Dessert/ Dinner/ Exercise/ Fitness

Curry in a Hurry

Good evening!

I made it to spinning tonight and while it didn’t made my head better, it didn’t make it worse either. I think I just need my bed! The class was really great and the instructor led us through a BUNCH of sprints, which I already can feel myself getting better at. When I started a couple weeks ago I dreaded the sprints but now I actually look forward to them!

When I got home I dove into my dinner, which was well worth the time it took earlier to make it! I started out using the recipe in Veganomicon for Red Lentil-Cauliflower Curry but ended up altering it enough that I think I can share “my” version with yall. Here it is!

Cauliflower Curry

Serves 6

2 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil

1 onion, chopped

1 jalapeno pepper, minced

2 shallots, chopped

1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger, grated

2 parsnips, peeled and chopped

1.5 tbsp garam masala

1.5 cups red lentils

4 cups water

juice of 1 lime

1 medium cauliflower head, sliced into florets

2 tsp sea salt

1. In a large pot or dutch oven, heat up the coconut oil on medium heat. When hot, add the onion and the shallot and cook for about 5 minutes or until soft and translucent.

2. Add the ginger, parsnips and jalapeno and cook for another minute before adding the garam masala and salt. Stir to coat everything evenly. Cook for another minute or so.

3. Add the water and stir in the lentils. Bring to a full on boil before reducing to a simmer. Cover and let cook for 10 minutes or until the lentils have soaked up the liquid.

4. Add the cauliflower and cook for another 20 minutes or until it is just tender. Don’t overcook or it will be mushy!

5. Stir in the lime juice and serve!

I let it sit in the pot while I went to spinning and when I got home I served it over this new product:

img_3712.JPG

img_3713.JPG

img_3714.JPG

Okay. So there’s no way to hide that this isn’t the prettiest dinner. It is sort of gray and mushy but VERY tasty!!!!! My favorite part were the parsnips, which I have determined are my favorite vegetable. I’m weird I know. Who loves parsnips?! But they did give this dish a fantastic flair and it was very filling as well. The rice was very interesting—all you had to do was zap it in the micro for 2 minutes and it was done! This little package serves two at 135 calories each serving. It was so quick and easy that I will definitely buy this again. Beats waiting around 40 minutes for your rice to cook on the stove! I loved the delicious chewy texture. It was much chewier than “normal” brown rice.

After my yummy dinner I showered, packed lunch for tomorrow and cleaned up a bit before hitting the kitchen again for dessert. I just LOVE these little cookies:

img_3719.JPG

And I love them even more when dipped in chocolate peanut butter

img_3720.JPG

When I was growing up, my mom would ALWAYS have a box of these cookies in the pantry. They were like our staple dessert. They are small, crunchy, pretty low-calorie (115 cal for 5 cookies) and absolutely amazing when dipped in hot chocolate. Too bad I forgot my chocolate peppermint soymilk in Ryan’s fridge 🙁 . Anyways, I have not been able to find them for years but then randomly found them a few weeks ago at Publix. So nostalgic!

On another happy note, I just found out that I will be going to the North Carolina mountains for Christmas!!! As you may recall, I went up there for the 4th of July last summer because Ryan’s grandma has a wonderful home waaaay up in the mountains (45 minutes from Asheville). We didn’t think we would be able to make it up again this year, but just found out today we can go after all! So, I am flying out with Ryan’s family on Christmas Day and will be there for the weekend. I need to get a ski jacket or something!!!!!!! =)

I’m off to BED. See you for Humpday!

Ooh ooh ooooh! I almost forgot to inform yall of a new contest I just found out about! This one is hosted by Boboli and you can win a Tv-room makeover worth 5,000 dollars! Here are the details:

Every city has a flavor of its own– and Boboli is looking for pizza recipe submissions that reflect your favorite football city. To give you an idea, last year we had submissions like New England “Clam Bake” pizza, Miami “Halftime in Havana” pizza and Tennessee “Coin Toss” fried chicken pizza.

At the conclusion of the entry period, judges will determine up to 4 Semi-Finalist entries which will be posted online for visitors to vote and determine the winners. Online voters will also be entered into a random draw sweepstakes for the chance to win prizes.

Here are some additional guidelines:
· The recipe must be original
· Entry must include the name of your pizza recipe,
· Entry must include the ingredients, exact U.S. measurements and preparation instructions

For all of the official rules, please visit http://boboli.gwbakeries.com/football/rules.cfm. The contest will end at 11:59 p.m. ET on January 1st– so please get all of your recipes in before then.

The grand prize winner will receive a TV-Room Makeover worth $5,000 and three runner ups will receive a prize package worth $500.

Alrighty—off to bed for real now!

You Might Also Like

  • Becca A
    December 2, 2008 at 7:28 pm

    I’ll have to try that rice out again. I had it once and it came out like a brick…maybe my microwave was a bit too powerful!

    Hope your headache goes away!

  • Julz
    December 2, 2008 at 7:33 pm

    I LEERRRRVE PARSNIPSTERS, TOO! I just found that out 🙂 I tasted a roasted one for the first time last week at WF and it was yummy! Like a citrus-y carrot? Mmmm fABU w/ Rosemary n Sweet-Potatoes (roasted)! Have you ever had a Turnip? Me=never. what are they all about? 😉

  • Mel
    December 2, 2008 at 7:37 pm

    Dinner looks amazing! Thank you for sharing the recipe.

    I hope you feel better soon.

  • Pumpkin (Chef Erin)
    December 2, 2008 at 7:37 pm

    I also love pasnips- I love them roasted with other root veggies!
    I just found a jar of Peanut Butter & Co’s Chocolate PB at the store today! I’m so excited about it!

    You should be almost done with your externship, yes? Are you excited?

  • Courtney
    December 2, 2008 at 7:42 pm

    Is that Highlands/Cashiers/Lake Glenville? We vacation there every summer. It’s GORGEOUS!! Enjoy!

  • VeggieGirl
    December 2, 2008 at 7:44 pm

    Looove your recipe!!

    Hooray for going to NC for Christmas!!

    Great contest!!

  • Lindsey
    December 2, 2008 at 7:50 pm

    Oh, hopefully you’ll get a white Christmas since you’ll be out of Florida!! Sounds like a blast! 🙂

    http://mrslc.blogspot.com

  • Megan
    December 2, 2008 at 7:51 pm

    Hope your head feels better soon! I am so excited that you get to head to the mountains for Christmas!

  • jenna
    December 2, 2008 at 7:54 pm

    Erin,

    I’m excited but then again…in two weeks I will be unemployed and poor once again!!! Need to find job. Asap!

  • ashley (sweet & natural)
    December 2, 2008 at 8:02 pm

    My bf’s parents live in Asheville! I’ve heard so many stories about how wonderful it is – especially the food. They actually just gave me a box of handmade truffles from a local chocolate shop that are delicious. I can’t wait to visit myself.

  • Hilary
    December 2, 2008 at 8:04 pm

    I love Asheville! I lived there for a year after I graduated college (parents moved there from Fl. while I was in college) and I just moved to Raleigh with the bf. But no place beats Asheville… I miss it so much!! But thankfully I will be there for Christmas too!! woohoo!

  • mh
    December 2, 2008 at 8:09 pm

    Aww I just got back from visiting my family in Charolette and we went to Ashville one night! it is beautiful and we went to the famous hotel (I forgot the name but it was amazing!) you will have so much fun. I’m going to Maui for X mas and I cannot wait! You can borrow my coat! haha

  • Shelby
    December 2, 2008 at 8:14 pm

    Love the recipe, love the dinner, it sounds very very tasty!

  • Victoria
    December 2, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    I love that recipe!! Your modifications sound good! Hope you enjoy your leftovers!

  • Heather McD (Heather Eats Almond Butter)
    December 2, 2008 at 8:25 pm

    Hey Jenna,
    Have you ever tried brown Basmati rice? Our whole house smells amazing whenever I steam it the rice cooker. It’s my favorite. You’ll have a blast up in NC over the holidays. I just drove through Asheville a couple of weeks ago, and there was already snow!

  • michelle
    December 2, 2008 at 8:41 pm

    Nice recipe Jenna!

    The chocolate you dipped your cookies in, was that part of the peanut butter or a whole separate thing?? Your food always looks so great!!!

  • Mara
    December 2, 2008 at 8:46 pm

    WOW that curry looks fantastic!!!

  • rubin
    December 2, 2008 at 8:53 pm

    wow that looks really yummy!
    have an awsome night!

  • blueberrybabe
    December 2, 2008 at 8:59 pm

    does anyone soak their overnight oats in the greek yogurt itself? or do you have to soak them in water and then add the greek yogurt in the am? thanks!!!

  • Kate
    December 2, 2008 at 10:10 pm

    I love parsnips! Sometimes I slice them up into sticks, toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and make parsnip fries.

  • sam
    December 2, 2008 at 10:11 pm

    That dinner and dessert look so delicious! I just started my own blog check it out…

    http://westtoeastcoast.wordpress.com/

  • BethT
    December 2, 2008 at 11:00 pm

    Jenna, have you ever been to the Biltmore Estate? If not, try to go over the holidays, especially if you can go on a nighttime tour. Awesome!

  • Runeatrepeat
    December 2, 2008 at 11:18 pm

    I have no idea what a parsnip even looks like!

  • Moran
    December 2, 2008 at 11:51 pm

    I am not a fan of curry but that cauliflower still sounds good!

  • Sharon
    December 3, 2008 at 12:02 am

    Wow, the contest sounds awesome.
    And mmm.. delicious eats! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

  • claire
    December 3, 2008 at 12:43 am

    I just love the blue ridge mountains–maybe you’ll have a white Christmas!

  • claire
    December 3, 2008 at 12:51 am

    oh, I just soak my oats in the yogurt, greek or plain overnight. No need to add water.

  • Becki
    December 3, 2008 at 1:18 am

    I hope someone makes “Sizzurp Pizza” for Houston

    p.s. the North Carolina mountains are beautiful! Heart Asheville.

  • jenna
    December 3, 2008 at 5:29 am

    Michelle,

    That was just a scoop of dark chocolate peanut butter. Can’t get enough!!

  • Kath
    December 3, 2008 at 6:58 am

    I looooooooooove parsnips too!!! They were the hidden ingredient in our Thanksgiving Tri-Root mash.

    So exciting you’ll be in NC again, but I’ll be at the eastern tip of the state Xmas Eve through the weekend 🙁 When are y’all traveling through?

  • Sarah (now in FL)
    December 3, 2008 at 6:59 am

    Jenna,
    I am definitely trying this recipe! I love your mashed cauliflower recipe too and it’s what really turned me on to the delicious cheap goodness that is cauliflower (which I’ve realized tastes awesome once you heat it–before I’d only tried it cold.) If you are interested in more cauliflower recipes, I have an awesome cauliflower gratin recipe from a Deborah Madison cookbook involving tomatoes and capers…let me know if you want it and I’d be happy to type it up and email it to you.

    How many servings does the recipe you posted here make?
    Thanks for your cheerfulness every day! You are so sweet!
    S

  • K
    December 3, 2008 at 7:04 am

    Thanks for the curry recipe! Your dessert looks amazing!

    How fun you get to go back to North Carolina again 🙂

  • SmA033
    December 3, 2008 at 7:35 am

    Hey, i live in NC!! that’s awesome! i’m about 45 min from Asheville but i’ve been there several times. There’s no place like it!!

  • Jen (Running with Food)
    December 3, 2008 at 7:50 am

    Mmm. Your dinner sounds great! Hope you are feeling better!

  • Mariposa
    December 3, 2008 at 8:26 am

    oh that contest looks fantastic!!! i’ll check it out!

    i loved asheville when i went.. it was great! have fun!

  • Tina O.
    December 3, 2008 at 8:44 am

    Since I was jealous of your choc. peppermint soymilk and I couldn’t find it, I made my own. I just heated up some choc. hemp milk and added a couple of drops of peppermint extract-YUM!

  • seelivelee (for the love of peanut butter)
    December 3, 2008 at 9:12 am

    Jenna-that’s awesome you get to go away with the boy and his fam for Xmas! you’ll have a blast- i am very happy for you!

    Great contest. I must try that rice! I was about to buy it at Acme about 1.5 months ago, but I hesitated. Now I will try it for sure-Thanks!!!

  • caitlin
    December 3, 2008 at 9:12 am

    hey girl! it makes me SO happy that you will be able to see ryans grandma AND come to the wedding!! YAY!

  • lauren
    December 3, 2008 at 9:51 am

    even though the dinner doesnt look the prettiest – it sounds great! I love parsnips too!

  • JavaChick
    December 3, 2008 at 10:21 am

    Funny…I was looking at your curry recipe thinking that looks good except I’d have to substitute something else for the parsnips…and you say they are your favorite. 🙂

  • Julia (Santa Barbara Dreaming)
    December 3, 2008 at 10:25 am

    Yummy looking cookies!
    Jenna, this is totally random, but I remember you mentioned you had migraines…. Have you ever gone to see a chiropractor about it? I went to one for the first time last night, and he told me that the tiniest little misalignment in the spine causes a lot of people headaches. Apparently, this causes your body to send out unbalanced neural activity, leading to headaches. Just a thought! But of course, exercise is always a great fix too! 🙂 Happy Wednesday!

  • HeatherBakes
    December 3, 2008 at 10:35 am

    Don’t you love Veganomicon? I don’t think there’s a bad recipe in the whole book.

    I’ve only tried parsnips once, but I must not have cooked them long enough… maybe they’re worth a second shot…

  • Biz
    December 3, 2008 at 10:53 am

    I love those almond cookies! My MIL always has them too!
    Glad your Christmas plans turned out!

  • Teddy
    December 3, 2008 at 11:12 am

    There’s a restaurant called curry in a hurry.. I thought for a second you’d been LOL… quick meals are the best!

    Teddy

  • Catherine
    December 3, 2008 at 1:06 pm

    Awww, I’m sorry about your headache!! I actually love parsnips as well. I used to make a chicken and barley soup with celery, carrots and tons of parsnips in it. It added such a nice sweetness to the soup!

  • jenna
    December 3, 2008 at 4:10 pm

    Sarah,

    The recipe serves approximately 6.

    Julia,

    Actually I have been to a chiropractor! This was a few years ago and apparently it did not fix the problem. I feel like I have a good grasp (most of the time!) with controlling them on my own right now though so I haven’t been back.

    Kath,

    We are flying out ON Christmas and coming back that Sunday. Its a pretty short trip. I will miss you though! We need to go back to that vegetarian restaurant!!!!!! I dream about it at night…