salad of rubies

a stunning salad! beautiful for a substantial summer meal, or to impress friends as a gorgeous starter (or work lunch :) )

1 large tomato
1 cucumber

3-4 sprigs of fresh mint, finely sliced (substitute fresh parsley and dried mint if not available)

0.5tsp salt
2tsp lemon juice

1 tin kidney beans
1 pomegranate

0.3c pepitas (pumpkin seeds, shelled)
0.25tsp ground black pepper
3Tbs pomegranate molasses (available from delis and nut/spice provedores)
2Tbs olive oil

100g baby spinach or baby leaf mix

 
chop tomato into 2-3cm chunks, and slice cucumber; add to salad bowl with salt, lemon juice and mint; toss gently to combine. 

drain and rinse kidney beans; remove pomegranate jewels from the main fruit; add both to bowl. add all the other ingredients except greens; toss gently. add greens and toss before serving.

this can be made 6 hours or so ahead of time and refrigerated if greens are added right before serving.

the chocolate crackle gets more crack-like

here is a post for chocolate crackles that anyone with a mouth and a need for deliciousness must read. crackles contain the essentials of life: coconut in two forms, cocoa for strength and general hipness; and the crunch of a thousand rice puffs. somehow, no doubt in violation of some natural law, i have made them BETTER.

read on.

4c puffed rice cereal

0.5c icing sugar, sifted (or blitz some raw sugar in an electric spice/coffee grinder for 10 seconds)

1.5c desiccated coconut, toasted on low- medium til light golden brown in a dry frying pan

200g coconut oil

0.25c cocoa powder
1-1.5c raisins and pitted prunes, finely chopped 
150g dark chocolate, melted

0.5tsp salt

grated rind of one orange

in a large bowl, mix the rice cereal, sugar, cocoa and coconut. gently mix in the chopped fruit.

in a medium bowl, melt the coconut oil and dark chocolate in the microwave (60-90 seconds). add in the rind and salt. pour this into dry ingredients, stirring gently til well combined. spoon into a loaf or brownie tin (remember: silicone rocks!) and press firmly to level and refrigerate until firm, then slice into squares.

you NEED masala dosa. if nothing else, the potato filling.

 

from top: cucumber salad with mint, brown rice, masala dosa potato filling, red lentil daal

i tried to make dosa once (from a packet mix), and let me put it this way: grasshopper is in need of much patience. the potato filling is almost as satisfying without the heavenly, lacey crunch of the dosa crepe. who am i kidding- the potato filling will do me only until i can get to salaam namaste dosa hut in west footscray or maya vegetarian in surry hills!!

1kg potatoes (waxy are best, such as dutch cream)
2 small onions, finely sliced
2Tbs finely grated ginger
2 fresh chillis (red or green, mild or medium heat- up to you), finely sliced
1tsp turmeric powder
pinch of salt

4Tbs oil (coconut is the best, olive or other is fine)
2Tbs mustard seeds (i use black mustard, either should be fine)
2tsp garlic powder (though the recipe calls for asafoetida- must get me some- garlic is apparently similar)

5-6 fresh curry leaves (optional)

cut potatoes into large chunks (2-3cm); boil in salted water until cooked. drain and mash coarsely; set aside.

heat oil on medium in a large frying pan for 1 minute: add mustard seeds, cook for 1 minute, then add garlic powder, followed by sliced onions, chillis and ginger. cook on medium-low until onions are soft and becoming translucent- avoid browning. add the curry leaves, if using.

add turmeric and salt, a little more oil if needed, and the potatoes. fry for about 5 minutes, mixing gently until the spices and onions are mixed through the potato.

serve with daal, chapati, and cucumber salad.