Posts Tagged cilantro

‘Grown-Up Guacamole’: Avocado Dip with Mustard Seeds, Serrano, and Curry Powder.

Spring is, hands down, my favorite time of year. I am ready to say goodbye to winter, and am equally ready to welcome spring, with all of her charms. As winter draws to a close, I find myself chasing every ray of sunshine, like sun-starved zombie. I am ready for spring flowers and produce, sunshine and warmth. Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, but I’m ready for lemonade and porches and BBQ’s and farmer’s markets.

I think I say the same thing about Spring every year, but each year I’m truly grateful for this season. Everything feels new and wonderful, and I have a fresh appreciation for all of it.

That being said, when the sun came out for a couple of days this week, I was beside myself with joy. Honestly, I was a little bit sun drunk. I went so far as to take my laptop into the backyard, so I could work in the sunshine. (It was fantastic.)

In my sun-drunk state, I had the inspired idea to make an epic batch of guacamole. (I also decided that it would be a good idea to eat most of said guacamole in one sitting. But that’s a whole different story.) I know it isn’t exactly guac season yet (we’re still a few months away from cilantro and pepper season), but I was just too excited about the sunshine.

This avocado dip is the perfect compliment to a sunny day, and it pairs nicely with tacos and margaritas. I will say that it is unlike any guacamole I’ve ever had. It contains curry powder and coconut oil, serrano chilies and mustard seeds. It might sound like an odd combination of ingredients, but I promise you that it works. I would take this avocado dip over normal guacamole any day. It’s the perfect snack for a sunny day. Here’s hoping we have an abundance sunny days in our not-too-distant future.

Avocado Dip with Serrano Peppers, Cilantro, and Mustard Seeds | Rosemarried

‘Grown Up Guacamole’: Avocado Dip with Mustard Seeds, Serrano, and Curry Powder.

Ingredients

  • 3-4 ripe avocados
  • The juice of 1/2 a lemon
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil (or clarified butter)
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds (brown seeds are preferable, but golden will do.)
  • 2 small shallots, diced
  • 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1.5 teaspoons Indian curry powder
  • 1 small serrano chile, seeds removed and finely minced

Instructions

  1. Cut each avocado in half, and remove the pit. Scoop the flesh into a small bowl. Gently mash the avocado with the lemon juice, salt, pepper, and most of the cilantro. Don’t over-mash, as the dip is supposed to be rather chunky. Set aside.
  2. In a skillet, heat the coconut oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add in the mustard seeds. Cook the mustard seeds for 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn them. (Note: mustard seeds pop and jump while cooking, so you may want to place a lid on the skillet for this part.) Next, add in the minced shallots and allow to cook for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the garlic, curry powder, and diced serrano. Add in the avocado mixture, and give everything a quick stir. Remove from heat.
  3. Transfer to a serving bowl. Taste, and adjust seasonings as needed. (I like to add a bit of extra lemon juice at the end). Sprinkle the last of the cilantro on top. Serve with tortilla chips, pita, vegetables, crackers, etc.

Notes

Adapted from Super Natural Every Day

http://rosemarried.co/2014/03/14/grown-guacamole-avocado-dip-mustard-seeds-serrano-curry-powder/

African Peanut Stew with Collard Greens

This is the perfect meal for a dreary January day.

The peanut stew full of flavor and spice. It’s hearty, but it isn’t heavy. It is simple and comforting, full of protein and leafy greens. The dish is vegan, but it doesn’t lack in richness or flavor. It just works, on so many levels.

I honestly think I could eat this stew every day for the rest of my life, and I would die a happy woman.

It is truly that good.

Give it a try, I dare you.

African Peanut Stew | Rosemarried

African Peanut Stew with Collard Greens

Ingredients

  • 4-5 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 medium red onion, chopped
  • 1 small knob of ginger, peeled and finely diced
  • 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
  • Salt, to taste
  • 1 bunch hearty greens (such as collard greens, kale, or chard), chopped into thin strips.
  • 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (organic, no sugar added)
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1 cup canned fire roasted tomatoes (diced)
  • Sriracha, to taste
  • Cilantro, for garnish
  • Roughly chopped peanuts, for garnish.

Instructions

  1. In a Dutch oven or large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high head. Cook the red onion and garlic for 3-4 minutes, until translucent. Add in ginger, and stir into the mixture. Cook for 1 minute more. Add in 4 cups of vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 15-20 minutes.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter and tomato paste. Pour in 1 cup of hot stock to the bowl, and whisk together. Add another half cup of hot stock and whisk until smooth. Then, pour the peanut mixture into the pot. Mix well. Stir in the canned tomatoes and collard greens. Allow to cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes or until mixture has reduced and is thick and creamy. (If the mixture is too thick, cut with a bit more vegetable stock.) Season with salt and Sriracha to taste.
  3. Serve over brown rice and garnish with chopped cilantro and peanuts.

http://rosemarried.co/2014/01/14/african-peanut-stew-collard-greens/

Adapted from Cookie and Kate.

Curried Potato Salad

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t planning on posting this recipe.

(I’m not sure what my problem was, since this potato salad is really damn delicious.)

It’s just that potato salad is a funny thing. It’s not a particularly sexy dish, it’s a bit kitschy and old fashioned, and it certainly doesn’t look good in photographs. But good grief, it sure tastes great. But it doesn’t matter how Stepford-wife I feel when I show up to a BBQ with a bowl full of potato salad, it always gets eaten. Every last bite.

My girlfriends all implored me to post this recipe on the blog, despite the fact that it photographs like an ugly, yellow bowl of mush. (It doesn’t taste like an ugly bowl of mush, I promise.) I’ve always loved the combination of curry and potatoes, and it works just as well in this context. This potato salad somehow still tastes like the one you remember from your childhood, but with more adult flavors: curry, cilantro, and cumin.

Since Memorial Day is right around the corner, it does seem like an appropriate time to post a recipe for the ultimate BBQ side dish. Funny enough, I’m actually making this potato salad for my family’s Memorial Day BBQ, which means I’ll make this recipe 3 times in one week. Thankfully, I happen to really like this salad. And I kind of can’t wait to eat it again.

If you’re looking for something to eat alongside a giant bowl of potato salad on Memorial Day, check out my “What to Eat: Grill Edition” over at Plate & Pitchfork’s blog. I posted a little bit of everything – grilled kebabs, pizzas, veggies, meats, and more!

Happy Memorial Day weekend, everyone!

CURRIED POTATO SALAD

Ingredients:
6-10 small Yukon Gold potatoes (or other small waxy potato), cut into 1″ or 2″ cubes (skins left on)
1/4 cup Greek Yogurt
1.5 Tablespoons mayo (I used Kewpie mayo)
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt & pepper to taste
2-3 stalks celery, diced
1 small shallot, finely diced
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

Method:
Bring a medium-large pot of water to a boil. Carefully add the cubed potatoes to the water and allow to simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft and cooked all the way through. (I test them with a fork or knife tip after 15 minutes).

Once the potatoes are cooked, drain the hot water using a colander or strainer. Rinse the potatoes with cold water and set aside to continue cooling. (Optional: I like to sprinkle a bit of red wine vinegar over the potatoes at this time, as it absorbs into the potatoes and gives them an extra tang.)

In a small bowl, mix together the yogurt, mayo, red wine vinegar, curry powder, coriander, cumin, and salt and pepper. Taste, and adjust seasonings to your liking. Set aside.

Once the potatoes have cooled to room temperature, gently toss them with the diced shallots and celery. Gently stir in the yogurt mixture, to coat. Once the potatoes are coated in the yogurt mixture, gently stir in the chopped cilantro. Chill in the refrigerator for at least a half an hour before serving. Just prior to serving, garnish with more fresh cilantro and a dash of curry powder.