Soy Edamame "Meat" balls with Chilled Mint Peppercorn Yogurt Sauce

These dainty little vegan meat balls are much lighter in calories than the usual meatballs.In fact these are the veganised version of previously posted Spiced Meatballs(Kofta) with soy as the star substitute.Soy's importance has been conveyed frequently in this blog.I don't minding stressing it again,low in saturated fat and source of healthy plant protein,soy and its products can be substituted for the high in saturated fats foods,like meat and cheese.

"the phytonutrients in soy reduce the formation of plaque in arteries,fight inflammation,which in the arteries ,increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke" ~ Dr.Howard M .Shapiro's Picture perfect weight loss.
"Getting 25 grams a day of soy protein in foods like tofu and other soybean products decreases your bad LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels"~ Dr.Mehmet C. Oz's tip on Feed your heart


These heart healthy meat balls are my entry for Ivy's ,In memory of Rosie ,an event raising awareness about heart disease and using heart healthy substitutes to prevent the disease.

Peppercorns
The important flavor enhancer and essential spice in these meat balls and the soy yogurt sauce are peppercorns.Originating from the Malabar coast in India,once sold at exorbitant price,considered as an exotic trading good ,the pepper corns have now become a common spice in every pantry.
Spices are the concentrated sources of antioxidants,essential in heart healthy cooking.The heat from the pepper corns is also known to aid digestion and help in healing respiratory aliments.Use fresh ground peppercorns to get your dishes bursting with pepper flavor.A pepper mill is perfect tool to use fresh pepper as needed or grinding few teaspoons at time in the coffee grinder and storing in air tight containers.


To add a more mellow and cool spicy smack to the tasty nibbles,drench them in the minty pepper yogurt sauce,for a perfect balance of heat and spice


Recipe : Soy Edamame "Meat" balls
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup Edamame(baby soybeans,I use frozen Organic)
1/2 cup Soy Granules*(I use the nutrela brand available in Asian Stores)
1/2 cup fresh mint
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger root,minced
pinch of Turmeric
1/2 teaspoon spice mix of choice(I use garam masala)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon Canola oil(for light frying)

*If soy granules are hard to find use 1 tablespoon flax seed meal + 1 slice of whole grain bread instead as a binder.

Method
Cook the soy granules
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil,add the soy granules,let cook for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat.Let cool for 10 minutes.Strain the water in a fine colander and rinse under cold water.Then squeeze all of the water from the granules and transfer in to the blender or food processor.
Blend
Add rest of the ingredients except the oil in to the blender or food processor,process until coarsely or finely minced,depending how you like the texture of meat balls.I kept it coarsely ground.Transfer the mixture in a bowl.
Shape and fry
Take about a tablespoon of the mixture and shape in round balls.Place them all on a plate.
Heat about a teaspoon of oil at medium heat in a non stick or cast iron pan and lightly fry the 3-4 cutlets at a time ,about 3 minutes each side until lightly browned and crispy.Add a teaspoon of oil for each batch of meat balls.Serve warm as snack or appetizer,preferably with a drizzle of cold yogurt sauce,as in the following recipe.

Recipe :Chilled Mint Peppercorn Soy Yogurt Sauce
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup plain soy yogurt
3/4 teaspoon whole pepper corns(for intense flavor or can also use ground pepper)
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
1/4 teaspoon salt

Method
Blend all the ingredients until the peppercorns are completely ground.During summers chill the sauce in fridge for 2-3 hours.Drizzle over the meat balls ,salads or in wraps.


The peppery sauce is my entry for Priya's Cooking with seeds: Pepper, hosted this month by Padma's Recipes.

Ven Pongal and Gosthu :South Indian comfort food

Warm and Velvety rice-lentils(Ven Pongal) served with hot spiced-up lentils veggie gravy(Gosthu)is Classic taste of South Indian comfort food.Folks down south ,love their food spicy and hot;rice and lentils are consumed almost 3 meals a days.The piquant sambar powder is well-stocked spice in every household,used to flavor the tangy tamarind and lentil based soups like Sambar and Rasam.With heavy duty grinder missing in my kitchen I use the store-bought sambhar powder,but nothing beats the taste amd aroma of fresh home made sambar powder.
Suganya's Ven Pongal with Gosthu is typically served for breakfast or brunch.This is my third delectable recipe tried and tasted from Tasty Palettes.Glad to be sending this over to the host of T&T this month,sweatha of Tasty curry leaf.

Ven Pongal

(serves 2)
Ingredients
1/2 cup White Rice
1/2 cup Yellow Mung dal
1 teaspoon fresh ginger,finely chopped
1 teaspoon Peppercorns
1/2 a teaspoon each of cumin and mustard seeds
2-3 dry red chillies
6-8 curry leaves
1 tablespoon vegetable oil or extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt.

Method
Wash and soak the rice & lentil for 5-10 minutes. Drain the water,transfer in a pressure cooker or small saucepan with lid.Add 3 cups of water ,season with salt and Cover,let cook on medium-high heat for about 10-12 minutes in pressure cooker and 45-50 minutes in the saucepan until soft and mushy.
Prepare the tempering by heating the oil in a small pan,add the chillies,seeds,curry leaves ,ginger and pepper corns.saute for a minute,then mix in the cooked rice-lentil mixture.add a little hot water if needed.Serve hot with gosthu or any chutney

Gosthu

Ingredients
(serves 2)
1/4 cup Yellow Mung Dal
2 cups Mixed vegetables Eggplants,carrot,cauliflower,squash or any other you like,cut in chunks
1/2 a medium Onion, sliced
1 medium plum Tomato ,chopped
1 cup tamarind water,soak about a tablespoon of tamarind in warm water for few minutes,strain out the pulp. or use 1 teaspoon of tamarind paste and mix in a cup of water.
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 a teaspoon each of cumin and mustard seeds
2 tablespoon Cilantro,chopped
1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil or Extra virgin Olive oil
1/2 a teaspoon Salt
1 tablespoon Sambar powder(roasted and ground coriander seeds,red chillies and Chana lentil)
Method
Wash and soak the lentil for 5-10 minutes. Drain the water,transfer in a pressure cooker or small saucepan with lid.Add 1 cups of water ,season with salt and Cover,let cook on medium-high heat for about 10-12 minutes in pressure cooker and 45-50 minutes in the saucepan until soft.When cooked mash or blend it to smooth paste.
To prepare the gravy heat oil on medium heat in a medium saucepan ,add the mustard seeds,onions and curry leaves. saute for 2-3 minutes,then add the tomatoes and turmeric.Cook another 2 minutes before stirring in the tamarind water and sambar powder and vegetables.cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes until veggies are tender.Finally add the cooked lentil paste and simmer 5 more minutes before turning off the heat. Serve hot with rice ,idli,dosa or gosthu.

Almond Pâté

While exploring delectable Tasty Palettes for recipes with my best-loved ingredient,I was excited to have found this savory Almond Pâté recipe. Pâté is French for paste,usually prepared with ground meat and other seasonings.But this Almond Pâté has no meat ,just almonds ,flavored with herbs and spices;makes a perfect quick-fix spread on toasts and sandwiches.Another perfect recipe Tried and Tasted,thanks to Suganya and the host of T&T this month Sweatha of Tasty Curry Leaf
(I made few minor changes to the Original recipe)
Recipe
Ingredients
1 cup Roasted Almonds,coarsely processed
1/2 a medium onion,finely chopped
1 small hot pepper\chili,finely chopped(optional)
1 tablespoon Extra virgin Olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground Cumin
2 tablespoon fresh herbs like parsley,cilantro ,chives or any other,finely chopped
1/2 cup Bread crumbs(for homemade,toast 2 slices whole wheat bread,and coarsely process it)
1 big clove Garlic,minced
2 tablespoon Fat free Mayonnaise or silken tofu
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black Pepper
2 tablespoon freshly squeezed Lemon juice
Parchment paper or plastic wrap for rolling

Method
Heat the oil in a pan on medium heat,saute onions until lightly brown ,about 2-3 minutes,add garlic and cumin,saute another minute.Turn off the heat.Now stir in the almonds,bread crumbs,herbs,season with salt and pepper.Transfer to a mixing bowllet cool for a minute,add in mayonnaise or silken tofu,lemon juice ,and combine well until everything is incorporated and the mixture come together.Make a log by rolling in a Parchment paper or plastic wrap.Slice and serve on toasts or sandwiches with fresh greens and sliced tomato.Can be store in refrigerator for up to a week.

I'm also sending these over to the Let go nuts event,featured nut this month is Almonds at JZ's Tasty Treats

Thanks Rathna!

I was extremely delighted to receive this gift from Rathna of Asvadha for the MEO win.These eco-friendly bags are latest trend here made with 100% recyclable material and reusable.Thanks Rathna for the lovely reward,it sure gives me a vibrant start for the spring:)

Methi(Fenugreek) Sprouts Peas Rice

The budding baby plants called sprouts , synonymous to new life,are known as wonder foods ,as it helps in clearing toxins of the body and building healthy immune system.Similar to Mung sprouts ,the methi sprouts can be grown easily grown quickly indoors, even in the winter,see Mung Sprouts Noodles

Slightly bitter methi Sprouts are nice complement with sweet Peas Rice.Sprouts can also be cooked up with lentils and mixed in salads.
Methi(Fenugreek) is considered very nutritious for the nursing moms for it enhances the milk supply.For more such wondrous sprouts recipes don't miss the JFI:Sprouts event,hosted this month by Ammalu's kitchen.
Ingredients
2 cups brown or white rice
1/2 cup sweet peas ,fresh or frozen
1/2 teaspoon peppercorns
2-3 whole cloves
2 tablespoon Olive oil or vegetable oil
Salt for seasoning
1/2 cup sprouts.

Method
Wash and soak rice for 10 minutes. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil,drain all the water from rice and add to the boiling water.Season with salt.Add oil,spices and when rice is almost done,add the peas.If possible drain the excess starchy water or if that's lot of work ,add just 3 cups of water instead of 4. Cover and let cook completely,mix in the washed sprouts in to the warm rice and serve with lentils curry.