Pasta salad

Whole wheat pasta is rich in fiber,minerals,and nutrients.This is also good for people who are diabetic and those are trying to watch their waistline.Whole wheat pasta and vegetables makes a healthy and delicious meal for either lunch or dinner.

Ingredients
2 cups cooked whole wheat rotini  pasta
2 tablespoon sour cream
2 tablespoon mayonnaise or veganasie
2 teaspoon  chilli ,garlic paste
1 teaspoon cilantro
                                          2 tablespoon defrosted Lima beans
                                          salt and black pepper to taste

Method
1.Mix sour cream,veganasie, chilli garlic paste.Add in cooked pasta and toss it well.
2.Add in lima beans, cilantro, salt and pepper.Mix everything well.
3.Serve and enjoy.

Any other vegetables can be be used in this salad.After a long day at work prepare this salad for a healthy dinner for your family.

Kale Chips

Chips is a go to snack for kids of all ages.They love BBQ chips,Lays and so on,but this kale chips goes faster than you would expect  and you would end up making this over and over again.Kale is one of a super food which is packed with nutrition.


Ingredients
1 bundle of kale
1 table spoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder    
1/4 teaspoon chilli flakes
                                          salt and black pepper to taste

Method

1.Preheat the oven to 300 degrees .
2.Clean kale by taking out the hard part of the leaves .Rinse it under cold water and then pat dry it with a towel.Roughly chop the leaves and place it in a bowl,Add  all the above ingredients and massage it gently.
3.Arrange  kale evenly on a baking sheet and bake it for 10 minutes or until kale becomes crispy. 4.Serve and enjoy.

Note keep an eye on kale when it is in the oven to avoid  from burning.

Tomatillo salsa

While growing up my mom used to make salsa with red tomatoes and we loved to eat it with anything and everything.After migrating here I started to experience some new food and tried to incorporate it to our traditional dishes.So I served tomatillo salsa with yucca ( cassava) as it is called in the Fijian language.

Ingredients
4 tomatillo cleaned and washed
4 garlic
9 Thai red chillies or 2 Serrano peppers
1/4 teaspoon agave nectar
                                          1/2 cup cilantro
                                          1/2 onion
                                          1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
                                           salt to taste

Method
1. Preheat the oven at 350 degrees.In baking sheet place tomatillo ,onions,chillies,garlicand roast it for 10 minutes
2.Stuff the roasted vegetables and all the other ingredients   and blend it for 2 to 3 minutes for chunky salsa. Enjoy  Fijian style with cassava or just with any chips .

Rolled Zucchini with cream cheese

Zucchini is made up of 95% of water and has only 18 calories.It is also good for soups,salads, and sandwiches.Zucchini also helps in prevention of most kinds of diseases such as cancer,heart disease and diabetic.

Ingredients
2 zucchini cut lengthwise
2 tablespoon cream cheese
1 teaspoon black pepper
salt to taste
1 tablespoon minced cilantro
1/2 teaspoon ground garlic
                                         1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
                                         1/3 cup basil leaves

Method
1.Brush the sliced zucchini with oil on both sides,season with salt and pepper.Place it on a baking pan and roast it  on a preheated oven (350degrees)until lightly brown or grill it for 4 minutes on each side. Make sure zucchini does not start to break ,other wise it will be hard to roll it.
2.In a mixing bowl combine cheese,cilantro,lemon juice,garlic and mix it together.Put 1/2 teaspoon of the mixture on the zucchini slices ,about 1/2 inches away from the end, then place one basil leaf on top of it and roll it up,Place it seam side down on the serving tray and serve.

This is a very good as an appetizer for any party or just as an snack in between meals.Roasted eggplant can also be used instead of zucchini.

Bara ( Lentil patties)

Bara is  mostly served as a snack but if if placed inside a pita bread o wrap around a tortilla with some vegetables will become a complete meal.In Fiji Indians mostly cook this dish mostly for Holi or Diwali.But in my home I cook bara for my daughter for after school snack over tea or coffee  or as an appetizer for parties.This is very tasty and healthy as it is made with yellow lentils.

Ingredients
2 cups yellow lentils
2 cloves garlic
1/ teaspoon ground cumin
3 green chillies finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
salt to taste
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
1/2 teaspoon turmeric( optional )
                                                       oil for frying

Preparation
1.Soak lentils for 4 hours or overnight. Drain the water and grind lentils in a food processor  with garlic until smooth. Place it in a bowl.
2. Add in cumin ,chillies,baking powder, cilantro and salt and then mix it together.
3.Heat oil in a deep skillet,take a little bit of the mixture and form into patties  and then add it to the add and fry it until golden brown and cooked through on medium low heat.
4.Drain it on a paper towel and serve it with ketchup ,ranch ,or mint and cilantro chutney.

Herb Roasted Turkey Breast

Turkey is a good substitute for lean meat because it is less fatty and is high in protein.It had many other health benefits but is mostly consumed during thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is where people share food and enjoy the company of their friends and families.Turkey is always the center of the table with too many other side dishes, with cocktails and party on.But there are some people who does not have a big families or have just migrated here and they like to stay home ,cook for themselves.Turkey breast does not take long to cook and is also affordable ,is juicy and also very easy to eat.


Ingredients:

2 turkey boneless skinless breasts
3 tablespoon canola oil
4 garlic crushed
1teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 tablespoon black pepper
salt to taste

Preparation:

1 Preheat the oven at 350 degrees..Rinse turkey breast and pat it dry .Combine oil,herbs,garlic,and salt and pepper ,mix it and rub the mixture on the turkey breast.
2.Transfer to a roasting pan and roast it until the juice runs clear or when the thermometric reads 170 degrees.Then take it out and let it rest for 10 minutes.
3.Slice the turkey breast and serve with other favorite sides . &Enjoy.

Gulab Jamun

Gulab JamuniIs  iscooked in every festive occasion in  all Indian homes.This sweet desert is liked by all young and old .My mom used to cook this for every special events and my brothers and sisters really enjoying eating it.Know my daughter and her friends enjoy eating it too.This is something that really reminds me of home during this time of Diwali( the festival of lights) .

Ingredients

                                                1 can condense milk
                                                1 teaspoon ground cardamom
                                                1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
                                                1 stick of unsalted butter
                                                1 1/2 cup of sugar
                                                2 cups of self raising flour
                                               oil for frying
Preparation
1.Pour milk in a bowl ,add in butter and mix it well.Then add in nutmeg,cardamom and mix it well.
2. Gradually add in flour and make it into a soft dough.
3.Take a little bit of dough and roll it out in the shape of a finger.
4 Make syrup with sugar and water and keep it warm on low heat.
5.Heat oil.,Deep fry gulab jamun  and then add it to the syrup.Leave it in the syrup for few minutes and then remove.
6. Leave them on a tray for it to dry a little bit and then serve.

sweet potatoes and squash soup

Soup is a good way of getting rid of some of the calories after thanksgiving.Sweet potatoes is one vegetable that is always left over after the feast.So I use it to make soup which is very healthy and tasty.It is quick and easy to prepare and also very beneficial to our wallet.

Ingredients
1 cup chopped sweet potatoes
1 cup chopped butternut squash
1 cup black beans
2 chopped carrots
1 clove garlic minced
                                         1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
                                         1/4 of an onion chopped
                                         1 tablespoon black pepper
                                         salt to taste
                                         2 cups vegetable stock
                                        1 tablespoon cilantro
                                        1 tablespoon oil
Preparation
1.  Heat oil in a pot and then add in onion onion ,let it cook for couple of minutes.
2. Add in carrots ,squash, potatoes and stir everything together.Then add in cumin ,mix it well.Then add in salt and pepper.Mix everything together and let it cook for few minutes.
3. Add in stock , bring it to a boil and then let it cook on low heat  for 10 minutes .Then stir it and try to mash it with the back of a spoon or just blend it in a blender.
4.Garnish it with finely chopped cilantro. 
5. Serve it with any sandwich of your choice or just over rice.

Regular Puri

Puri is a dish that is cooked in all Indian house. This is favorite among the kids because it is easy it hold with their hands to eat .Puri is small and round  deep fried and is easy to eat with our hands. This is also used in ceremonies and if there is any other special occasion in a family.

Recipe
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cup hot water
pinch of salt
1 tablespoon oil
oil for deep frying

Preparation
1.Mix flour,salt and oil in a bowl.Add in water and knead it into a soft dough.
2.On a board ,roll out a dough  and cut it out in 1 inch pieces.Then roll out the cut piece in to small,round puris by using a rolling pin.
3.Heat oil in a pot , deep fry the puris until it turns light brown.
4. Drain it on a kitchen paper and serve.

I serve this with halwa or with potato curry or it can be eaten with any other vegetables of your choice.

Barley Brussels sprout salad

Barley is good for people who are diabetics  or has been diagnosed as pre- diabetes because this is high in fiber. Since I am pre -diabetic I try to use barley in many different ways so this is a holiday season I came up with barley  roasted pumpkin and Brussels sprout  salad which is healthy and also good for waist size.I like this salad because it fills me up and then I do not munch all the time.

Ingredients

1/2 cup roasted brussel sprout
1/2 cup roasted pumpkin or butternut squash
1 tablespoon finely chopped green onions
1/2 cup cooked barley
1/4 cup green bell pepper
1/4 cup red bell pepper
3 cloves of roasted garlic
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon lemon juice
salt to taste

Method
1.Cook barley according to the package direction, or 1/2 cup barley then used 1 cup water, when it comes to a boil lower the heat and cook for 20 minutes.
2.Add in roasted vegetables ,cooked barley in a bowl,and green onions as well.
3. Squeeze out roasted garlic from it packet and mix it in olive oil. Add in lemon juice,salt and black pepper and red chilli flakes.Mix it well and then add it to the vegetable and barley  and toss it together.
4.Serve it as a side to any BBQ or just eat it for lunch or dinner.

Note: to roast vegetables , cut it the veggies  the same size place it on a baking sheet ,sprinkle it with salt and pepper and oil.Roast it until veggies becomes tender.
I like to eat  this salad for my lunch because it is light and healthy.

vegetable chilli

Summer is gone and we are in autumn ,there is a change in weather from hot and sunny to cold and foggy.So this season I cook chilli's, soups, stews for my families. Anything that is comfortable for our body( comfortable food) and we Hindu's are also celebrating navaratri  many people are vegetarian for nine days.Vegetable chilli is a very hearty dish and is enjoyed by most of the vegetarian and vegan people.Growing up on an island there was tons of freshly grown vegetables and my mom would use it daily in every dish that she would prepare for us.Here in this country I am trying to do my best but sometimes I end up using frozen veggies.  The taste is almost the same but as we all know that moms food is hard to replace or replicate.In this veggie chilli I have used frozen broccoli and cauliflower.

Ingredients
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 
1/2 of onion chopped
1/4 inch of grated ginger
1 cup red bell pepper
1 cup green bell pepper
1/2 cup broccoli ( if frozen  defrost it )
1/2 cup  defrosted cauliflower
1/2 cup chickpeas
3 Roma tomatoes chopped
1 tablespoon chilli powder
2 red pepper or Serrano pepper
1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/4 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1  1/2 cup stock or water
1 teaspoon oil
salt to taste

Method
1.Heat oil in a pot add in cumin and red pepper flakes.Add in onion and fennel seeds cook it for few minutes.Then add in all the vegetables and mix it well.Cook it for couple of minutes.
2. Stir in oregano chilli powder , black pepper, Serrano pepper, ginger ,salt and stock .Cook it for about 5 minutes.
3.Add in chickpeas,and stir in unsweetened cocoa powder.Let it cook on low heat for another 5 minutes .
4.Serve it any bread of your choice or any crackers that will provide the crunchy  to the chilli.
This chilli is very flavorful  and is prefect for cold weather ,
Note : I used chilli powder because my family eats hot and spicy  so try to adjust it to your taste.

Zucchini Paratha

Paratha is a staple dish  in most of the Indian restaurants and in any typical Indian home.I made zucchini paratha for my friends and my daughter because it is very tasty and I also wanted to use it in a new way.People make paratha's from potatoes,radish's, cabbage but I gave a little twist to mine.Zucchini is part of squash family and provides texture to any food and is healthy.One cup of zucchini has about 30calories and10%of RDA dietary fiber  which helps in digestion ,prevents constipation,and maintains lower blood sugar.Zucchini paratha  is very healthy and delicious, and serve it to loved ones .

Ingredients
1 grated zucchini squeeze out all the liquid
1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon tumeric
1 teaspoon chilli powder
1 teaspoon minced garlic
salt to taste
 1/4 cup warm water
1 cup whole wheat flour
 1 tablespoon oil
Preparation
1.In a bowl mix flour,1/2 teaspoon chilli powder,and turmeric, pinch of salt.Add water and form a dough.
2.In a skillet heat oil ,add in cumin seeds,garlic and cook for a 1 minute.Then add in zucchini, cook it for couple of minutes. t\Take it off the stove and try to dry to any excess water with a napkin or just squeeze it out .
3.Heat up the griddle,Roll the dough out,take a little piece and stuff the 1 teaspoon of zucchini mixture ,seal it close and then roll it out with a rolling pin.
4.Place it on the griddle and cook it for about couple of minutes ,then turn it  over ,cook it  another  couple of minutes,repeat this one more time and then brush it with butter or ghee.
5 Serve it with ratia or any saute veggie or meat of your choice.
Try this nutritious and tasty paratha   with your friends and families.

Biscuit Flat Bread

One day when I came home from work, I saw my daughter sitting on the coach eating a bag of chips.Then I looked in the refrigerator I saw a packet of biscuit buttermilk, feeling hungry and tired I decided to make a flat bread . This bread is very healthy and tasty and more important I used what ever was in my refrigerator and in  my pantry.
Ingredients
1 buttermilk biscuit
1 head of roasted garlic
1/2   tomatoes  seeded and cut in small pieces
1 cup red bell pepper cut in small pieces
1 cup green bell pepper cut in small pieces
1/4 finely cut or shredded  lettuces
cheese
 3 tablespoon olive oil
Preparation
1.Preheat your oven at 350 degrees.Open the biscuit and roll it out with a rolling pin about 1/4 inch thin.  Place the dough on the cookie sheet.Squeeze out the garlic and mix it in the oil and then brush it on the dough. Place it in the oven for about 5 minutes.
2.Take out the biscuit dough and then spread the cheese ,bell peppers, and put it back in the oven for 8 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
3.take it out of the oven and spread the shredded lettuce and tomatoes.And some salt and black pepper (optional).

This flat bread is very quick and easy to make, is affordable,and chicken, shrimp,  olives and mushrooms can also be added to make it a meal. Any kind of pesto can be substituted for olive and garlic spread.Enjoy

 

Carrot and Cucumber Raita(salad)

 Health benefits of yogurt is so impressive that many people has  made it a habit to consume it daily and so is  the dairy aisle of all grocery stores.Yogurt is easier to digest than milk and is also rich in calcium, mineral that contributes to decrease the risks of colon cancer.This is a valuable health food for both infants and elderly.For children it provides good source of protein,fats and carbohydrates.

Carrots is an orange, crunchy power food which provides beautiful skin,prevents cancer,and helps in anti aging. Raita is served in all Indian restaurants and in any festive occasions such weddings,receptions or just during Diwali etc.This tasty and refreshing salad can be eaten for lunch or for dinner.
Ingredients
1  cup low fat yogurt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chilli powder
salt to taste
1/4  of a cucumber grated
                                          1 small grated carrot
Preparation
In a bowl take yogurt and add in  cucumber and carrot and mix it.Then add in all other ingredients and mix it all together.Serve with paratha or naan. My daughter likes to eat this with rice and dhaal.It is really delicious  and refreshing.

chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken tikka  masala is a dish where chicken is marinated in yogurt and spices and cooked in tomato and cream sauce.This dish  is served in all Indian restaurant and is a very popular dish among the people of all origin and around the world. Some people believe that this is a British dish but it is cooked in all Indian house and restaurants. Chicken tikka masala is creamy , rich and is very tasty and is packed with flavor.This is my version of tikka masala.


Recipe
Marinate
1chicken breast cut in bite size pieces.
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon tumeric
1/2 teaspoon coriander(ground)
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chilli powder
1 tablespoon garlic paste
1 tablespoon ginger paste
juice of 1/2 of lime

2 tablespoon yogurt
 salt to taste
1 teaspoon canola oil
Place chicken in a bowl and add all the ingredients  ,mix and marinate it  for
30 minutes'.Grill the chicken or broil it or just cook the chicken in a pan for couple of minutes.Chicken will be fully cooked in the sauce.

 Sauce
2 tomatoes cut in chunks
1/2 onion cut in chunks
2 Serrano peppers
1 teaspoon tumeric
1  teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon chilli powder
1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
1/ teaspoon garam masala
1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 tablespoon ginger paste
1 tablespoon garlic paste
1 teaspoon peanut powder
 salt to taste
black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon oil
2 tablespoon cream
Method
1.Roast tomato ,onion and Serrano pepper at 350 for about 10 minutes or until the juices comes out.
2.Blend tomato onion and Serrano pepper and peanut until smooth.Heat  oil in a skillet ,add cumin ,ginger and garlic let it cook for a minute.
3.Add turmeric coriander chilli powder ,cayenne pepper and mix it well.Then stir in tomato mixture, toss everything together.Add in salt to taste and black pepper and mix it,Cook it for about 10 minutes, then add in your chicken , cover and let cook until chicken is cook through.Finally pour in cream and cook for another 10 minutes or until the sauce thicken. Serve over rice

There are 48 different ways of cooking chicken tikka. and this is one of it.Try it out but don't forget to leave a comment.Enjoy.
Note Pataks tikka paste can be used for quicker results and is available in all Indian stores.

chicken wings

Chicken is a staple food in any island cuisine.Island Indian people love to cook chicken mostly for dinner or when they have company over during a major soccer tournament  same as here people enjoy football.Every one will be listening to the radio if they are at work or watch television at home.In October this tournament is played in Fiji over the independence long weekend.Women mostly cook finger food such as bhajia,chicken wings,samosa etc.Chicken is rich in protein which children really like to eat such as my daughter,wing is one of her favorite food. 

Recipe

 1.5 lb chicken wings

1 tablespoon paprika

1 tablespoon chilli powder

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

   1 teaspoon garlic powder

                                                                 1 teaspoon ginger paste

                                                                     1 tablespoon black pepper

                                                                        1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 

                                             salt to taste

                                                                1 tablespoon canola oil

Preparation
1.Place the wings in a bowl and add in all the other ingredients.Mix it well. Marinate it for an hour.
2.Preheat the oven at 350 F. Place a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet  and arrange the chicken wings on the rack and stick it in the  oven.

Served with cool sorucream with siracha

3. Bake it for 40 minutes turning it after 20 minutes.

4. Take it out of the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes.

I serve this chicken wings with sour cream and mayonnaise  or it can also be served  with any chutney.This chicken wing is very flavorful and tasty and crunchy.

Chicken Pakora

Chicken pakora can be served as a snack or an appetizer .In Fiji people make this when it is raining and they like to eat and get cozy in front of the television. In simple pakora is just any vegetable or meat dipped in a batter and then fried and then served with any chutney or sauce.My friends really like chicken pakora so today served this for snack to my family.


Recipe

1 cup besan ( buy it from any Indian store)

1 tablespoon rice flour

1/4 teaspoon carom seeds (ajwian)

1 teaspoon chilli powder

1 teaspoon garlic paste

1 teaspoon black pepper

salt to taste

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 chicken breast cut in bit size pieces

water to make the batter

oil for frying

Preparation
1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and also add in garlic and give it a good toss.
2. In a bowl add in besan , rice flour ,ajwian ,chilli powder,baking powder,salt .Mix everything together.Then add water to make a batter.
3. Add in chicken and toss it well.
4.Heat oil  in a pan  and then drop the chicken pieces in the heated oil .Fry the chicken until golden brown .
5. Serve pakora with chutney or any sauce of your choice.

 

Watermelon Gazpacho

 Gazpacho is a cold soup which can be made by blending any fruits or vegetables. During this hot summer months  I normally make this cold soup because it is very fast and is ready in  minutes.  Gazpacho is good for the people who like to lose weight because it is  very low calorie and high in fiber.This soup can be serve either for lunch or dinner or it can be eaten as a healthy snack.


Recipe
1 cup chopped watermelon
1/2 cup seeded and diced tomatoes
1 inch ginger
1 garlic clove
1/4 cup red or green bell peppers
1/4 cup diced cucumber
1 Serrano pepper
salt to taste
water

Preparation
1.Place everything in a blender to make it smooth.
2. Chill it for 30 minutes and then serve.

I have used one Serrano pepper because I like spicy food but you can always adjust it to your taste.

Fish with lemon zest

Seafood (fish) is one of the main dietary staple in a Fijian household.  The Fish market will be packed with many different variey of fish. Fresh from the ocean the seafood had got a complete different taste compared to the fish from other part of the world. People in Fiji cook their fish in many ways such as bake it ,make curry,or fry it.Fish is  high in protein and omega 3 and is also good for our heart.Fish can be cooked and used  in salad tacos or just an entree.

Recipe
 2 Talipia fish defrosted
salt to taste
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 /4 cup flour
 oil for pan frying

Preparation
1.Dry the fish with paper towel.Lightly  pat fish in flour .
2. Make a mixture with salt pepper and lemon zest and sprinkle it on the fish ( both sides).
3. Heat oil in a pan and add the fish ,cook each side for about 3 minutes and then turn it over and cook it for another 3 minutes.
4.When cooked place the fish on a paper towel to remove any excess oil.
5. Serve with any vegetables of your choice or use it for fish tacos ,or quesadilla .

chicken kebob (kabob)

Chicken is my daughters favorite of all  and is cooked almost everyday in my house.There is different ways of cooking chicken such curry, tikkas ,roasting ,and kabobs.Kebob is an appetizer or can be served on a game day while watching TV or just as an healthy snack.Any type of meat can be used to cook kebob.In Fiji people who harvest sugar cane mostly bring kabob for their lunch because  it can be eaten any where because it and it is also very easy to share among their friends as it is on a skewers.   Kebob can be also be only cooked with vegetables or fruits.But for dinner tonight I am cooking chicken kebab with spices.

Recipe
1 packet chicken tenders
1 tablespoon chilli powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon garlic grated
1 teaspoon black pepper
salt to taste
skewers
oil for frying


Method
1.Place chicken in a bowl,add in chilli powder,garlic,garlic powder  black pepper,and salt.Mix everything together and the put on tender on the skewers.
2. Heat oil for shallow frying in a pan and place  the skewers .Cook on all the sides turning occasionally.Cook it until it is cooked through.
3.Place it on the paper towel to drain any excess oil.
4.serve with cilantro chutney or just with ketchup and siracha

spinach with garlic and cumin

 Growing up  my mom used to cook spinach which I used to eat with rice and dhal.Spinach is grown  with the sugar cane on the farm .Farmers would hand pick spinach and put it together in a bundle and then bring to the market to sell. The price was at that time only 50 cents. My mom on her trip to the market would buy spinach and cooks it  on Mondays because this was the vegetarian day for  our family.Since Hindus are celebrating Krishna Janmashtmi this week they eat vegetarian the whole week and I am sure spinach will be one of the dish that would be on the table.
Spinach is very rich in fiber which prevents constipation and  helps to maintain low blood sugar. Spinach is also rich in vitamins and is good for our skin Spinach is loaded with vitamins and nutrients,some of which is very hard to find in other vegetables.In other words spinach is a super nutrient vegetable because of it dark color.People cook spinach  many different ways but today I will just cook it  with cumin and garlic.

Ingredients
1 packet defrosted spinach(10 ounce)
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 Serrano peppers finely chopped
1 teaspoon  chilli flakes
3 garlic cloves finely minced
nutmeg to taste
salt to taste
 1 tablespoon oil

Method 
1. Heat oil in a skillet.Add in cumin let it pop,then add in onion,cook it until transulance.
2. Add in chilli flakes garlic and peppers.cook for 1 minute.
3.Place in the defrosted spinach,salt and mix it together. Add in about 2 tablespoon of water.
4. Cook for about 10 minutes or until it is cooked.
5.Grate nutmeg and stir it together.
6. Serve spinach with rice and cucumber salad.

Sweet potato and spinach balls

Sweet potato is a root vegetable that is widely grown in the South Pacific.In Fiji sweet potato is a staple food in all Fijian household.Fijians normally use sweet potato as a side dish by just boiling it in salted water.Sweet potato is very nutritious with high fiber content,calcium,vitamin  A and it has got car-atone more than anything else.In addition spinach is an excellent source of nutrition without high calories.Sweet potato and spinach balls is very healthy and nutritious for your family and it is very simple and easy to cook.I just took a traditional root crop and mixed it my Indian spices and made a complete new dish.

Recipe
1 sweet potato
1/2 cup defrosted spinach squeezed out all the water
1 tablespoon chilli powder
1 tablespoon besan
2 cloves of garlic finely chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin
salt to taste
oil for frying

Method

1.Peel and cut the  sweet potato in 1/2 inch cubes, boil it until fork tender.
2.Drain sweet potato and mash it .Add in spinach and mix it.
3.Add chilli powder,garlic,cumin,besan,and salt , mix everything together.
4.Heat oil in a saucepan
5.Make balls with the sweet potato and spinach mixture and fry it on medium low heat until golden brown .
6.Drain it on kitchen paper and serve it as a side dish with roasted chicken or just with ketchup.
Enjoy NI SA MOCE

Stuffed Bittermelon (Karela) (Diabetic recipe)

Bittermelon is mostly used in Indian cooking.Indians stuff bittermelon with spices and then shallow fry it in oil.Bittermelon has many health benefits such such it is really good for diabetes,cancer,measles and chickenpox.For diabetes bittermelon is the number one herbal remedy, that can be taken as a tea or just stuff it as I am going to do it today.Bittermelon is available in most of the grocery store in the vegetable section.For stuffing ,buy the small one because it is easy to fill the spices in and it cooks a little bit faster.

Recipe
3 bittermelon (kalera)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1teaspoon tumeric
1 tablespoon corriander
1 teaspoon ground fennel seeds
1 tablespoon chilli powder or to taste
salt to taste
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon oil
 oil for frying
Method 
1. Scrape the bittermelon and cut it lengthwise from the center and take out the seeds and keep the pulp.Then rub the bittermelon with salt and set it aside for 30 minutes.After 30 minutes squeeze out all water and wash and dry it .
2. In a bowl mix cumin, tumeric, corriander,fennel,chilli, lemon juice,salt and the pulp with 1tablespoon of oil.Mix it well.Add little water if the mixture is too dry
3. Now divide the mixture equally  and then stuff the bittermelon.
4.Heat oil in a pan and fry it on low heat untill it cooks and turns brown on all sides.
(Note keep turning the bittermelon to make it brown all sides)

Bhajia - Perfect Snack

While growing up my mom used to make this healthy snack for my sister and myself as a snack when we came home from school. Now I cook this for my daughter who really enjoys it with her friends.Bhajia can be made with any vegetables which is in season.
One time I brought this for my potluck to my work and my friends  really liked it.One of my co -worker cooked this for her family who came to visit her from Hawaii and they really enjoyed it as an appetizer.

Bhajia


Ingredients
1 cup besan (chick pea flour)
1/2 cup  self -rising flour
1 small potato grated
1 small carrot grated
5 oz frozen spinach (deforested and squeeze out all the liquid)
2 cloves of minced garlic
2 green peppers
salt to taste
1/4 cup water
oil for frying

Method
1. Mix besan, flour,potato,carrot spinach  in a bowl.
2. Add peppers.garlic and salt.Mix it well.
3. Add water and mix everything together.
4. Heat oil in dutch oven or a big skillet. Take a little bit of the mixture into your hand and make it into balls or use and ice-cream scope to drop it into the oil on a medium low heat.
5. cook until golden brown.Drain it on a paper towel.Serve this with ketchup or any dipping sauce.

Other vegetables such as cabbage,mushrooms,and bell peppers can also be used .I hope you will try this out and please leave me comment