Vegetable Karhi

This is a recipe inspired by the one in Kurma Dasa's Vegetarian World Food. And what is Karhi? It's a yogurt sauce similar to curry and best served over rice.

- 1 1/2 c carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 1/2 c green beans, chopped
- 1 1/2 c small cauliflower florets
- 1 1/2 c green peas
- 1 1/2 c potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 2 c cooked rice

Karhi Sauce
- 2 c plain yogurt
- 1/2 c chickpea flour
- 1 pint water
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 t turmeric powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 tsp brown mustard seeds
- 1 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- small pinch asafoetida
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp fresh chopped cilantro

1. Steam all the vegetables until just tender. Drain and set aside.

2. Whisk the yogurt and chickpea flour together in a small bowl. Whisk in the water, chili powder, turmeric, and coriander. Set aside.

3. Heat up the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once it is melted, add the mustard seeds and fry them until they crackle. Add the cumin until it darkens a shade, then add the asafoetida. Add the yogurt mixture and bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Fold the vegetables, salt, and cilantro into the yogurt mixture and turn off the heat.

5. Serve over rice. Pairs well with lemonade, lagers, and pilsners. Enjoy!

Thai Chicken Rolls and Thai Chicken Pasta

This recipe is a 2-for-1 since it can be used in its original roll form or adapted to a pasta. To make the rolls, do as the following instructions tell you. To turn it into a pasta. just put the chicken, veggies, and peanut sauce into some hot pasta and serve. (The pictures are for the pasta!)

Teriyaki Chicken
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp teriyaki sauce
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp red wine vinegar or sherry
- 1/3'' fresh ginger, chopped
- 1 clove fresh garlic, chopped
- 1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast

Peanut Sauce
- 1/2 c peanut butter
- 1/2 c hoisin sauce
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tsp red wine vinegar
- 2 tsp fresh ginger, chopped
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp - 2 Tbsp dried chili flakes or Sriracha sauce

Coconut Sauce
- 1/2 c coconut milk
- 1/2 c peanut sauce (see directly above)
- 1/2 tsp - 1 Tbsp chili paste (I prefer Thai Kitchen's Red Curry Paste)

Tortilla Rolls
- 6 - 8'' tortillas
- 2 T butter, at room temperature
- 3 T Peanut Sauce (see above)
- 3/4 c shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 c carrots, shredded
- 6 - 8 scallions, chopped
- 1/2 water chestnuts, chopped
- 3 T peanuts
- 2 T finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 T parmesan
- 1 T chopped parsley (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to broil. Cover two baking sheets with foil.

2. Combine all ingredients for the teriyaki chicken in a bowl. Let the chicken marinate 5-6 minutes per side.

3. Broil the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side on a baking sheet covered in foil. Once the chicken has cooled a bit, cut it into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.

4. Preheat the oven to 500.

5. In a sauce pan (I always prefer cast iron), combine all the ingredients for the peanut sauce. I have the most success when I combine the peanut butter and hoisin together before adding the others. Bring the sauce to a boil, and let it simmer for 1 minute to thicken up. If you use cast iron, it will not stick to the pan at all!

6. Combine the ingredients for the coconut sauce. Set aside.

7. One at a time, brush butter over one side of the tortilla, and place it butter side down on the baking sheet. (Because of the size of the tortillas, sometimes the last couple need to be placed on after they've been rolled up.)

8. Fill the middle of each tortilla with 1/2 T of the peanut sauce,  some of the teriyaki chicken, mozzarella, carrots, scallions, water chestnuts, peanuts, and cilantro. Try to divide each of these as evenly among the rolls as possible. When all the ingredients have been placed in the tortilla, roll is up like a burrito. Top with parmesan.

9. Bake the rolls for 5-6 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Top with parsley.

10. Serve hot with the coconut sauce as dip. Pairs well with most beers, especially browns and ambers. Enjoy!

So many good things in there!!

Sweet Chili Lime Tofu

This recipe is based on the one from Grumpy's Honeybunch Blog, and it is INCREDIBLE. You try various recipes, you like some better than others, and then every now and then you just go nuts for one: I am crazy for this tofu!! It's super easy, and completely delicious (I have even had success with this among supposed tofu-haters!).

Quinoa
- 3/4 c quinoa (or couscous or rice)
- zest from 1 lime
- 2 bruised cardamom pods (I'll explain "bruised" below)
- pinch of salt
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 1/3 c water

Sweet Chili Lime Sauce
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- juice from 1 lime
- zest from 1/2 lime
- pinch or cayenne pepper
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp salt

- 16 oz extra firm tofu
- 3 heads chopped bok choy (or kale)
- 2-3 Tbsp water
- lime slices for garnish

Don't you feel healthy already?!

1. To bruise the cardamom pods, place them on a cutting board and press down with the large flat surface of a knife. Let the pods crack along the sides, but don't press so hard as to open them completely. This is so that the strong cardamom flavor can come out, but doesn't overtake the quinoa's other flavors!

2. Mix the quinoa, lime zest, cardamom pods, salt, cinnamon stick, and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 20 mintes then remove from heat. Let steam for 10 minutes. (It's like cooking rice!)

Delicious quinoa mix

3. Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces. (I cut mine into 36 pieces.) Place the cut pieces uniformly across a cutting board on top of 3 paper towels. Cover them with 3 paper towels and a heavy pan (I use my cast iron saucepan) and let them drain for 5 minutes.

Draining the tofu

4. In a small bowl, mix all the Sweet Chili Lime Sauce ingredients until combined. Set aside.

5. Place the drained tofu onto a hot skillet over medium high heat. I generally place a small bit of oil in the pan to be sure it doesn't stick, but that's not necessary if you're good about checking it. Cook for 6 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Then apply the sauce. Keep the heat on for 30 seconds, then turn it off and let the sauce turn into a reduced glaze.

6. Steam the bok choy with the water in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Steam for 2-3 minutes, until the water evaporates.

7. Place the quinoa under the bok choy under the tofu in a bowl. Garnish with limes. Pairs well with dry white wine, limeade, or a beer (Pilsners and Lagers especially). Enjoy!

Bangkok BBQ Chicken Rolls

These rolls are based on those served at the California Pizza Kitchen. They're unlike anything I'd ever tried, and they're good! I might have to bring these back out for football season...

Bangkok Chicken
- 1T olive oil
- 3/4 T soy sauce
- 1/2 T fresh lime juice
- 1/2 T chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 t Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 t honey
- small pinch ground cumin
- small pinch dried red pepper flakes
- 1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast

Caramelized Onions
- 1 T unsalted butter
- 3/4 small red onion, cut into 1/8'' thick rings
- 1/4 t red wine vinegar
- 3/4 t soy sauce

Horseradish Cream Sauce
- 1/2 c sour cream or yogurt
- 1/4 c bottled creamy-style horseradish
- pinch of salt
- pinch of cayenne

Tortilla Rolls
- 6 - 8'' tortillas
- 2 T butter, at room temperature
- 3 T Horseradish Cream Sauce (see above)
- carmelized onions (see above)
- Bangkok Chicken (see above)
- 1/2 c shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 c smoked gouda
- 6 T good quality sweet and spicy BBQ sauce
- 2 T finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 T parmesan
- 1 T chopped parsley (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to broil. Cover two baking sheets with foil.

2. Combine all Bangkok chicken ingredients. Marinate the chicken 5-6 minutes per side.

3. Broil chicken 5-6 minutes/side one of the baking sheets. Set aside.

Mmmm Bangkok chicken

4. Preheat the oven to 500.

5. In a small nonstick skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook 3-4 minutes, until the onions just begin to brown. Add the vinegar. Reduce the heat to medium-low, stirring frequently to prevent scorching, for 8 minutes. Add the soy sauce and cook 5-8 minutes more, stirring frequently, until onions are brown and tender. Remove from the heat and set aside.

6. Mix all horseradish cream ingredients together. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

7. One at a time, brush butter over one side of the tortilla, and place it butter side down on the baking sheet. (Because of the size of the tortillas, sometimes the last couple need to be placed on after they've been rolled up.)

8. Fill the middle of the tortillas with 1/2 T each of the horseradish sauce (you should have some left over),  some of the Bangkok chicken, mozzarella, carmelized onions, gouda, BBQ sauce, and cilantro. Try to divide each of these as evenly among the rolls as possible. When all the ingredients have been placed in the tortilla, roll is up like a burrito. Top with parmesan.

9. Bake the rolls for 5-6 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Top with parsley.

10. Serve hot with the remaining horseradish as dip. Pairs well with a good cocktail (I chose a Bourbon Sweet Tea). Enjoy!

Good Morning Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins

I have been making these for 7 years, and eating them for 25. These muffins are some of the best around. They're delicious, and they're not terrible for you! It's a win-win. The real challenge with these muffins is getting one before the rest of house eats them all.

Ingredients
- 1 c oatmeal
- 1 c buttermilk
- 1/3 c brown sugar
- 3-4 Tbsp oil
- 1 egg
- 3/4 c flour
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/3 - 1/2 c chocolate chips (I always use 1/2 cup!)
- Optional: 1 smashed banana

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease and line 12 muffin cups.

2. Combine the oatmeal, buttermilk, and brown sugar in a mixing bowl. Let sit for 30 minutes so the oatmeal can absorb some of the liquid.

3. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.



4. Add the dry ingredients and chocolate chips (and banana) to the oatmeal mixture. Stir until the flour is just blended- try not to overstir.

5. Bake for 15 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Pairs well with a glass of milk. Enjoy!

Spicy Thai Noodles with Chicken

This recipe is an adaptation of Leana's Spicy Thai Noodles combined with my favorite Teriyaki Chicken Recipe (that I seem to throw into every Asian dish I make!). It's simple and quick to make, and has always been a crowd pleaser around here!

Teriyaki Chicken
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp teriyaki sauce
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp red wine vinegar or sherry
- 1/3'' fresh ginger, chopped
- 1 clove fresh garlic, chopped
- 1/2 lb. chicken (I use boneless, skinless chicken breast.)

Spicy Thai Noodles
- 1 box linguine or angel hair
- 1-2 Tbsp crushed red peppers
- 3 Tbsp olive or grapeseed oil (I prefer grapeseed since it does better with high heat. If you do use olive oil, do not use extra virgin: extra virgin is meant for cold dishes like salad dressings; non-extra virgin is better for heat.)
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 3 Tbsp honey
- 4 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 2 carrots, peeled and shredded or sliced
- 1/2 bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup peanuts
- handful of sesame seeds

1. Preheat the oven to broil.

2. Cook and drain the pasta. Set aside.

3. Combine all ingredients for the teriyaki chicken in a bowl. Let the chicken marinate 5-6 minutes per side.

4. Broil the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side on a baking sheet covered in foil. Once the chicken has cooled a bit, cut it into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.

Mmmm teriyaki chicken

5. Heat both oils and the crushed peppers (beginners should stick to under 1 Tbsp- I like 2 Tbsp but I like my pasta hot!) in a pan over medium heat. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes. When it begins to smoke, strain out the peppers and pour the oil into the empty pasta pot.

Don't be fooled- the remaining oil has some kick!!

6. Add honey and soy sauce to the oil. When well mixed, add the pasta. Mix well. Add chicken and all remaining ingredients.
7. Can be served hot or cold. Pairs well with some green tea (and maybe some fro yo for dessert?) Enjoy!