Out with the old, In with the new !!

We are two days shy from the New Year! I cannot believe how fast this year flew by. I know, I know we all say that every single year BUT somehow 2012 went by really fast! and what a year it was!!

Freaky Curry is packing it’s bags and traveling overseas in a bit here. Before I left, I wanted to take a minute and recap the wonderful year Freaky Curry has had. I wanted to thank you all for the overwhelming support and love for me and my passion. I also want to acknowledge all my friends and family for humoring me while I “grew” and “matured” in my art. 🙂 Without you all, this wouldn’t have been possible. So…..

Thank you!! 

Before we go “Out with the old, In with the new..” Let’s do a quick recap of 2012!! 

(Trust me when I say that I couldn’t find a way to post the thousands and thousands of pics taken)


                     

See, what I mean!! 2012 was a blast! I can’t wait to see what 2013 holds for Freaky Curry.. I hope it’s something related to food and having a good time 🙂

Quoting from my favorite poem really apt for beginning a New Year,

And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere, 
And gie’s a hand o’ thine, 
And we’ll tak a right guid willie-waught 

For auld lang syne!

For auld lang syne, my dear 
For auld lang syne, 
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet 
For auld lang syne!

Translation:

And there is a hand, my trusty friend, 
And give us a hand of yours, 
And we will take a goodwill drink (of ale) 
For times gone by!



For times gone by, my dear 
For times gone by,
We will take a cup of kindness yet 
For times gone by.




And whatever your tradition is to ring in the New Year, Whether it is black eyed peas, cooked collards, tangerines or a shot of whiskey….

Always remember; Food is a great leveler; Respect it, Cherish it, Share it. 

I wish you and yours health, hope and a presence of mind because everything else will follow. 

Happy New Year! 


  
Please “like” Freaky Curry on Facebook to get updates on 2013 Cooking classes and recipes.

Christmas 2012

Quoting from my post last year on Christmas. 
Growing up, Christmas was a huge huge part of our lives. My dad being in the Indian Army, we got to travel a lot. Every two to three years we would just pack our bags and MOVE. My siblings and I really had the privilege of growing up in a very diverse environment. You’ll be surprised when I tell you how diverse a country like India can be. 28 states and counting, more than 15 languages.. I can’t keep up.. 🙂
My parents growing up made sure that we celebrated ALL festivals irrespective of whether they were a religious celebration or a cultural one. This is something that my husband and I follow as well as we raise our son. We celebrate all festivals with a lot of vigor and enthusiasm but I have to say, my favorite is Christmas. 🙂
Christmas day at our house is rather low key as compared to the rest of the holidays year around which kind of works out perfectly. It normally starts with some of us waking up real early and patiently waiting for every body to get downstairs and having their first cup of coffee or tea. Then it starts with a MAJOR discussion around whether we should open the presents first or eat breakfast. (Lifelong challenge in our lives!!).
After that dilemma is solved, all the presents are opened and we are stuffed, it’s about lazying around and just being. Just being together. Just being there with each other, around TOGETHER.  And then of course lunch ensues 🙂
I don’t know why that is but I just feel like Christmas is my holiday. It’s a religious holiday which I am totally aware of 🙂 but I feel there is more to it. It’s about togetherness, it’s about counting your blessings, it’s about a new tomorrow, it’s about hope and happiness and sharing. It’s about family and food.
See I told you, my holiday 🙂
So whatever reason it is that you celebrate this holiday (well, if you do) I wish you togetherness. I wish you a new and a better tomorrow. I wish you enough blessings that you get tired of counting. Most above all, I wish you health, hope and a presence of mind. Because everything else will follow.
Merry Christmas.

This year’s goodies !
Red currants bread pudding with
a bourbon and brown sugar glaze!
Rack o’ lamb with homemade fig chutney!
“Uptown” devilled eggs! Southern classic with a twist..
Crab meat, roasted chillies, capers and garam masala.

http://freakycurry.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-2011.html

Roasted cumin black bean soup !

Served with a side of three herbs pesto rubbed baked cauliflower crown.
Easy and figure friendly!

Recipe: To serve 4 generously
1 pound of black beans (or 2 cans)
(If using dry beans, soak them overnight in some hot water. Rinse. Pressure cook them with a cup of water for 10-12 minutes or cook them in salted water for 30-40 minutes till fork tender. Reserve the cooking liquid)
1 Medium white onion, chopped fine
2 Medium tomatoes chopped fine
1 Tbsp tomato paste
2 Cloves of garlic smashed
2-3 strips of smoked bacon (optional)
2 Bay leaves
1 Tbsp of cumin seeds, roasted and ground.
4 cups of your favorite broth.
salt and pepper to taste
Saute the garlic and onions (bacon if using) in 1 tbsp of olive oil for 3-4 minutes in a stockpot. Add the tomatoes and the paste and cook for 4-5 minutes till the mixture starts leaving the sides of the pot. Add the beans and the seasonings. Add the broth and mix well. Lower the heat and let cook 25-30 minutes. Keep stirring the pot. Add a Tbsp of fresh  squeezed lime juice and serve warm or hot !
Enjoy!

Three herbs pesto rubbed baked cauliflower crown

Easy and figure friendly!

Pesto:
1/4 cup of each – mint leaves, parsley and basil
2 cloves of garlic
1 Tbsp roasted pine nuts
1 Tbsp shaved parmesan cheese
1/3 cup of Olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Blend all the above in a fine paste. Use more OO if necessary. 
Remove the stalks from a cauliflower and rinse well in cold water. If you see “dirt” patches, use a knife and shave them off. Rinse and pat dry. Rub the pesto all over the vegetable.

Bake in an ovenproof dish (cover with foil) with 2 inches of broth/water in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes till the crown browns on top and is fork tender. 

Use some fresh cracked pepper and sea salt while serving!
Enjoy!

Homemade oatmeal chews!

Oatmeal chews! Packed with peanut butter, honey, flax seeds, dried fruits and so much more! 
Perfect for snacking in between meals!!


Recipe:
 To make about 16-20 bite sized bars


2 cups of oatmeal
1/2 cup of peanut butter (room temperature)
1/2 cup of honey/maple syrup
1 cup of goodies!!! (Dry fruits, dry coconut flakes, chocolate chips, m&ms, raisins, apricots, almonds!)
1 Tbsp butter

Mix all together till well incorporated. (It will take a 3-4 minutes. Use a spoon or use clean hands). 
The mixture will be sticky. Press the mixture into a greased 8X8 baking pan and bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. COOL completely before cutting them into bars!

Enjoy!! 

Chicken and Corn stew

Warm, hearty, white meat chicken and corn stew…
 Simple easy dinner after a hectic holiday shopping day !! 😉
Recipe for 2-3 generous servings
2 Chicken breasts cut up into bite sized pieces (1/2 – 1″ inch)
1 cup of shucked corn
1 cup of chopped celery, onions and carrots
1 cup of white potatoes – peeled and cubed into 1/2-1″ pieces
1-2 cloves of garlic- chopped fine
3-4 cups of your favorite broth 
Spices:
A couple of bay leaves
1-2 Tbsp of chopped parsley
salt, pepper and red chili flakes (optional)
Slurry:
1 Tbsp of all purpose flour
1/2 cup of milk
In an open pan, brown the chicken in a Tbsp of Olive oil in batches for 3-4 minutes on each side. Keep aside. In a stockpot, saute’ the garlic in Olive oil for 1-2 minutes till translucent on medium heat. Add the chopped celery, onions and carrots and cook for about 4-5 minutes till the onions turn pale and lose the raw smell. Add the potatoes and the corn. Mix well and add the chicken. Mix well and cook for about 2-3 minutes. Add the spices and the broth (enough to cover the ingredients and about half an inch over that). Mix well. Cover the pot and cook on low- medium heat for 25-30 minutes till the potatoes are cooked. (they should be easily pricked with a fork). Add the slurry and mix well. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 2-3 minutes after that. Serve hot. 

Skillet apples and oats crumble!!

Photo: Skillet apples and oats crumble!! Perfect tart apples, sweet brown sugar and earthy all spice!
Perfect tart apples, sweet brown sugar and earthy All spice!
To serve 2;
Apple mixture;
2-3 green /lady pink apples (or your choice); peeled, cored and cut into thick slices
2 Tbsp of light brown sugar
1 Tsp of All spice powder
1 Tbsp of All purpose flour
1/2 lemon juice
A pinch of salt
Mix the above gently to coat all the apples with the sugar and the spices. 
For the crumble;
1/2 cup of whole oats
1 Tbsp of All purpose flour
2 Tbsp of cold butter chopped up
Using clean hands, mix the crumble ingredients well enough to make “beads” out of the mixture. 
Arrange the apples in an oven proof dish (I used an individual skillet). Pour enough of the crumble mixture on top to cover all the apples. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes till the crumble is a golden brown. 
Serve warm with old fashioned Vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt!