How my love of curry began Years ago I decided to expand my culinary horizons by attending a Pakistani cooking class and this curry, Aloo Palak or Pakistani Spinach curry was one of the first things I made. At that time, I knew nothing about Indian and Pakistani cuisine. I wasn’t even a big fan…
Category: Vegetarian
Chili Paneer with Sweet and Sour Garlic Sauce
Who says vegetarian is lame? I have to admit, I always viewed vegetarian food as a bit of a bummer with tasteless tofu and stupid quinoa bowls. Yes, a meatless meal made with sustainable local produce is more environmentally and socially responsible but come on….who really likes tempeh????? It tastes like a litter box!…
Andy’s Go-to Base Gravy for Balti Curry
Why do we need a base gravy for this dish? It’s tough to pick the “biggest difference” between British Indian food and “real” Indian cooking – beyond the fact that one has come through the lens of the restaurant industry rather than the homes and street stalls of the subcontinent. At home, most curries are…
Roasted Pear and Bleu Cheese Salad with Cashews
My new favorite side salad: Roasted pear with bleu cheese My new favorite salad which comprises all necessary elements of a great bowl of the green leafy stuff: sweet, salty and a crunch. The sweetness of a roasted pear combined with the salty and sharp Bleu cheese crumbles and the crunch of…
Roasted Red Peppers with Chevre and Honey Almonds
A beautiful plate of food Roasted red bell peppers richly seasoned with Balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil, then topped with the tang and tartness of chevre and the added crunched of sweet honey roasted almonds. Not only is it stunning to look at but this beauty has got the goods to back…
Chana Masala (Vegetarian Indian Chickpeas Curry)
Chana Masala, the humble chickpea curry Chickpea curry does not have the ‘pizazz’ that some Indian dishes seem to carry. There aren’t any bright colors nor does this curry give off that chili pepper heat that makes you sweat. It’s a simple curry with simple ingredients, like the humble chickpea, simmered in a tomato gravy. …
Marsala Mushroom and Goat Cheese French Omelette
What is there to say about this omelette recipe? What anecdote or clever quip can I use to describe it? How shall I sing its praises? Should I discuss how the combination of sweet Marsala wine and lemony thyme are soaked up by meaty mushrooms? Should I elaborate about how much I love those…
Pasta Primavera with Oven Roasted Vegetables
Springtime is here! In Italian, Primavera means springtime. Springtime with its awakening gardens and brighter days. So it makes sense that a pasta primavera be filled with all the garden has to offer. A colorful rainbow of fresh vegetables and mushrooms. Now if I am going to toss all those lovely fresh vegetables together with…
Lentil Burgers with Lemon Yogurt Dressing
Not your typical burger These lentil burgers are crispy on the outside but soft and savory on the inside. They are delicious wrapped up in a tortilla or fluffy naan bread for a little sandwich or paired with fresh cucumber, tomato, a drizzle of lemon and garlic yogurt sauce and a dab of chili sauce….
Sumac Roasted Vegetables with Feta and Lemon
So…what’s sumac? Imagine my delight when I discovered sumac. Before a year or two ago, I had no idea that this spice existed. Now I am fascinated with this lemony red spice. Sumac is primarily used in Middle Eastern cooking to add a bit of tartness to the dish. It is also one of the…
Creamy and Savoury Carrot and Leek Soup
Put that veg in a soup! If you are like me and struggle with getting your beloved family members to eat more vegetables, then this soup is for you. Loaded with veg and full of flavor, my husband and child are none the wiser to my diabolical plan of getting them both…
Pumpkin Tempura with Soy and Chili Dipping Sauce
Every Autumn the food bloggers go a little crazy over pumpkin. Just check Foodgawker this time of year and you’ll be bombarded with all kinds of questionable pumpkin concoctions. Personally, I’d like to get on board with the experimentation but my (British) husband simply refuses to even look at it…
Vegetarian Bean and Cheese Crispy Burritos
I have fond childhood memories of my mother going to Taco Time and coming back with crispy burritos for my brother, sister and I. Long and crispy and wrapped in that crispy paper bag with unsealed open ends on both sides…I can hear myself crunching into it now. Recently I…
Vegan Zha Jiang Mian (Chinese noodles w/soybean sauce)
Zha Jiang Mian translates to “fried noodle sauce” meaning that you must ‘fry’ or simmer the sauce and add it to the noodles later, almost like a Chinese version of spaghetti with marinara sauce. Although this dish is typically made with minced meat, I prefer the vegetarian version…
Vegan Breakfast Burritos That Don’t Suck
When I told my husband that I was experimenting with making vegan breakfast burritos, he asked why I, a non-Vegan, would attempt such an unnecessary feat. To which I replied: ‘Does not a Vegan want to eat the same delicious food, do they not get bored with the same tasteless…
Korean Iced Tea (Green Tea Soju cocktail)
What is soju? Soju is the preferred alcoholic drink of choice for Koreans. Part rice wine, part vodka, soju can be found anywhere and everywhere in South Korea. I’ve seen Koreans throwback straight soju at BBQ’s, on mountain climbing trips, while river rafting and during pretty much any other activity that expresses their love of…
My Favorite Fresh Tomato and Garlic Salsa
Fresh salsa is a must in my household. Fresh tomatoes chopped with garlic, cilantro, jalapeno and onions with a special seasoning mix is so versatile as a topping to most everything I eat and I simply can’t be without it. When it comes to salsa, homemade is best made. You just can’t get the same…
Carrot Bhaji with Lemony Yogurt Dipping Sauce
What is bhaji? Bhaji is the Indian version of a fritter. Often made with vegetables like onion, potatoes or even chili. They are deep-fried and served as snack or eaten on their own if you are in the mood. Since I love anything generously seasoned with spice and fried until crispy, they are definitely one…
Kid and Mom-Friendly Stovetop Mac and Cheese
Childhood means mac and cheese Like any American kid who grew up in the ’90s, I was a big fan of boxed stovetop mac and cheese. You could, in fact, classify me as a ‘connoisseur’ of it. My preference was for Kraft Thick and Creamy made with less milk so that it was extra powdered…
Indian Spiced Cheese Fritters (Masala cheese pancakes)
Indian spiced cheese fritters = heaven in my mouth Imagine how good a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie hot and fresh from the oven is. Now, imagine that instead of being sweet, it is cheesy. Instead of chocolate chips, there are bits of green chilies and scallions. This is the best way to describe Masala…