Tag Archives: vegetarian

Paneer Ghee Roast (Kerala Style)

Posted on by
Reply

I love South indian preparations- in both dry and curry form. But the techniques are so tedious- scrape cocount, grind to paste, dry paste- so on and on and on. This is my version of a much quicker dry roast. The masala will not be as smooth as a blender-ground masala but the flavor is spot on and this dish will be ready in 30 minutes.

Prep:

Chop: 1/2 a large onion diced (about 1 cup), 4-6 cloves of garlic, 3-5 kadipatta leaves (chopped fine)

Masala: mix together 2 tsp of  ground red pepper  (I used the Korean Gochugaru but Kashmiri red chillies  will work), 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp of turmeric, 1 tsp ground fennel seeds and 1/8 tsp ground methi(fenugreek) seeds. ( I used a mortar and pestle to grind the fennel and methi  to add to the powders)

Other flavorings: 2 tbsp tamarind paste (which I always have frozen) and 1 tbsp ground jaggery

Cook:

Cube 1/2 lb of paneer and roast in 1 tbsp of ghee on a low flame till lightly browned. Remove to a plate.

In the same pan, add another 1 tbsp of ghee, add curry leaves and onion. Cook till onion starts turning translucent.

Add masalas and roast till fragrant (around 1-2 minutes) without burning any of the ingredients.

Add tamarind, jaggery, 2 tbsp of yogurt and 1/4 cup of water. Cook for a minute and add paneer.

Cover and cook on low heat for 10-15 mintues.

Serve with dosa or rice or appam.

Tamago Sando (Japanese Egg Sandwich) and Japanese Milk Bread

Posted on by
Reply

Every expat or immigrant knows that there are dishes you crave when you go back home. Apparently in Japan, it is these egg salad sandwiches- with the softest bread and the simplest of dressings (kewpie mayo, salt and pepper), it is a taste of home for the Japanese. I wouldn’t know- I’ve never been to Japan but I do like egg salad and this was a snowy weekend project.

This recipe is in 2 parts- part one is the egg salad and part 2 is the bread. I have no idea if any of this tasted like the real thing but it was pretty tasty to us.

Egg Salad:

Mayo: All the recipes specifically call for Kewpie Mayo which I could have ordered off amazon or boutht at the Asian store. But instead- I improvised and landed up with something quite delicious (though likely not at all accurate). To 5 tbsp of regular mayonnaise, add 1 tsp of rice wine vinegar, 1 tbsp of sugar, 1 tsp of red pepper flakes, 1 heaped tsp of Dijon mustard, 1 tsp of nutritional yeast (in place of the dashi powder or MSG in most recipes), ½ tsp of granulated garlic and salt and pepper. Increase or decrease the quantities of the additives to your liking till the mayo becomes a delicious dip that  you repeatedly “taste” and then find a cracker to “taste” some more.

Boiled eggs: I love reading about boiling eggs. The serious eats encyclopedia entry on this is one of my favorite food articles. For hard boiled eggs- this works for me- start eggs in cold water and set timer for 15 minutes– the yolks are firm and a beautiful yellow wihtout being rubbery.

Combine chopped eggs with special mayo and 2-3 finely chopped scallions (because Japanese dish).

This is a delicious egg salad- good with any kind of bread but let’s now make the special super soft Japanese bread. Our old friend America’s test kitchen’s bread illustrated book will help us.

Fair warning- this is not a beginner bread, you need to have a fair idea of dough hydration and proofing times. But it isn’t croissants (laminated doughs hate me) –  you should try it. Bread flour is cheap- you can throw away your mistakes.

Start by bringing 3 tbsp of butter to room temperature (soft but not melted). The bread starts with a cooked flour and water paste (a Japanese roux) which leads to a very tender crumb. Whisk 3 tbsp of flour and 1/2 cup water will no lumps remain. Microwave covered, whisking every 20 seconds till the  mixture forms a stiff pudding.

Add the flour paste, 1/2 cup of cold milk and 1 large egg to your stand mixer and use the whisk attachment to blend till smooth (note to self- use blender next time).

Add 1.5 tsp of instant yeast and 11 oz (2 cups) of bread flour. Switch to the dough attachment and knead on low speed for 2-3 minutes till a sticky dough forms. Cover with cling film and rest for 15 minutes.

Add 2 tbsp of sugar and 1.5 tsp kosher salt to dough. Knead for 5 minutes, then add butter 1 tbsp at a time. Knead on medium speed for another 5 minutes till the dough leaves the sides of the bowl but still sticks to the bottom.

Transfer to a floured surface using a bench scraper and form a smooth round ball lightly coated with flour and tuck all the seams under the dough ball. Proof in a lightly greased container for 1-2 hours till doubled in size.

Shaping dough: take dough out onto a large floured area on your countertop ( I use a very large silpat on my countertop for this). Shape into a 24×4 inch rectangle. Now divide the dough using your benchscraper lenghtwise to get 2 rectanges 24×2 inches in size. Start rolling the 2 dough strips into tight spirals and place both side by side into a greased 8.5×4.5 inch loaf pan. Cover with cling film and proof for 1/2-1 hour till the bread rises to the lip of the pan.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes till the bread is a deep golden brown. Cook for 15 minutes, remove from pan and brush all over with  butter. Let bread cool for 2-3 hours before serving.

Slice and pile with egg salad above. Delicious with tomato soup.

Marathi Ukad

Posted on by
Reply

When a maharashtrian child is sick, mother makes ukad – it’s a spicy version of baby food and in the same class of comforting chewy rice flour dishes as mochi and rice balls and kadbu but simpler

Step 1: whisk 1/2 cup rice flour, 1/2 cup sour yogurt and 2 cups of water today

Step 2: to 1 tbsp of oil, sputter 1 tsp mustard seeds, add 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1/4 tsp turmeric, 2 pinches asaefoetida, 2-3 curry leaves and 1-2 dried red chilies

Step 3: add rice flour mixture, chopped cilantro and 1 chopped jalapeño

Cover and steam on low heat for 10-15 min

Bibimbap

Posted on by
Reply

A rice dish that is mixed up with veggies and other protein – this dish feels so right to my Indian palate – as does most “vegan Korean” cuisine (I know that’s an oxymoron). But this is how I do bibimbap

Rice: in a non stick pan, heat 2 tbsp butter and 1 team sesame oil, add 1 tbsp garlic and 1 tbsp soy sauce- add cooked rice (made from 1 cup of uncooked rice). Mix well and then leave alone for 4-5 min till the bottom rice grains gets toasted

Carrots: roast with olive oil, salt, pepper at 400 F for 10-15 min

Potato wedges: roast potato wedges with oil, salt, pepper, 1 tbsp of corn flour at 400F for 20-25 min

Onions, pepper and tomatoes: from the shakshuka recipe at brunch. Cook 1 diced onion and 1 diced pepper in oil with 1 tbsp cumin seeds till they get brown. Add a 14 oz can of tomatoes, 1 tsp each cumin and coriander powders and gochujang and 1 tsp soy sauce. Heat for 10 min or so and finish with 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar.

Protein: I used some spiced tofu nuggets that I fried up with a tiny bit of oil

Sauce: 2 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, 1 tbsp water, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp minced garlic and 1 tsp rice wine vinegar

Another sauce (for your annoying 10 year old who doesn’t eat spice): 2 tbsp soy sauce,2 tsp toasted sesame seeds, 2 tsp sugar, 1 tsp sesame oil and 1/2 tsp minced garlic

Top with chopped scallions, avocado, a fried egg if you wish and chopped vegan kimchi if you have it (I didn’t today)

Sauce recipes from this websitehttps://mykoreankitchen.com/bibimbap-sauce/

This one makes great leftovers too

Shakshuka dosa

Posted on by
Reply

I combined my 2 favorite brunch items today and they were delicious together

Deconstructed shakshuka : this is how I like to make shakshuka – with a fried egg rather than poached (it’s easier and less messy and I like the crispy fried edges of the egg)

Sauce: 1 tbsp olive oil – add 1 tbsp cumin seeds and heat till they sputter and turn color. Add 1 diced onion and 1 diced red pepper. Cook over medium to high heat till onions brown. Add 1 14 oz can of tomatoes with 1 tbsp minced garlic, 1 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, 1tbsp gochuang paste (not essential but delicious), 1 tsp soya sauce and cook for 10 min. Add salt and chilli powder to taste (about 1 tsp of each). Finish with 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Top onion, tomato, pepper mixture with fried egg when ready to serve.

Serve with dosa in place of bread

Cannellini beans with beurre blanc

Posted on by
Reply

This post should be titled- an homage to brown food which is so delicious and so nourishing yet so un-instagrammable that it isn’t even funny 🙂

This is modified from a  recipe that Tejal Rao wrote about in the NYT from a brilliant English chef called Jack Monroe who has a ton of vegan recipes on his website.

Using a rich french sauce to liven up an everyday beans and pasta dish- it is brilliant

Boil 1 15 oz can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans with 4 and half cups of vegetable stock for 15-20 minutes (I used better than bouillon base) . Add 1.5 cups of any small pasta and cook till pasta is slightly more than al dente – this is comfort food, you don’t want super chewy pasta

Meanwhile- make the beurre blanc. Add half white wine and half white vinegar enough to make up 3/4 of a cup. Add to a small saucepan with 5 tbsp butter and 1/2 an onion diced fine (about 3/4 cup). Cook on gentle heat for 15 minutes or so till the onions have softened.

Add to beans, top with copious amounts of black pepper, red pepper flakes and parmesan. This ia comfort food at its finest

Easy Shakshuka

Posted on by
Reply

I love shakshuka but weekend mornings are lazy mornings for us and I hate the idea of turning my oven on

Here is my very quick deconstructed shakshuka- ish recipe. Dare I say – I like the crispy eggs better than the baked ones?

Heat 2 tbsp olive oil, add 1 tbsp cumin seeds and 1 tbsp fennel seeds. Add one small diced onion and 1 small diced red pepper. Fry till charred in spots – add 1 tbsp of tomato paste and 1 tsp Tabasco sauce.

Fry egg: I like to fry it in a little butter with a lid on top so the whites are crispy and cooked and the yolk is still runny.

Plate: pepper-onions on bottom, egg on top. Garnish with feta or cilantro or anything else

I served this with Stella Parks shelf stable cardamom and saffron pancakes but that is a story for another day

Bean and Cheese Pupusas with creamy coleslaw

Posted on by
Reply

This was a very fun and very delicious recipe. Plus- these refried beans are the bomb. I modified this Bon Appetit recipe a little bit- the video in the recipe is very helpful if you are making these for the first time

Pupusas are Salvadorean treats- made from the same masa as tortillas- they are the Salvadorean equivalents of the Indian Kachori- in fact, the refried beans will taste great as a filling for a kachori or a parantha (note to self)

Step1: Make refried beans. Heat 2-3 tbsp of vegetable oil. Add quarters of 1 onion wiht the petals all seperated- char them well at screaming high heat so that almost all the onion petals have some black char on them. Blend the onions and 1 can of pinto beans (14 oz) well.  Add 1 tbsp of cumin seeds to the oil and ad the bean mixture back to pan and stir for 10-15 minutes till thickned – cool and then add 1 cup of grated whole milk low moisture mozarella.

Step 2: Make masa: In a stand mixer, mix 3 cups of masa harina (I used the Bob’s Red mill one) with 2 3/4 cup scalding hot water and 2 tsp kosher salt. Be careful with the speed, the water will splash. Make sure all the masa is hydrated and then rest for 20 minutes or so. Divide into 12 portions and cover with a damp towel

Step 3: Make pupusa: Keep a little oil to lubricate your hands, take some masa- flatten it, add 1-2 tbsp of filling, cover the filling, flatten the pupusas. Rinse, lather, repeat.

Step 4: Cook pupusas: On a very hot pan, cook on either side till browned (takes about 3-4 minutes per side)

Step 5: Serve with salsa (store bought in my case) and coleslaw (my old tried and true recipe is 1/2 cup yogurt and 2-3 tbsp of hot mufaletta pickle- mix and add cabbage- this doesn’t in any way resemble the traditional curdito or any real coleslaw recipe, but it is creamy and tangy and delicious)

 

 

 

Chickpea pasta with tomatoes cinnamon and fennel

Posted on by
Reply

Sauce

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp fennel seeds, 1 inch cinnamon stick, 2 dried red chillies

Add 1/2 an onion, sauté till softened, add 2-3 minced garlic cloves, add a large can of tomatoes puréed

Cook for 20 min, add 1 cup of cooked chickpeas

Toss with pasta, red pepper flakes and feta crumbles

Hot and Sour Vegan Ramen

Posted on by
Reply
Hot and Sour Ramen (Tofu and Shiitake mushroom ramen from ATK vegetarian cookbook)
This is a great ramen recipe. The original calls for ramen packets (discarding the flavoring sachets). I’ve made this with the cheap ramen and the expensive dried Japanese ramen and it is as good with both. I might try baking the tofu the next time
 
1 14 oz pack of firm tofu – cubed into inch squares and dried on paper towels
8 oz shiitake mushroom caps – sliced
Seasoning 1: 1 tbsp ginger, 1 tbsp garlic both finely chopped and 2 tsp sriracha
Base : 3.5 cups vegetable stock
Seasoning 2: 2 tbsp soy sauce, 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 tsp sugar
Ramen noodles from 4 packets (3 oz each)
6 oz spinach
 
Heat 1- 2 tbsp oil in a non stick skillet – brown the tofu on all sides (10 min). Remove tofu, add the mushrooms and brown (5 minutes). Add seasoning 1 and 30 seconds later, add the broth. Add the ramen- bring to a simmer and toss noodles around for 2-3 min till cooked. Add spinach and toss till just wilted. Add seasoning 2. Serve immediately! The ramen should be slippery and slightly brothy.