Simple Gluten Free Kitchen

spice

Meethe Chawal / Sweet Saffron Rice

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Hello everyone, Happy New year!!!

It is after 5 months that I am logging in to my blog. Yes, I am all well.

I have been really busy with various responsibilities. We sold our house after living in it for 12 years and moved into a new one that we built ourselves. We knew nothing about building and even though we hired tradesmen to do all the jobs it was a lot of work managing the whole design and construction process. Days were long, stressful and exhausting, and I was overwhelmed in the beginning but supported my husband fully in carrying the project through from start to finish. The result is a home we love and one that reflects our tastes and preferences.
I am starting the year with a seductive recipe that I have grown up eating and love it.

Spiced Parsnip Cake with Citrus Cream Cheese Frosting

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I am a big fan of carrot cake with a cream cheese icing on top. And every year, I bake it once around the end of winter. This year I thought I change things around and bake parsnip cake instead. After all, they are cousins to each other so it makes sense to swap them out in recipes. The cake is tender, warmly spiced and not too sweet. Topped with citrusy and spiced cream cheese frosting, nuts and raisins its the perfect recipe for the tail end of winter.

Baghare Baingan / Tempered Eggplant, hyderabadi style

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In honor of National Heart awareness month I am sharing a heart healthy recipe today which your family will enjoy and your heart will love. When I say heart healthy, the ingredients you use, the way you cook and the portion size make a big difference. Baghare baingan or tempered eggplants is a classic dish from the city of Hyderabad that contains healthful nutrients from seeds and nuts. It is made with baby eggplants and is cooked twice, first shallow fried and then later cooked in fragrant and delicious gravy. I didn’t fry the eggplants prior as recommended but simmered them directly in the gravy, creating a healthier version of the traditional dish.

Thai Chicken Laksa

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Laksa is a popular noodle dish from south east Asia. There are many variations of this dish and each regions’ version has slightly different spices or ingredients. The one that I first had and adored was in a Thai restaurant. Ever since then, I have been an addict. So, here’s my version of chicken laksa with Thai flavors. It tastes delightfully refreshing and light, yet nurturing and filling at the same time.

Herbed Broccoli Soup with Cheesy Polenta Croutons

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When we think about broccoli, it’s the shape of the florets that come to our mind and we picture it in salad or crudites, but it can also be used to make soups that are delicious and pretty to look at. Broccoli is the most nutrient rich of all the vegetables and belong to ‘cruciferous vegetables group’. Low in calories and high in vitamins and nutrients, it’s a perfect diet or health food. This herbed broccoli soup is a wonderful way to get your cruciferous veggie intake.

Vegan Meat Masala

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I know what you are thinking right now, “How can a vegan dish have meat?” ‘Well, it can”. Jack fruit or ‘kathal’ is one of those unique fruits that is used as a meat substitute for vegetarians and vegans. When young and green, the fruit has a mild flavor and meaty texture. When ripe, it has a strong fruity flavor that can be eaten raw as a fruit or used in desserts. In India people don’t wait for the fruit to ripen and consume it while it is still very tender. I grew up eating it in curries, pickles, semi dry dishes, and rice preparations like biryani. The fruit is rich in energy, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals and free from saturated fats or cholesterol making it more nutritious than many starchy staples. When cooked well, using heavier spices like black cardamom, cinnamon and bay leaf in the preparation, it is indeed a satisfying meat alternative.