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Tag: coriander powder

Cauliflower with Cilantro and Mint

Cauliflower with Cilantro and Mint

  • 1 head of cauliflower, florets taken out and washed
  • 2 tablespoons extra light olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • One lined cookie sheet

Preheat oven to medium broil

Transfer the cauliflower onto the lined cookie sheet. Drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle the salt. Broil for until the florets are golden brown.

Green Sauce

  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, smashed
  • ½ cup cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons dried mint (1/2 cup fresh)
  • 2 tablespoons dried fenugreek leaves
  • ¼ cup water

Transfer the onion, garlic, cilantro, mint, fenugreek and water into a blender. Blend till smooth.

  • 2 tablespoons extra light olive oil
  • Salt
  • 2 teaspoons coriander powder

Heat a heavy saucepan with the olive oil. Add the green sauce and sauté over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the cauliflower and mix well. Lower the heat and cover with lid and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes or till the florets are tender but not very soft. Add the coriander powder and salt. Mix well and taste for seasonings. Serve warm.

South Indian Fish Curry

South Indian Fish Curry We were in the city on a Monday for lunch and as usual even after a delicious meal- I was thinking about what to cook for dinner. I asked my husband for ideas and he suggested some thing South Indian. I reminded him Mondays are my busy day since our daughter has some activities after school and we don’t get home until about 6 PM. I don’t get a lot of time to cook and my daughter is super hungry when we get home. So, I need to prepare something in the afternoon and put it together quickly once we get home.

I ended up making a South Indian style fish curry- I happened to have cod in the freezer which I took out as soon as I got home. I processed shallots and ginger together. I roasted cumin, fenugreek and mustard seeds and ground them up. The spice mixture holds the key to this curry- it gives it great flavor.

I marinated the fish with some shredded coconut, tamarind concentrate, coriander powder, cayenne pepper, turmeric and salt. Remember to keep the fish in the fridge and only marinate for an hour. The rest was easy- I started with sauteing the shallots and curry leaves and then added the spice mix. I then added the coconut milk and fish stock.

The curry was delicious, especially with the Indian style polenta- yes, you read it correctly.. recipe to follow tomorrow…
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Mushroom Mattar (Mushrooms and Peas)

Mushroom Mattar I feel I have not posted any Indian dishes in a while. I end up making Indian food at lease once a week but sometimes I skip it- the problem is, there are so many other dishes to make… and I forget about the basic stuff. My daughter reminds me if it has been a while.

I thought I would post this very easy and quick dish that can be served as the main entree or as a side with chicken or fish. I usually serve it with lentils on the side and freshly made rotis.

I start with Cremini mushrooms- one can use the white variety as well but I like these better. I saute some cumin seeds along with garlic and ginger. Typically this dish has onions as well but I decided to keep it onion free- no real reason.. just didn’t feel like cutting an onion. The rest is easy- the mushrooms are added along with some spices and frozen peas.

My daughter loves mushrooms and doesn’t like peas so much- but she eats this dish without a problem…. I sometimes need to remind her to finish the peas… enjoy!
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Spinach and Roasted Corn

Spinach and Roasted Corn This is one my favorite vegetarian, Indian dishes to make. Usually spinach is paired with paneer or some kind of meat in Indian cuisine. Years ago, we had corn and spinach at a restaurant and I thought it was delicious. The spinach is cooked the same way as in the other dishes but somehow corn gives it a wonderful, unique flavor.

I changed it up a bit- of course. I used the roasted corn I buy from Trader Joes. It has a delicious smoky flavor. I also cooked the spinach with dried fenugreek- which brings a unique earthy flavor. It also mimics the smoky flavor of the roast corn really well.

I made it when a friend came over. Everyone loved it including the kids. Make this dish next time you are looking to make something different…

  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 2-inch ginger, peeled

Process the onion, garlic and ginger in a food processor. Keep aside.

  • 1 16 oz pack frozen chopped spinach, thawed

Blend the thawed spinach until smooth. Keep aside.

  • 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
  • 3 tablespoons extra light olive oil
  • 1 cup tomato puree
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons coriander powder
  • 1 pack fire roasted frozen corn from Trader Joes (or 3 cups regular corn)
  • ¼ cup dried fenugreek leaves (methi)
  • ¼ cup half and half

Heat a heavy saucepan with the extra light olive oil. Add the cumin seeds and sauté for 20 seconds on medium heat. Add the onion mixture and sauté for 10 minutes on medium heat, stirring constantly. Add the tomato puree and sauté for another 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the blended spinach, salt, turmeric, cayenne pepper and coriander powder. Mix well. Add the corn and fenugreek leaves. Mix well and cook on a medium low heat, covered for 15 minutes. Take the lid off and turn the heat up to high. Add the half and half and stir constantly while cooking for another 5 minutes. Taste for seasonings.

Paneer Makhani (Indian Cheese Cooked in a Tomato Butter Sauce)

Paneer Makhani This is a very popular dish served in Indian restaurants. Some friends were coming over with their kids and I thought of making Indian food that day. Since I was cooking a vegetarian meal, paneer was definitely on the menu- I just didn’t know what kind to make.

As I thought about all my choices, paneer makhani came to mind. I looked in my blog and realized I have never made it before- how can that be?? It is one of the more popular Indian dishes out there.

This version is the easy and quick one- it is done in about half an hour. There are other versions out there with more complex flavors but I don’t see any reason for that- this one is delicious and simple and best of all a big hit with everyone.

All you need is a can of crushed tomatoes, onions, ginger and garlic. One key ingredient is roasted cumin seeds- they impart a lovely, sweet, nutty flavor- not as smokey as the regular cumin seeds. I usually roast some cumin and always have it on hand. Another important ingredient is dried mint- I garnished the dish with some. It provides a delicious flavor as well. In case you don’t have the dried variety, add some fresh mint into the processor with the onions, ginger and garlic.

Try this dish next time you want to have a healthy, quick and easy Indian dish…
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Grilled Steak Fajitas

Steak Fajitas1 This is the first time I have cooked a flat iron steak. I saw it in Whole Foods and remembered reading about this reasonably priced yet delicious cut of beef. Like a skirt steak, the meat is to be cut against the grain. It has very good marbling ensuring delicious flavor.

I wasn’t sure how I would be using the cut but somehow Mexican food came to mind. I envisioned a dry rub on the steak and making steak fajitas. That is what I did- I mixed ground coriander, roasted cumin seeds, salt, ancho chili powder and paprika. I let the steak sit in the fridge for a while and prepared an avocado crema (recipe to follow tomorrow). I grilled the steak, about medium and it was perfect. The meat tasted delicious- I couldn’t believe it was so reasonably priced. Definitely try this cut next time you go to the supermarket.

I sauteed peppers and onions to serve on top and used corn tortillas instead of the flour ones. I made some rice with tomatoes and garlic and it was a delicious meal…
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Besan Ki Roti- Homemade Spiced Gramflour Bread

Besan Ki Roti 1 This roti is ideal for breakfast or brunch. I grew up eating it for brunch on the weekends.

The bread is made with whole wheat flour and chickpea flour. The chickpea flour gives the bread a delicious nutty flavor and has protein as well.

The two flours can be paired with onion, ginger, green onions, cilantro and a bunch of spices- sky is the limit. You can make it as spicy as you want with a lot of chilies and cayenne pepper or keep it mild.

In this case, I added coriander powder, garam masala and salt. Once the dough is made, it is important for it to rest for a bit before the bread is ready to be rolled.

Rolling the bread can be difficult so don’t worry about the shape. Roll it out into whatever shape is the easiest. Once it is rolled out, cook it on a non-stick pan (it is the easiest to handle). Cook on both sides until golden brown. You can cook longer to make the exterior crusty. Either way, the bread is delicious.

Traditionally it is served with pickles and yogurt (to alleviate the heat from the bread). It can also be served with a fried egg on top- my favorite.
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