Dinners aren't usually my favorite meal to cook, but I've been on a roll lately!
Maybe it's the fact that I have access to so much fresh produce and random, ethnic ingredients here in Queens. Maybe it's the inspiration I get smelling amazing Indian, Bengali and Mexican food as I walk down Roosevelt Avenue. Maybe it's the spiralizer I got for my birthday.
OR...maybe I'm just awesome.
Okay, probably not the last reason. But something in New York has seeped into my bones and given me fresh inspiration when it comes to planning dinners for Brett and me. It's exciting!
Some of my dinner ideas come from eating out. I always love trying to recreate meals I eat at different restaurants. The other night Brett and I met some new friends at a Greek restaurant in Astoria. I got a bulgar salad with dates, pistachios, olives and veggies for my main meal and it was amazing! I'm not usually big into olives, but it worked. The next day I made my own version and the result was a light, zesty greek salad that could be eaten as main course or a side dish.
Another meal that was a hit this week was my One-Pot Mexican Rice. This meal is so full of flavor and spices and can be eaten in so many different ways. I used brown rice too, so it's full of fiber and fills you right up. We ate it by itself, wrapped in tortillas and on top of lettuce. It's foolproof too. You can use any of the veggies or beans you already have on hand and I'm sure it would still taste great!
My favorite meal of the week however was this Vegetable Curry. Don't let the list of ingredients scare you. Most of this recipe consists of spices that you probably already have in your pantry. And, you can switch up the veggies too. Get creative!
What was your favorite dinner this week?
Which meal of the day do you enjoy preparing/eating the most?
📖 Recipe
Vegetable Curry (Vegan too!)
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion finely diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- One 2-inch piece fresh ginger peeled and finely grated (1 Tbs.)
- 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoons cayenne
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 ½ cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk
- 1 small cauliflower broken into florets (about 4 cups)
- 1 pound sweet potato peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 3 cups)
- 1 large carrot peeled and cut into ½-inch-thick rounds (about 1 cup)
- 2 roma tomatoes seeded, and chopped
- 2 large handfuls of baby spinach
- More salt to taste
Instructions
- In a large sauce pan over medium heat sauté the onion until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat if necessary and cook until the onion is richly browned, 5 to 7 minutes more.
- Add the garlic and ginger and let cook 1 more minute. Add the coriander, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon and cayenne; stir for 30 seconds to toast the spices. Add the tomato paste and stir until well blended, about 1 minute.
- Add the broth and coconut milk and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low or low and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the cauliflower, sweet potatoes and carrots. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat. Cover and let simmer until the vegetables are tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Stir in the spinach and tomato and cook until the spinach has wilted, about 3 minutes more. Season to taste with salt. Serve over rice.
Tina Muir says
Vegetable curries are one of my favorite meals to make. I wish more people liked curry, and I wish it was easier to photograph....doesnt help itself with its color! Thanks for joining our linkup 🙂
Faith says
I know, I don't understand the concept of not liking curry! And yeah, it is a beast to photograph:)
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
I love the spiralizer too! The curry looks great-all my favorite ingredients in one. Thanks for linking up today. Please remember to visit and comment on the hostesses sites as well! Thanks and have a great MeatlessMonday
Yuliya says
Oh my yummy!!! These meals look a-maaaaazzzinng! I want it all right now haha! I'm definitely pinning to try soon! I also love zucchini noodles - it's literally the only way my kid eats zucchini, too!
Faith says
Thanks Yuliya! That's awesome your kids eat zucchini noodles. I just made some for my husband the other night and he approved too:)
Fran@BCDC says
Everything looks delicious! Have a great day!
Faith says
Thanks Fran!! You too:)
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
My goodness everything looks delicious! I absolutely MUST get a spiralizer. I'm dying to make those zucchini noodles!
Faith says
Liz, you won't regret it. I've used mine soooo many times and I just got it last week!!