This recipe makes an ENORMOUS batch of - for serious - the best muesli/granola you've ever had. AND it's a gazillion times cheaper than store-bought granola (yes, a gazillion - I did the math). The basis of this recipe was swiped from 101cookbooks.com, where it's suggested that you stir in sliced dried fruit at the end. However, Lupe and I decided to eat it without the fruit; instead, we sprinkled it on top of some greek yogurt and a spoonful of cherry preserves. Heaven in a bowl.
Ingredients:
6 cups rolled oats
1 cup dried shredded coconut
1 cup sunflower seeds
2 tbs sesame seeds
1 cup slivered almonds
3/4 cup honey
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Combine the first five ingredients in a large bowl. Heat the honey and vegetable oil over low heat in a small saucepan. When it's all warm and liquid-ey, pour it over the dry ingredients and mix well. (It works best if you add a little at a time, stirring in between additions).
Spread the mixture out in two baking pans (the whole process is MUCH easier if you use pans with rims!). Bake for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, try not to eat it all at once.
Showing posts with label coconut. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coconut. Show all posts
Friday, February 12, 2010
Monday, April 27, 2009
Kadala (Black Chickpea) Curry
Kadala Curry is a dish from Kerala, the southwestern Indian state known for its drop-dead gorgeous backwaters and its amazing food full of cocout. I ate this last night at a fabulous Keralan restaurant in Hyd and couldn't get enough of it . . . it was amazing with appam (Keralan dosas) and paratha, but would also be fan-tabulous with rice.
This recipe is courtesy of "Live to Eat" at http://blog.sigsiv.com/.
2 cups Kadala (black chickpes), soaked overnight
1 cup sliced onions
1/8 tsp turmeric powder
1 cup fresh/frozen grated coconut
1 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp coriander powder
2 cardamom pods
3 cloves
1 star anise
5 whole black pepper
salt to taste
1/4 tsp oil
To Garnish
1/2 tbsp oil
1/4 tsp mustard seeds
1/4 tsp sliced shallots
a few curry leaves
1 dry red chilly
Method
Mix the soaked kadala with sliced onions and turmeric powder. Add water to cover the kadala and cook till soft (or pressure cook for about 15 minutes).
In a shallow pan, heat oil and add cardamom, cloves, star anise & black pepper seeds and fry for a minute or two.
Add coconut and fry till brown.
Add red chilli powder & coriander powder and fry on low heat till brown.
Dry grind the fried ingredients in a spice grinder. The oil from the coconut will help form a smooth paste of all the ground ingredients.
Add this paste along with salt to the cooked kadala. If there isn’t enough water in the kadala, add a cup or two and mix well. Bring this to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for a few minutes till the gravy is thick.
To garnish, heat oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds. When the seeds start to splutter add shallots, curry leaves and red chilly and saute till brown. Pour this over the cooked kadala.
Serve hot with puttu or appam or steamed rice.
This recipe is courtesy of "Live to Eat" at http://blog.sigsiv.com/.
2 cups Kadala (black chickpes), soaked overnight
1 cup sliced onions
1/8 tsp turmeric powder
1 cup fresh/frozen grated coconut
1 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp coriander powder
2 cardamom pods
3 cloves
1 star anise
5 whole black pepper
salt to taste
1/4 tsp oil
To Garnish
1/2 tbsp oil
1/4 tsp mustard seeds
1/4 tsp sliced shallots
a few curry leaves
1 dry red chilly
Method
Mix the soaked kadala with sliced onions and turmeric powder. Add water to cover the kadala and cook till soft (or pressure cook for about 15 minutes).
In a shallow pan, heat oil and add cardamom, cloves, star anise & black pepper seeds and fry for a minute or two.
Add coconut and fry till brown.
Add red chilli powder & coriander powder and fry on low heat till brown.
Dry grind the fried ingredients in a spice grinder. The oil from the coconut will help form a smooth paste of all the ground ingredients.
Add this paste along with salt to the cooked kadala. If there isn’t enough water in the kadala, add a cup or two and mix well. Bring this to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for a few minutes till the gravy is thick.
To garnish, heat oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds. When the seeds start to splutter add shallots, curry leaves and red chilly and saute till brown. Pour this over the cooked kadala.
Serve hot with puttu or appam or steamed rice.
Cococut-Cocoa-Cashew Cake Cubes
Another amazing-sounding recipe courtesy of Anshuman . . . .
for the cake:
Cream of Wheat: 1.5 cup
Sugar: 1- 1.5 cup
Yogurt: 1 cup
Coconut: 1 cup
Butter : 1 cup unsalted
Beaten Eggs: 3
Baking powder: 1.5 tsp
Mix coconut and cream of wheat. In a separate bowl, mix sugar and butter
Now add yoghurt to the coconut-cream of wheat (sooji!) mixture. Add everything to beaten eggs and mix well. Keep for 1 hr in the fridge.
Pre-heat oven and bake at 350 till done.
Let the cake cool, then cut it into cubes.
for the frosting!
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup milk
1 tbs butter
Combine all above ingredients in a saucepan and cook on medium fire till it gets an icing consistency. While still warm, dip the cake cubes into the icing mix and then roll them over a plate of crushed cashews.
for the cake:
Cream of Wheat: 1.5 cup
Sugar: 1- 1.5 cup
Yogurt: 1 cup
Coconut: 1 cup
Butter : 1 cup unsalted
Beaten Eggs: 3
Baking powder: 1.5 tsp
Mix coconut and cream of wheat. In a separate bowl, mix sugar and butter
Now add yoghurt to the coconut-cream of wheat (sooji!) mixture. Add everything to beaten eggs and mix well. Keep for 1 hr in the fridge.
Pre-heat oven and bake at 350 till done.
Let the cake cool, then cut it into cubes.
for the frosting!
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup milk
1 tbs butter
Combine all above ingredients in a saucepan and cook on medium fire till it gets an icing consistency. While still warm, dip the cake cubes into the icing mix and then roll them over a plate of crushed cashews.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Eggplant (brinjal) curry
The eggplants here are TINY (like, the size of my thumb!) and really sweet . . . I think this would be best with the smallest eggplants you can find (maybe the long, thin Japanese ones?), though it might still work with the big ones. It's worth a try for this spicy curry that ends up being a little sweet as well, thanks to the coconut . . .
1 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp moong dal
1 tsp urad dal
1/2 of a small onion, chopped
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp meat masala
10 curry leaves
1/2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tsp ground coriander
2 tbs fresh grated coconut
about 1 1/2 cups eggplant, chopped into bite-sized pieces or 2-inch strips
(optional: 1/2 cup potatoes boiled till about halfway done, chopped into bite-sized pieces)
Heat 1 tbs oil in a small pan; add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dals and fry about 30 seconds. Add onion and fry till brown. Add water to cover the onion, along with turmeric, chili powder, masala, curry leaves, and ginger-garlic paste; cook for a few minutes, adding water if it grows dry. Add coriander, salt to taste, and coconut; then, add the eggplant and potatoes.
1 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp moong dal
1 tsp urad dal
1/2 of a small onion, chopped
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp meat masala
10 curry leaves
1/2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tsp ground coriander
2 tbs fresh grated coconut
about 1 1/2 cups eggplant, chopped into bite-sized pieces or 2-inch strips
(optional: 1/2 cup potatoes boiled till about halfway done, chopped into bite-sized pieces)
Heat 1 tbs oil in a small pan; add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dals and fry about 30 seconds. Add onion and fry till brown. Add water to cover the onion, along with turmeric, chili powder, masala, curry leaves, and ginger-garlic paste; cook for a few minutes, adding water if it grows dry. Add coriander, salt to taste, and coconut; then, add the eggplant and potatoes.
Carrot or Green Bean Fry
A super-quick way of making veggies super-tasty . . .
1 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp moong dal
1 tsp urad dal
2-3 red chilis, broken into 1-inch pieces
1/4 tsp turmeric
5-10 curry leaves
1 cup lightly steamed veggies, chopped into small cubes (for carrots) or slices (for green beans)
about 2 tsp grated fresh coconut (you can buy it frozen in the U.S., or try unsweetened dried coconut)
Heat 2 tbs oil in a pan; fry mustard seeds, cumin, dals, and chilis for about 30 seconds. Add turmeric, and curry leaves; fry for another 30 seconds before adding the steamed veggies, a sprinkle of water, and salt to taste. Cook for a minute or two before tossing in the coconut.
Serve with rice or roti, and a dal :)
1 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp moong dal
1 tsp urad dal
2-3 red chilis, broken into 1-inch pieces
1/4 tsp turmeric
5-10 curry leaves
1 cup lightly steamed veggies, chopped into small cubes (for carrots) or slices (for green beans)
about 2 tsp grated fresh coconut (you can buy it frozen in the U.S., or try unsweetened dried coconut)
Heat 2 tbs oil in a pan; fry mustard seeds, cumin, dals, and chilis for about 30 seconds. Add turmeric, and curry leaves; fry for another 30 seconds before adding the steamed veggies, a sprinkle of water, and salt to taste. Cook for a minute or two before tossing in the coconut.
Serve with rice or roti, and a dal :)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Bendakai/Ladyfinger/Okra Curry
So I know that okra totally gets a bad rap above the Mason-Dixon line . . . but it is SO SO good in this curry. Also, in India it’s called “ladyfinger,” which I think is kind of cute.
About 1 ½ cups okra, chopped into ½ inch pieces.
½ of 1 small onion
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon mustard seeds
½ teaspoon moong dal
¼ teaspoon turmeric
10 curry leaves
1 tsp ginger-garlic paste (literally, equal amounts of ginger and garlic mashed together with a bit of salt added as a preservative. Supposedly it’ll keep in the fridge for a month, and you could totally use it in stir-fries as well . . . )
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp dried coconut
Pinch of salt
½ tsp meat masala (a sweeter garam masala with cinnamon and cloves. You can buy it pre-made . . . Everest and MTR are good brands that you should be able to find in Indian stores in the U.S.)
Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a pan; add the cumin, mustard seeds, and dal and cook for about 30 seconds. Add turmeric and stir. Toss in onions, then add about ½ cup water; let cook for about 5 minutes, or until onions are soft. Add curry leaves, ginger-garlic paste, chili, coconut, and salt and cook for about 5 more minutes, adding more water if the mixture starts to dry up; it should be somewhat watery and gravy-like. Add okra and simmer ‘till it’s tender; sprinkle on meat masala and serve with yogurt.
About 1 ½ cups okra, chopped into ½ inch pieces.
½ of 1 small onion
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon mustard seeds
½ teaspoon moong dal
¼ teaspoon turmeric
10 curry leaves
1 tsp ginger-garlic paste (literally, equal amounts of ginger and garlic mashed together with a bit of salt added as a preservative. Supposedly it’ll keep in the fridge for a month, and you could totally use it in stir-fries as well . . . )
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp dried coconut
Pinch of salt
½ tsp meat masala (a sweeter garam masala with cinnamon and cloves. You can buy it pre-made . . . Everest and MTR are good brands that you should be able to find in Indian stores in the U.S.)
Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a pan; add the cumin, mustard seeds, and dal and cook for about 30 seconds. Add turmeric and stir. Toss in onions, then add about ½ cup water; let cook for about 5 minutes, or until onions are soft. Add curry leaves, ginger-garlic paste, chili, coconut, and salt and cook for about 5 more minutes, adding more water if the mixture starts to dry up; it should be somewhat watery and gravy-like. Add okra and simmer ‘till it’s tender; sprinkle on meat masala and serve with yogurt.
Alisentaloo (black-eyed peas)
In case you have some leftover black-eyed peas after cooking up a pot of Hoppin’ John, you can use them to make this quick and delicious protein-filled bhaji (snack). I’m also betting you could use canned beans, and whip this up in about 5 minutes!
1 ½ cups black-eyed peas that’ve been soaked overnight and then boiled until soft, but not mushy. You can also substitute chickpeas, regular ol’ peas, or kidney beans.
1 tsp moong dal
1 tsp urad dal
10 curry leaves
3-4 dried red chilis (broken into 1-inch pieces)
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp cumin
2 tbs peanuts
1 tbs grated fresh coconut (you can get this frozen, but I’m guessing it would be ok with dried coconut, too. It’s also good without coconut at all, but it adds an extra layer of yumminess )
1 lime
Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a pan; toss in the dals, curry leaves, chilis, mustard seeds, cumin and peanuts and cook for about 30 seconds. Add the peas and cook for about 5 minutes, until they’re heated through. Toss in the coconut during the last 30 seconds or so.
Squeeze lime juice over the top and serve.
1 ½ cups black-eyed peas that’ve been soaked overnight and then boiled until soft, but not mushy. You can also substitute chickpeas, regular ol’ peas, or kidney beans.
1 tsp moong dal
1 tsp urad dal
10 curry leaves
3-4 dried red chilis (broken into 1-inch pieces)
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp cumin
2 tbs peanuts
1 tbs grated fresh coconut (you can get this frozen, but I’m guessing it would be ok with dried coconut, too. It’s also good without coconut at all, but it adds an extra layer of yumminess )
1 lime
Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a pan; toss in the dals, curry leaves, chilis, mustard seeds, cumin and peanuts and cook for about 30 seconds. Add the peas and cook for about 5 minutes, until they’re heated through. Toss in the coconut during the last 30 seconds or so.
Squeeze lime juice over the top and serve.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Strawberry Oatmeal Coconut Muffins
Mmmmmmmmmmmm!
1 C oatmeal
1 C plain yogurt
1 C flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 C canola oil
2/3 C brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 C shredded coconut
1 1/2 C fresh or frozen strawberries, chopped
Topping:
1/4 C white sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 TBSP shredded coconut
In a large bowl, combine oatmeal and yogurt and let soak at least 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. In separate bowl mix oil, brown sugar, egg, and coconut, then add to oatmeal mixture. Blend well. Stir in dry ingredients, mixing only enough to moisten. Gently fold in strawberries.
Grease muffin tins or line with paper liners. Spoon mixture into tins, filling about 3/4 full (should make about 18 muffins). In a small bowl, mix together topping ingredients and sprinkle on top of each muffin.
Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
1 C oatmeal
1 C plain yogurt
1 C flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 C canola oil
2/3 C brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 C shredded coconut
1 1/2 C fresh or frozen strawberries, chopped
Topping:
1/4 C white sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 TBSP shredded coconut
In a large bowl, combine oatmeal and yogurt and let soak at least 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. In separate bowl mix oil, brown sugar, egg, and coconut, then add to oatmeal mixture. Blend well. Stir in dry ingredients, mixing only enough to moisten. Gently fold in strawberries.
Grease muffin tins or line with paper liners. Spoon mixture into tins, filling about 3/4 full (should make about 18 muffins). In a small bowl, mix together topping ingredients and sprinkle on top of each muffin.
Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Cabbage Curry- South Indian style
Welcome Cabbage (wannabe) lovers,
Here is a favorite recipe of mine with cabbage made the traditional South Indian way.
1 cabbage (shredded as thinly as possible)
Handful unsweetened shredded coconut
Salt
For Seasoning,
2-3 TBSP canola/ corn oil,
1/2 TBSP mustard seeds,
1/4 TBSP cumin seeds,
a pinch of asafoetida powder,
2 Indian or Thai green chilli, finely diced (can de-seed them if you are avoiding spice)
Curry leaves (2-4 nos)
A one-stop-shop for all these ingredients will be your local Indian grocery store.
Preparation:
Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds.
Add the above seasoning ingredients in the order mentioned and fry for a minute. Then add the shredded cabbage, some unsweetened shredded coconut (which you can get at the baking aisle), salt (according to taste) and cook for 10 minutes (take care to not stir too much while cooking to avoid making it mushy).
Sprinkle some chopped cilantro leaves and voila! You have some absolutely delicious cabbage.
Can be had with tortillas, rice, or just plain yogurt.
Here is a favorite recipe of mine with cabbage made the traditional South Indian way.
1 cabbage (shredded as thinly as possible)
Handful unsweetened shredded coconut
Salt
For Seasoning,
2-3 TBSP canola/ corn oil,
1/2 TBSP mustard seeds,
1/4 TBSP cumin seeds,
a pinch of asafoetida powder,
2 Indian or Thai green chilli, finely diced (can de-seed them if you are avoiding spice)
Curry leaves (2-4 nos)
A one-stop-shop for all these ingredients will be your local Indian grocery store.
Preparation:
Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds.
Add the above seasoning ingredients in the order mentioned and fry for a minute. Then add the shredded cabbage, some unsweetened shredded coconut (which you can get at the baking aisle), salt (according to taste) and cook for 10 minutes (take care to not stir too much while cooking to avoid making it mushy).
Sprinkle some chopped cilantro leaves and voila! You have some absolutely delicious cabbage.
Can be had with tortillas, rice, or just plain yogurt.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Date and Nut Truffles!
nuts of choice - walnuts are my fave - soaked for 8-10 hours
dates
This is the easiest recipe ever. Blend up the nuts. Blend up the dates. Mush them all together in a big bowl. (If you're feeling a little lazy you can use tahini or nut butter instead of fresh nuts.) With your hands, scoop out some of the date-nut mixture and roll it into a cute little ball. Then, to be extra fancy, roll the ball in the coating of your choice - cocoa powder, coconut, sesame seeds, whatever! You can even get all nouveau and roll them in crazy stuff like curry powder. Anything goes! Enjoy.
dates
This is the easiest recipe ever. Blend up the nuts. Blend up the dates. Mush them all together in a big bowl. (If you're feeling a little lazy you can use tahini or nut butter instead of fresh nuts.) With your hands, scoop out some of the date-nut mixture and roll it into a cute little ball. Then, to be extra fancy, roll the ball in the coating of your choice - cocoa powder, coconut, sesame seeds, whatever! You can even get all nouveau and roll them in crazy stuff like curry powder. Anything goes! Enjoy.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Scrumptious and healthy (sort of) almond cookies
This makes a pretty small batch, but almond flour is expensive.
Ingredients
2 cups almond flour
1/6 cup butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup agave syrup (you could use honey or golden syrup instead)
1 egg
1/4 cup coconut flakes
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 tablespoon almond butter (or you could try peanut butter)
1/4 cup flax seeds (you could leave this out, but it gives it extra protein and a little texture)
xtras
raspberry jam and chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350F.
Mix flour and butter (i used my hands to get it smooth). Add in everything else.
Use a teaspoon to make 1inch balls and lay them on a cookie sheet. Start them baking for 3-5 minutes, then take them out and either flatten them with a fork or i put a little dent in some and filled it with raspberry jam/a chocolate chip. let them bake for another 8-10 mins...Until just a little brown on the outside.
Let cool. Devour.
Ingredients
2 cups almond flour
1/6 cup butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup agave syrup (you could use honey or golden syrup instead)
1 egg
1/4 cup coconut flakes
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 tablespoon almond butter (or you could try peanut butter)
1/4 cup flax seeds (you could leave this out, but it gives it extra protein and a little texture)
xtras
raspberry jam and chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350F.
Mix flour and butter (i used my hands to get it smooth). Add in everything else.
Use a teaspoon to make 1inch balls and lay them on a cookie sheet. Start them baking for 3-5 minutes, then take them out and either flatten them with a fork or i put a little dent in some and filled it with raspberry jam/a chocolate chip. let them bake for another 8-10 mins...Until just a little brown on the outside.
Let cool. Devour.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Spicy Coconut Pumpkin Soup
This soup is subtle (or not so subtle if you load up on the chili!) and wonderful with the coconut, cilantro, lemon combination. Perfect for this time of year - and if you've never cooked with a whole pumpkin before (I hadn't) this is a great place to start. I highly recommend that you split the pumpkin into halves or quarters, prick the inside all over with a fork, and stick it in the oven at 450 degrees for 30-45 minutes to soften before you try to peel it and chop it up. Roasting also brings out the wonderful pumpkin flavor. And, make sure you roast those seeds, too! Here's a little trick for detangling the seeds: when you pull them out of the pumpkin, dump them in a bowl of water and sqeeze them around with your hands for a while. The seeds will float and the goo will sink!

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 tsp brown sugar
5 cloves garlic, crushed
1 small pumpkin, skinned and chopped into 1-inch chunks
2-3 cups vegetable broth
1 14-oz can coconut milk
1 TBSP chili powder
1-2 TBSP lemon rind, grated
4-5 shakes soy sauce
freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
yogurt, cilantro, lemon peel, for garnish
In a large pot, heat oil and gently cook onion with brown sugar and garlic over low heat until softened (8-10 minutes). Add chopped pumpkin, vegetable broth, coconut milk, chili powder, lemon rind and soy sauce. Season with freshly ground pepper. Simmer for about 25 minutes until tender. Remove and puree until smooth. Just before serving, adjust seasoning to taste. Mix in chopped cilantro. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with a dollop of yogurt and sprinkled cilantro and lemon rind.
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 tsp brown sugar
5 cloves garlic, crushed
1 small pumpkin, skinned and chopped into 1-inch chunks
2-3 cups vegetable broth
1 14-oz can coconut milk
1 TBSP chili powder
1-2 TBSP lemon rind, grated
4-5 shakes soy sauce
freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
yogurt, cilantro, lemon peel, for garnish
In a large pot, heat oil and gently cook onion with brown sugar and garlic over low heat until softened (8-10 minutes). Add chopped pumpkin, vegetable broth, coconut milk, chili powder, lemon rind and soy sauce. Season with freshly ground pepper. Simmer for about 25 minutes until tender. Remove and puree until smooth. Just before serving, adjust seasoning to taste. Mix in chopped cilantro. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with a dollop of yogurt and sprinkled cilantro and lemon rind.
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