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Aloo Gobi (Indian Potatoes & Cauliflower) March 23, 2011

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My sister sent me a similar recipe for a cauliflower dish that I mentally filed away as a quick and simple vegan dish to make with little fresh produce in the fridge.  I culled various recipes for Aloo Gobi to find the right balance of spices to make this dish taste authentic.  This is a great recipe for anyone looking to get started on Indian home cooking.  Note that the addition of golden raisins is not part of the traditional recipes, but I added them to give the dish a sweet and chewy contrast to the warm spices.

Aloo Gobi is a very filling dish, especially when served over jasmine rice.  I also like to serve it with a chickpea pancake (mix equal parts chickpea flour with water and add a dash of cumin and salt), or store-bought naan.

Aloo Gobi (Indian Potatoes & Cauliflower)

2 Tbs. coconut oil, ghee or canola oil

1 medium onion

3 cloves garlic

1 lb. potatoes, peeled and cut into ½” pieces

1 tbs. fresh ginger, grated

1 lb. cauliflower florets (frozen)

1 – 2 cups water, as needed

½ C. frozen peas

1 tsp. turmeric

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. kosher salt

½ tsp. paprika

½ tsp. coriander

dash cinnamon

¼ C. golden raisins (optional)

1. Heat medium dutch oven or large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add oil or ghee until smoking, then add onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are deep golden brown and soft.

2. Add the garlic, potatoes and ginger; sauté until potatoes are slightly browned, about 5 minutes.  Add in spices (turmeric through cinnamon) and continue to cook, coating the potatoes with the spice mixture.  Add cauliflower and water, then cover and simmer until vegetables are tender (about 5 minutes).  Add peas and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until peas are soft and warmed throughout.  Add additional water if needed, keeping a thick sauce on the vegetables.  Season with additional salt and pepper and add golden raisins, if using.

 

Spice Kits Giveaway February 22, 2010

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Two lucky winners will receive either an International or Indian sampler size spice kit ($18 value each).  Each sample kit contains 10 round spice tins, featuring the incredible variety of spices listed below.  With these flavorful spices you can experience the amazing flavor of international cuisine.  These fresh spices come in neat little tins that are easy to store and pleasing to look at.  Great product with a great package!  Visit SpiceKits Etsy store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/spicekits to view the entire variety of spice kits offered.

International Kit includes the following spices:  Chinese Five Spice (Blend of cinnamon, star anise,fennel seeds, cloves, and black pepper), Garam Masala (Indian blend of green/black cardamom,cinnamon,bay leaves, coriander, cloves, and black pepper), Greek Seasoning (Blend of salt, bell peppers, onion, sesame seeds, parsley, and lemon extract), Herbs d’Provence (Blend of rosemary, thyme, savory, fennel seeds, basil, lavender, and marjoram), Italian Blend (Blend of oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, sage and marjoram), Taco Seasoning (Blend of chili peppers, salt, garlic, and onion), Cajun Spice (Blend of salt, garlic, paprika, chili powder, sesame seeds, parsley, hickory smoke), Lebanese Zaatar Spice (Blend of green herbs, toasted sesame seeds, salt), Curry Powder (Blend of Tumeric, Coriander, Cumin, Fennel, Allspice, Red Pepper, Black Pepper, Ginger, Mustard, Allspice) and Steak Spice (Blend of Salt, Garlic, Black Pepper, Coriander Seed, Mustard Seed, Dill Seed, Red Pepper).

Indian Kit includes the following spices:  Turmeric, Coriander powder, Coriander seeds, Cumin powder, Cumin seeds, Red chili powder, Black mustard seeds, Green cardamom, Garam masala and Curry powder.

Enter this giveaway by completing the form at the link below.  The winners will be randomly selected at 10pm EST on February 25, 2010, and will be notified via e-mail.  One entry per person.  Shipment to US address only.  Good luck!

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDZaQ1hNa0NaVlZBMTNDSFFDZ0g0d2c6MA