Thursday, April 30, 2009

Adventures In The Kitchen

Lately, I haven't been doing a lot of "formal" crafting...but I've
been doing a lot of cooking, which I love.
I enjoy ethnic foods. Period. I love the spices
and flavors of all regions of our world and I find it very exciting
to be able to prepare some of these foods at home.
However, I am just a wee bit partial to Indian food...especially of the vegetarian variety; homecooking and street-cart snacks, too. Yes.
After a long search to find a source for these types of recipes,
I was thrilled to find Manjula's Kitchen. She is the Indian auntie I never had--
the one who would teach me how to cook all sorts of wonderful dishes.
I have been watching and learning a lot. She's the best!
So far, I've taken one trip to the local Indian market and prepared Chola Tikki...But I was so excited to eat them, that I forgot to take a photo.
Here are some papadum for you. Delicious and tasty "crackers" (for lack of a better term). They are made of lentils and spices and they can be deep fried or cooked over the flame of one of your stovetop burners. They are a bit salty, too.
...So good if you happen to be having a before dinner cocktail. Yum.

Then there was my gluten-free pizza. I have been flirting with gluten-free cooking since Cub was a baby. I suspect she has some type of wheat "sensitivity." She never really goes for bread unless she is super-hungry. Until recently, she didn't eat pizza! (What?) Yes, I know.
But she did love this gluten-free pie. I used Bob's Red Mill (gf) pizza dough mix. It was sticky and strange to put together, but it turned out beautifully.

And then last night's creation. I was proud to know this meal cost so little to make but was so tasty. It was even better served cold the next night as part of an appetizer medley I served
before dinner to Cub and her grandparents.
-Spiced couscous (tumeric, pinch of curry, and herbs) alongside
a red kidney bean salad.
The beans were just out of the can, rinsed, etc...I added chopped tomato and yellow pepper, too. Then I added some olive oil,
apple cider vinegar, and spices (cumin, garam masala) to taste. Those fresh herbs from my
windowsill garden have been heaven. They really brighten up a dish.
I highly reccomend fresh herbs to everyone!



What do you enjoy cooking and/or eating lately?

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Sounds and looks so yummy! I have always wanted to but have never actually had Indian food. I've been experimenting with my grill lately.I always felt like it was my husbands territory but I've taking over lately :)

Jenn said...

ooh you inspire me so much!!