Tag: meatlessmonday

Tasty Green Capsicum Rice.

On By WanjoroIn MemoriesLeave a comment

This is another one of my favourite way to jazz up some plain old rice. It is great on its own as a packed lunch with a simple salad, or as a side dish for a main meal.

Green pepper is a bit bitter than other coloured bell peppers but that doesn’t not undermine its health benefits. It is rich in antioxidants that can improve eye health, is high in iron, vitamin C, which helps the body absorb iron, and is also a great source of vitamins B6, E, K and A, folates and potassium. I use it in many dishes and even add it to salads as I like the crunchy and tangy taste when I bite into it raw.

This recipe is simple and tasty.

All you need is one cup basmati rice, 1 chopped onion, 2 chopped green bell peppers, a pinch of spices of choice, ( I used a tsp of whole cumin seeds and a teaspoon of ground pilau masala, 1 tablespoon cooking oil, salt and pepper and a fresh squeeze of half a lemon to please your tastebuds.

Heat your pan, and add the oil. Once hot, add the cumin seeds and once they sizzle, add the chopped onion and a pinch of salt.

Once onion is soft and a beginning to brown a bit, add the pilau masala and mix well, some salt and pepper and be careful it doesn’t burn, then add the chopped capsicum. Stir it and let it be coated with the masala mix.

Add your rice and two cups of water.

Cover and let it simmer on low heat till the rice is ready. Squeeze some lemon before fluffing the rice a bit then serve with some kachumbari.

It is great on its own with a simple salad, when you want a light meal.
I had mine with a tangy avocado, tomato and onion salad.

Easy and tasty!

Easy Charred Eggplant and Peas.

On By WanjoroIn RecipesLeave a comment

Here is another delicious eggplant recipe that will have you wanting more of this amazing vegetable. It is spicy, has some heat, is filling, tasty, and colourful. The wonderful aromas and flavours are heightened with the addition of some coconut milk which adds to the richness and complexity of flavour to the dish.

All you need are two eggplants, sliced onion, garlic ginger paste, one sliced tomato, one cup of peas and one chopped potato. Spices used are mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dhana jeera powder, turmeric powder, red chilli powder and garam masala. Other ingredients are coconut oil, tomato paste and salt and pepper to taste and one cup of coconut milk.

First, chop your eggplant into thickish pieces and pan fry for about 12 minutes, 6 on each side until browned and a bit charred, set aside.

Heat your saucepan, add one tablespoon of coconut oil and a teaspoon of the black mustard seeds and whole cumin seeds, once they start sputtering, add your sliced onion. Mix well and let cook till onions begin browning at the edges then add your one teaspoon of crushed ginger and garlic.

Once the ginger garlic is cooked a bit, add one tbsp of the dhana jeera powder, a pinch of chilli powder, 1/4 tsps of the ground turmeric and one tbsp of tomato paste. Let cook and keep stirring so it doesn’t burn, then add your sliced tomato.

Reduce heat and cover to let the tomatoes cook down. Once they are softened completely, add the potatoes and a cup of water. Cover and let simmer for a while till the potatoes are almost soft, then add your peas.

Let the peas cook a bit and mix well into the sauce, then add your eggplant and coconut milk. Cover once again and simmer for ten minutes on very low heat.

As it simmers, the flavours and colours will meld together into a beautiful sauce that will have an inviting aroma too.

Garnish with chopped dhania when ready, then serve with your main of choice.

The curry looks and smells amazing. The eggplant holds its shape well and is full of all the lovely spicy flavours with a hint of smokiness from the charred parts. Delish!

I had mine with some soft and flaky pumpkin chapati.
It also goes well with some basmati rice.

If you are looking for simple and delicious way to have your eggplant, this dish is a great option. Be it #meatlessmonday or #eggplantthursday, it ticks all the boxes for a colourful, decadent and tasty vegetarian curry.

Tasty Stewed Lentils.

On By WanjoroIn Recipes, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I know I am not the only one who craves a warming, filling and hearty stew on rainy days.

This recipe is tasty, easy to make, will fill you up well on a chilly day and keep well in the fridge, in case there are leftovers.

I love this vegetable stew as it enhances the authentic flavour of the vegetables used, and is full of nutrients too. Let’s get started.

Ingredients are:-

  • 1 1/2 cups small brown lentils (masoor dal)
  • 1 chopped onion.
  • 1 bay leaf.
  • 4 cloves of garlic, chopped.
  • 1 medium courgette and 1 medium eggplant, chopped and kept aside in salted water.
  • 1 large chopped tomato.
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped.
  • 1 large potato, peeled and chopped.
  • Mixed herbs (thyme and basil).
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil.
  • Salt and pepper to taste.
Heat your pan, and add the oil. Add the bay leaf, then onion and fry till translucent then add your chopped garlic.
Add the carrot, mixed well then add your tomatoes and let cook a while.
Drain and rinse then add the eggplant and courgette, let cook a while before adding the potato.
Once the potatoes are cooked a bit, add the herbs, lentils and 3 cups of water as well as your salt and pepper. Cover and let simmer for 30 minutes until the lentils are cooked.
This is a hearty stew that will satisfy your comfort food cravings.
The best accompaniment to this is some crusty bread from Brood.

You can even have it on its own or with some dinner rolls. The kids like it with chapati and rice. Leftovers are great for their lunchboxes too.

Note: Soaking the eggplant in salted water removes the bitter taste and also reduces the water in the veggies, hence they are able to hold their shape well, and enhance their natural flavour.

This is a tasty one pot dish full of flavourful vegetables and nutrients that will please the eyes and palate, it is definitely worth a try and easy to make too.

Delicious Chickpea, Eggplant and Butternut Recipe.

On By WanjoroIn RecipesLeave a comment

Yep. Another kala chana recipe.

Simple, healthy, tasty, filling and colourful. This delightful meal ticks all those boxes and is one of my faves to make too.

Ingredients are two cups of peeled and chopped butternut, 2 cups kala chana, one eggplant, two tomatoes, I small bunch of coriander,1 tablespoon ghee, 1 tablespoon of ginger garlic paste, salt and pepper. For the spices, the whole spices are a teaspoon each of black mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, nigella seeds and fennel seeds. The ground spices are a teaspoon each of garam masala, ground Dhania jeera and 1/4 teaspoon of ground turmeric.

Boil the chickpeas till ready and set aside.

Heat your pan, add the ghee and toast the whole spices a bit.

Add your onion and cook till soft, then add the ginger garlic paste then the eggplants.

Mix well. Add the coriander stalks too and set the leaves aside for garnish later.
Add the ground spices, mix well then add the chopped tomato and some salt. Cover and let simmer till tomatoes are soft.
Add the chick pea and let it cook a while to absorb the flavours…
…then add the chopped butternut.
Add a bit of water, not too much though and check on seasoning. Cover and simmer till butternut is cooked through.
Garnish with the coriander leaves once ready.
I added some fresh chillies on mine.

It is not too spicy but very flavourful. You can cook earlier and let rest so the flavours can deepen further before serving.

It goes well with minty flatbread that is very easy to make. 1 1/2 cups of self raising flour, I cup of natural yoghurt, a pinch of salt, 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp dried mint. Knead well till soft and smooth, and cook on a griddle pan. Serve hot.
Colourful, healthy, tasty and filling. Right up my alley.

I added some fresh chilli on top too but this is optional. This is an amazingly flavour filled vegetarian meal to add to your normal meal plan. It will leave you satisfied, is good to look at, easy to make, nutritious and tasty too.

Definitely worth a try.