Refried Beans with Pumpkin

Refried beans are considered one of my favourite meals to serve up and after I noticed Janet's tackle a classic that protected pumpkin, I knew I simply needed to try her pumpkin-infused refried beans. And I'm absolutely glad I did. I spiced my dish up and made up a huge batch because leftover refried beans are constantly a treat too. The pumpkin taste comes out in a subtle however awesome way that without a doubt goes nicely with the pinto beans and spice combo I used. Serve them up as a dip or as a filling for wraps, crowned with some warm sauce and sour cream if desired, or along a bed of grains, inclusive of quinoa or rice. I served mine up with some jalape?O sauce and a few quinoa desserts.

On the subject of pumpkin, when it is in season, it?S clean to make your very own pumpkin pur?E at domestic to save for destiny use when you have sufficient freezer area. Buy a fairly big pumpkin, cut it in half, scoop out the seeds and membranes, cut once more in halves, brush with some oil and roast in a preheated 400?F oven for 35 to 50 minutes or till fork smooth. When cool, clearly scoop out the pumpkin and mash it up till clean. Store inside the freezer in sealed bags in 1 cup quantities for future use.

Don?T overlook to order those seeds. You can roast them for an easy, addictive and healthful snack.

More pinto bean ideas from Lisa's Kitchen:

Refried Beans with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Southern-Style Beans with Rice and Fried Eggplant

Pinto Bean and Avocado Burritos

Corn and Pinto Bean Dip

On the pinnacle of the studying stack: The Birds, by Daphne du Maurier

Audio Accompaniment: Marsen Jules

Coleslaw Bites with Jalapeño Dip

Sides are often underrated, and that's a shame because there are so many interesting ways to dress up grains and vegetables and legumes. For examples, these little fried coleslaw bites served up with one of the tastiest and easiest dips I have had for a while. I made these as part of a meal, rather than as a starter, so I made my bites about 2 inches in diameter, but feel free to make them smaller to serve as hors d'oeuvre tidbits. Better yet, double the batch because they won't last long. They really are that good, and frying up cabbage really brings out its natural sweetness.

These coleslaw bites are vegan friendly too, so if you don't want the dairy here, consider making a variation on the creamy jalapeño dip I present here or serve with a tomato chutney or salsa.

More little bites you are sure to enjoy from Lisa's Kitchen:

Eggplant Quinoa Bites with Pesto

Goat Cheese Olive Balls

Savory Quinoa Corn Cups

Smoked Gouda Gougères

On the top of the reading stack: Cooking Inspired by Estee Kafra

Audio Accompaniment: Stellardrone

Pappadums with Avocado Pomegranate Salsa

When I heard a while back about Raghavan Iyer's new cookbook Indian Cooking Unfolded: A Master Class in Indian Cooking with 100 Easy Recipes Using 10 Ingredients or Less , I was bursting with anticipation. For those unfamiliar with Mr. Iyer's offerings, he is also the author of one of my absolute favorite cookbooks, 660 Curries . I have cooked from and written about his books on many occasions and they all come highly recommended from my kitchen. One of the first dishes I have tried and shared from his most recent book was a wonderful chana chaat (tangy and tart chickpea salad).

Now I am providing up but any other beautiful creation from Mr. Iyer. Look no similarly if you want a completely unique and barely highly spiced appetizer to wow your dining partners. Or if you please, hold all of it to your self. Have a nibble and notice if you have 2nd thoughts approximately sharing this creamy Indian-style "salsa" adorned with candy pomegranate pearls. Crispy lentil pappadums entire the experience. Thoughts of decadence are speedy whisked away whilst you recognize that the entirety on the platter is wholesome and nutritious. Of direction, most significantly, it's a palette pleaser, with a layering of textures and zesty and tangy flavors that you may possibly have no longer considered earlier than.

More Indian dips and salsas which you are positive to experience from my kitchen:

Avocado Chickpea Hummus

Tomato and Eggplant Caponata

Fresh Tomato Chutney

Spicy Indian-Style Hummus

On the top of the reading stack: Couture Chocolate: A Masterclass in Chocolate

Audio Accompaniment: Hallucinator - Landlocked

No-Bake Coconut Oil Fudge

I recognise that after maximum people think about fudge, we do not consider it as always being the most healthful deal with, but in this example I assure you that it's far. Just the goodness of coconut oil, coconut milk, raw honey, unsweetened cocoa and some vanilla with a dash of almond extract.

I've been seeking out a manner to incorporate more coconut oil into my food plan other than just cooking with it and this recipe is prime right here. Just a few nibbles for the duration of the day and I'm getting a first rate dose of this excellent oil that has a mess of health benefits. For a while, I attempted setting some on my toast with a few jam, however that simply failed to do it for me. This is tons tastier.

I was going to include a few peanut butter into this fudge for a protein raise, but decided towards it due to the fact I wanted to flavor it with just a few lots of cocoa and some flavoring. I'm happy I did and I suspect that I can be exploring the opportunities within the near destiny. Visions of mint dance in my head and maybe even dried fruit for a chunkier version.

If you are running with less warm elements along with the coconut oil or honey, you will should work with them extra to get a easy consistency.

More healthful indulgences you're sure to revel in from Lisa's Kitchen:

Cherry Nut Bars

Chia Seed Pudding

Chocolate Cocoa Brownies with Dried Cranberries and Chickpea Flour

Cocoa Fruit Treats

What's with sharing my contemporary on the top of the studying stack and audio accompaniment, a few may additionally ask? Well, I'm a non-public soul and this is truely a glimpse into other mechanisms at play similarly to the meals.

On the pinnacle of the analyzing stack: sorting through the piles and sorting out the most up-to-date Food and Drink Magazine

Audio Accompaniment: Tom Opdahl - Black Smoker

Sweet Potato Hummus Soup with Carrots

Why I've in no way concept to feature hummus to a soup before is a thriller to me thinking about how much I like it, but after seeing Janet's carrot ginger lime soup with candy potato hummus, I was offered. Chickpeas in soups and stews are always a consolation, and including hummus with a highly spiced kick truly imparted a silky and creamy texture that led to spoonfuls of natural bliss.

One the maximum attractive features of this recipe is that you might not want all of the hummus that you make for the soup itself, leaving you unfastened to bask in a wonderfully fresh tasting sweet and highly spiced hummus to be served with crackers, chopped veggies or little toasted breads. I'm no longer one to bitch approximately having hummus round for a few days!

Spicy Sweet Potato Hummus

More pleasant soups you could experience from Lisa's Kitchen:

Chickpea Vindaloo

Pumpkin and Carrot Split Lentil Soup

Urad Dal and Tomato Soup (Urad Tamatar Dal)

Cranberry Wild Rice Soup

On the pinnacle of the reading stack: the newspaper

Audio Accompaniment: A person disguised as people

Thai Coconut Mushroom Soup with Kidney Beans

Expect to look a truthful range of soups supplied up here for the following desirable while. Those who recognize me apprehend how lots I detest the bloodless months. They also realize my weak spot for mushrooms. What better way to warm up than with an earthy bowl of Thai stimulated goodness.

Although I am maximum at domestic with Indian cooking and spicing, through the years I have grow to be almost as fond of Thai dishes. It's normally a highly spiced cuisine, as Indian is, so it's simply no marvel that I gravitate towards this rich history of cooking. The concept of this soup specifically appealed to me due to the fact similarly to coconut milk and mushrooms, the soup showcased different greens and, to fill it out, plump crimson kidney beans.

I noticeably endorse making your own Thai red curry paste. Many store-offered types are not handiest inferior in taste but also no longer suitable for vegetarians as maximum appear to comprise elements of fish. It's smooth to make besides, and could preserve in a nicely-sealed jar in the refrigerator for as a minimum a month. Depending on the heat degree of your paste, modify the amount used in the recipe to fit your palate. I suggest including a smaller amount in the beginning, taste and upload extra as required.

This soup changed into served as part of a fusion meal, proposing my classic cornbread, fried coleslaw bites with jalape?O dip, and cocoa bites for dessert. The mingling of flavors was even better than I imagined.

More Thai dishes from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen you are certain to experience:

Creamy Thai Coconut Mushroom Soup

Massaman Curry with Paneer Cheese

Thai Tempeh Patties with a Red Chili Dipping Sauce

On the pinnacle of the reading stack: Gogol

Audio Accompaniment: Black Smoker by Tom Opdahl

Paneer Tomato Curry with Indian and Thai Flavors

More often than not, once I cook dinner with paneer cheese it commonly is an Indian-fashion dish, even though I did as soon as make a Thai Massaman curry with paneer cheese that honestly might be making an appearance again within the near destiny at the desk.

This time, I went with a fusion dish, blending up traditional Indian spicing with prominent Thai flavors. It become a in shape made in heaven.

As I changed into experimenting with one-of-a-kind flavors, I additionally experimented with the other components of the menu. I served it up with a few north African millet patties and classic tarka dal. The sauce of the paneer curry became scooped over a number of the millet patties and the tarka dal shone inside the legume function. It all labored and the cook dinner and her eating companions have been greater than glad.

Other paneer dishes you are positive to revel in from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Mung Beans with Paneer Cheese

Paneer Mushroom Masala

Butter Paneer Masala

Mattar Paneer

On the top of the studying stack: Gogol

Audio Accompaniment: Black Smoker by Tom Opdahl