Aloo Palak/ Potatoes in Spinach gravy

Last week our home refrigerator stopped working.I had to wait for 4 days till I get a new fridge. First task the moment I realized fridge is not working was cleanup. Cleaning fridge is a big task but I am glad that my habit of not storing food and making fresh food for every meal made me finish so quickly. No food wastage. Only problem I had was to finish vegetables quickly. One of the vegetable was Spinach. Made spinach rice one day and one day Aloo Palak.

Very simple to make and yet delicious with hot rotis.

Ingredients:

2tbsp of oil
1 bunch of spinach/ 4 cups of baby spinach
2 medium sized potato cubed or any shape which you like
1 medium sized tomato (finely chopped)
1 medium sized onion (finely chopped)
2-3 green chilies
1tsp cumin powder
1tsp ginger garlic paste
1tsp coriander powder
pinch of turmeric powder
1tbsp red chilly powder
1tbsp whole garam masala (2 cloves, 1/4 inch Cinnamon stick,2 cardamoms)
(You can substitute with 1tbsp masala powder instead of whole garam masala)
Salt to taste


Procedure:

1. Blanch spinach and make a puree with green chilies in a mixer.
2. Stir fry cubed potatoes till they turn golden color. (You can skip this step if you want potatoes mushy)
3. Heat oil in a heavy bottomed vessel. Add whole garam masala, chopped onions, ginger garlic paste and salt (Salt helps to cook onions faster). Once onions turn golden color add cumin powder, coriander powder, red chilly powder, turmeric powder.
4. Add chopped tomatoes. Once tomatoes are cooked completely in masala/spices add spinach paste.
5. Once spinach puree starts boiling add potato cubes. Cook for 5-6 mts on low heat. Give a taste test and adjust spices.
Turn off the heat and garnish with fresh coriander. Aloo Palak is ready to serve with nan/roti.

Adzuki Beans curry

Today I am posting the recipe with Adzuki beans. As far as I remember I never tasted these beans in India.

A year back when I bought sprouted beans packet in Costco found one of the ingredients is Adzuki beans. Couple of months back found the same beans in Indian Store named "Red Chori". These beans have unique taste and nutty flavor. Very nutritious too.

Try it out you will definitely love these like me.



Ingredients:

1 cup of Adzuki beans
2 tomatoes finely chopped
1 medium sized onion finely chopped
1bay leaf
3 cloves
1tsp garam masala powder
black pepper powder or red chili powder as per your spice level
pinch of turmeric powder
salt
1tbsp oil
1tsp ginger garlic paste
1tsp sugar
1tsp lemon juice
chopped cilantro for garnish

Procedure:

Cook Beans:
Option 1: Wash and soak beans in 3 cups of water for 6 hrs and pressure cook for 4 whistles.
Option 2: Wash and cook beans in 3 cups of water in pressure cooker for 9 whistles.
Once cooker is cooled remove strain beans and keep the water aside(do not discard any excess water) and use potato masher and mash beans coarsely.
In a stock pot add oil, once oil is hot add bay leaf, cloves, ginger garlic paste and onions. Add salt this will help onions to cook faster. Once onions turn golden color add chopped tomatoes, garam masala powder, black pepper, sugar and turmeric powder. Once onions and tomatoes cooked in spices add cooked beans and the beans water. Cook for 10 more minutes and adjust spices.(If needed add more water) . Remove from heat and add lemon juice and mix well. Nutritious curry is ready to be served. Garnish with cilantro and serve with hot rice or roti.

Stuffed Jalapenos

It's been raining past few days in bay area. During this kind of weather I always feel like eating something spicy and deep fried. Decided to make Mirchi Bajji but wanted to try baked version of stuffed Jalapenos instead of deep fry version. First time i had these stuffed jalapenos are at my friend Shilpa's place. She made two varieties one is cream cheese filling another one potato filling. My favorite one is potato filling.

Here is my version of Stuffed Jalapenos for those who wants to eat spicy.

Ingredients:

10 Jalapenos
2 medium sized potatos
4tbsp grated raw mango
1/2 onion finely chopped
chopped cilantro leaves for garnish
lemon juice
salt
chat masala
red chili powder (If you want more spicy which I do ;) )

Procedure:

Pre heat oven to 400 F
Slit Jalapenos length wise and remove seeds to shape like a boat. Or Cut Jalapenos into half, length wise and remove seeds.
Boil potatoes and mash with potato masher.
Combine chopped onions, mashed potatoes, grated raw mango, salt, chili powder(optional). Taste and adjust spices.
Stuff jalapenos with the potato mix and bake for 15 to 18 mts till peppers are cooked. (Hint: peppers will turn little bit brown color.)

Remove from oven sprinkle lemon juice, chat masala and garnish with cilantro and serve.



If you are spicy lover like me cannot stop with 1.

Fenugreek leaves Lentil Soup

It's a big task for me to decide what to make for every day dinner. Every single day I spend at least 10 mts to decide on what to make. I am sure most of us do the same. Finally ended up making comfort food like lentil soup on week days.

Today's dish is one of those comfort food which is Fenugreek Leaves lentil soup. A healthy and tasty soup for cold weather.

Ingredients

1 cup of tur dal/red gram
1 bunch of fresh fenugreek leaves(You can substitute with dry leaves)
2 tomatoes ( cut into cubes)
1 pinch of haldi/turmeric powder
1/2 medium sized onion - Finely chopped
2 garlic pods crushed
2-3 green chillies (split length wise)
Salt to taste
red chili powder (optional)
Sambar powder (optional)

for tempering/popu/tadka:

1-2 red chillies
1/2tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp jeera/ cumin seeds
Hing/ Asafoetida
1tbsp Oil


Preparation:

Cook lentils in a cooker for 4-5 whistles, keep it aside. (Note: 1 cup of lentils needs 2 cups of water to cook.)
In a seperate vessel heat oil add tempering items, once mustard seeds start splattering add chopped onion, crushed garlic and cook till raw smell of onion and garlic goes away. Now add chopped tomato, green chillies and cover it with lid. After 5- 6 mts once the tomato is cooked add the cooked dal, fenugreek leaves, salt and pinch of haldi/pasupu/turmeric powder (You can add red chili powder/ black pepper/ sambar powder if you want little spicy). Let it cook for 5-6 mts on medium heat and adjust spices. Once lentils cooked with all the spices, turn off the heat. Garnish it with fresh coriander leaves.

Serve with hot rice along with chips or papad or Vadiyalu.

This Lentil soup is rich in protein and good source vitamins.

Black Bean , Walnut Vegan burger

Past 2 weeks I was planning to make this burger but didn't get time due to hectic schedule. Finally got some time to relax on Sunday. Today decided to full fill my taste buds with this yummy burger. Super easy and healthy recipe.





Ingredients:

Burger buns - 4
1 cup of black beans soaked and cooked or 1 can organic black beans
1 cup walnut pieces
1 tbsp flax seed meal
4 garlic pods
salt
1 tsp paprika powder (Adjust as per your spice level)
black pepper (As per your spice level)
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 cup bread crumbs
Oil to cook patties

For Assembly :

sliced onions
cubed Avocado
sliced tomatoes
Cheese (optional. I did not use)


Preparation:

Home made Bread crumbs: Chop 3 bread slices and pulse using food processor along with few herbs like 1/2 tsp dried oregano into coarse crumbs. Pre heat oven to 300 F. Place bread crumbs on a baking sheet and bake for 12 mts (Make sure you mix in between approximately in the half time.) Remove baking sheet from oven and cool completely.



In a food processor add beans, walnuts, flax seed meal/powder, pepper, paprika powder,garlic pods, bread crumbs, salt and lime juice. Pulse to make a paste ( not too fine not too coarse.) If needed add few drops of water to make smooth mixture. Divide the mixture into medium lemon sized balls and flatten using palm to make patties.

On a hot griddle or pan place these patties add few drops of oil and cook both sides till patty turns into golden color. Approximately it takes 4 to 5 mts on each side.






Toast the buns on the same griddle and assemble with sliced onions, tomatoes, avocados and patty. Serve with chips. If you want to cut down on calories exclude chips :)

Participating in Tour De Cure -Napa event. Support me for a good cause

Support Me in Tour de Cure!

Tour De Cure page

I am participating in the American Diabetes Association's annual Tour de Cure event this year. Join me in the effort to Stop Diabetes by making a contribution to support my ride.

The dollars we raise for the American Diabetes Association fund research, provide services, and give voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. I believe in the work they do, and I invite you to join me in this effort. More than 25 million Americans live with diabetes, and your support can and will make a difference in their lives.

Please help by making a donation - large or small - to support the work of the American Diabetes Association. Or, why not join me on the day of the event? Become a participant and side by side, as teammates, we can work together to Stop Diabetes!

Whatever you can give will help! I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

Thank you for making a generous contribution to this cause that is so important to me!

here is my personal page where you can donate the amount.

Tour De Cure page