Showing posts sorted by relevance for query zucchini. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query zucchini. Sort by date Show all posts
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
So they now live in a cooler somewhere in the kitchen and I try not to look too hard for them. I am going to have to sort them out soon enough, but for now, out of sight, out of mind.
But.
The one thing that I did do with my early ones was grate them all and pop them into the freezer. I was thinking about these Lemon Zucchini Cookies when I was doing that. But then I realised that they would work perfectly for these bhajis too. So now my zucchinis are doing a happy dance, because not only do they get made into cookies, but there's nothing better than hot, crispy zucchini onion bhajis with a steaming cup of chai on a cloudy, grey autumn morning.
I can live with that. Take that, Mr. Over-proliferating Zucchini.
These bhajis are an adaptation of my onion bhajis. The sliced onion adds a nice hint of sweetness to these delicately spiced morsels. I served them with a lemon cilantro mint chutney that cuts through the richness of these bhajis.
(Printable Recipe)
For the Zucchini and Onion Bhajis
2 medium zucchini, coarsely grated (around 750g total weight)
2 tablespoons kosher or coarse sea salt
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups chickpea flour (gram flour)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon mild chilli powder (or 1/2 teaspoon hot cayenne pepper)
More salt to taste
1/4 cup water, if required
Unscented oil to deep fry (I used canola)
Lemon Cilantro - Mint Chutney
Large handful fresh cilantro
Large handful fresh mint
Juice of one large lemon + extra to taste
1/4 cup water (as required to blend)
Salt to taste
Method:
Place the grated zucchini in a large bowl and sprinkle over the kosher salt. Stir well and leave for about an hour. Drain and rinse the zucchini well, squeeze out the excess water, then place in a bowl.
Add the onion, chickpea flour, baking soda, whole and ground cumin, coriander, chili powder and salt to taste.
Using your hands (beware, this is messy) or a spatula, mix everything together very well, until it comes together as a very thick batter. Add a splash of water too loosen the batter, if it feels too stiff.
Heat the oil in a deep pot to 350 F. Using a tablespoon measure, gently drop in small balls of the zucchini-onion bhaji batter into the hot oil. Fry, turning every so often for 4 - 5 minutes, or until the bhajis are golden brown and cooked through.
Lift the bhajis out, using a slotted spoon, and drain well on kitchen paper. Serve hot with the lemon-cilantro-mint chutney.
To make the chutney, blitz together all the ingredients until smooth, using just enough water to blend. Taste and season with more lemon juice and salt, if required. This chutney is quite fresh and tangy, so load up on the lemon juice, if you like it.
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Its birthday month. Both for We Should Cocoa, who turn one, and me who turns... errr, lets not get into that!
The challenge for this month was to come up with a birthday cake. For me, nothing screams birthday as much as a chocolate cake. As it turns out, I had the perfect cake recipe practically handed to me. My neighbour Vee, she of the Lemon Courgette Cookies fame had also passed on a recipe for a chocolate zucchini loaf. I've been waiting to try it out for a while, but like most good intentions, this one got side tracked by other things. You know what they say, the road to a diet is paved with chocolate cake recipes :-)
I finally got the chance to make it today, and hopefully in time for We Should Cocoa. I was a bit worried, as it was the first time I was making the recipe, so I scaled it down a bit. The zucchini came from my garden, as usual (sigh!) and I changed around a few bits as bobs (also as per usual for me :-))
This cake was just gorgeous! I used a good Lindt dark chocolate instead of chocolate chips, and the zucchini just kept it so moist, it was unbelievable. Instead of just serving it plain, I decided to then go all out and made a delicious dark chocolate cream sauce to go with it. After all its a birthday celebration!
Friday, 2 September 2011
Our courgette plant has gone crazy. Every day it produces more and more of these fat green vegetables, and I swear to you, you can practically watch these suckers grow in front of your eyes. With such a glut of vegetables, I have had to come up with some creative ways of using them up, especially as they don't freeze well unless they are grated. That is not to say that these courgettes are not oh-so-delicious or healthy for you. Its only that there's so many of them and even the neighbours are getting sick of them!!
However, I have made a committment to myself to eat much more locally, and lets face it, you can't get more local than your own garden can you?
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Neighbours! Love them or hate them, they are an integral part of our lives.
Kay and I have lived through a wide variety of them. The Liverpool fan in London, for example. We lived in the apartment above him, and he cheered and banged the ceiling every time his team scored a goal. Unfortunately for him, Arsenal, who I support, were in their 'invincible' phase then, so I out cheered him every time. I am kind of glad I don't live next to Mr Liverpool anymore, especially considering Arsenal's recent performances :-)
The there was the time when we first moved to Liverpool and lived smack bang in the middle of student halls... I don't have to draw you a picture of that, surely. Lets just say that we only stayed there for a month! Then of course, Madam Rubbish, in the apartment next door to us in Liverpool, who thought that the shared apartment hallway was the perfect place to leave garbage bags full of rotting food. Or the creatures in the penthouse above us, whose moving in party lasted three whole days and nights... and ended up with shoes and household items being chucked over balconies.
Saturday, 10 December 2011
This post has been a long time coming. So long, that we're almost at Christmas rather than Canadian Thanksgiving, when I first made it, hehe. Sorry about that. Sometimes I never know where my head is at. Especially in December, when its a busy month, and crazy even by my usual laid back standards.
We decided to stay home, just the three of us for Christmas this year. Over the last few years, we've hardly spent Christmas by ourselves. Two years ago, we were in the throes of the big move, and ended up spending Christmas in India. It was a big deal for me then, as that was my first Christmas back home in 10 years. The next year we had a whirlwind of a Christmas, with all the driving to Terrace and back in a week. So this year, I am kind of looking forward to a more relaxed week, hanging out with friends and spending Christmas with the people I love very much.
And of course, doing tons and tons of baking and cooking, and racing against the clock to get some natural light pictures for this blog. Its really funny, how I can manage to cook pretty decent food, yet my brain goes blank when it comes to creatively photographing it. I am also handicapped by the lack of light, in a way. Especially during dinnertime, when its dark outside. Kay and Aditi are getting used to eating dinner at 3 PM nowadays, if its reasonably sunny outside...
This beautiful squash, mushroom and zucchini tart is going to be at my Christmas table as well. It worked so well at Thanksgiving, I made a mental note to use it for Christmas as well. I love all the individual elements of the dish, and it was just a doddle to put together, which is always a great thing when you're rushing about trying to get to ten million things at the same time :-)
Sunday, 21 August 2011
I am back! First off, sorry for my longer than expected absence. I had the opportunity of staying at the in-laws' for an extra week and jumped at it. I mean, a long lie in, fresh squeezed orange juice and perfectly brewed coffee, homemade marmalade on beautifully toasted bread doesn't come my way often... and a full week of this was too good to pass up! Yes, my in-laws rock!
I had a blast in Terrace with my friend and family and wanted to take the opportunity to relax and recharge completely. But now its back to the real world again, and its catching up quickly. Aditi starts Junior Kindergarten early September, and its left me scratching my head as to where the time has gone. It feels like only yesterday I was toting around a 7 lb baby, and now I can barely pick her up without throwing my back out :-) So for the first time, I am back-to-school shopping, and I can tell you, this is one chore I will happily cross off my list of favourite things to do. Who knew there were so many people in Edmonton? And that they are all in South Common shopping? And they all have the kids in tow? Online shopping, here I come!
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
I talk very often about my mum on this blog. That's because, to me, she's an amazing woman, and one of the unsung heroes of the world. My mum, to me, is my role model in many ways. Not because she did great things or saved the world, but just the way she is. She was one of the first generation of Indian women to work outside the home, and claim their independence, but at the same time, her sisters and her looked after their parents. They worked all hours at incredibly demanding jobs, but also found the time to come back home and work just as hard in their own homes. My mum had so many demands on her time - her parents, siblings, children and husband, relatives, friends, students, grandchildren... the list was and is neverending! Yet she balanced everything so well, with a smile and an ocasional snap... but never complaining (well, perhaps the odd grumble or two...) never fazed by the endless craziness of her life.
And today, when she should be retired and sitting down with a cup of tea, she still has so much to do, including looking after her elderly parents and grandchildren. Yes, my mum has a work ethic to be proud of, and one that ocasionally makes me ashamed to have had it so easy in my life too. But also, at the same time, she inspires me to go out and do the best that I can. She encouraged me all through my academic career, supported me financially and emotionally and now she encourages my cooking career, because its what I love doing. Though she never says it out loud, I know that she loves me, and that she's proud of me, and this has always spurred me on to be that little bit better, every day of my life. She's truly a hero.
Wednesday, 14 August 2013
GIVEAWAY WINNERS:
A huge thank you to all of you for commenting and entering my giveaway. Congratulations to the winners. If you have won, I will be in touch to confirm details and addresses. If you haven't won, keep an eye on this website as I have a couple more awesome giveaways coming up very soon.
The US Ball Canning Prize Package: Congratulations Maggie Drake. I will arrange for your canning pack to be sent to you as soon as I get your mailing address.
In Edmonton: Congratulations Su. You win the Ball Canning Discovery Set, the Ball Blue Book of Canning and a vegetable pack from my garden (watch out!).
The Rest of Canada and The World: Congratulations, Kim Anne, Stephanie Scott and Jaime. Please email me your mailing addresses at michellepatriciapeters@gmail.com.
Thanks again for your lovely comments and entries.
When our two-raised-beds-and-a-few-neighbours'-garden(s) produce, it all goes a bit wild. There are times when I am so glad that I get August off, because I would have no idea how on earth I would be able to preserve and can all of the produce that keeps coming at me. This year, the bounty included carrots, beets, more zucchini than I can handle, a boat load of Evans cherries from the neighbours' garden, peas, beans, chard, arugula, lettuce... and I still have the potatoes to come.
Sunday, 7 July 2013
Talk about skipping straight to summer without even time to take a (fresh) spring breath. Well, Edmonton has been having its mini heat wave last week when the mercury hit the late thirties, and I am sitting in the brilliant sunshine,
For me and the non-meat eating members of my family, summer is a time to enjoy nature's bounty at its best. Our farmers markets are heaving with fresh, beautiful vegetables and fruit and Kay's hard work in the back garden is beginning to produce
And what better way to start off what's shaping up to be a pretty delicious summer than with some delicate new nugget or warba potatoes? Last year, I had the honour of being one of the runner ups in the BCFresh New Nugget Potato recipe contest with my delicious Bombay Potatoes (nope, no false modesty here, that is a great recipe that I've been making forever :)) But ever since then, I've been planning this year's recipe... talk about being presumptuous, what? So when the contest finally arrived, I was in pretty good shape and raring to go.
Monday, 21 June 2010
We went to Jasper on the BC/ Alberta border for our first camping trip of the summer. Jasper is just gorgeous and also has lots of things to do as a family. We went canoeing, fishing and on the Jasper Tramway.
We've been doing a lot of camping recently and I decided to do a mini series on cooking food for camping. Camping food has to be easy, usually one pot, nutritious, requiring minimal preparation (the fresh air takes it toll on energy levels) and tasty. Sounds like a long list doesn't it?
My first recipe is for an easy veggie chili, that can also be made with meat, if you prefer. You can save time at the campsite if you chop all the vegetables up before leaving home. You can use pretty much any vegetables you want and keep it seasonal.
This chili can be made over a fire or a camping stove, like I have here. I also make a easy chili spice mix, and put it into a small box, so I am not messing about with spices at the campsite. I use lots of shortcuts, so I spend less time cooking and more time doing things that matter [like drinking a lot :-)]
Recipe:
2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil (I use grapeseed or canola)
500g pack of veggie mince or ground beef (you will have to fry the meat first, to cook it, no need to fry the veggie mince)
1 onion, diced
1 large courgette or zucchini, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 pack (400g) crimini mushrooms, chopped
1 red or yellow pepper, chopped
2 cans of chopped tomatoes (800ml) or one 750ml jar of pasta sauce
1 can of red kidney beans or mixed bean, drained
Spice Mix:
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/2 - 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon paprika (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
Make the spice mix in advance and store in a small tupperware container.
In a large pot, add oil and fry the onions, until soft (if using minced meat, add it at this stage and fry for about 5 - 7 minutes, till cooked through) Add the spice mix, and saute for another minute.
Add the rest of the ingredients, mix thoroughly and let the chili simmer for about 20 - 30 minutes.
Season to taste and serve with chunks of fresh bread or over rice.
Friday, 11 October 2013
While I really don't appreciate the onset of winter, I do love autumn. I love the colours, the brisk breezes, the crisp crackle of leaves underfoot, the dark hints of woodsmoke in the air, the abundance of fall produce and the comfort of walking into a warm, cosy house when your nose is really really cold. And if it is sunny and bright, which it tends to be here in Edmonton, then so much the better. The sky is always a bright blue, and the sunshine, while not the warmest, gives you a feeling of cheer and that everything is all right in the world.
I also love autumn cooking. I make spiced soups, hearty stews, baked casseroles, curries and cakes. And I must admit, typical fall holidays like Canadian Thanksgiving and Halloween are growing on me... the last one, thanks to one overexcited little kid and an equally overexcited big kid.
Saturday, 14 July 2012
Its been a weird week. I've had news that's made me hugely happy, and
then we've had events that have made both Kay and I sad. Lets start
with the good news. See that shiny new badge on my right sidebar?
→
Yes,
I've been voted into Babble's Top 100 Mom Food Blogs for 2012, and I am
number 24. I am so chuffed and I want to thank you all so much for
putting up with my constant begging, begging, whining,
guilting requests for votes from you all. Its been an
incredible journey, and I am finally beginning to feel settled and happy
with myself and this little space I've created.
So thank you all from the bottom of my cooking pots and pans! I couldn't have done it with your constant support and encouragement.
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