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December 19, 2009

Bhindi Masala


















So it's the last weekend before Christmas, and I am actually relaxing. I have worked hard over the last couple of weeks and I am pretty well caught up now. Well, caught up enough that I could grab my laptop, lean back on the couch with my feet propped up on the coffee table, and work on a post about another yummy Indian dish. So let's get right to it, I hope that you enjoy this one as much as I did!

Bhindi Masala
(adapted from Two Blue Lemons)

1 small yellow onion
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 cups okra, sliced, stems discarded

1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp ground cayenne
Pinch of cinnamon
2 whole cloves
4 green cardamom pods

1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup water
1 can diced tomatoes or 2 large fresh tomatoes, chopped

Slice the onion into thin half moons and saute in olive oil until the onion are translucent. Add the ginger and garlic saute for a minute or two or until the garlic is fragrant. Add the okra.

Add the cumin, garam masala, turmeric, cayenne, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. Cook for a minute to toast the spices.

Stir in the coconut milk, water, and diced tomatoes. Simmer, uncovered, over low heat for about 20 minutes, or until the tomato and coconut has created a thick, dark curry.























Well, time to get back to my lounging, but before I go I wanted to tell you about something exciting that I've decided to take part in this January. For me, this holiday season has been a major overdose on sweets and other not so healthy foods. I was ready to throw in the towel a couple of days ago, but the big day isn't even here yet! Now, I'm not the new year resolution type, but it really does make sense to make diet changes after the holidays. So without calling it a new years resolution, I was planning on starting out the near year by cutting out dairy and sugar for a few weeks, as a sort of detox and to get myself going in the right direction for 2010.

Wouldn't you know that the day after I committed myself to doing this on my own I learned about the January Cleanse 2010 co-hosted by clinical nutritionist, Gena, of Choosing Raw. Hop on over to check out the program and take advantage of a discount for signing up before the end of December. There are three levels to choose from, based on where you are at with your current diet. Sample menus for all three levels of the program are now available here. The cleanse will be taking place Jan 18-27, be sure to let me know if you plan on joining me!

Just in case I don't have the chance to post again, I'd like to take the opportunity now to wish you a very Merry Christmas. Wishing you the very best, my friends!

13 comments:

  1. love that cat photo - glad you are getting a break and have plans to eat healthy in the new year - it is hard to avoid some of the festivities with food but good to have a plan - enjoy your festive season and I hope we might see how you go with the January Clense

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  2. That Indian dish looks delicious, I love Indian food. Your cat is darling, what a great photo!
    Glad you have a little time to relax, hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

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  3. Thanks for the shout out! I was looking at Gena's cleanse too.. good for you!! Happy holidays!

    Anna

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  4. Great cat pic! What a cutie.

    Enjoy your cleanse. We felt so great when we gave up dairy and sugar, for what was suppose to be 6 weeks, we didn't go back.

    Happy holiday!
    Alicia

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  5. I never enjoyed eating bhindi/okra when I was little, but as with most things, the older I get, the more I appreicate...

    Have a lovely Christmas and good luck with the cleanse. Thanks for sharing the kitty picture.

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  6. Wow, I'm impressed with your Indian dishes! And, congrats on your goal of dairy and sugar-free. I hope you feel energized. Mine is to get in better shape and try a little more raw. Have a great Christmas!

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  7. That okra dish looks and sounds absolutely delicious! Good luck with the cleanse, I'm so impressed with your goal.

    Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and Happy Holidays!

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  8. Hey lady, hope you had an excellent Christmas and got that copy of Veganomicon you wished for!

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  9. Morning Sarah! About the celery in the green smoothie... I could taste it just a little bit which could be for a couple reasons. 1. I didn't add enough liquid so it wasn't completely liquefied... 2. I had an incorrect fruits to greens ratio which can make the green taste stand out a bit more. I've read that adding a touch of vanilla extract will take away that green biter taste. If I were to do it all over again I would have waited 'til I had some spinach or kale in the house before trying it... but I was impatient.

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  10. Yum, this sounds so delicious and fragrant!

    Good luck with the non-resolution. I find sugar the hardest, but doable :)

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  11. Hi Sarah,
    I've come over to wish you a Happy New 2010.
    Warm wishes

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  12. I just stumbled upon your site and love it. I have never cooked with okra before but would like to give it a try. this looks great.

    /chitra/

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