Appetizers – Page 3 – Basil & Roses

Fiesta Black Beans

January 11, 2017 nmalekan@gmail.com Comments 0 Comment

A delightful vegetarian meal that is packed with flavor due to a generous use of spices, lots of garlic and tangy lime juice. Fresh green jalapeno can lend a welcoming heat which can be adjusted to taste.

The warming medley of cumin, turmeric, smoked paprika and oregano is the flavor foundation of this dish, taking cues from my favorite Mexican recipes. Savoury and earthy flavors balanced with the fresh lightness of cilantro and bright citrus. You can play with the spice mix but here cumin and turmeric are a must.

This recipe is versatile. Wonderful on its own, as a vegetarian side dish, coupled with melted monterey jack and cheddar cheese and baked in a flour tortilla for a quesadilla, or as a sassy dip with tortilla chips. Regardless of how you enjoy it, the black beans shine here in the company of bold flavors and smoky spices.

~Tip:
For a spicier rendition, add a pinch of cayenne or douse of your favorite hot sauce at the end of cooking.

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large while or yellow onion, chopped
5-6 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 small jalapeno, chopped
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 (14-ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup water
A handful fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
Juice of 1-2 limes, adjust to taste
Salt + Pepper to taste

Instructions:
Heat the olive oil over medium-high in a skillet.
Saute onions until translucent, about 3 minutes.
Add garlic and jalapeno to the onions and saute for 1 more minute until garlic is fragrant, taking care to avoid garlic from burning.
Add cumin, turmeric, smoked paprika, oregano and mix thoroughly until spices are fragrant, approximate 1 minute.
Add the black beans, tomato and water to the pan, stir and bring to a slow simmer allowing the liquid to reduce slightly. Approximately 3-4 minutes.
Lower the heat, mix in cilantro and season with as much lime juice as desired.
Douse with hot sauce, if using and enjoy!

Rosemary & Sea-Salt Baked Potato Chips

December 12, 2016 nmalekan@gmail.com Comments 1 comment

These baked potato “chips” are great as a snack on their own dipped in ketchup, or work well as a side dish to any weeknight dinner. They’re super easy to make too!

Ingredients:
10-12 small russet potatoes
1 tablespoon coarse sea salt (adjust to taste)
3/4 tablespoon black pepper
1/4-1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
1-2 tablespoons rosemary
2-3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:
Preheat over to 350 degrees.
Wash + dry potatoes and cut into thin rounds.
In a bowl combine potato slices, rosemary, salt, pepper and red chili flakes.
Toss to coat.
Place potato slices flat on a baking sheet.
Limit overlapping too many pieces, otherwise you sacrifice crispiness.
Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.
Sprinkle a bit more sea salt while potatoes are still hot.
Delight in the healthiest “potato chip” you’ll ever have!

Tuscan Grilled Veggie Sandwich

October 10, 2016 nmalekan@gmail.com Comments 2 comments

I created this delicious sandwich for a celebration gathering for my sister’s birthday inspired by her favorite flavors and it was a hit! It’s colorful, flavorful and the presentation had a “wow” factor for guests… or maybe it was just the melty gooye cheese oozing out the sides of the sumptuous panino that had everyone excited… ?

The natural ingredients layer together nicely and create a depth of flavor that is nearly orgasmic (direct quote from of the guests!). It’s really easy to make too:

Ingredients:
I medium size loaf ciabatta bread (available at Whole Foods and other bakeries).
This time I chose a sun-dried tomato one which added another rich layer the flavor profile.
3 table spoons chopped rosemary
6 zucchini (may seem like a lot but they shrink when roasted).
4 sweet red peppers
Pesto (store bought, I like the options at Whole Foods or Fairway but choose your favorite).
Fresh mozzarella cheese.
3 cups arugula.
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar (of Modena of course)

Directions:
Slice zucchini and red peppers and spread out on a baking sheet.
Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Chop rosemary and sprinkle on the veggies with salt and pepper.
Roast in the over for 30-40 minutes at 375 degrees. Remove set aside.
Start assembling sandwich.
Cut ciabatta bread in half, separating top and bottom.
Layer remaining ingredients in the following order: Pesto, fresh mozzarella, zucchini, sweet red pepper, more mozzarella, arugula.
Cover with top piece of bread and press down.
Back in the oven for approximately 10-15 minutes to melt cheese and toast bread.

Slice as desired and enjoy!

I cut into small pieces for a party, but it can be served as a whole sandwich for your own personal enjoyment.

Homemade Falafel with Herb Tahini Sauce and Shirazi Salad

September 25, 2016 nmalekan@gmail.com Comments 4 comments

Falafel! The ultimate Middle Eastern comfort food, the name of which probably comes from the word pilpel (pepper, felfel in Farsi- referring to the shape of a pepper corn) was made in two ways: In Egypt today, from crushed, soaked fava beans and combined with chickpeas or, as Yemenite Jews and the Arabs of Jerusalem did, from chickpeas alone. My version uses chickpeas and herbs and it’s simple and finger lickin’ good!

Note: Add a drizzle of Harisa (a hot sauce paste used in North African cuisine, made from chili peppers, paprika, and olive oil) for an extra kick!

For the Falafel-

Ingredients:
1 cup dried chickpeas
1/2 large onion, roughly chopped (1 cup)
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon whole coriander seeds
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
4 cloves of garlic
1 teaspoon baking powder
4 tablespoons flour
Vegetable oil for frying
Pita bread

Directions:
Soak chickpeas overnight in a bowl (covered in 2 inches of cold water) OR use canned chickpeas, washed + drained.
Place chickpeas and onions in the bowl of food processor.
Add the parsley, cilantro, hot pepper flakes, garlic, crushed coriander seeds, cumin.
Process until blended but not pureed.
Sprinkle in baking powder, flour, and pulse.
Add enough flour so you can form a small ball with the dough and it doesn’t sticks to your hands.
Form chickpea mixture into balls about the size of walnuts.
Heat 3 inches of oil to 375ºF in a deep pot or wok and fry 1 ball to test.
If it falls apart, add a little flour.
Once you have the right consistency, fry about 5 balls at once for a few minutes on each side, until golden brown.
Let cool on paper towels to capture extra oil.
Stuff half a pita with falafel balls, shirazi salad and drizzle with tahini sauce .

Enjoy the ultimate comfort food!

For the Tahini Sauce-

Ingredients:

Ingredients:
2 garlic cloves (optional)
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 cup well-stirred tahini (sesame paste)
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro or parsley (or better yet both!)
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt + pepper to taste

Directions:
Mince garlic, then mash to a paste with sea salt.
Mix garlic paste and remaining ingredients.
Add water or lemon juice to taste and to adjust for desired consistency.

Shirazi Salad

Ingredients:
3 medium Persian cucumbers
1/2 raw red onion
1 large tomato
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Juice of 1 lemon
Drizzle with olive oil to preferred taste
Salt + Pepper

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together and serve.

***A special thanks to the Kashin Kitchen for hosting the recipe testing of this deelish dish!

Spice Crusted Chickpeas with Mint Yogurt Sauce

September 23, 2016 nmalekan@gmail.com Comments 2 comments

This is one of my favorite dishes to make. It is humble in its simplicity while simultaneously luxurious given the melange of spices. Mostly savory with a whisper of sweetness. The ginger, cumin and turmeric provide warmth and earthiness. The garlic and chilies add a nice heat. The walnuts provide just the right amount of textural contrast. The subtle sweetness of the cinnamon rounds all elements of earth, fire and nuttiness together… and for the finale- the coolness of the mint and yogurt balance our the entire dish. It’s a carnival for the taste buds!

Once upon a time, these spices were only available to royalty and the elite. They were a luxury for which wars were fought over and kingdoms were built or destroyed. Spices were used as currency in trade. These exotic flavors made their way from far away lands via the spice trade to the homes of nobility and were not nearly as accessible as they are to us today. These days all it takes is quick trip to the local supermarket to acquire the same riches.

That is why I entourage you to use spices. Many of us are afraid of using the ones we’re not familiar with. This recipe is a great way to dip your toe in the water! A can of chickpeas from your pantry and a combination of these spices makes a satisfying yet super healthy dish. The cool mint yogurt will balance the heat of the spices and your kitchen will smell divine!

Ingredients:
1 can chickpeas washed + drained
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium white or yellow onion
3 cloves garlic
15 walnut halves
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (use more if you want a slightly more sweet flavor)
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust to preference of heat)
1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to preference of heat)
1 cup yogurt
A handful of fresh mint, chopped

Directions:
For Chickpeas-

Saute onion until transparent on medium heat
Add chopped garlic and saute with onion for approximately 1 minute
Add chickpeas
In the center of the pan add 1 teaspoon of oil and to oil add cumin, turmeric, red chili flakes, chili power, cinnamon
Mix and cook over high heat for another 5-6 minutes
Add chopped walnuts
Add chopped ginger
Salt + pepper and fresh mint to taste

For Yogurt Sauce-
Combine yogurt, salt, pepper, garlic power and mint.