Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Chick Pea Curry...and (not so) Weight Watchers Goodies

Week 2 of my Weight Watchers program, online...I lost 5 lbs. so far. But I must tell you, planning, is the "key" to this successful way of staying on track! It's not easy, when you think about various other foods to eat...easier to make, but hard when you have to say "no" or maybe just limit it to a bite?...or a small portion! Easier said, than done, but I did it, and I'm still doing it!
Last week, I was making mostly chicken dishes, with fresh and healthy vegetables, and this week I'm concentrating on legumes...all kinds of beans, and rice, and grain dishes. The only "sidetrack" is, that in the meantime, I'm also thinking about making cakes, and other snacks...which not necessarily from the Weight Watchers cookbook! As for instance...neither is the Chickpea Curry, but I'm sure, if I would google this recipe for WW, I could find similar recipe for this delicious dish!

Chickpea Curry
by; All Recipes.com

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 onions, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons fresh ginger root, finely chopped
6 whole cloves (I used 1 teaspoon ground cloves)
2 (2inch) sticks cinnamon, crushed (I used 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
Salt, to taste
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 (15 ounce) cans garbanzo beans
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, and fry onions until tender. Stir in garlic, cloves, cinnamon, cumin, coriander, salt cayenne, and turmeric. Cook for 1 minute over medium heat, stirring constantly. Mix in garbanzo beans, and the liquid. Continue to cook and stir until all ingredients are well blended and heated through. Remove from heat. Stir in cilantro just before serving, reserving  reserving some, for garnish.
Note: I added 1 Tbsp. hot homemade pepper sauce for more spice, and flavor. Also served it over Jasmine rice
6- 8 servings; Points value: 7




Just because you decide to start the new year, in a more positive way, than all the previous years before, does not mean you cannot enjoy the "simple things in life" like buying yourself a special bouquet of flowers. In my case, I just happen to love fresh Baby's Breath...they are so pretty, delicate, and have such subtle fresh fragrance.

They only cost $4.00 for this gorgeous bouquet, which I trimmed back and placed in water, with ice cubes, and a Tbsp. of white vinegar to keep fresher, longer.

The beautiful hand painted dainty little vase is a "thrift find" for $.99 (cents) ...in fact, all the picture frames with my loved ones are all thrift finds, all of them, less than $5.00 and I just love brown wood frames, and these frames are all so unique, and elegant. So, there you have it, a little secret of simple happiness I wanted to share with you....and the wall paint color in my living room, is called Zen Green...a little bit of Zen goes a long way:D

You may be wondering what is this concoction, that's frying in the pan? Well, it's an old childhood favorite of mine which will be used to make the most amazing Hungarian "pogácsa" with cracklings...called "töpörtyü"...in English it would be biscuits...or scones? Not exactly sure which is the proper way to call it in English, but it's called Töpörtyüs Pogácsa!
Click on this link, and check it out. It is the most amazing pogácsa, so flaky savory, tasty, light, and delicious with the chopped little pork cracklings worked right into the dough!
Made by; none other, than a talented Hungarian/Canadian food blogger whom I happen to find quite accidentally...long story!
So here's the famous Pogácsa, made by Zsuzsa, @Zsuzsa in the kitchen

Zsuzsa explains how to purchase, and use the crackling, but does not have photos of it! Well, I went on an adventure hunt to my favorite Italian meat market...Mario's in Delray Beach (a little bit of drive, but well worth it)
Mike, was so kind and gracious to cut fresh pork fat for me...took him a little while, I should have pre-ordered it. Purchased about 2 lbs, which I diced and fried in vegetable oil to a crisp! It smelled so wonderful, as I was frying it...so, so fresh, you can smell the freshness of the aroma!






When they're fried up all crispy, and golden...remove them with a slotted spoon, and layer them on double layer paper towel, sprinkle with fine Kosher salt, and they are ready to be chopped for the Pogácsa, or just enjoy them with caution! ...I enjoyed a few pieces with a slice of fresh bakery rye bread with caraway seeds, and fresh Hungarian hot paprika...Oh, man!...Oh God!...If you love bacon...this is the Ultimate "bacon lover's dream"...I kid you not!...Just watch your cholesterol...pure fat, with just a hint of meat on it...but crispy, crunchy, and light as a "feather"...not WeightWatchers' delight...not by a long shot!

Any way, I'm going to the gym this evening...and will work out an extra 30 minutes on the cardio machines!
I'm not trying to steer you wrong...but you gotta have some kind of "guilty food pleasure"...and this is as guilty as it gets!
Enhanced by Zemanta

39 comments:

Patty said...

Oh my goodness...everything looks so beautiful...have a good workout!!!

Angie's Recipes said...

Already 5 lb in such a short time...Congratulations!
Chick pea curry looks droolworthy! Nice zen green...I like it.

laurie said...

I think your kitchen must smell heavenly after cooking this,mmmmm

Soni said...

Your chickpea curry looks absolutely delicious and beautiful!Good luck with your workouts!

Petra said...

Nagyon tetszik az ételed. :)
Szeretem azt is, ahogy népszerűsíted a magyar ételeket. Amerikában gondolom senki más neki nem állna töpörtyűt sütni... :)

Elisabeth said...

Petra, én már nagyon régen nem ettem töpörtyüs pogácsát...a nagynéném szokta sütni, a szomszédünkben lakott, és én csupán azért vettem mert a családom kérte hogy süssek töpörcsüs pogácsát, amit nagyo imádom én is! A Magyar konyha egy büszkesége a nemzetnek, és abban én is bele vagyok véve!
Abban igazad van hogy senki más nem állana a töpörtyü sütésben itt, én csak annyi adagot sütöttem hogy elég legyen a pogácsában!
Köszönöm a kedves szavaidat!

Lizzy said...

Your meals continue to be inspirational...and way to go on the 5 lbs! Slow and steady is the way to go! And your little treat is worth that extra 30 minutes of workout time :) Have a great evening, my friend!!! xo

Kimberly (Badger Girl) said...

I think 5lbs in 2 weeks is awesome! Way to go! Love Weight Watchers. I was on WW for two years and lost over 20 lbs. Great program!
This is a great recipe. Can't wait to try it! :)

Pegasuslegend said...

Very very cool 5 pounds doesnt it feel great! Congrats my dear, and look at this marvelous food! loving all your posts... it feels good when we become the new and improved too!

ping said...

You're doing great, Elisabeth!
Oh gosh! That crackly lard bits are just too tempting ... I'm dying to reach in and grab them.
I love chickpeas. I almost always have them as a salad or roasted into munchies. Our local Indian community does a similar curry as well. Time to make some! This would be great with some crackers ... yum!

Biren @ Roti n Rice said...

Your chickpea curry looks delicious! This is my kind of dish as I love garbanzo beans. Losing 5 pounds in 2 weeks is a great start. I hope you achieve your goal whatever it may be in spite of some "guilty pleasures" :)

Kathy said...

Wow...I would really enjoy this dish. I love chickpeas in just about anything. Looks so delicious! Congrats on the 5 lbs...a wonderful achievement!

Pacheco Patty said...

My mouth is watering for this dish! I love chickpeas and they look so good here! Congratulations on your weight loss,keep up the good work, it's not easy when you love all the good food like we do!

Magic of Spice said...

Oh this looks fantastic...I adore curry and chick peas :)
Congratulations again, you are doing an amazing job with this!

Amelia's De-ssert said...

Hi Elisabeth, your curry chick pea looks awesome. I love this chick pea too, usually I enjoy it as a snack.
Once I boiled the chick peas and then forgotten about it until I smell something burning and my kitchen full of smoke. Not only the chick pea burnt but the pot as well, hahahaha..
So now on safer side I cook in slow cooker.
Congratulation on your weight loss, glad to hear that.
Have a nice day.

Priya said...

Wow chickpeas curry looks yummy and inviting.

Loveforfood said...

wow I love it, I have to try it for sure!

egycsipet said...

Csatlakozom Petrához. :) Emellett minden elismerésem, hogy elkészíted a töpörtyűt, én magam még sosem próbáltam.

Gizi said...

Elisabeth ez a csicseriborsó curry nagyon finom lehet. Éppen van is itthon minden hozzávaló, így egyik nap el is készítem magamnak. Gyönyörűséges töpörtyűt sütöttél, imádom a frissen kisütött, omlós töpörtyűt. Decemberbe sütöttem ki egy egész üstre való (kb. 20 kg) zsírszalonnát, és a héten töpörtyűs pogácsát fogok én is sütni.

SKIP TO MALOU said...

Elisabeth... you are an inspiration. 5 lbs wow i should join you in this weigh watcher's journey of yours. i would be ecstatic if i lost 5 lbs. glad you are working towards your resolution this year. way to go woot woot!

Asmita said...

The chick pea curry looks amazing!

Junia said...

congrats on the 5 lb marker! :) hope this week is looking good. yes, it is all about staying on track and portion control! i love the chickpea curry. i've actually been craving some since last week! :)

Rosita Vargas said...

Adoro los garbanzos disfruto con éste plato sabroso,abrazos hugs,hugs.

Csilla said...

Imádom a friss töpörtyűt, huhhh, a nagymamám annyira finom leveles pogit tudott belőle sütni. :) Nézz be hozzám mégegyszer kérlek, szeretnélek megajándékozni, fogadd szeretettel. :)

Elpiniki said...

Amazing looking dish!
I just found your blog and loved it! Am a happy follower now! Visit me at:
my-greek-cooking.blogspot.com

Peggy said...

What a beautiful dish! Definitely wish I had a plate in front of me right now =)

Helen Gr said...

Your dishes look graet! So glad I found you! I added your blog on my blog list.
Please, if you wish, visit my food blog in English at
http://http://helengrtravelling.blogspot.com/
Regards.

mellissina2 said...

Elizabeth,végre csicseriborsós recept,van egy üveg csicseriborsóm,és elkészítem,igyekszem hamarosan!!!

attiya said...

To echo everyone else's comments - that curry looks amazing. Going to have to try it out next week. I've been trying to diet a little this year as well, and this fits right in.

A multi-dimensional life said...

What a delightful dish! And congrats to you on the progress you are making! Who says great food can't be slimming and delicious?!
I hope you have a wonderful week-end! xo

Miz Helen said...

Hi Elizabeth,
I am so sorry that you had so much trouble linking up but happy that it finally worked for you. This is an awesome dish, it looks so good it could be dessert for me. I really love the combination of all that spice, yum I can almost taste it. Hope you are having a great week end and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen

Zsuzsa said...

Elisabeth I just saw your toportyu, and they look fabulous! I missed them earlier; I should have scrolled further down the page. Sometimes your site is a bit choppy on my computer. Yeh, I can’t eat this stuff either but I sure like it. I have been looking at the small tub of lard and thinking about having a zsiroskenyer. I read you give away the lot you make, I do the same. I just made a spinach dip and my friend is coming over for it later today. My husband could eat it – how they say it? mert nem jo takarmanyhasznosito, but he doesn’t like cream cheese.

emma said...

Love chickpea curry, haven't made one in ages, have to remedy this soon. I really like your little set up with your frames and sweet vase of flowers Elisabeth, gorgeous!

Michael Toa said...

The chickpea curry looks gorgeous. Beautiful colour too.
But I am so into that crispy pork scratchings. I am salivating just thinking about it. I don't think WW will approve but I say, everything in moderation including moderation itself... right? :)

Anonymous said...

Ιt's a pity you don't haνe a dоnatе button!
I'd without a doubt donate to this excellent blog! I guess for now i'll settle for booκmaгking аnԁ аdԁing your RSS feed to
my Google aссount. I look fοrωarԁ to
brand new uρԁates аnd ωill shaгe this webѕite
ωіth my Faсebook gгοup.

Talκ ѕоon!
Here is my page :: buy steroids

Anonymous said...

I just like the helpful information you supply to your articles.
I'll bookmark your blog and test once more here regularly. I am relatively certain I'll learn many new stuff proper right here!
Best of luck for the following!
My blog post : diets that work fast for women

Anonymous said...

It's going to be finish of mine day, however before ending I am reading this fantastic post to increase my know-how.
Also see my webpage > kim kardashian weight loss secret

Anonymous said...

Excellent site you've got here.. It's difficult to find good quality writing like yours these
days. I seriously appreciate people like you!
Take care!!

Here is my web-site sushi knife skills

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure where you are getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful info I was looking for this information for my mission.

My web blog :: golf digest best golf schools