Indian Spiced Lemon Chicken

Allow me to introduce you to Indian spice. If you’re not familiar with cooking Indian spices but are curious, this is the perfect recipe. It couldn’t be simpler to make and the hardest part is making sure you have all of the spices. Luckily though, they should be easily sourced from any large grocery store, but definitely from an Indian grocer! I buy mine in bulk so I can buy small amounts and they’re as fresh as possible when I use them. That being said, if you like Indian food in general, you will not regret having any of these spices on hand! A good investment for sure. This recipe is similar in flavor to an African Bobotie, but without the bread and eggs. It’s much easier to make and is lower in calories and fat. Anyways, if you want to take a tiny step outside of your culinary box, or just want a super stripped back, basic recipe for dinner, try this. And then tell me that you love it.

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Crockpot Curried Beef

Fall is coming. It has been such a hot, dry summer in Vancouver – a rarity to be sure! Basically overnight the temperature went from a range of 20-27 degrees celcius straight down to 9 degrees. Bring on the cool nights and solid sleep! I wake up so much more rested in the fall when the temperatures start to dip. When it comes to food though, I immediately start wanting hearty, bold and full dishes. Something simple but with serious flavor. I threw some stewing beef in the crockpot this morning with some from-scratch curry and as I left for work, asked Mike to give it a couple stirs throughout the day. I got a text around noon that said “what is in the crockpot because it smells f**k’n amazing!” I was excited to come home to a complete dinner but when I walked through the door a “woah” escaped my lips and I hoped the whole neighborhood could smell this. It smells crazy good and I couldn’t wait for the rice to be done. Heaven folks, pure curried heaven.

Coconut Curry Squash

Ahhh curry. Love of my life. Long lost friend. I feel like curry and I have a lot of making up to do. I grew up in a small town with one restaurant that was only open on and off, depending on current ownership. The closest city was an hour away and even then it didn’t distinguish itself as a happenin’ place in the culinary world. It’s a city very committed to its chain restaurants and independents never seemed to last long. That being said, there wasn’t a lot of ethnic food either. Not that any of that matters because my mother doesn’t like spicy food and my parents’ palate for foreign food never extended beyond the buffet line at the westernized Chinese food place. Naturally I grew up thinking I didn’t like so many things that now, I can’t live without. Sushi, pho, real Chinese and curries to name a couple. Imagine my delight when I discovered the deep complex flavors of my first good curry. It was so involved that I can actually remember exactly where I was! I like this recipe because it only has a few easy ingredients. It cooks up quickly and has enough spice to clear your sinuses (use less if that’s what you prefer) but it’s also super healthy and while I suggest serving it over rice for a complete meal, I really prefer just eating it as is.

Green Lentil Soup with Curried Brown Butter

Do you have a favourite food? Maybe not even favourite, but a food, dish or meal that you love to make? Because you make it when you crave it, and you crave it pretty often, then when you take that first bite, it’s SO good that the next time the word “willpower” crosses your mind, you’re bloated, full as hell but funnily still wanting more. This soup is kind of like that. Curry powder, onions, lentils – hearty, thick and packed with flavor. Aside from the amount of time lentils take to cook, this recipe is super easy. Simple even. It’ll make your house smell amazing too! We paired it with some delicious gluten free toast from Udi’s. Please sir, I want some more…

Indian Spiced Cauliflower & Potatoes

Spicy food is my ideal comfort food. Not SOOO spicy that I can’t taste the food, but a nice, heated zing, with some form of starch is so perfect. Like Spanish Rice for example. It’s spicy, very flavorful but my absolute favourite fall back meal when I need a pick me up. I also love Indian food. My heart melts for the complex flavors, spices and textures. Creamy sauces, curries, turmeric, vegetables and chicken. Yum. The problem though is, I find Indian food so comforting, I can’t stop eating it. I’d be more than happy to sit down and eat an entree for two of Butter Chicken. This recipe of easy ingredients, simple method and a delicious and satisfying result is a great recipe for those on a budget, but also those of us trying to include more veggies in our diet – but still feel satisfied. Ya know what I mean Steve?

Red Curry with Pork Tenderloin

Pork Tenderloin is by FAR my favourite meat. The texture and flavor are just not comparable – it practically melts in your mouth. It absorbs flavor well and is pretty complimentary to almost anything you put it with. This particular recipe can get pretty spicy, but I find its heat comforting, and if that’s not your style, you can cut down the curry paste. It all comes together so quickly that I probably make it more often than I should. Pork tenderloin is actually really cheap at Costco, coming in at about $5 per loin. That makes serving your family a hearty, protein-laden dish, pretty damn inexpensive. If you play it right with your veggie purchase this meal will cost you less than $8 to serve a family of 4-6! Buy the pack of 4 loins at Costco and throw the rest in the freezer to make this dish even faster to prepare for your hungry mouths. I honestly don’t think anybody could be disappointed with this dish.

World’s Easiest Coconut Curry Chicken

This is my go-to meal when I’m short on time, energy and food. I always have coconut milk in the pantry and always have curry paste, thus this meal needs no planning. Goes great with lightly sauteed peppers and bok choy over top and is also perfect with or without rice.