Bitter Melon with Shrimp

This is not my photo.

Bitter Melon, also known as Bitter Gourd is an Asian vegetable that is known for healing properties. It can lower blood sugar,  a component of the seeds can possibly prevent HIV from infecting human cells, and the extract can  be used to slow the spread of cancer to cells. More research is needed to make sure that these uses are warranted and are feasible. It also may lower triglyceride levels. Here is a link that explains these uses in further detail.

The seeds and peel should be removed as they may cause headaches in some people. Bitter melon is safe to consume and is used throughout the Far East, South America, India, Africa and throughout the Caribbean.

Here is a simple recipe that uses bitter melon that I found while I was looking for recipes that used this vegetable. I kept on seeing it at Tan-A and was wondering what to do with it and Chris and I both thought that this stir fry looked wonderful.

I will be salting my bitter melon and placing it in a colander for about an hour to make this melon less bitter, then blanching it and finally shocking it in cold water before cooking.

Wow, this is very bitter so bitter we couldn't eat it....It looks better than it tastes.

Saag Paneer/Palak Paneer

I have been wanting to try this for years, and I am just now getting around to trying it out. Cheese and spicy spinach in a cream sauce, how can you go wrong? I have read about this and was determined to make it, I was even going to attempt to make my own Paneer (which I have read is simple to do), but Chris and I went into Richmond and to the Indian Grocer and I got not one but two packages of Paneer (by mistake, they were stuck together) so I just hope that both of us like Paneer If you are vegan, use soy creamer or soy sour cream thinned out with soy milk and tofu. I decided to go with this recipe from Show Me The Curry. I also decided to go with sour cream instead of the whipping cream called for to save calories. I am using reduced fat paneer that I got from Laxmi  Palace (Indian Grocer). This seems like an easy enough recipe, we are eating the curry without chapatis or rice.

So how was it? OH my goodness, it is amazing! Now I am glad that I accidentally picked up two packs of Paneer! Spicy, creamy deliciousness! The Paneer was chewy cheesy deliciousness. This recipe was very authentic and tasted like something I would get from an upscale Indian Restaurant. Make sure that you soak the Paneer after you fry it, it makes it softer, and lightly squeeze the water out.

Tilapia Fish Curry and new Chai Tea

I was going to get the Pom Fret from Tan-A, but decided to just go with some Tilapia fillets that I already have and Chris loves Tilapia. This recipe looks particularly delicious. I have to admit that making this recipe scares me a little because I am afraid that I will overcook the fish. Otherwise the recipe sounds fairly easy to make and it sounds very flavorful. Chris and I have been wanting to make a fish curry since we saw it on Bizarre Foods, of  all places. I was not impressed with this recipe and I followed it exactly. Chris liked it though.

I found cinnamon sticks in the spice aisle at the local Dollar Tree and if you are lucky, you will have an Indian Grocer nearby. I went to Laxmi Palace, which is on Old Parham Road in the West End of Richmond near the Tropical Smoothie. I found cheap spices like Garam Masala, Cloves, Fenugreek Seeds, etc. I got some Paneer (low-fat too so this means Saag Paneer soon :o)), dried Kokams, they had some popped Sorghum which I saw on Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, tons of rice, lots of fresh veggies (a lot of the same vegetables that Tan-A has), ready to eat foods, dal, chick peas, flat breads....If you get the chance to go by there, check it out. The clerks in the store are very polite and helpful. In the same strip mall there is Indian Pastry House with the best samosas I have ever had and a delicious melt in your mouth Irish Cake (they also have other flavors and they can make wedding and birthday cakes). Chris tried the popped Sorghum and he did not like it, but I thought that it tasted like popcorn, but nuttier.

Here is a picture of the Chai Tea I picked up from Laxmi Palace and quite a deal at $3.79 a package.I am making some Chai Tea today and I will let you know how I like this tea. Here is a link to purchase it if you don't have an Indian Grocer near you and you would like to try it. As I have stated before, I love Stash Chai, Bigelow Vanilla Chai and Celestial Seasoning Bengal Spice and Chai and those are usually available at most stores, but use your favorite. Chris and I both liked the tea, it isn't quite as strong as Stash, but still good and definitely the better deal.

Below are pictures of my fraidycat, Kimmie.

Refried Black Bean Burritos

I decided to make these since I was cleaning out the cabinets and found a bag of black beans that I had bought a few months ago. I decided to cook them in the crock pot and it is super simple to do. I like using the crock pot because you just add your ingredients, and it cooks it for you. No supervision required except timing it. If you don't have a crock pot feel free to make these the old fashioned way on the stove top or use a couple of cans of black beans. I used this recipe to make my beans. For the refried beans, I pureed the beans with a few dashes each of Chipotle Hot Sauce, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Cumin, and Southwest Seasoning, which is Emeril's recipe....BAM! XD....LOL. Anyways, use about 1/3 cup refried beans per burrito,  a little salsa (your favorite or leave this out), and cheese of choice, about 1-2 tbsp. or a half of a cheese slice (it is what I had). Roll up. I made 8 burritos and I have a little bit of beans left over. Bake for about 10 minutes if you like your burritos crispy or microwave to warm. These are great for lunches. This is the recipe that I based these burritos off of.