Bring Out Your Inner Punjabi! Recipes for Spicy Nights. "Vegan Indian Cooking" by Anupy Singla. Cooked Vs. Raw Broccoli. Chop Your Broccoli!

Bhindi Masala (crackling okra).  Besan Poora (gluten free chickpea flour bread).  Methi Palak Aloo (Fenugreek Spinach Potatoes).  All from "Vegan Indian Cooking".

Vegan Indian Cooking: 140 Simple and Healthy Vegan Recipes

You guys know how much I loved Anupy's first book, "Indian Slow Cooker".  Nearly all the recipes were vegan & easily oil free.  Gluten Free.  Delicious.  Well, her second book is equally as amazing & all types of recipes! I have already blogged about a few of the dishes I have made, but included my Amazon review just to give a general idea of the entire book.

Punjabi Style Cabbage Recipe Here.  (Band Gobi)

My Amazon Review:

You NEED this book in your life.I just got this book a week ago, and have made at least a dozen recipes so far! I didn't think I could love any Vegan Style Indian book more than her first one (The Indian Slow Cooker), but this is just as great! SO excited about this ALL VEGAN book!! So many veggies including kale, okra, sweet potatoes, cabbage. Soups & Breads. Salads that sound amazing-think spicy fruits, carrots, daikons! Slow Cooker & Stovetop recipes. Can't wait to make the South Indian Crepes. The dishes are already very healthy with emphasis on whole foods & dried beans. Anupy uses small amounts of oil and salt. I have found that you can skip both of those and still have great food. Last night we had the Kale Pizza breads-a super quick snack. Oh, and it has Anupy's best on the planet Chai recipe. And the drink section includes Iced Coffee & Green Drinks-for those of us who don't just do one or the other! Very inexpensive on Amazon and a lifetime of Indian food. Ingredients are inexpensive. Now should I whip up another dish with the cabbage before hubby comes home....decisions.....

Fenugreek Spinach Potatoes.  Look for Methi at your Indian Food store.  Dried version is easiest to find.

Just a few of the recipes I have tried so far....Besan Poora (Chickpea Flour Crepes), Street Corn Salad, Jeera Aloo (Cumin Potato Hash), Punjabi Khardi (Chickpea Flour Curry with Veggies), Band Gobi (Punjabi Style Cabbage), Samosas, Cabbage with Mustard Seeds and Coconut, Methi Palak Aloo (Fenugreek Spinach Potatoes), Bhindi Masala (Crackling Okra), Sweet and Sour Potatoes, Spicy Plantains, Jeera Chawal (Cumin Rice), Tofu Curry, Mock Keema, Masala Tofu Scramble, Chickpea Poppers...

I made this with zero added oil & zero salt.  Of course you can add salt to your taste.  But I find that Indian food is so rich in flavor, that I don't really miss it. 

Looking forward to trying the homemade yogurt (vegan of course!), Dosas, Spice Mixes, Chai, Chana & Split Moong Dal with Pepper Flakes, Panchratna Dal (5 lentil stew), Brown Rice and Adzuki Bean Dhokla, Tandoori Tempeh, Pomegranate Chaat, Tofu Pakora, South Indian Tomato and Tamarind Soup, Mattar Paneer, Curried Winter Melon, Lemon Brown Rice, and the list continues. Chutneys, Breads, Salads, Legumes, Dips.

Next Up: Bhindi Masala. 

Gluten Free Chickpea Flour Crepe.

Fenugreek, Spinach, Potatoes.

Curried Tofu.

OH. Fabulous thing about slow cooking is that you cut up all those great things like cabbage, garlic, onions, etc...and then it takes time for the slow cooker to heat. This is perfect because that way we actually get those immunity boosting compounds out of the food. Either eat them raw or cut them up and let sit for 40 minutes. This book has both slow cooked & stovetop. And it seems like every ingredient is a REAL superfood. Affordable, everyday superfoods.

Eat your medicine!! Cumin, Fenugreek, Chiles, Lemons, Ginger, Cilantro, Mustard, Onions, Garlic, Cardamom, Cloves, and more. All touted to be supernaturally high in antioxidants & healing powers...........Side Effects? A Belly Full of Healthy Food!

     Lay Flat Binding makes it so inviting. And Anupy spells all the "Indian Jargon" out, making it simple for first timers to flirt......

Flirt all you like, but I am ALL in!! Husband VERY happy with his Spicy Nights! (Obviously, you can adjust the spices.....But I'm experienced :)

Mushrooms & Peas. Yum!!

From NutritionFacts.Org

We all hear about "the enzymes", right?  Tim VanOrden was the first person (followed up by evidence outlined in Brenda Davis's book) that alerted me to the fact that raw foods are truly better for us because of what we are NOT getting.  The PAH's, the AGE's, and other nasty stuff that happens to our food (and the toxins on it), when exposed to heat.  Not to discredit the "enzyme" theories, and both may be true.  However, we have real scientific evidence regarding AGE's and PAH's and not as much about Prana or a consensus on what happens when food hits our gut.  However, the raw fooders seem to be "right" about the enzymes on certain foods.  And in that group"  Cruciferous Veggies.  You know those "C" fighters?  Well they may not fight the "C" very much, UNLESS prepared properly.  Bummer, because NO ONE I know cuts their broccoli and waits 40 minutes prior to preparation. 

Summary of the Video Above

• Sulforaphane is basically inactivated by cooking.  So the good stuff in your cruciferous veggies.......well, steaming doesn't give the most bang for your buck. 
• One would have to eat 10 cups of cooked broccoli to get the same amount of sulforaphane in 1 cup of raw broccoli.
• OR you can Chop the Raw Broccoli up first, then wait 40 minutes for the enzymes to do their thing, and then you can "cook the heck out of it".  (But who does this??)
• PreChopped Broccoli might be better than the florets, because it has been chopped up & the enzymes have done their job already.
• And in another part of Dr G's Video Series, we learn that Broccoli Sprouts are the cheapest way to get your broccoli!

Punjabi Style Cabbage (Band Gobi) from "Vegan Indian Cooking" book. Gluten Free Chickpea Flour Crepes (Besan Poora). Vegan "ChickFilet" Recipe from PETA. Jane Velez Mitchell, Walmart, Cruelty. Steven Colbert on Dogfighting, CongressMan Steve King, and D-bags.

Punjabi Style Cabbage Recipe Here.  (Band Gobi)

I must have made at least a dozen recipes from this book, "Vegan Indian Cooking" by Anupy Singla, since it first arrived on my doorstep.  Love this one because cabbage is so healthy and also incredibly cheap, even organic.

Vegan Indian Cooking: 140 Simple and Healthy Vegan Recipes

Finished Punjabi Cabbage.  So delicious!

Ingredients for Chickpea Flour Crepes. 

Besan Poora

Think they should be thin crepes, in/on which you can scoop up your dals, chutneys, or whatever other delight you may have in front of you.  I made them thicker because of my attempts at making without much oil and also I really stink at making anything resembling pancakes.

Love that  Bob's has Certified Gluten Free products-not everything, but a decent line.

I made these in a cast iron pan, just because it resists burning that way.  First attempted with zero oil, but then I had to add a touch, just to get the pan oiled a bit.  If you have some spectacular, green, safe non stick type of cookware-then you could probably do it sin oil.

Seitan (Or Gluten Free Tempeh) Mulligatawny Soup

Link to Seitan Mulligatawny Soup post, from "Vegan Indian Cooking"

Other News:

 CNN on Walmart Pork Supplier-with Jane Velez Mitchell

Jane Velez Mitchell, fellow vegan, is unafraid to tackle the big stuff.  No one would touch these types of stories years ago, but with social media and increased awareness, it is now becoming actually "okay" to discus this.  Of course "they" want to make laws that make it illegal to photograph factory farms, and of course do any type of undercover work.  So no photos of the farms please folks, but apparently in the states anyone with any type of mental record or hate group involvement can buy any type of gun/assault weapon.  What I love is that you can't grow sustainable hemp, say anything about the agricultural industry that would affect their profit, or not wear seatbelts in your car.  But green light on the guns.  We are very pragmatic people.

Vegan Chick-fil-a CopyCat sandwich from PETA recipe.

If wanna be Vegans, Wanna be Cholesterol Free Sandwich eaters, Fast Food Addicts, or people who are boycotting the "Eat More Cock" place want a "Chicken Sandwich"-this link is for you. Vegans always boycott Chick-fil-a because of the suffering they cause animals.  So we didn't alter any routines in either direction for the hoopla about "traditional" marriage.  From what I can tell, "traditional" means marriage between a man and a woman.  The man spends hours a day surfing online porn, tweets his privates, gets hookers across the state lines, has multiple mistresses, and hanging out at lesbian bondage clubs on the RNC's dime.  Traditional Marriage of Politicians.  So obviously, all other marriage is flat out wrong.  

 And another Jane Velez Mitchell spot.  Yes.  The ChickenDisaster again.  What is so ridiculous about all of this is that we have a lot of issues going on in our country (U.S.) and that most Americans don't ever protest anything.  But that the largest "protest" that I have seen in awhile, across that nation, that is actually publicized (Democracy Now not included)-is to eat fast food for a day.  It's like drunks "protesting" a vote by drinking a bottle of JB.  But fried chicken suddenly makes everyone an activist.  I think Weight Watchers should have just had free signups right there-to work the line.  Or maybe Dr. Oz could have done his surprise "checks" and get some vitals on the protestors.  Slightly apathetic if "protesting" in the States is to eat at a fast food joint.

And Steven Colbert on Steve King, who appears to be a major D-bag and not really have an issue on dogfighting.  Because as humans, we don't have the ability to want to reduce the suffering of people and OTHER animals.  

The Colbert Report

Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

Vegan Black Forest Burger Recipe from "Vegan Indian Cooking: Fifty Simple and Healthy Vegan Recipes" from Anupy Singla

Kala Chana-Mega Protein Packed Pellets.  Black Chickpeas.  Getting prepped to make "Black Forest Burgers", a delightful "Indian Burger" from Anupy Singla's upcoming book "Vegan Indian Cooking". And Anupy said to go ahead and post the recipe!  So you guys can make out of this world Indian Burgers too!!  The new book is available for pre-order as well-link below!

Buy The Indian Slow Cooker Book
A "must have" for any Vegan that loves Indian food. 
This is Anupy's first book.  Nearly ALL vegan and can be made with zero oil!

Vegan Indian Cooking: Fifty Simple and Healthy Vegan Recipes

Her next book will be all vegan.  But not all slow cooking.  Even though the slow cooker book has a couple of meat recipes in it, I would still buy it.  It is by far the most often used book in my kitchen.  Whether I am eating cooked or raw-it makes it a cinch to whip something up with ingredients I keep on my shelves and "normal produce".

These burgers use Desi Chickpea Flour-so a great gluten free option.  Obviously, if celiac you would have to check to make sure is was manufactured gluten free.  But a lovely flour to use instead of "grain" flour!

Locally grown rice?  Yep.  Okay, it's not "Authentic Indian" and actually I don't normally buy this type.  However, we were at the "local" store, and it was organic and basmati.  A bit pricer.  But if you are looking for more local options, then it's a great buy.

The colors are great.  It just LOOKS super healthy!!

Beet, Onion, Cabbage, Sweet Potato, Ginger.

Garam Masala, Turmeric, Red Chilli Powder (NOT Mexican!), Coriander, and Coursely ground salt.

Food Processor..........Love that Indian dishes are so healthy and also super economical.  Even if you buy all organic, rice, beans, cabbages, and potatoes are just really inexpensive.  It does not have to cost more to eat healthier.  Yes, if you buy packaged organic foods or you buy organic cauliflower out of season, but if you just pay attention to the prices and buy what it on sale.  And shop in the produce and bulk aisles, it really works out okay.

Vivid Burger Mix!

I think every healing spice that Dr. Oz, Chopra, or Weil ever brags about is in this bowl!  And WAY cheaper and more delicious than your standard HMO.

I didn't "overmix".  Love that there are still some chunks in there.  And the dough was pretty easy with which to work.  

Love the cast iron skillet for this kind of stuff.  If you use oil, then thicker skillets like this tend to allow you to use less.  

Browning nicely.

These got rave reviews from my hubby and both my folks.   

Black Forest Burger

Makes about 8 - 10 patties, about 3 inches in diameter

2 cups cooked black chickpeas (kala chana) or black beans 

2 cups cooked brown rice

1/8 cup oil

1 cup chickpea flour (sifted if possible)

1/2 cup chopped kale, beet greens, or other deep green leafy vegetable

1/4 cup cilantro, minced

1/2 cup uncooked yam or sweet potato, peeled and grated

1/2 cup beets, raw, peeled and grated (about 2 small)

1/2 cup red cabbage, grated

1/2 small red onion, minced

1-inch ginger, peeled and grated

1 tablespoon coarse sea salt 

1 tablespoon coriander powder

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 teaspoon red chile powder

2 teaspoons garam masala

oil for cooking

1. In a food processor grind together the chickpeas or beans, rice, and oil until well mixed and blended. Add the chickpea flour 1/2 cup at a time. Add the kale or other greens and process until smooth. Remove into a deep bowl. 
2. Mix in remaining fresh ingredients (it’s best done by hand).  After mixed, add in the spices and again mix until blended.   
3. Make small balls with your hands and flatten them into patties and set aside on a tray. 
4. Lightly oil a griddle or frying pan and heat patties until browned on both sides over medium heat. Cook patties about 4 - 5 minutes on both sides. It helps to put a lid on the pan and occasionally press down on the patties with a spatula to allow them to cook through. Alternatively, these veggie patties are hearty enough that you can also cook them on a grill.

And in Rescue News!  More short videos of the dogs Gateway Pet Guradians (www.gatewaypets.com) feeds in East St. Louis.  Feeds, Rescues, etc...

2 minutes with Savvy.  Super pregnant and about ready to burst!  But A wonderful Ms. U was able to get her that evening and now Savvy is being super spoiled and will be giving birth anyday now.  She was too far along to get spayed.  Horton is the father of these puppies.

I have been a miserable human person and not been remotely active at all lately!! However, Pj said Blondie needed some exercise so I felt like I should help Blondie out.  And of course, you always get more in return.  And Blondie has helped me out by getting my butt out of the house and doing some running (okay, jogging!) again!  2 minute clip.

These guys are regulars.  We basically need fosters for all of them.

2 minutes 20 seconds.

2 1/2 minutes with RaRa.  I wish RaRa could find a perfect foster.  Someone without other dogs or with a submissive male.  Also, she is going to be a shy one with a new person.  She is super sweet.

Lloyd is getting to be an old man on the streets.  Whitney Kissed Pj the other day!!

I am thrilled to tell you that Tommy, Tommy's Kitty AND the Siamese were rescued.  They will be looking for forever homes soon!  But Mr. Tux and a few of his friends are still at this house. 90 seconds of kitties.