Random Notes on Food and Fun

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Vegetable Curry















Now I am not an expert on Curry but I did get some great curry powder from Penzey's with some saffron that I just love.  So I used it in this recipe. It is simple but does take a bit of time as you cook things for 15 minutes after adding them.  I adapted it from a recipe that I found in the catalog.  Note that the recipe calls for 3-4 T of curry powder so I usually split with the good stuff and some regular curry powder.  Make sure you have it on hand before you start.


Vegetable Curry
  • 5 potatoes ( I used red, precooked) in 8ths
  • 1 or two carrots sliced
  • Green beans (presteamed)
  • red bell pepper (optional to add with onion)
  • 4 tablespoons butter (1/2 stick)
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons curry powder (the above curry powder is great)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 (14 ounce) can whole tomatoes
  • 1 (14 ounce) can light coconut milk
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  1. Melt the butter in a large, deep saute pan and add the onion. Cook on low heat until the onion is translucent, about 15 minutes. (add optional bell pepper here) Add the curry powder and continue cooking on low heat for 15 minutes, stirring regularly as curry forms a paste. Add the lemon juice and stir.
  2. Add the tomatoes, cutting them up once they are in the pan. Add half the juice from the can and save the remainder. Continue cooking the tomatoes and onions another 15 minutes on low heat.
  3. Add 1/4 of the coconut milk and stir. Then add the rest of the coconut milk and the remaining tomato juice until you like the consistency of the curry base. Simmer this mixture for another 15 minutes (see how the 15 minutes adds up).
  4. Bring the curry base to a boil and add the potatoes, green beans, and carrots ( you can add whatever you have on hand).  Cook for about 8 minutes or until it is all hot and cooked  as you like. Add the salt at this point to your taste (does not have to be kosher). You can serve over noodles or rice but if the potatoes are in there it does not need it unless you are trying to make more (good left over).

    New Year's Breakfast

    Just to share.  Happy New Year everyone!
    (Starfruit is just so cute, you know)

    Pecan (or walnut) Vegetarian Meatballs

    This is a great hearty meal for those with a robust hunger and dinner with a vegetarian.

    Meatballs:

    4 eggs
    1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (sharp is good)
    1/2 cup cottage cheese
    1/2 cup finely chopped onion
    1 cup finely chopped pecans
    1 teaspoon dried basil (some fresh herbs would be good too)
    1 1/2 teaspoons salt
    1/4 teaspoon dried sage
    2 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs (I only had unseasoned so had to add extra)
    Sweet and Sour Sauce:
    1/4 cup vegetable oil
    1/4 cup white vinegar
    3/4 cup apricot preserves
    1 cup ketchup (try using some non high fructose corn syrup  )
    1/4 cup minced onion
    1 teaspoon dried oregano
    1 dash hot pepper sauce (I use the wimpy green stuff, but it need it)

    Directions

    1. Preheat the oven to 350.
    2. In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, Cheddar cheese, and cottage cheese until well blended. Mix in 1/2 cup onion, pecans, basil, salt and sage. Stir in bread crumbs. Form the mixture into 2 inch balls (some smaller ones would be since if using as an appetizer), and place them in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
    3. In another bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, vinegar, apricot preserves, ketchup, 1/4 cup onion, oregano and hot pepper sauce. Pour over meatballs.
    4. Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until meatballs are firm, and sauce is thick and bubbly.






    Asparagus side:


    This is a favorite and is simple.  Put the asparagus in the oven (400 degree) for about 8 min with just a bit of salt and pepper.  In the meantime, melt 2 or 3 T butter till it just starts to brown.  Remove pan from stove and stand back a bit while you add 2 teaspoons soy sauce and 1 t of balsamic vinegar (it splashes).  Whisk a bit and pour over asparagus when it comes out of oven.

    Food memories of Thanksgiving 2009


            
    Thanksgiving is a great food holiday and I love it so here are a few food memories.  Ok, the pie was before Thanksgiving.  Still.
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