Geetha's Kitchen

Here is a fragrant and fabulous pear cake to wow family and friends! A good use for those over-ripe pears too soft to eat out of hand; pears lend their moist fragrance and sweetness to this luscious cake. You may use soy, coconut, cashew, almond or rice milk.  The spices make this cake so fragrant and yummy; do add the nutmeg because pears and nutmeg are a match made in heaven! I don't usually frost any of the cakes; but if you like to, a sprinkle of powdered sugar is nice.  Or make a simple icing by combining a cup of confectioners/powdered sugar with a little vanilla and lemon juice or a little milk and drizzle over the cake. Ingredients: 3 ripe Pears, cored, peeled and chopped 2 cups Whole Wheat Flour 2 tsp Baking Powder 1/2 tsp Baking Soda 1/2 tsp Sea Salt 1/4 cup Coconut oil, melt and cool 1/2 cup Brown Sugar 2 tsp Cornstarch + 2 Tbsp water 1 cup Milk, any type 1 tsp Cardamom seeds, ground 1 little pinch Saffron, grind with cardamom 1/4 - 1/...

Baked Appams are delicious and easy.  I wanted to make appam-like muffins without any fruit or dairy products but still with the wonderful taste of Neyyappams and here they are!  I like the muffins just lightly sweetened (with half a cup of sugar) but you may add the full one cup if you like them on the sweet side.  Baked appams may be made with Cinnamon instead of the Cardamom also.  With the whole cup of oats, they are fantastic as a breakfast treat! 12 Muffins Ingredients: 2 Tbsp Sesame Seeds, toasted 1/2 Cup Freshly grated OR 3 Tbsp dry grated Coconut 1/2 Cup Whole Wheat Flour 1/2 Cup Rice Flour 1 Cup Rolled Oats 1 tsp Baking Powder 1 tsp Baking Soda 2 tsp Cornstarch 1 tsp Sea Salt 1/2 - 1 cup Brown Sugar, firmly packed 11/2 tsp freshly ground Cardamom 1/2 tsp ground Nutmeg (optional) 1/2 cup Ground Almonds 2 Tbsp Oil 1 Cup Coconut Milk 1/3 cup Water Method: Toast the sesame and coconut in separate batches in a...

Simple Kichdi is one of our all time favorite comfort foods.  Soft, studded with colorful veggies, and scented with spices, it is nourishing, delightful, and soothingly satisfying all at once!  It is delicious served by itself or with accompaniments; my favorite way is to serve with  chopped salad , Mango  and/or Lemon pickles and papadams. Note:  If you use brown rice, simmer the rice by itself for about 15 minutes before adding the dal, spices, etc. 6-8 Servings Ingredients: 1 cup Basmati Rice 1 cup yellow Mung Dal 2 tsp Sea Salt 1/2 tsp Turmeric 1/2 tsp crushed dried Red Peppers 1" piece fresh Ginger, minced 1 tsp Anise or Fennel Seeds 1/8 tsp Asafetida 2 tsp freshly ground Cumin Seeds 2 large Carrots, diced 2 cups Green Beans, cut in 1" pieces 1 large Sweet Potato, diced 1/2 medium Cauliflower or Cabbage, cut into florets or bite-sized pieces 1 large Zucchini, diced 2 Tbsp Vegan Butter Substitute Method: Wash the rice and da...

Whoever has heard of hot milkshake? This is a traditional home remedy for cough!  Whenever we were afflicted with cold and cough, we had this hot milkshake just before bedtime to soothe our cough so everyone could have restful sleep :-). The recipe is very simple with just a couple of ingredients -  although turmeric is the most important, black pepper is added to reduce mucus production.  It is quite a pleasant beverage even if it does not sound like it! 1 serving Ingredients: 1 cup Milk, any type 1/2 tsp Turmeric 1/4 tsp Freshly ground Black Pepper 1 tsp Sugar or Honey Method: Place all the ingredients except the honey into a small pan and heat slowly to almost boiling; simmer for about 5 minutes. Keep heat low while simmering so the shake does not boil over. Strain through a fine sieve into a mug. Add the honey and let cool for a couple of minutes. Serve hot or warm... bottoms up!  Enjoy!!

Soft, fresh Roti also known as chapati is a simple unleavened flat bread of India served daily in every home - rich and poor alike.  It has only two ingredients: whole wheat flour with a pinch of salt; and  a little water - that is it!  They are best freshly made and served with a choice of a lentil or bean dish such as  Simple dal ,  poricha kuzhambu ,  Chunky Chana Dal , etc for protein complementarity. Add vegetable curries, plain yogurt, raitas, a pickle or a chutney or two ... and you will have a sumptuous feast.  Rotis are also delicious served with  Frijoles Mexicanas (simple pinto beans ) and  Salsa I ,  Salsa II  or  Avocado Salsa .   Chellu loves to spread his last one with a bit of butter/vegan margarine and add a drizzle honey or a sprinkle of sugar for an instant dessert - YUM! Although it is a simple recipe, it takes practice to roll out perfect circles evenly.  But don't let the long description...

Tortilla Soup is a wonderfully warming soup - the addition of beans makes it healthy, hearty, and tasty!  This soup has everything you need to make it a one-pot meal: protein from the beans, tortillas providing the carbs, and the abundant veggies and herbs providing everything else :-). The toppings make it extra-special - we love the hot soup with the various soft, cool, and crunchy toppings! Have an easy Tortilla soup Party - simply set out the soup surrounded with all the toppings suggested below (plus other ones you like). Let everyone help themselves for a no stress, no fuss, fun event! Ole!! This soup may be made a couple of days ahead and any extra may be frozen.  8 - 10 Servings Ingredients: 2 cup dry Pinto beans, cooked (see Beans for cooking info) 2 Tbsp Olive Oil 1 large Red Onion, diced 2 ribs Celery, thinly sliced 1 medium Carrot, cut into small dice 2 cloves fresh Garlic 1 - 2 green Jalapeno or Serrano Chiles, minced 2 tsp Sea Salt 4 med...