In this post, I am revisiting my journey with Divine Spice Box and sharing some key moments with you all from the year 2016. This post not only talks about how Divine Spice Box grew in the past year but also brings to you a collection of best vegetarian recipes which were loved by our readers in the year 2016 !! Happy cooking 🙂
As you might have already guessed .. we have a new website and a new logo for the website too ! I am very excited about this and really hope you like the new look ! Please look around the new setup and shower me with your suggestion and feedback. I am still working on the finer details (which would take some learning both in design and coding :P) but your feedback can help me with things i might have forgotten or missed out !!
Some Accomplishments
Divine Spice Box took lots of challenges in 2016 and rose to a few new heights. I got many opportunities to work with client from USA, Canada, India, Italy and UK. We worked with clients and experimented with some really interesting line of products such as Egg Replacements from Neat Foods (makes such amazing Brownies !!) , protein rich lentil pasta from Modern Table Meals ( If you like to mix and match cuisines, like i do, then you have got to try making this Mushroom Butter Masala pasta … YUM !! ) and Jackfruit Company’s line of meatless products made using jackfruit which goes excellent in this Curry Jackfruit Biryani .
I have to say that these products are amazing and not only did i love working with these ingredients, they really opened up my mind to new ingredients and expanded my flavor profile.
Now, as i promised… here is a collection of some of the recipes which you all loved in 2016!! You are going to love making these recipes 🙂 Have a look !!
Browse through the recipes below and pick one to recreate right now or bookmark for later. Have fun browsing !
1. ONION LEEK MUSHROOM GALETTE
You would be amazed with the flavors of this free-form pie ! It’s got a Mediterranean sauce base and has loads of onion, peppers and garlic ! Savory and so yum. One fair warning – it would be addictive and no one can eat just one 🙂
2. SKINNY ASPARAGUS AND PEA SOUP
This soup looks inviting right? The soup tastes similar to a good cream of asparagus soup and it is still so light that one can easily have 2 small servings for a meal. The combination of peas and asparagus works great and while both of them bring a light, fresh color to the soup, this green soup is also full of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants.
3. GUJRATI METHI THEPLA
Theplas are perfect to make ahead, store or take along for a long journey. In comparison to other flatbreads, theplas remain fresh for longer periods of time and since they have the greens and spices right in the dough itself, they don’t really require too many accompaniments. This recipe uses fenugreek and coriander leaves along with corn meal flour for a wholeome, crispy and totally satisfying stack of theplas !
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4. ALL SPICE BANANA WALNUT CAKE
For anyone who bakes often or reads about baking would probably know that banana breads are one of the easiest and almost a “no fail” cake bread out there. The best part is that banana breads are so versatile and you can do so many flavor combinations with bananas. Try this banana bread/cake recipe made awesome with All spice !!
5. ROASTED PUMPKIN & CHICKPEA COCONUT CURRY
This dish has many dimensions. It has the robust, chunky and earthiness coming from the pumpkins which compliments the sweet scented, subtle and smooth coconut milk..then the slight contrast of flavours from paprika, tangy taste from tomatoes and lemons and finally some freshness from coriander. In all, one dish – many flavours !
6. MASALA VADA
Masala Vadas are a popular appetizer/ snack in South Indian cuisine. Masala Vada literally means a “spice mixed savory fritter”. Usually prepared using chana dal/ split bengal gram/ split chickpea lentil blended with spices, these fritters are crunchy, flavourful and festive… and did i mention they are full of proteins ?? That’s nutritiously delicious 🙂
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7. PINWHEEL SAMOSA
Now who needs an introduction to the humble samosas.. right? We all love them irrespective of the stuffing. They are known for their pyramid- conical shape but they become a notch fancier when pinwheel them… did u know it is actually easier to make it into a pinwheel than going the traditional route?? You can get as creative as you like with the stuffing and contrasting color always look pretty !! I love the peas specks through these ones.
8. LENTIL PASTA IN MUSHROOM BUTTER MASALA
We all are seeking protein in all our meals all the time. How about using protein rich pasta made with Lentils? That sounds neat right? They look and taste just like your usual pasta and can be made into all sorts of yummy stuff. This recipe takes a popular Indian curry and makes into an amazing, flavorful dish. You have to give this a go… and keep it spicy !!
9. RICE NOODLES IN SPICY PEANUT SAUCE
This recipe is a vegetarian take on the Thai Rice Vermicelli. Loafing up with vegetables and a punch from a spicy peanut sauce, this recipe is all you need for a quick midweek dinner ! I am using the traditional rice noodles for this recipe which absorbs the flavour of the peanut sauce and brings out the real flavour in this dish.. making it a great choice for a “make ahead meal” as well
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10. PINDI CHOLE
This recipe originated in a small town of Rawalpindi (that’s why the pindi) in Punjab and has become famous all over northern India. So, what is so special about these Pindi chole ? Notice the dark rich color ?? It comes from cooking the chickpeas with black tea leaves which lends this beautiful hue to the chickpeas. This is a no onion, no tomato recipe and the spices rule the dish !
11. VEGETABLE MANCHURIAN IN GARLIC GRAVY
Manchurian is basically kofta sort of balls which are usually fried and then dunked in a light soya sauce gravy. These might as well be called vegetarian’s meatballs. They taste amazing in both dry and gravy form and make for excellent accompaniments to Oriental Fried Rice and Noodles.
12. TOMATO BASIL CAPELLINI
Pasta is always an exciting dish and so versatile ! This dish is inspired by the Caprese Salad and tomatoes are slow cooked with lots of basil infusing an amazing flavour to this dish. The sweet basil adds a very aromatic flavour to this pasta and the semi sweet tomato sauce compliments it well. This dish tastes great the next day a the flavours mature, so you can plan ahead and make it in advance as well.
13. EGGPLANT TIKKA MASALA
Now we all know that Eggplant is a vegetarian’s meat. The texture, color and flavours can be made to substitute meat in various dishes so i thought why not try making a tikka masala version with it? The result… is mind blowing !! The eggplants do a great job of soaking up the amazing tangy flavours from the yogurt marination and the curry base adds that oomph factor in this curry dish. Since Eggplants are soft, some of it simply melts in the curry while cooking and makes the curry taste even better !
14. SPANISH TOMATO RICE
If you like rice, you will love this recipe. Just Tomatoes and basic spices make this into an excellent , flavourful and pretty to look at rich dish. Things cannot get easier than this. Serve it along side the celebratory Chiles Rellenos or have a potluck party with all the fixants thrown in and use this rice to make yourself some Chipotle style burrito bowls 🙂
15. TRIPLE BERRY SMOOTHIE
As it is said “In the Pink of health”, this triple berry smoothie is a powerhouse of nutrition and antioxidants. The tangy-sweet strawberries, blackberries and blueberries not only make for a delicious mix but also give a bright “pink “ hue to this beautiful smoothie. Perfect to enjoy in summers, this smoothie also works well for a breakfast accompaniment or as a post workout drink.
16. CARROT CAKE WITH LEMON PUDDING FROSTING
This cake is moist, sinfully delicious and perfect for winters. Moreover, there is just enough butter in the recipe to keep it moist and nice but totally guilt free. The lemon pudding frosting brought along some citrus notes and complimented the orange zest in the recipe .. making it perfect for occasions. if you haven’t used instant puddings for frostings, give it a go … it is so convenient. Minimal effort and you get yourself a smooth, gorgeous frosting in minutes to take your amazing cake to a “wow” status !!
So pick your favorite recipes and give them a go and when you do, let me know !! If you like this post, please follow this blog via Email to get post updates (find subscription box on the right side of this page, or scroll down in mobile version). You can also subscribe to this blog through the pop up appearing on this webpage. Don’t forget to Pin, Print or Bookmark the recipes you like !!
