Cauliflower

So, today I need to use up my vegetables.  I haven't been very good about cooking lately and I have been wracking my brain what to make with a beautiful head of cauliflower I've had a few days.  But to be perfectly honest, I really just love aloo gobi, so yesterday I picked up some potatoes so I could make a batch.  Of course, I am still having issues finding all the boxes with my spices, etc, so, I had to improvise a little.  I couldn't find my stash of garam masala, so I looked online and found a simple recipe for homemade garam masala.  It probably isn't as exciting as the stuff I get from the India stores, but it smells really good now that it's cooking.  Here is the recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/easy-garam-masala/.  I will be adding garbanzo beans (which is an unusual ingredient) so that there is some protein in the dish.  I am cooking it on top of the stove in my beautiful Calphalon Dutch oven.  I do love that pot!

Aloo Gobi
Adapted from: http://vgourmet.ca/2012/05/19/aloo-gobi/#comment-1626http://vgourmet.ca/2012/05/19/aloo-gobi/#comment-1626

• 3 tbsps olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 tsp whole cumin seed
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and grated
• 4  garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsps turmeric
• 2 tsps garam masala (see link above)
• ¼ tsp cayenne
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 16 oz  stewed or crushed tomatoes
• 16 oz tomato sauce
• 1 large cauliflower, broken into small florets
• 3 large potatoes, diced
• 1 15 oz can gabanzo beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 bunch cilantro, chopped (optional)
• sea salt and pepper

Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add whole cumin seeds and cook until they pop and sizzle.  Add minced garlic and ginger and cook for another minute or two. Stir in turmeric, garam masala, and cayenne. Cook until fragrant but be sure not to burn the spices; about 1 minute.

Stir in salt, stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, cauliflower, and potatoes. Cook with the lid on until the potatoes and cauliflower are tender, about 15 minutes, stirring often. If it gets too dry, add a little bit of water. When the potatoes and cauliflower are tender, turn off heat and add beans. Put the lid back on and let the peas steam in the residual heat; about 1 minute. Adjust seasoning with sea salt and pepper. Add chopped cilantro and serve piping hot.

Note: I am allergic to cilantro, so I would serve the cilantro on the side for other people, but I cannot add it to the overall dish.

Aloo Gobi

My absolute favorite Indian dish is Aloo Gobi. There is something about the combination of potato and cauliflower in those wonderful Indian spices that is just comforting tome. The trouble is, like many comfort foods, the dish lacks protein. So, I set forth to attempt to make an Aloo Gobi with garbanzo beans to add a protein punch. While the following recipe was okay, I really need to explore the idea of making my own curry mix. The store bought curries are never quite right. The original recipe also did not have enough tomato, so I adjusted that in my finished dish.

Slow Cooker Aloo Gobi with Chickpeas
 Adapted from: http://www.domesticdivasblog.com/2010/02/meatless-monday-slow-cooked-cauliflower.html

• 1/2 head of golden cauliflower*, chopped
• 1/2 head Romanesco cauliflower*, chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas with carrots
• 2 cups red potatoes*, chopped
• 1 14 ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 can tomato paste
• 1 can Rotel diced tomatoes with chiles
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 onion*, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves*, chopped
• 2 cups homemade chicken stock*
• salt and pepper

Place all of the ingredients except the salt, pepper and rice into the slower cooker.  Stir to combine.  Cook on high for 4-6 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours, or until the vegetables are tender.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

*CSA ingredients