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Living with Multiple Myeloma in Hyderabad , India . Random musings .


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Stir fried Bell peppers, Leeks and Brussels sprouts

My experiments with some of the exotic vegetables, that are not usually grown in India, continues.

I had ordered Leeks via Bigbasket.com . Leeks are not grown commercially in India. The temperature here is too high for them to sustain.

These plants belong to the Onion and Garlic family. They don’t have a bulb but their shoots are very much similar to Onion and Garlic but much more thicker. The have a mild oniony smell and taste.

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The white part of Leeks are tender and can be used for cooking. The lower light green part of the leeks can also be used if they are tender.

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This part can be chopped into various sizes as per your choice.

Time to prepare another variation of stir fired veggies using Leeks , Red Bell peppers and Brussels sprouts.

Recipe : ( serves two)

Ingredients :

Leeks – 100 gm

Red Bell Pepper – 1

Brussels Sprouts – 100 gm

Salt and Pepper as per your taste

Lemon Juice – one tsp  ( or Balsamic Vinegar – 1 or 2 tsp)

Olive oil – 1 tbsp

garlic – 3-4 pods

Procedure :

1. Chop one Red bell pepper into one inch size pieces . Cut Brussels sprouts  into half or quarter them if they are very big.

Cut Leeks into one inch size pieces.

2. Boil all of them in water to which salt (1/4 tsp) is added , for a couple of minutes.

3. Strain and keep aside.

4. Add 2 tsp of olive oil into a pan and add the veggies.

5. Add salt and pepper as per your taste and stir once in a while for 5-6 minutes or more, until they caramelize.

6. Add chopped garlic and stir for a minute.

7. Switch off the stove and add lemon juice or Balsamic vinegar and serve.

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You can replace Leeks with Onions by cutting them into one inch size pieces.

You can also replace red bell pepper with yellow or green peppers but Red ones would make the dish colorful and appetizing.

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Asparagus Soup

This is in continuation to my experiments with  veggies which are rarely used in Indian recipes. I spotted Asparagus too on Bigbasket.com and ordered them.

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The shoots are tender and fresh.
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While browsing the net i learnt that Asparagus grows in the Himalayan region in India. I also discovered that it is called as ‘Satavari’ or ‘Shatavari’ in Sanskrit and used in various treatments in Ayurveda (the traditional system of Indian medicine)

This is the first time I laid my hands on Asparagus shoots. This veggie too was on my mind for a long time. After looking up several videos on YouTube I decided to prepare Asparagus soup.

Recipe : To prepare soup for 2 persons
Cut the tender part of the Asparagus (100 gm) into pieces one inch pieces.

Boil these pieces of Asparagus in salt water for 3 minutes.

Strain and cool them immediately under cold running water so they stop cooking. This helps in retaining the green color.

Puree these pieces and keep aside.

In a pan , add butter or olive oil (2 tsp) and then add finely chopped onion (one small)  . Keep stirring the onion till it turns very soft.
Add chopped garlic ( 2 big cloves)and stir for one minute.

Add the puree.

Season with salt n pepper as per taste.

Add a little milk (50 ml) and stir for a minute.

Switch off the stove and add drops of lemon juice as per your taste.

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I hope to include Asparagus in my diet for its liver and kidney detoxifying properties. It is also one of the most Alkaline foods . It is very important to ensure that the pH levels of the blood remains Alkaline in order to keep the body healthy.

Here is a link to the numerous health benefits of Asparagus.

http://www.naturalnews.com/023368_asparagus_benefits_food.html#


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Stir fried Brussels sprouts

One of my favorite pastime is watching Food channels on TV and YouTube.
I was always fascinated and curious about Brussels sprouts which look like mini cabbages and were used in some of the recipes

Brussels sprouts are not yet commercially grown in India. Most Indians wouldn’t have heard or seen them.

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I always had a desire to prepare and eat stir fried Brussels sprouts and learnt recipes from YouTube. However, these were not available, to be bought,  in the vicinity.

While shopping on Bigbasket.com (online grocery store) , I was surprised to see Brussels sprouts listed in the ‘Fruits and vegetables’ section. I immediately added this to the shopping cart.
Rest of the day was spent watching the recipes again on YouTube and eagerly looking forward to the delivery truck which was scheduled to deliver between 7.30 pm to 9 pm slot. The mini truck arrived at 9.30 pm. I was so excited to see them , feel them, smell them , wash them , cut them (halves) , stir fry them and eat them. I was very hungry and this would be part of dinner.

Recipe : I first boiled the cut n washed Brussels sprouts in salt water for 2 minutes. Strained the water , took them out and then tossed them in olive oil for 5 minutes till they started caramelizing. Sprinkled salt and pepper. Added 3 cloves (chopped) at the end and tossed for another minute before switching off the stove. Added a few drops of lemon.

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I didn’t expect them to taste so good. Feeling very happy with the achievement 🙂

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Brussels sprouts are storehouses of nutrition. Here is a good article .

http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/6-reasons-why-you-should-eat-more-brussels-sprouts.html