No Croutons Required - The Winner for June and the Theme for July

The challenge for June was to come up with a vegetarian soup or salad featuring zucchini (or courgette as it is also known as). We received lots of wonderful entries this month and I am certain it was hard to choose a favorite, but a winner we have. Congratulations to Vanessa of Sweet Artichoke who submitted this mouthwatering Zucchini and Lentil Cold Soup. This would be ideal for those hot summer days.

I will be hosting the July edition of No Croutons Required. I'm changing things up this time around. Normally, the theme is vegetarian soups and salads but this month I want to challenge you to come up with a bread recipe that goes well with soups and salads. Quick breads, such as scones, biscuits and muffins, or yeast breads; whatever you think might go well with your favorite soup or salad is welcome. I also encourage you to mention and link to a salad or soup that would go well with your bread creation. I will except entries until the 20th of July.

Strawberry crumble bars

One of the movies I’ve watched a dozen times and will watch again every time it’s on TV is “Under the Tuscan Sun” – can’t get enough of all those beautiful locations! And Diane Lane is absolutely gorgeous – I think Joao has a crush on her, but I don’t mind. :)

Last week I received the latest issue of my favorite magazine and there it was: a recipe for beautiful rhubarb crumble bars – because

Quinoa and White Bean Salad with Wasabi and Roasted Asparagus

Sweet, tender and elegant all on its own, the season's first few bunches of fresh local asparagus in my house rarely make it past a quick steaming with a light sprinkling of lemon juice and sea salt. But with a new bunch in hand with every trip to the market, slightly more elaborate preparations soon break up the routine without compromising the simple and modest treatment that so perfectly suits asparagus.

Roasted asparagus and fresh crunchy red bell pepper combine beautifully with the delicate nutty flavour of quinoa and a lively tamari, sesame and wasabi dressing in this colourful summer salad. The addition of white cannellini beans also makes this a complete and wholesome lunch or dinner.

If you don't have powdered wasabi on hand, substitute a lesser amount of cayenne pepper. Tamari sauce, however, is almost a kitchen essential — traditionally brewed from slow-fermented soy beans, it is far superior to anything marketed as just soy sauce, which is typically made with 40-60% wheat as well as quick hydrolyzed soy protein and caramel colouring. Good tamari sauces are wheat-free, contain more digestible proteins, and taste so much better than ordinary soy sauces that you'll never go back. You can find tamari sauces from such reputable suppliers as San-J or Eden Foods at most health food stores and large supermarkets.

This is also my submission to My Legume Love Affair, a very popular monthly event started by lovely Susan and hosted this month by Diana of Spain in Iowa.

Quinoa and White Bean Salad with Wasabi and Roasted Asparagus

Salad:

1 cup dried quinoa
1/2 cup dried cannellini (white kidney) beans
1 bunch fresh asparagus
olive oil for brushing
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 green onions, sliced

Dressing:

2 tablespoons tamari sauce
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 - 2 teaspoons wasabi powder, or to taste

Garnish:

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Scrub the quinoa under cold running water. Add to a pan, cover with 2 cups of cold water, and soak overnight at room temperature. Separately, rinse the beans and cover with cold water with a little yogurt whey or lemon juice added. Let stand overnight at room temperature.

The following day, bring the quinoa to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, drain and rinse the beans. Add to a medium saucepan and cover with several inches of fresh water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour or until the beans are tender. Drain and set aside to cool.

Preheat an oven to 425°. Snap off the woody ends of the asparagus and arrange the spears on a baking sheet. Brush each side of the spears lightly with olive oil. Roast the asparagus for 10 minutes, turning the spears over once. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool for a few minutes. Cut the spears into halves or thirds.

Meanwhile, toast the sesame seeds in a small pan over medium-low heat, tossing frequently, for 5 minutes until golden brown.

Mix the tamari sauce, sesame oils and lemon juice in a small bowl. Whisk the wasabi into the dressing, a 1/2 teaspoon at a time to create the desired spiciness.

Gently combine the quinoa, beans, asparagus, red pepper and green onions in a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss.

Serve cold or at room temperature, with a scattering of toasted sesame seeds over each serving. Serves 4 to 6.

Other asparagus recipes you may enjoy:
Wasabi Roasted Asparagus
Asparagus and Oriental Tamari Dressing with Pine Nuts
Asparagus Pesto Rice
Farfalle Pasta with Cannellini Beans and Asparagus in a White Mushroom Yogurt Sauce

On the top of the reading stack: The National Post

Audio Accompaniment: Rustling leaves, chirping birds and lawnmowers

Pear croustade with lemon pastry and almonds

After I finished making these tarts – and took a bite out of one – I immediately thought that this would be a great recipe for those of you who are beginning to bake: no equipment required – just a bowl and a fork to make the pastry – and no specific baking pan either. And there’s another good aspect for my Brazilian readers: since pears are in season, this is a delicious and budget-friendly

Baby spice and strawberry butter cakes

After making the strawberry crostata – with such great results – I started searching for the rhubarb recipes I’d been keeping forever in order to make them using strawberries.

It reminded me of when I watched “Heat” and then started looking for everything Michael Mann had done before. :)

Baby spice and strawberry butter cakes
adapted from Australian Gourmet Traveller

Cakes:
1 cup (226g/2

Cheese-Filled Tortellini with a Spicy Mushroom Sauce

Here is another classic from Raghavan Iyer's indispensable book 660 Curries. This recipe has been adapted from his Contemporary Curries section that includes many inspired vegetarian recipes that are sure to please fans of Indian creations. I'd be willing to sacrifice a lot to actually eat this man's food cooked by his own hands. Thankfully, I was fortunate to come across his book when I used to work at a local branch library. As I have noted before, this treasured cookbook has made a delightful gift on more than a few occasions.

This is a rich meal, but one that you will remember for years afterwords and also one that you will well consider making to wow your dinner guests. I admit I didn't prepare my own fresh tortellini, but it is summer after all, and warm weather in Ontario is too sacred not to enjoy while it lasts.

I am sending this off to Mansi of Fun and Food who is hosting this week's edition of Presto Pasta Nights, a popular food event started by Ruth.

Cheese-Filled Tortellini with a Spicy Mushroom Sauce

2 tablespoons of ghee, or a mixture of butter and oil
1 1/4 pounds of wild mushrooms (I used cremini)
14 grams of dried mushrooms (I used lobster mushrooms)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
4 - 6 dried red chilies, crumbled
2 1/2 cups of sour cream
1/2 cup of mashed goat cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons of sea salt
2/3 teaspoons of garam masala
1/2 cup of finely chopped fresh dill
1 1/2 pounds of fresh cheese filled tortellini

Heat the ghee, or butter and oil in a large saucepan over medium - high heat. when hot, add the mushrooms, garlic and chilies and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms shrink and brown and begin to lose their liquid, roughly 10 - 15 minutes.

Reduce the heat to medium low, stir in the sour cream and goat cheese, along with the garam masala and salt. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for roughly 15 minutes.

While the sauce is cooking, prepare the pasta. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta, reduce the heat to medium - high, and cook until tender. Drain and transfer to a serving dish.

Stir the dill into the sauce and cover the pasta with the mushroom sauce.

Yields roughly 6 servings.

More pasta recipes from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen that you will be sure to enjoy:
Mushroom Marinara Sauce with Quinoa Pasta
Rye Pasta with a Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce and Goat Cheese
Macaroni and Paneer Cheese with Spinach
Penne with Fennel, Tomato Sauce and Blue Cheese

On the top of the reading stack: Hitch-22: Some Confessions and Contradictions by Christopher Hitchens

Audio Accompaniment: street noise, chirping birds, rustling leaves and a dripping tap

Gooey Peanut Butter Brownies with Carob Chips

Inspired by dear sweet Susan, who is hosting Sugar High Fridays, I went into the kitchen and whipped up this gooey blondie mixture with carob chips. The theme this time is bar cookies. I am not especially smitten with sugar or sweets at this point in time, but many of my gentleman friends appreciate my efforts and how could I fail to disappoint? Of course, I had a few nibbles. Nice moist brownies are always a treat, especially with a cup of tea, or a glass of red wine.
These brownies are very easy to prepare, and honestly, the clean up time is more exacting.

Gooey Peanut Butter Brownies with Carob Chips

6 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter
3/4 cup of lightly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup of honey (I used a delightful mix of honey and peanut butter from HoneyCo, based in New Zealand)
1/2 cup of crunchy peanut butter
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla
1 cup of unbleached white flour or spelt flour
1/8 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 cup of crunchy peanut butter
1/2 cup of carob chips
2 tablespoons of almond butter

Grease an 8 inch square pan with butter. Line with parchment paper, leaving roughly 2 inches of overlap. Grease the paper in the bottom of the pan with a bit more butter.

In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, honey and peanut butter until smooth and creamy. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Gently beat in the flour, baking soda and baking powder. Stir in the carob chips and remaining peanut butter and almond butter.

Spread evenly into the prepared pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20 - 30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes or so, and then cut and serve.

More brownie recipes from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:
Chocolate Cocoa Brownies with Dried Cranberries and Chickpea Flour
Chocolate Cocoa Brownies with Dried Cranberries and Chickpea Flour
Quick and Easy Fudgy Brownies
Cocoa Brownies with Peanut Butter Chocolate Icing
Peanut Butter Brownies

On the top of the reading stack: Hitch-22: Some Confessions and Contradictions by Christopher Hitchens

Audio Accompaniment: Multila by Vladislav Delay

Best cocoa brownies

I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve made this recipe – my 16 year old sister loves these brownies and was surprised by how easy to put together they are the first time she saw me making them. It was a hit with my brother and at work, too. I left a comment on Chuck’s post on June, 2008 – that was the first time I baked these. So why on earth did I wait so long to post such a great recipe?

Mixed Berry Cornmeal Muffins

Muffins are a treat anytime of year, and these berry delights were a perfect excuse to take advantage of the exceptionally plentiful harvest this year. I highly recommend using fresh berries rather than frozen ones. The addition of cornmeal adds a wonderful crunch to the moist berries and some fine dark chocolate doesn't hurt either.

Just one bite and you will be hooked!

The warm weather has been too alluring to resist, so posting might be a bit lighter around here for a bit. The landlady's sister has also moved in downstairs with her two sweet little doggies - a very good excuse to go out for walks indeed. And yard work and sunshine beckons besides.

Mixed Berry Cornmeal Muffins

1 1/2 cups of spelt flour or unbleached white flour
3/4 cup of cornmeal
1/3 cup of sugar
4 teaspoons of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
1 teaspoon of orange zest
1 1/4 cups of mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
1/3 cup of crumbled dark chocolate
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup of milk
1/4 cup of sesame oil
1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla

Butter 12 muffin cups.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt and orange zest. Mix in the berries and the chocolate chunks. Make a well in the center of the bowl.

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, oil and vanilla. Fold into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

Divide the dough evenly into the prepared muffin tins. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 15 - 20 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the middle of a muffin comes out clean. Leave the muffins in the tin for a few minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool a bit before serving.

Other muffin recipes from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen you are sure to enjoy:
Cherry Blueberry Muffins
Blueberry Goat Cheese Muffins
Cranberry Lemon Ricotta Muffins

On the top of the reading stack: Hitch-22: Some Confessions and Contradictions by Christopher Hitchens

Audio Accompaniment: There Is No-One What... by the Palace Brothers

Lemon cream éclairs

Do you remember my complaining about the eggy smell on my profiteroles? As I wrote on that post, I tried adding vanilla extract to choux pastry and I think it worked well!

Since I’d already made profiteroles, I used the pastry to make éclairs this time – and you can blame the lemon filling on me. ;)



Lemon cream éclairs
from Australian Gourmet Traveller

Choux pastry:
½ cup (120ml) water
3 ½

Kitchen garden soup with tiny herb omelettes

It’s almost winter here and I have to say I love cold days – maybe because they remind me of the time I spent with my mom as a kid, watching cartoons under the blanket after school with a bowl of her piping hot rice pudding, loaded with cinnamon...

Now that I’m a grown-up I have to do boring things – like going to work – but I still have a nice feeling when the cold wind hits my face. For days

Chickpea and Lentil Salad with Zucchini and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

This must be one of the tastiest salads I have ever prepared. I was inspired to make it in response to this month's No Croutons Required Challenge. The theme this month is zucchini. I adapted the recipe from Once Upon a Tart by Frank Mentesana and Jerome Audureau. These gentlemen say this is one of the most popular recipes on their menu, and after making this salad, I can see why. The key to a nice crunchy salad is to dice the veggies to match the size of the chickpeas.

I think the addition of corn and black beans would go well with this salad.

I am also excited to note that one of my recipes is included in a soon to be published book. 50 bloggers have been represented in this cookbook focusing on brain-healthy recipes and a giveaway contest is scheduled soon. Sign up for your weekly recipe in the meantime.

Chickpea and Lentil Salad with Zucchini and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

1 cup of French lentils (Puy lentils), well rinsed
1 cup of dried chickpeas, well rinsed
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 red pepper, finely chopped
1 large jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
1 zucchini, finely chopped
6 - 8 marinated sun-dried tomatoes
one recipe sun-dried tomato dressing
1/2 cup of fresh basil leaves, cut into strips

Soak the chickpeas in enough water to cover overnight. Drain, transfer to a medium large pot, cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, and cover and simmer until the chickpeas are tender - roughly 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.

In another medium large saucepan, bring the lentils to a boil in 4 cups of water. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the lentils are tender - roughly 20 - 25 minutes. Drain and add them to the bowl of chickpeas.

Add the onion, red pepper, jalapeno pepper, zucchini and sun-dried tomatoes, along with the dressing to the beans. Toss until everything is evenly coated with the dressing. Now add the fresh basil leaves and a pinch of salt and toss again gently.

Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Yields 4 - 6 servings.

Other salads from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen to be enjoyed:
Vegetarian Caesar Salad
Chickpea Salad with Goat Cheese, Olives and Arugula
Roasted Beet Salad with Quinoa, Chickpeas and Miso and Tahini
Puy lentil, Feta and Roasted Red Pepper Salad

On the top of the reading stack: Hitch-22: Some Confessions and Contradictions by Christopher Hitchens

Audio Accompaniment: River Made No Sound by Pan American

Strawberry crostata

As a kid my favorite dessert was strawberry tart – it was similar to the banana tart I made for my dad a while ago: same crust and filling, with the strawberries beautifully arranged on top of the velvety cream – mom brushed the berries with jam so they’d be shiny and pretty. :)

My taste buds have changed a lot all these years and my childhood tart is no longer my favorite dessert, but I’m

Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing

As promised, here is a recipe I prepared with the most delicious homemade marinated sun-dried tomatoes that I have ever tasted. I adapted it from a vinaigrette recipe that I found in Once Upon a Tart by Frank Mentesana and Jerome Audureau. If I ever get a chance to visit New York, I will for sure seek out their café. In the meantime, I can enjoy their informative and colorful book filled with lots of ideas for tarts, soups, sandwiches, salads, condiments, quickbreads and cookies. So many helpful hints and amusing musings are included in this volume! Yet another treasured cookbook to add to the growing stack.

My version of their vinaigrette uses a lot more sun-dried tomatoes than the original recipe called for and actually resembled a sauce, rather than a vinaigrette, but turned out to be a wonderful accompaniment to a bean and vegetable salad that I will be sharing soon. My take on the recipe is that it would also make a delightful pasta sauce combined with some fresh herbs and nuts.

Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing

Recipe by Lisa Turner Adapted from Once Upon a Tart: Soups, Salads, Muffins, and More Published on June 16, 2010 A simple and extraordinary sun-dried tomato dressing that will liven up any salad, but that is thick and robust enough that it could be used as a pasta sauce Print this recipe Ingredients: 1/2 cup marinated sun-dried tomatoes (recipe below) 1 clove garlic, minced 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar 1/2 teaspoon sea salt fresh cracked black pepper to taste 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese 1/3 cup olive oil Instructions: Combine the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, balsamic vinegar, salt, black pepper and Parmesan cheese in a food processor and purée until blended. Drizzle in the olive oil while the machine continues to process. Makes about 1 1/2 cups

Marinated Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Recipe by Lisa Turner Adapted from Once Upon a Tart: Soups, Salads, Muffins, and More Published on June 7, 2010 Simple but robust and delicious homemade marinated sun-dried tomatoes Print this recipe Ingredients: 2 cups water 1/2 pound (about 60) sun-dried tomatoes (not oil-packed) 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/4 teaspoon sea salt fresh ground black pepper to taste 3/4 cups olive oil 1 small clove garlic, crushed Instructions: Lightly salt the water and bring to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and boil for about 1 minute to soften them up. Drain and let them cool while you make the marinade. In a medium bowl, whisk together the vinegar, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper and garlic. Continue to whisk and pour in the olive oil. Add the tomatoes to the bowl, and stir well to coat. Refrigerate in a sealed jar for up to several weeks, stirring every few days. Makes about 2 cups

Other sauces and dressings from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen you may enjoy:
Mushroom Marinara Sauce
Spicy Sun-Dried Tomato Paste
Gingered Tomato Sauce
Ranch Dressing

Audio Accompaniment: Birds and rain

On the top of the Reading stack: Hitch-22: Some Confessions and Contradictions by Christopher Hitchens

Pao de mel macarons

I think the macaron bug has bitten me. :)After my passion fruit-scented victory, I desperately felt like making macarons again; inspired by my lovely macaron muses – Julia, Aran, Meeta, Evan, and Your Highness, the Queen – I tried to come up with a different flavor, so I used spices, cocoa and dulce de leche and tried to evoke the flavors of pao de mel, which is something everyone loves here in

Mexican-Style Kamut Berry, Black Bean and Roasted Corn Salad

Kamut is an ancient variety of wheat believed to have originated in ancient Egypt and — as the story goes — only recently cultivated again in modern times after the discovery of a few seeds in the tomb of King Tutankhamen. Compared to most wheat, kamut is richer in protein, magnesium, zinc, B vitamins, vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids, and is more generally more easily digested and tolerated by people with gluten sensitivities.

Aside from these benefits, the whole kernel or berry of kamut has a warm buttery and nutty taste that is equally appealing by itself or paired with stronger flavours, both sweet or spicy. The whole kernel or berry is also much larger than that of wheat, and has a nice chewy texture that contrasts beautifully with both delicate and crunchy foods.

This contrast is played for full and delicious effect in this Mexican-style black bean salad loaded with roasted corn, tomatoes, fresh jalapeño peppers and celery, with a lime juice, balsamic vinegar and toasted ground cumin dressing for extra kick. Whole grains, legumes and fresh vegetables makes this salad not only a colourful addition to your table, but a complete and refreshing meal by itself on a warm summer day. Look for whole kamut berries at natural food stores and in many supermarkets.

Mexican-Style Kamut Berry, Black Bean and Roasted Corn Salad

Salad:

1/2 cup dried black beans
1/2 cup whole kamut berries
3 ears fresh corn
3 jalapeño peppers, seeded and cut into 1-inch matchsticks
2 shallots, chopped
2 green onions, white and green parts, sliced
1 celery stalk, diced
large handful fresh cilantro, chopped
3 large tomatoes, chopped
1 avocado, peeled and diced

Dressing:

1 teaspoon ground cumin
juice of 3 limes
1/2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon sea salt

Separately rinse the kamut berries and black beans under cold running water. Place in separate bowls and cover with several inches of cold water. Add a little yogurt whey or lemon juice to each bowl, and let soak overnight at room temperature.

Drain and rinse the black beans, then place in a medium saucepan. Cover with several inches of fresh water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour or until the beans are tender but not falling apart. Drain and set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, drain and rinse the kamut berries and place in a small or medium saucepan. Cover with 1 cup of fresh water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes or until tender. Drain any excess liquid and set aside to cool.

While the beans and kamut are cooking, preheat an oven to 450°. Place the ears of corn in their husks on a baking sheet. Roast for 30 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool for 30 minutes. Remove the husks, pare the kernels from the ears and set aside.

Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Toss in the ground cumin and toast, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until the cumin is fragrant and has darkened a few shades. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the beans, kamut, corn, jalapeños, shallots, green onions, celery and cilantro. Season the tomatoes with a little salt and drain for 5 minutes in a colander. Gently fold the tomatoes and avocado into the salad.

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the toasted ground cumin, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, chili powder and salt. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently.

Serve at room temperature or cold. Serves 6 to 8.

Other summer salads you may enjoy:
Mexican-style Potato Salad With Avocado and Jalapeño
Cannellini Bean and Grape Tomato Salad with Lemon Dressing and Rosemary-Garlic Infused Olive Oil
Cauliflower & Olive Salad
Chickpea, Olive and Feta Cheese Salad
Creamy Coleslaw

On the top of the reading stack: Penguin Classics Village Of Stepanchikovo by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Audio Accompaniment: Chirping birds and traffic

Asparagus and ricotta tarts

Joao bought a bunch of asparagus a while ago and, for some reason I can’t remember now we did not eat them right away – I ended up freezing the asparagus but wasn’t sure if that would work.

I decided to make tartlets to check if the asparagus were still good and they turned out delicious – I place the asparagus still frozen on top of the ricotta filling and baked according to the recipe.

No

Milk chocolate-filled cinnamon doughnuts

Still on the feasible side of promises and resolutions, I’ve been trying to make more yeasted recipes – because I always tell people I love working with yeast but taking a look at my blog that doesn’t sound very true.

I got this recipe here – the same magazine these buns came from – and highly recommend it: the doughnuts are tender, taste great and imho don’t necessarily need the chocolate

Saffron-Marinated Paneer Cheese with Fresh Basil, Cashews and Pomegranate Seeds

I can never heap enough praise on Raghavan Iyer, the author of 660 Curries. A truly indispensable addition to any spice-filled kitchen, this inspired cookbook is consulted weekly and I certainly will be revisiting many of the creations I have tried already. It has also proved to be a well received gift on more than a few occasions.


As I have noted before, this informative and creative book is not strictly vegetarian, but Mr. Iyer includes hundreds of vegetarian-friendly recipes, most of which do not take much trouble to prepare. There is no shortage of ideas for spice blends, pastes, appetizers, paneer, legumes, vegetables and rice. His helpful cooking hints and focus on ingredients is highly instructive. Recently my focus has been on his Contemporary Curries section. If you are looking for dishes to impress your dinner guests, you need look no further. My regular readers will know I can never resist the allure of paneer cheese and this recipe for saffron-Marinated paneer cheese with basil, cashews and pomegranate seeds was simply heavenly. Mr. Iyer describes the dish as "sexy" and humorously notes that even if you don't smoke, "you may well wish for a cigarette" afterwards.

Saffron-Marinated Paneer Cheese with Fresh Basil, Cashews and Pomegranate Seeds

Recipe by Lisa Turner Adapted from 660 Curries Cuisine: Indian Published on June 10, 2010 Paneer cheese marinated in a saffron cream, baked, and topped with fresh herbs, pomegranate seeds and roasted cashews Print this recipe Ingredients: 2/3 cup heavy cream, yogurt or kefir 1 scant teaspoon saffron threads 1 teaspoon sea salt 3 - 4 fresh green chilies, seeded and minced pinch of turmeric 14 oz (400 g) paneer cheese, cut into 1-inch thick and 3-inches long narrow strips 3 - 4 scallions, finely chopped (include some of the green tops) 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, finely chopped 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds 1/3 cup roasted cashews, crushed into coarse pieces Instructions: Bring the cream, yogurt or kefir to a boil over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Sprinkle in the saffron, add the salt and chillies, stir, and remove from the heat. Add the paneer and gently stir to make sure the cheese is covered with the creamy marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Remove the paneer from the marinade, setting aside the marinade, and transfer the cheese to a greased broiling pan. Broil on the top rack of the oven, turning the paneer every few minutes. Broil until they are golden brown on both sides, about 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a serving plate. Bring the marinade to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer, uncovered, until the mixture thickens. Stir in the scallions, basil and cilantro. Pour the sauce over the broiled paneer and sprinkle with the pomegranate seeds and roasted cashews. Makes 4 to 6 servings

Other delightful paneer dishes from Lisa's Kitchen:
Mung Bean Paneer
Massaman Curry
Macaroni and Paneer Cheese
Mattar Paneer

On the top of the reading stack: Elias, Or, the Struggle with the Nightingales by Maurice Gilliams

Audio Accompaniment: Translucence/Drift Music by Harold Budd and John Foxx