Saturday, February 19, 2011

Garam Masala Tofu with Chick Peas

Tomato paste is not only reserved for our much loved Italian dishes. Combining it in a garam masala recipe will give the dish depth, and a beautiful rich colour. For this take on the poplular tikka masala chicken dish, I went vegetarian and made it with tofu. Adding chick peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, and zucchini brought it all together, making for a one pot meal with a thick rich sauce. This is sure to please even the non vegetarians in the family.

For those not familiar with fenugreek, an herb used in most curry dishes, it can be found in dried leaf form or seeds. I came across a powdered type which I used for the recipe below. Similar to red clover, fenugreek has apparently been used down the ages to increase milk supply in lactating mothers.  It is also purported to have other numerous health benefits; anywhere from breast enhancement, helping with the common cold, reducing cholesterol and sugar levels to alleviating arthritic joint pains.  Commonly used in Chinese medicine, it is also supposedly beneficial  for the health of your kidneys.


Ingredients:
10 ounces firm tofu
1 small onion coarsely chopped
1 garlic clove finely chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon coriander
11/2 teaspoon fenugreek
2 teaspoons turmeric
2 teaspoons garam masala
salt and pepper
1 large carrot peeled and sliced 
2 small sweet potatoes cut into 1/2" thick pieces
2 cups cooked and drained chick peas
3/4 cup water
1 heaping tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1 zucchini sliced


Method:

Heat the oil and saute the onions and garlic for 2-3 minutes
Stir in all the spices. Cook a minute to let the flavours infuse
Toss in the tofu and stir to coat with the spices
Stir in the sweet potatoes and carrots

Pour in the chick peas, water.and tomato paste










16 comments:

  1. Love the spices with the tofu and veggies. Will certainly need to try this one. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. A perfect meatless meal for carnivores - so much flavor - they'll never miss the meat. Love the description of fenugreek's health benefits and cosmetic surgery (without the surgery) benefits!

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  3. The veggie on the 8th floor will love it. Thank you!

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  4. Perfect! I just bought some O firm tofu for Miso soup tonight. There will be just enough left over for this. I'm so excited, I love the spice list!!!

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  5. I want!!!!! looks so good :D

    olivia

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  6. Anna-What a great post about the health benefits, from all these spices.
    I would certainly love to try this delicious dish. You did a beautiful job on it!

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  7. Mr. Veggie on the 8th floor, happy to hear this might be another hit!

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  8. Hi Olivia,
    Thanks for the visit. Hope you really give this a try.

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  9. Claudia, I too had a good laugh over this particular health benefit. I would say that it's a lot cheaper than implants.

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  10. I love tofu! Garam masala is a great combo!

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  11. Yesterday I made your garam masala, it was a BIG success, and I also made your pasta with sausage and arugala (used spinach though...the veggie is not big on arugala), and I also made your banana chocolate cake.

    It was an Anna day on the 8th floor.

    Glad you went to the Food Network event. Good on ya.


    Rob

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  12. Rob, so who needs some competition win when my trophy is at my doorstep!! You and the veggie are the best neigbours, and so great for a girl's morale. Love you both!!!

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  13. hi

    this dish is ever so familiar! i love it! we use a lot of fenugreek...

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  14. tofu and garam masala !!! what a wonderful idea !! perfect

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  15. wow...amazing and yummy...:)

    Dr.Sameena@

    http://www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com/

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  16. Wow, this looks so good and wonderfully healthy :)

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