Geetha's Kitchen

Pasta with Lemony Ricotta Basil & Thyme is a quick and easy dinner especially on weeknights or when one needs a quick but hearty and comforting meal. Make the vegan ricotta a couple of days ahead. The only cooking involved is cooking the pasta. Once the pasta is ready, mix everything, plate, and enjoy! NOTES: If fresh gluten free pasta is not available, use dried. This pasta dish maybe prepared with your favorite dried pasta but the short shapes such as gemelli, fusilli, penne, etc work especially well. Leftover pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and gently reheated. 2 SERVINGS INGREDIENTS: 8 oz. fresh Pasta (Gluten free) 1 clove Garlic, mashed 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh Basil leaves, torn 3-4 sprigs fresh Thyme, leaves coarsely chopped 1/2 large Lemon, zest and juice 1/2 cups non-dairy Ricotta cheeze* 1 cup vegan Parmesan cheese 1 pinch kosher Salt 1/4 tsp freshly ground Black Pepper 1 Pin...

Carrot Creme or Creamy Carrot Soup is quite simple, yet, so delicious! Although we call it "Creme", there is no cream or other fat/oil in this gorgeous soup. Carrot Creme, just like its cousin Butternut/Pumpkin Creme , is naturally gluten, dairy, and fat free; the nuts and coconut provide creaminess and a small amount of natural fats. Just a few basic ingredients contibute to a wonderfully scrumptious and creamy sunset-colored soup!  An abundance of fresh carrots prompted this recipe. The pepper provides a nice contrast to the natural sweetness of the carrots and nutmeg takes it to the next level of carroty scrumptiousness. As there aren't many steps to follow other than the basic prep, the soup comes together quite quickly. Onions and garlic maybe omitted; if you omit them, a pinch or two of freshly ground cumin maybe added. Makes about 10 cups INGREDIENTS: 6-8 Cashews, preferably raw 6-8 Almonds, raw 1 1/2 lbs Carrots, scrubbed and cut into large c...

Delicious, savory Sriracha Tofu is fabulous as is but makes a wonderful addition of flavorful protein to soups, wraps and sandwiches, stir-frys, etc - think luscious rice noodle filled pho, banh-mi type of sandwiches, filling for sushi, salads, and grain and veggie bowls. Srirach Tofu also makes a lovely starter (sprinkled with a few sliced green onions if you like) served with other starters and snacks. Sriracha Tofu It is well worth the small amount of effort to prepare - you get at least double the amount for less than the price of the ready-made and lots more flavor! Be warned though - Sriracha Tofu is so yummy, it is easy to eat the whole batch! Extra Firm Tofu works the best but firm is acceptable. For extra umami, mix in a little tamari when marinating/cooking the tofu. Tamari and coconut aminos  are gluten-reee sauces prepared without wheat. For best results, cook the tofu slowly and long over low heat. A little pinch of salt maybe added if desired. 5 S...

Creamy & Fresh Tomato Salad/Salsa is an adaptation of Raita that sparkles with sweet, salty, sour, and spicy flavors. The cashew and coconut, both the cream and the toasted, add a sublime touch. Just like the traditional fresh tomato salsa, Creamy Fresh Tomato Salad/Salsa is sure to become a keeper! So, if you’re looking for a different take on the traditional salsa, just to change it up a bit, give this a try! Creamy & Fresh Tomato Salad/Salsa is naturally gluten/dairy free and fabulous not only as a starter or snack with chips, tortillas, etc., but also as a lovely side with meals as well as a topping for baked potatoes. Notes: Cashew cream: Soak 1/4 cup cashews and grind with a little fresh water until smooth using a blender. Save extra for topping potatoes, veggies, or cooking. Unsweetened Coconut Cream: Chill coconut milk in the fridge until the cream rises to the top. Use this cream in the recipe; save the rest for another recipe like Tofu Curry or Easy Veg Korma. Us...

Beautiful emerald green Cilantro Pesto, Vegan and Oil-free, is quite similar to the Indian fresh chutneys, can have a little kick to it if the Jalapeño chile has some or all of the core left in. This beautiful pesto has an amazing number of uses; it is fabulous as a seasoning for veggies, bean, and grain salads, as a sauce stirred into hot/cold pasta, roasted veggies, and soups, spread on sandwiches and wraps, as a dip for warm bread, as a marinade for tofu, or diluted with some lemon juice to make a delicious salad dressing.... the list goes on. Cilantro Pesto makes a great appetizer too: Swirl a spoonful or two into Hummus or place a spoonful in a small saucer to serve with your favorite warm breads/tortillas.,  Variations: Almonds, pistachios, cashews, coconut, or other seeds could be substituted for the pepitas; if using coconut in place of pepitas, it does not need roasting; fresh, frozen, or dried unsweetended coconut maybe used. A cooked onion maybe added w...

Black-eyed Peas With Greens was inspired by the Kerala style stews; this stew is an amalgam of ingredients found in both the U.S. and India. Tasty, Simple, good and good for you, what's not to love? Black-eyed Peas With Greens can be enjoyed as a soup or stew depending on the amount of water you add. Black-eyed Peas With Greens is fabulous traditional fare for New Year's Day to bring good luck and good health! Other greens such as Chard, Kale, Collards, etc maybe added instead of spinach; but these greens are sturdier than spinach and would need more time to cook. Add them at the same time as the black-eyed peas to the pot and simmer until desired doneness is achieved. Note: Black-eyed peas cook relatively quickly even when unsoaked; so soaking is beneficial but optional. Ingredients: Masala: 2-3 Tbsp Coconut, dried unsweetened 1 tsp Cumin Seeds 1 dried hot Red Chile Stew: 1 cup Black-eyed Peas, cooked until soft 1 small Onion, finely diced 1 clove ...

Green Papaya/Chayote Squash Salad is a refreshingly delicious, crunchy, and flavorful salad that can do double duty as a salad of course and a lovely starter or snack. I love to use green papaya but cannot always find it; chayote squash or jicama are great substitutes! For best results, the veggies should be cut into match stick size julienne pieces or large shreds; but not finely grated. This is where you can show off your fancy knife skills or practice it! This is a great make-ahead salad; prepare all the ingredients upto a day ahead; mix the salad with the dressing 10-15 minutes before serving. Note: If you use seasoned rice vinegar, omit sugar as the vinegar is already seasoned with it. INGREDIENTS: 1 Green Papaya/Chayote, peeled and coarsely shredded 1 Carrot, peeled and coarsely shredded 1 Jalapeno chile, cored and thinly sliced 2 Green Onions, white and green parts, sliced diagonally 1/3 cup EACH fresh Mint & Cilantro, finely chopped 2 Tbsp Unse...

Delicious Smoky Almond/Mame Pâté makes a lovely appetizer, snack or even a meal especially when piled on a toast or salad! This is similar to the other wonderful recipe Chickpea Salad Spread . I am using the Japanese word for bean here as I like the sound of it! I thought I had a perfect name for the lovely brignt carrot-colored Pâté until I introduced it to friends as "Sal-None Pâté"; one friend had a hugely violent reaction and chided me for picking a horrible name! Her aversion to the name was so strong that I gave up the idea. Oh, the things One does to appease one's friends' sensibilities! :-) NOTES: Soak and cook the soy beans until soft but not mushy. Check How to cook beans for info on cooking the beans. You may also use canned beans. If soy is not an option, use cooked great northern or cannellini beans instead. Roast or cook the garlic cloves until they are soft and golden. Uncooked garlic maybe used also but will have a different flavor profile...

Cauliflower Lemon "Rice" (Grain-Free Lemon "Rice") is a delicious alternative to the fun and fabulous traditional Lemon Rice using finely chopped (riced) cauliflower instead of rice. This is a delectable recipe that is easy for family meals or potlucks. Serve Cauliflower Lemon "Rice" with crunchy papadams and your favorite curries as well as   Lemon Rice , Tamarind , or Yogurt Rice . To live for!! Note:  Heat the cauliflower just until heated through; remove promptly from heat as soon as it reaches desired tenderness. Since the cauliflower is finely chopped, it will become mushy if cooked too long. Mushy = No fun. 2-4 Servings Ingredients: 4 cups Cauliflower, riced (finely chopped) 1/2 - 1 tsp Oil (optional) 1/2 tsp Brown Mustard seeds 1 hot dry Red Chile, whole or broken into two 1 small pinch Asafoetida 1 stalk Fresh Curry Leaves, finely sliced Sea Salt to taste 1/4 - 1/2 tsp Turmeric 2 Limes/Lemons Toppings: 1/4 cu...

Puli (Tamarind) & Thayir (Yogurt) Sevai are delicious South Indian gluten-free Rice Noodle treats, prepared for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. These make fabulous picnic fare as they travel well and can be enjoyed at room temperature. Dried rice noodles, readily available in Indian and Asian Markets, make quick work of making these wonderful dishes.  Once you have cooked the plain sevai (rice noodles), it is transformed by adding the appropriate ingredients.  Puli (Tamarind) Sevai is one of our all time  favorites as is  Thair (Yogurt) Sevai. Both are prepared in similar ways as Tamarind Rice   and  "Yogurt" Rice . Plain Sevai 8 oz dry Rice Sevai aka Rice Noodles or Sticks Prepare the sevai according to the package directions and drain well. If you salt the water to cook the sevai, you may not need much additional salt afterwards. Spread the sevai on a large platter to cool so they don't all stick and clump together into one big mass...

Mild and savory Paruppu Thogayal is a delicious hummus-like thick chutney or spread. It is practically instant because the dal is toasted and you don't have to prepare and cook the beans as in traditional hummus! It is usually served with tamarind flavored stews or kuzhambus like Vathal Kuzhambu I or II and Rasams. Paruppu  Thogayal  is wonderful with chapatis, toast, crackers, raw veggies, or mixed with freshly cooked rice or other grains.  Frozen grated coconut is available at Indian and Latino markets. If fresh or frozen coconut is not available, use unsweetened dessicated coconut which is sold in Indian as well as middle eastern markets. Makes about 1 cup Ingredients: 1/2 cup Yellow Mung dal or Toor dal 1/2 tsp Whole Cumin Seeds 1/2 tsp Whole Black Pepper 1/2 tsp Sea Salt or to taste 1 dried hot Red Chile (optional) 1/4 cup fresh/frozen coconut Method: Toast the dals, cumin, pepper, and chile if using in a dry skillet without any oil unti...

Succulent, saucy and pleasantly spicy Chili Tofu is an adaptation of the popular chili paneer and example of the Indo-Chinese fusion recipes. Flavored with tamari, ginger, garlic, coriander and cumin, it is the perfect blend of two distinctive world cuisines. Serve with rice, rice noodles, corn/rice tortillas for a delicious starter, lunch or dinner. Use Thai chiles or serranos without removing the core for spicy hot Chili Tofu. Roasted Tofu maybe used in this recipe; prepare it without the herbs and adjust the amount of spices as there is some in the roasted tofu also. 4-5 servings Ingredients: Marinade: 1 tsp Garlic paste 1 tsp Ginger paste 2 tsp Corn Starch 1 tsp Tamari/soy sauce Chili Tofu:  1 14-oz block extra-firm Tofu  1 large bell pepper (any color), diced 1 green Chile, like Serrano, cored and minced 1 tsp Oil 1/4 tsp Cumin seeds 2 tsp ground Coriander seeds 1/2 tsp freshly ground Black Pepper 1 large Onion, diced 1-2 c...

Sevai or Rice Noodles are popular South Indian dishes one can cook up in a jiffy nowadays with dried rice nooldes for a quick and delicious gluten-free treat for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner! Plain dried rice noodles are readily available in Indian and Asian Markets. Simple sevai is delicious but the Lemony and Coconut Sevai are simply fabulous with their tangy and aromatic flavors respectively. It is quite amazing how the addition of one or two ingredients transform the plain into sublime! Traditional Lemony Sevai does not contain any veggies; but I love to add them sometimes.  Once you have cooked the plain sevai, it is fun to make it into two or three different types by adding the appropriate seasonings and other ingredients. Here directions for Simple, Lemony and Coconut Sevai are given. The other favorites are Puli (Tamarind), Sweet Sevai, Ellu/(Sesame) Sevai and Thair or Yogurt Sevai; recipes will follow soon.  Although simple sevai is an everyday dis...