Me in Melange: Indian Gold and the Queen of Spices

Every day is such a melange (!) of opportunities to celebrate health and peaceful intentions, to look for the beauty around us and the beauty within. One of the best ways to spark the beauty within in order for it to result in more beauty without is through diet. A healthy diet is key to how you feel and look, and ultimately respond to the world around you. If you eat well, you feel wonderful, and all of your relationships improve! Hooray!

Happily, that is not the only perk to eating well, you can also prevent cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease!

I recently fell in love with an Indian cooking show on PBS. Alamela Vairavan is a wonderful woman who cooked this recipe on tv while I watched, mesmerized and scribbled it down. She taught me so much in just a half an hour! She spoke of the spices in indian food, and how easy it is to whip up an incredibly tasty meal with them in minutes. As she spoke, she cooked, and I could see that it took no time at all to make an absolutely DELICIOUS, healthy meal.

She spoke of the health benefits of the spices, explaining that Turmeric which is also known as "Indian Gold" is an incredible natural antioxident which fights cancer, and can also fight alzehimer's disease.

She spoke about cardammom known also as "the Queen of Spices" which is known for its detoxification benefits and blood circulation to the lungs.

She talked about fresh Ginger which is a kind of "Universal Medecine" and fights inflammation and cancer.

Well, let me tell you, when I made this recipe the next day, I was instantly entranced and enchanted by just the smells of these amazing spices! It starts from the very beginning, as the cinnamon hits the warm oil. Then I added the turmeric, and watched it turn bronzed gold as it roasted slowly in the oil. When I chopped the fresh ginger, my fingers, hands, and nose were sparkling with the incredibly fresh smell. The smell alone is detoxifying!

Here are three recipes to be served together. All of the ingredients should be easy to find in regular grocery stores.The delicious faux chicken dish is wonderful served over the rice, and alongside the creamy spiced spinach yogurt. Add some toasted Naan bread (easily found in regular grocery stores, just ask) for the perfect meal that will please all but the most willfull ypicky eaters.

I made this for my family, and then again for a dinner party, and it was a resounding success both times. I whip it up every now and then for a quick and special weeknight feast. Enjoy!!!! xo DR

Tomato Curry "Chicken"

1 package Gardein "Chik'n Scallopini".

1/2 c onion, chopped small

1/2 t cinnamon

1T turmeric

1 T minced fresh ginger

4 minced cloves of garlic

1 t cumin

1/2 t black pepper

1 t fennel seeds (yum!)

1 tsp curry powder

1/8 t cayenne

1/4 c tomato sauce

First, take the scallopinis out of the package, and chop them (they will be frozen) into large, bite-sized pieces.

Then, heat some oil in a large skillet. Add the cinnamon as it warms, and the cumin and fennel seed, stirring as it starts to roast in the oil. Then add the onions and garlic and allow to cook a little more. Then the add the turmeric, continue to stir, then 30 seconds or so later add the chicken pieces. Stir to cover them with the spiced oil, and add the cayenne and black pepper, salt, and finally the tomato sauce. Cover the skillet and continue to cook until the chicken is cooked through and the whole mixture is hot and has had a chance to mix its flavors, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, to make the Spiced Jasmine Rice you'll need:

1 tsp turmeric

1 whole clove

1/2 tsp cardammom

1 tsp fresh ginger

1/2 tsp "Garam Masala" (another indian spice that is usually found in the bulk spice section, or if not, then at a healthfood or indian food store. Absolutely delicious.)

ideally, also you'll need a few hairs of saffron, but this can be very expensive and hard to find, so honestly although I'm sure it's delicious, too, I haven't used it yet, and the rice is still wonderful! Your call!

1 1/2 c basmati rice

3 c water

Same as the chicken recipe, start with heating the oil. This time in a sauce pan, and only about 1 T. Add the spices, one at a time. Turmeric, Clove, Ginger,. Garma Masala, Saffron if you're using it. When they've had a chance to roast a little (and fill your kitchen with ennervating, intoxicating aromas, about 2 minutes, or less) pour in the water and the rice. Stir, then cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed. Voila!

Creamy Spiced Spinach Yogurt

1 T oil

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 c chopped onion, small

1 T minced garlic

1 c plain yogurt (dairy or soy)

3-4 c spinach ( I use pre-washed baby spinach for convenience)

warm the oil in a skillet. Add cumin, onions and garlic and cook for a minute or two. Add spinach and cook until totally wilted, add salt and cook a little more, then take off heat and cover, and wait to cool.

Put yogurt into a glass bowl, and when the spinach mixture is cooler, add to the yogurt and mix.

That's it! So easy, and soooooo delicious! (and healthy!)