Quick and Easy Thai Red Curry

Ingredients:
2 - 3 tablespoons Thai Kitchen brand red curry paste (it's vegan)
1 small head cauliflower, cut into small florets
1 cup (or more) fresh green beans, ends removed and cut in half
1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
1 (14oz) can lite coconut milk
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
10 fresh basil leaves (Thai basil would be best, but I used Italian basil and it was fine)
canola oil
1/2 cup water

Method:
Boil water in a large pot and blanch cauliflower and string beans for 4 mins. While that is happening, heat some canola oil in a large skillet with high sides. Throw in the bell pepper and saute until it's softened a bit. Add coconut milk, water, curry paste, sugar, and soy sauce. Add cauliflower, green beans, and basil. Stir and simmer 10 mins to let the flavors combine.
Serve over basmati or jasmine rice. Serves 4 hungry people.

My recipe for basmati rice is here.

Roasted Carrots with Za'atar Spice and Chipotle Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Roasted Carrots with Za'atar Spice
*I think I cut this out of Vegetarian Times magazine, but I don't remember.
Preheat oven to 450F. Quarter two pounds of carrots. Toss carrots with olive oil, salt, and pepper and spread them out on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until browned, about 20 mins. Remove from oven and toss in a bowl with 4 teaspoons za'atar spice, juice of two lemons, chopped parsley, and roasted (or raw) seasame seeds. Enjoy!
(Za'atar spice is a Middle Eastern spice blend. I purchased mine at my favorite Indian spice store.)



Chipotle Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Peel and cut 4 sweet potatoes into small chunks. Boil potatoes until very tender, about 20 mins. Drain and return potatoes to pot. Toss in 2-4 tablespoons of vegan butter, salt (to taste), and 2 finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo plus 1 tablespoon of the sauce from the pepper can.


I served the carrots and potatoes with the Moroccan style chickpeas.
Recipe here:
http://sundaegirl108.blogspot.com/2010/01/moroccan-chickpeas-couscous-and-roasted.html