1/2 cup oil
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup long-grain brown rice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 eggplant
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 ripe medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and diced
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Methods:

In a skillet heat 2 tablespoons oil, add onion and cook over low heat until soft, but not browned. Add garlic and cumin, cook 1/2 minute. Add rice and cook until lightly browned.

Pour in water; bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat 40 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, peel eggplant and cut into 1 inch cubes. In another skillet, heat remaining oil.

Add eggplant cubes, saute about 10 minutes or until very tender. Remove and drain on paper towels. Remove any excess oil from skillet.

Add tomatoes to skillet used to cook eggplant, cook over medium heat, stirring, until liquid is completely absorbed. Using a fork, carefully stir in eggplant and tomatoes into rice.

Cover, let stand 10 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper, parsley and cilantro, taste for seasoning. Serve
immediately. Serves 6.

2 cups cooked chickpeas
1 pkg. soft tofu, drained
1/4 cup tahini paste
2 tbsps. lemon juice
1 small clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
hot pepper sauce to taste, optional
1 pkg. large whole-wheat flour tortillas
1/2 cup chunky salsa
1 cup shredded lettuce
1/2 cup diced tomato

Methods:

In food processor bowl, pulse chickpeas until coarse. Add tofu, tahini and lemon juice. Puree until smooth. Add garlic, cumin, salt and hot pepper sauce, if using and pulse until combined.

Divide mixture evenly among centre of tortillas. Top with salsa. Sprinkle centre of each tortilla with lettuce and tomato. Roll up and enjoy.

Tip: For an added kick you can use a spicy salsa. Makes 10 tortillas.

Sauce:
1 tablespoon peanut oil
1 small onion, very finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 firm, ripe tomato, finely chopped
2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon sugar

Omelettes:
3 squares fresh bean curd
3 large eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
6 green onions, finely chopped
peanut oil for frying

Methods:

• For the sauce: In a small saucepan, heat the oil and fry onion, red pepper flakes and garlic over low heat, stirring frequently, until onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add tomato and fry, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes, or until tomato is cooked to a pulp. Add soy sauce, water and sugar, bring to a boil. Serve warm.
• For the omelettes: Chop bean curd into small pieces or mash roughly with a fork.
• Stir into the eggs, season with salt and pepper; add the green onions.
• Heat a large skillet, grease the base lightly with oil and fry the egg mixture in small round omelettes no larger than saucer size. Make several and keep warm on a hot plate until all the mixture is cooked.
• Serve immediately topped with the sauce. If desired, garnish with thin diagonal slices of the green onion. Yields 4 servings.

1/3 cup chopped green onions
1 cup frozen green peas
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 cups cooked long-grain rice
1 egg — slightly beaten
3 tablespoons soy sauce

Method:

Saute green onions and peas in hot oil 2 minutes. Add rice, and cook until thoroughly heated. Push rice mixture to sides of skillet, forming a well in center. Pour egg into well, and cook until set, stirring occasionally.

Stir rice mixture into egg; add soy sauce, stirring well.

4 ozs. shelled peanut
2 tbsps. grated coconut (dry or dehydrated)
1 small very ripe pineapple
1 tsp. walnut or vegetable oil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tsps. curry powder (Javanese if possible)
1/2 tsp. sambal oelek (Indonesian chili paste)
1 cup coconut milk
pinch of salt
2 tsps. brown sugar
1 onion, finely chopped

Methods:

Toast the peanuts in a non-stick pan until they take on a brownish colour, grind half of them in a mortar,
set the rest aside; toast the grated coconut in the same way; set aside; cut up the pineapple, removing the peel and the core; dice the flesh; heat the oil in a wok; add the onion and cook until transparent; add the garlic, curry powder and sambal oelek; mix well; add the pineapple, coconut milk, sugar and salt;
simmer 5 minutes over medium heat; add the ground peanuts; transfer to a heated platter; garnish with the
remaining peanuts and the grated coconut.