Toasted yam and apple crumble my way

  My great surprise last week happened on Friday, when I received a message from Mr. Fernando Pinto to inform me that he had burdock roots for sale, and that he was going to be at the Principe Real Bio market on Saturday. As you can imagine, I was thrilled. It has been years since I last ate burdock and I really like this exotic and very rich root.

  Last weekend took place at a fast rythm: first a visit to the organic market, after that a quick entry in Miosotis supermarket ( a bio supermarket here in Lisbon) and finally the most delirious moment of the day, which happens whenever I visit my favorite grocery store, the Popat Store in Martim Moniz square, where the intense smells and characteristic of the products exhibited acquire a unique magic.

Meanwhile , the roots are already stored waiting for a recipe worth of their super root status. And the fresh vegetables that I bought at the market, made our delights in the salads we ate during the weekend.. Arugula, mizuna, radishes and many more ...

  From the kitchen, with love, my suggestion for Valentin's day is a yam recipe cooked with the yams that I bought at the Indian grocery store Popat. This recipe, which is for sure as good as a class dinner in a special restaurant, has the advantage of being cooked at home and by that you will avoid the usual waiting queues typical of these special days, which if you are not in a good company, will let you out of motivation...

  So, for Valentine's day I made up a delicious menu that I am publishing in advance so that you can have time to buy the ingredients.

Here is the suggestion: a yam main course that I learned from my dear friend Lais, years ago, and that I appreciate to eat in special occasions.

 The yam rhizome is a very flavorful stew that can be used in soups, purees, desserts, among other possibilities. It is rich in protein, phosphorus and potassium and is considered a healthy substitute for potatos.

  When buying yams note that the texture should be uniformly rough and covered with hair. It should be firm, with no soft areas.

Serve the yam balls with brown rice and a delicious radishe vinaigrette.

  Finally, a tasty dessert - my version of a tasty apple crumble.

  Here is the purpose: to wait in line or to have dinner in the retreat of your home?

  Bon appétit!

© veggie delicious food, February 2013 

Ingredients for yam balls:

5 yams average size

1 large carrot

1 medium sized onion

4 black olives

1 tablespoon of soy sauce

1 tablespoon olive oil

Sal to taste

Wash the yams and steamed them until gently soft.

Remove the skin and mash them with a fork until you have a purée. Reserve.

Chop the onion and sauté in the olive oil until soft.

Wash, cut and chop the carrot.

Add the carrots to the onion. Cover the pan and let it cook on low heat until soft. Season it with a little salt.

Season the yam with soy sauce. Add the carrot and the chopped olives. Combine well and form balls.

To form the balls, moisten your hands slightly.

Heat a pan and toast the balls on one side and the other until golden. Be careful to turn the balls just when the bottom is nicely browned so they do not fall apart.

Radish vinaigrette:

1 small onion

½ green pepper

½ red pepper

6 radishes

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon of soy sauce

Peel the onion and cut it into thin strips.

Wash the peppers and cut them into thin strips.

Wash the radishes and cutt hem into thin slices.

Mix the olive oil with the vinegar, the soy sauce and the minced garlic. If you like, add a pinch of salt.

Add the onion, the peppers and the radishes. Combine well.

Apple Crumble with my personal touch:

  I used coconut sugar which is a 100% natural sweetener and very rich in magnesium, potassium, zinc and vitamin B1, 2,3 and 6.

  The flavor is just to cry for more ...

  And if it has my personal touch, chocolate could not be forgotten.

  I used oreo cookies for the crumble base. Ok, oreos are not very healthy cookies but once in a while it is ok and they are delicious. The occasion justifies this mouth sin...

Ingredients:

1 kg of good quality apples

200 g of wheat flour

100 gr coconut sugar (I bought it through www.biosamara.pt)

125 g of vegetable butter

1 tablespoon of cardamom powder

1 tablespoon of cinnamon powder

1 pinch of salt

1 pack of oreo cookies smashed.

Wash the apples. Remove the peel and cut them into thin strips.

Divide the amount of apples in two equal parts.

Sprinkle one amount with lemon drops and put the other amount of apple in a pan on to cook.

Sprinkle it with cardamom powder and a pinch of salt. Cover and leave it on low heat for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Preheat oven to 200 º.

Mix the flour with the cinnamon and add the butter ( room temperature). Knead it with your fingers and add the coconut sugar.

In a removable pan line the smashed oreo cookies and press them well.

Place the raw apple on top of the oreo base and finally the apple that was semi cooked with the cardamom powder.

Finally put the flour and press small amounts so that they sink through the apples.

Smooth the surface until uniform and bake it for 35 minutes.

Bon appétit!

© veggie delicious food, February 2013