brussel sprouts and cashew cheese

My Lean Streak

I’m always in search for that perfect appetizer that satisfies my cravings without making me feel guilty.However, as a cheese lover I find myself always gravitating towards cheese platters and good old Indian paneer! But, if I’m going to keep my lean streak on, I’ll have to cut back on the dairy!

I recently visited a vegan bar in Williamsburge where I was served  Brussels sprouts. What surprised me was that though I had grown tired of the usual sauteed sprouts which come as a side with practically any vegetarian main course, here was a perfectly crunchy dish with the right amount of flavor and a tangy dip! This got me really pumped. I wanted to use my imagination and create a  version of Brussels sprouts with a vegan cheese  topping! And I’m pleased to say that the baked apple and cashew cheese go perfectly well with my savory sprouts.

Ingredients:-

A pack…

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Mango apricot salsa

My Lean Streak

By Shalini Kolluri

When I first ate this salsa at a friend’s house, I was blown away by how well all these colorful ingredients came together.The sweetness in the fruit complements  the sourness in the lemon juice. Added to that, the mint and cumin make this salsa taste fresh and flavorful.

However, I always loved how apricot and mango tasted together and to my surprise there is no such thing as too much flavor in one super yum summer salsa.

Mangoes add a tropical twist and an explosion of flavor to any meal; as well this fruit can also significantly help to improve your health. Mangoes are good source of amino acids, flavonoids, vitamin C and E, niacin, beta carotene, calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium.

Ingredients:-

2 semi-ripe mangoes, pitted, chunked, unpeeled

2 medium sized ripe apricots, peeled and diced

1/4 cup cucumber diced into small pieces

1/4 cup red pepper small pieces

1/2 teaspoon cumin powder

a pinch…

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Soy chunk veggie wrap

My Lean Streak

What I love about wraps is how creative you could get with them. They can be healthy or unhealthy, light or greasy and heavy. I usually love whole wheat wraps with the right amount of crunch and moisture. The right spread can really make a healthy wrap easier to swallow. I added pickles in this recipe because it adds sourness that I really crave in a wrap. Hope you love it as much as I do.

Whole wheat wrap:

Ingredients:-

2½ cups whole-wheat flour (I used King Arthur’s white whole-wheat flour)

½ cup canola oil

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup warm water

Method:-

In the bowl pour in the flour, oil and salt. Beat with the paddle until crumbly, about 3 to 5 minutes. Scrape the sides as needed.

Add the warm water and continue mixing until the dough is smooth, about 3 minutes.

Take out the dough and divide it into…

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potato & pepper soup

My Lean Streak

By Shalini Kolluri

This soup is perfect comfort food on cold snowy day. Its chunky, wholesome and nutritious. A bowl of this sumptuous soup with bread is a huge hit with my family.

Most people view potatoes as carbs that make you put on a few pounds. However, potatoes and yams possess complex carbohydrates that digest at an optimal level that provides energy and are very different from refined carbohydrates. So, unless you deep fry your potatoes in oil or prepare your mashed potatoes with heavy cream, potatoes prepared the healthy way don’t cause weight gain.

Potatoes contain antioxidants including vitamin C, carotenoids, and anthocyanins. The amounts and types are dependent upon the potato variety. So, make sure to include a number of different potato types (e.g., reds, purples, yellow, russets) in your diet. One wholesome, satisfying potato with skin contributes 2 grams of fiber to the diet or 8% of…

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Thanksgiving: healthy gift baskets

My Lean Streak

This holiday season I decided to combine my passion for healthy vegan food with my love for making fun goody baskets!

People are often surprised when they hear that I prefer vegan food. If only I had a nickel for every time someone asked me where I got my protein!!

Did you know that most powerful animals on the planet: the bull, elephant, giraffe, rhino, hippo, etc., are all herbivores. Also consider that the biggest dinosaurs, the ones who outlived the others, were mostly herbivores. Have you ever heard of a person who is protein deficient, other than in third world countries where they do not have access to nutrient rich foods – or food in general – on a daily basis? No.

Vegans are in no way threatened by protein deficiency. If they ate nothing but wheat, oatmeal, or potatoes, we would easily take in more than enough…

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Ayurveda : the goodness of turmeric

My Lean Streak

By Shalini Kolluri

My grandma used to say that there was nothing this golden spice couldn’t do. Coming from India, turmeric was used as a home remedy for almost every little ailment. It made frequent appearances in curries, soups and herbal ointments. Initially, I detested this spice as it is the source of some of the most stubborn stains I have seen in my life. However, this wonder spice has grown on me over the years. If used carefully and appropriately, you couldn’t have a healthier ingredient in your kitchen.

Turmeric powder in ayurveda is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Spices,’ its main characteristics are its unique aroma, a sharp taste and a golden-yellow color.

According to the Journal of the American Chemical Society, turmeric contains a wide range of antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Turmeric has been used as a substitute for saffron (an old…

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Red bell pepper spread

My Lean Streak

By Shalini Kolluri

As someone who wants to be on a strictly plant based diet, it doesn’t matter that my sandwich doesn’t contain cheese or mayonnaise. Sandwiches are little adaptive parcels of culinary goodness that overcome all hurdles.

Sandwich spreads are a big reason why this lunch still makes me smile.  Overtime, I have worked on many recipes and by far, this one is my favorite.

Red bell pepper when roasted has a fruity sweetness that gracefully balances the pungency of the garlic and the tomato.

I have always wondered why the red peppers taste entirely different from their green counterparts. Turns out that green peppers are harvested way before they ripen. They are slightly bitter and the least expensive of all the peppers.

The green ones turn yellow and the yellow ones turn orange. The yellow and orange peppers are sweeter than the green ones. However, the ripest of…

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dish love : fishs eddy

My Lean Streak

By Shalini Kolluri

I believe that food shouldn’t only appeal to your taste buds but also to your eyes. You don’t have to be a culinary genius or a trained chef to make sure your food looks appetizing. This includes simple things like playing with the right color combinations or choosing the right dishes to serve your food. For example, a white square plate used for serving your kebabs or tomato sauce can make sure it stands out in a back drop of white drawing more attention to you food. Another favorite of mine is the wooden plate, it not only makes a colorful salad look great, it also looks good with what ever you chose to set on the table.

As a dinner ware and cutlery enthusiast, I love shopping for glass ware and plates in NYC. I was super excited to stumble upon this rad store on the corner of…

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Whole Wheat pasta with roasted sugar pumpkin chunks

Source: Whole Wheat pasta with roasted sugar pumpkin chunks

whole wheat pasta with roasted sugar pumpkin chunks

My Lean Streak

Pumpkins are synonymous with the upcoming holidays of Thanksgiving and Halloween. Jack-o’- lanterns, pumpkin pies and pumpkin spice lattes, this orange gourd is a quintessential representation of fall. This holiday season, I take it upon myself to make thorough use of my favorite kind of pumpkin, – the sugar pumpkin.

Four awesome reasons to eat your pumpkin-

• They are rich in ant-oxidants that boost your immunity and offer anti-inflammatory benefits.
• The seeds and the pulp are high in Magnesium that is great for your bone health.
• They contain fiber that helps you drop pounds and maintain digestive health.
• Pumpkin seeds are rich in the amino acid tryptophan that helps elevate your mood. So long gloomy days!

Ingredients:

½ small sugar pie pumpkin, peeled, seeded, and cut into small chunks.

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Salt to taste

1 tablespoon Manuka honey

8 ounces whole wheat pasta (medium shells pasta)

3 garlic…

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