Fresh & Natural
  • Home
  • Healthy Eating
  • Complimentary Healing
  • Green Living
  • Books
  • Spiritual Wellbeing
  • Contacts Us
    • Spread the Word
    • Terms & Conditions

Masala French Fries- a tasty alternative to the hmm- let’s say, usual, boring regular French Fries :-)

12/28/2019

0 Comments

 
Potatoes… ummm… they are probably the most loved vegetables of all. And they probably also have a very bad reputation for being fattening!!

This is probably because of all the fatty ways in which we prepare potatoes!! Potatoes do have many important nutrients. I will write another post on that… this post is about how we can enjoy this delicious vegetable.
​
Yes, it is true that potatoes are very starchy and one way to counteract it is to rinse and soak it in cold water and throw away that water. Also, make sure that you have keep the skin on your potatoes to ensure that you retain most of its beneficial nutrients.
Picture
Considering the fact that I absolutely love French Fries- though folks from Belgium will be quick to correct that it originated in Belgium and then became famous after being included the American fastfood meals and that “French Fries” have nothing French about them!!

Now that you know this little tidbit about French Fries history trivia- let’s see how we can enjoy it and make some special flavorful versions of this tasty side dish (sometimes main dish, like in my case- just sometimes, I promise!!)

I invested in an Air Fryer- for those of you who are not sure about how an air fryer works, you can check out my article about it, titled- Air Fryer- great way to occasionally indulge in deep fried foods!!  
​
But bottom line is that this machine utilizes just a tablespoon or so of oil to ‘deep fry’ and make a pound of French fries. 
Picture
Then considering I love my Indian masalas, I have made these fries (photographed here) with Garam Masala, by sprinkling some over the half-cooked potatoes, after around the half-cooked mark! 
​
I have also made these with other flavors from around the world- Ras al Hanout (also written as Ras el Hanout) spice mix from Morocco is my favorite after Indian Masala French Fries.
Try out this variation or anything else that you fancy- after all it is true that food is about healthy eating and providing our body with good nutrition, but it is also true that it is important to feed our soul with food that truly brings us joy.

In this regard, there are no hard and fast rules about hey- you cannot use Indian masalas on French Fries or sprinkle some Ras al Hanout on your Belgian waffle.

If you like it and it is not detrimental to your health and you do not overdo it, then a little indulgence should help to not just feed your body about also feed and uplift your soul.

Maybe this is where the word- soul food originally came from?? I need to now research that word origin. Will let you know my findings in another post… :-)
Picture
​#soulfood #frenchfries #masalafrenchfries #sinfulfoods #enjoyfood 
0 Comments

Pan roasted White Sweet Potato Side

3/7/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Pan roasted White Sweet Potato Side
Pan roasted White Sweet Potato Side is a perfect accompaniment to salads or burgers. A great healthier alternative for French fries. 

Cut sweet potatoes into medium wedge slices. At the thick part, I prefer to make them into semi-circles, for manageable roast size with nice character! Heat pan at high heat. Then lower heat to medium and drizzle a little olive oil or coconut oil. Lay out the sweet potato slices on the pan in a flat layer. Roast on medium heat for 10 mins. Make sure that the slices do not stick to the pan bottom.

Sprinkle a little thyme, freshly ground black pepper and sea salt to taste. Turn the sweet potato slices and roast some more till they turn golden brown and are well-done (but not mushy).
​
For cooking efficiency, you can cover the pan for part of this pan roasting process. But make sure you leave enough gap, since we want to roast the sweet potatoes and not “boil-cook” them (from the heat steam)!
0 Comments

Garlic and Tomato Salad

3/3/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Garlic and Tomato Salad
Garlic and Tomato Salad

We all know the many health benefits of eating couple of cloves of raw garlic each day. But considering the pungent taste of garlic, it is quite difficult to eat it raw, that too couple of cloves!

The dressing in this salad completely helps mask the strong taste of garlic and actually makes it taste really yummy! In a salad-dressing mixing bottle add a little Modena balsamic vinegar. Add a little over same amount of extra virgin olive oil. Next add finely chopped three to four cloves of garlic and finally a little pinch of organic raw brown sugar. Shake well to mix and make up your awesome dressing!
​
Chop up some tomatoes into medium size pieces. Sprinkle a little dried oregano on it and then drizzle this yummy dressing. Mix well and it’s ready to serve. 
0 Comments

Chicken Sausage and Mushroom Salad- warm salad to enjoy while cooling off on hot summer evenings!

5/19/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Chicken Sausage and Mushroom Salad
To make this yummy salad, finely chop up some red onions and pepper. You can choose the type of pepper based on your taste and heat-tolerance. I am being quite daring here and am using Habanero. But any variety including vibrant sweet peppers will do! Next coarsely slice up some garlic and finally thinly chop up an uncooked chicken sausage. Here I have used feta and spinach chicken sausage. But you could use plain chicken sausage or veggie (non-meat) sausage. This recipe would work well with chorizo or any other Italian and/or Spanish sausage as well…

Start with heating some olive oil in an iron griddle. You can use a steel pan, but there seems to be something ‘just special’ about using an iron griddle for such type of grill/pan cooking. Add a little whole cumin to hot oil. As it starts to release its aroma, add the chopped peppers and garlic. Sauté them for just a little bit and then add the chopped chicken sausage. Sprinkle some fragrant dried oregano and thyme on this mix. Freshly grind some black pepper and sea salt to taste as well. Finally, add the finely chopped onions, mix and sauté this till sausages have cooked well and have browned a little on each side.

Picture
Making of Chicken Sausage and Mushroom Salad
Finally add coarsely chopped mushrooms, sauté till mushrooms have browned and softened and your wonderful, yummy salad is ready to eat! Serve it with some cold Pinot Grigio, White Bordeaux or chilled Chardonnay.

Enjoy this chicken sausage and mushroom salad- hot, warm or even a little limpid. Note you can use the initial sausage spiced mix to make scrumptious Chicken Sausage Tapas! That’s the best part about such salads- since one enjoys it over a conversation, you want to ensure, it will still taste good when it has got cold ‘waiting’ in the plate!


Do let me know if you have any questions or if you used any amazing variations. Tell me and others about your experience by writing in comments below…

0 Comments

Chicken Sausage Tapas

5/19/2015

0 Comments

 
Its summer and time to hang out with friends on deck for long “meaningful” conversations! ;-) What better foods to eat than a string of sensational and yummy tapas. With that in mind, let’s make this amazingly simple and taste-filled Chicken Sausage tapas.

For those of you that are not familiar with Tapas- these are special finger foods (almost similar to appetizers) that are served in Spain. But unlike appetizers, where folks are expected to order a main course later thru the meal, there are Tapas bars in Spain; where friends gather and spend an entire evening chomping on tapas and drinking delicious concoctions (alcoholic and non!). Tapas are typically noted for their beautiful looks and can be quite hearty and filling. Of course, in addition to specialty Tapas bars which seem to be everywhere in Spain, you can also find them served at specialty market stores, i.e. Spanish version of a farmer’s market- food court.

Picture
Chicken Sausage Tapas
So, now back to making our Chicken Sausage Tapas. :-)

Finely chop up some red onions and pepper. You can choose the type of pepper based on your taste and heat-tolerance. I am being quite daring here and am using Habanero. But any variety including vibrant sweet peppers will do! Next coarsely slice up some garlic and finally thinly chop up an uncooked chicken sausage. Here I have used feta and spinach chicken sausage. But you could use plain chicken sausage or veggie (non-meat) sausage. This recipe would work well with chorizo or any other sausage as well…


Start with heating some olive oil in an iron griddle. You can use a steel pan, but there seems to be something ‘just special’ about using an iron griddle for such type of grill/pan cooking. Add a little whole cumin to hot oil. As it starts to release its aroma, add the chopped peppers and garlic. Sauté them for just a little bit and then add the chopped chicken sausage. Sprinkle some fragrant dried oregano and thyme on this mix. Freshly grind some black pepper and sea salt to taste as well. Finally, add the finely chopped onions, mix and sauté this till sausages have cooked well and have browned a little on each side.



Note that you can also use this mix to make Chicken Sausage and Mushroom salad.
To serve- slice up some whole grain French bread. Spread some cream cheese on it. Here I have used a tasty version of Ricotta- Herb Cheese spread. Be sure to check it out by clicking on the link. Top up with our chicken sausage mix and viola- an amazingly tasty Tapas is ready. Enjoy it hot, warm or even a little limpid. That’s the best part about these dishes- since one enjoys it over a conversation, you want to ensure, it will still taste good when it has got cold ‘waiting’ in the plate!

Do let me know if you have any questions or if you used any amazing variations. Tell me and others about your experience by writing in comments below…

Picture
Chicken Sausage Tapas
0 Comments

Ricotta Herbs Cheese Spread

5/19/2015

0 Comments

 
Now that summer is here, it’s entertainment season. Many a times, we want to provide quick filling finger foods without necessarily compromising on taste or healthy/healing quotient! So, here is a quick nutritious cheese spread recipe that you can top off on some crackers for your guests or enjoy when you are chilling at home with a bud and some movies…

Start with some ricotta cheese. Sprinkle in generous amounts of chives and thyme. Fresh is preferable, though you can easily use dried herbs for an even more intense taste. Add freshly ground black pepper and sea salt to taste. Drizzle in some extra virgin very good quality olive oil. Mix it well and then top it off with a little more olive oil and chives for a yummy Ricotta-herb cheese spread.

Picture
Ricotta Herbs Cheese Spread
Picture
Here we have spread it on some flavored pita crackers for a reminiscent Mediterranean taste. This would pair well with barbecued kebabs and a fresh tomato-cucumber salad. But you can also use this cheese-herb spread with rice or multi-grain chips or crackers of your choice.
Picture
Ricotta Herbs Cheese Spread on Pita Crackers
#ricottacheese   #healthyrecipe   #healthyspread   #cheeseandcrackers
0 Comments

Is this a quick-fix baked tomato salad or a fantastic appetizer? Actually, both...

4/18/2015

0 Comments

 
Now that spring is finally here and folks are getting ready to get out of their winter slumber and hang out with friends and family in their backyards! It is time for fresh produce, crisp simple foods- high in taste and nutrition, that don't need one to fuss over half a day to get ready. Here is one such perfect recipe. Beautiful to the eyes and your taste-buds will love it!
Making this is simple. Cut tomatoes into thick wedge-chunks. Sprinkle some freshly ground black pepper and sea salt (to taste). Also sprinkle some chives and you are ready for the next layer.

Cut up some fresh mozzarella and spicy cheddar cheese. Here I have used Moroccan Spicy Cheese- which is made by mixing Harissa sauce with cheddar cheese. Spicy cheese mellows the spicy-kick and also allows for the taste to blend well with the tomatoes, instead of simply providing a  capsaicin- kick. Put some cheese on the cut tomatoes and bake at 350 C for around 5 to 7 mins or till cheese has well-melted.

Lay them on your serving plate and garnish well with chopped cilantro. Cilantro is a very cooling herb and helps our bodies to cool down in hot summers. Now you know why Mexicans, Indian and several other countries in the hot regions use this herb quite generously in their foods! In addition, cilantro has many health benefits- Cilantro has lots of antioxidants, essential oils, vitamins, and dietary fiber, which help reduce LDL or "bad cholesterol" while rising HDL or "good cholesterol" levels. Cilantro is also rich in many vital vitamins, including folic-acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin-A, beta carotene, vitamin-C, which are essential for optimum health. 

That's it- your wonderful, appealing and tasty appetizer- salad is ready. Enjoy :)

Read about healing health benefits of including tomatoes in your diet.
Picture
A quick-fix baked tomato salad or a fantastic appetizer?
0 Comments

Tortellini & Radicchio Soup

8/31/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Tortellini & Radicchio Soup
Heat some veggie broth in a soup pot. Add three cheese tortellini and coarsely chopped radicchio. Add a pinch of thyme, savory and oregano. Add sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Once the tortellini are cooked (radicchio will be cooked by then)- serve hot in a soup plate. Top generously with Parmesan petals for a truly healthy, cheesy taste! :)
0 Comments

Radicchio & Cucumber Salad

8/31/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Radicchio & Cucumber Salad
Finely chop a small Radicchio and half a cumcumber. Add a tea spoon each of black and white sesame seeds. Drizzle with flax seed oil and juice of half a lemon. Mix well and serve.

Learn more on how eating seeds and nuts can help you...

Picture
0 Comments

Interesting Sides Tomato & Parsley Salad

8/30/2014

0 Comments

 
Another super-foods filled healthy salad which can also be a very interesting side to accompany grilled fish and meats.

In a bowl, chop up cocktail tomatoes. It is the sweet kind of tomatoes that lends the nice flavorful combination. Add finely chopped red onions and half a bunch of fresh parsley leaves. Sprinkle some sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Drizzle a little sesame seed oil. Squeeze juice of half a lemon and handful of toasted almonds. Mix well and serve fresh. 

This salad does have good staying power. So, you can take a fresh taste to pot-lucks and parties or simply pack yourself a healthy lunch.
Picture
Interesting Sides: Tomato & Parsley Salad
Picture
Picture

Learn about seeds and nuts... how to grow your own herbs and so much more...

0 Comments

Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant

8/23/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Roasted Red Pepper & Eggplant
Cut up couple of eggplants and red bell peppers in large chunk pieces. Any variety of eggplant works, here I have used Japanese eggplants (which are the long narrow looking). Add a tablespoon of olive oil, Italian seasoning and an extra dash of oregano. Mix well and roast at 425 F for slightly over an hour (till the veggies are well-roasted).

Picture
Making of Roasted Eggplant & Red Peppers
Then thickly mash up these roasted veggies in a stone mortar and pestle. Folks may suggest using a food processor, but frankly I find the electric moving blades just too strong! Add a clove of garlic, whole black pepper and continue to mash and blend them. If you don't like strong garlic taste then you can roast your garlic as well- adding it later, gives a stronger flavor. 

That's it, sprinkle some sea salt and garnish with fresh finely chopped parsley. You can top it on french bread for wonderful party food or eat it on toasted bagel as an open-faced sandwich. Or just eat it as a side of roasted vegetables. 
Picture
Roasted Eggplant & Red Peppers open-faced Bagel Sandwich
0 Comments

    Categories

    All
    Amazing Spreads
    Ancient Grains
    Appetizer Foods
    Ayurvedic Recipes
    Cheese And Dairy
    Chronic Illness
    Condiments
    Cures From Kitchen
    Ethnic Foods
    Food For Body
    Fruits And Veggies
    Fusion Foods
    Healing Drinks
    Healing Recipes
    Healing Salads
    Healing Soups
    Health Foods
    Healthy Additives
    Healthy Eating
    Herbs And Spices
    Indian Foods
    Info-graphics
    Interesting Sides
    Nutritional Supplements
    Pasta And More
    Rice And Potatoes
    Seeds And Nuts
    Spicy Goodness
    Super Foods
    Sweets And Desserts
    Table Top Sides
    Tapas Recipes
    Tasty Soups
    Whole Grains
    Whole Grains Pasta
    Yummy Breakfasts

    Picture

    Author

    Juma Vera comes from the original Vedic Tradition, one of world’s oldest living cultures. 

    Her educational background is in Physical Sciences and Quantum Mechanics. 

    Maitreyi  has several certifications in various Natural Health Remedies & Holistic Healing.

    She is an Ayurveda Specialist & Nutritionist and a Certified Aroma, Color and Crystal Therapist.

    ​In addition, she is attuned to Reiki Energy Level I & II. 

    Also, check out:
    Maitreyi Paradigm where she explains  "The Art & Science of Being Happy".

    Here you will find information, help and support... to vibrantly live your life with joy and exuberance.

    Books
    by Maitreyi

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
© Copyright 2021 Macro2Micro ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See Terms & Conditions for  details on this site usage...