Your Cooking Coach
Show MenuHide Menu

Category Archives: Gluten free

Spicy Watermelon and Pineapple Salad

I got this recipe from NYTimes, one of my favorite sources for new ideas. I changed up the ingredients a bit and came up with this delicious summer salad- make it before all the yummy watermelon goes away!!


2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Juice and zest of one lime
1 tablespoons honey
1 serrano, sliced
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Trader Joes chili lime seasoning
2 green onions, chopped
1 cup fresh watermelon, chopped
1 cup fresh pineapple, chopped
½ cup crumbled feta
2 cups arugula
¼ cup cilantro sprigs
¼ cup mint

Make the dressing with the oil, vinegar, lime zest, juice, honey, Serrano, salt and the chili lime seasoning. Mix well and keep aside.
Transfer the watermelon and pineapple in a medium bowl and pour the dressing over the fruit, mix well and let marinate in fridge for at least an hour.
Right before serving, add the arugula, cilantro, mint and feta to a large bowl, add the marinated fruit, toss, check for seasoning and serve.

Poblano Corn Salsa

This is a very simple, yet delicious salad I have been making this summer- definitely a crowd pleaser!

  • 6 ears of corn, grilled, off the cob
  • 2 poblano peppers, grilled, skin off and chopped
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • 1 red jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
  • ½ cup cilantro, chopped
  • Juice of one lemon
  • Salt to taste

Combine all the ingredients in a serving bowl. Let sit for at least an hour before serving.

Mango and Green Onion Salsa

Salsa is a perfect accompaniment for any summer meal…

  • 2 to 3 ripe mangos, peeled and chopped
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • ½ cup cilantro, chopped
  • Juice of one large lemon
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

Transfer the mangos, green onions, cilantro, lemon juice, salt and olive oil to a medium bowl. Mix well and serve.

Chicken with Almond and Cilantro Curry

  • 1 pound chicken thighs, skinless and boneless, cut into 2 inch pieces
  • ½ cup full fat yogurt
  • ¼ cup half and half
  • ¼ cup fresh mint
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro
  • 2 inches fresh ginger, peeled and cut
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 2 teaspoons salt

Add the yogurt, half and half, mint, cilantro, ginger, garam masala and salt to a blender and blend till a smooth sauce is formed. Transfer to a mixing bowl with the chicken pieces and marinate for at least 2 to 3 hours, preferably over night.

  • ½ cup slivered almonds
  • ½ cup hot water

Soak the almonds in the hot water for an hour and then place in a blender and blend till a smooth paste is formed, keep aside.

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • ½ teaspoon mace
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon black cumin seeds
  • 1 cinnamon stick, ½ inch
  • 1 medium onion, chopped

Heat a heavy saucepan with the butter. Add the mace, nutmeg, black cumin seeds and cinnamon stick. Saute on medium heat for 30 seconds. Add the onion and sauté on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the almond paste and sauté for another 4 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the chicken with the marinade and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cover with lid and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Take the lid off and check for seasonings. Turn the heat up to cook off any excess moisture. Mix well and serve warm with rice or rotis.

Channa Dal with Curry Leaves

2 tablespoons extra light olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1 green chili, chopped

1 medium tomato, chopped

1 cup channa dal, rinsed and soaked in water

2 cups water

2 teaspoons salt

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

½ teaspoon turmeric

1 teaspoon garam masala

Juice of one lime

1 teaspoon ghee or oil

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

5 to 7 curry leaves

1 teaspoon garam masala

½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Heat a medium pressure cooker with the oil. Add the onion, garlic and chili. Saute on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomato and sauté for 2 minutes on medium heat. Drain the dal and add to the sautéed onion. Add the water, salt, cayenne pepper and turmeric. Bring to a boil and cook under pressure for 20 minutes. Take the lid off once the pressure has subsided. Continue to cook on medium heat. Add the  lime juice and check for seasonings.

In a small frying pan, add the ghee, cumin seeds and curry leaves. Cook on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes till the cumin seeds begin to sizzle. Transfer the cumin seeds and curry leaves to the cooking dal. Mix well and add the garam masala and fresh cilantro. Serve warm.

Bean Avocado and Shishito Pepper Salad

Shishito peppers are everywhere now.. they are these small Japanese peppers that can be quite mild or every once in a while, they can be a bit spicy.. this salad is delicious with black beans and avocados…

  • 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 avocado, chopped
  • 3 to 4 shishito peppers
  • 1 medium pepper, yellow or red, chopped
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • ½ cup cilantro
  • Juice of a large lemon juice
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Transfer the shishito peppers to a heated cast iron pan. On medium high heat, char the peppers on all sides- about 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer the peppers to a chopping board and let cool and then chop. Transfer the beans, avocado, charred peppers, sweet peppers, green onions and cilantro to a serving bowl. Add the lemon juice, salt, honey and oil. Mix well and taste for seasonings and adjust. Let it sit for at least half an hour before serving.

Moroccan Style Carrot and Orange Salad with Harissa Dressing

This is a great carrot salad to complement yesterdays’ stew or any other entree.. in fact, it will delicious with any grilled meats/seafood! I have buying the most gorgeous looking multi colored organic carrots from Trader Joes but any kind of carrots will do, in face you can buy the pack of already shredded carrots to keep things simple. Either way, this is a yummy salad!

  • 4 to 5 carrots, peeled and grated
  • 3 to 4 navel oranges, cut into segments and squeeze the juice and keep aside for dressing
  • 4 green onions, chopped

Transfer all the ingredients to a serving bowl. Keep aside.

Dressing

  • ½ cup orange juice
  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • 1 teaspoon roasted cumin seeds, crushed
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon harissa paste
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Transfer all the ingredients to an airtight container. Mix well with the lid on. Taste for seasonings. Pour half of the dressing onto the salad, mix well and add some salt to adjust seasonings. Pour more dressing if needed. Let the salad sit for at least an hour in the fridge before serving.