Category Archives: Sides
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.
4th of July Recipes- Thai Style Potato Salad
- 3 pounds red skinned potatoes, boiled, peeled and cut into ¼ inch cubes
- 3 sweet peppers, cut into ½ inch cubes (a mix of red and yellow or orange)
Add to a large serving bowl and keep aside.
Dressing
- 1 cup peanut butter
- ½ light coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons tamari
- 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce
- 2 limes, juiced
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- Salt
Mix the peanut butter, coconut milk, honey, tamari, sriracha sauce, lime juice, rice wine vinegar and salt. Mix well and add to the potatoes. Taste for seasonings and add salt if needed.
Garnish
- 1 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 cup green onions, chopped
- 1 cup salted peanuts, chopped
Top with cilantro, green onions and peanuts. Serve room temperature.
Memorial Day Recipes: Spicy Grilled Potatoes
- 5 to 6 medium red skinned potatoes, peeled and sliced thin
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Place the potatoes on a grill pan and drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper. Mix well and grill on medium till the potatoes are golden brown and tender- about half an hour. In case the potatoes are brown but not cooked, place them in an aluminum foil pouch and grill till soft.
Take off the grill and keep aside.
Dressing
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- Salt
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of half a lemon
Mix the cilantro, parsley, cumin, paprika, salt, oil and lemon juice in a small bowl. Add to the cooked potatoes. Mix well and check for seasonings. Keep for at least 30 minutes before serving.
South Indian Style Brown Fried Rice with Red Pepper and Green Beans
I love south indian style lemon rice… and make it often… so I was in the mood but wanted to make it healthier and filled with veggies- so I came up with this recipe… I cooked it with brown rice and added peppers and green beans.. check it out- it is yummy!
- 1 cup brown jasmine rice, rinsed
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups water
Transfer the rice to a heavy saucepan with the oil and sauté on medium heat for a minute. Add the salt and water, bring to a boil and cover partially with a lid and lower the heat to a low medium. Continue cooking, about 15 minutes till all the water is cooked off from the surface. Place the lid on the pan and lower the heat to a very low and continue cooking for at least 20 minutes or till cooked. Fluff with fork and let cool.
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 12-15 curry leaves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon white moong dal
- 1 tablespoon channa dal
- ¼ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- ½ cup roasted peanuts, chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
- 1 red pepper, chopped
- 1 cup green beans, chopped
- Salt
- Juice of half a large lemon
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
Add the oil to a wok like saucepan with the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, moong dal, channa dal, coconut and peanuts. Saute on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the onion and ginger and sauté for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add the red pepper and green beans and sauté for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cooled brown rice, salt and lemon juice. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes, check for seasonings and finish off with the cilantro. Serve with grilled meats or lentils.
Garlic Fried Brown Rice
- 1 cup brown rice, rinsed
- 1 tablespoon extra light olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
Add the oil and butter to a saucepan. Add the rice and sauté over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the water and salt and bring to a boil. Simmer for 20 minutes on medium heat with lid half on. Turn the heat down and cover with lid and continue cooking for another 20 minutes or till the rice is cooked through. Take out of the pan and let cool. Keep aside.
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, grated
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
Mix the ingredients in a bowl and keep aside.
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh garlic, grated
- 3 to 4 green onions, chopped
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
Heat a wok like pan with the peanut oil. Add the garlic and green onions. Saute on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the rice and sauté for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add the rice vinegar mixture and mix well and sauté for another 2 to 3 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and serve.
Spinach Quinoa Risotto
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium shallot, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 cup white wine
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 3 to 4 cups baby spinach
- ¼ cup half and half
- ¼ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- Salt
Heat a saucepan with the olive oil. Add the shallot and garlic, sauté on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add quinoa and stir for a minute. Add the white wine and stir. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes until the grain is tender. Stir the spinach, half and half and cheese. Check for seasoning and add salt. Serve with fish.
Manchego Smoked Paprika Mashed Potatoes
- 4 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into small squares
- Salt
- 3 garlic cloves
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ¾ to 1 cup half and half
- 2 cups shredded Manchego cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Pepper
- ½ cup green onion, chopped
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
Add the cut potatoes to a deep pot and cover with water. Add at least 2 tablespoons salt and the garlic cloves. Place a lid on the potatoes and bring to a boil. Uncover and cook until tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Drain potatoes and garlic and put them through a food mill and add back to the hot pot. Add butter, half and half and smoked paprika. Check for seasonings, add pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and let cool all the way. Add the grated cheese and mix well. At this point, the potatoes can be refrigerated and made at least a day in advance. Once ready to bake, take out of fridge at least 30 minutes in advance. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or till heated through. Garnish with green onions and cilantro.