Friday, December 8, 2023

Langar Ki Dal (Creamy Lentils)

  My favorite creamy instant pot dal. 

Dal:

1 cup whole black urad dal

1/2 cup chana dal can also just use one can of drained chickpeas

4 cups water (can do 5)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp ground turmeric

To make Dal:

1. In the instant pot combine lentils and chana if using dried or canned. Add water, salt and turmeric. 

2. Lock the lid in place. Can press bean/chilli button and make sure high pressure for 30 minutes. Now make the finish sauce

3. Allow pressure to realease naturally for 10 minutes then quick release remaining. 

4. Crush the dals a bit with a spoon

Finishing the Dal:

1 TBSP butter, ghee, or oil

1 onion, chopped

1 TBSP minced ginger

1 TSBP minced garlic

2 tomatoes, chopped (can also do one can of diced)

2 or more cups spinach leaves, or other chopped greens

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

1/2 tsp ground turmeric

1/8 tsp ground cayenne pepper

1 tsp salt

1/4 cup water, as needed

1. Head a nonstick pan to medium high heat. Add oil, when shimmering add onion and sauté for 30 seconds. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for a few minutes until onions start to brow. Watch heat to now burn garlic

2. Add the tomatoes, cumin seeds, turmeric, cayenne, and salt. Mix well. Add water, and tomatoes and cook for 1 to 2 minutes..

3. Mix sauce into finished dal, season to taste and mix in the spinach until wilted. Serve with rice, naan or whatever other curries. Freezes well. 


Moroccan Lentil and Chickpea Soup (Harira)

 A friend gave me this recipe from America's Test Kitchen. One of my absolute favorites! Serve with some naan and good to go. 



Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

 This is such a fun, fancy and delicious Fall recipe. The pumpkin doesn't seem to stand out so kids probably won't notice. I do serve the spinach and bacon on the side for my picky kids and they do like the Mac and cheese they just don't know about the pumpkin. I do not do the breadcrumbs. It's even really good leftovers via https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/pumpkin-mac-and-cheese/

  • 10 ounces dry cavatappi (or shells, or whatever pasta you have on hand, even gluten free!)
  • 12 ounces bacon (I usually crisp up some bits from Costco probably about 1/2 cup)
  • 6 ounces fresh spinach
  • For the pumpkin cheese sauce:
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour (or whole wheat flour or all purpose gluten free flour)
  • 2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or cashew milk or regular milk)
  • ½ cup finely grated parmesan cheese (Dubliner cheese from Costco is also amazing)
  • ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder (I add more to taste)
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree

  • For the topping:
  • ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, gluten free if desired
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted

No Mayo Coleslaw

We really liked this tangy take on a no mayo coleslaw. Full of flavor. One suggested a tiny bit more sweetness but we prefer the tang. From AmbitiousKitchen

https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/best-healthy-coleslaw-ever-no-mayo/

Shredded green and red cabbage

shredded carrots

cilantro

green onions

pepitas (optional)

 Dressing:

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1-2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, depending how sweet you like your slaw
  • 1 clove garlic, finely minced
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Freshly cracked black pepper

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Pumpkin Butter

 I'm too cheap to buy the Trader Joes pumpkin butter and I tried a recipe and didn't love it. But this recipe! It is SO good. We had French toast the other night and I spread a generous amount on, had some homemade syrup and some fresh whip cream on top and it was like eating pumpkin pie. DELICIOUS Fall flavor! We just mixed it into our greek yoghurt and B and the kids have had it spread on bagels. SO GOOD! 

via https://www.fifteenspatulas.com/homemade-pumpkin-butter/

  • 2 cups pumpkin puree canned or fresh (about one 15oz can)
  • 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (side note here on the spices, I was feeling lazy and just did 1 heaping tsp of pumpkin spice in leu of all the other spices)
  • 1/8 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/8 tsp ground allspice
  • 3/4 cup water (maybe do 1/2 cup) fresh doesn't need water but I didn't make it, and felt like with the Libby the 3/4 we had to cook down for quite a while. 
  • Combine all ingredients in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low heat (otherwise the pumpkin mixture will sputter).
  • Cook for 20 minutes, stirring often, until the puree has become caramelized and dark brown, with a thick and shiny consistency. As long as you stir every couple minutes and use a heavy-bottomed pan, it shouldn’t burn.
  • Once sufficiently thickened, let the pumpkin butter cool completely before storing in a glass jar in the fridge for about 2 weeks. 

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Zingy Cranberry Sauce

GrowingupSarita is one of my other favorite cooking follows. She does lots of AMAZING Mexican food and this is cranberry sauce with a flavor twist. But in the best way possible! This is a holiday must for me now. Even if I don't make thanksgiving I have to have it for my turkey sandwich leftovers. It is THE BEST! 

16 oz cranberries ⁣
1 3/4 c. Sugar ⁣
1/4 c. Rough chopped ginger ⁣
1 Jalapeño⁣
1 c. Orange juice ⁣
A pinch of salt ⁣
1 lime, juiced ⁣

1 tsp orange zest , fresh cranberries to garnish.⁣

𝘐𝘕𝘚𝘛𝘙𝘜𝘊𝘛𝘐𝘖𝘕𝘚 ⁣
Rinse cranberries, (discarding any discolored) and place into a sauce pan. Start on low heat and when cranberries are warm, pour sugar in. Occasionally stir until sugar is melted. ⁣

In a blender, pour oj, (I fresh squeezed mine but you can use store bought), ginger and stemmed jalapeño.⁣


Strain the juice into the saucepan so the sauce is smooth and doesn’t have ginger or jalapeño bits. Mix and simmer until sauce reaches a thick consistency. ⁣

Spoon out three large serving spoons of the sauce and blend smooth. Place back into sauce in pan and incorporate with the rest of sauce. (This gave the sauce texture: smooth with some cranberry pieces. You may use an immersion blender but after trying it, I preferred the half blended method.)⁣

Squeeze lime juice into sauce, add salt. ⁣

Garnish with orange zest, fresh cranberries

Roti Bowls

 Another alifefromscratch Roti Bowls, we modify to whatever we feel like a have on hand. 

Can use leftover rotisserie chicken or grill up some chicken with Montreal steak seasoning and some olive oil. If I do this I do like to grill zucchini with the seasoning too. 

Cooked rice
Chopped mini cucs marinated with oregano and Garlic Expressions dressing
Pita/naan bread, warmed up
Marinated onions
chopped peppers
chickpeas 
Your choice of hummus,



Brown Bag Apple Pie

This is another Instagram recipe from Alifefromscratch. This is Courtney's mom's recipe and it works every time! I do recommend not going overkill on the apples if you're using a regular sized pyrex but if you do large apples or there's one or two more I recommend a deeper pie dish. I have a recipe for a strawberry rhubarb pie from a coworker from 10 years ago and can't believe I've never tried it because it's the same no roll crust! This is a must try! I do like to slice my apples with a corer/slicer thingy so they're thinner and consistent size. 

 BROWN BAG APPLE PIE:

Bottom crust, mix together in a kitchen aid:
1 1/2 cups flour (can use cup4cup for gluten-free )
1 tsp salt
2 tsp sugar
1 TBS milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Apples:
5 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced 
1/2 cup sugar
2 TBS flour
2 tsp cinnamon

Top crust, mix together:
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup softened butter

Preheat oven to 425.

Layer pie: press bottom crust into pie dish, toss the apples in a separate bowl and put on top of crust, mix top crust in mixer and press top crust on top of apples.

Place pie in brown paper bag and fold over and put on a baking tray. Bake for one hour. (Keep an eye on it, be home, etc). Enjoy!

Cool as a Cuke Salad

Alifefromscratch on Instagram is one of my favorite follows for easy, nutritious and just overall amazing meals. The Trader Joes brand of the chili lime seasoning though is a must. I tried with Chilito and it just wasn't the same. 

In a big bowl place:

Chopped mini cucs
Chopped strawberries
Freshly chopped basil and mint
Chunked up avocado
Handful shaved parmesan
Handful toasted slivered almonds
Grilled chicken (rotisserie works too)

Dress with:

Juice of one lemon
1/3 or so cup good olive oil
1-2 tsp Trader Joe's chili lime seasoning
Salt & pepper

Mug Brownie

 Sometimes you just need a sweet treat. I have a brownie in a bowl recipe but this smaller and just right.

via: https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/263348/mug-brownie/

  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil (I used canola)

  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut milk or (I used fat-free milk)

  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 tablespoon sugar

  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

  •  teaspoon salt

  • pinch or two of chocolate chips (Optional)

    1. Place coconut oil in a small microwave-safe coffee mug and microwave on High until melted, 15 to 20 seconds. Cool for 1 minute. Whisk in coconut milk (or milk) and vanilla. Add flour, sugar, cocoa and salt; continue whisking until completely incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips, if using. Microwave on High until firm to the touch and no longer glossy, 30 to 40 seconds. Let stand for 8 to 10 minutes.


Thursday, September 21, 2023

Refrigerator Pickled Mouse Melon

 These sour gherkin mouse melons are quite tangy but they make the yummiest refrigerator pickles! We grew these this year so had to try something with the many many that come off one plant! This recipe is perfection. 


https://homesteadandchill.com/pickled-cucamelons/


  • 3-4 cups Cucamelons
  • 1 1/3 cups White vinegar
  • 2/3 cup Apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp Sea salt, kosher or pickling salt
  • 2 Tbsp Sugar
  • 6 sprigs Fresh dill (a small handful)
  • 2-3 cloves Fresh garlic cloves, peeled 
  • 1 tsp Peppercorns, to taste (about a dozen per jar)
  • tsp Mustard seed
  • 1 pinch Red chili flakes (scant 1/2 tsp), or 1 fresh hot chili pepper (optional)
  • 2 whole Grape leaves – substitute with horseradish, oak, or black tea leaves (optional, for maximum crispness)

Instructions

  • Wash the cucamelons. Avoid using bruised or damaged ones. 
  • Add the fresh dill, garlic cloves, and other spices to the bottom of a clean quart jar. 
  • Pack the cucamelons into the jar until full.
  • Prepare the pickling brine by combining the vinegar, sugar, and salt in a saucepan on the stove. Heat lightly until the sugar and salt dissolve, but then allow the brine to cool to lukewarm/room temperature before adding to the cucamelons.
  • Pour the brine over the top of the cucamelons until they are completely submerged. If you happen to run out, top off with plain white vinegar if needed. Add optional grape leaves on top now. Place an air-tight lid on the jar. 
  • Refrigerate the jar. During the first 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, gently tip or shake the jar to wet/rotate the top floating cucamelons – ensuring even pickling and that no "floaters" become dry or moldy. Or, use a glass/ceramic fermenting weight to keep the cucamelons submerged instead.
  • For optimum flavor, allow the pickled cucamelons to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 week before digging in. 
  • Enjoy your pickled cucamelons within 2 to 3 months for best quality and flavor. Maintain refrigerated at all times.

Thursday, August 17, 2023

Doctored up Cake Mix (Lemon Cake)

 I used this recipe to make Callen's Harry Potter pink cake for his birthday. It was very lemony. But it's a method I would use again for a super super moist and tender easy cake. 

https://togetherasfamily.com/easy-lemon-lovers-layered-cake/

  • 1 box (15.25 oz) lemon cake mix (or whatever flavor)
  • 1 box (3.4 oz) lemon instant pudding (match to cake flavor)
  • 1 cup sour cream (room temp)
  • 3/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup whole milk (room temp)
  • 3 large eggs
  • Heat oven to 350°. Prepare three 9-inch cake pans by spraying with cooking spray. I did sprinkle and shake with flour too. Set aside. 
  • In a large mixing bowl, or you can use the bowl of a stand mixer, add the dry cake mix, instant pudding, sour cream, oil, milk, whole milk, and eggs. 
    Beat on low speed, increasing speed as needed, until the batter is well combined. The batter will be thick and that's ok. I did whip it for a minute or so.
  • Divide cake batter evenly between the three prepared cake pans. The layers will be thin but don't worry cause as they cook they will bake up higher. 
  • Cook for 18-20 minutes. Remove with just a few crumbs on toothpick. Don't be tempted to store on plates unless you want it to stick to it. 

Sunday, August 13, 2023

Tahini Dressing

 Couldn't remember where I put this so here it goes. I use this to drizzle on top of buddha bowls with a ton of roasted veggies, chickpeas and quinoa. Super tasty. Another Ambitious Kitchen. She uses this over her Roasted Sweet Potato Kale Salad. 

https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/sweet-potato-kale-salad/

  • ¼ cup tahini
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • Lots of freshly ground black pepper
  • 2-3 tablespoons warm water, to thin the dressing

Thursday, August 10, 2023

Strawberry Frosting

 via: https://sugarspunrun.com/strawberry-buttercream-frosting/#recipe

Approximately for me. Adjust when it's hot and ingredients are dry etc. I sift the powdered sugar, and beat the crap out of the butter on high speed with my paddle for the kitchen aid. 

  • 1 cup (16g) freeze-dried strawberries (just blitz a packet from the dollar store in the vitamin cup)
  • 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter softened
  • 4 cups (500 g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, see note)
  •  teaspoon salt
  • 2-4 Tablespoons heavy cream or milk 
  • 1. Whip the butter till almost white
  • 2. Add half the powdered sugar and salt
  • 3. Add strawberry powder
  • 4. Add heavy cream, vanilla and beat till fluffy again
  • 5. Add rest of powdered sugar, adjust as needed