Curried Beef and Eggplant (or Nightshade Delight)

You probably notice that we eat a lot of curry.  Today's recipe is a variation on a standard theme in our household:  meat, veggies, and spice (often, curry spices).  I have at last progressed to the point where I make my curries by taste.  I no longer need my carefully measured out curry powder to make meals.  I keep my base spices (cayenne, turmeric, paprika, chili power [Indian/Asian], cumin, cinnamon, and salt) is a nifty spice container (a masala dabba) that has a small measuring spoon (about 1/4 tsp) in it.  I use the same general proportions and keep adding a "round" until I think the spice level is about right (a little less cayene/chili power when semi-Paleo mom is eating, a little more when it's just Husband and myself).

[Picture forthcoming - the user is experiencing technical difficulties]

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Ground beef
• 1-2 Tbs Ghee (or coconut oil)
• 2 small eggplants
• 1 can fire-roasted tomatoes, with liquid (you could use fresh here, but do take the time to roast the tomatoes -- it makes a world of difference -- you'll also want all of the juices from the tomatoes)
• 2-3 rounds curry mixture, where 1 round equals:  1/2 tsp Turmeric powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 heaping tsp paprika; 1/4 tsp cayenne power; and 1/4 tsp chili powder

Directions:

1. In a large pan, brown the ground beef until almost cooked.  Drain fat.
2. Meanwhile, wash, dry, and then cut eggplant into cubes.
3. Heat ghee in a large pot (I used a smallish stock pot).  Once melted, add diced eggplant.  Cook until almost softened.  [Note:  you could use the beef fat here, but I like the taste of ghee, tomatoes, and curry and didn't feel that I needed the additional fat from the beef.]
4. Add tomatoes (including liquid) and ground beef.
5. Add 1 round of curry mixture.  Mix and taste.  Keep adding rounds until it is to your liking.  If you need a little more heat, add a little more cayenne and chili powder.
6. Let simmer until flavors have melted together and eggplant is softened to you liking.
7. Serve and enjoy.

I'm Back + Mother's Day Dessert

Sorry for the long absence...we've been in the process of moving to another state.  Seems like it has been crazy, but now we're settled.  Or almost settled...except for the fact that the movers broke our 'fridge and it won't be repaired until sometime this coming week.  I miss that appliance more than I ever thought I would.  At least our chest freezer works!

Here's the dessert I made semi-paleo mom for mother's day.  I'm ashamed to admit that before we switched to a healthier diet, I didn't think bananas were sweet.  Seriously?  They almost send me into a sugar coma now.  Definitely a decedent, special occasion (but silly easy!) dessert.

Fried Bananas

• Coconut oil
• 2 Bananas (green ones work better)

1. Slice bananas fairly thin.
2. Heat coconut oil over medium heat.
3. Once oil is melted, all bananas in a single layer and let cook until caramelized.  Resist the temptation to look too often, as they may become "mushy".
4. Turn bananas and let other side caramelize.
5. Remove from heat and serve.  Also great with a little toasted coconut.

Fried Carrots & Cauliflower

I've seen a lot of posts for Superbowl snacks.  Even though we aren't football fans (un-American, I know:)), we still enjoy the parties and snacks associated with the big game.  We're planning to enjoy some fried veggies - carrots and cauliflower to be exact.  If you've never tried them, you should.  They are an absolutely wonderful treat!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups carrots  and cauliflower florets
• Rendered beef fat (enough for your fryer or deep pan)
• Kosher salt
• Cayenne pepper
• Cinnamon

Directions:

1. Prepare veggies (peel & cut carrots, cut cauliflower into florets). 
2. Place in a bowl.  Cover with ice water and let sit 15-30 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, heat oil in your fryer (or pan) to 325 degrees F.
4. Once the oil has reached temperature, dry veggies and, working in batches, drop into your oil for about 3 minutes.
5. After each batch is finished, remove from the fryer and place on towels to drain.
6. After all of the veggies are cooked once, turn the temperature up to 375 degrees F.
7. Working in batches, fry for another 3-4 minutes until crisp.
8. Remove from oil and immediately season with (a little) salt, cayenne pepper, and a little cinnamon.
9. Best served hot.

Rita's Curried Cauliflower

This is my favorite (for now, anyway:)) version of curried cauliflower.  My husband's aunt made it for us before we left Nepal and shared her recipe.  It's the hint of the cinnamon that does it for me.  Be a little patient and cook on low - that's how you get the touch of cinnamon (without it overwhelming the dish).  Quick, easy, and full of flavor.  My kind of veggie!

Ingredients:

• Fat of choice
• 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
• 2" stick of cinnamon
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2" piece of ginger, grated or mashed into a paste
• 1/4 tsp cumin powder (you can use a little more, but it's not my favorite spice)
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• salt, to taste

Directions:

1. Heat fat over medium heat.
2. Add cinnamon and bay leaf and lightly fry for a minute or two.
3. Add in the cauliflower and ginger.
4. Mix spices with a little water (maybe about 1/4 cup) and add to the pan.
5. Turn heat down to low and cook, covered, until cauliflower is done.
6. Remove bay leaf and cinnamon and serve warm.

Quick and Easy Pear Nutmeal

Personally, I could eat meat (or eggs) and veggies everyday for breakfast and be happy.  Not so much for the family.  Sometimes I make them pancakes or muffins, but this is a nice once-in-awhile breakfast reminiscent of oatmeal from breakfasts past.  I'm not the first person to come up with "nutmeal", but this is my take (see Fauxtmeal, No-atmeal, and Nutty Hot Cereal [where I adapted my recipe] for other variations).  Fast and easy, you can whip this up in no time for a quick and hearty breakfast.  Makes about 2 cups; recipe can easily be multiplied (or reduced).

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of nuts (I like macadamia and pecans, but about any nuts you have on hand will work)
• 1 1/2 pears, cut into large chunks (almost any seasonal fruit will work here)
• 2 eggs (preferably from pastured chickens)
• 1 cup coconut milk (I use full-fat canned coconut milk, make sure to get the kind without the "gunk")
• 1 Tbs cinnamon powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a food processor and mix until desired consistency is reached.
2. Pour into a saucepan and heat over medium heat until hot and bubbly.
3. Serve and enjoy.

Spicy Daikon Radish Salad (Daikon Achar)

Daikon is another pretty new vegetable for me.  I don't know if it's always been available in the stores (I suspect it has, at least for a long time, and I just walked right by it since I didn't know what it was).  I ruined it the first time I made it:)  The next time, I tried the Latke recipe by Marks Daily Apple.  Now, I'm hooked!  My mother-in-law was kind enough to introduce me one Nepali way of making the radish.  Quick, easy, and spicy.  Tastes even better if you are able to make it ahead or the next day.  This was made for a party held for my husband and myself while here in Nepal.  We bought the daikon down the street from a local vendor.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 3 Daikon radishes, peeled
• 2 carrots, peeled
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 small red onion
•  5 Tbs ground sesame seeds
• 1 tsp fresh ginger root, peeled
• 1-2 Tbs red pepper flakes, or to taste
• Fat of choice, to fry fenugreek (traditionally, you would use mustard oil)
• 1 tsp fenugreek
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder

Directions:

1. Shred daikon and carrots (the food processor makes quick work out of this, or you can use a hand shredder).  Place in a large bowl and add salt.  Mix together and then let sit for awhile (you could finish preparing dinner while this sits).  The salt helps release the excess water.
2. Squeeze out the water (you could use a dishtowl or I like to use my salad spinner or you can use your hands).
3. Dice red onion and ginger.  Add to the daikon/carrot mixture.
4. Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat (dry).  Lightly roast sesame seeds and add to the salad.
5. Add 1-2 Tbs red pepper flakes (2 Tbs if you like a good amount of spice).
6. Heat a little oil in a small frying pan (you want an oil that can handle high heat).  Add fenugreek and fry until black (it starts out a light brown).
7. Once the fenugreek has turned black. remove the pan from the heat and then add in the turmeric powder.  Stir together and add to salad mixture.
8. Stir well.  It's now ready to serve or you can put in the refrigerator for use later.

Part of Real Food Wednesday, Fight Back Friday, and Pennywise Platter.

Apple Cranberry Crumble (Pie)

I started out intending to make a pie.  But, I got a little careless with the crust and it turned out more like a crumble.  I'm sure you could make a pie with no problem:)  In either case, it turned out fantastic -- sweet & tart, with a nice buttery crunch.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups soaked macadamia nuts
• 4 Tbs ghee (or coconut oil)
• 1 1/4 cup coconut milk (get the kind with no added "junk")
• 1/2 cup frozen apple juice concentrate (get the kind with no added sugar -- 100% apple juice)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp freshly grated ginger
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup fresh cranberries (I used 1/2 cup)
• 4-5 small/medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a food processor, blend nuts until they make a meal or flour consistency.
3. Mix with ghee (or coconut oil) and mash into the bottom of a pie plate.
4. Bake for about 10 minutes (you want the nuts to brown, but not burn).
5. In a saucepan large enough to fit the apple filling, combine coconut milk, apple juice concentrate, cinnamon, ginger, and cranberries.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook until cranberries begin to break down.
6. Add apples and coat in liquid mixture.
7. Add to baked pie crust, then bake for another 30-40 minutes, watching to make sure your apples don't burn.

Part of Real Food Wednesday and Pennywise Platter.