Monday, July 8, 2013

Chai Mommas Indian Inspired Summer Meal

Please welcome this month's guest bloggers. They are one of our favorite group of Mommy Bloggers, the Chai Mommas! These 4 cool Mommas wanted to treat you all to a fabulous summer BBQ dinner with an Indian twist! Enjoy...  and don't forget to connect with them on their blog.

The Chai Mommas are all about healthy and easy meals. And with the summer season here, our minds are busy thinking about light, but satisfyingly fresh recipes that we can enjoy outside.  To give this complete BBQ savory meal a bit more of a twist, we are spicing it up with some Indian inspired fun, including a lil’ kick to the drink, (we’ll leave it up to you to make it either a mocktail or a cocktail!).  Hope you think our summer recipes are as ‘hot’ as we do and enjoy!



Starters:

Spicy Yogurt Bread
Cubes of organic bread lightly pan-fried in a spice infused yogurt mixture to crisp perfection. The perfect starter to this meal.

Ingredients


  • ·         1 loaf of organic Italian multi grain bread cut into ½ inch cubes
  • ·         1 ½ cups of plain non fat yogurt
  • ·         1 tsp chili pepper
  • ·         1 tsp minced garlic
  • ·         1 tsp ground dhana (coriander)
  • ·         ½ tsp ground jeera (cumin)
  • ·         ½ cup chopped cilantro
  • ·         ½ - ¾ tsp salt (to taste)
  • ·         2 tbsp canola oil
  • ·         2 tsp jeera (cumin) seeds
  • ·         1 tsp mustard seeds
  • ·         ½ tsp turmeric powder


Directions:

  • ·         Cut bread into ½ inch cubes
  • ·         In a small mixing bowl, mix the following ingredients:
  • ·         yogurt, chili pepper, garlic, dhana (coriander), jeera (cumin), cilantro and salt
  • ·         In a large skillet or frying pan (on medium high heat), add canola oil and cumin seeds
  • ·         When the cumin seeds begin to turn slightly brown, add mustard seeds
  • ·         Once the mustard seeds stop popping, add turmeric and then add the bread
  • ·         Turn heat down to medium. Toss the bread occasionally and cook for about 10 minutes or until slightly crispy
  • ·         Pour the yogurt mixture evenly over the bread and stir until all of the yogurt is absorbed into the bread
  • ·         Reduce heat to low and allow bread to become slightly crispy
  • ·         Serve with your favorite dipping sauce - organic tomato ketchup or a cool cilantro mint chutney


Garlic Pepper Edamame with Lime
Boiled pods of edamame quickly sautéed with minced garlic and green chili.  Topped off with fresh cilantro, sea salt and zesty lime. A delicious and light accompaniment to the meal, which can be nibbled on while the grill is getting fired up.

Ingredients:

  • ·         1 pound frozen edamame pods
  • ·         1 tablespoon organic olive oil
  • ·         1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • ·         1 teaspoon minced Serrano pepper
  • ·         1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
  • ·         1 lime – washed, cut into half
  • ·         sea salt

Directions:

  • ·         Cook frozen edamame in salted boiling water until tender (approximately 5 minutes, drain)
  • ·         Heat 1 tablespoon organic olive oil in skillet over medium heat
  • ·         Add pepper and cook 1 - 2 minutes
  • ·         Add garlic and cook another minute (be careful not to let it brown)
  • ·         Stir in the edamame and cook for another 2 minutes
  • ·         Transfer to serving bowl
  • ·         Squeeze ½ lime juice in and sea salt to desired preference, toss gently
  • ·         Sprinkle cilantro on top


Main Course:

Tandoori Marinade
A delectable yogurt based marinade flavored with fresh garlic, ginger, green chilies, cilantro amongst an array of aromatic spices present in most Indian dishes, (which can be found in any Indian/Middle Eastern food market).  This marinade can be used for poultry, seafood, vegetables and tofu.  Serve with freshly cut lemon wedges to bring out the flavors even more.

Ingredients:

  • ·         1 cup of yogurt
  • ·         1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
  • ·         1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic
  • ·         ½ tablespoon freshly minced green chilies
  • ·         ½ handful finely chopped cilantro
  • ·         ½ tablespoon garam masala
  • ·         ½  tablespoon ground ajwain
  • ·         ½  tablespoon ground jeeru (cumin)
  • ·         ½  tablespoon ground dhana (coriander)
  • ·         ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ·         1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ·         1 tablespoon of Tandoori paste
  • ·         1 tablespoon of tomato paste

Directions:

  • ·         Mix all ingredients thoroughly
  • ·         Add to marinade, cut pieces of chicken, fish, vegetables or tofu
  • ·         Cover and marinate for a 3-4 hours in the refrigerator
  • ·         When ready to eat, skewer and grill

    
Summer Mocktail/Cocktail:

Chai Mommas Coconut Quencher
This drink is not only delicious with its Indian inspired mint plus spicy-sweet flavor, it’s also super hydrating and just perfect for children and adults spending long hours in the sun on those fun BBQ days. The best part is that the juicy pineapple in the drink can be eaten after your glass is empty for an extra after dinner treat. 


Ingredients:

  • ·         enough coconut water to fill a large pitcher (young coconut is best
  • ·         ½ part fresh lime juice
  • ·         small spoon of raw organic brown sugar
  • ·         handful of mint leaves
  • ·         3-4 slices of fresh de-seeded jalapeño (optional)
  • ·         medium sized pineapple chunks (about 7-8)
  • ·         rum blanco (for cocktails)  

Directions:

  • ·         Muddle the lime juice, sugar and mint leaves in a tall glass 
  • ·         In a large pitcher, combine the muddled mixture with the coconut water, pineapple chunks and optional jalapeño slices
  • ·         Let the pitcher chill in the refrigerator for at least half an hour before serving (or even overnight for an extra boost of flavor!)
  • ·         Spike with 2 parts rum blanco for adults, if desired
  • ·         Serve with one pineapple chunk in each glass


ChaiMommas ~ Neesha

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