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Posts tagged ‘curry’

Chicken Kofta In A Korma Curry With Sonals Awesome Spice Mix

Kofta Korma

Kofta Korma

I received an email, from Sonal@SimplyVegetarian777, in case you don’t know who she is PLEASE check out her blog, Sonal very generously offered to send me some of her AMAZING spice mixes. I couldn’t type fast enough because I was so excited. I have mad respect for Sonal as a cook and a blogger and am mesmerized by not just her amazing Vegetarian recipes but by her gorgeous photography as well and she absolutely blew me away with her generosity, The other day I went to my mailbox and I didn’t even have to open it because I knew it was here, the aroma that came from my mailbox was intoxicating. She sent her curry mix, a tandoori marinade and Kasuri Methi. I agonized over what to make, perusing her recipes and then I remembered a recipe she actually chose for me to make, her vegetable korma, I love korma, as a matter of fact whenever I eat at an Indian restaurant it’s what I order every single time. Instead of making it with vegetables I thought I would make small chicken meatballs or kofta, kind of like an Indian version of Swedish meatballs. I am serving this with basmati rice but it can also be served with naan or flatbread. I put my own spin on Sonal’s delicious recipe, using what I had in my pantry and refrigerator, the changes were minor and the result was amazing. I attribute this to the expert blending of the spices, I also must add that this recipe is quick and easy to make and because I used a spice mix I didn’t have to measure lots of different spices,  the work was done for me and the results could not have been more delicious.

Sonal's Spice Mix

Sonal’s Spice Mix

You MUST make note that Sonal’s awesome and delicious spice mixes will soon be available to all of us, yes she is marketing and selling her spice mixes, small batch hand mixed and utterly delicious. Keep watching her site  for more information on how to order.

Kofta 

Adapted from Sonal’s recipe for Kofta

1 lb ground chicken

1 egg

1 tbs greek yogurt

1 heaping tbs dried bread crumbs

1 tsp minced ginger

1/2 small onion minced

1 clove garlic minced

1 tbs kasuri methi

2 tbs cilantro chopped or parsley is fine too

1 tsp garam masala

salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients and form into small balls which you set on parchment lined baking sheet. Heat your fry pay or skillet with some oil. Add the kofta with space in between each and fry until nicely browned on all sides. Remove from oil and place back on parchment sheet and put in warm oven (170 degree’s) until you are ready to add to the korma.

Korma Paste:

2 tbs cashew nuts soaked for 10-15 minutes in 1/4 cup warm water

2 tbs unsweetened coconut flakes (I only had sweetened and it still turned out great, not sweet at all)

2 tbs milk powder or you can use(almond milk. coconut milk, milk, soy milk) (I used half and half)

1/2 onion chopped roughly

1 small tomato (I used 6 cherry tomatoes)

1 small piece ginger (I used the equivalent of 1 tsp)

garlic 2 small or 1 big clove

Place everything in the blender and process until it’s a thick smooth paste

Look at the gorgeous color

Look at the gorgeous color

Making the Korma:
2 tbs ghee, butter or oil
1 cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf
1 1/2-2 tsp Sonal’s curry spice mix
1 1/2 cups water
Place ghee,butter or oil in a saucepan, heat on medium high until hot. Add the cinnamon stick and bay leaf and heat for a couple of minutes, add the Korma paste and cook about 5-7  minutes on medium heat, don’t brown, you want it to retain it’s yellow color. Add the curry spice mix and continue to cook for another few minutes, add the kofta and water and cook on medium high heat for about 15 minutes uncovered. It will thicken nicely. Serve with rice or naan or flat bread and maybe some pickled vegetables.
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Coconut Curry Mussels

Coconut Curry Mussels

Coconut Curry Mussels

If you have never visited Susan Pridmore’s wonderful blog The Wimpy Vegetarian, you really should check it out. Susan is knowledgable, creative and her blog contains a wealth of information regarding nutrition and food in general. I met Susan years ago on Food 52. I have made some of my best virtual food friends on that site. She is an award winning cook and one of the nicest people you will ever know. I love her posts for Sunday Supper and when this recipe appeared I was smitten. I love mussels but quite frankly mine never taste as good as those I get in restaurants, that is until I tried Susan’s recipe for Coconut Curry Mussels. Oh my, they are so good, the broth is slightly spicey, very tasty and the combination is heavenly, make some crisp fries, (Moules-Frite anyone?) and a good hunk of bread and believe me you will be very happy. I was looking for recipes that are a bit lighter after indulging a bit too much during the holidays and this was exactly what I wanted.

I’ll admit it wasn’t as light as it could have been since the bread I got was out of this world fresh and delicious, a baguette from Balthazar and some hand churned butter from the CSA. Well. it’s ok its New Years Day, I have the rest of the year right. All in all this was a completely satisfying and delicious meal, the broth was just perfectly spiced, not overwhelmingly hot, just enough to make it interesting. Highly recommend you give this quick and easy recipe a try and do visit Susan, her blog is amazing.

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