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?