I saw these beautiful creatures at Whole Foods Market in Walnut Creek. I love the idea of a leaner meatball. Instead of beef or pork, use chicken and add some Quinoa for even more protein.
Continue reading "A Leaner Meatball: Chicken Quinoa Meatballs" »
For lunch today, I created this mashup from the Whole Foods salad and hot foods bar. This is an example of assembly cooking at its best.
My plate before and after the feast. Gastric joy! If I was at my house, I would have licked the plate clean, but in other people's homes, manners. Continuing on from our healthy Indian Afghan feast from yesterday, here are the remaining three dishes going clockwise starting from the 30 minute position.
If I had to pick a favorite of the six dishes it would be this one, grilled Turkey Kababs made with organic Turkey and spices, and is gluten-free. Turkey is a leaner meat compared to beef or lamb, and I dig the idea of blending a popular American meat with Indian spices.
Next up is Indian Aloo Paratha which is potato stuffed dough filled with spices accompanied with organic yogurt dip with more spices.
And to finish up, we have Afghani Pulao, a rice dish called Golden Sela cooked Afghan style with spices. This dish is what mom is most famous for because she has cut much of the fat out from the traditional version yet retains the flavor experience. This rice dish is also gluten-free. This was my first time to try Pulao, so I can't compare. All I can say is that for a first time experience I had three helpings.
Demand for mom's cooking from family and friends has become so popular she started a catering business in the Bay Area. She has even served some of her incredible food at local schools which I think is awesome because it is introducing children to different global cuisine and a blending of cultures. I have no doubt the turkey kababs are a hit with the kids. I could eat a whole plate of those kababs.
Next time mom and Amrita are cooking, I'm coming over. Good times!
To make healthy eating more fun and interesting, I love to share global cuisine that is Noshtopia-friendly.
My friend Amrita @Jawaani on Twitter has an Indian mother and an Afghan father. They have a beautiful story. Like many, mom had to change her diet becaue of some health issues but she didn't want to sacrifice eating the foods she's used to eating. I totally get that! I'm still fguring out how to make vegan adobo.
So, mom came up with some of the most amazing Indian and Afghan dishes that significantly cut down fat and calories from the traditional versions. She uses very little oil and uses spices as a way to really bring in the flavor. What impressed me the most was her use of turkey. What a great way to fuse in a food that is not only low in fat and cholesterol but that Americans love. And lucky me, mom and dad invited me over to eat with them and Amrita and I got to feast. So let me share what we ate.
We'll use the overview picture at the top, and in Part I, I'll tell you about the first three dishes, and then tomorrow in Part II, we'll go over the last three dishes. It's so good!
At the top in the small dish going clockwise is Daal an Indian dish made with split pea lentils. It's vegan and gluten-free. A better close up view of the Daal is coming up in the potsticker dish.
Next is Banjan Borani an Afghan dish which is sauteed Eggplant with tomato and onion topped with an organic homemade natural yogurt, garlic paste and dried mint leaves. Mom makes her own yogurt at home. How cool is that.
Mom made a plate for me without the yogurt because of my dairy allergy. So nice! Without the yogurt, this eggplant dish is vegan and gluten-free.
This is Mantoo another Afghan dish which is stuffed steamed pot stickers filled with ground turkey and onions, topped with the Indian Daal of split plea lentils and organic cilantro. I've never had turkey potstickers before and the use of turkey is truly awesome.
Tomorrow in Part II, we have stuffed flatbread, Afghan rice, and turkey kabab!
Quietly, a month ago, I started using a new logo for Noshtopia which I created to reflect the direction I envision for Noshtopia and inspiring eating wellness.
Let's give a formal hello to the Plus Fork! Facebook has the Thumbs Up and Google has the Plus One, and we now have the Plus Fork with the tagine, "Eating Well Together" which encompasses my desire to make the world a healthier place through the social sharing of healthier eating.
Stay tuned for more fun noshy things down the pipeline!
I saw these Turkey Florentine "cupcakes" at Whole Foods Oakland and thought what a fun and brilliant portion control idea.
For happy hour recently, enjoyed this wonderful yellowtail nosh with a side of olives at the W Hotel lobby bar in San Francisco.
The sight of this Seared Ahi Tuna in the Whole Foods deli made me drool!
For lunch one Saturday with a date, veggie, fish, and pork tacos on soft corn tortillas at Mijita Cocina Mexicana in the SF Ferry Building.
