Perfect Basmati Rice

December 11th, 2019 | Posted by Milana in Indian Cuisine | Sides - (0 Comments)

INGREDIENTS:

2 Cups Basmati Rice

2 Tbsp Vegan Butter or Avocado Oil

2 tsp Lemon Juice

4 Cups Water

1/2 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS:

Prepare the rice:

Wash basmati rice under running cold water until water runs clear. Soak rice in enough warm water for at least 10-15 min. Drain the rice and let it dry in a strainer for 10 min. This helps to firm up the rice.

Cooking the rice:

Heat the butter/oil in a thick bottom saucepan on medium heat. Add and sauté for a minute. Add water, salt, and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to the lowest it can possibly go. Simmer for 20 min. Turn off the heat and let it stand covered for an additional 10 min. This step is a must and should not be skipped. This allows time for the rice to firm up so it doesn’t break when your fluff it with a fork before serving. Then open fluff with a fork.

Nutrition Analysis:

Serving: 1 cup

Calories: 190

Carbohydrates: 35g

Protein: 3.3g

Fat: 2g

Saturated Fat: 1.1g

Cholesterol: 4mg

Sodium: 297mg

Potassium: 56mg

Fiber: 0.6g

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Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)

Chicken Tikka Masala

December 11th, 2019 | Posted by Milana in Indian Cuisine - (0 Comments)

Chicken Tikka Masala:

 

SPICE MIXTURE:

1 Tbsp curry powder (I use the one by Pereg)

1 Tbsp ground cumin

1 Tbsp ground coriander

2 tsp ground turmeric

2 tsp salt

1 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA:

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into cubes

1 cup Trader Joe’s Plain Cultured Cashew Beverage

6 cloves garlic, grated, divided

1 Tbsp freshly grated ginger, divided

2 Tbsp Refined Peanut or Avocado oil

1 Tbsp Vegan butter (I use Miyoko’s)

1 medium onion, finely diced

1 can (15 ounces) canned Organic tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes

1 cup Organic canned coconut milk or cream

3 Tbsp Coconut Sugar

Fresh cilantro, chopped, to serve

4 cups basmati rice, to serve

DIRECTIONS:

In a small bowl, whisk together the spices. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the chicken, cashew beverage, half of the garlic, half of the ginger, and half of the spice mixture, reserving the rest for later. Stir, cover, and allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes, or preferably overnight.

In a large, heavy bottomed pot, heat the oil and butter over medium-high. Remove the chicken from the marinade and add to the pot in batches. Cook until browned all over and beginning to char, turning once, about 6 minutes total. Remove from the pan and set aside for later. Repeat until all of the chicken is browned.

Add the chopped onion and the remaining garlic, ginger, and spices to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, about 4 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes and gently scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to release the browned bits while stirring.

Pour in the coconut milk/cream, sugar and add the chicken back to the pot. Stir and reduce to low heat. Let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve over basmati rice with naan or paratha bread. Enjoy!

*Originally adapted from Host the Toast.

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Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)

Creamy Chicken Corn Chowder

December 11th, 2019 | Posted by Milana in Soup - (0 Comments)

Chicken Corn Chowder:

INGREDIENTS:

2 Chicken Breast Halves, poached*

3 Tbsp Avocado or Coconut Oil

1 Large Sweet Onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 Celery Stalks, diced

3 Tbsp Flour

4 Cups Organic Low Sodium Chicken Bone Broth or Low Sodium Vegetable Stock

1-1/2 Cups Ripple Original Half & Half

2 Medium Yellow Gold Potatoes, diced

2 Cups Fresh or Frozen Organic Sweet Corn

1 tsp Salt

1 Bay Leaf

1/2 tsp Ground Cumin

1 tsp Trader Joe’s Onion Salt

1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder

1/4 tsp Smoked Paprika

1/4 tsp Red Chili Flakes (optional)

Immersion Blender

DIRECTIONS:

In an 8 quart pot, heat oil. Add onion, and celery. Saute for 4 min until soft. Add garlic and saute for an additional minute or so. Add all spices and seasonings except for bay leaf. Lower the flame to medium, add flour and stir for 3 minutes without letting the flour burn. Slowly pour in your stock and continue to stir to combine. Bring to a boil on high heat. Add potatoes and simmer on medium low for 10 min. Add half & half, corn and bay leaf. Simmer for another 10-15 min to ensure the potatoes are fire tender. Remove bay leaf. Use the immersion blender to puree the soup halfway through to create a thick and creamy consistency. Add shredded or diced poached chicken breast and serve.

*To poach chicken breast, put them in a 3 quart saucepan filled with water, 1 bay leaf, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp dried sage, salt, pepper, 1 tsp dried rosemary. Bring to a boil. Simmer on low for 25 min. This poached chicken can be added to any soup as a lean protein.

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Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)

Zucchini Pancake with Garlic Dill Sauce

Yields: 8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

2 Medium Zucchini, Unpeeled, coarsely grated

1/4 cup Sweet Onion (quarter of a large onion or half of a small), finely grated

2 Large Eggs, beaten

6-8 Tbsp Flour (I use white whole wheat)

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp turmeric

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp finely ground black pepper

Avocado or Peanut Oil for frying

SAUCE:

1/3 cup Mayonnaise

2 cloves Garlic, minced

3 Tbsp finely chopped Fresh Dill

1 Tbsp Chives, finely chopped

1 Lime, squeezed

Salt and Pepper to taste

1/4 tsp Trader Joe’s Onion Salt

Compari Tomatoes, cut in half and sliced for garnish as pictured

Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

In a large bowl, mix together zucchini, onion, and eggs. Stir in 6 tablespoons of flour, baking powder, salt and pepper. If the batter is too thin from the zucchini, add another 2 tbsp of flour.

In a 10” saute pan over medium heat 1 tbsp of oil. Drop about 1/2 cup of batter and spread it out evenly into a 6” pancake. Lower the heat to medium-low and cook on each side for about 2-3 min. until golden brown. Continue with the rest of the batter until you have 3-4 pancakes.

In a small bowl, combine all sauce ingredients. Spread about a 1-1/2 Tbsp on each pancake leaving an inch border. Garnish with tomatoes and some cilantro leaves. Pre-slice before serving. Enjoy!

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Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)