Vegan Kheer (Vegan Indian Rice Pudding) Slow Cooker

Making Vegan Kheer from The Indian Slow Cooker Book by Anupy Singla

I made the Kheer, "Rice Pudding", slow cooker style tonight.  Followed the recipe, kind of! This of course is yet another recipe from my most recent favorite Vegan Slow Cooker kick.  From the Indian Slow Cooker by Chicago's own, Anupy Singla.  I used organic brown basmati rice and homemade almond milk which I made in the Vita-Mix.  This recipe was only supposed to take 3 hours which is why I made it because I had an intense sweet tooth and absolutely never get to eat rice pudding since even the vegan versions use sugar.  I used some agave but next time I think I would just put some dates in the blender with water to create a date paste/liquid.  There is a slight discrepancy on the page about cooking it on "high" or "low".

After adding homemade almond milk.
I just put almonds and water in the Vita-mix to make the milk.

Cooking the Kheer for 3 hours on low.

After the 3 hours, the kheer was pretty watery.  I guess it can be kind of liquidy but this was almost a drink.  One place the page says "high" and the other says "low" and of course I used brown rice instead of regular white basmati!  I ended up cooking it on high until it thickened up a bit.  It ended up fine and then thickened a bunch when chilled.  Next time I will try cooking it on high the entire time.  Maybe it won't take a full 3 hours on high, but I am convinced brown rice will work fine if you figure out the right timing!  

Kheer after 3 hours.......

Rice pudding after it has been chilled.

Next time I would cook on high and buy the golden raisins organic or without any preservatives!  The kind at the Indian Store contained Sulfur Dioxide which I just think is icky.  I hate when they add stuff to just plain food.  Really, why do raisins need another ingredient other than grapes?

Vegan Curried Chickpeas (Vegan Chana Masala)

"Curried Chickpeas"
from The Indian Slow Cooker  by
Anupy Singla

Rasa walla Kabuli Chana or Curried Chickpeas!  I was SO excited to make this because I was thinking it would be "Chana Masala" since it has some chana masala spice mix in it.  I am still not sure if it is considered "Chana Masala" or not, but it is super yummy.

"Chana Masala"
spice mix.

You use the white chickpeas (kabuli chana).  I buy these from Whole Foods since I can get them organic there.  If you are going to do this type of cooking all of the time, look to buy them organic and in bulk.  This recipe is incredibly easy.  You chop a few things up and put them in the cooker with the dried chickpeas.  Yep, dried and unsoaked.  Seriously folks, zero preparation.  Even at the most expensive place in town (Whole Foods), the organic chickpeas in bulk are 1.99 a pound.  

I buy my legumes in bulk and keep
them in glass jars.  They are such a colorful addition in the kitchen!

"Kabuli Chana"
Chickpeas.

This differed a little from "Chana Masala" that we get at the restaurants.  It doesn't have much tomato so it isn't as "red" in color.  We did have fun watching a Punjabi man make a very complicated version of "Chana Masala" on YouTube.  He put mango powder and pomegranate seeds in as separate ingredients.  The garam masala in this gives it an earthy cinnamon/cardamom flavor.  I buy my Garam Masala (organic) from Mountain Rose Herbs.  I wish they also carried the "Chana Masala" mix because I still haven't found any that don't just totally overload on the salt.  The best I could do is find one where salt is the third ingredient.  So I reduced the salt even more.  I do use Sea Salt, but mine is not coursely ground so I basically have cut the salt in half for every single one of these recipes.  I think she uses coursely ground salt and I also think Indians like salt.

More than one use for a bag of beans.

The chickpeas in this turn out so soft.  You will love this dish!
How do you guys make "Vegan Chana Masala"??  Does anyone know of a place to buy "Chana Masala" spice with ZERO salt? So far, Hubby's faves right now are this Chana Masala and the Black Lentils/Dal Makhani.

Vegan Tangy Tamarind Chickpeas from "The Indian Slow Cooker"

Vegan Tangy Tamarind Chickpeas from
The Indian Slow Cooker Book

Okay, I might have had my first "flub" from Anupy's book. Although no fault of hers, and it isn't a "verified" flub yet. When I was shopping for tamarind paste I ran into several options. Or at least what appeared to be 100% tamarind paste. I ended up buying "wet tamarind" from Thailand. It seemed smooth and it didn't appear to just be smudged up tamarind seeds. But after I had put my 20 cloves of garlic, an ample amount of chili peppers, and all my other ingredients in the food processor, it sounded like there were date pits in there! Come to find out some seeds were still in there and one had gotten stuck to the blade. I think I wanted tamarind concentrate that had been prepared, not wet tamarind. So we shall see if my chickpeas are edible. Maybe with 12 hours of cooking it will all be fine?? This is another "dry" dish it appears. So far we prefer  the dishes that create their own gravies. Maybe just because they seem to have more flavor or maybe because the beans in the dry dishes are not overly done. Maybe I need to add a little water so they are really moist throughout. Although it seems like I have had beans on the dryer side at the chaat bar.

"Wet Tamarind"

It's kind of chunky, but worked in the end.
Next time I will find a concentrate that has no additional
ingredients.

The texture is amazing!  I ran out of Kabuli (White) Chana so
I had to add in about 1/3 cup of Kala (black) Chana (Chickpeas)

The dishes that take 12 hours are good for overnight cooking. I can start at midnight and then lunch is made the next day. I still have not gotten a masala dabba but now I think Anupy Singla actually commissioned a super special one. Sounds like it has a standardized measuring spoon. Now I have way too many spices cluttering my already cluttered counter top. I got up early this morning, accidentally, but then I was able to put the lemon in the crock pot for the last 2 hours of cooking. This is very cool because lemon has more Vitamin C than oranges and it really helps with iron absorption. Chickpeas have lots of iron so it's a a great combination.

Maybe this is a better bet?
It looks like "straight" tamarind extract.
Probably without the "seeds" of the
"wet" tamarind.

Update: AMAZING!!!!! The dish is dryer than a Chana Masala but not as dry as the Pigeon Peas or Black Chickpeas.  The tamarind flavor is just amazing, a sweet/tangy blast.  Love it.  Didn't run into any hard seeds yet so perhaps they all got cooked down, but still think that tamarind paste is what I was supposed to use vs. "wet tamarind".  Have already eaten 3 bowls so I probably won't be able to move later!  The biggest downfall of "The Indian Slow Cooker" is that I just can't stop eating it.  Just how does one go about getting rid of a chickpea addiction?  This recipe makes a massive amount of food because there isn't really any "broth".  I don't think I would make a full size recipe next time because hubby prefers the wet  dals to this style and we are overflowing with chickpeas now!  You could also make a full recipe and freeze it in Mason Jars.  Just don't fill to the top of the jar, as the lids of most of them have BPA and also it may expand a bit.  The beans seem firm enough to take a freezing, but I haven't tried it yet.  I did throw some Pigeon Peas in the freezer because we just had TOO much food!  Not a terrible problem to have.

I love Tamarind!  Each chickpea is enveloped in this sweet, salty, sour
flavor.  It's Vegan Chickpea Candy!!

Vegan Coat Picks

The "Pipistral" of Finisterre is a find.  The search for warm vegan winter coats has lasted for years.  Each year I google and bing and yahoo.  And nada.  Well, there may be a mountain of vegan coats out there, but it's really hard to tell if they are for zero degrees.  I do love that about the Land's End catalog.  They actually list the temps for which their clothes are designed.  I just kept admiring those "puffy long" coats that everyone else had.  The ones that kept you warm with goose feathers.  Except I didn't want the goose feathers.  Well, last season I stumbled upon this coat & immediately fell in love with it after watching the little video of it's attributes.  "Debbie" is the star of the video, and last year she donned some awesome red boots with this coat and it rocked.  She is super stylish, yet sensible.  I am so tired of clothes that don't work.  After living in a Latin country for awhile where the clothes fell apart after one wearing, and then always buying "cheaply" made clothing here, I kind of made a mantra to at least try to get sensible stuff.  Stuff isn't always "cheaper" if it breaks or falls apart after a few uses.  This coat ROCKS!  And it all packs up in one of it's pockets!  Warmer than down in wet weather because there are no feathers to retain moisture.  This one is filled with a whoppping 170g Primaloft Eco in the body and 130g for the sleeves and hood.  Check the video to see how you pack the whole coat away in it's hood to make a great pillow!

Follow link to see the Pipistral Vegan Winter Coat.
170g Primaloft Eco Body/130g hoods & sleeves.
Whole coat packs away in the hood to make a pillow.

Then there is an AMAZING company "Vaute Couture" which just started making "Real" winter coats for vegans.  Now, I did know about these last year  and I totally flinched at the prices.  They were much too "pretty" for my immediate need and too much money.  That was, however, before I knew about the Secret Stash link that puts you in a clearance zone.  So the coats in their clearance zone are affordable, and I would urge everyone to at least check it out.  The owner is vegan and just a lovely gal.  I ended up getting a sweatshirt from her that I had seen on the PETA giveaway and had some communications with her.  She is a doll and working for a great cause.  Give her your business if you can!  They have a myriad of styles to fit any girl's wishes.  Here is an interview with Mai-ly Hilgart  (the goddess behind the coats) on the style section of the "Oprah" website.  And Mai-ly is from Chicago so she is no stranger to brutal weather.

 "Audrey" of Vaute Couture Vegan Winter Coat .

At the end of the season I ran into this jacket (but women's version), the Cloudveil "Enclosure" Jacket. Now the version the man talks about here is an older model and has 200 gm Primaloft.  I was really fixated on the numbers of Primaloft because I wanted something for FRIGID temps.  You see, I started my year off a little offguard.  I was asked to help with a few dog rescues in East  St. Louis and do a little filming with a flipcam.  One of the gals was expecting a baby any day and it wasn't really the best idea for her to be on her belly in below zero weather, in abandoned homes, filming puppies.  I had zero truly warm clothes and froze my butt off every single time I went out.  I wore my hubby's coat sometimes but the thing was more of a dress on me and hard to move around in.   I didn't have the right socks, shoes, coat, nothing!  So I kind of had a mission that I would never let myself get THAT cold again, if I could help it.  I found this coat on clearance and it is big & puffy but seems warm and has lots of pockets for camera, cell phone & keys.  I would put a polartec over it though if I were going to do anything really crazy, so the fabric wouldn't get destroyed by dogs, nails of old building, etc...!.  Anyway, it's not the most attractive, yet not the most unattractive and apparently you can pack the whole thing up in one of it's pockets.  So the functionality thing again.

"Cloudveil" Enclosure Jacket (Vegan Coat)
The link is to the newer styles which are not 200 gm.
This is my "dog rescue" jacket.  Warm with tons of pockets and LOTS of mobility.

 "Hemp Hoodlamb" long vegan coat at The Hempest

And above another  awesome vegan dream.  A hemp coat made by the folks of Hemp Hoodlamb.  These prices vary depending on which style (longer or shorter) and which website.  The Hempest usually has a decent stock of Hoodlamb's products and this particular coat is $329.00.  But if you shop around after the cold season, you could probably snag it for a lot less if you shop around.

What are your favorite warm vegan coats????  I am sure there are so many out there but I am talking WARM!!  Cute & Durable are also both essentials. 

Jewels for your Vegan Vixen

I am always looking for ways to subtly wear my "Vegan Gospel".  I used to be hesitant to use those words, but since seeing Will Tuttle speak and use them himself, well I feel a lot more confident about it now. But I was kind of interested in "wearing" that message the way people wear a cross. Some people wear a cross, like Madonna, almost as a "F*** You",  I can be hot and edgy and it's hip because I am Christian.  And then there are other people, like quiet Catholics,  who just seem like they were born with a cross around their necks.  Very unobtrusive.   And then there are those who not only wear their cross but when you are introduced to them, they need to make an announcement of their Christianity.  "Hi, I am Jill, and I am Christian."  Like an AA meeting or something.  If vegans did that we would get a lot of s***!  "Hi, I am Jackie, and the most important day of my life was when I accepted Veganism as my Savior." Or say, "Hey, I'm Bob, and well I am Vegan so I am not f***ing up the planet like you are with your diet of lard burgers and poisoned chickens."  

Well, I just want to say that I also may adorn myself with a cross now, but with a slant. So I perused the vegan sites for hip gear.....and stumbled upon Herbivore's new Herbivore cross necklaces. They carry copper and silver (although they may currently be out of silver) and they rock. And at $30.00 they are a cute, inexpensive addition to our garb.

Aren't they cute??
Follow the link to buy Herbivore Necklace.

Another adorable necklace is offered by PETA for 20 bucks. he Christy Robinson necklace features 3 animals and Peace for All.

Christy Robinson "Peace to All" necklace.   Proceeds to to the animals.
Follow the link to buy the Vegan Necklace

Of course there is the "Carrie Bradshaw" "Vegan" necklace from PETA as well.

Peta's "Vegan" Necklace
Follow the link  Peta Vegan Necklace to buy.
On sale for $15.00 now.

But the "Mother Lode" of Vegan/Yoga necklaces has got to be this.  Sonja Picard's "Ahimsa" necklace with ALL of the profits going to PETA so you can forget your guilt girl!  Think of it as a "donation" because that's exactly what it is. This is more of an anniversary gift or a bit more special. Well at least for girls like me who don't place any emphasis on jewelry. It is $150.00 but the great part about it is that 100 percent of the profits go to PETA.  I am waiting for a piece to come out with the "Lokah Samastah Sukinoh Bhavantu" Sanskrit on it.

Sonja Picard "Ahimsa" necklace (Sanskrit).
Follow the link to buy the "Ahimsa" Sonja Picard Necklace. All proceeds to PETA.

The other necklace (not really Vegan themed!) that I was eyeing for awhile, With no message at all, is this one from Raw Food World.  Apparently it keeps you grounded or helps with EMF's....I really don't know.  But this month, December, they are having a sale and they feel kind of cool.

QBC Quantum Balance Crystals.
Follow the link to buy the Quantum Balance Crystal Necklace from Raw Food World.
In LOTS of Colors/Chakras.

Do you guys have favorite jewelry with a "Vegan" message?  Guys, if you are looking for gifts for your vegan girlfriend, definitely check out these links!  She will be especially impressed if you aren't even vegan!  Does anyone have any "favorite" vegan message necklaces, earrings, bracelets??

Vegan Black Lentils (Dal Makhani) from "The Indian Slow Cooker" book

Dal Makhani
"Black Lentils" from  The Indian Slow Cooker  book.

I finally made the first recipe in Anupy Singla's "The Indian Slow Cooker" book! The black lentils which can be turned into Dal Makhani with the addition of cream or yogurt. I rarely buy vegan Silk brand cream or vegan yogurts, as they are pricey and I would rather eat whole foods. But since I was trying to follow the recipe, I splurged yesterday and picked up some Silk half and half for two bucks at Straub's in the CWE when I was buying 6 bunches of cilantro!  Other options for milk, heavy cream or yogurts, Vegan Style.

Silk "Original" Creamer
I used this for my "Dal Makhani"
(Living it up!)

So Delicious Cultured Coconut Yogurt.  This rocks.

Coconut Milk in aseptic containers that can sit
on your shelf.  Love this because it has zero sugar.

Yes, you can keep the dried beans and all the basmati and spices in the world on hand but cilantro doesn't have a terribly long shelf life. So I was thrilled that Straub's carried it for 99 cents a bunch. And surprised that they had Silk brand creamer so had a moment of weakness and thought I would give it a shot. Well.....when I walked in the door of our house  I was totally blown away by this awesome aroma. I still can't get over come home to and it smelling like someone else has been cooking the whole day. That's pretty cool. Well this recipes calls for 2 bunches of cilantro and it was worth it. I had no fewer than 3 bowls of this stuff. And that was on top of our homemade Indian buffet of leftovers including Saucy Punjabi potatoes, Pigeon Peas with Garlic and Chilies, Amla Chickpeas and Goan Black Eyed Peas.



I used the "Urad Whole" or "Black Matpe Beans"
Make sure you get the right "Black Lentils" as there
are a couple black looking ones at Whole Foods in the bulk
but those are not "Urad Whole".

Serrano Peppers
Maybe a touch milder than the Thai Chilies.
Do not deseed if you like the heat.

That is what is so funny about vegan night at Gokul's too. These people seem to go endlessly to the buffet bar and they aren't fat! What also is funny about Gokul's is when vegans that are new to this place walk in, it always appears that they are having this conversation "is everything vegan?"  "is the Korma vegan?" Etc.....double Checking. And then it appears that the Indian people are walking in and the staff is explaining to them that it is all vegan and has no dairy and you can always see them deciding whether they want buffet or to order from the menu. It is always all vegetarian, but it's funny because they have such an allegiance to both communities and we all have our separate requests. But they make it work!  The vegan night rocks because everything is vegan but you can go there any day of the week and the buffet always has plenty of vegan goodies.  They even bring you vegan naan when they see you walk in!

Thai Chilies.
This is what Anupy Singla uses.
They are yummy AND they really aren't that spicy
with the long hours in the cooker.

What I notice also, is that the Indian people seem to love that "chaat" bar full of fried puris and papadums. It appears that they have a much more rounded meal consisting of appetizers, some main courses, and dessert while the Americans seem to pile their plates even with the knowledge that they can go up to the food bar 100 more times.

Whole Urad Dal, Kaali dal,
Whole Black Gram, Whole Matpe Beans
Lots of names!!
"The Mother's Lentils"

So rich in color and nutrients.

Anyway, this recipe totally "passes" for Indian food. It tastes like the real thing. I am not sure if it was the addition of so much fresh cilantro or my crazy splurge on the Silk creamer but it is AMAZING!!!!!!!! So far the only real problem I have encountered with this book is that I simply can't stop eating the dishes and then I get so so bloated that I swear I am doing Raw again, that is until I smell the food cooking. It's just hard to feel too guilty about eating lentils and brown rice. Trust me I have tried. I think the biggest reason I am am using this book every single day is just the total simplicity of it. It is super easy to have the ingredients on hand and requires such little effort and it's not like all my raw recipes where I have to round up super extra virgin coconut oil in a glass jars, etc.... I LOVE my raw recipes but there are the simple ones and there a the gourmet ones and I tend to favor the cheesecakes. I always wonder if it is really healthier if I am eating so much fruit sugar or so much fat. But here I am binging on beans but I am guessing that the fat and sugar content is negligible in the Indian food, well at least if you make it at home.  I will probably go back to a high raw diet after my "Bean Bender".    I am awaiting Ani's new book with the Asian theme!

Fresh Cilantro

Mustard Oil.
Available at International Grocers or your
Indian Store.  For you country folk, you can get it from Amazon
or any of the online Indian Grocers.

Anupy Singla is the author of "The Indian Slow Cooker".  Follow the link to "Indian as Apple Pie" (Anupy's blog) to read a little about Diwali and get the Black Lentils recipe from her book.  The one on this page is identical to the one in her book.  This recipe is listed elsewhere on her blog and the only difference in the other one is that it only uses 2 cups of lentils to 8 cups water. The "Diwali" post has the published version.  Link to read Anupy's piece about Diwali that was published in the Wall Street Journal.  It seems the recession spiked attendance!  Maybe next year I will light my home and hope that Ganesh & Lakshmi will help me out a little.....
This dish is 5 stars.  I think it is my husband's favorite so far.