Warm Chickpea and Coconut Salad

A simple hi protein, good fats recipe, useful on my no grain diet plan. Very popular as a snack, I find its quite filling and can be a meal in itself - plus is spicy, savoury and warm - so is a yummy dinner alternative.

Serves:2

Ingredients:

1) 1 cup of kala chana ( small dark chickpeas). If these are not available consider using- garbanzo, pinto, red, kidney, peas as per your preference
2) 1 tbspn of ghee
3)  1 tspn of cumin seeds
4) 1 whole red chilli 
5) 2 or 3 curry leaves ( i left these out in my prep this time, cos i didn't have any)
6) salt and peer as per your taste
7) 2 tbspn of coconut flakes (I use dry flakes but frozen or fresh grated coconut flesh is much better)

Method:
1) If using dry beans soak in double the water one day ahead of preparation
2) Strain and cook beans for 15 minutes in an open pan. ( for faster cooking use a pressure cooker)
3) In a pan heat 1 tbspn of ghee
4) Once the ghee is hot add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
5) Then add red chilli and curry leaves
5) Now add the boiled and strained kala chana/ beans and saute.
6) Add salt, pepper, and coconut flakes.
7) Stir and leave covered for 2 minutes.

Sundal is ready to eat. You can also freeze this and easily take along for a healthy office snack/ picnic lunch anytime.

Protein Packed Quinoa Khichadi

Protein Packed Quinoa Khichadi

Another  Quinoa recipe - this time based on a popular fasting recipe from India - Sabudana Khichadi.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked Quinoa ( I use Trader Joe's Organic tri color Quinoa, cooked per instructions on the packet)

1 quarter teaspoon cumin seeds

1 tbsp ghee

2 tbsp roasted peanuts, ground coarsely

salt to taste

1 quarter teaspoon sugar 

Juice of 1 lemon

1 teaspoons finely chopped coriander/ cilantro

1 teaspoon desiccated coconut

Method:

1) Heat ghee in a wok

2) Turn down heat, add cumin seeds and allow them to sizzle

3) Add cooked quinoa

4) Add the roasted peanut powder, salt and sugar

5)  Cover and cook for 2 mins 

6) Garnish with lemon juice,coriander/ cilantro and desiccated coconut and serve

10 minute Vegetarian Quinoa Pilaf

Vegetarian Quinoa Pilaf

I am trying to eat healthier and so am constantly looking up low carb, no grain,vegetarian recipes that are quick and healthy. Once in a while I come up with something of my own and thought I'd post them here, just in case its useful. This is also family friendly - both my husband and son took to it right away and now this is a regular part of our menu plan.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked Quinoa ( I use Trader Joe's Organic tri color Quinoa, cooked per instructions on the packet)

200 grams frozen vegetables ( Safeway farms mixed veg - green beans, peas, carrot & corn)

1 quarter teaspoon garam masala

1 quarter teaspoon cumin seeds

1 tbsp cooking oil

salt to taste

2 teaspoons fried onions

2 teaspoons finely chopped coriander/ cilantro

Method:

1) Heat oil in a pan

2) Turn down heat, add cumin seeds and allow the to sizzle

3) Add frozen vegetables, saute and cook till vegetables are cooked but still firm

4) Add the garam masala and salt and stir

5) Add the Quinoa and stir so that the vegetables and garam masala are evenly distributed

6) Garnish with fried onions and coriander/ cilantro and serve