Healthy Living Recipes

Deb Morgan: There I was, once again staring into my refrigerator with its combination of very fresh, slightly worn, and “what-are-you-still-doing-in here?” produce, leftovers, and half-eaten jars of miscellaneous mayhem, and I hit the turning point. “OK, family,” I announced. “I will not be buying one more ounce of food until we have eaten every single morsel of what we already have.” My rant was spurred by my newly instituted budget austerities, and the obvious yet uncalculated cost of what I was about to throw in the garbage. So, with a clean refrigerator and a good dose of determination, I set out to get creative with preparing meals using what I had. The first few days were easy: spaghetti and sauce, stir-fry veggies over rice. By day three, all salad greens were gone and I was left looking at a motley crew of bits and pieces of once whole and vibrant vegetables. The following nights brought pasta salad, taco salad, and finally a lovely coconut curry using the last of the veggies in the drawer. To help you clean out your pantry, I offer you my Kitchen-Sink Curry recipe. Just add your own bottom-of-the-bin veggies and your creativity!

Kitchen-Sink Curry

Serves 4 or more.

2 tablespoons ghee or cooking oil
1 tablespoon black mustard seeds
2 tablespoons curry powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chopped ginger
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
4–5 cups diced vegetables (e.g., potatoes, cauliflower, carrots, broccoli)
1 can chickpeas (optional)
1 can coconut milk or yogurt or cream or milk
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Cashews and raisins to garnish (optional)

Heat the ghee or oil in a large sauté pan at medium temperature until it starts to shimmer. Add the mustard seeds and stir for 10 seconds, add the curry and cumin (or whatever spices you can find that smell like they will taste good together). Sauté 15 seconds and add garlic and ginger. Sauté for 1 minute, making sure the spices and aromatics do not burn. Add the vegetables one at a time, starting with the firmest. (If you're using potatoes, it's good to steam them for 5 minutes first to help them soften). Sauté each vegetable until it starts to become tender and add a pinch of salt; then add the next vegetable. When all vegetables are added, add another pinch of salt and sauté until they begin to get tender. Add the coconut milk or yogurt and canned chickpeas, plus another pinch of salt, and simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to come together. Check the vegetables for doneness. When done to your liking, add lemon juice, and garnish with nuts and raisins. Serve over rice or with chapatis.

Find more delicious and nutritious recipes in Kripalu Recipes.