As I mentioned in my last post, I am introducing guest posts for my baby leave time. Elisabeth my friend who blogs at food and thrift came is helping me this time. She is currently following weight watchers program, trying healthy food which helps to reduce weight. She mentions that weight reducing diet should not be bland; it can be delicious and full of flavor.
Elisabeth in her own words;
I am so honored to guest post for my dear friend Swathi, @Zesty, South Indian Kitchen... who at this time, needs all the rest she can get. Glad to know she also has a few other blogger friends that will guest post for her, while she is recuperating. She needs a lot of "mommy and me" time at this very fragile first few months!
I am so thrilled to celebrate the birth of Swathi's little prince...Nikhil! A beautiful and healthy baby boy! Such a perfect addition to the happy family, and a pride and joy to his big sister: Nidhi.
Swathi dear, I just want you to know, that I wish you and your precious baby all the best of health, and happiness. Congratulations to you, your hubby, and princess Nidhi!
May you, enjoy your new bundle of joy!
Hot-and Spicy Chickpea Cakes
adapted from: Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook
1 (15 ½ ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
( I soaked and cooked my own chickpeas, used 2 cups)
⅓ cup light sour cream (I used regular)
¼ cup + 2 Tbsp. cornmeal
(I used ¼ cup + ¼ additional cornmeal)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
¾ teaspoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco
Combine chickpeas, sour cream, and ¼ cup cornmeal, the garlic, cumin, and hot sauce in food processor and puree. Transfer to medium bowl; refrigerate, covered, until chilled, about 30 minutes.
Form chickpea mixture into 6 (3 inch round cakes. I formed 4- 4 inch round cakes) Spread remaining ¼ cup cornmeal on sheet of waxed paper, (I used a flat plate) lightly coat cakes with cornmeal.
Spray a large nonstick skillet. (I added 2 Tbsp. of vegetable oil, to a large cast iron skillet, pre-heated it, and wiped out excess oil) and set it over medium heat. Add cakes, and cook until browned on bottom, about 5 minutes. Spray cakes with nonstick spray, and turn to cook until (lightly) browned for an additional 5 minutes. Serve with salsa.
PointsPlus value: 3
Serves 4 to 6
Pico de Gallo
Adapted from: Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook
1 garlic clove minced (optional)
½ teaspoon salt
2 large green heirloom, or red tomatoes,
halved, seeded, and finely chopped ( I didn't seeded mine)
1 small (I used sweet medium) onion, finely chopped
¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro (I used Italian flat parsley)
1 -2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
( I used Hungarian hot peppers)
( I also added a dash of green jalapeno sauce, and a few drops of hot sauce)
( I also added ½ teaspoon organic coriander powder)
2 teaspoon lime juice ( I add juice of 1 fresh Meyers lemon)
If you're using garlic, mash it. Stir together the rest of the ingredients, in a medium bowl, adding the lime, or lemon juice, at the end. Cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Use within 1 day.
PointsPlus value: 0
Thanks Elisabeth for this wonderful guest post.
This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread. All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.
Jill | Dulce Dough says
Elisabeth did a great job on this!
Tina (PinayInTexas) says
What a delightful way to enjoy chickpeas! Great recipe from Elisabeth!
Congratulations on your new bundle of joy, Swathi! Hugs!
Swati Sapna says
WOnderful guest post and a lip-smacking recipe... congratulation on the bonny baby boy Swathi!
♥peachkins♥ says
I haven't tried chickpea cakes.. looks interesting..
Candace says
Congratulations! I had no idea that you had a new baby. I'm so out of touch! Best wishes to you and your family!
Elisabeth, these chickpea cakes look soooo good. I have absolutely everything to make these. I will be adding these to our menu plan. Thanks so mcuh for sharing the recipe!
Reeni says
Chickpea cakes are one of my all-time favorites! Looks delicious with the pico to brighten it up!
Kristen says
Congratulations on the birth of your baby! This is a wonderful guest post and such a delicious dish.
Jay says
wow..looks super yummmmy....very inviting dish..;)
Tasty Appetite
Treat and Trick says
So light and fabulous dish!
http://treatntrick.blogspot.com
Angie's Recipes says
I love flavours of hot and spicy...those chickpea patties look fabulous! Bet they would be great to serve with soups too.
Swathi, Congratulations to you and your family!
Lizzy says
Swathi, I'm so excited to hear your wonderful news. Congratulations to you and your family! And I'm drooling over Lizzie's wonderful recipes...I've never made chick pea cakes, but they sound fabulous...especially with that fabulous pico de gallo! Thank you, both!
Priya Yallapantula says
absolutely love this new recipe, I am surely going to give it a try soon.
El Oteador de los Mercados says
Really delicious.
suhaina aji says
wow..just simply love these ...Elisabeth dear u have done a very good job...the clicks are making me drool...
Do take care Swathy dear and drink plenty of water..Hope ur new Prince is doing well?
jayarajmurukkumpuzha says
valare adipoliyayittundu............... aashamsakal..........
Now Serving says
Lovely and healthy patties - Love falafels and these are quite like them - I would love to try this out soon - cheers, priya
Priya says
Seriously cant take my eyes from those irresistible clicks,super tempting dish.
Hamaree Rasoi says
Delicious and yummy looking post.
Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi
Three-Cookies says
The cakes sound excellent, a non-deep fried variation to falafel.
Elisabeth says
Hi Swathi-Thank you, for giving me the opportunity to guest post for you again, for the second time. It's such an honor for me to do this on you beautiful blog. Not difficult at all to be posting vegetarian dishes, since I've been on the Weight Watchers program, I am eating a lot more grain, fruits, and vegetables, which is the "key" to healthy lifestyle!
Knowing that your blog's main title is: ZESTY...I promise that this recipe is zesty, for sure; especially, the Pico de Gallo!
Take all the time you need, my dear friend to bond with your little prince, Nikhil, and spend time with Nidhi, as well. The first few months are the hardest, but things will fall into a comfortable routine for all of you!
Take plenty of rest when you get the chance while baby is sleeping:DDD
Aarthi says
This is my favorite..YUMMY
Aarthi
http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com/
Suja Manoj says
Wonderful post..healthy recipe,will surely try this.
Sravs says
Super healthy and wonderful !!
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Ramya says
That is one healthy recipe! Great jobs Swathi and Elisabeth 🙂
Kalyani's Platter says
very healthy and yummy recipe ......
Roshan says
very healthy starter recipe.....
do participate in the Kerala Kitchen event at my blog...
"Announcing the Kerala Kitchen Event - Feb 2012":
Kaveri says
A wonderful post! A healthy and delicious recipe...looks very good