Lentil Salad with Rye Berries and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Canadian winters are cold, but there is always room for a salad to brighten up the table. Especially when you balance the earthy goodness of lentils with some chewy rye berries and toss in some sun-dried tomatoes, marinated onion, fresh herbs and a bit of spice. Served up on a bed of baby kale leaves, this a complete meal. Sometimes the simplest flavors are just what you need. Serve with some biscuits to fill it out if you please.

Chickpea Flour Fudge

This might indeed be the easiest and tastiest fudge I've ever made, and it's not your typical fudge. This delicious confection is made with toasted chickpea flour with a dash of cardamon and some lightly toasted sesame seeds. These days most everything I make is dairy-free, but this time around I went with butter. If you want to make it vegan, use coconut oil instead. I'm sure it would be just as good.

Slightly crumbly yet creamy at the same time, the taste and texture of this fudge reminds me of both halva and buttery shortbread — a none-too-sweet shortbread halva if you wish. All you need is a few small bites for a boost of protein. Once again, I've made a treat that can be enjoyed for breakfast without guilt, and this would make a fantastic Christmas treat for those looking to cut down on the seasonal decadence. These did not last long. But if you have any leftover, store them in the refrigerator in a covered container.

Classic Dal Makhani with a Vegan Twist

Creamy and rich dal makhani — literally "buttery lentils" — is probably one of my husband's very favorite dishes on those rare occasions when we do eat or order out. This Punjabi dish usually consists of whole urad beans, kidney beans, butter, cream and, of course, spices.

Popular at roadside stops and food stalls in North India, this dish is now a classic that has extended beyond the borders of India. If only we could get such delights at quick stops and stalls here in North America! Luckily, it can be made at home without too much fuss and bother. I've made several attempts myself to create this dish in my own kitchen and this time around, I skipped the dairy component and went with coconut milk for the creamy element that adds to the texture of the velvety legumes. I honestly think this version is the best one I have made so far. You won't miss the dairy. Even better than restaurant versions, because in my opinion, homemade in your kitchen with fresh ingredients and tender loving care makes for a more enjoyable meal.

Quick and Easy Spelt Tortillas

Now that I've learned to make my own tortillas at home, there is no going back. Goodbye to those rubbery things that are offered at the grocery store, complete with ingredients I don't even know how to pronounce. This is my second attempt at making these in my own kitchen and they worked out even better than the ones I made a while back. Spelt flour features here. The dough was easy to work with and I had them made in hardly any time at all. No fancy equipment is needed either. Just a bowl and a non-stick pan.

Baked Pumpkin Falafel with Tahini Lemon Sauce

I positively adore falafel. That's not surprising as I adore little bites. I've experimented with many different kinds, including ones featuring quinoa, green peas and sweet potato. As it is pumpkin season, I figured that would just be the right mix with chickpeas and some spices. Certainly rather unorthodox, as I cooked the chickpeas before adding them to the mixture — often they are just soaked overnight and drained — and as I was combining everything, I thought, why not throw in some sun-dried tomatoes for an extra bit of flair. I also baked them instead of frying because I'm not a big fan of oily foods. Moist with a slightly crisp exterior, these mildly spiced falafels just might be a new favorite.

No-Bake Peanut Butter and Cocoa Fudge

I positively adore raw treats. As a savory type of gal, I do like a bit of sweet here and there, but I'm not into desserts or snacks laden with refined sugars. There are many advantages to this rich and creamy fudge recipe. First, you get a good dose of protein from natural peanut butter and healthy fats from the coconut oil and butter. Second, the recipe is so simple that I didn't even have to pull out my cumbersome food processor. Honestly, my food processor works well, but the design is dreadful because it's such a pain to clean — clearly the people who came up with it never did dishes! After the coconut oil and butter are melted, all the ingredients get combined in one bowl and then transferred to a pan. Pop in the freezer to set, cut into little bites, and store in the refrigerator for up to a week or so. And finally, of course, they're delicious!

These are also perfect for a quick breakfast bite in the morning. I'm not a big breakfast person, so a little nibble of this fudge is just about right to keep me going until lunch time. The combination of peanut butter and cocoa is not to be resisted, especially when you add in some maple syrup and vanilla. Exquisite.

Chickpea Flour Bread with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach

There is a new cookbook in my kitchen — I know, I'm already buried in them — but it's an interesting and inspiring one. It's all about chickpea flour which is one of my favorite ingredients. The Chickpea Flour Cookbook: Healthy Gluten-Free and Grain-Free Recipes to Power Every Meal of the Day by Camilla V. Saulsbury is certainly the first cookbook I've come across focusing on chickpea flour. Over 80 recipes are featured for any time of day. Breakfast, breads, snacks, sides, entrées and even desserts. They all happen to be gluten-free, grain-free and soy-free. And because chickpea flour is the focus, all of the recipes are high in protein which is important for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Most of the recipes are suitable for vegans too, and those that contain dairy are usually accompanied with suggestions on how to make the recipe vegan.

Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Sambar

One doesn't have to be of Indian descent to enjoy Indian cooking and flavors. In fact, although I was born and raised here in Ontario, Canada, it became my favorite cuisine by far to cook and eat only shortly after becoming vegetarian. And considering India has a strong vegetarian culture, it seemed like a perfect fit, especially for someone who appreciated food with finesse. I was amazed by the multitude of spices and styles and the vast array of not only mains, but appetizers, savory breads and desserts. The more I researched and experimented in my own kitchen, the more I was enchanted by the uniqueness and variety that characterize the different regions of Indian. When you factor in the influences from other nearby cultures and the crossover between the regions within Indian itself, the magic that one can work in their own home kitchen is awe inspiring.

As a result of British interests and control of Indian, Indian food was eventually popularized in Britain. Immigration also resulted in the popularity of Indian cooking world wide.

My Legume Love Affair #88 - October 2015

It's my pleasure to once again be hosting MLLA. This is edition #88. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share a legume creation and thanks as always to Susan for starting this event that I have now been administrating since 2013. A special thanks to our guests hosts too for helping us keep this event going for so long and of course to all of the contributors over the years.

Help me to make it to edition #100. I am looking for guest hosts for 2016. Send me an email or leave a comment on this post if you are interested in hosting.

And now onto some mouthwatering recipes. We have 12 delicious creations this time around. Chickpeas were certainly popular this month.

Chana Saag

from Sara of The Green Genie. Chickpeas and spinach shine in this dish along with tamarind for a bit of sourness and coconut nectar for a wee bit of sweetness.

Chickpea Burger

submitted by Divya of Sprinkle Some Salt. Chickpeas are always a favorite and they are great turned into vegetarian patties with some spice. Top with sliced onion and tomato or whatever suits your fancy.

Punjabi Chole, Chana Masala

offered up from Asiya of Yummy Indian Kitchen. Chickpeas certainly are a popular legume and this lovely dish is made in a traditional style and served up with fried poori bread. Yes please.

Green and White Chili Bowl

from Janet of The Taste Space. I'd love to cuddle up with a bowl of this chili on a cold night. Lots of legumes in this zesty and spicy bowl, including cannellini beans and chickpeas. Add some spinach and corn and you are in for a healthy meal.

Falafel with Spelt Flatbread

from Kirsten of Kirsten's Kitchen to Yours. I never can resist falafel and here it's served up with freshly made spelt breads and tahini sauce. Now that's an ideal meal.

Black Bean and Sweet Potato Enchiladas with Avocado Cream Sauce.

This is my contribution this month and this recipe is a crowd pleaser. Black beans, sweet potato, brown rice, spinach and black olives are wrapped in corn tortillas and baked in a rich homemade tomato sauce and topped with avocado cream sauce.

Creamy Hummus

submitted by Elizabeth of Elizabeth's Kitchen Diary. It's certainly true that you can never have enough recipes for hummus. With some freshly toasted and ground cumin, along with a bit of cayenne, this incredibly creamy hummus likely won't last long.

Aubergine and Borlotti Bean ‘Meat’ Balls

shared by Jen of Chardonnay and Samphire. I adore little bites and these "meatballs" featuring borlotti beans, aubergine and oats served up with a chunky tomato sauce have my mouthwatering.

Suyyam

offered up by KP of Myriad Musings. Chana dal is the shining legume in this mostly traditional deep fried delight with a sweet and spicy filling that was prepared in celebration of Saraswathi Puja. I'm intrigued by these little bites of goodness.

Butternut Squash and Butterbean Soup

shared by Linzi of Lancashire Food. Just the sort of soup to warm your bones on a cold autumn evening, this lovely soup features butterbeans and squash and just a bit of chili for some heat. Use pumpkin if you have some instead of the butternut variety.

Chickpea Flour Rolls (Gujarati Khandvi)

shared by Sadhna of Herbs, Spices and Tradition. I've always wanted to make these elegant chickpea bites that include yogurt and then made into a paste and gently wrapped and filled with chilies, coconut and seeds. The trick for these is to get the cooking time right.

Pumpkin Falafel

submitted by Jagruti of Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey. I never tire of falafel and these healthy roasted ones include pumpkin, heat from chilies and earthy aromatic spices along with chickpeas and fresh herbs. Simply divine.

And that concludes the October 2015 roundup. Sadhna of Herbs, Spices and Tradition is hosting the November 2015 edition - #89. Be sure to visit her site for details and join in the legume fun.