Four to Six Servings
1 ½ cups low-fat Greek yogurt
½ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)

1. Mix together the yogurt, cumin, and chile flakes (if using) in a bowl and serve with the curry and rice.

© Copyright Nina Simonds 2008

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

From Spoonful of Ginger

Makes six servings. Other vegetables and cubed meats may be added as garnishes.

4 sticks cinnamon
3 3/4 cups water
2 cups long-grain rice
2 1/2 teaspoons safflower or corn oil
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced leeks
1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons good-quality curry powder
3 to 4 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch dice (about 1 1/2 cups)
3 to 4 turnips, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch dice (about 1/12 cups)
3 1/2 tablespoons rice wine or sake
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 cups cooked peas (if using frozen, thaw to room temperature)

Sauce (mixed together):
1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine or sake
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Put the cinnamon sticks and the water in a pot and bring it to a boil. Cook about 5 minutes over medium heat. Under cold running water, rinse the rice in a saucepan until the water runs clear. Drain and add the rice to the cinnamon water. Bring the water to a boil again, reduce the heat to low, and cover. Simmer covered for 17 minutes, or until craters appear in the surface of the rice and the water has been absorbed. Remove from the heat and fluff the cooked grains with a fork. Cover and let sit for 15 minutes, then uncover and spread the rice out on a cookie sheet with a fork to cool completely. Discard the cinnamon sticks. (The rice should be cold or at least room-temperature before stir-frying.)
2. Heat a wok or large skillet. Add the safflower or corn oil and heat until hot. Add the leeks and garlic, and stir-fry over medium heat until slightly softened and translucent. Add the curry powder and stir-fry for 10 seconds, until fragrant. Add the carrots, turnips, rice wine, and water, and partially cover. Cook about 5 to 8 minutes, until tender, then add the cooked rice, breaking it up with a spatula. Add the peas and the premixed Sauce. Toss lightly to coat the ingredients and spoon into a serving dish. Serve hot.

Masaharu Morimoto’s Curried Mushroom Salad
from Morimoto: The New Art of Japanese Cooking

Curried Mushroom Salad
Serves 4

3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1 shallot, minced
1 garlic clove, smashed
¾ pound mixed fresh mushrooms (matsutake, shiitake, oyster, enoki or any other), diced
1 cup steamed white rice
2 tablespoons dry white wine
2 tablespoons dry white wine
2 tablespoons Madras curry powder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 Belgian endive, separated into leaves
2 tablespoons minced chives, for garnish

1. In a large sauté pan or skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the shallot, garlic, and mushrooms and sauté until the mushrooms begin to soften. 2 – 3 minutes.
2. Stir in the steamed rice and continue cooking for 2 minutes over medium heat. Add the white wine, then stir in the curry powder. Toss well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Arrange the endive leaves on four plates. Spoon the mushroom salad onto the leaves. Garnish with the minced chives.

ROASTED HOISIN SQUASH OR PUMPKIN
6 servings

3 ½ to 4 pounds acorn, butternut, pumpkin, or other type of fall/winter squash
Spicy Hoisin Sauce, mixed together:
6 tablespoons hoisin or sweet bean sauce
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 ½ tablespoons rice wine or sake
2 ½ tablespoons sugar
1 ½ tablespoons minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon hot chili paste or crushed dried chilies
2 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons minced scallion greens for garnish (optional )

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Rinse the squash and drain. Cut in half and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Arrange in a roasting pan with the cut edge up. Spoon some of the hoisin sauce over the squash and fill the crevice.
2. Pour about ½ inch of boiling water in the pan and place the squash in the middle shelf of the oven. Bake for about 40 to 45 minutes until the squash is tender. A knife pierced through the center should come out easily. Remove and sprinkle the top with scallions, if using. Cut the squash into serving portions if necessary or serve in the middle of the table. Diners can scoop out squash with the sauce themselves. Serve with steamed rice.

SOURCES
Other urban agriculture projects, some inspired by the Boston-area Food Project have sprung up around the country in the last few years. Check them out in your area. Here are a few sources. Heifer International (www.heifer.org) lists urban agricultural projects all over the United States and Canada, from Added Value and Herban Solutions in Brooklyn, NY, to From Growers to Leaders in Caledonia, Ill., to Dunbar Garden Project in Little Rock, Ark. Other sources are www.southsideclt.org, Providence, RI, www.janusyouth.org/what-we-do/urban-agriculture-services, Portland, Ore. www.thevolunteercenter2.net/org/1270530, St. Mary’s Urban Gardens, San Francisco and San Mateo County, California.

Recipe from Dinner Doctor: Single Millie, Quick and Easy Episode

Serves 4

Assorted Vegetables:

Frozen broccoli, about ¾ pound
Frozen baby carrots, about ¾ pound

Lemon-Soy Dressing:

3 tbsp. naturally brewed soy sauce
3 tbsp. freshly-squeezed lemon juice
2 tbsp. chopped fresh dill, or cilantro, or other fresh herbs

Instructions:

1. Heat pan
2. Add veggies and heat through high heat
3. Add dressing and herbs and toss
4. Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary

6 servings
The ginger-soy-balsamic marinade gives the seared salmon a lovely flavor and color and the simple mint dressing is a light and refreshing complement to snap peas. I like to serve this dish hot, or at room temperature with rice pilaf for a festive buffet.

Ingredients:
6 salmon fillets with skin on (each about 6 ounces)

Marinade (mixed together):
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 ½ pounds snap peas

Mint Dressing:
3 tablespoons fruity extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice, or to taste
6 tablespoons chopped mint leaves
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons virgin olive oil

1. Lightly toss the salmon with the Marinade in a bowl and let sit at room temperature.
2. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a saucepan and add the snap peas. Cook for 2 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Drain in a colander and refresh in cold water. Drain again and blot dry on paper towels.
3. Whisk the ingredients of the Mint Dressing together in a mixing bowl. Add the snap peas and toss lightly to coat.
4. Heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large frying pan over high heat until very hot. Rub the marinade all over the salmon and place in the pan, skin side down. Partially cover, and fry about 5 to 6 minutes over high heat (depending on the thickness), until the skin is crisp and the salmon meat has started becoming opaque. Carefully flip over with a spatula and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, or until just cooked.
5. Arrange the salmon on a serving platter and spoon the snap peas around. Serve with a rice pilaf or steamed rice.

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