Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry

I needed something that would be quick and easy, include ingredients that I had on hand, and would make enough for a couple of dinners...Jamie Oliver to the rescue!  This recipe popped up on my Twitter feed and it completely fit the bill.  My only complaint is that it isn't hot enough for me, but my kids enjoyed it (and I just added more chili to mine!)  For someone who doesn't love leftovers; I ate this all week and enjoyed it more and more as the flavours deepened!!

BUTTERNUT SQUASH & CHICKPEA CURRY
Ingredients:

1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded and diced into 1" chunks

1 tbsp freshly grated ginger

1 large onion, diced

4 cloves of garlic, minced

1 fresh red Thai chili sliced

1 bunch of fresh cilantro, leaves removed and stems finely diced

1 tbsp coconut oil

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 tbsp curry powder

1 tsp turmeric

1 large can of diced tomatoes

2- 400g cans of coconut milk

2-400g cans of chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• Melt coconut oil over medium high heat in a large skillet.  Add ginger, garlic, red chili and onion.  Stir frequently until golden brown.  Add mustard seeds, curry, and cilantro stems.  Saute until crispy.
• Add the turmeric, can of tomatoes with juice, and coconut milk.  Bring to a boil and add squash and chickpeas.  Reduce heat to medium and simmer until tender and sauce has thickened (approximately 25 to 30 mins).
• Serve over a bed of basmati rice.
• ENJOY!

Garam Masala Drumsticks with Aloo Gobi

We all love Indian food, but to make it from scratch can be VERY time consuming.  When I found this simplified recipe in February's issue of "Inspiring Ideas for Everyday Living", I decided to give it a try.  I'm so glad that I did!  The result was a delicious Indian meal in a fraction of the time, with minimal clean up!

GARAM MASALA DRUMSTICKS WITH ALOO GOBI

Ingredients:

1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs (or cornflakes like I used)

4 tsp garam masala

1/4 tsp each ground coriander, garlic powder and onion powder

Pinch each cayenne pepper and salt

4 skinless, chicken drumsticks

1 cup medium shredded unsweetened coconut

1 egg, beaten

ALOO GOBI

1 1/4 tsp ground cumin

3/4 tsp each ground coriander, curry powder and turmeric

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp salt

Pinch cayenne pepper

2 tbsp oil (coconut or olive)

2 cups cauliflower florets

340g mini yellow-fleshed potatoes, scrubbed and halved

CURRY YOGURT SAUCE

1/2 cup Balkan-style plain yogurt (or goat yogurt like I used)

2 tsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp liquid honey

• GARAM MASALA DRUMSTICKS:  In a resealable freezer bag, combine bread crumbs, garam masala, coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt and coconut.  
• Dip chicken into beaten egg and add chicken drumsticks to the bag and shake to coat each drumstick thoroughly.  Remove to a plate.
• ALOO GOBI:  In a small bowl, stir together cumin, coriander, curry powder, turmeric, garlic powder, salt and cayenne pepper.  Remove 1 tsp and set aside.  Stir oil into remaining spice mixture.
• Place cauliflower and potatoes in separate bowl and divide the oil mixture evenly between the two.  Toss each to coat the vegetables thoroughly.
• Arrange chicken drumsticks and potatoes on a foil-lined baking sheet; bake at 400F for 20 minutes.  Turn chicken and stir potatoes.  Add cauliflower to baking sheet; bake until juices run clear when chicken is pierced and cauliflower is beginning to brown (approx. 20 minutes).
• CURRY YOGURT SAUCE:  In a small bowl, stir together yogurt, reserved spice mixture, lemon juice and honey.  Serve with the chicken and vegetables
• ENJOY!            

*I served this dish with lime wedges to give the vegetables more zip!!

Saag Paneer (Indian Spinach with Homemade Cheese)

Saag...

Paneer...

 This is a classic Northern Indian dish that consists of spinach and fresh, unripened cheese made by curdling whole milk to separate the curds from the whey.  You can find it in many stores,
but as with most things, I find homemade best!

SAAG PANEER

Ingredients:

2 bunches spinach, trimmed

2 tbsp vegetable (or coconut) oil

3/4 tsp whole cumin seeds

1 onion, finely chopped

1 tbsp butter

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp finely grated fresh gingerroot

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro (AKA coriander)

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp ground coriander

Pinch cinnamon

3 plum tomatoes, peeled and finely chopped

1/3 cup Balkan-style yogurt

2 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp garam masala

8 oz paneer, cubed

Saag Paneer!!!

• In a large pot of salted boiling water, blanch spinach until just wilted; drain.  Chill under cold water and drain again.  In a food processor, puree spinach with 1/4 cup water and set aside.
• In a large deep skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat;  cook cumin seeds until slightly darkened (approx. 10 seconds).  Add onion and butter; saute until onion is golden (approx. 8 minutes).  
• Reduce heat to medium; stir in garlic and ginger and saute for 1 minute.  Stir in fresh cilantro, cayenne, turmeric, ground coriander, salt and cinnamon.  Saute, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds before adding tomatoes.  Stir until tomatoes break down (approx. 3 minutes).
• Stir in pureed spinach; cover and cook, stirring occasionally and adding 1 to 2 tbsp water if mixture is getting too dry, until steaming hot (approx. 3 mins).
• Stir in yogurt, lemon juice and garam masala; bring to a simmer.  Reduce heat to low and add paneer.  Cover and cook until heated through (approx. 2 minutes)
• Serve and ENJOY!

PANEER RECIPE:

12 cups homogenized milk

1 cup lemon juice

1/4 tsp salt

• In a large saucepan, bring milk to a boil; remove from heat.  Add lemon juice; stir until milk curdles and separates into spongy white chunks (curds) and greenish milky water (whey).  Stir in salt.
• Pour into a double cheesecloth-lined stainer set over bowl.  Let stand until most of the liquid has drained off.  Fold cheesecloth over top; weigh down with a plate and full 28oz can.  Refrigerate for 8 hrs or up to 24 hrs.
• Remove cheesecloth and use!

*I substituted goat's milk yogurt - it is thicker and my family who is lactose intolerant can eat it!  I also omitted the butter and used coconut milk for the saag recipe...the paneer recipe I followed to a "T".

South Indian-Style Vegetable Curry

This easy one-pot meal is perfect for using up any of those random vegetables in your crisper!  There are many ingredients, but don't let that deter you - the complex flavours created from using these spices and vegetables is delicious!!

SOUTH INDIAN-STYLE VEGETABLE CURRY

Ingredients

2 tbsp coconut oil, or olive oil

1 large yellow onion, finely diced

4 medium cloves garlic, minced

1-2" piece of fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated

1 tbsp ground coriander

1 1/2 tsp ground cumin

3/4 tsp ground turmeric

1/2 tsp cayenne

1 tbsp tomato paste

2 cups vegetable broth

1 cup light coconut milk

1-3" cinnamon stick

Sea salt and black pepper

1 small cauliflower, broken into florets

1lb sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1" cubes

2 medium tomatoes, coarsely chopped

2 lrg carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2" thick rounds

1can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

4 lightly packed cups of fresh baby spinach

2 tbsp fresh lime juice

1 tsp finely grated lime zest

2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

• In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat.  Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally until beginning to brown (2 to 4 minutes).  Reduce heat to medium and cook until the onion is richly browned (5 to 7 minutes more).  Add the garlic and ginger; cook stirring for 1 minute.
• Add coriander, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne; stir for 30 seconds to toast the spices.  Add the tomato paste and stir until well blended with the spices.
• Add the broth, coconut milk, cinnamon stick, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper and bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add the cauliflower, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and carrots. Simmer until the vegetables are tender, 20 to 25 minutes.  Discard the cinnamon stick.
• Stir in the chickpeas, spinach, lime juice, and zest;  cook until the spinach has wilted (about 3 minutes).
• Serve garnished with the cilantro and ENJOY!

Lentil and Chickpea Soup

"Harira" is a traditional Ramadan soup that is easy to prepare, makes a large quantity and is substantial for supper after fasting all day.  I've made this often over the years and all of us enjoy the wonderful aroma and taste of this delicious soup!

LENTIL AND CHICKPEA SOUP

Ingredients:

1 large bunch of fresh parsley and cilantro (coriander)

8 cups vegetable stock

1 cup green or brown dried lentils

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

2 cans (each 19oz) chopped tomatoes, drained

2 onions, diced

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp each ground cumin, ground ginger, turmeric and black pepper

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 tbsp EVOO

• Chop 1/4 cup each of the cilantro and parsley; set aside.  Tie together remaining coriander and parsley and place in a large pot.  Add stock and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes.  Discard herb bundle.  Add lentils; cover and continue to simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, turmeric, and pepper.  Cover and simmer for a further 30 minutes.
• In a food processor, blender or using an immersion blender, puree 3 cups of the soup.  Return to the pot and stir in the lemon juice, olive oil and reserved chopped herbs.
• Serve in warmed bowls and ENJOY!  

Fruity Beef Curry

As we have a freezer full of "Cooper's Farm's" hormone and antibiotic free, pasture raised, Angus-grade beef, and I was wishing I was somewhere far warmer than home, I created this sweet and succulent curry which fit the bill perfectly!

FRUITY BEEF CURRY

Ingredients

2 tsp EVOO

1 lb lean ground beef

1 tsp sea salt

1 1/2 cups chopped onion

1 tbsp cumin seeds

2 tsp coarsely grated fresh gingerroot (or 1/2 tsp ground ginger)

1 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp ground cardamom

1 bay leaf

1/8 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp dried crushed red chilis

3 medium sized tomatoes, chopped

2 McIntosh apples, peeled, cored and chopped

Juice and grated peel of 1 medium lemon

1/2 cup sultana raisins.

2 medium bananas, cut into 1" pieces

1 cup chopped, ripe mango

2 tbsp liquid honey

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add ground beef and salt and saute until beef is no longer pink.  Add next 8 ingredients.  Stir together and cook for approx. 5 mins, stirring often until onion is soft.
• Add next 4 ingredients, stir and cook covered for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until apple just begins to soften.
• Add banana, mango and honey.  Stir, cook covered for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through and fruit is just slightly softened.  Remove and discard bay leaf.
• Serve over basmati rice and ENJOY! 

Moroccan Chicken & Quinoa

I can hardly believe it has been an entire month since I last made an entry!  I hope everyone had a great holiday season and isn't getting too frozen with the punishing weather we've been experiencing this January.  Two weeks ago Greg and I went to the Mayan Riviera to check on our vacation villa that is being constructed in the gated community of Grand Sirenis Resort....+32C every day and lovely sunshine...sigh!

Anyway, upon our return I took India to see a naturopath due to some health issues she's been experiencing and it was suggested that she go on a diet that excludes wheat, yeast, dairy and nightshade vegetables...a little bit of a challenge for a girl who lives on carbs and dairy!!  Not so for me!  I borrowed a book that I bought my girlfriend Kathy for Christmas, "Quinoa:  The Everyday Super Food" and found this incredible recipe.  Reminds me when Greg and I were in Morocco!  YUM!

MOROCCAN CHICKEN & QUINOA

Chicken:

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp ground turmeric

1/4 tsp ground coriander

2 tbsp butter or EVOO

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 cup diced onion

1 cup water

2 tsp orange juice

pinch salt

Quinoa:

2/3 cup quinoa

1 1/3 cups water

1 tbsp butter

2 tsp honey

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

• To prepare the chicken, combine the cinnamon, ginger, turmeric and coriander in a small bowl and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan on medium heat and place the chicken breasts in the pan.  Fry for about 5 minutes, until they are nicely browned.  Flip the chicken over and add the onion, water, garlic, orange juice and salt.  Toss in the spices.
• Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 20 to 25 minutes, until the chicken is no longer pink.
• While the chicken is simmering, prepare the quinoa by bringing the quinoa and water to a boil in a small saucepan.  Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 10 minutes.  Turn the heat off and leave the covered saucepan on the burner for an additional 7 minutes.  Remove the lid and fluff with a fork.
• Remove the quinoa from the heat and toss with the butter, honey and salt.  Stir in the cinnamon.
• To serve, divide the quinoa among 4 plates and top each with a piece of chicken.  Pour the sauce over top.  Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days.

**Prior to placing the quinoa in the pot with water, thoroughly rinse it in a sieve to remove the bitter saponin which coats the exterior of each grain**

**Identified as one of the world's healthiest foods, quinoa (pronounced KEEN-WAH) has a complete combination of all life-supporting nutrients, making it an ideal whole food to incorporate into your daily lifestyle!  It is very easy to prepare, regardless of your cooking ability and is a nutritionally superior source of non-animal protein with optimal amino acid content, gluten-free and is a complex carbohydrate to help regulate blood sugar levels!!  WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE?!**

Toasted Spiced Chickpeas

We have all been suffering with colds and flu so I decided it was high time for a spicy meal (trouble was, I really didn't feel like cooking!)  So I decided the pulses are quick and easy to cook, and filling ~ perfect!
My friend Andrea had given me a book last year entitled "Indian Food Made Easy" by Anjum Anand and it is fabulous!!  I got this recipe from her book and ALL of us thoroughly enjoyed them...in fact we had seconds!

TOASTED SPICED CHICKPEAS

Ingredients

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1 tsp cumin seeds

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1/4 - 3/4 (depending on your taste!) tsp of red chili powder

1 1/4 tsp ground coriander

3/4 tsp garam masala

400g can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained

Salt to taste

2 tbsp boiled water

Handful of fresh coriander leaves, chopped

• Heat the oil in a large skillet.  Add the cumin seeds and fry for about 30 to 40 seconds, or until they give off their aroma and start to darken.
• Add the remaining spices and salt and cook for 10 seconds.  Add the chickpeas and stir to coat well in the spices.  Saute for 2 minutes, then add the water and coriander leaves.  Cook for a further minute and serve!

*I didn't have the fresh coriander leaves, but the chickpeas were delicious without it still!*

Spiced Spatchcock Chicken

We are part of the poultry share with "Cooper's CSA Farm & Maze" and nothing beats the fantastic flavour and texture of free-range, pasture-raised, hormone & antibiotic free chicken!!

In case you aren't familiar with "spatchcocking" it is simply a method of flattening out a whole chicken so that it can be grilled evenly!

SPICED SPATCHCOCK CHICKEN

Ingredients

2 tbsp EVOO

1 1/2 tsp turmeric

1 tsp black pepper

3/4 tsp ground allspice

1/2 tsp each ground cinnamon & salt

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

3lb (1.5 kg) whole chicken

Lime wedges

• In a large bowl, combine oil, turmeric, pepper, allspice, cinnamon, salt and cayenne pepper. Set aside.
• Using kitchen shears, cut chicken down each side of the backbone; remove the backbone. Turn chicken breast side up; press firmly on breastbone to flatten. Add to bowl and rub all over with the spice mixture.
• Heat barbecue grill and place large piece of heavy duty foil over the grill (or if you have a drip pan under the grill, just oil the grill itself). Place chicken bone side down on the grill and close lid, turn once two-thirds of the way through cooking time of 45 minutes, until juices run clear when thigh is pierced (or when thermometer reads 165C).
• Transfer to a cutting board and let stand for 10 minutes before carving.
• Serve with lime wedges and ENJOY!!
  

Curry Pickled Cauliflower

In our CSA basket we received cauliflower for several weeks and when I looked in my fridge, I noticed that I had 1 large head and 2 smaller ones waiting to be used. Since I wasn't intending to use them this week, I decided to preserve them. In my "Complete Book of Pickling" by Jennifer MacKenzie, I found this recipe which is absolutely delicious! I forsee me using this pickled cauliflower heated up in boiled potatoes for a quick aloo gobi, or in muffaletta sandwiches, on an antipasto tray or in couscous, it is that versatile!

CURRY PICKLED CAULIFLOWER

Ingredients

2 large heads of cauliflower (about 5lbs)

6 cloves garlic, halved

1 tbsp finely chopped gingerroot

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tbsp pickling or canning salt

2 tsp curry powder

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

1/8 tsp ground turmeric

5 cups white vinegar

2 1/4 cups water

• Prepare canner, jars and lids as usual.
• Trim off all leaves from heads of cauliflower. Cut cauliflower into 1 1/2" florets, trimming off thick stems. You should have about 18 cups. Set aside.
• In a large pot, combine garlic, ginger, sugar, salt, curry powder, cumin seeds, turmeric, white vinegar and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often until sugar and salt is dissolved. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes until mixture is flavourful. Increase heat to medium-high. Add cauliflower and return to a boil, pressing occasionally to immerse cauliflower in liquid as it softens. Remove from heat.
• Using a slotted spoon, pack cauliflower into hot jars leaving 1" headspace, and adding 2 pieces of garlic per jar. Pour in hot pickling liquid, leaving 1/2" headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace as necessary by adding hot pickling liquid.
• Wipe jar rims and add hot lid disc on jar. Screw band down until fingertip tight.
• Place jars in canner and return to a boil. Process for 10 minutes. Turn off heat, remove canner lid and let jars stand in water for 5 minutes. Transfer jars to a towel-lined surface and let stand for 24 hours. Check lids and reprocess any jars that aren't sealed.

*If you purchase your cauliflower from a farm that doesn't use pesticides, like I do, make sure that you prepare a salt water bath in the sink to soak the cauliflower and rid it of any creepy-crawlies! 3/4 cup of kosher salt to 16 cups of cold water. Stir the salt into the water and then immerse the cauliflower florets for approx. 30 minutes. Drain and rinse the cauliflower prior to adding to the recipe.

Corn Zucchini Relish

That time of year has finally arrived and I am in full-swing with my canning 'operation'!!! The corn this year is fantastic and in abundance; that and zucchini is always abundant so this recipe is perfect (and extremely tasty too!)

CORN ZUCCHINI RELISH

Ingredients

8 cups cooked corn kernels

2 cups finely chopped zucchini

1 1 /2 cups finely chopped onions

1 1 /2 cups finely chopped celery

1 cup finely chopped red bell pepper

1 cup finely chopped green bell pepper

2 cups granulated sugar

1/4 dry mustard

2 tbsp canning/pickling/kosher salt

1 tbsp ground ginger

1 tbsp celery seeds

1 tsp ground turmeric

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

2 1/2 cups cider vinegar

• Prepare canner, jars and lids as usual
• In a large pot, combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often until sugar and salt are dissolved. Reduce heat and boil gently, stirring often, for about 30 minutes or until onions and celery are tender and mixture is slightly thickened.
• Ladle hot relish into hot jars, leaving 1/2" headspace. Wipe rim and place hot lid disc on jar. Screw band down until fingertip tight.
• Place jars in canner and return to a boil. Process for 15 minutes. Turn off heat and remove canner lid. Let jars stand in water for 5 minutes. Transfer jars to a towel-lined surface and let stand for 24 hours. Check lids and reprocess any jars that are not sealed.

To cook the corn, boil it in a large pot of boiling water, in batches as necessary, for 5 minutes or until kernels are tender. Remove from water and drain well. Let cool completely. Using either a serrated or chef's knife, cut kernels from cob and measure. You'll need approximately a dozen (12) cobs of corn for the 8 cups required in this recipe!

Dal - An Indian Red Lentil Dish

Dal is one of those Indian comfort foods that I could just eat contentedly with a piece of warm garlic naan bread! This is a delicious recipe that incorporates a smoky flavour that really hits the spot!

MURKHA DAL

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter

2 tsp black mustard seeds

1 onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 tbsp grated gingerroot

1 tsp turmeric

2 green chilies, deseeded and finely chopped *wear gloves!!*

1 cup of dried red lentils

4 cups water

1 1 /4 cups coconut milk

1 tsp salt

• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the mustard seeds and cover the pan - when you can hear the seeds popping, add the onion, garlic and gingerroot (this smell emanating from the pot just makes my mouth water!!)
• Cook uncovered until they are soft and the garlic is brown - about 7 to 8 minutes. Do not worry that the garlic is burned to the bottom of the pan - this is what produces the heavenly smoky flavour.
• Stir in the turmeric and green chilies and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the chilies soften a little.
• Add the lentils, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until they begin to turn translucent.
• Add the water, coconut milk and salt. Stir well and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 40 minutes, or until the desired consistency is reached. You may like it more liquid than I do, in which case 40 minutes will be about right. For a thicker consistency you will need to cook it about 10 to 15 minutes longer.
• Serve immediately and ENJOY!!!