I have been dreaming of a dish like this all week month.
I decided today that I needed to get back to the basics. Let’s just say that despite my best efforts, dinners have been a little lackluster on the home front. Today I wrapped up my work around 6pm and decided I would make the time for a fabulous meal.
I must say, it felt damn good to be back in the kitchen cooking up a fun meal that I was excited about. Cooking, for me, is enjoyable and often relaxing. I put some fabulous music on, pour a glass of wine, and go to town.
Before I get to the recipe, I must tell you about a recent musical discovery I had. Her name is Kristilyn Robertson and she is a truly amazing Canadian talent. When I first heard her music I was instantly struck by her beautiful voice, poetic lyrics, and dark yet eerily soft music.
I don’t talk music much on this blog, but I am a huge lover of the musical arts. I believe it soothes the soul. I love everything from classical to oldies to punk to techno. Kristilyn’s music has quickly become one of my favourite things to listen to when I bake or cook. Very soothing. You should check her out. Her CD’s can be purchased on CDBaby.com and itunes.
Back to cooking.
Thank you Uncle Steve for providing the deliciously fresh garlic straight from his garden!
There is something awesome about eating food that someone has grown themselves. It makes me happy. The garlic was so fresh too…it was practically dripping with juice when I cut it open.
The ingredient line-up (minus the pasta sauce because I decided not to include it after all):
I was given this GoBIO organic vegetable bouillon at the trade show:
It was fabulous. In fact, probably the best no salt added veggie bouillon I have tried.
This week I decided to buy this Quinoa in bulk because I have been going through the packages so quickly (they are tiny!). So I am now buying it from my organic wholesaler. Anything to save some packaging!
Quinoa is probably my favourite grain. Fluffy, light, easy to digest, and very nutritious.
Soul Soothing Quinoa Coconut Curry
Ingredients:
- 1 cup uncooked Quinoa
- 1 cup Chopped, mixed vegetables (I used frozen)
- 3 T virgin organic coconut oil
- 1/2 sweet onion
- 1/2 t ground cumin
- 3 T curry powder
- 1/2 t fine sea salt
- 3 T spelt flour
- 1.75-2 cups vegetable stock
- 1 cup organic coconut milk
- 1 large tomato, diced
Directions: Heat coconut oil in a saucepan over medium heat until melted. Add chopped garlic and onion and cook for 4-5 minutes. Add cumin, sea salt, and curry spices and stir well. Add flour very slowly (mine clumped so I am not the best to advise on this part!). Add the vegetable stock very slowly to avoid clumping. Stir in coconut milk and finally add diced tomatoes. Simmer on low for about 30 minutes stirring every now and then. While the sauce is simmering, cook the Quinoa according to the package directions. Mix in cooked vegetables into the Quinoa and pour some sauce over top. Serve with some crunchy crackers or flat bread for scooping.
I adapted the sauce from a recipe in Fresh’s cookbook.
It was just lovely! Aromatic, warm, soothing for the soul. I really think coconut and curry are two amazing super foods that do so much good for our bodies. Mmmmm. I feel good right now. I topped it off with a Chi Glo bar for a sweet treat.
The best part of all is that I have leftovers for lunch tomorrow, and I suspect the sauce will last me a few days. Awesome!
I’m off to continue the night of soothing my soul with The Office. I hear a certain someone is dating Pam’s mom- oh boy!
NIGHT my friends! :D
Back to basics is the best! I love this dish, looks delicious. Quinoa is delicious, isn’t it? So versatile and quick and easy to prepare.
I just made something very similar last week! The warm flavors are perfect for chilly fall days! Yum!
yumm! i love coconut curry anything. your recipe looks delish! problem is, when i eat it i can’t stop! haha
Oh my goodness, this looks sooo good. Coconut milk and quinoa sound like such a great combo. Thanks for the idea!
Ok this looks fantastic, Angela. I’ll have to try this next week. I’ve always been paranoid about the fat in coconut, esp since I always hear such mixed messages about it. But I’m determined to get.over.it. Especially since I adore quinoa *and* I adore the taste of coconut milk.
I am a huge fan of coconut curry. I’m convinced we will eat it in Heaven. A lot.
talk about some drama on the office! haha “there’s an egg on your head and the yolk is falling down. a knife in your back and the blood is gushing out.” Haha, that show is too amazing :)
I am going to try out this recipe. I bought some quinoa a while back, but I did not like the first recipe that I tried to make and I have been hesitant to go back. This might just be the right recipe to change my mind about the grain!
Oooh. I am definitely going to try out this recipe. I looove me a good curry! :)
Aww, thanks for the shout out, Ang! I’m glad you’re enjoying the CDs. :-)
K
PS – That curry dish looks wonderful! I’ve been meaning to tackle quinoa one of these days.
ummm i have been looking for this recipe for forever – i just couldn’t find one i liked, but you have brought it to me. thank you. this looks DELISH!
Angela your coconut curry looks absolutely amazing. I’ve also forgotten how awesome it is to through the apron on and relax in the kitchen. I’ve been too busy or hungry lately to do any of that.
I’m going to head to Youtube right now for your musical recommendation.
This sounds amazing! I love the cracker sticks for dipping ;)
Looks super awesome tasty! I cant wait to try this out!! Great pics too btw=)
I love quinoa too! Looks great :)
ooo my mom makes the best quinoa, she spices it up with all of this crazy stuff :) yours looks delicious!
hehe have fun soothing your soul ;)
♥
I can’t wait to try this tomorrow! I’ve been needing to use up the tonsss of quinoa I have- now I just need to convince my family that it really is okay to eat coconut oil!
Oh man that looks delicious, but my fridge is just about empty these days! Back to making veggie burger wraps and almond butter/jelly sammiches for the next week.
I think I may have found a new best friend! To bad you live in…Canada right? I first heard about you from Kath, when I was at her house for dinner. She had a bar of yours, I think from 1 of the blog conventions she was at this summer. I just started a granola bar business this past May. It is now on hold because we [husband + me] made a big move from N.Carolina to Colorado. I also started becomming a “real” runner a little over a year ago. I have always worked out consistently but never interested in running. I completed my first 1/2 marathon this past April! I also just stumbled on your Green Monster site before I even got to your blog, which was funny because I made my first GM today, with no recipe, just a bunch of random green things! =) Anyway…love what you’re doing and wanted to say hello!! Have a great weekend!
A very delicious way to use my favorite grain! Thanks Ange!