Beet and Feta Salad Dressed with Honey, Balsamic Vinegar and Oregano

The growing season is here, but it is still early in the year and locally grown produce is just starting to hit the markets. The hot temperatures are also finally here, and I decided that I wanted a wholesome salad with my favorite root vegetable. Beets are a good and nourishing choice no matter the time of year, especially when paired with feta cheese and a delightful vinaigrette served over some mixed greens. A choice crusty bread, slathered in butter, is an ideal accompaniment.

Ven Pongal (Spicy South Indian Tiffin Rice)

This delightful spiced rice and split mung dal dish with toasted cashews is typically prepared as an everyday breakfast in south India were it is cooked to be creamy or almost mushy, but I made a drier version to serve as a dinner dish along with this amazing coconut tamarind chutney. Adapted from "Mysore Style Cooking" by V. Sandhya, you won't be lacking for nourishment no matter the time of day you serve this dish. So easy to digest, it is perfect for those recovering from an ailment. South Indian cuisine is my new passion.

Jalapeño and Tomato Macaroni & Cheese

An occasional craving for comfort food is one that most of us share when stresses or anxieties abound, an impulse to revisit times or places of simplicity and security, no matter how real or perceived our memories. It's a pleasure of mine to indulge my loved ones with kitchen comfort at those times, not to mention that fussing with pots, pans and food can be a welcome relief to myself when others around me are feeling strains. Into these dishes I can pour the love and care that aren't always easy to express in words.

One of my husband's favorite comfort foods — and one shared by many others — is a big helping of macaroni and cheese. In his case, he remembers the Kraft Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese that his father baked with a can of crushed tomatoes. Of course, now that he's eating out of my kitchen he gets my own brand of comfort food, meaning fresh quality ingredients assembled by hand and with a little spicy touch of my own tossed in. I'm happy to say that a big helping of warm and creamy homemade jalapeño and tomato mac'n'cheese did just the comfort trick for him while giving him a taste of something new at the same time. After all, moving forward is important even when we want to indulge our nostalgic feelings.

Mysore-Style Toor Dal Soup

This is another recipe adapted from "Mysore Style Cooking" by V. Sandhya. Such an elegant and informative book that is essential for cooks wishing to learn more about south Indian cuisine. As I enjoy toor dal and soup, I decided to make what she so charmingly calls "Sandhya's Soup". She tells us that it is particularly good for babies and children as it is easy to digest. You may wish to omit the hot peppers. It is also easy to prepare and delicious. Adjust the amount of water to achieve your desired consistency. I opted for a thicker version.

Sweet and Sour Beet and Sprouted Mung Bean Salad

Messy though they are to prepare, beets are one of my favorite vegetables. This recipe was adapted from Mysore Style Cooking by V. Sandhya. I was intrigued by this dish as it included not only beets, but also some coconut and pineapple. Served alongside some Jasmine rice, this was certainly a satisfying summer meal that I enjoyed with my dinner guests on my front deck. Summer is finally here.

This is my submission to My Legume Love Affair, a most popular event started by lovely Susan and hosted this month by Aqua of Served with Love.

Sweet and Sour Beet and Sprouted Mung Salad

a generous handful of fresh beet greens
3 beets, peeled and grated
1 cup of mung bean sprouts
3 tablespoons of unsweetened coconut
2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped
juice from one lime
1 cup of pineapple, finely chopped
1 teaspoon of sea salt

For the tempering:

2 teaspoons of oil
1 teaspoon of black mustard seeds
1/4 teaspoon of asafetida
pinch of cayenne
pinch of turmeric

Rinse the mung beans well and soak overnight in enough water to cover. Drain and transfer them to the center of a few paper towels. Wrap with string, transfer to a pot, cover and let sit for 24 hours.

In a large bowl, combine the beet greens, grated beet, mung bean sprouts, coconut, parsley, lime juice, pineapple and salt.

For the tempering, heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. When hot, toss in the mustard seeds and stir and fry until they begin to pop. Now add the asafetida, cayenne and turmeric and stir into the salad, taking care to mix until everything is well combined.

Serves 4 - 6.

More Mung Bean Recipes you are sure to enjoy from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:
Mung Bean Paneer
Moong Dal
Mung Bean and Vegetable Soup
Mung and Azuki Beans with Fresh Peas and Spices

On the top of the reading stack: Plenty: Vibrant Vegetable Recipes From London's Ottolenghi

Audio Accompaniment: silence, finally

Tomato and Feta Casserole with Gigantes Beans

Just yum! One of the tastiest dishes I have made recently. Such a perfect spring meal, and how can I resist the excellent sheep milk feta cheese and beautiful colossal Kalamata olives from the Perfect Bakery, located at 116 Hamilton Road here in London, Ontario. They have the best olives and feta cheese in the city. It's also a pleasure to grow fresh herbs outside too that are an ideal addition to meals. You must try this creation. Nourishing and creative, you can't go wrong with this dish. Your carnivorous friends won't miss the meat at all.

Coconut-Tamarind Chutney

I made this coconut and tamarind flavored chutney to go along with a rice-based dish known as pongal that will leave you begging for seconds. It works well as a spread for flatbreads and sandwiches, and has a dry consistency rather than a creamier one. Best of all, there's no cooking involved and the chutney can be made in 10 minutes or less.