The name of this game is simple. Curries and curried dishes are everywhere and still seem to be gaining popularity. And why not? A little spice is always nice. Good curry powder packs so much flavor, it’s the a natural addition to your staple pantry spices. This curry powder makes dinner even easier because it only uses 3 ingredients – that you most likely already have in your pantry. Plus it doesn’t compromise on flavor.
Sweet potato again?! I might be enjoying pumpkin and sweet potatoes a little too much this year. Although this starchy vegetable is usually served at Thanksgiving, it’s broadly used throughout fall and even the holidays. Since it still feels like fall in the Northeast, why not continue to enjoy this naturally sweet versatile veg? Even grocery stores often sell sweet potato pie until Christmas. But with so many ways to prepare sweet potato, it’s hard to choose just one go-to recipe. These easy Cardamom-Scented Whipped Sweet Potatoes are a delicately sweet twist on an average dish, I couldn’t resist serving a mound of it alongside roast chicken.
Meatballs may not make you think of Mexican food. I would like to take credit for developing some sort of Italian/Mexican fusion soup, but Mexican Meatball soup is an existing dish. Frequently referred to by its Spanish name, Sopa de Albondigas, this basic soup can be made a number of different ways. Some include vegetables, rice, and herbs while others are mainly just meatballs, usually made of beef such as sirloin. I like additional inclusions in my Meatball soup and this spicy version chock-full of tasty textures and flavors, really fits the bill.
Brussel sprouts have always seemed like a vegetable for adults. Even though I actually enjoyed eating all kinds of vegetables while growing up (beets and lima beans were odd favorites of mine), I don’t recall eating them as a child. These mini cabbage-like healthful buds have also increased in popularity over the years. But like most cabbage and other stinky vegetables, they aren’t particularly appealing to children. The trick is to add a touch of sweetness. The caramelization in these honey roasted brussel sprouts make them enticing for both children and adults alike.
This is one of my favorite dishes but also one of the hardest to photograph. The best photo setup would probably have the chicken in some kind of rustic clay pot or stoneware, surrounded by the lemon ginger sauce with a sprinkling of bright green cilantro and colorful ramekins containing chutney and raita on the side. Unfortunately, I don’t always have such luxuries at my disposal. But this doesn’t stop me from making amazingly delicious Indian food (and it shouldn’t stop you either).
