Gujarati Black Chickpea Curry

A smaller and dark-skinned cousin of chickpeas, black chickpeas have a denser texture and more potent, earthier aroma and flavor. Black chickpeas have to be soaked for as a minimum 12 hours earlier than cooking. Black chickpeas are cooked with other strong flavors and featured in thick and hearty curries. The vital issue is to make sure they are boiled nicely till tender. They have a tendency to take longer than yellow chickpeas. I do not devour them very often, and I'm no longer sure why, because they are very enjoyable with a pleasing texture.

From Jagruti, we examine that this is a traditional curry recipe of Gujrat. It is made without onion or garlic and has sweet, tangy flavours from the addition of tamarind and tomato and it is excellent and spicy too, without being overpowering. It's additionally dairy-loose, excessive in fiber, and is going especially properly with Indian flatbreads, together with roti, and a few steaming warm basmati rice. It's additionally smooth to put together with staples you in all likelihood have handy if you have a well-stocked pantry as I do.

Other recipes presenting black chickpeas from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Chickpeas, Kidney Beans and Lentils with a Spicy Tomato Sauce

Black and Yellow Chickpeas in a Sweet and Spicy Sauce

Black and Yellow Chickpeas with a Coconut Chili Sauce

Black Chickpeas with Roasted Coconut and Fragrant Spices

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Greek Sesame Tahini Cake with Spelt and Mixed Dried Fruits

I learned the basics of baking by watching and helping my mom in the kitchen as a child. While this was certainly a good introduction, I still used to pretty much follow baking recipes religiously when I started on my own. But now I take liberties and have even adjusted classic desserts containing eggs and dairy to ones that are suitable for vegans, with great success. This tahini cake — altered from Maria Speck's recipe — might now be my favorite vegan cake, next that is to my a classic olive oil almond cake.

Subtly sweet, wet and with a myriad of flavors from macerated dried culmination, vanilla, lemon juice, tahini and sesame seeds and likened by using my fine pal to a halva cake, that description suits the bill just quality, especially as he did not recognize quite what to expect when I instructed him what I became serving up. This was enjoyed for dessert, but it also makes for a completely gratifying breakfast or with a favorite cup of tea or coffee as an afternoon treat. A bonus is this is it smooth to put together and you don't want an electric powered mixer ? Just a couple of bowls, spoons and measuring implements.

Maria Speck additionally tells us that this cake is even better the day after it is made and I could simply agree. It will preserve for a great few days if tightly covered and ignored at room temperature.

Other vegan baked items to experience from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Gluten-Free Vegan Gingerbread Muffins

Vegan Morning Glory Muffins

Classic Cornbread

Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Filling and Ganache

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Punjabi Chole Masala (Chana Masala)

Chana and chole mean chickpeas, and a masala is a blend of spices in powder or paste form. Chole masala and chana masala then are the same kind of dish, but there are many different variations depending on the region of northern India and the choice of spices. One thing that all chole masalas have is a spicy and tangy sauce made almost always with onions and tomatoes. I've showcased several versions of chana masala on my blog, but I always enjoy playing around with different variations.

This version is quite rich despite the lack of any ghee or cream, and it's aromatic and spicy besides, but as always feel free to adjust the spicing according to your taste or tolerance. A tea bag added to the chickpeas while they cook lends a depth of flavor to the dish and, depending on the type of tea used, it can add a delightful fragrant aroma and just possibly a touch of smoky flavor too — but mainly it is used to darken the color of the chole masala. Feel free to omit it as the real flavor and beauty of the dish comes from the homemade spice blend and other spices that are added to the simmering gravy along with the tomato.

This dish goes well with steaming hot fresh cooked basmati rice and Indian flat breads. I made homemade poori breads to go along with the chole masala, which I have yet to perfect as I had hoped they would come out puffier, but they were nonetheless delicious and it was my first attempt at making them. I have made numerous other homemade Indian flat breads in the past with great success and was inspired to try something a bit different.

At any rate though, this version of chole masala is a definite winner!

Other Indian classics to enjoy from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Saag Aloo (Spinach and Potato Curry)

Chana Palak (Spicy Chickpeas and Spinach)

Aloo Gobi (Curried Cauliflower and Potatoes)

Butter Paneer Masala (Cheese Cubes Smothered in a Spicy Tomato Gravy)

Kidney Bean Curry (Rajma)

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Luxuriously Thick Spicy Tomato Chutney

It is rare that I ever buy chutney, tomato sauce or salsa, for the reason that they may be very smooth to put together at home and plenty fresher with no undesirable ingredients besides. For instance, this thick and luscious spicy Indian tomato chutney is simply simmered for approximately 20 mins, and it's so darn smooth to make and totally worth the small effort placing it collectively. A bonus is that it continues in a properly-sealed jar within the refrigerator for as a minimum a week and is made with staples you probably have reachable for your kitchen.

Next time I would possibly just upload some solar-dried tomatoes for some greater tangy and zesty flavor. I like a spicy chutney but experience free to regulate the spicing and number of chilies consistent with your very own taste and tolerance for heat. I served this chutney up with some curried quinoa and wild rice savory cakes and a few tortilla chips. This chutney will paintings with any savory calling for a tomato based chutney, and it is just like a thick tomato sauce or salsa, so bear in mind this your go-to clean-to-put together sauce or salsa for something you need to add some more zesty kick to with a delightful fresh tomato flavor.

Chutneys are the south Asian version of sauces. They are commonly made with fruit or veggies, often with sugar and vinegar, and simmered down for a thick consistency. They are basically very similar to a salsa, though salsas aren't vital cooked and usually do no longer incorporate any sugar. Sugar is brought to chutneys to stability the acidity of the vinegar, and I used a small amount of coconut sugar although you may use brown sugar alternatively.

Other chutneys to enjoy from Lisa's Kitchen:

Classic Tamarind Chutney

Fresh Tomato Chutney

Velvety South Indian Tomato Chutney

Green Mango Coconut Chutney

Saffron and Cumin Seed Crackers

I've made crackers inside the beyond, and they may be not too tough to make in any respect. The key is to roll the cracker dough as skinny as viable in order that they come out crispy. These colorful crackers are gently spiced with cumin seeds and saffron. Break them as much as into portions after they arrive out of the oven which can be convenient to your purposes.

These crackers are a unique treat to serve together with a bowl of soup and make an ideal addition to an appetizer platter with favorite spreads, dips and sauces and different little nibbles, inclusive of cheese and olives. I made up a batch of homemade guacamole and I had plenty of crackers leftover too to experience for multiple days afterwards.

I notion that I had quite a lot each kitchen device or gadget I should think of ever the usage of after which I discovered a silicone baking mat. These mats are less expensive and perfect if you make dough for rolls, breads, biscuits, scones, pies, pizzas, pastries, or, in this situation, dough to be fashioned for crackers. You can buy larger versions for making pastries which include pie crusts or for larger breads and pizza. The incredible thing about those is they keep on with the counter floor and you could brush with oil or sprinkle with flour for the kneading and rolling component and the cleanup is a snap. Just wash with soap and water and dry. For convenient storage, they may be rolled up and stashed away till you need to apply it again. They also can be used for oven baking, so you don't want to line your baking pan with parchment paper or grease it while making cookies or pastries or every other element you need to bake. I have two sizes now, because I'm completely bought on this on hand kitchen concept.

Other crackers to try from Lisa's Kitchen:

Whole Meal Biscuits

Parmesan Rice Crackers

Skinny Masala Biscuits

Homemade Graham Crackers

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Audio Accompaniment: Listening To Pictures (Pentimento Volume One) by way of John Hassel

Beetroot Energy Bites with Dried Fruit, Almonds and Cacao

Beets are normally notion of as a salad element where their cool sweetness adds a clean touch to veggies and vinaigrettes. But that same sweetness makes them an outstanding if unusual factor of treats and cakes ? I've used them inside the beyond to scrumptious and colourful effect in beetroot cake, beetroot chocolate cakes with coconut and beetroot cakes.

This time around, the simple roasted beet is the car for some tasty home made strength balls that I've loaded with dried fruit, almonds and cacao powder. These guilt-unfastened treats will keep you going for a very good at the same time as and they make an appealing treat for guests too. You genuinely handiest need one among this little bites to meet a craving for chocolates, however the temptation to eat multiple would possibly simply leave you achieving for any other.

I may upload that it also could make a first-rate spread for crackers, so if your mixture is firm, but nevertheless on the moist side, do try some that manner too. I did earlier than chilling within the fridge for a few hours before shaping into little bites and it was pretty enjoyable. I just like the balls covered with some of the recommendations I've mentioned within the recipe, but you do not even need to coat them and they may be just as enjoyable.

Other basically uncooked treats you may enjoy from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Raw Peanut and Coconut Butter Fudge

Raw Cocoa Gingerbread Brownies

Ingredient Raw Peanut Butter Chocolate Cups

Cocoa Fruit Treats

Creamy Chickpea Flour Peanut Butter Maple Fudge

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Mediterranean Mini-Loaves with Kalamata Olives and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

I must confess that I leave out my kitchen. I've been within the clinic for over a month presently, and despite the fact that I am getting better, I actually have a long manner to head. I'm going to have to build up power, which will take a while, and I do not foresee a go back home for a while but. But the tougher I work at matters, with out overdoing it, then I hope to move domestic to my very own mattress, kitties and kitchen, although it might take a while to actually get again within the swing of factors.

On of the final things I made before going to the sanatorium have been these little dinner-roll-size Mediterranean-inspired crusty loaves. Needless to say, they cross properly with a hot bowl of soup, but they're ideal at the aspect too as they're bursting with taste due to the addition of fresh Kalamata olives, zesty sun-dried tomatoes and dried herbs. Slice and serve with a few butter or simply revel in as is.

The dough is smooth and a satisfaction to paintings with, and at the same time as they're easy to make, they do make an effort, though maximum of this is rising time, so commonly it's fingers off except for kneading and shaping the dough.

Other breads to enjoy from Lisa's Kitchen:

Lemon Chia Seed Cornmeal Bread

Jalape?O Spoon Bread

Rustic Sun-Dried Tomato Bread

Quick and Easy Pumpkin Molasses Chocolate Chip Bread - Vegan