I was thinking to post a few vegetable recipes. By no means I am an expert cook but I don't like to eat most vegetables raw, especially for dinner. I like to try stuff out and it works after 2-3 tries.
Let me give you one example. I made this last Saturday and it came out pretty good. I don't know if it is the most healthy way to cook this one but I try to keep bad ingredients out so it should be.
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It is called "Eggplant/brinjal Potato Curry" or "Bengan Alu Subzi" in India.
You'll need: 2 eggplants, 1 onion, 3 medium potatoes, 2 medium tomatoes, 4 garlic cloves, 3 medium green peppers (not bell pepper), 1/2 lemon, some cilantro, some olive oil, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, chili powder, cumin powder (dhania-jeera powder), salt, sugar (+/- ingredients based on your requirements)
All veggies except onion and garlic should be washed thoroughly.
Method:
1. Cut eggplants into small pieces (not too small) and soak them into water.
2. Cut onion, peppers, potato and garlic. Garlic should be extra small. Peel potatoes before cutting. No need to boil them if cut small.
3. Cut tomatoes (medium).
4. Keep cilantro (wash thoroughly and once a bit dry remove the bottom part without leaves and then chop the remaining thin) and lemon ready (remove seeds with knife).
5. So now all vegetables are ready. Put olive oil in a non-stick pan. Make sure the pan is big enough and not wet. Keep medium flame. Once oil is heated (not a lot), put mustard seeds. When you hear first mustard seed exploding, put cumin seeds. Once they are little brown, put veggies from step 2. Don't keep the flame too high. Mix well, cover it and let it cook until it becomes a soft. Especially potatoes, since they're not boiled. Time to time check and don't let it stick at the bottom.
6. When step 5 is on, remove water from the eggplants. Just drain the water, don't squeeze them.
7. Add tomatoes to the mix in step 5. Mix well. Squeeze the lemon. Mix well. Cover it and let it cook until tomatoes are a bit mushed.
8. Add eggplants. Add chili powder and cumin powder. Measure should be as per your spice index. Salt to taste. Add 2 small spoons of sugar. No sugar if you don't like a little sweet tinge.
9. If you want to eat this with rice (need gravy), add water accordingly. If you don't want too much gravy, add little bit of water. In the later case, add enough water so that it doesn't stick and doesn't become completely dry. I like the gravy one.
10. Mix well. There should be no lumps of spices. Cover it and let it cook for 15 minutes on medium-high flame.
15. Once done, taste it. If issues, go to 'Adjustments'. It it's good, turn it off, cover it and let it cool down for 15 minutes.
Adjustments:
If something tastes raw, give it more time.
Boil it (not covered) if you need to get rid of some water.
Add some water, if it became too dry. Mix well and cook for some more time.
Add some sugar if it became too spicy.
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This one takes a bit more time. It may serve 2-3 people (depends). You can eat with rice or bread or whatever you like. If you don't have the spices, you can buy from Walmart of wherever you like. Supermarkets do have spices, but quantity is too less for the price. If you go to an Indian store, you will get better quality/quantity/price ratio. It tastes different too. Cumin powder is called dhania-jeera powder (dhanajiru) in Indian stores.
Long one, indeed. Hope you like it.
. I am 23 years old 4'11" and i weigh about 165. I think my healthy weight should be about 115. My problem is i feel so lost as to what i can and cant eat and this whole counting calories thing is pretty frustrating to keep up with and confusing to me. also i am looking for the cheapest way of eating right. if anyone can give me some examples of a daily meal plan that would help alot. Also if anyone can tell me what i should be doing to work out. i know its all pretty much about cardio but how long and what? I'm also planning on joining a gym and working out mostly in the morning. I am pretty clueless as you can see so any advice is much appreciated. thanks!