Vada curry

This is the first time I've made this curry. It turned out pretty good. I've had this curry before, back in India. My mom makes a really good version of it. (She steams her vadas. And of course her curry is very yummy). I wanted to make a curry that is low in calories and yet very tasty. I hope some of you will try this out and give me your opinion.

The vadas in this curry are not the traditional vadas. These vadas have some of the ingredients of traditional vadas (I will post the traditional vada recipe on a later day) and they are not deep fried. Here is a step-by-step photo instruction on how to make "vadas" for our curry today.

  

Step 1: Mix the following ingredients together in a bowl. 1 cup garbanzo bean flour, 1/4 cup finely chopped onions, 1 tbs cilantro, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1/4 tsp garam masala, 2 oz water. 

Step 2: Use a spoon to scoop up small portions and cook it in a non-stick fry pan without oil  Cook for a minute or two. This is done to ensure that the vadas retain a certain shape in the curry.

(you can use olive oil spray, if you desire)

Step 3: We are now ready to make the curry or the gravy.

Fry a pinch of fennel seeds, 1/2 cinnamon stick and 2 cloves in 1/2 tbs of olive oil. 

Step 4: Add one cup of finely chopped onions and fry till slightly brown.

Step 5: Add 2 finely chopped tomatoes. (I used 2 large roma tomatoes).

Step 6: Add 1/2 tbs of minced garlic, 1/4 tsp of turmeric, 1 heaping tbs of coriander powder, 1/2 tsp of garam masala, 1/4 tsp of chilli powder and salt to taste.

Step 7: Mix the spices well and add 1/2 cup of low fat coconut milk and 1 tbs of cilantro. You are almost done...

Step 8: Add 1/2 cup of water. Bring the curry to a boil and drop the "vadas" into the curry. Let the "vadas"cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes. Serve with warm rice.

Garbanzo and mushroom curry

We had a can of garbanzo beans, a green pepper and some mushrooms. I decided to make this curry which we ate with chapathis. I will post the chapathi recipe soon.

Step: In 1 tbp olive oil, fry one cinnamon stick and 1/2 cup of finely chopped onions until the onions appear translucent..

Step 2: Add 1 cup of mushrooms and 1/2 tbs of minced garlic.

Step 3: Once the mushrooms are somewhat cooked, add the following spices: 2 tbs of coriander powder, 1/4 tsp of chilli powder, 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder and 1/2 tsp of garam masala.

Step 4: One cup of tomatoes go in next.

Step 5: When the tomatoes are well done, add 1/2 cup of chopped green pepper.

Step 6: Next add 1 can of garbanzo beans.

Step 7: Add 1.5 cups of water and 2 tbs of chopped cilantro and let the curry simmer on low heat for 15 minutes. Serve with rice or chapathi.

Left-over turkey breast with spinach curry

We brought back left-over turkey breast from grandma Shirley's after Thanksgiving dinner and I decided to make some curry out of it today. It took me about 20 minutes to make the curry and the wheatoojice bread (recipe is posted). The amount of curry is probably good for 6 people and the bread for 2. Jord loved it!

So here we go!

Step 1: Fry 1/4 tsp fennel seeds, 1 clove and 2 cardomon pods in 1 tbs olive oil.

Step 2: Add 1 cup onions and fry till golden brown.

Step 3: Add 1/2 tsp minced garlic and 1/4 tsp ginger. Mix well.

Step 4: Now we are ready to add the spices: 1/4 tsp chilli powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, 1/2 tsp garam masala and 1/4 tsp turmeric powder

Step 5: Add 2 ripe tomatoes. I use medium sized Romas.

Step 6: When the tomatoes are well done, as seen in the picture, add 1/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt.

Step 7: Add 2 cups of fresh spinach leaves.

Step 8: Add 1.5 cups of water and then you are ready to add the turkey.

Step 9: Add 1.5 cups of left-over turkey and let the curry simmer for 10 minutes. Serve with wheatoojice bread and enjoy!

Wheatoojice bread

Why such a weird name? This instant bread is made out of 1/4 cup of whole wheat flour, 1/4 cup of rice flour, 1/4 cup of cream of wheat, 1/4 cup of skim milk and 1/4 cup of water with salt to taste. It is simple and easy to make and goes well with any curry!

 Step 1: Mix the wheat, cream of wheat, rice, milk, water and salt in a bowl.

Step 2: Cook it like you would pancakes on a frypan with butter, if you desire.

Step 3: I think I burned that a little. But you get the idea.

Mixed vegetable sooji (cream of wheat)

So here is the first recipe... a delicious sooji lunch I prepared for Jord today. 

Come check out my recipe blog!

I have been thinking for a while about creating a blog where I can post recipes with step-by-step pictures and preparation instructions. I cook almost every day and Jord loves most everything I make, of course. A lot of times I create my own recipes based on the ingredients I have at hand. Jord thinks I am creative and has encouraged me to create this blog. So I've decided to create a blog today, of all days,  being the day after Thanksgiving. Why? May be coz I have some time! I hope to blog as often as I can and I also hope that you will check periodically to see if there are recipes you may like. Since I cook for just Jord and me, the serving size for most of the dishes will be for 2-4 people. 

I will be happy to hear from you--  your questions, concerns, modifications, likes and dislikes etc... about my posts.