Roasted Carrot Salad

"Fall is warm, fall has a chill

It's sometimes green, with an orange frill,

With pumpkins & carrots, everywhere

Halloween, and scary faces that stare,

It's comfort, before winter sets

The last of picnics, on a grassy bed,

But what remains, is the food affair

So lets celebrate, like we don't care!"

Fall is orange. And lovely. But the cool evening breeze reminds me that winter is approaching, and makes me crave all things warm. Not hot, just warm. This salad, with the sweetness & warmth of fresh roasted carrots and a drizzle of chilled yogurt is my perfect fall dinner (or snack if you may!). The combination of warm with a cool is like the weather itself. And the flavors, ah the flavors were a match meant to be eaten. Trust you me, and give it a try. What've you got to lose (other than a plateful of carrots I suppose!?)

Ingredients

For the dressing

1/2 cup plain yogurt

1/2 cup mint leaves

Few stalks of coriander

1 small clove of garlic

Juice from 1/2 lemon

1/4 teaspoon paprika or red chili powder

2 tablespoons olive oil

Pinch of sugar

Salt to taste

For the Salad

1 bunch of carrots, cleaned and sliced

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 stalks of spring onion, chopped

1/2 teaspoon cumin powder

1/2 teaspoon chat masala [indian mixed spice]

2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves, roughly chopped

Salt to taste

Make the Dressing

Mix all ingredients for the dressing, except the yogurt, with 1/4 cup water and blend in a mixer. Add the oil, a tablespoon at a time, and blend till you get a smooth-ish chutney. A few chunks are ok! Meanwhile whip the yogurt till smooth and creamy. Add the chutney with the yogurt, a few teaspoons at a time, till you have a light green color. Adjust salt & refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Roast the carrots

Heat oil in a flat non-stick pan. Once hot, add cumin powder and mix for a few seconds. Stir in the carrots and turn heat to high. Let the carrot brown on the underside, and then give them a quick toss. Finally add salt, chat masala and spring onions, mix and remove from heat. Cool slightly.

Serve the warm roasted carrots with chilled yogurt dressing & a sprinkle of fresh coriander.

Raw Grape and Ginger Soup

"Grapes are a favorite, and not only as wine,

I love them as a snack, natural & fine

Sweet as Fall, they create a soup swell

Raw, vegan, glutenfree, and sugar-free as well!

Just blend it all up, with spices favorite few

Leave it to chill, and there's a recipe new

Not complicated, doesn't take all your time free

Delicious & easy, as easy as cooking can be!"

Ingredients

1 pound seedless green grapes

1 inch piece of fresh ginger

Juice of 1/2 a lemon

6-8 fresh mint leaves

1/4 teaspoon paprika/chili powder (adjust to taste)

1/4 teaspoon black salt/rock salt

1/4 teaspoon cumin powder

1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds

1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper

Pinch of salt

Wash the grapes and remove from stem. Put in a blender along with ginger, lemon juice & mint. Blend till smooth. Stir in all the dry spices (adjust seasoning to taste) and refrigerate for 2-4 hours. Serve chilled.

Yes, that's it!

A refreshing, raw and uber healthy soup to accompany your fall table.