Recipe: Potato and Fenugreek Stuffed Naan

If you’re like me you probably assumed that even if you could make regular naan (which I do on occasion) that stuffed naan was a bridge too far. This recipe made it super simple and while the original has you grilling them lightly while coated in oil/butter, I actually made these for Thanksgiving so I simply baked them in the oven so I wouldn’t have to babysit a pan. The dough rolls out perfect and not sticky at all. In the future though I think I’ll add some cheese and more spice!

Potato and Fenugreek Stuffed Naan

Adapted from Playful Cooking

Recipe: Cauliflower and Chickpea Coconut Curry

This is such an easy and delicious curry. It is incidentally vegan as well, it’s gluten free, I think it might be accidentally paleo – really it’s good for everyone doing every diet except for low carbs (though you could eat it by itself without the rice and it’s probably good for that too). It made about 6 servings and I was more than happy to eat all of them myself but I did have to share so I see a repeat of this recipe next month!

Cauliflower and Chickpea Coconut Curry

Recipe: Roasted Tomato Soup

This is your very super basic tomato soup. It’s earthy and comforting and warm. I’m always skeptical of vegan dishes but despite not having any dairy (yes, no butter or cream!) the texture of the soup is creamy and thick. I accidentally had a bit of a heavy hand on the red pepper flakes but when enjoyed with a crusty piece of bread the extra spice was just right.

Roasted Tomato Soup

Adapted from Get Off Your Tush and Cook

Recipe: Pizza Bites

This is a great lunch recipe. It’s quick, easy to make, you can add anything you like in to it and you can even make a few different flavors for different people (if you have fussy people in your house). I make mine with onion, peppers, and mushroom but feel free to use any of your favorite pizza toppings even pineapples and ham just make sure any meat you used it cooked and that any toppings are cut in to small pieces.

Pizza Bites

Adapted from Little B Cooks

Recipe: Easy Baked French Fries

The potatoes do have to soak before you bake them so there is a 30 minute wait and the 30 minute cooking time makes less very less convenient than their frozen counterparts but they’re delicious and taste and feel just like they were fried without all the extra fat and oil needed to fry. They also take only 2-3 minutes of active work, mostly just chopping up a potato.

Easy Baked French Fries

Recipe: Summer Risotto

In most places the summer is too warm to stand over a stove making risotto for 20-30 minutes, but thankfully it’s pretty cool in Seattle and on the right weekend this is a perfect was to celebrate the flavors of the summer in a delicious and simple dish. I used regular rice since arborio rice is a bit pricey, but the dish has the same soul as a real risotto I feel.

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Summer Risotto

1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
8 oz peas (fresh or frozen)
2 zucchini, cut into 1″ pieces
1 tbsp butter
3 to 4 cups vegetable broth
1/2 cup finely chopped shallots
1 cup rice
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
salt and black pepper, to taste

  1. Heat 2 tsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet. Saute the zucchini and summer squash until just starting to brown, about 7 minutes. Set aside.
  2. In a medium pot, bring the vegetable broth to a simmer. Add the remaining tbsp of olive oil to the pan. Over medium heat, saute the shallots until tender, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add the rice and saute for 1 minute, constantly stirring. Add 1 cup of the simmering vegetable broth, stirring continuously until almost all of it evaporates. Add another 1/2 cup of the broth and stir until it evaporates. Repeat with remaining broth until rice is tender and cooked through, reserving 1/4 cup of broth.
  4. Add the veggies to the pan and cook for one minute or until heated through. Remove from the heat and stir in the reserved 1/4 cup broth, parmesan cheese, chives, lemon zest, lemon juice, and better. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Source: Eats Well With Others

Bento: Delicious Dinner

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Technically this isn’t a bento but it was too good of a meal not to post. This was our dinner last Sunday: a very simple mac and cheese, some seared peas with lemon and mint and of course, sweet potato fries (with my special blend of spicy ground peppers on top for an extra exciting kick!)

Recipe: Miso Udon Soup

This is the perfect after work food. It’s fast, one pot, cheap with little prep and practically no mess. Using fresh udon (found in the refrigerator section in most international supermarkets) it becomes a completely no fuss meal but you can substitute fresh noodles for dried one in a pinch though carefully follow directions on the dry noodles before adding them to the soup. You can add just about any vegetable to this and any mix of miso you like. I prefer red for a hearty soup with a bold flavor though shiro miso make a milder soup that many enjoy.

Miso Udon Soup

Adapted from Steam Kitchen