Soni's Food

Indian Inspiration!

Potatoes and Green Beans-Indian Inspired (Aloo Beans ki Subzi)

10 | 04 | 2014
By Soni Sinha

Spring is finally in the air after a torturous winter.The flowers blooming,the birds chirping and colors back in nature’s canvas.Spring is also the time when plenty of green vegetables like Green Beans,Peas,Asparagus etc are in season.For a cook like me nothing is more exciting than planning my seasonal recipes and sharing them with you here!

Potatoes and Green Beans-Indian Inspired 4

My recipe for you today involves Green Beans and Potatoes.This dish is a typical North Indian dish cooked in many households.Its a family recipe and you can substitute your favorite vegetable or a combo of vegetables if you prefer.Its a simple everyday dish that can be made in your busy weekdays but packed with nutrition.It pairs well with roti, rice and lentils (Dal).

Potatoes and Green Beans-Indian Inspired 1

The spices along with the basic North Indian masala blend of onion/ginger/garlic add their delicious layers of flavor and aroma to this dish.Its a semi dry dish, just the way I prefer my Indian veggies.The beans are cooked to perfection while still maintaining their crunch along with the potatoes and it just screams spring to me.Enjoy!

Potatoes and Green Beans (Aloo Beans ki Subzi)-Indian Inspired

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Ingredients
  

  • Medium sized Potatoes-2 peeled and diced
  • Chopped Green Beans-3 cups
  • Onion-2 finely chopped
  • Garlic-2 cloves crushed
  • Ginger-1/2 inch crushed
  • Ground Cumin-1 1/2 tsp
  • Ground Coriander-1 1/2 tsp
  • Turmeric-1/2 tsp
  • Red chili or paprika-1/2 tsp
  • Tomato-1 finely chopped
  • Salt-to taste
  • Oil-3 tbsp

Instructions
 

  • In a wok or skillet heat oil.
  • Add onions and saute until golden.
  • Add ginger and garlic and mix well.
  • Add the spices followed by the tomatoes.
  • Cook on medium until the mixture is aromatic and oil separates from the sides (6-8 minutes)
  • Add the potatoes along with some salt.
  • Cook for about 5 minutes before adding the green beans.
  • Mix well, cover and cook for about 10-12 minutes stirring every now and then until all cooked.
  • Adjust the seasonings.Serve hot with Roti or rice and Lentils.

 

 

 

Tofu and Peas Curry (Tofu Matar) #SundaySupper

09 | 03 | 2014
By Soni Sinha

Meatless meals give you the opportunity to appreciate veggies and its a good idea to go meat-free a few times during the week.If you like Indian food then there are myriad of vegetarian recipes that you can cook for each mealtime.Our Sunday Supper team has decided to go meatless today and I’m so excited!

Tofu and Peas Curry(Tofu Matar)

My contribution to this event is my Tofu and Peas curry that tastes delicious with all the flavorful spices and it’s also healthy.This dish is traditionally made using Paneer, but Tofu is packed with protein and low in saturated fat that makes it a perfect alternative to Paneer.I shallow fry the Tofu until pale golden and that gives it a lovely texture and helps it hold its shape.

Tofu and Peas Curry 3

The Tofu takes on all the deliciousness and gets coated in the sauce along with the peas that add a lovely vibrant color to the dish.Scoop it with Roti,Naan or just plain rice.If you love curry then this recipe can be the base for many of your dishes.Substitute the Tofu for your favorite vegetable and enjoy a curry night in the comfort of your own home.

Tofu and Peas Curry

Tofu and Peas Curry (Tofu Matar) #SundaySupper

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Ingredients
  

  • Extra Firm Tofu-15 oz
  • Frozen Peas-1 cup
  • 1 medium Red Onion-diced
  • Garlic cloves-4
  • Ginger-1 inch
  • Bay Leaf-1
  • Ground Cumin-1 tsp
  • Ground Coriander-1 tsp
  • Red chili powder-1/2 tsp
  • Turmeric-1/2 tsp
  • Tomato-1 pureed
  • Water-1/2 cup
  • Garam Masala-1/2 tsp
  • Salt-to taste
  • Oil-4-5 tbsp

Instructions
 

  • Squeeze the Tofu between your palms gently to get excess water out and pat dry with a kitchen towel.
  • Cube the Tofu into small cubes.
  • In a wok heat about 2 tbsp of oil and shallow fry in batches until golden.
  • Empty onto a plate.
  • In a food processor place the onion,garlic and ginger.Add a little water and make a paste.
  • In the same wok heat about 3-4 tbsp of oil and add the bay leaf.
  • Add the onion paste and saute until the raw smell disappears stirring frequently making sure that it does not stick to the pan.(about 5-6 minutes)
  • Add the spices and continue to cook until aromatic.
  • Add the pureed tomato and continue to cook until you see oil separating from the sides.
  • Add the fried Tofu,mix well and add water.
  • Add salt and garam masala.Check and adjust the seasonings.
  • Add the peas and continue to simmer uncovered for about 6-8 minutes.
  • Serve hot with Roti,Naan or Rice.

My friend the lovely Tammi from Mommas Meals is hosting this exciting event and you will be amazed at the collection of meatless meals from our Sunday Supper group!

Salads, Soups, Stews and Starters

“Meat”balls

Pastas, Pizzas and Casseroles

Burgers

Tacos & Everything Wrapped

Other Main and Side Dishes

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

Spicy Mac and Cheese Patties with Curried Mayonnaise for #KraftyCooking

08 | 01 | 2014
By Soni Sinha

This post is part of a case study for “Google Plus for Brand Awareness”.All opinions are my own.

I’m excited to participate in this case study involving some well known faces on Google Plus who came up with this concept.The idea is to show brands how they can have a wider appeal by using Google plus to promote their products.For this purpose, we were asked to come up with a recipe using Kraft ‘Mac and Cheese’ or ‘Cracker Barrel Cheese’.I had a pack of Kraft Mac and Cheese and decided to go ahead and do something with it.

Spicy Mac and Cheese Patties

If you’ve been reading my blog you know how much I love appetizers.And this time was no different.My mind went straight to create an appetizer but a spicy hot version.I used Jalapeños and some Cayenne for that kick and I have to tell you that this is not for the faint hearted.Its spicy,its hot and its addictive.

Kraft Mac and Cheese

The patties are crispy on the outside and moist on the inside.Since they’re not particularly low cal I’ve made them smaller for portion control.I serve them on a bed of lettuce with some curried mayonnaise that balances the heat and also adds a smooth sweet element to the appetizer.The combo tastes delicious and comes together pretty quickly.Serve it for your game night and see it disappear in no time!

Spicy Mac and Cheese Patties 4

Spicy Mac and Cheese Patties with Curried Mayonnaise for #KraftyCooking

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Ingredients
  

For the Patties

  • Cooked Mac and Cheese-2 cups
  • Plain Bread Crumbs-1/4 cup or more plus more for coating
  • Egg-1
  • Jalapeños-2 seeded and chopped
  • Cayenne- 1/8 tsp
  • Salt-to taste
  • Oil-2 tbsp to pan fry

Curried Mayonnaise

  • Mayonnaise-3/4 cup
  • Curry Powder-1 tbsp
  • Honey-2 tbsp
  • Salt-to taste
  • Pepper-1/4 tsp

Instructions
 

  • Mix the patty ingredients in a bowl.If needed add some more bread crumbs.Shape to form small round patties using your hands.
  • Take some bread crumbs in a platter and coat the patties on both sides.
  • In a non stick pan heat oil and add the patties.Cook on medium until golden on both sides.

Curried Mayonnaise

  • Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.Check seasonings.
  • Arrange patties on a platter along with the mayonnaise.Serve hot.

 

 

 

 

Curry Roasted Broccoli

19 | 12 | 2013
By Soni Sinha

I’m so excited for today’s recipe.It involves one of my favorite vegetables, Broccoli!And I’m also excited today because I’m guest posting over at my friend Erin’s blog Our Table for Seven!

Erin is an amazing blogger with some gorgeous recipes up her sleeve!Be it her Baked Pierogi Casserole or her mouth watering Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream Brownies ,she never fails to capture your attention.

The recipe I made for her is an easy Curry Roasted Broccoli that uses only five ingredients and tastes delicious!Broccoli is by far my kids’ favorite vegetable and they love to see it on their plates.I try to incorporate it as much as I can into our meals for its health benefits.

Curry Roasted Broccoli.jpg

Curry Roasted Broccoli.jpg

Curry Roasted Broccoli

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Ingredients
  

  • Broccoli florets-3 cups
  • Curry Powder-1 tsp
  • Ground Ginger-1/2 tsp
  • Salt- to taste
  • Oil-2 tbsp

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  • On an oiled baking sheet mix all the ingredients and drizzle some oil all over.
  • Bake for about 13-14 minutes or until you see the broccoli starting to turn slightly golden round the edges.

 

 

 

Thai Style Grilled Monkfish #SundaySupper #GGHoliday2013

08 | 12 | 2013
By Soni Sinha

Appetizers for me are the star of any party.They’re fun to cook ,bake or grill.The small bites are perfect for munching while you’re engaged in a conversation or enjoying your favorite drink.You could bring the flavors from around the world in your appetizers and get creative.As a result,I place special emphasis on my appetizers when I’m entertaining and they’re always a hit with my guests. I could easily skip the main course and just enjoy the appetizers and desserts any day.

Thai Style Grilled Monkfish 1

I was really excited when Gourmet Garden asked me to create an Easy Holiday Entertaining recipe featuring their herbs and spices.My mind went straight to creating an amazing appetizer.As soon as I spotted the lemongrass,I knew I was going to make a Thai Style Appetizer using their ginger,garlic,lemongrass,basil and cilantro.The ease of the tubes was just what I needed and the marinade was ready in no time!

I chose Monkfish since it holds well under the grill and is quite meaty.I let it marinade for 5-6 hours in the fridge and grill on low for about 8 minutes on each side.The flavors are amazing and it is a great recipe for a crowd not to mention insanely delicious!I loved the flavors of the lemongrass coming through and the spices add their own magic.Its now one of my favorites and I cannot wait to try the same marinade with chicken or even Tofu!

gg-hero_herbs_spices_3

Gourmet Garden sell a wide range of herbs and spices including Basil, Cilantro, Chili Pepper, Dill, Garlic, Ginger, Italian Herbs, Lemon Grass, Parsley and Oregano and can be found in the fresh produce section (next to the fresh herbs) of your local supermarket.They typically last for up to 3 months in the fridge.They are used like fresh herbs in a one-to-one ratio, but can be used in place of dried typically in a 2 to 1 ratio (2 tbsp GG Ginger equals 1 tbsp dried ginger).

I think they’re great for entertaining since the prep work is already done for you and they’re such a time saver.

Thai Style Grilled Monkfish 2

 

Thai Style Grilled Monkfish #SundaySupper #GGHoliday2013

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Ingredients
  

  • Monkfish-8-10 pieces

Marinade

  • Gourmet Garden Chunky Garlic-1 tbsp
  • Gourmet Garden Ginger-1 tbsp
  • Gourmet Garden Lemongrass-3 tbsp
  • Gourmet Garden Basil-2 tbsp
  • Gourmet Garden Cilantro-2 tbsp
  • Ground Cumin-2 tsp
  • Ground Coriander-2 tsp
  • Oil
  • Salt-to taste

Instructions
 

  • Mix all the marinade ingredients in a mixing bowl or a ziplock bag.
  • Add the monkfish.MIx well.
  • Let it marinade in the fridge for about 6-7 hours.
  • On a foil lined oiled baking sheet place the monkfish.
  • Drizzle some oil all over and broil on low for about 8 minutes on each side or until cooked with golden grill marks.
  • Serve hot.

For more ideas using Gourmet Garden herbs and spices check out these amazing recipes by our Sunday Supper group!

You can Pin these recipes from our Easy Holiday Entertaining Pinterest Board and sign-up to receive Gourmet Garden Newsletter  and download a coupon on their website Gourmet Garden . Follow Gourmet Garden on Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest.

Sunday Supper Movement

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy! You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

Disclaimer-This post is sponsored by Gourmet Garden  Herbs & Spices. All opinions are my own.