Vegan Banana Choc-chip Pancakes

Made this super healthy awesome pancake few hours ago :) :) Was divine. Wonderful way to start the day

You need:

1. Wholemeal flour-1 cup


2. Baking powder-2 tsp


3. Salt-a pinch


4. Soy milk-3/4 cup


5. To be blended (1 banana, 1 heaped tsp tahini, 1.5 Tbsp apple sauce, 1 Tbsp maple syrup)


6. Choc chips-1/3 cup


7. Chia seeds-a tsp


8. Dietary fibre-a tsp


9. Olive oil spray


10. Vegan butter-1 tsp-for topping

Method:

• Mix the (1, 2, 3)- the dry ingredients first. 


• To this add the blended banana puree, soy milk and whisk them well until they are no more lumps.


• Now add chia seeds, dietary fibre and chocolate chips and mix them all well.


• Heat a griddle and make pancakes. Top with vegan butter :)

Cheezy peas brown rice

You don't see me writing about many rice recipes since I try to use quinoa as much as I can. I came across this recipe for peas pulao/pilaf which had loads of milk and butter and white rice. I have tried to make it as healthy as I can

Ingredients:

• Cooked brown rice-1 cup


• Shallots-3-lengthwise chopped


• Green peas-thawed-1/4 cup


• Mustard seeds-1 tbsp


• Clove-2, cinnamon-1 small stick, 1 cardamom and 1 bay leaf


• Cashews-5-broken into bits


• Green chilli-1


• Light coconut milk-2 Tbsp (optional)


• Tofutti cheese slice-1/4 (optional)


• Mint and Coriander leaves-10 each-finely chopped(optional)


• 2 tsp oil

Method:

• In a pan, add 2 tsp oil, add clove, cinnamon, cardamom and bay leaf and mustard seeds. Once they pop, add shallots, cashews, green chilli in and toss until shallots turn translucent.


• Toss in the green peas, salt and add coconut milk until peas are cooked and add the rice in. Add extra salt. Mix them all well and serve with cheese bits on top.


• You could add coriander and mint (add them in with green peas if you are planning to use them)

Chickpea Peanut 'Patty'

I had few left over chickpeas (1/4 cup approx.) and 1 potato. Made this awesome 'patty'

In a high speed food processor, add cooked chickpeas (1/4 cup), unsalted roasted peanuts (1/4 cup), a piece of ginger until they come together. Transfer it to a bowl, add one potato and mix them all well. Use your hands-:) You would appreciate the taste later on. Add in some salt, chili powder, fennel seed powder (ask for saunf powder in Indian grocery). Shape them as patties and dust them with either bread crumbs/multi-grain crumbs and pan fry them :) Top with some cheese (optional)

Fluffy Chocolate mousse

I am not usually a sweet tooth person. But off-late, I have been craving for chocolate. Had avocado banana and cocoa in my pantry :) -that's what you need to make yummy vegan mousse.

Ingredients:

• Banana-1 big


• Avocado-1 medium


• Maple syrup-1 Tbsp


• Coconut oil melted-1 tsp


• Light coconut milk-2 Tbsp


• Cashews-45 gms


• 2 pinches salt


• Raw cacao powder-3 Tbsp


• 100 gms chocolate chips melted

Method:

• Blend everything apart from the choc chips until fluffy and add to the melted chocolate chip mixture. Fold until they are mixed well, chill them for an hour/so and serve.


• Top with Hazelnut meal


• I was too tempted to taste it so had 2 spoonfuls before I realized I had forgotten to take a pic ;)

Vegan methi matar malaai and Cumin rice

Fenugreek leaves are very bitter-but they are awesome in cleansing the body. I try to incorporate them into the food. It is always on my Indian shopping list. For this recipe, all you do is go to an Indian grocery and ask for fresh 'methi' leaves. (In Sydney, we have Wigram street in Harris park-which has more than 15 shops selling these leaves). Methi - Fenugreek leaves, Matar-Green peas, Malaai-Cream. If you are craving for a creamy curry, this is for you. It goes excellent with any flat bread/cumin rice.

Ingredients: 

• A bunch of methi leaves removed from the stalks


• Green peas-boiled with salt


• Red onion-cubed-1.5


• Green chili-3


• Cloves-2 and cinnamon-1" stick


• Poppy seeds-2 tsp


• Cumin seeds-1 tsp


• Garlic-5 pods, Ginger-1 small piece


• Cashews - 40 gms (soaked in hot water for an hour)-to make cashew cream


• Light coconut milk-1/4 cup


• Garam masala-1 tsp


• Salt-to taste


• Raw sugar-1 tsp

Method:

• Wash methi leaves-add salt-leave 10 mins-squeeeze extra water out.


• In a pan, add tsp of oil, add the methi leaves-fry until they are cooked. Keep them separate.


• In the same pan add a tsp of  oil, clove, cinnamon , cumin seeds once they splutter, add onion,green chili, salt garlic and ginger and fry until onions are translucent, add poppy seeds and take it off heat and blend into fine paste


• In a blender, add just the cashews (discard the water) and half of the coconut milk and bit water to make cashew cream


• Time to put them together. In the same pan, add a tsp oil, add the onion paste, let it boil for a couple of minutes, add methi leaves, fry for a couple mins, add cashew cream, let it mix well, add boiled green peas, sugar and cook for 3 more mins. When it thickens add remaining coconut milk,salt(if needed), garam masala and turn off the flame and let it be in the pan for another 5 mins

Do you like the cumin rice you get in Indian restaurants? This is a vegan version of the same. If you have a rice cooker and the ingredients below, this is such a yummy version :)

Cumin Rice

Ingredients:

• Basmati rice-1 cup


• Cumin seeds-2 tsp


• Cumin seed powder-`1 tsp


• Cashews-5 broken into bits


• One green chili-cut into 2


• Oil-2 tsp


• Water-2 cups


• Salt

Method:

• In a rice cooker, add rice and water.


• In a pan, add oil, when it is hot, add cumin seeds, green chili, cashews, once cashews are brown, add the cumin powder, fry for a minute and pour over the rice, add salt and turn the rice cooker on.

Quinoa pongal with Minty Coriander chutney

Pongal is one of the usual breakfast in Tamilnadu (one of the South Indian states). I have to admit I used to hate pongal, the reason being it was just cooked rice and split mung bean with loads and loads of clarified butter (ghee) and pepper. My mum always had to make something else cos I was adamant not to eat it. Since last May/so, I have reduced my intake of rice substituting it with world's yummiest grain, Quinoa :) Came back from work yesterday and all I wanted was quinoa and lentils. I was going through my paati's (granny) recipes I saw a non-vegan version of pongal. The Einstein part of my brain was so active I decided to make vegan quinoa pongal.

If you have a pressure cooker, this is really easy to make. Else, use a heavy-lid pan to make it.

Ingredients- Serves 3 (on a portion control diet)

• Quinoa-3/4 cup


• Split yellow mung bean-3/4 cup


• Cashews-10


• Curry leaves-10


• Pepper-coarsely ground-3 Tbsp (lesser if you want less spicier effect)


• Mustard seeds (2 tsp) Cumin seeds (1 tsp)


• Ginger grated- 1.5 Tbsp


• Rice bran oil-2 Tbsp


• Asafoetida-a pinch


• Turmeric- 1 tsp


• Salt-to taste

Method:

• Pressure cook/Cover and cook quinoa and lentils with 3.5-4 cups of water.


• Next step is to season it. In a pan, add oil,heat it,add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, asafoetida, curry leaves, turmeric, cashews, wait for it to be about brown, add ginger and pepper and pour it over the quinoa and lentil mixture.


• Add salt and mix them well. Serve with chutney

Minty Coriander chutney

Ingredients:

• Mint leaves-2 handfuls


• Coriander leaves-2 handfuls


• Ginger-a small piece


• Coconut (fresh/frozen)-1/4 cup


• Garlic-one pod


• Tamarind paste-1/2 tsp


• Oil-a tsp


• Cumin seeds-1 tsp


• Curry leaves-7


• Green chili-1


• Mustard seeds-1/2 tsp

Method

• In a pan, add mint and coriander leaves fry them until they shrink under heat, turn off the flame,let it cool and blend it with green chili, ginger, garlic, coconut, tamarind, salt.


• In a pan, add oil, heat it and add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, cury leaves and pour them over the chutney

Easy Dahl recipe for Camille

This post for Camille. Camille is one of the sweetest people you could meet on this planet. She isn't old enough for me to call her mum, but she definitely acts like one to me. We talk Indian food all the time and she loves dahl. So Camille, this is for you :) I have made this recipe as easy as I can and it will be close to what you eat at a restaurant (vegan though). Forgot to take a snap. Will update it soon.

Ingredients: 

• Split yellow mung lentils (1 cup)


• Turmeric-1 tsp


• 1 onion/10 shallots - finely chopped


• 1 tomato-finely chopped/ I like to puree them for better color & it is an healthier alternative


• Ginger-1" piece-grated


• Garlic-4 pods-grated


• Clove-2, Cinnamon stick-1" piece


• Mustard seeds and Cumin seeds-1 tsp each


• Curry leaves and dry red chilli(optional-break them into two for spicy effect)-for more authentic Indian flavor


• Red chilli powder/Sambar powder( I find it more flavorful)--2 tsp


• 2 tsp rice bran oil


• Salt-to taste

Method:

• In a pressure cooker, add the yellow mung lentils, turmeric, 2 and 2.5 cups water and pressure cook the lentils.


• Meanwhile, in a pan, add oil, add cloves, cinnamon, mustard seeds (wait for it to pop), add cumin seeds, once this splutters add the curry leaves and add curry leaves and dry red chilli. You are done with the seasoning for the dal


• Time to add onions, fry them well, ginger, garlic, chilli/sambar powder wait until the raw smell disappears and the tomato in and fry until it is soft.


• Add the cooked lentils in and mix them well. Add finely chopped coriander leaves and serve with boiled rice/quinoa/roti/naan bread

Hazelnut Cacao Bombshell (dark choc version)

Today was the last day with my favorite class. Decided to make something for the kids. Thought about cheesecake(vegan, of course) but decided to make something easier (yes, I was feeling very lazy-not my fault-such a cold winter day). Had medjool dates(10), hazelnut meal(1 cup), cacao(1/4 cup-yeah super rich).  Put them in a food processor, sprinkled water when needed until they came to 'Yeah okay, we will stick together' consistency. Added broken bits of cashews (10), 2 tbsp of desiccated coconut, shaped them, dusted them with hazelnut meal and supposed to refrigerate them for an hour. I did not refrigerate them cos it was super cold outside :P. Took me 20 mins to make them.

I know what you are thinking. Not great shape but they were amazing :)

South Indian Quinoa Feast

I was talking to Celeste(Honk a vegan blog) about quinoa and I have been craving for south Indian food. So was time to put 1 and 1 together and create magic. Made coconut quinoa and lemon quinoa with green peas coconut stir fry. :) Thom(Don't Switch off the light blog) has been such an inspiration to make Lemon quinoa.

Coconut Quinoa

Ingredients:

• Coconut-1/4 cup-fresh/frozen(thawed)(not desiccated one)


• Cooked white quinoa-1 cup


• Curry leaves-1 sprig


• Mustard seeds-1 tbsp


• Split, de-husked black lentils (ask for split urad dal in indian grocery)-1 tsp (OPTIONAL)


• Asafoetida-1 pinch


• Cashews-6/7 (halved) (OPTIONAL)


• Green chili-1 [or more for spicy option-My lips were on fire today as I accidentally bit one :( ]


• 2 tsp rice bran oil


• Salt-to taste

Method:

• In a pan, add oil, once very hot, add mustard seeds, asafotida, cashews, wait until it is about to turn brown, add curry leaves, green chili, and urad dal, once it browns, add quinoa, salt and coconut and mix them until well mixed.


• Serve with any spicy curry :)

Lemon Quinoa (Inspired by: Thom)

Ingredients:

• Lemon juice-to taste


• Cooked white quinoa-1 cup


• Curry leaves-1 sprig


• Mustard seeds-1 tbsp


• Turmeric-1 pinch


• Peanuts-6/7 (halved) (OPTIONAL)


• Green chili-1


• 2 tsp rice bran oil

Method:

• In a pan, add oil, once very hot, add mustard seeds, peanuts, wait until it is about to turn brown, add curry leaves, green chili, and urad dal, once it browns, add quinoa, salt and mix them until well mixed. Take it off heat and add lemon juice to your taste. Quinoa is extra sensitive to lemon so I suggest you add them little by little and do a taste test.


• Serve with any spicy curry. Thanks for the inspiration Thom :)

Coconut green peas stir fry

Ingredients:

• Coconut-1/4 cup-fresh/frozen(thawed)(not desiccated one)


• Green peas-1 cup


• Curry leaves-1 sprig


• Mustard seeds-1 tbsp


• Asafoetida-1 pinch


• Chili powder-1 tsp


• 1 tsp rice bran oil


• Salt-to taste

Method:

• In a pan, add oil, once very hot, add mustard seeds, asafoetida,  curry leaves, green peas,salt, chili powder and fry until soft, add coconut and fry until coconut turns slightly brown. Goes well with both the recipes above :)

Proxy Aloo Parata - healthier alternative

Its been a while since I had used potatoes in my food. I use it as a occasional treat. I cooked chickpea and had boiled few potatoes along with it.

Ingredients for stuffing: 

• Boiled potatoes -2 peeled,cooled and mashed


• Salt-as needed


• Chili powder- a tbsp


• Asafoetida- a pinch


• Cumin seed powder/seeds-1 tsp


• Coriander leaves- finely chopped-3 tbsp


• Amchur powder - a tsp(for sourness)


• Mountain bread (the 70KCal flat bread you get in Coles/Woolworths)

Method:

• Mix them all together and this is the stuffing for aloo parata


• Tear the bread into two, add 2 Tbsp of stuffing in between and microwave for 30 sec.

 

Palak Tofu / Palak Channa

Palak Tofu/Channa is a high protein blessing for vegans :) When I was in India, I used to go to this North Indian restaurant and became best friends with the chef there :)  When I left India to come to Sydney, he had given me a copy of these 126 recipes which are his mum's :) I just pulled it out today, so from today on, I am going to get his recipes veganized :)

Caution: This recipe involves loads of blending.

Ingredients: 

• Baby spinach leaves - 250 gms pack


• Green chilli-1


• Onion-1 cubed


• Tomato-1.5 cubed


• Ginger-1/2" piece


• Garlic- 3 pods


• Raw Cashews soaked in water- 15gms (This is the best cream substitute)


• Clove-2, Cinnamon-1"piece, Cumin seeds-1 tsp, Bay leaf -1


• Oil-2 tbsp


• Organic tofu- 250 gms- water drained and cubed- fork pierced (Chilli powder -a tsp to fry the tofu)/ a cup of cooked chickpea for palak channa


• Chilli powder, coriander powder,garam masala-1 tsp each

Method:

• First Step is to process the spinach. In a pan,add washed spinach and sprinkle water and fry for a couple of mins until it is about to be cooked completely. Take it out and wash it under cold water (it is to retain the awesome green color of the spinach-bit of bragging but have a look at my pics-That's the green you need :P). Add bit of salt and blend into a smooth paste


• Second Step is to make the cashew cream- Blend cashews into a smooth paste


• Third step is to make the curry base. In a pan, add oil, add clove, cinnamon, cumin seeds, once it splutters add onion, green chilli, ginger and garlic and fry until onions are transparent (not brown). Add in tomatoes and the spice powders and fry until tomatoes are soft. Take it off heat and allow it to cool and blend into smooth paste.


• Fourth Step is to fry the tofu. In a pan, add a tsp of oil, add chilli powder and add tofu cubes and fry them until hrown on all sides. This is to be done in parallel with adding cream in the next step otherwise tofu will get really tough


• Time to put them all together. In a pan, add the curry base, let it boil for like 2 mins and add the spinach in. Mix them well. Add more salt and add the cashew cream.Close the pan and let all the flavors infuse together for 5 mins.


• You could add cooked chickpea or Tofu, close and cook for few more mins and serve hot

Mexican Food Feast

Sundal

I made quinoa mujadara yesterday. You know how you eat something again and again,  and you are like 'Man, why cant I eat something else'. I reached that state with quinoa. I promised myself not to eat quinoa for like 2 days. I love it so much that I cant live without it. Anyways,  I had some leftover lentils, decided to make 'sundal'. A popular dish in south India - it is a lentil stir fry with coconut and onions. The main seasoning for a sundal is asafoetida. It is an awesome spice with so many benefits.  It boosts metabolism, Google for more benefits :) . To make sundal, you need boiled lentils. Not dal consistency but the ones that can be picked out individually like chickpeas,  black eyed beans etc. I used the flat brown lentils you use for mujadara.

Ingredients: 

• A cup of lentils - boiled


• Black Mustard seeds-1 and 1/2 tsp


• 10 curry leaves


• 1 tsp rice bran oil


• Salt-to taste


• Asafoetida- 2 pinches


• Coconut-3-4 tbsp


• Red chilli powder- 1 tsp(vary this based on your spice limit)

Method:

• In a pan, heat 1 tsp oil, add mustard seeds, once it pops, add curry leaves, asafoetida. If you like taste of onions, you could add onions now and fry them with it.


• Add the boiled lentils, chilli powder, salt, coconut and mix them together.


• Awesome as an evening snack. You could omit coconut if you don't want it. But then, onions must be added then.

Sundal

I made quinoa mujadara yesterday. You know how you eat something again and again,  and you are like 'Man, why cant I eat something else'. I reached that state with quinoa. I promised myself not to eat quinoa for like 2 days. I love it so much that I cant live without it. Anyways,  I had some leftover lentils, decided to make 'sundal'. A popular dish in south India - it is a lentil stir fry with coconut and onions. The main seasoning for a sundal is asafoetida. It is an awesome spice with so many benefits.  It boosts metabolism, Google for more benefits :) . To make sundal, you need boiled lentils. Not dal consistency but the ones that can be picked out individually like chickpeas,  black eyed beans etc. I used the flat brown lentils you use for mujadara.

Ingredients: 

• A cup of lentils - boiled


• Black Mustard seeds-1 and 1/2 tsp


• 10 curry leaves


• 1 tsp rice bran oil


• Salt-to taste


• Asafoetida- 2 pinches


• Coconut-3-4 tbsp


• Red chilli powder- 2 tsp(vary this based on your spice limit)

Method:

• In a pan, heat 1 tsp oil, add mustard seeds, once it pops, add curry leaves, asafoetida. If you like taste of onions, you could add onions now and fry them with it.


• Add the boiled lentils, chilli powder, salt, coconut and mix them together.


• Awesome as an evening snack. You could omit coconut if you don't want it. But then, onions must be added then.

South African Split Pigeon Pea Soup

I was away for a month in South Africa volunteering with lions (Excuse for not blogging regularly) Had the most amazing time of my life :D. Got to do lot of adventure activities-one of which was cage diving with sharks at Gaansbaai , Cape town.

It was a freezing cold day and had to jump into the water, do up-down up-down like 200 times, it was exhausting. Back on shore, the tour company that took us into the ocean had this vegetable soup ready to warm us up. No offence - I thought Australia was the biggest meat eating country. I was wrong. It is South Africa. Finding vegan food is a challenge there :P. Anyways, I did my normal questioning with the ladies there - Any chicken stock,butter, cream blah blah blah? The lady who made the soup said it had only lentils, potato and carrots. NOTHING ELSE. I had a mouthful of the soup and man, it was the best soup I have ever had. Got the recipe from the ladies.

Ingredients: 

• Split pigeon pea-1/2 cup soaked in hot water for 30 mins and boil until its mushy


• Carrot grated-1


• Potato grated-2

Method:

• Add all the ingredients, lower the heat and cook on low flame for like 40 mins. Keep adding water to retain the soup consistency


• Add salt and pepper and that's it :) Yummy soup. No oil or stock.


• Deepa of Spice Rack blog had added a green mango for sourness. You could do that too :)