Category: Asian

Wild snapper curry

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Bold curry flavours, in a spicy, creamy coconut broth. This dish is cooked all in one pan, which makes it easy + relatively quick to cook.

If you don’t have access to finger lime (which is native to Australia), then you can substitute with fresh squeezed lime juice. I am fortunate enough to have a kaffir lime tree, finger lime, chilli + coriander all grown in my garden. What a treat it is to go + pick ingredients to cook with for dinner!

Use whatever chilli you fancy … if you like it hot, then by all means!

*serves 4

ingredients

1 tbsp ghee
1 tsp yellow mustard seeds
1/2 brown onion finely diced
3 cloves garlic finely diced
1 inch ginger finely grated
1 heaped tbsp curry powder
1 tsp turmeric
1 tin organic coconut cream
2 tomatoes chopped
4 kaffir lime leaves
1 green chilli diced
splash fish sauce
sea salt/black pepper
1 kg wild snapper cut into large chunks

to serve
fresh coriander leaves
1 red chilli sliced
1 finger lime 

method

Melt the ghee in a deep saucepan over a medium heat.

Add the mustard seeds. Cook until they begin to pop.

Add the onion + sauté until translucent, then add the garlic + ginger. Continue to cook for a minute.

Add the curry powder + turmeric and cook for another minute or so, or until fragrant.

Add the coconut cream and stir well to incorporate the onion + spices. Bring to a gentle simmer.

Add the tomatoes, kaffir lime leaves, green chilli + fish sauce. Taste + season.

Turn the pan to a lower heat + allow the flavours to really develop for around 10 minutes (you will see a nice crust forming around the pan).

Add a little water (1/4 cup) + stir, if the curry becomes too thick.

Add the fish and poach for 7 minutes, or until firm to touch.

Serve with steamed rice.

Scatter with fresh coriander + sliced red chilli.

Halve the finger lime + pop the citrus caviar all over the curry.

Paneer butter masala with spinach + peas

naturalhealthconsciousliving2 Comments

Well, you have most probably worked out by now – I bloody LOVE Indian food + just hope that I am doing justice when I recreate different dishes! I adore the spices, textures + freshness that Indian food delivers. But mostly, it’s the comfort that a hot bowl of nourishing goodness with rice provides.

This dish is mildly spicy, with a creamy finish.

ingredients

20 raw cashews
1/4 cup hot water
2 cups of diced fresh tomatoes
1 tbsp ghee
1 bay leaf
1 inch fresh ginger
3 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp cumin ground
sea salt
black pepper
1/3 cup organic coconut cream
200g paneer (cottage cheese) cubed
4 cubes frozen spinach
1/2 cup frozen peas
1 tsp garam masala

fresh chopped chilli
coriander

Soak the cashews in the hot water for around 20 minutes – whilst you are preparing the other ingredients.

In a motar + pestle, smash the garlic + ginger until it forms a paste. Set aside.

Blitz the cashews + water in a blender until a smooth paste. Add the tomatoes + continue to blitz until pureed. Set aside.

Melt the ghee in a heavy, deep saucepan + add the bay leaf. Add the ginger/garlic paste + fry for a minute. Add the tomato puree, chilli powder + cook until the oil starts to seep out of the tomato puree.

Add 1/2 cup water + stir well. Add the cumin, a pinch of sea salt and some black pepper. Stir. Bring to the boil + then simmer for 20 mins until the sauce becomes thick.

Stir in the coconut cream, cubed paneer, garam masala, spinach + peas. Cook for a further few minutes.

Sprinkle the garam masala into the pan, stir + then take off the heat.

Garnish with fresh chilli + coriander leaves. Serve with steaming basmati + pappadum.

Vegetarian mince kofta in turmeric yoghurt sauce

naturalhealthconsciousliving3 Comments

Indian food well + truly has my heart. The spices. The deep, rich flavours. The aroma when cooking… all engulf my senses. That is why I simply had to visit there in 2015. It was a deeply profound spiritual experience. Connecting with past lives, meditation, rituals, ceremony + undertaking panchakarma (a mind, body + consciousness detoxification/cleanse/rejuvenation – restoring balance + strengthening immunity).

This dish is not only nutritious, but has gut healing properties as well.

It serves 4, but double it up for a dinner party.

ingredients

turmeric yoghurt sauce
375ml thick plain yoghurt
4 tbsp chickpea flour
500ml water *additional if required
1 tbsp oil
2 tsp black mustard seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 brown onion finely chopped *I blitz in the mini chopper
3 garlic cloves *minced
1 tbsp indian curry powder
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp chilli powder
sea salt
black pepper

kofta
1 small brown onion
1cm piece of ginger
2 garlic cloves
small handful coriander leaves
400g plant based mince
2 tbsp thick natural yoghurt
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp garam masala
1/4 tsp chilli powder
sea salt
black pepper
2 tbsp oil
chilli flakes

Make the turmeric yogurt sauce. In a large bowl, whisk together the yoghurt, chickpea flour and 500ml water until smooth. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a deep frying pan over a medium heat. Add the mustard + cumin seeds. Fry until they begin to pop.

Add the onion and fry until translucent.

Add the garlic, then curry powder, turmeric, ground cumin + chilli powder. Stir until the spices release their aroma (around 1 min).

Add the yoghurt mixture, stir well. When the sauce comes to the boil, turn low and simmer for 15 mins. Turn off + leave on the cooktop.

For the kofta,blitz the onion, ginger, garlic + coriander in a mini chopper until it has a paste consistency. Place in a bowl + add the plant based mince. Add the plain yoghurt. Add all of the spices, sea salt + pepper and mix by hand until throughly combined. Place in the fridge for a couple of hours to allow the mixture to firm up (so its easier to handle).

Roll small balls with the mince and place on a plate.

Heat the oil in a deep frypan on a medium – high heat. Add the meatballs and fry. Gently shake the pan to brown on all sides (flipping them may cause them to break). Drain on paper towel.

Gently reheat the yoghurt sauce. Add a little water if it is too thick.

Place the kofta in the sauce and serve 4 or so with steamed rice. Sprinkle with chilli flakes + fresh coriander leaves.

Enjoy loves,

Kristy x

 

TAJ MAHAL
Taj Mahal – Agra, India