Vegetable Curry Rice Dish

For some reason, having seen a lot of rice around the internet these past couple weeks, I had a hankering for a warm vegetable curry dish. I was particularly after the thick curry sauce that accompanies these dishes which I had only been able to replicate with coconut milk previously. However, I was looking to make a dish free of any oils or fat so I did some research (ok, it was very minimal...) and discovered a great fix.

This dish would definitely be good on a cold night in the middle of winter but who says you can't enjoy it in the middle of summer too?!

Vegetable Curry Rice Dish (serves ~ 4)

1.5 cups basmati rice
1.5 cups water or vegetable stock (low sodium)

1 medium onion (red or white)
2 medium carrots
1 zucchini
1 bell pepper
2 cloves of garlic
2 tsp minced ginger
1 cup water
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp curry
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp cumin
Salt and pepper to taste

Begin by adding the rice and water/broth to a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to low heat and cook for approximately 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, chop your vegetables into bite sized pieces (as seen in the first picture). Add the onion and garlic into a pan on medium heat, along with a few tablespoons of water, and cook until the onion starts to become transparent. Add the other vegetables, along with the ginger, curry, coriander and cumin and continue to cook for 3 - 5 minutes (adding additional water if the vegetables start to stick to the pan).

Once the vegetables have softened, add the cup of water and cornstarch (dissolved previously or not, it doesn't really matter) into the pan and mix well. Turn the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for about 8 - 10 minutes. The liquid should thicken as it reduces, making for a great sauce over rice.

Serve over rice and enjoy!

Apple Carrot Juice

I got a juicer for my birthday last month and haven't always had time to try some delicious juice recipes. Sometimes simple is best though. My Dad and sister can't drink apple juice from the store because of the preservatives and the processing it's gone through, however, the real, fresh stuff they CAN! 

I can understand why too... it tastes so fresh. There's something about juicing your own fruit and veggies. I used to just add them into our Vitamix, blend them up with a little water and strain the pulp to make juice. This works just as well, but when you have a legit juicer on hand... it's even easier!

There's something about apple and carrot together. I can find fresh apple juice a little too sweet, so adding carrot is a nice way to tone it down and add a pretty orange colour :) Try this simple, delicious and refreshing juice to remind you of those summer days that are just around the corner. Or so I keep telling myself...

Apple Carrot Juice (serves ~ 1 - 4)

5 - 6 apples
2 carrots

Juice away (on the higher setting)! Serve cold or over ice.. yum :)