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Makes 1 1/4 cups

1 cup non-fat, plain Greek strained yogurt
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon crushed dried chili flakes

In a small serving bowl, mix together the yogurt and water. Add the cumin and dried chili flakes and mix again. Serve with the roasted chicken, vegetable sambal, and rice.

Copyright Nina Simonds

Six Servings

2 medium fennel bulbs, about 1 ½  pounds with stalks, rinsed and trimmed,
leaving 1/8-inch of the root base to hold the fennel together
3 sweet potatoes, weighing about 2 ½  pounds
3 leeks, white and light green parts only, sliced in half lengthwise, rinsed  thoroughly and drained

Flavorings, mixed together:
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup Balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoons minced garlic

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Cut each fennel bulb lengthwise in half, then cut the fennel into slices about ¼- inch thick and 2- inches long. Cut slices into strips. Put in the bowl .
2. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut each in half. Cut each half into slices about 1-inch thick, cut into strips, then put in the bowl. Cut the leek halves lengthwise again and then cut into strips about 2 inches long. Put in the bowl with the other vegetables.
3. Pour in the Flavorings and toss lightly to coat. Brush or spray a jelly roll pan with a lip. Arrange the vegetables in the pan and cover with aluminum foil. Bake the vegetables about 25 minutes until tender. Uncover and cook another 10 to 15 minutes until they edges are golden brown.
Serve in the juice.

6 Cups Cooked Rice

There’s nothing more basic or delicious than fragrant white rice, particularly when you toss in a few smashed pods of cardamom. I prefer the fluffy long-grain varieties such as Basmati and jasmine, which are sold in Asian markets. The cooking time varies depending on the rice, so test the rice for doneness and cook until JUST tender. It will continue cooking even after being removed from the heat.

2 cups long-grain rice
3 pods cardamom, smashed with the flat side of a knife
3 1/4 cups water

1. Put the rice in a bowl and, using your fingers as a rake, rinse the rice under cold running water to remove some of the talc. Drain the rice in a strainer.
2. Put the rice, water, and smashed cardamom in a heavy, 2-quart saucepan with a lid. Heat, uncovered, to the boiling point. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until the water has evaporated and craters appear on the surface. Remove from the heat and fluff lightly with a fork to separate the grains. Serve, or, if using for fried rice, spread the rice out in a thin layer on a tray. Let cool completely, cover with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator overnight.

© Copyright Nina Simonds 2008

Rich Vallente, the talented executive chef of Legal Seafoods Restaurants, developed this wonderful recipe during the “Spices of Life” project when we were working with Chef Suresh Vaidyanathan from the Oberoi Hotel group in India.  

2  tablespoons whole cardamom pods (about 50 pods), smashed with the flat edge of a knife

¼ cup virgin olive oil

¼ cup unsalted butter

2 pounds fresh asparagus, tough woody stems snapped off

½ teaspoon salt

1. Toast the cardamom pods in a heavy skillet for about 5 minutes over low heat, shaking the pan from time to time until the cardamom is very fragrant. Add the olive oil and butter and slowly heat to infuse the oil and butter with the cardamom flavor for about 10 to 15 minutes while the asparagus are cooking.   

2.Rinse the asparagus stalks and arrange in a heatproof plate like a pie or quiche pan or in a steamer basket. If using bamboo, line the basket with a piece of parchment or wax paper.

3.Fill a large pot or a wok with several inches of water and heat until boiling. If using a plate, set it on a tuna fish can with both top and bottom removed. Or, set the steamer basket in the wok and steam 5 to 6 (??) minutes, or until just tender. Remove and arrange on a serving plate.

4.Pour the cardamom butter and sprinkle the salt over the asparagus and serve.

Six Servings

This rice is fragrant and delicious. I think it goes especially well with grilled, steamed, or roasted meat and seafood. You can use basmati or jasmine white rice but adjust the measurements accordingly.

2 cups basmati brown rice
4 cups water

Herbal Seasonings:
¾ cup minced scallion greens
¾ cup cilantro leaves rinsed, drained, blotted dry and chopped
½ cup flat leaf or curly parsley sprigs, rinsed, drained, blotted dry and chopped
2 tablespoons fruity olive oil
1 ½tablespoons unsalted butter
1 ½ teaspoons salt, or to taste

1. Put the rice in a bowl and using your fingers as a rake, rinse the rice under cold
 running water to remove some of the talc. Drain the rice in a strainer.
2. Put the rice and water in a heavy, 3-quart saucepan or pot with a lid. Heat uncovered until boiling.  Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, or until the water has evaporated and craters appear on the surface.
3. Remove from the heat and add the Herbal Seasonings. Fluff the cooked rice lightly with a fork to separate the grains and mix the seasonings evenly with the rice.  

Serve warm or at room temperature.

Serves 6
© Copyright Nina Simonds 2008