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Showing posts with label thai food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thai food. Show all posts

Monday, December 8, 2014

Coconut Carrot Curry (GF Vegan)

For those that need a good soup to warm up with this cold weather, try this creamy curry full of vitamins and warming spices.

Serves: 2-4 | Time: 40 min

13 med-large carrots
1/2-3/4 onion, chopped
1 can light coconut milk
2 cups vegetable broth
2 stalks of celery with leaves
2 large roasted red peppers
3 dried bay leaves
1/2 tsp celery seeds
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp nigella sativa
2 inches organic ginger
1/2 tsp green curry paste
1/2 tsp TJ dry chili paste
1/4 tsp tamarind
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp garam masala

Grab a large pot and place over medium heat. Add just enough water to cover the bottom. When it begins to sizzle, add the bay leaves, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and nigella sativa (black cumin/kalonji). Temper for a few minutes and make sure the seeds pop. Add the veggie stock and cover.

Wash and peel (if necessary) your carrots. Dice roughly. Chop your onion as well. Mince your ginger. My mom is not a fan of how ginger tastes and my dad doesn't like the little strings you get from it sometimes. My trick is to place the ginger inside a tea leaf steeping spoon and place it in the broth for 5 minutes as it heats up. I then toss half the ginger and keep the rest. You can modify this however you want.

Now add the carrots and onions to your pot and cook for 20 minutes. We're not using a lot of stock because I don't want the end soup to be too thin and I don't want the taste of the coconut to be overwhelmed. However, you can add more liquid towards the end if you prefer it thinner.

Make sure the carrots are soft enough to blend. Remove the bay leaves and add the coconut milk, roasted red peppers, and spice pastes. I enjoy spicy food - not too spicy, but I don't mind a little burn - but if you don't then omit the chili paste. I'm using a stick blender because I'm too lazy to transfer to and from a food processor. Blend until relatively smooth (or leave it a tad chunky if you prefer). Cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, mince the celery. I like to add this towards the end to add a little texture to the soup. If you want a smooth soup then you'll want to add this before blending. Add the remaining spices and cook for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust spices accordingly. I didn't use too much curry powder because I want to be able to taste all the different components of the soup.

Spoon into bowls and allow to cool a bit before enjoying. Sprinkle with the celery leaves from an extra treat! This soup is perfect served with flatbreads or over basmati rice.

Create, share, love at first bite!

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Thursday, July 24, 2014

Foolproof Coconut Rice (GF Vegan)

I'm one of those people that loves a plain bowl of basmati rice, but my parents really enjoy when it's flavored so I made this recipe with some leftover coconut milk. It was a hit!

If you want less starchy or non-sticky rice, the technique used here will produce perfectly separate rice grains.

Let's dive in with love!

Serves: 2-3 | Time: 45 minutes

1 cup Basmati Rice
1 cup Coconut Milk
3/4 cup Veggie Broth
1.5 tsp Coconut Sugar
Dash Cayenne (optional)

In a pot, add the coconut milk and veggie broth. Light or full fat coconut milk should work for this recipe.
Rinse and scrub your rice in warm water for a minute or two. Strain and shake off excess water. Add to the pot, stir and let soak for 20 minutes.
Stir your sugar and spice into the rice. Turn the heat to high and bring to a simmer (cover to quicken this process). When simmering, turn the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, turn off the heat and let the rice sit for 10 minutes. Do NOT remove the lid. The steam will finish cooking your rice and make it super fluffy.
After 10 minutes, remove the lid and stir your rice. Holy cow! The coconut milk makes it almost "buttery."

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Sunday, June 22, 2014

10 Minute Mediterranean Salad (HCLF Vegan)

Serves: 1-2 | Time: 10 minutes

1 cup Israeli Couscous
1.25 cups Veggie Broth
1 tbs chopped Basil
1/2 tsp Turmeric
1/2 tsp Cumin

3 cups chopped Kale Salad Mix*
1 cup precooked Blackeyed Peas
1 cup frozen Peas & Carrots
1 tbs natural Peanut Butter**
1 tbs fresh Lemon Juice
1-2 tbs filtered Water
1 tsp Red Curry Paste

* I buy this from Costco. Trader Joe's also sells an identical product called Cruciferous Crunch Collection
** Make sure the only ingredient is peanuts

In a small to medium-sized pot, add your veggie broth and spices. Cover and set on high heat to boil. Meanwhile, chop your basil. When the water is boiling, add your couscous and basil. Stir and turn heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 8-10 minutes (until water is absorbed).
Meanwhile, in a medium pot or large saucepan add the frozen peas and carrots (can be thawed/defrosted first, but you will need to add a little more water if you do this). Cook, covered, for 5-8 minutes on medium.
Meanwhile, grab a small bowl and whisk together the peanut butter, lemon juice, red curry paste and water. Stir this sauce into the vegetable mix. Add your beans in the last few minutes of cooking.
In a large serving bowl, spoon the spiced couscous and top with the veggie mixture. Enjoy :)

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Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Fresh Spring Rolls and Homemade Dip (GF Raw Vegan)

Spring Rolls:
4 Rice Paper Wrappers
3 medium-size Carrots
1/3 Persian Cucumber
1 Champagne Mango
1 cup Alfalfa Sprouts
Few sprigs Cilantro

Dipping Sauce:
3 tbs (or more) Filtered Water
2 tbs Natural Peanut Butter
1 tsp Coconut Aminos
1/2 tsp Sriracha

In a small bowl, mix the ingredients for your dip with a whisk. Let infuse while you prepare the rolls.
Wash and peel your veggies if necessary. Julienne the carrots and cucumber into small strips about two inches long.
Cut your mango into thirds by making two cuts along either side of seed down from the top of the fruit. Slice into strips while still in the peel and trace around the edge of the peel with the tip of your paring knife.

Soak your rice paper wrappers as you make each roll. I filled a large pan with warm water and submerged each for 30-40 seconds.
In the middle of your wrapper, add a handful of sprouts and a pinch of cilantro leaves or the whole sprig. Lay 4 strips of cucumber, carrot and mango.

To wrap, fold the top and bottom over the filling. Then gently pull one side over and tightly tuck against the filling before rolling once. Finish wrapping your roll and repeat.
Using the leftover veggies for a platter. Everything tastes delicious with the sauce! Don't be afraid to double dip ;)

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