Mr. Bijoy Writes

A lot of the cuisine in the middle east and the Mediterranean regions of our wonderful planet is quite healthy. Here's a take on a chickpea salad that a friend and I whipped up over some wine a few months ago. The combination of dates, rice, and chickpeas not only provide for a filling dish, but they also are packed with nutrients, fiber, and plant-based proteins to get you through a workout, a run or a busy day about town. Let me know how it turns out for you! What ya need: 2 tablespoons of olive oil 1/2 of a Vidalia onion 1 -16oz can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt ground black pepper, to taste 3 cups of cooked brown rice 1/2 cup of  pitted dates, chopped 1/4 cup of fresh mint , chopped 1/4 cup of fresh parsley , chopped Ok, so: In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion to the skillet and cook, sti...

Falafel started life in Egypt, around the time of the pharaohs (apparently). But enough of the boring stuff. Now found as a staple throughout the Middle East and India, falafel are a staple in many households and street vendors. My mom has a pretty good recipe, but she hasn't chosen to share it yet. I took some advice from some of my chef friends and worked together this recipe for the nights that I really just wanted some happy-food. Let me know what you think! If you need to tweak anything to make it work for you, do it! What ya need: 1 cup of dried chickpeas (15oz can of chickpeas are ok in a pinch) 5 medium cloves of garlic 1/2 cup of fresh cilantro, chopped  1/2 cup of fresh parsley, chopped 1 small onion 6 tablespoons of flour 1 teaspoon of baking powder 1 teaspoon of salt 2 teaspoons of cumin 1 teaspoon of coriander 1/2 teaspoon of ground red pepper (cayenne works too) 1-2 cups of frying oil, for frying (I like a vegetable blend for this, but some people like...

People always ask why I don't post more Indian recipes, so, I guess I'll post one for you. What ya need- 2 onions, roughly chopped  1/2 cup unsalted butter, you can use soy margarine if you're vegan.   8 oz can of tomato sauce  8 cloves of garlic, minced  2 teaspoons of turmeric  1 teaspoon of cumin  1 teaspoon of allspice 1 1/2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper, use more or less, if you like 4 cans of garbanzo beans  2 green peppers, finely chopped  Salt to taste Ok, so- In a large pot, saute the onions in the butter until golden brown and slightly translucent. Then add tomato sauce, garlic, and spices. After this cooks for about 3-4 minutes, add the garbanzo beans and green peppers.  Saute this for about 10 minutes and salt to taste. There ya go!