Jan 19, 2014

tikka masala + "one-dish vegan" giveaway

I am so excited to finally have the time to blog again! 

My cookbook, being published soon by Vegan Heritage Press, is nearly written and I am almost free of the cookbook-writing bondage. 

On to blog-writing? Sure, makes sense! More soon about the book, but other things to get to now.

Cauliflower and Chickpea Tikka Masala


Britain's influence in India and Indian influence in Britain is a well-documented historical truth; however, you will be hard-pressed to find a Chicken Tikka Masala in any Indian cookbook, as it was more influenced by Indian cuisine than having actually been developed in India. 

This is a rather modern dish, having been only around for less than a century. 

Legend has it (I love food legends!) that in a British Indian restaurant an unruly, unsatisfied, grumpy costumer sent back a Chicken Tandoori, citing it's lack of moisture. The bird was too dry for his taste. The ingenious, brilliant chef (yes, another one of those - sort of like the Prince Charming of the culinary world), quickly set about fixing the dish (instead of remaking it?!?) and chopped up the dry bird parts, and tossed it with a tomato-cream sauce, spiced with a good amount of Indian spices. 

Viola! A chicken curry was born and another cantankerous client satiated!

Let's get cooking!



Cauliflower and Chickpea Tikka Masala

Printer-Friendly Cauliflower and Chickpea Tikka Masala Recipe
(coming!)



The spice list: oil, ginger, salt, garlic, turmeric, cayenne, garam masala and cumin.


Rub the spice paste into the cauliflower steaks, bake and chop.


Make the sauce by roasting the chickpeas, onion and Serrano peppers.


Add more spices, crushed tomatoes, cauliflower, yogurt and milk. 
Simmer and serve.



Other News:




As you may know I am a big (BIG!) fan of Robin Robertson and an avid recipe tester for her, so it is no surprise that I tested her latest book, One-Dish Vegan. I have to say, it is just as creative and delicious as her other books. Drool over some of our favorite tested recipes:

Fettuccine and Broccoli with Almond-Herb Sauce  from One-Dish Vegan

One Pot Cheesy Mac from One-Dish Vegan

Quinoa Salad with Zucchini and White Beans from One-Dish Vegan

Spinach Alfredo Linguine from One-Dish Vegan

Spinach and Rice Stuffed Peppers with Almond Butter Sauce from One-Dish Vegan


I know Robin had a huge blog tour late last year, giving away many copies of the book, but I was a little busy at the time to participate. I'm a big believer of "it is never too late," and with that in mind, as a New Year's offering, am giving away my own copy of the book. Comment below and you will be entered in the contest faster than you can read this post. Contest is over. 

Contest is open to US residents only, I'm afraid, and the winner will be chosen February 19.

39 comments:

  1. I, too am an avid fan of Robin Robertson. I'd love to add this book to my vegan resources. There's no such thing as "too many cookbooks." Vegan cooking just keeps getting better and better.

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  2. The stuffed bell peppers with almond butter sauce looks amazing!

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  3. This would make a great addition to my kitchen! My newly vegan boyfriend and I are really throwing ourselves into cooking and these dishes look both decadent and doable for our busy schedules!

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  4. I have some of her earlier books, and from what I've read, One Dish Vegan includes updated versions of some of those recipes. I would love to win this.

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  5. That spinach alfredo lasagna is beautiful.

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  6. i love that color of the linguine!

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  7. The stuffed peppers sound amazing, your new cookbook "one-dish vegan" would be great to have and will be well used.
    Thanks
    Kris

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  8. I enjoy Robin Robertson's cookbooks and have quite a few of them in my collection. I would love to add this one to it.

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  9. That pepper is one of the best food photos I've ever seen… would love this cookbook!

    Thanks, Patti

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  10. I am a huge fan of Robin RoBergson as well! Very excited for your cookbook!!

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  11. I would love to have this book!

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  12. This book looks fabulous! Being new to the vegan world, this book would be super beneficial in my household. Thank you! :)

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  13. Would love to try some one dish meals, less cleaning means more fun with the kids :)

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  14. I'd love to add this book to my kitchen, I'm trying to take the final plunge into going vegan and this would be a big help! :) The color of that Spinach Alfredo Linguine is lovely!

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  15. I am all about one dish dinners, and I'm dying to find out how to make that almond butter sauce!

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  16. Man I feel like one dish meals would make my life so much easier. I don't have a microwave so I am warming up all the pieces for a meal separately. I would love to have this book!

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  17. Welcome back!
    I have the one dish book and it is indeed awesome.
    Of course, a forthcoming book will be the toast of the town very soon... :)

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  18. I have a very well-loved and well-used copy of One Dish Vegetarian; many pages are brown and wrinkled from a soy sauce spill! I would LOVE to have this book, as I'm sure that it takes the one-dish concept to the higher vegan level :-)

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  19. ROBIN is one of the top vegan cookbook authors along with Lindsay Shay Nixon's Happy Herbivore series ... our family thrives on a healthy vegan organic whole foods lifestyle ... look forward to your input that will improve our lives ... SLAINTE (celtic for "to your health)

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  20. I'm fascinated by Robin's creativity. I'd love to win this book! I'm still trying to convert the hubby to a plant based diet. One Dish Vegan could help.

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  21. I had been skirting on the edges of veganism for several years but almost 2 years ago I saw "Forks Over Knives" and decided to take the plunge. I am now a proud, plant strong vegan and better for it. My wife is not quite there yet but I'm bringing her along. Anything I can add to my repertoire will be highly useful toward that end.

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  22. I love Robin's books. I'd love to win this one.

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  23. I love Robin's books! This would be a great addition to my collection, thanks for the chance to win!

    gaia (at) cinci (dot) rr (dot) com

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  24. Robin's awesome recipes made it possible for me to turn my carnivorous husband vegan! Yay, Robin! Love her books and I'd love to have the new one... :-)

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  25. I love how clever chefs can be in a culinary pinch. ;)
    The Tikka Masala looks so delicious but that One Pot Cheesy Mac would be the perfect wintercold remedy...yumza!

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  26. I am drooling looking at the bell pepper pic :)

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  27. I LOVE Robin's books and would love to win this one! Also glad to find your blog!

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  28. Oh my gosh! One-dish sounds amaze-balls!

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  29. I really like the books of hers that I do have ad I would love to add this one to my vegan cookbook shelf!

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  30. Hi, my rheumatologist wants me to follow a vegan diet to reduce inflammation. It was easy for me to give up meat but going without cheese is harder! Any recipes that would help me do so are much appreciated. I would like to add this book to my repertoire. Thanks!

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  31. I chose to follow a vegan diet for my health - I am feeling so much better! Having a chance to win a vegan cookbook is a dream! Thank you for the chance!

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  32. That tikka masala looks wonderful! I'll have to try it soon. I'm just starting to explore Indian food--it has always intimidated me for some reason, but this looks super easy! :)

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  33. I don't have any vegan cookbooks and it's time to change that. The dishes look wonderful!

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  34. I would love to have Robin's new book! :)

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  35. I would definitely love to try the Fettuccine and Broccoli with Almond-Herb Sauce recipe. Looks delicious!

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  36. *crossing fingers*

    I have several of Robin's cookbooks and they're consistently good. Would love to take this one for a spin!

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  37. Your pictures are gorgeous! I just got the cookbook this month and I love it, especially the tex-mex tempeh chili. Yum!

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Thanks for your comment! I'll check if it's spam and post if it is not. I appreciate your time and effort for commenting! ~ Zsu