HEALTHY COOKING

Beet Greens Spicy Yogurt Soup with Curried Cauliflower

July 9, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

This beet greens yogurt soup with curried cauliflower is slightly spicy, and cooling for a warm summer night.

As years fly by, I find myself more and more in love with my own space. I tend to seek refuge within the umbrella of my family. Flaws have just not affected me the same way as before. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt in the past few years, it is to simplify life. I am trying. Enjoying the little things as much as I can. Yes, there’s a ton to do, more to achieve, but just pausing to see what we’ve achieved is such a mind-cleansing process. It might be not have to be something material, just something that you can feel. A feeling of satisfaction. A simple smile that your child gives you for being supportive of him is a gift. I find myself no longer attached to material things, in a way I used to.

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Creamy Almond-Coconut milk Raspberry Popsicles

June 28, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Creamy, delicious and simple. These Almond coconut milk raspberry popsicles are not only beautiful, but also quite simple to whip up. They freeze beautifully, and the agave nectar adds a subtle fruity flavor. The chocolate, though optional, works so well with the raspberries. A summer must make recipe.

Happy Summer!! Happy Popsicle Week!!

We are all big fans of popsicles, but can you believe that I had never made them at home until I was recipe testing for my book? The talented and lovely Alanna from The BOJON GOURMET shot the pictures for my book, and she is one talented woman. While we were shooting, she asked me if I had popsicles in the book, and if not, she said I HAD to put it in. And then, my obsession with popsicles started. On a side note, it was such a pleasure working with her. I learnt so much in the process. These pictures are definitely inspired by Alanna.

Even with all windows open, a blazing summer heat filled our home last week. Waffles lays on the coolest floor next to the door panting for some fresh air. There’s an almost lethargic feel to the air. Noon comes and we close the doors and curtains to relax with a cooling drink and books in each hand. All we’ve been craving for is some cold desserts that don’t mess your summer arms and salads….

Akki Rotti/ Rice-Dill Rotti (gluten free)

March 21, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Thin, loaded with vegetables, and made with rice, Akki rotti /rice rotti is a very popular dish of Karnataka. It is vegan, gluten free and oh so good, that you will be making this on repeat.

The food of Karnataka is very diverse, which has a wide range of vegan, vegetarian and gluten free recipes. Food there is typically less oily, and usage of multigrains is very popular. While the strict vegetarian food of Udipi is just outstanding, the gourmet delicacies of Mangalore and their rich curries are a must try.

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Chinese Chicken Salad Tacos with Home made spiced tomato tortilla

March 15, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Salads are great. My family likes their salads with a little protein, an extra crunch, and a fresh, sweet touch. Having a salad once a day is definitely a good habit. Of course, having someone chop and prep a salad is even better. I am absolutely loving the ready to eat organic salad kits we find these days. They’re so convenient, with such clean ingredients. Here, I made a tortilla and topped it with the salad and some chicken. It was a complete, delicious meal of Chinese Chicken Salad in a tomato tortilla.

I was glad to partner with FeedFeed and Earthboundfarm. I am usually very skeptical about bagged salads and bottled dressings. However, this one defied my expectations. I stand by this brand., and am so impressed with this little kit. It comes with a dressing (which by the way is good), some chips, and nuts. I add this salad mix to my chow mein, omelettes, pastas, and pretty much everything else that I can add vegetables too….

Black Bean Dosa/Crepe – Easy and Instant

March 2, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Here is a quick and easy Dosa for the days you want to have something comforting and no time. Black Bean Dosa/Crepes are versatile, go with curries and chutneys. And they are packed with protein.

Last month. This and that…..

We are creeping into spring and it’s March already.

Are you feeling it in the air? We are; the little one has started to sneeze and I have some itchy eyes. Still, I can’t wait for some warmth and sunshine.

How are you doing? How has weather been in your part of the world?…

Healthy Creamy Kale-Lentil Daal

January 3, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Wishing you all a very wonderful 2017!!

I woke up on NYE, reflecting on how it was a wonderful 2016.

When I say wonderful, it was, with some complexity. It had its ups and downs. And when I say wonderful, I meant that I chose to focus on the wonderful things. I tried to focus on the positive things. I learnt how to heal myself and look at what I had in front of me. I learnt that there’s no right way of life, no right way of living, or a perfect life. Perfection is a perception. It’s what we make of it.…

Butter Bean Walnut Hummus and Broccoli-Spinach Butter Bean Pasta

October 3, 2016 By Asha Shivakumar

Life is Perfectly Imperfect.

The last three weeks have been blurry, chaotic, rushed, and imperfect in a way. My car is messy, it looks like my garage has been hit by a mini torpedo, and my carpet, in a few places, looks muddy. While folding laundry, I noticed my teen’s pants have rips…. I had to be careful that my little human boy has not been bitten in his private area ;). I am more jittery, forgetful and haven’t got the time to spend a cozy huggy time with my human boys.

WE GOT A PUPPY. Waffles. He is a doll, a sweet sweet baby who turns rowdy for just a few minutes a day.

Yes, my laundry doesn’t get done fast enough. My to-do list has been growing a little bit too fast, nothing gets ticked off. As I drive off to a meeting, I have puppy hair on my pants. My hair smells like Waffles, our home suddenly smells like a puppy.

I haven’t had anyone cling to my feet in 10 yrs. All I do now is send pictures of Waffles shake hands, behave and just his cutest little pointy ears to everyone who shows the merest interest. I’m like this crazy mamma.

As crazy as life sounds and looks right now, isn’t it what it is all about?! Life is a learning process. Sometimes, small simple struggles are exactly what we need in our life. I had a period when everything was calm, and life was always quiet and peaceful. Now, I appreciate the peace and silence, even if it’s for an hour a day. When we have it all, we don’t miss it. Why do we only miss something when it’s taken away?

I like my chaos. I love my Waffles, the energy and endless kisses and love he gives us. I like that my boys feel responsible for someone. I feel COMPLETE.

Loving life in all it’s imperfections is the best. Don’t you agree?

This pasta, in a way, is what I call my accidental recipe gone good. A bit of this, a touch of that, and some cheese, and it’s perfect in all it’s hotchpotch mess.

5.0 from 1 reviews

Butter Bean Walnut Hummus and Broccoli-Spinach Butter Bean Pasta

Prep time

20 mins

Cook time

15 mins

Total time

35 mins

Author: Ash

Recipe type: Appetizer Lunch

Cuisine: American, Middle Eastern

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

For the Hummus

2 16 oz cans butter beans rinsed and drained or 1 cup dried beans soaked in water overnight
6 cloves of garlic
¼ cup walnuts
1 tsp red chili flakes
3 tbsp lemon juice
½ lemon zest
2 tbsp chopped cilantro(optional) or parsley
1 tsp toasted and crushed cumin
3 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp of freshly cracked pepper
1 tsp salt
3-4 tbsp water

For the pasta

1 tbsp oil
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 head of broccoli chopped to small 1 inch size
1 cup of chickpeas/garbanzo cooked(use canned or cooked)
1 cup packed spinach finely chopped
½ cup of the hummus
½ cup pasta water
4 cups cooked wheat/semolina fusili pasta
Pepper jack cheese to top the pasta with or flavored hard cheese

Instructions

For the Hummus

If you are using dry beans, soak it in water overnight. Cook with 4 cups of water with NO SALT. After about 15 minutes, check if it is cooked. Then add some salt, let it sit in the salted water for few minutes and drain. This way you will ensure that the beans are lightly salted and it does not get tough or rubbery. Cool before making hummus.
If you are using canned, it's very easy, just drain and rinse well before using.
Add everything for the hummus in a food processor except for the water and whip and grind it under a coarse paste is formed. If you want add a few tablespoons of water to make it slighly thinner. The thicker consistency is great for dips with crackers or bread sticks.

For the Pasta.

Cook the pasta for 8-10 minutes in salted water or until al dente. Drain it, keep some pasta water aside.
In a saute pan, add a tbsp of olive oil, let it get hot and add the fennel seeds and let it splutter. Add the chopped broccoli and salt it, saute and cook for a minute. Then add the chickpeas and the spinach and saute until the spinach wilts. Add the hummus and add hot pasta water to water it down and mix well. Add the cooked pasta, mix through and turn off the heat.
Add the cheese and serve immediately.

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Butter Bean Walnut Hummus and Broccoli-Spinach Butter Bean Pasta |foodfashionparty|

Spicy Baked Cauliflower Fritter(pakoda) TACO with Mango Sauce and Red cabbage Slaw(Vegan)

May 17, 2016 By Asha Shivakumar

The love of food the four of us shares is quite intense.

We all love to try different things, quite tough critics, and we might enjoy one more than the other. We enjoy a good hearty Lamb chop meal as much as we enjoy a loaded salad with some dressing.

Trying to balance out the carnivore loving boys with a lighter fare which suits our taste is a challenge I take on happily and love. I try not to fall into the routine of recipes and when variety is there, it makes it so much more fun.

This was one such thing.

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3 Insanely Delicious-EASY Raita (Yogurt based)

May 5, 2016 By Asha Shivakumar

I don’t know how to grow plants. I can’t grow plants.

We never know what we get into, until we are handed a tiny little bundle with just the face peaking, eyes stuck together with some liquid, flushed pink face, and a blue striped or pink striped cap. We feel an overwhelming sense of joy, a chilling and warm feeling. Tears swell up and the first smile you give your tiny baby is filled with so much joy and love (and oxytocin, as my teen adds). It’s a feeling that has never crept up until then, and will never go away.

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Lentil-Radish Salad with Chili-Lime Dressing (Guest Post)

March 17, 2016 By Asha Shivakumar

Lentil-Radish Salad with Chili-Lime Dressing |foodfashionparty|Guest post by @boxofspice

With the rain and winds, the Bay Area is filled with pollen too. The only way I can communicate now, without messing my vocal chords completely, is to whisper. For some reason the husky and sexy voice(as someone called it) doesn’t seem to suit me and I’ve had a few people feel bad, laugh and make fun of me all at the same time :). It’s one of the worst sore throats I have ever had, and I refuse to go to the doctor. Trying to have green tea with honey, fresh turmeric and everything to soothe my poor little throat. I am so very thankful and grateful to Rakhee from boxofspice to fill my space today with one of her impressive salads.

As Rakhee puts it, we’ve known each other for the longest. I fell in love with her gorgeous photography and this post in particular Chaat Salad, and now we are great friends and I am in love with her personality too. She’s all ears when I want to and makes me feel like a million bucks (what more can anyone ask). Her artistic eye for dreamy and moody photography requires a standing ovation and her salads all belong in a magazine. Without further ado… Here’s Rakhee. Take it away my dear…..

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