Category: Rice/Grains/Pulses

Asian, Breakfast, Easy, Family Favorites, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Indian, Low-Fat, Rice/Grains/Pulses, Side Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

Kale Chole – Black Chickpeas

At the end of Navratri, the nine nights and 10-day religious festival, I prepare a traditional meal that is vegetarian and contains no onions or garlic. There are four components in this meal: Puri (fried, unleavened wheat bread), Sooji Ka Halwa (sweet farina porridge), Kale Chole (savory black chickpeas), and Aloo (potato stew). This delicious […]

American, Asian, Cooking Techniques, Eastern European, Easy, European, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Indian, Latin, Middle Eastern, Quick Meals, Rice/Grains/Pulses, Side Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

Rice on the Stovetop

I have never owned a rice cooker. I make rice in either a pot or a pressure cooker. Both methods work well, however, the pot takes 15 minutes to cook rice with a 5 minute rest period whereas the pressure cooker takes only 5 minutes. It makes sense as pressure cookers need only a third […]

Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Asian, Easy, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Indian, Ingredient Substitutions, Low-Fat, Quick Meals, Rice/Grains/Pulses, Salad, Side Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

10-minute Seasoned Corn Appetizer/Side dish

I had this dish decades ago while visiting family friends. They were both practicing physicians with young children and very little spare time. This was the appetizer that “Auntie” whipped up. Aside: If you don’t have access to the spices listed below, just use regular salt and pepper and some ground cumin. No worries. Prep […]

Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Asian, Breakfast, Easy, Family Favorites, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Indian, Ingredient Substitutions, Low-Fat, Main Course, Quick Meals, Rice/Grains/Pulses, Side Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

Sabudana Khichdi – Curry Tapioca Pearls

Tapioca pearls (sabudana), which are derived from the cassava plant, are a staple in the Indian/Asian/Brazilian diet. They are sometimes confused with Sagu which is derived from the pith of tropical palm trees. Sagu and tapioca pearls resemble one another as they both appear as small, white, opaque pearls that become translucent when cooked. Think […]

American, Appetizers, Snacks, and Dips, Easy, Gluten-free, Heart Healthy, Latin, Low-Fat, Quick Meals, Rice/Grains/Pulses, Salad, Side Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

3-Minute Corn Salsa with Black Beans

Years ago, I ate this salad as a sample at our local Trader Joe’s and fell in love with it. What shocked me was how easy it was to make. I only needed two ingredients and zero cooking! OlĂ©! I made it for my book club later that week and it was a hit. I […]