Roasted Potatoes and Carrots

Hello there lovely readers. my goodness, i can't believe it's been over a week since I've posted something on this blog! Thanks to a whole hurricane of midterms, homework assignments, and life in general, I've been feasting on pretty much nothing nutritionally acceptable or worth posting on the internet for the past week.

But now that all that's over, I'm back to gushing over everything related to pumpkins (like every other fall-obsessed New Englander), and cooking classy meals for myself.   Let me tell you, it's good to be back:)

Since exams leave me feeling hungry and like I just ran a marathon,  I decided to make a totally carbalicious roast with potatoes and carrots, flavored with garlic, rosemary, and sage.

for the longest time, I thought that throwing vegetables in the oven was a cop-out. is it really "cooking" to cut up some potatoes and carrots, stick them in the oven, and hope for the best?

Simple Cooked Cauliflower

Once in awhile, you just have to embrace your cruciferous vegetables.

ok, that's a weird introductory statement for a blog, i apologize.  However, it is true i had a major craving for cauliflower curry last week. 

Unfortunately, since my mom was at work and i couldn't call her, I had to look up 19,492 recipes on the internet. And since that many opinions about anything is overwhelming, i decided to ignore all of them.  Now I'm here adding yet another opinion to the internet about cauliflower curry. go figure:)

i've made this dish about 3 times, and i think i've finally figured out the two things that matter the most: cumin and salt.  I'll admit that salt seems obvious, but i've always been a little hesitant about using it since I can't stand food that's too salty.  however, in the case of cauliflower (and a lot of other foods, probably), too little salt can make it taste like baby food:( and nobody wants that.

fresh cumin is also much better than ground cumin that's been in your pantry for 4 months.  seriously, don't even bother with the ground cumin on this one.  you'll be much happier with fresh cumin seeds,  i promise:)

alrighty then, i think that's enough for a Monday.  Happy Columbus Day and happy Monday to everyone!

Simple Cooked Cauliflower (serves 2)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh cumin seeds
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced

1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon garam masala powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat the oil on a large nonstick pan under medium-high heat.  Add in the garlic, ginger, and cumin seeds.  Cook for two minutes and then add in the cauliflower, turmeric, garam masala, salt, and pepper. Saute the cauliflower under high heat until it is tender.  Serve warm.