Geetha's Kitchen

Recipe archive

Showing posts from September, 2019

Cilantro Scented Green Rice (Kothamalli Pulav)

September 30, 2019

Kothamalli Pulav (Cilantro Scented Green Rice) is a deliciously delicate flavored rice perfect with any meal. Although named Green Rice, it has a medly of colorful veggies which adds color, flavor, texture and taste. Red Onion Salad , or Raita are perfect sides to this amazing rice, along with any dals or Bean dishes like Rajma I and II , Kadalai Theeyal or other curries, beans and salsa, etc. Kothamalli Pulav is gluten free, dairy free and oil free. Notes: You may use any type of rice you prefer - Basmati, Jasmine, Red or Brown, short or long grain, etc. If you use brown rice, the amount of water as well as cooking time will need to be increased. Your favorite spices and/or herbs maybe added for a variation. 6-8 Servings Ingredients: 1 bunch Cilantro, about 1½ cups 1 handful Spinach leaves 1 cup Onion, diced 1 clove Garlic, chopped 1 Jalapeño Chile, cored and minced (optional) ½ Green Bell Pepper, diced 2 cups uncooked...

Kadalai Theeyal (Kerala Style Chickpeas Curry in Tamarind Sauce)

September 29, 2019

Kadalai Theeyal or Kondaikadalai Theeyal is based on Kerala style curries known as theeyal - aromatuc stews prepared with tamarind as well as roasted spices and coconut. Kadalai Theeyal is a tangy and delicious stew sure to become a favorite. Theeyal means burned or scorched - probably an allusion to the well toasted coconut in the masala! This recipe is naturally gluten and dairy free and lends itself to Onion/Garlic Free Option. Adjust the amounts of tamarind, spices etc according to your family needs. Kadalai Theeyal Notes: Check the post on cooking dried beans . If freshly cooked beans are not an option, canned chickpeas will work out; you may need about two 15 oz cans. Drain the canned beans, rinse and add to the recipe as described below. If you have a piece of tomato languishing in the fridge, chop and add it to the Kadalai Theeyal. It not only enhances the color, but also adds to the taste. Both the light colored and the brown chickpeas maybe used...

Vegan & Gluten Free Stroganoff ( Pasta With Creamy Mushroom Sauce)

September 27, 2019

Vegan & Gluten Free Stroganoff is delicious and easy to make. Served over a bed of spinach and arugula, it makes a very nutritious and complete meal. Other greens such as Swiss chard or kale may be substituted but would need to be steamed until tender first. Stroganoff is perfect over freshly cooked pasta, grains, or steamed/roasted potatoes. For an even more substantial meal, add some Roasted Tofu . NOTE: Cashews make a wonderful vegan sour cream! Simply soak 1 cup of raw cashews for about 2-4 hours in plain water. Drain, rinse, and process using a blender with 1 cup of water and a pinch of salt until smooth. Scoop into a clean container and stir in a Tbsp of lime or lemon juice. Save any extra for other recipes. 4 Servings Ingredients: 1 lb White or Brown Mushrooms, thickly sliced 1 medium Red Onion, diced 1/2 tsp Sea Salt 1-2 cloves Garlic, minced 2-3 sprigs Thyme 1 pinch ground Red Chile (cayenne) (optional) 1 tsp Paprika 1 tsp Smoke...

VATHAL KUZHAMBU II (Tamarind Sauce With Freshly Ground Spices)

September 26, 2019

VATHAL KUZHAMBU II is a fabulous tamarind based kuzhambu, stew, or sauce with the amazing aroma that only Freshly Ground Spices can impart. Although similar to Vathal Kuzhambvu I , the fragrant freshly roasted and ground spices sets this one apart. Enjoy Vathal Kuzhambu mixed with freshly cooked rice and Paruppu Thogayal , papadams, and vegetable sides. Notes: Instead of OR in addition to adding onions or moringa pods (Indian veggie drumstick pods), fried sundried Manathakkali or sundaikkai vathal maybe added to the vatha kuzhambu at the end of cooking. Technically, it is the vathal that makes this recipe a "Vathal" kuzhambu :-) Ingredients: Vathal Kuzhambu masala: 2 tsp Toor dal 2 tsp Channa dal 2 tsp Urad dal 1/2 tsp Fenugreek seeds 4 tsp Coriander seeds 2 Whole red chillies 2 tsp Pepper corns A handful of curry leaves, 2-3 stems Vathal Kuzhambu: 1 tsp Sesame Oil 1 tsp Mustard seeds 1...

Spicy Deviled Potatoes With Lime Dressing

September 25, 2019

Spicy Deviled Potatoes has a healthy tangy-spicy dressing without the usual mayo laden with fat! This is similar to the Roasted Potato Chaat With Tri-color Salad , another favorite, but the toppings and dressing sets it apart. One bite and you are hooked! Great as a starter for one or a crowd. NOTES: Dressing maybe made a day ahead without adding the fresh herbs; add them just before serving. Lemongrass: use the tender bulby bottom part; save the rest for tea or another use. Potatoes maybe roasted ahead of time and reserved; warm them before filling and serving. Fingerlings, small new potatoes, or large ones, etc maybe used to make Spicy Deviled Potatoes. The potatoes maybe roasted until soft, cooled slightly, carefully smashed without falling apart and roasted again until slightly crispy. Leftover baked/steamed potatoes maybe used to make this lovely dish. For a mild dish use cored serrano chile; for a spicy dish, use a whole serrano or one or ...

Mung Dal Cheela II (Mung Bean Crepes/Cakes)

September 24, 2019

Delicious Mung Dal Cheelas, crepes, or pancakes are eaten all over Asia by many a name! There are many versions in India as well as other countries. They are quite easy to make and may be eaten any time from dawn to dusk and beyond :) Added bonus : I add lots of veggies to the batter and make tiny cakes to offer as starters; these make fabulous party fare! Cheelas, similar to the Dosas , may be made into thin delicate crepe-like pancakes or thicker. You can grind your own batter using whole mung beans or the split dal. In an effort to use whole grains more, I usually use the whole beans. I posted the recipe Cheela w/Mung Flour using readily available flour a while ago. Make cheela simply or with the added veggies and herbs, and you will have an amazing meal . NOTES: Instead of the fresh fenugreek leaves, dry fenugreek leaves, chopped spinach, chard, kale, Malabar Spinach or other leafy greens may be added. Sometimes, I ...

Chayote, Mango & Apple Salad With Spicy Lime Dressing

September 23, 2019

Chayote, Mango, & Apple Salad is inspired by a favorite vegetable that is so underused: Chayote squash aka Buddha's hand, Bangaloru Kathrikai (eggplnt), mirliton, etc! With a balance of flavors, colors, and textures, Chayote, Mango, & Apple Salad is refreshing and delicious with any meal or brilliant as a starter. This is great in summer as well as autumn as there is an abundance of fruits and veggies available. Pomegranate arils make a very tasty and pretty addition. Chayote, Mango & Apple Salad Chayotes are quite inexpensive and economical; even their seeds are edible and delicious. Mild, sweet flavored, crispy, and juicy, it is delicious cooked as well as in salads! For cooked chayote dishes, check out Touffee , Molakutal , Sambar , Aviyal , Olan , etc. The young and tender ones are particularly fab in salads. Enjoy getting to know this lovely veggie if you haven't already! Notes: If you like a spicy salad, use the Thai chile, serrano with the co...

Vattal Kuzhambu I (Easy Spiced Tamarind Sauce)

September 22, 2019

Vathal kuzhambu is a classic and traditional tamarind based sauce from South India. The name Tamarind Sauce doesn't do justice to this lovely kuzhambu; it is something people crave and wax poetic about once they have tasted it! Vathals are sun dried vegetables and wild Southern Indian berries. The Vathals of interest here are dried berries known as Sundakai or chundakai (labeled as turkey berries) and manathakali (frgrant tomatoes); I think the correct name is manithakali which means peal tomatoes. These are available in some Indian grocery stores but are neither absolutely essential nor necessary to prepare or enjoy vathal kuzhambu. This sauce is often made after weddings and festivals to give the digestive system a break from rich foods.Vattal Kuzhambu (the berry kind) mixed with rice used to be a popular travel food in the olden days because it stays well at room temperature for 2-3 days. While the popular combination is vathal kuzhambu seved over rice with Dal Chut...

Tasty Mushroom Burger (Vegan, Gluten Free Burger)

September 21, 2019

Tasty Mushroom Burger, naturally Vegan and Gluten Free burger, is toothsome and delicious one of the best results in burger recipes. The oats, nuts, and rice flour etc help to form well without falling apart. If you do not eat fungi, check out the Lentil Loaf and Black Bean burgers recipes for patties without mushrooms. Notes: All the vegetable ingredients maybe finely chopped or grated by hand or by using a food processor. I used the food processor for finely chopping all of the ingredients which made it quick and easy; as the last step, I pulsed the sunflower seeds and oats and that cleaned the bowl nicely - an added bonus! Have fun with the seasonings: change them according to your personal preferences. These burgers freeze well; for best taste, use them within 3 months. 12 Burgers Ingredients: 1 lb Mushrooms, finely chopped 1/2 medium Red Onion, finely chopped 2-4 Tbsp Parsley, finely chopped 2 medium Carrots, finely choppe...

"Cheezy" Potato-Onion-Celery Soup

September 20, 2019

"Cheezy" Potato-Onion-Celery Soup is a simple and soothing soup that is very satisfying as well. A friend introduced a cheesy version like this luscious Leek-Potato Soup to us a long time ago. I have made it gluten-, dairy-, fat- free and Cheezy too! I often make this soup with leeks, zucchinis, and carrots. You are not limited to using just these veggies by any means; use any veggies you like. Anyway you end up with one delicious soup! Variation: Use 2 or 3 large leeks instead of the onions. 4-6 Servings Ingredients: 2 medium Onions, diced (about 3 cups) 1-2 cloves Garlic (optional) 2-3 ribs Celery (about 2 cups) 1-2 Carrots (about 2 cups) 2 large Russet Potato, cubed (about 1 cup) 1 small head Cauliflower/Broccoli, separated into florets (about 5-6 cups) 6 cups Water/Vegetable Broth 1/2 tsp Turmeric 1 tsp Sea Salt or to taste 1/2 tsp Freshly ground Black Pepper 4-5 Tbsp Nutritional yeast 1/4- 1/2 tsp Cayenne 1/2 cup Parsley, f...

Rice Noodles - Quick Stirfry or Soup

September 19, 2019

Rice Noodles - Stirfry or Soup is one recipe that you can serve two ways quite easily- it is just a matter of adding some hot broth or water! We adore both soups and stir-frys; so sometimes it is a tough choice - with this recipe you don't have to choose one or the other - you can live it up and have both! Naturally gluten, dairy, and oil free! 2 Servings Ingredients: 120 g (4 oz) Rice Noodles (dry) 3-4 Green Onions 1/2 block Tofu (7 oz) 1 Tbsp fresh Ginger, minced 1-2 cloves Garlic, minced 1 pinch of Red Chile flakes Salt to taste 1 Wedge Cabbage (about 1/4 of a small one), thinly sliced 1 handful Peapods (Chinese/Sugarsnaps), ends trimmed 4-5 Mushrooms 1 Carrot, cut in fine matchsticks or corasely shredded Tamari/Shoyu/ Soy Sauce to taste 2 cups Vegetable Broth Or Boiling Water (for Soup) To Serve Bean Sprouts 1 smsll bunch Garlic Chives, sliced 1 Jalapeño Chile, sliced (optional) 2 Green Onions, thinly sliced 1 handful Corian...

Bisi Bele Bath (Indian Rice & Lentil Risotto With Assorted Vegetables)

September 18, 2019

Bisi Bele Bath (BBB) is a delicious Indian risotto and a one pot meal. Do include the cashew topping; the ocassional bites of the buttery tasting toasted cashews gives a sublime taste. I serve steaming hot bowls with a simple chopped salad or raita and some papadams for a very comforting and filling meal. Bisi Bele Bath with Carrot Salad Although similar to the Easy Bisi Bela , this Bisi Bele Bath is made with freshly made spice masala. Bisi Bele Bath is a great recipe that lends itself to doubling, tripling, etc and can feed a small family or a huge crowd. This recipe comes from the Indian State of Karnataka known for the gorgeous gardens, beautiful temples, architecture, and delicious food. Tamil Nadu and Kerala, neighborig states, have Sambar Sadam and Kadamba Sadam, similar but slightly different. All are made with rice, toor dal, and vegetables but the spices vary according to region. Note: Assorted Vegetables for BBB: Butternut Squash or a flavorful pumpkin, Green B...