Iraqi Chickpea Sambusak 

(Baked Filled Pastries)

This was from a recipe on the Allrecipes website. I usually like to make Hamantashen (triangular filled cookie/pastries) at this time of year for the Purim holiday, but this year decided to try something different. This savory recipe is a traditional Iraqi Purim goodie. It's meant to be deep-fried, but here, I've baked it. I made a dozen of these a few days ago, and put them in the freezer. Perhaps I'll try pan-frying some of the others. 

The filling is easy to make, and can be made separately, the day before, and left in the fridge. The dough is also easy, and needs only 10 minutes to rest. The trick when filling the Sambusak is, don't over-fill. You need some plain dough for the edges where the top and bottom of the dough meet, so they'll stick together and stay closed. If there's a bit of filling on that part of the dough, it won't seal well. I liked this simple recipe.

Allrecipes Website, recipe by Nurit Cusack, Sambusaks (Samboosaks) with Chickpeas

Youvetsi 

(Greek Baked Orzo, Tomato, & Chickpeas)

This was from the recipe of Mia Kouppa. I made it very similar to the recipe, but used some leftover chickpea filling (for the Sambusak post above), instead of plain canned chickpeas. I have to put chickpeas through a food processor or the equivalent, or it's not good for me to eat them. Therefore, the chickpeas disappear into the dish. The result was creamy and comforting, and I'm sure I'll make it again! 

Mia Kouppa Website, Youvetsi with chickpeas

Sesame Udon Noodles,

 with Green Peas

This was based on the Spicy Peanut Seasame Noodles from Peas Love & Carrots. Although I made it a little differently than the recipe, based on what I had around and what I can have, I was so glad to be able to try it. I really like noodles, and these were great. 😄 (I hope it comforts her a little to know how much of a difference she makes in so many lives, with her enthusiasm, good cheer, and recipes. 🌼)

Peas Love & Carrots Website, Spicy Peanut Sesame Noodles

Steamed Instant Khatta Dhokla/Rava Dhokla

(Indian Savory Semolina Cake)

The recipe is from Shweta in the Kitchen. The results were delicious! 

This is a traditional Gujarati dish from western India. Although the batter does have to sit for 10 minutes before steaming, that is still instant, compared to the traditional method: soaking legumes and rice for hours, then grinding them, and letting them ferment, before steaming.

I made it in the Instant Pot (not sponsored), using IP instructions from Instapottin' with Poonam's method for Dhokla. I don't usually use Eno fruit salts for instant leavening (as in the recipe). Instead, I used a small amount of baking soda and baking powder, and the Dhokla was fairly light.

Shweta in the Kitchen Website, Instant Khatta Dhokla - Instant Rava Dhokla -  Savory Semolina Cake

Instapottin' with Poonam Website, Dhokla

Instapottin' with Poonam YouTube, Dhokla | Gujarati Snack

 Rava Idli 

(South Indian Steamed Dumplings), 

with Carrot & Zucchini Sambhar 

(South Indian Legume & Veggie Dish)

This includes some of the Rava Idli (South Indian Steamed Dumplings) featured in the last post, with Carrot & Zucchini Sambhar (South Indian Legume & Veggie Dish). The Sambhar was featured in a post on February 6 (with a different batch of Rava Idli). This was the same Sambhar, as leftovers from the freezer. Very convenient. I noticed, as I hadn't before, that the Sambhar had a bit of a sweet taste from all the carrots ... I liked it! 

Rava Idli 

(South Indian Savory 

Steamed Dumplings)

These were made from rava/sooji/farina (like Cream of Wheat), and steamed in an Instant Pot (not sponsored).

The idli batter is from the Rava Idli recipe of Nisha Madhulika , and is an "instant idli" (no long fermentation required, just a short wait of 20-30 minutes). I used the cooking instructions for the Unicorn Idli of Instapottin' with Poonam. The idli rack was a gift from my sister-in-law, and I was waiting to use it.

I enjoyed the first few Idlis with chutney powder, coconut oil, and whole-milk yogurt. What shall I make with the rest of my new stash of Idlis? Hmmm... 

Nisha Madhulika Website, Rava Idli Recipe 

Nisha Madhulika YouTube, Rava Idli Recipe - Soft & Spongy South Indian Suji Idli

Instapottin' with Poonam Website, Unicorn Idli

Instapottin' with Poonam YouTube, Unicorn Idli in the Instant Pot

Spaghetti, Broccoli, & Carrots, with Eggplant

This was a simple combination of Spaghetti, Broccoli, & Carrots, with leftover Baba Ghanoush/Ghanouj (Middle Eastern eggplant spread) mixed in. This is from a few weeks ago, but I seem to remember the veggies had already been steamed? Or were they the ends = remainder of grated veggies which couldn't be grated for safety reasons? (No need to waste!) Either way, the small bits were cooked in the water with the spaghetti, with the Baba Ghanouj added at the end.