1 clove Garlic, minced

1/4 tsp Turmeric

1 sprig fresh Sage, minced

2-3 sprigs fresh Thyme, use leaves

1 small bunch flat leaf Parsley, chopped

Sea Salt and Pepper

1/2 cup - 2 cups Vegetable Broth Or Water

Gravy for Serving

Method:

Toast the bread until it is lightly browned. Cut the bread into small cubes or coarse crumbles; reserve. The bread maybe toasted in the oven a day or two ahead or while the veggies are getting cooked.

Cook the onions and celery with a pinch of salt and the turmeric for about 2 minutes. Add a little sprinkle of water if needed to keep from drying out.

Add the carrots, garlic, thyme, sage; cook covered until the veggies have softened - about 5 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms and set aside to cool in the pan.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F while the veggies are cooking. Line a large rimmed baking pan with parchment paper.

Add the bread, cooked veggies, with salt and pepper to taste to a large bowl and sprinkle the broth/water on top - use minimal amount of broth/water for fresh bread; you will need the larger quantity if using dried bread cubes. The bread should be moistened but not soggy.

Mix well, spread in an even layer, and bake for about 25 minutes or until the top layer is browned a little. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes. 

Serve hot with the Gravy .

Enjoy!!

Bread Upma (Toasted Bread With Veggies, Indian Style)

Bread Upma is India's equivalent to the Holiday Bread Casserole - warm toasty cubes or crumbles of bread studded with assorted vegetables flavored with fragrant spices and herbs. Bread Upma could sub for the traditional Holiday Bread Casserole for the holiday meals!

We didn't eat much bread (yeasted kind) while growing up in India. These days though, bread is ubiquitious even in rural areas and little villages. Although it has become quite common as a breakfast toast for a busy morning or a quick tea time toast/sandwich, often we ended up having leftovers as most family members enjoyed other breakfast and teatime treats. So leftover bread morphed into bread upma, a quick savory dish with onions, veggies, spices and herbs. Although a great recipe to use up stale bread, fresh bread may be used to make this absolutely delicious upma.

Sometimes no one wants to eat the end slices of the loaf; those may be collected in the freezer until there is enough to prepare bread upma.

Although some people remove crusts from bread, I don't as crusts are perfectly good food to be wasted; besides we love their chewy texture.

Cornbread (gluten-free) maybe used to prepare Bread Upma.

4 servings

Ingredients

8 slices gluten-free bread, cut into small cubes or coarse crumbs

1 teaspoon oil

1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

1 teaspoon skinless urad dal

6-8 cashews, broken into small bits

1/2-1 fresh hot green chilies, cored and minced

1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

1/2 medium sized onion, finely chopped

1 pinch asafetida

1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1 stem curry leaves, finely sliced
1 Carrot, grated coarsely
1/2 cup Peas, fresh or frozen

3-4 Tbsp Cilantro, finely chopped

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Salt

Optional Additions:
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 cup Corn kernels, fresh or frozen

Method

Toast the bread slices and cut the into small bite sized cubes or pull apart into big coarse crumbles and set aside.

Heat the oil in a kadai or skillet and when oil is hot enough, add cashews mustard, urad dal. Cook for a minute until mustard pops. Keep cooking for a few more seconds, stirring, until cashews turn golden.

Stir in the green chilies, ginger and onion with a pinch of salt. Cook covered until onions soften and begin to color.

Add asafetida, turmeric, and the curry leaves. Add garam masala if using. Cook for a few seconds.

Tip in the carrots and peas and cook until they soften.

Stir in the bread cubes or crumbles; mix well and cook covered over low-medium heat until heated through, about 5 minutes or so. Turn off heat.

Sprinkle the lemon juice and cilantro and mix well. Taste and add a little salt if needed (bread usually has plenty of salt so you may not need much salt if any).

Serve hot with green or cranberry chutney or lemon or mango pickle if you wish.

Enjoy!!

Easy 10 minute Noodles I, Italian Style

Freshly cooked sinuous pasta studded with fresh veggies and flavored with fragrant herbs is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Easy 10 minute Noodles I, Italian Style really takes only about 10 minutes to prepare especially when using fresh noodles. I use gluten free noodles; but if gluten is not a concern, any favorite noodles maybe used.

Notes:

Dried noodles maybe used to prepare this recipe but take a few of minutes longer than fresh; use 2 ounces and prepare according to package directions.

When preparing the veggies, I often chop more than I need for one recipe and save them for another day.

Using the special julienne peeler makes quick and easy work of making thin strips of carrots and zucchini. You may use a spiralizer also to make veggie strands. Or a good knife will work just fine.

1 Serving

Ingredients:

1 pkg Fresh Noodles (~ 4 oz), Gluten free

1 clove Garlic, minced or mashed

3-4 Green Onions, sliced diagonally

7-8 large fresh Basil leaves, torn

4-5 sprigs fresh Thyme, strip the leaves from the stems
2-3 sprigs of fresh Oregano Or 1/4 tsp Dried

1 small Carrot, cut into thin strips

1/2 Zucchini, cut in thin strips
1/2 Bell Pepper, any color, thin strips

4-5 Mushrooms, thinly sliced

1 medium Tomato, chopped

1 pinch Crushed Red Pepper flakes

Salt and freshly ground Pepper to taste

Optional Toppings:

Nutritional Yeast

Toasted Nuts/Seeds, crushed

Freshly toasted gluten-free breadcrumbs

Method:

Boil water and cook pasta according to package directions. Drain reserving about 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.

While pasta is being prepared, prep the veggies and herbs.

Warm a skillet and sprinkle the red pepper flakes; when the color changes slightly and becomes fragrant, add the garlic and veggies with a with a pinch of salt and a little sprinkle of water. Cover and cook stirring occasionally for about 2 minutes or until the veggies heat through and soften to your liking.

Tip in the drianed hot pasta, herbs, and another pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper. Add a little of the reserved pasta cooking liquid to moisten. Stir together to combine until warmed. Remove from heat. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.

Spoon onto a warmed plate and sprinkle with your favorite toppings.

Serve hot. Eat.

Enjoy!!

Cranberry & Apple Chutney

Cranberries and apples combine to make delicious and beautiful chutney, a welcome addition to meals anytime but especially at the Thanksgiving table!  It is fantastic with the Thanksgiving Lentil and Otas Loaf/Muffins and the Holiday Bread Casserole aka stuffing. Long after Thanksgiving meal is a distant memory, the thokku maybe enjoyed in many ways: with Dosa, Adai, other snacks, and with everyday meals. The spices maybe adjusted according to your preference. Chutney maybe prepared in large batches doubling, tripling, etc. all the ingredients.

Cranberry and Apple Chutney makes a great gift too anytime especially for the holidays. Autum is the perfect time to put up this chutney when fresh crops of cranberries and apples are available. It can be prepared with frozen cranberries also.

Cranberry and Apple chutney, just like its cousin  Cran-Apple Preserves, makes for wonderful starters with your favorite snacks, vegan cheesees and flatbreads or crackers; it is also lovely served with roasted salads, cooked grains, curries, or as a condiment and in sandwiches.

Ingredients:

Combine:
2 medium Apples, peeled, cored and chopped

2 cups Cranberries, fresh or frozen (~14 - 16 oz)
1 cup Raisins

1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

1 cup Sugar

1 tsp Sea Salt

1/4-1/2 tsp ground Cayenne

1-2 Tbsp finely grated fresh Ginger

Add later: 

2 Tbsp fresh Lime/Lemon Juice

2-3 pods Cardamom, seeds finely ground

1 tsp ground Cinnamon

1/8 tsp Nutmeg

Method:

Apple does not need to be peeled; chop into small bits about the same size as the cranberries.

Combine all the ingredients (except the lime juice, cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg) in a large non-reactive pan; cover and cook over low heat until the fruits are soft and jam-like. Be careful to stir well occasionally while cooking to prevent burning. 

Remove from heat, stir in the lime juice and the spices; spoon into sterilized jars and add lids.

Store in the refrigerator for a few weeks. For longer storage, process using canning jars according to the manufacturer's directions.

Serve the chutney on the same day or better yet let it rest for a day for the flavors to meld.

Enjoy!!

A Trio Of Oil-Free Daily Dressings For Every Day Salads - TAHINI, MAPLE MUSTARD, & CREAMY LEMON

These super tasty and fabulous trio of dressings are not only great for salads, they can be used as a dip/sauce for fresh, steamed or roasted vegetables and as a dressing for sandwiches. These dressings are quite easy and simple to make. Our family loves to have a couple ready to use in squeeze bottles to squeeze over their daily salads. Simply Delicious!

Tahini and Lemon dressings will stay fresh for 4-5 days as they have fresh ingredients; the Maple Mustard dressing will last a week.

Tahini Dressing:

NOTES:

Add one or all of the optional ingredients for more depth and nuanced taste. I love adding the fresh herbs as they not only make it tasty, but also add to the nutrient density. Adjust the amount of water to make a dressing: more to dress salads and less to make a spread or dip.

Tahini dressing maybe prepared without a blender; place all the ingredients in a widemouth jar with a tight-fitting lid and whisk or shake vigorously. It will take a little effort at first to mix tahini with liquid; a little warm water will make it easier and use a fork to mix together at first.

Macerate the finely minced garlic with a pinch of the salt with the flat side of the knife on a cutting board drawing back and forth; chop the herbs very finely before adding to the dressing jar. A mortar and pestle maybe used to macerate the garlic also. Beat the dressing with a fork or wire whisk. Follow the rest of the directions until the dressing is just the way you want it.

About 3/4 cup

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup Tahini
1/4 cup Water
2-3 Tbsp fresh Lime or Lemon Juice
1 handful Fresh Parsley/Cilantro, about 1/4 cup
1-2 cloves fresh Garlic
1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
Freshly ground Black Pepper to taste
1-2 pinches Cayenne, or to taste


Optional Ingredients:
Other Herbs
1 Hot Green Chile, Jalapeño or Serrano,/cored for mild spice
1/2 tsp ground Cumin
1/4 tsp ground Fenugreek

METHOD:

Place all the ingredients except the water in the carafe of a blender, and blitz until smooth. Add water as needed and to make a nice smooth pourable creamy sauce. Pour into a clean jar; taste. Adjust the seasonings by adding more of the lime/lemon, salt and pepper, etc. Let rest for 5-10 minutes.

If made ahead, chill in the fridge until time to serve. The sauce thickens a bit upon standing; if the dressing thickens, add water a teaspoon at a time whisking thoroughly to get desired consistency until just right. Taste and adjust seasonings. Pour into a dispenser/jar with cover and chill until needed.

Enjoy!!

Maple Mustard Dressing:
A very simple and easy dressing that is especially pleasing over roasted vegetables!

About 1/2 cup

INGREDIENTS:

2 T Maple Syrup

4 T prepared Dijon-style Mustard
2 T Apple Cider Vinegar/Balsamic Vinegar

2 T Water

Salt & Pepper

METHOD:

Whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl, jar, or process using a blender. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Pour into a dispenser/jar with cover and chill until needed. Serve over your favorite salad.

Enjoy!!

Spicy Ginger Lemon Dressing:

INGREDIENTS:

2 slices fresh Ginger, or to taste

1/4 cup cooked White Beans/Garbanzos OR Cashews/Almonds

1 clove Garlic

1 pinch Cayenne

Salt, to taste

2-3 Tbsp Lemon juice
1 Tsp Lemon Zest, color part only - no white pith

1/4 of a small Apple OR 2 Tbsp Maple or Agave syrup

2 Tbsp Tamari/Soy sauce

2 Tbsp Water

METHOD:

If using the nuts, soak the nuts and red chile in a little warm water for 10-15 minutes. Drain, rinse and place in blender carafe.

Add rest of the ingredients except the water and blitz until smooth. Pour into a jar or dispenser.

Add the water to the blender jar, swirl to gather the dressing clinging to it and add to the dressing. Mix well, taste, and adjust the seasonings as needed. Add more water, a little at a time, to get the right consistency. Taste and adjust the seasonings.

Pour into a dispenser/jar with cover and chill until needed. Use within 4-5 days.

Enjoy!!

Pasta With Roasted Butternut Squash & Onions

Pasta With Roasted Butternut Squash & Onions is a lovely dish to celebrate the delicious and super nutritious butternut squash. Once you have the butternut and onions roasted, the rest of the recipe goes really fast. Roasting brings out the nutty sweetness of both the butternut and onions. 

Use non-wheat pasta for a Gluten Free recipe.

Pasta With Roasted Butternut Squash & Onions

INGREDIENTS:

1 small Butternut, peeled and cut into bite size chunks

1 large Onion, cut into largish dice

1 tsp Oil

2-3 pinches Red Pepper Flakes

1 big clove Garlic, minced

1 tsp dried Thyme leaves

Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper

3-4 Green Onions, thinly sliced

4 oz dried short Pasta, cooked

2-3 Tbsp pasta cooking water

Vegan Parmesan Or chopped Toasted Nuts and Seeds, to serve

METHOD:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Line a rimmed baking pan with parchment paper. Place the butternut and onions in a single layer evenly. Sprinkle with a good amount of salt and pepper.  

Roast in the oven until the veggies brown a little and become tender. Remove from oven and reserve.

While the veggies are roasting, start cooking the pasta according to package directions. Drain when ready reserving a little of the cooking water.

Heat the oil in a skillet and add red pepper flakes. When the pepper sizzles add the garlic and cook for a few seconds more.

Stir the thyme and the  roasted veggies and mix well.

Tip in the pasta and a few tablespoons of the cooking liquid and mix well. Taste and adjust the seasonings.

Sprinkle the green onions on top.

Serve hot with a little vegan parmesan or the nuts and seeds sprinkled on top.

Enjoy!!

Roasted Butternut & Onions