A while ago now, Donna and her hubs Richard, and myself went a walkin’…along the Great Trail (aka Trans Canada Trail) down to the pretty town of Chemainus. It was a dark and stormy night…er…light and rainy day but we didn’t let that dampen our spirits. It also didn’t dampen our appetites. In fact it enhanced them. We were so hungry by the time we arrived that we promptly fell into the first restaurant we came across, that – so fortunately for us! – was also the most excellent Indian eatery.
As for myself? Well…
I hadn’t had Indian food at a restaurant for over a year (not since I left Ontario) so this was especially delicious to me. And inspiring! I bought a new cookbook, determined to add some easy-to-make dishes to my repertoire.
The first thing I needed to do was to buy the spices necessary to make the garam masala spice blend recommended to use for the dishes in this cookbook. Thankfully it was almost Diwali, and everything was on sale!
I started with the book’s recipe for palak paneer. Which was simple and easy to make. Here is similar recipe, found online. Does not require a pressure cooker (although I recommend the pressure cooker version and the cookbook I bought – definitely faster and easier!).
The next dish I attempted to recreate was the eggplant bartha. There was a similar recipe in the cookbook, but it asked for liquid smoke (which I didn’t have) and I didn’t want to do another smoky dish like last month’s. So I went searching online, and found this one. It also called for a smoky addition (in fact all the ones I looked at did so I just gave up) but at least I had the smoked paprika it called for and that is the one I ended up using.
This eggplant curry was really delicious! I made a few changes to the recipe I used. I added cumin instead of the chili powder and I used 1 tablespoon of my garam masala instead of the cardamom and coriander. Next time I would cut the coconut oil and olive oil back to a couple of tablespoons each instead of a 1/4 cup each. It was just a tad too oily for my taste.
As always: please feel free to let my co-host Donna or myself know what’s on your plate at your house, in the Comments of either Donna’s or my post (or both, if you are so inclined!). Please check out Donna’s post, here. She has written about her adventures with a guilt-free hot drink mix!
Remember: if you decide to blog or Facebook or Instagram about it, to use the tags #whatsonyourplateblogchallenge or #woypbc so we can find you out on ye olde interwebbs!
Rock spicily on,
The WB
That all looks amazing Deb, and I bet it smelt delicious too!
It sure did, Debbie! I’m hoping I made all my neighbours jealous 😉. Thanks 💕
Hi Deb – sadly – I’m trying to relive the aroma here – and wishing! You are so good at giving us a running commentary … wonderful … if I was still on VI, I’d be inviting myself to supper regularly!
It all looks delicious … and I too love cumin … cheers Hilary
That would be wonderful, Hilary. I love to cook but I also get sick of eating the leftovers by day 3 or so 😁. I love cumin too. Have you ever had spiced Gouda? It’s packed with cumin seeds. So good! Thanks 💕
Oh I know .. battling with leftovers can be tricky …
That spicy cheese – looks delicious … I’ll have to look to see if I can see some: I’m not quite in the back water here … but I’ll keep an eye out. I pour cumin and cumin powder, I’ve just ground in a coffee grinder, into mince … tooooo good! A lot eaten before I get to make the dish – whatever it may be … cheers Hilary
If you can find a Dutch grocery store/deli, you should be able to find the spiced Gouda. Or maybe a really well-stocked cheese shop? Good luck, Hilary! 😁
I’m guessing the leftovers were just as good, if not more!
You make it all look so simple … and delicious. hmmm – you might have planted a seed. There’s a possibility of Indian for dinner tonight 🙂
You guessed right! The leftovers were even better. It actually is simple to cook Indian…once you have all the spices you need, that is! Thanks, Joanne 💕
This all looks so yummy! You inspire me with your adventurous cooking spirit!
Thank you, Lynn 💕 Luckily I have a pretty iron stomach as sometimes I get a little too adventurous, even for me. Whenever I am out or abroad (remember THOSE days?😉) I do try to eat something I’ve never had before.
Oh, how I miss Indian Cuisine! We had one place up in Carson City but with the pandemic they closed and when they reopened it was call ahead 48 hours place your order for pick up only. Sigh. We need to go up to Reno or maybe Incline Village for Indian now. I haven’t looked for a place to be honest. We had great Indian Cuisine in the Bay Area so, I can relate to how you were missing it.
Decades ago I got a cooking lesson in Indian Cuisine from a friend. Then at home I made Chana Masala, Aloo Gobi, and Halwa. It was delicious but so time consuming. I haven’t made it since. I am going to check out that cookbook. I have an InstantPot!
I remember once (decades ago, now) making a biryani (recipe I got from an Indian colleague’s wife) and how it seemed to take all day…this cookbook makes Indian cooking quick and easy. Thanks, Deborah 💕
😀
Oh, I can smell the Indian spices all the way here! Gorgeous meals, Deb! Eggplant always absorbs (needs?) a lot of oil.
Oh does it? That explains it, then. Maybe I shouldn’t cut back next time. Thank you, Liesbet 💕
That is one of my favorite cookbooks ever, and palek paneer is my favorite Indian dish ever. Did you make the paneer from the book or buy it? I made it once. It’s great, but kind of a pain to make. I love the Kheema on page 112. I usually make it with ground bison. I’ve also made it with leftover chopped/shredded chicken. I save half of the chicken and stir it in at the end so it doesn’t get too dried out. It was so good. Also, I make granola at home and sometimes season it with the garam masala. Yum! Seriously, nothing in that cookbook is bad.
That is wonderful to read, Donna! I bought my paneer this time but I did see that I could make my own if needs be. I’m going to have to try the kheema next! I really love the garam masala recipe from this book. Thanks 💕
I’ve never had Indian food. We don’t have many Indian restaurants here and somehow they never looked quite appetizing. I should try it though. I love a lot of the middle eastern food and it can’t be too different.
I once read an Indian cookbook author complaining about the lack of aesthetics when it comes to photographing Indian food. She (I think it was a she) was joking that every picture ended up looking the same: a plate of brownish glop. 🤣 But the taste! Oh my. I think you should try it sometime, Kate. Start with butter chicken and wipe it up with some fresh baked naan. Heaven! Thanks 💕
Naan I’m familiar with. It makes awesome pizza!
That looks so good Deb. I love Indian food. I’m sending you my Garma Karhi so you can listen as well as look.
Leslie xoxo
https://youtu.be/whKsLc9Guys
Thanks, Leslie 💕 I think you attached a video but I can’t get it to work on my iPad. Will try on my laptop.
Was able to watch on my laptop! Great video. Thanks, Leslie!
This confirms it! I am definitely having Indian food tonight! Although…I will likely cheat and order in. Seriously, this post had me drooling all over my keyboard. You are an awesome cook!
I look forward to continued hikes and continued great restaurant finds! 😀
Me too! I think I will digging out this cookbook again soon, and making the other Donna’s suggestion of kheema. Cheers to more adventures on trails and in restaurants 🥂. Thanks, Donna 💕
Love good Indian food. I have two grinders. One for coffee, the other for grinding spices. I just finished reading American as Paneer Pie by Supriya Kelkar has so many Indian food references. I am going to have to venture into this. In the meantime, I submitted my plate: https://antoinettetrugliomartin.com/2021/12/01/turkey-on-the-bar-b-q-whatsonyourplateblogchallenge/
Thanks a bunch for all you do.
I have now repurposed my coffee grinder as a spice grinder, since I have switched to Nespresso capsules (fully recyclable). I seriously thought I might have left it behind in Ontario, since I wasn’t using it for coffee anymore. Thankfully it made the trip! Going to check out your blog post now. Thanks, Antionette 💕
You lost me at ‘Indian food.’ I’ve had it but don’t like it. But isn’t it fun to sample stuff from other cultures. You never know when you’ll fall in love with a favor profile.
It definitely is fun, Jean. Indian food isn’t for everyone. One of my friends back in Ontario doesn’t like it either…luckily she loves Vietnamese or I don’t think we could be friends (just kidding 😉). Thanks 💕
Looks delicious and ‘restauranty’ if I do say so. I have never done a curry, preferring to buy them. But I do put curry powder in my beef stew and some other dishes. ):
Yum! Curry powder (a good one) can add so much to everyday dishes. Thank you 💕
The curries look (and sound) great. I adore that shot of Donna on the path too.
Thank you, Jo 💕
Your cooking is inspired! I remember when I was “cooking” just for myself… my dinners were often salad and popcorn, or some such. I love curries so I don’t know why I don’t make them more now. Oh, that’s right, I’m lazy 🙂 I’m glad that Seashell Jesus is keeping his eye on you.
Thank you, Janis 💕 Curries are easy and make lots of food. I am not sure how well they freeze but I do recall seeing them in the frozen food section so I guess that is an option too. Just make or reheat rice, or warm up some naan and you are ready to eat!
Even amid the rain, the scenery was bright and cheerful!
I’ve never had Indian food! And we live in an area with so many different Indian restaurants. I think that having finicky eaters in my house is a major factor. But you’ve given me an idea for a lunch with my friend Kristen on one of our Friday trips!
Indian buffet restaurants are the best! Happy lunching! Thanks, Kari 💕
Mmm, I love Indian food. My tastebuds are drooling, but I only have to wait 2 weeks when I am going out with friends to a local Indian restaurant. I’ve only been there once before but it was delish (and they have a lot of g/f options which is great).
Excellent! Thank you, AJ 💕
Hi Deb, I like Indian food, but there are no good restaurants in my area and cooking it seems to be very complicated. It seems as though one should have lots of spices on hand for doing it well. I like the look of your eggplant curry. Maybe I should start with a dish like that one and see how it goes.
It does mean stocking the spice cabinet, when you decide to make Indian food at home! Cheaper (and fresher!) to buy them in bulk and grind them yourself, as the Indian InstaPot Cookbook suggests. Thanks, Suzanne 💕
So many things to love about this post, Deb. The beauty of nature despite the weather – I would love to wander through the trails with you and Donna! Secondly, good for you making a curry from scratch including the garam masala and thirdly, I love eggplant so would definitely enjoy this dish. Thanks for co-hosting What’s On Your Plate? I’m sharing some of my Festive Traditional Baking. https://www.womenlivingwellafter50.com.au/my-traditional-festive-baking/
Thank you, Sue 💕 Loved your post and your baking!
I just had lunch but I am still salivating at your delicious images! You have succeeded in styling, composing & capturing food that is one of the hardest to photograph appetisingly.
And look at you, cooking up all of my favourite Indian dishes at home!
Oh, cool! Yes, I agree with you about Indian food and lack of photographic appeal 😁. It more than makes up for it in taste though! Thank you, Ju-Lyn 💕
I guess that’s when one pulls out all manner of fancy & colourful plates & bowls!
I love Indian cuisine. Your final result looks delicious and worth the effort. Dare I say yum?
It was definitely worth the effort and deserving of a “yum”! Thanks, Ally 💕
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These all look delicious! Sorry to say, we regifted our Instapot wedding present after not using it once since we got married (uh oh!). Guess we’ll have to try out recipes the old fashioned way. Kudos to you for making your own seasonings!
My electric pressure cooker is my desert island appliance! I use it at least a couple of times a week. Old fashioned ways always work too! Thanks, Tracey 💕
Nice blog
Thank you!