Vegan Pink Curry Recipe With Red Beets

Finding something to make for lunch that we can all eat safely, and that fits our different lifestyle choices can be challenging. So I like to experiment not only with different techniques, but also with flavors. which sometimes works, other times ends in total disaster – oh well. This recipe was inspired by my search through German vegan blogs, where someone used a lot of red beets, sometimes in combination with Indian flavors. Which in turn sparked my creativity, and made me come up with this now  family -tested and approved, Pink Curry Recipe With Red Beets. (I love cooking with coconut milk!)

 

Pink Curry Recipe With Red Beets.

 (feeds 2 hungry people) You will need:

1 large or 2 small fresh red beets, cleaned, peeled and diced into small cubes

1 medium size leek, cut into thin rings

1 small onion, finely diced

3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into bite size pieces

1 can of organic coconut milk (our can was 13 oz)

2 cups of veggie stock – use your favorite kind

salt, pepper and curry powder to taste – I like it a little spicier, so i tend to add more curry and pepper, but how much is totally up to you.

Olive oil

Instructions:

Add olive oil, leeks, and onions into the pan, cook until translucent. Add the veggie stock, potatoes, beets, coconut milk and spices, stirring well to combine. Bring to a simmer. Add more spices if necessary. Cook at medium heat for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until all vegetables are done, stirring often during the cooking process.

Serve hot.

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Simple, isn’t it? Yet it has such a wonderful combination of earthy flavors, and powerful spices that made it so delicious, even my husband, who is a dedicated meat-eater did not have a choice but to enjoy. A perfect recipe for anyday, or your Meatless Monday meals.

Have a wonderful, and healthy day!

Claudia

 

P.S. No time to shop and plan a meal? Check out SunBasket’s Vegetarian Menu for this week here! Includes a yummy Lentil dish, that is absolutely delicious and soy free! Also available are gluten-free, and paleo meal options. Find out more here

 

 

 

5 Reasons To Make Your Own Spice Mixes

Ever thought about making your own spice mixes? Thought that this was a little too daunting of a task? Think again. Creating herb and spice mixes is easy, inexpensive and efficient, as well as a fun activity you can do together with your kids.

But besides that it is a creative activity, that goes beyond a home economics lesson, it is also a great way to keep artificial by-products out of your families reach.

Do you have family members with food allergies and chronic diseases, like I do? Then you really should consider making your own mixes.

 

Allow me to present to you 5 reasons why you should make your own spice mixes

1. Store bought mixes contain modified starch which is often derived from GMO sources (not always), used a thickening agent

2. There are also hidden sugars – does anyone really need more sugar in their diet? The answer is surely no, especially when you or someone in your family deals with diabetes or other chronic illnesses

3. Store brands as well as national brands contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils – GMO derived trans fats from various sources, such as soybean oil, do I need to say more?

4. They contain MSG – MSG can be hidden under other names.

5. Often contains Hidden gluten – a dangerous situation for anyone with celiac disease

But where to find recipes? You can borrow my “Mixing Spices” book for free on Amazon Kindle Unlimited! A no-nonsense collection of mixes, which contains no fillers, unlike store brand ready-mixes. My recipes range from Taco Season to Goulash, and more adventurous recipes, that are easy to replicate, without the need for weird and crazy ingredients you can find anywhere.

Get it on Amazon now!

 

 

Store your spice creations in these beautiful containers, for an airtight seal.

Magnetic Steel Spice Rack by Home Basics, available on Amazon now! 

 

 

 

If you are looking for a non-expensive, but effective spice grinder, I highly recommend this little powerhouse:

Krups Coffee And Spice Grinder available on Amazon now!

 

 

 

 

The above blog post is a part of the following blog hops:

Share With Me

 

Winter Blues Wednesday

Inspire Me Wednesday

Talk Of The Town

The Creative Board

A Gift I Did Not Know I Needed – Herb Scissors

 

Disclaimer: The following post is a sponsored post and contains affiliate links. I received the item for free in return for an honest review. See disclosure page for details

We use a lot of herbs and spices in our daily life. From making our own spice mixes to creating our own tea blends, making our own sauces, and cooking for friends, I spent a lot of time cutting up rosemary and chives, basil and oregano. While a proper kitchen knife is a fine enough tool to get the herbs and spices needed in a proper size, it is not as convenient and fast as the Five-Layered Herb Scissors from Marky Products. Armed with that surprisingly heavy, sturdy and sharp tool, I “cut” my prep time to a few seconds, slicing through anything needed to make the perfect spaghetti sauce and all of the fresh herbs needed for our salad dressings.

Five-Bladed Herb Scissors from Marky Products

Yes, the herbs get stuck in between the five blades, but thankfully the product comes with a small, green “comb”, which cleans between each blade, making the cleanup also a quick action. The five-layered herb scissors are one of those products, I did not know, I needed until it arrived at my doorstep.

Let me give you a quick review summary:

Pro:

1.  Sturdy, heavy duty scissors, that are easy to handle and feel comfortable in my hands.

2. the scissors are comfortable for both right and left-handed people (me), as well as people with bigger hands (my husband)

3. Cuts the cooking prep down to a fraction of the time

4. cleans easy,  due to the cleaning tool included with the scissor purchase

Con:

1. the cleaning tool is another little thing that is easily lost in an already full gadget drawer. It would be even better if the cleaning tool would attach somehow to the scissors for a more convenient storage.

Overall I highly recommend the Five-layer herb scissors from Marky Products as a great addition to a household that cooks a lot, and is into clean, fresh cooking that includes a lot of fresh herbs.

You can purchase the useful herb scissors on Amazon today, and get free two-day shipping with Amazon Prime!

Saffron – An A to Z Challenge Post

S is for Saffron:

The world’s most expensive spice, this highly valued culinary addition is so powerful that only a few strands are needed to flavor and color an entire dish. Most imported saffron originates from Spain. The ground variety loses its flavor and is often not real saffron.

Matches well with: risotto, soup, tomatoes, mussels, paella and rice

Healing properties: effective in treating mild Alzheimer’s, appetite suppressor, anti-depressant

Magical Properties: healing, love, and to control the weather. Keep saffron sachets in your home to bring happiness. 

If you enjoyed this post, why not check out my book “Mixing Spices: A Flavorful Guide To Creating Awesome Herb And Spice Mixes” available on Amazon now.

Quassia – An A to Z Challenge Post

Q is for Quassia

Quassia or Jamaican wood is often added to sodas and bitters, but should be approached with caution. While it has been used as a digestive and to treat anorexia, it has reduced fertility in animal studies.

Used as a contact insecticide as well (which makes you second guess drinking a soda containing this stuff). It is also effective in killing mosquito larvae in ponds, while not harming the fish.

This post was a part of the A to Z Blogging challenge. If you have not checked out some of the wonderful bloggers who are participating, you have missed out. Find them here and on Twitter under the hashtag #AtoZChallenge, and send them some love!

If you enjoyed this blog, please like it and share it with your friends!

Nettle – An A to Z Challenge Post

N is for Nettle:

This herb is a powerhouse both culinary as well as medicinal, that is often overlooked by the general public. Nettles, or stinging nettles should be pre-cooked, unless you use them as a tea, and be handled with gloves at all times. The younger the leaves, the more tender the result, which will be similar to that of spinach.

Matches well with: cheese, cream, tomatoes, eggs and onions

Healing Properties: In Germany, this herb is valued highly for its healing powers, sold there as an herbal drug to aid in the relief of rheumatoid arthritis. Its power lies also in relieving symptoms of allergies, without all of the side effects that standard medication brings with it. External uses include skin problems, gout, neuralgia, and hair problems. I drink this tea personally to prevent symptoms of my chronic anemia.

Magical properties: strengthens willpower. If sprinkled around the home, it wards off negativity.

If you enjoyed this post on Nettle, why not check out my book

“Mixing Spices: A Flavorful Guide to Creating Awesome Herb and Spice Mixes”

on Amazon Kindle today! 

Ginger – An A to Z Challenge Blog Post

G is for Ginger:

Did you know that it takes 9 months for ginger to reach maturity? Not until the flowers appear, the tops have begun to die, is the ginger ready to be harvested.

Matches well with: chicken, chocolate, fruit, rice and tomatoes

Healing Properties: aids against nausea, colic, menstrual cramps, travel sickness and bloating. More recently it has been also used for joint problems, due to its anti-inflammatory properties

Magical uses: personal confidence, prosperity and success. A very powerful token, that can be used in amulets, mojo or medicine bags to strengthen and for protection

The following video shows how easy it is to make a Lemon-Ginger-Honey base for a healthy tea, that aids you with relieving cold symptoms.

If you enjoyed this post, check out my book

“Mixing Spices – A Flavorful Guide To Creating Awesome Herb And Spice Mixes”

Available Now!

Fennel – An A to Z Challenge Post

F is for Fennel

Fennel looks like a mixture between celery and dill, the thick layers of the stem end in thin dill-like leaves, but it taste like neither, more often referred to as “sweet-anise” in flavor. Often used in mediterranean cooking, the base and stems can also be eaten raw.

Matches well with: sausages, cabbage, garlic, figs, potatoes and seafood

Healing properties: a mild appetite suppressant, it is also used to treat asthma, heartburn and high blood pressure. Often included in cough remedies for its ability to aid with respiratory congestion.

Magical properties: often hung at windows and doors to ward off evil. Used in spells for protection and healing.

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Dill – An A To Z Challenge Blog Post

D is for Dill

Very popular in Mediterranean and European cuisine, magnifies the flavor intensity of vegetables and chicken, also used in sauces. Dill pickles are, of course, one of the first things, many will  think of when hearing dill, but the herb is actually a much more versatile than that. Do not use in too large quantities, as it has a rather intense flavor and will overpower any other herb or spice you add to your dish.

Matches well with: Fish, cucumbers, yogurt and dairy in general.

Healing properties: can reduce headaches, and aids in the production of breast milk, calms irritability

Magical Properties: money (seeds), protection and luck. Also used in love charms.

Here is a little video on how to make a dill dip for vegetables

If you enjoy my little insights into the world of Herb and Spices, why not check out my book “Mixing Spices: A Flavorful Guide To Creating Awesome Herb and Spice Mixes” now available on Amazon Kindle!

Bay Leaf – An A to Z Challenge Blog Post

B – Bay Leaf

There are two different types of bay leaves, the more narrow-leaved California, and the broader, more oval shaped Turkish version of the plant, the latter being the stronger one in flavor.

Matches well with: beans, lentils tomatoes, soups, risotto and shellfish

Healing properties: Infusions of this herb  can soothe the stomach, relieve flatulence as well as colic pain.

Magical uses: used  to enhance psychic ability, often added to a dream pillow. Also used in exorcism and for banishing, as well as for getting people out of your life, that you need to let go off.

Happy Release Day Everyone! 

Today, “Mixing Spices – A Flavorful Guide to Creating Awesome Herb and Spice Mixes” is available on Amazon Kindle for only 2.99 US$

>>>>>> Check it out here! <<<<<<