Geetha's Kitchen

Mango Launji, a delicious, tangy, and sweet pickle or relish, is fabulous served with any meal; we love  pairing it with Dosa, Adai, Roti, or Paratha, Rice or other grains, curries, and accompaniments. Delicious as a spread for toast or crackers with or without peanut/nut butters or vegan cheeses. Mango Launji with vegan cream cheese makes a tasty starter with crudit é s, warm breads, flatbreads, and crackers. It is very easy to prepare and is dairy, nut, oil, and gluten free.  Although most delicious prepared with green mangoes, slightly ripe ones are fine too to make Launji. Store the Launji in clean airtight jars in the fridge or in the freezer for longer storage.  INGREDIENTS: 1 firm Green Mango 2-3 tbsp sugar (to taste) 1 big pinch salt 1/2 tsp each fennel and kalonji seeds,  1/2- 1 tsp red Chile powder 1 Big Pinch Turmeric 1 tiny pinch Asafetida (Hing) METHOD: cut  mango, add 2-3 tbsp sugar, a big pinch salt and keep overn...

Fast & Easy it maybe, but this Simple Dal Soup is very flavorful and delicious too! It is hearty on it's own and goes with everything from Idli/Dosa, Rice, and fresh crusty bread or toast! Fast and Easy Simple Dal Soup is exactly that - add all the ingredients to one pot, bring to a boil and cook for about 20 minutes (a pressure cooker - Instant Pot or the stove top kind - makes it really a snap). Done! This lovely soup doesn't need a Thalippu/Tadka, the traditional finish, to complete it but certainly maybe added if desired. Awesome paired with Idli/Dosa/Upma etc instead of Simple/Masala Kadapa or Sambar for a nice and welcome change of pace. Fast & Easy Simple Dal Soup is naturally gluten, fat and dairy free. NOTES: The red lentils or yellow mung dal cook the quickest on stovetop; other legumes such as split peas or brown/green lentils maybe used if you have more time or use the Instant Pot or the regular stove-top pressure cooker. The carrots maybe grated instead of ...

Lettuce Wrap with Tofu Filling is wonderful for casual family/company dining as well as a lovely starter.   Use the smaller inner leaves from the lettuces; Belgian endives and green or purple cabbage leaves work well too.  Instead of the shiitake mushrooms, other mushrooms maybe used. Hoisin sauce (~1/4 cup) maybe used instead of the coconut aminos and tamari in the sauce given below; but it usually contains wheat so I don't use it. INGREDIENTS TOFU FILLING 1 tsp sesame oil 14 - 16 oz Firm/extra firm Tofu 3 oz fresh Shiitake/Other mushrooms, diced 1 Carrot, shredded 2-3 Tbsp fresh grated ginger 2-4 cloves Garlic, minced 1-2 Shallots thinly sliced Red Pepper flakes (optional) 1-2 heads Belgian Endive/Butter/Romaine lettuce SAUCE 1 1/2Tbsp Each Coconut Aminos & Tamari (Soy sauce GF) 1 Tbsp rice vinegar GARNISHES 4-5 scallions thinly sliced 3-4 Tbsp roasted Peanuts, chopped 2-3 Tbsp toasted Sesame seeds INSTRUCTIONS Wash lettuce, drain...

Easy No-Cook Instant Snack Pudding or Overnight Breakfast is one of our favorite everyday go-to recipes. Although the Pudding maybe eaten immediately, I like to allow the chia seeds to soak and bloom so it can be enjoyed as a thick, creamy pudding. It is a perfectly filling and satisfying breakfast/snack rich in fiber/pre and probiotics for gut health, heart healthy fats, anti-oxidaents, as well as proteins and complex carbs. This works well with or without nuts and grains. I like adding a little or more of the oats depending on if this is a snack or breakfast. It is fat & dairy free; it is also gluten free when you use gf oats. Use the plant milk yogurt for the added bonus of gut-healthy and immunity boosting probiotics. For a sweeter snack or breakfast, add 1-2 chopped Dates. If you like, a scoop of protein powder maybe stirred in as well. I often make a mega batch = triple/quadruple etc = for the week to enjoy this lovely No-cook recipe for snacks as well as breakfast. Ano...

Easy Pumpkin Cornbread From Mix is easy as it is wholesome; just put everything in a bowl, mix and bake.There's not much searching for the various ingredients or measuring involved. The pumpkin puree and the spices really take the muffins to another level of delectability.  The pumkin puree, coconut, and the flax/chia seeds eliminate the need for oil or eggs. GF cornbread mix is one of the few ready to go products that I like to have on hand for times when you need an easy way to make something fabulous to go with a lovely cup of tea. Although I am partial to crusty muffins, it is good baked as a loaf or in a 13" x 9" pan too. We love the added fragrance of the mild Sambar Powder spices in these hearty muffins. 12 Muffins/Servings INGREDIENTS: 1 box (15 oz) Gluten Free cornbread Mix  1 Tbsp Each - Flaxseed and Chia seeds, ground 3 Tbsp Water 1 cup Pure Pumpkin Puree, canned or homemade 1/3 cup dried finely grated unsweetened Coconut 1 cup Plant Milk 2-3 Tsp Sambar Powder ...

Creamy Pumpkin Soup Quick Creamy Pumpkin Soup is ready within 15-20 minutes! This is one of my go to soups anytime I need a quick, easy, homemade soup. A can of pumpkin puree, a little coconut milk, some simple seasonings, and Et Voila! - comforting and flavorful pumpkin soup is ready! Canned pumpkin makes this soup go fast but needs the help of spices and fresh herbs to breathe freshness. Pumpkin perks right up when smoky cumin, along with warming combination of ginger, red pepper (cayenne), and freshly ground black pepper. Thyme adds that fragrant freshness and a few sprigs can be added without a lot of fuss and the woody stems removed at the end. The dates add delicious caramel flavoer as well as a touch of sweetness. Don't forgo the topping; the delicious spice and crunch of the toasty thyme-scented pumpkin seeds amp up the flavors and adds the crowning touch! Thyme-scented Pumpkin seeds make a wonderful snack or starter in addition to making a lovely topping for ...

A rich and delicious Korma-like stew, Masala Kadapa is a fabulous taste treat served with Idlis and Dosai in Kumbakonam -Thanjavur area, the Eastern part of South India. Masala Kadapa is just like Simple Kadapa  but is enriched with the fragrant addition of a few more spices. It is phenomenal as a side served with Pongal, plain rice, etc. also. Although split and skinless yellow moong/mung dal is the traditional dal used in this stew, I have used others with good results. For example, if I make Sambar or a Red Lentil dish, I usually cook a little extra Toor Dal/red lentils and put aside to use in making Rasam, mulagutal, etc. I also often add cooked whole Peas, Chickpeas, etc in addition to whichever dal I use if they happened to be available.  The traditional Kadapa uses only potatoes; I love to add lots of vegetables in my recipes as they make them filling and rich in nutrients. I have included carrots, green beans, cauliflower and green peas in addition to the ...

Apple & Zucchini Raita  Apple & Zucchini Raita is a delicious new variation of the classic Non-dairy Zucchini Raita and  the original  Pachadi/Raita . In Apple & Zucchini Raita, the mild, tender zucchinis shine and the apple adds sweet crunch - a fabulous combination, a match made in foodie heaven! Apple & Zucchini Raita is a wonderful starter/appetizer by itself or paired with warm Roti, naan, parathas, etc (Indian flat breads), fried or roasted papadams, and/or your favorite crackers/chips. The raita makes a nice side for Upma ,  Cheela , Uthappam , Dosa, Adai, Idlis - both the traditional and the quick types. The raita is fabulous with any meal anytime! NOTE: Any non-dairy yogurt will work; use a plain unsweetened and unflavored non-dairy yogurt such as cashew, almond, soy, or coconut milk yogurt. We love the homemade cashew/tofu/soy yogurt too; the recipe is given below. The tadka/thalippu is optional; while it adds a nutty...

Shiitake & Cremini Mushroom Larb Flavorful Mushroom Larb In Cabbage/Lettuce Cups is a fabulous treat composed of tasty, toasty mushrooms flavored with scallions, garlic, ginger, and mint. The brilliant mix of fragrant fresh herbs, crunchy toasted peanuts, the umami of the browned caramelized mushrooms, and the pungent, salt, sweet, and hot flavors make every bite of larb very interesting and extremely satisfying. This is one of my favorite way to enjoy mushrooms. Mushroom Larb makes a protein-rich, easy, and sumptuous lunch, light dinner or an appetizing and refreshingly pleasing starter. Mushroom Larb is gluten and dairy free.  Delicious Mushroom Larb is a one-pot dish as all cooking is done in one pan; after the mushrooms are done, all the other ingredients are added right into the same pan. I like to call them Laos/Thai tacos; the larb is served in lettuce/cabbage cups/boats and picked up with hands to enjoy without any need for utensils. Although one can serv...

Mexican Style Street Corn Salad, vibrant with the flavors of the roasted corn, lime juice, fresh and crisp greens, and zippy south of the border seasonings, is a truly delicious salad.This is a naturally gluten, dairy and oil free recipe. Mexican Style Street Corn Salad is filled with tasty morsels of corn, peppers, assorted greens and nutty seeds. The mango is the perfect cool sweet touch to the refreshing and spicy fresh flavors of the other ingredients. Mexican Style Street Corn Salad with Mangoes Notes: Canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce is available in most markets; puree the contents of the can and store in jars in the fridge. Frozen corn maybe used instead of fresh; pan toast in a skillet until slightly browned. Some markets sell frozen roasted corn which just needs thawing out. Chipotle Crema Dressing dressing is lovely slathered on barbecued corn on the cobs or toasted frozen corn kernels; so save any extra in a covered container. Instead of vegan mayo...

Peach Salad w/Oil-free Creamy Vinaigrette is a refreshing and luscious salad when the fragrant and juicy peaches ripen in the summer. The creamy vinaigrette pairs perfectly with the sweet peaches, buttery avocados and the fresh greens.  Oil-free Creamy Vinaigrette is a snap to prepare and is delicious on any salad. The wholesome and mild tasting oatmeal and hemp hearts help make it creamy. This dressing is so good that we love to make daily salads just to enjoy it! The vianigrette is oil, gluten, and dairy free. Oil-free Creamy Vinaigrette maybe prepared ahead and will stay fresh for 1 week. Use this dressing to season your favorite salads. Spinach, Arugula, Butter/Green/Red Leaf Lettuces, Curly or Belgian Endive, etc all work well as salad greens. Readily available Spring mix consisting of baby greens is another easy option. 4 Servings INGREDIENTS: Vinaigrette 1/4 cup Oatmeal 1/4 cup Hemp Hearts 1 medium Shallot 2 cloves Garlic 2 Tbsp White Wine...

Zucchini Kimchi Easy Zucchini Kimchi is exactly that and tasty as can be. This is a fantastic recipe for a beginner's first foray into kimchi making; it goes together in minutes and the results are very impressive. Another great way to enjoy the abundant harvest especially if you grow these generous veggies or know someone who does! The tasty kimchi maybe served with any meal that needs a flavorful side. We love fresh small batches of kimchi. I slice and salt the zucchini while preparing a meal or cooking. When the rest of the work is done, it takes a couple of minutes to finish the kimchi. This recipe is gluten and dairy free; and oil free too if the sesame oil is not used. Once you start making and enjoying this kimchi, you will find many ways to enjoy every morsel. I love to pile them on my avocado or peanut butter toast for a lovely savory breakfast, brunch or snack! You may like to double the recipe because it disappears very fast! NOTES: If Korean r...

Simple yet luscious Chopped Salad With Non-Dairy Raita Dressing came into being when I wanted a salad to coordinate with an Indian themed meal. The salad turned out fabulous with requests for more! Chopped Salad With Raita Dressing Chopped Salad With Non-Dairy Raita Dressing is a wonderful recipe good and good for you with all the pro- and pre- biotic components. The radishes and grapes add spicy crunch and cool sweetness to this wonderful and satisfying salad. The dressing and salad (without the tomatoes) maybe prepared a day ahead and reserved in the fridge separately. Add the tomatoes and the dressing to the salad just before serving. NOTES: Watermelon instead of or in addition to the grapes is wonderful in this salad especially on a warm day or evening. Spinach or other greens maybe used instead of the romaine lettuce. 4 Servings INGREDIENTS: Raita Dressing 1/4 cup Raw Cashews, soaked in warm water for 30 minutes 1/2 cup thick non-dairy Plain Yogurt...

Simple and Delicious Zucchini/Yellow Squash is a quick side dish to accompany any meal. Although fine with any meal, it is particularly wonderful served as part of Indian, Chinese, Korean type meals with warm rice, quinoa, or other grains. The sesame adds a lovely nutty crunch. Since this is a veggie dish, it is naturally gluten/dairy free and oil-free as well. Enjoy with warm cooked rice/grains, roti or other flatbreads and dal/bean dishes such as Simple Dal , Lemony Dal , Sambar , Chole , one of the fresh veggie dishes like  Raita , Salad , etc. Delicious with warm cooked rice or other grains and with other side dishes or simply put the zucchini on top of the rice along with some sautéed tofu.  NOTES:   A combination of zucchini and yellow squash maybe used or only one type of veggie.  If you like the Zucchini/Yellow Squash on the dry side without a lot of liquid, sprinkle the cut veggies with a pinch of salt and set aside until the rest ...

Palak Kadhi, Spinach & Besan (Chickpea flour) Non-dairy Curry, is an easy and delicious recipe that is also naturally gluten free. I have veganized it by fermenting the besan mixture overnight thus eliminating the necessity for yogurt. But if you have old plain, unsweetened, non-dairy yogurt you want to use up on hand, about 1 cup of the yogurt maybe stirred in at the end. The final seasoned oil based on Hema's suggestions is what makes this kadhi so exceptionally tasty! I added the smoked paprika to the seasoned oil to take the flavor to another level. Frozen spinach makes it very quick and easy to prepare this Palak Kadhi (Spinach Curry); one large bunch of fresh spinach maybe used instead of the frozen spinach if you prefer. This kadhi is similar to Non-Dairy Kadhi  which has a different flavor profile and no spinach. NOTES: Use the larger amount of the besan (chickpea flour) for thicker curry. Use higher amounts of the spices for the seasoned oil if...

Frijoles Negros or Seasoned Black Beans are amazingly delicious; just a handful of ingredients produce lip smackingly yummy beans! With a pressure cooker or an Instant Pot, cooking beans becomes so easy and quick. Do try to cook the beans if possible rather than using canned for the wonderful and rich taste. See Ode to Beans or Basic Black Beans for more ideas on cooking beans. Any leftovers maybe used as filling for tacos/burritos/tostadas etc. or in the delicious  Black Bean and Corn Casserole , Burgers ,  Cuban Black Bean Soup , or Casamiento .  Black Beans belong to the superfood family of legumes; they are typically served as part of meals in Mexican, Central & South American, and other cuisines. Cooking beans is quite simple and very cost effective. Similar to most beans, black beans have negligible amounts of fat. They are a great source of protein, fiber, and thiamin. Black beans are loaded with anthocyanins and also contain good amounts of iron, calcium...

Buckwheat Pancakes Hidden Gem Buckwheat Pancakes With Blueberry Coulis are delightfully tasty and fun with the hidden slices of fruit! They are the easy and healthy version of the fritters known as Pazham Pori, immensely popular in Kerala. Pazham Pori, typically enjoyed as tea time snacks, are made with ripe plantains dipped in batter and deep fried. I have made them as pancakes for a healthier option. These special pancakes are not only oil free, they are also naturally dairy and gluten free! Hidden Gems Buckwheat Pancakes maybe prepared with either the plantains or regular bananas. I like adding round slices of the plantain/banana in the pancackes instead of the traditional longitudinal slices; pancakes maybe prepared with long slices if preferred. The ripe fruit adds to the sweetness and along with the coulis and the whipped topping, could very well be a dessert! This fun and great tasting recipe is perfect for a special occasion breakfast, brunch, or snack. NOTES...

Lettuce Wraps W/Spiced Tofu are irresistible and make a lovely light meal or starter. The fresh crisp lettuce and pickled vegetable topping add freshness to the slightly sweet but savory filling. Be warned - one taste and you'd want to make a meal of the wraps! Lettuce Wraps with Spiced Tofu Notes: The tofu filling, pickled carrots and daikon, and the lettuce wraps maybe prepared a day ahead and the filling reheated before serving. While any regular mushrooms maybe used, fresh or dried shiitake mushrooms are lovely. If using dried shiitake, soak in a little water for about 20 minutes to soften. I use cauliflower rice (chopped cauliflower) as I don't always have access to water chestnuts. 1/3 cup Hoisin Sauce maybe used instead of the cooking sauce; please be sure to check the ingredients in the sauce as not all hoisin sauces are gluten free.  Picked Carrots & Daikon Radish 1 large Carrot, cut in fine match sticks 1 medium Daikon Radish, cut in fine ...

We love all things lentils and this Everyday Lentil Soup is a favorite! Lentil soup can serve as a main dish, light meal/snack, or starter. This luscious soup enriched with the trio of onions, garlic, and carrots can stand alone or served with grains or bread. According to Hema, this soup is based on Mauritian recipe where Indian and local ingredients are combined to produce the unique dishes reminiscent of Indian cuisine. The soup begins with preparing a flavorful basic seasoning of toasted cumin seeds, onions and garlic common to most dals along with carrots which add color, texture, and sweetness plus tomato for a little tang. I like to cook the lentils by themselves and add them to the soup after the seasonings are ready. Then the soup is simmered with fragrant thyme and finished with a sprinkle of parsley or cilantro.  Leftovers are fabulous for about a week in the fridge or maybe frozen for up to 3 months. Or, turn the delicious leftovers into a yummy casserole: stir...