Kaylen’s Bread

This Easy Sourdough Bread recipe is perfect for beginning bakers and old sourdoughs alike! (Recipe makes a long-rise dough, and requires only sourdough starter: no added yeast.)

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

Some years ago, I embarked on a new adventure – I started growing a sourdough starter and learning how to use it. After lots of research and careful thought, I made my very first loaf of sourdough bread.

I’m not great at following much of anything to the letter, so I didn’t use one particular recipe – instead I studied a few that were recommended for beginners and put something together that made sense to me. And it turned out wonderfully! My little loaf of bread was gone so fast that I barely had time to take a picture!

My First Loaf of Sourdough Bread

Sourdough bread is more than just delicious and pretty though. In fact, that was the idea that compelled me to start investigating Sourdough.

One study using sourdough bread made with specific strains of bacteria found that it could reduce gluten intolerance in people sensitive to wheat gluten. While that doesn’t mean that people diagnosed with gluten intolerance can eat sourdough bread with impunity, it does suggest that the bread is more easily digested than other breads made with wheat flour. (Reader’s Digest)

Need Sourdough Starter? Rye Sourdough Starter is, by far, the easiest starter to start!

POST UPDATE: March 30, 2020
[Originally published September 17, 2013]

This post has been so popular over the years that, with the recently renewed interest in sourdough baking (in particular sour dough that does not require any additional yeast), I decided it was long overdue for a complete overhaul.
For longtime readers: The recipe is still exactly the same, but I’ve added some new information, as well as images for each step of the process.

Why Sourdough Bread MAY Be the Answer for Some Gluten-Sensitive People

On average, it takes about 10 hours – start to finish – to make this Easy Sourdough Bread. However, depending on weather and other conditions, I have occasionally allowed it to rise for up to 24 hours. (Some folks let their sourdough bread to rise for up to 36 hours!)

It is this Long Rise – during which the wild yeast and bacteria in a sourdough starter break down some of the carbohydrates and proteins in the flour – that helps make true sourdough bread (one that does not rely on the addition of any added yeast) tolerable for folks with gluten sensitivity.

Want to make someone feel really special? Want to feel great yourself? Give a loaf of Homemade Sourdough Bread!!

I do have some real-life experience with the aforementioned Sourdough Bread Gluten-Intolerance Miracle. As I mentioned in an my post about reactivating Sourdough Starter from dehydrated flakes, my BFF Jenny asked me to give sourdough a go in the hopes that it will benefit her daughter. Kaylen is a beautiful young woman with some serious digestive issues, and gluten is not at all her friend. But she misses bread – real bread that does not “taste like sand” (Kaylen’s words) – a lot.

I’ve known Kaylen since she was six and love her like my own daughter: of course I’m going to bake her bread. I made a loaf of this sourdough, using a minimum 14-hour rise and not adding any additional flour (during folding) after Hour 4. After I dropped off the first loaf to her, here’s what I found on Facebook when I got home:

Want to feel really happy? Give someone you love a loaf of fresh bread!!

Made me cry. You just don’t get a better feeling than that, you know?

Over the years, I’ve had an on again, off again relationship with my sourdough starter. Sometimes I treat it like the Queen at High Tea, sticking to a precise schedule and attending to its every bubbling need. Other times, I completely ignore it: I once forgot it in the back of the fridge for almost six months. Still, it persists.

My skill level as a sourdough baker barely scratches the surface. That’s probably one of the reasons I keep going back to this recipe over and over again. It is an easy and straightforward, and it consistently bears excellent results, even when I forget it for an extra hour or two. Moreover, the bite is amazing: chewy and tender, with a mild, pleasant sourdough tanginess. It’s one of the best all-round breads I’ve ever made.

Once you get the rhythm and flow of the sourdough baking process, you’ll be able to throw together a loaf of this bread together with only about 20 minutes of actual hands-on time. The rest of the time, you just waiting around for it to do its thing.

Below you will find my recipe for Easy Sourdough Bread. The links I used for guidance can be found at the bottom of the post. You may find them helpful as well.

Besides being an incredibly easy bread to make, one thing that sets this recipe apart from others is that it requires no added traditional yeast. It relies solely upon the natural yeast in the Sourdough Starter.

4.91 from 10 votes

Basic Sourdough Bread

Super-basic. No bells, no whistles - just bread.

Prep Time12 hrs

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time12 hrs 30 mins

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Course: Bread

Keyword: baking, bread, sourdough, sourdough bread

Servings: Slices

Calories: 131kcal

Author: Renée ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Equipment

Large Bowl
Stand Mixer
Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Wooden Spoon

Ingredients

Sourdough Bread Dough

3/4 cup Sourdough Starter (about 6.5 - 7 ounces) 100% Hydration | Unfed & Room Temperature** (You can feed it up to 12 hours before using, but no less.)
1 1/4 cups lukewarm water 105-110°F / 40-44°C**
3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

Additional Ingredients

4 - 6 tablespoons extra-light olive oil or other neutral cooking oil, for oiling bowl

Instructions

In a stand-mixer, mix Bread Dough ingredients together with bread hook until just combined. (You can also do this step with a wooden spoon.)
Measuring the Starter: The vigor of your Starter will affect its density. Stir Starter down before measuring, especially if use a measuring cup. I find it easier to use a kitchen scale to get consistent results.
If dough seems way too loose, you can add a little extra of flour, but don't go crazy: you will add a little flour each time you fold it.
Let rest for 10-20 minutes.
While dough is resting, lightly coat a medium-sized bowl with olive oil. The bowl needs to be a big enough to allow the dough to double in size.
I use about two tablespoons of oil to coat the bowl the first time.
Knead dough with bread hook 5-10 minutes.
You can also knead by hand, for about 10 minutes.
NOTE: This normally is a very sticky, soft dough. However, depending on the actual hydration of your starter, you may find that you need to add a little more flour to get things started. I often end up adding an extra 1/2 cup during the mixing step. (Do not add more than 1/2 cup, though, or you may overwhelm your Starter. You can work in a little more flour during the folding process if you need to.)
Remove dough from mixer, place on a well floured board, knead by hand a couple of times, and shape into ball.
After you form the ball, it should kind of slowly settle onto the board, like an old man into a lounge chair. It won’t hold its shape for a long time, but it also shouldn’t just melt into a puddle. You need to find a happy medium.
Put dough ball into the oiled bowl, smooth-side down first. Then flip it smooth-side up so that all sides of the dough are covered with oil.
Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set in a warm place.
Allow dough rise at least 6 hours, folding twice during that time.
To fold, turn dough out onto a floured surface and pat down to remove most of the air bubbles. Fold as illustrated and return to bowl, smooth side up.
Cover and proceed with the rising process.
Allow the dough to double (approximately) in size each time after folding. This may take more or less time, depending on the vitality of your starter.
Re-oil the bowl with a tablespoon or two of oil each time you fold the dough.
[See How (and Why) to Fold Sourdough Bread Dough below the recipe card for more information]
After the second fold-and-rise is complete, form bread into a boule (a round loaf) and place it on a square of parchment paper. Place the dough, parchment and all, back into the bowl.
With a wet, serrated knife, cut a couple of slashes on the top. (I often forget to do this step, and everything still turns out just fine.)
Cover loosely with a damp towel and allow to rise for 1 1/2- 2 hours, or until it has doubled.
In the last 30 or 40 minutes of the last rise, move your oven rack to the bottom third of oven.
Put an empty cast iron Dutch oven with lid in the cold oven and preheat to 450°F for 30 minutes.
Remove the lid from the Dutch oven and put the boule in by picking up the corners of the parchment and gently setting it in.
Be very careful - the Dutch oven and lid are very hot!
NOTE: If you don't have a cast iron Dutch oven, you can use a baking stone. If you use a baking stone, cover the boule with a big roaster lid or something like that. The idea is to create some steam for the first part of the baking process- this is what gives it that awesome chewy crust.
Bake at 450°F for 12-13 minutes with the lid ON.
[Image: After first 12-minute baking time]
Remove the lid and bake for another 12-13 minutes with the lid OFF.
Using the parchment corners, carefully remove bread from the Dutch oven and place on a wire rack to cool for 30 minutes.
DO NOT slice the bread until it has set for 30 minutes - this resting time is part of the baking process.

Notes

*UNFED Starter [as called for in this recipe] is Starter that is due to be fed right before you begin making the bread. Unfed Starter is mature, active, and hungry for food.

For comparison, FED Starter is Sourdough Starter that has been fed recently compared to when you begin making the bread recipe (usually the night before). It isn't as hungry.

**WATER: You may need more or less water, depending on your Starter's hydration. The Sourdough Starter I use is an 100% hydration starter.

Lazy Starter: If your sourdough starter is lazy (or not as hungry as it could be) you may need to allow your dough to rise substantially longer. (I often allow my sourdough bread to rise overnight.)

In this case, you may need to fold a couple of extra times during the process, but if you fold it more than twice, do so directly in the bowl. Do not introduce additional flour to your dough after the second folding or your bread may become too tough.

1 cup all-purpose flour = 120 grams | 3 cups all-purpose flour = 360 grams
1 cup bread flour = 127 grams | 3 cups bread flour = 381 grams

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

If you are curious about why this recipe uses UNFED Starter instead of FED Starter, you might find this conversation on The Fresh Loaf helpful.

How (and Why) to Fold Sourdough Bread Dough

Many (if not most) bread recipes call for you to punch down the dough after rising. Punching down the dough does a number of things. Most importantly, it removes some of the gas bubbles from the dough and redistributes the yeast cells, sugars, and moisture so that they can ferment and rise again during the proofing stage.

Folding yields similar results: it too expels the carbon dioxide produced during fermentation, strengthens the dough by stretching the gluten strands, and redistributes cells, sugars, moisture and heat spots in the dough to even out the rising.

Punching dough down will result in a fine crumb, which is desirable when making sandwich breads or pastries. Folding, on the other hand, will give you a loftier rise and a looser crumb – resulting in all those lovely little air pockets in our sourdough and artisan breads that we love so much.

Folding dough is a relatively easy process:

References for this recipe include:

How to Make Sourdough Bread
Easy Sourdough Artisan Bread
How to Make Rye Sourdough Starter
The Art of Baking with Natural Yeast: Breads, Pancakes, Waffles, Cinnamon Rolls and Muffins, by Caleb Warnock & Melissa Richardson

If you have additional questions about the recipe, just leave a comment and I’ll reply asap. Be sure to check out the comments below, too. We’ve had so many people share their sourdough knowledge here, and there is a lot to be learned from their experience. Like most of us, I’m here to learn, too.

Want to make this adorable Redwork chicken tea towel? Check out our easy DIY tutorial! [Free Pattern]

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Easy Sourdough Recipes & Advice for Beginners

Rye Sourdough Starter

Kaylen's Bread [Easy Sourdough]

Buttery & Flaky Sourdough Biscuits

Photo Credit: www.baking-sense.com

Lazy Sourdough Caretaker's Guide

Reactivating Dry Sourdough Starter

Sourdough Hot Cross Buns

Photo Credit: www.recipesmadeeasy.co.uk

Cinnamon Sugar Sourdough Donuts

Photo Credit: www.baking-sense.com

Rye Sourdough Spaetzle

Sourdough Rye Hearth Bread

Photo Credit: adamantkitchen.com

Date Molasses Sourdough Pancakes

Photo Credit: www.theschizochef.com

Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

Photo Credit: www.farmhouseonboone.com

Sourdough Pumpkin Spice Scones

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Chocolate Wacky Cake (No Eggs, No Dairy, No Clean-up!)

March 12 By Renée ♥ 19 Comments

Chocolate Wacky Cake is the easiest scratch cake you will ever make! (No eggs, no milk, no butter, no clean-up.) Made exclusively with pantry staples, this surprisingly moist, delicious snack cake mixes up in a jiffy, right in the pan!

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

Chocolate Wacky Cake was the first “scratch” cake I ever baked all by myself. (I think I was eight.) So named because it requires no eggs, no milk, no butter, and is mixed directly in the pan, Wacky Cake is a surprisingly moist, delicious chocolate cake that is easy enough for a child to make.

Wacky Cake is dead simple to make, but the origins of the recipe – also known as Crazy Cake, War Cake, Depression Cake, Magic Cake, and even 3-Hole Cake – are somewhat murky.

Wacky Cake is a recipe created for difficult times, passed down from one generation of frugal bakers to the next. There are references to similar cake recipes dating back over a hundred years; clear back to World War I, when War Cake could be found in a 1918 Food Administration Department pamphlet entitled “War Economy in Food,” under “Recipes for Conservation Sweets.”

After The War to End All Wars ended in 1918, Crazy Cake recipes made their way into 1930’s Depression Era kitchens, when budgets were tight, and milk, eggs, and butter were luxuries. Still later, mothers on the home front during World War II relied on this unusual cake recipe as a way to deal with wartime shortages, when milk and eggs were scarce, and other staples (like sugar and coffee) were rationed and in short supply.

Wacky Cake is the easiest scratch cake you will ever make. It is mixed in one pan with a fork. The trick to this cake is the three-hole method of mixing that allows the vinegar and baking soda to combine at the last moment and act as a leavening agent.

Six Simple Steps for Chocolate Wacky Cake

Start your cake now, and it will be ready to eat in less than an hour!

[Actual amounts can be found in the recipe card below]

Sift together the dry ingredients into a greased 8×8 (or 9×9) cake pan.
Form three wells in the sifted mix.
Fill the depressions with [1] Oil, [2] Vanilla, and [3] Vinegar.
Flood the pan with 1 cup of water.
Stir with a fork until thoroughly mixed. (Check the corners! I use a spoon to do the initial mixing, and finish by whisking it with a fork.)
Bake in a 350°F oven for 25-30 minutes.

That’s literally all there this to it. If you work super slow, you might need 15 minutes to mix it up.

BONUS POINTS: No raw eggs in this batter! Go ahead and let the kids lick the fork!

So what does Wacky Cake taste like? It is an exceptionally moist, delicious chocolate snack cake. Surprisingly so, in fact. It’s perhaps not as quite as rich as a true, butter-filled Devil’s Food Cake, but it will definitely satisfy those chocolate cake cravings.

For 1970’s Kids Only: Remember Betty Crocker’s Snackin’ Cakes? Wacky Cake is a lot like those little cakes as far as texture goes, and it tastes something like a Hostess Cupcake without the cream filling, only a little softer and richer.

5 from 5 votes

Chocolate Wacky Cake

Chocolate Wacky Cake is the easiest scratch cake you will ever make! (No eggs, no milk, no butter, no clean-up.) Made exclusively with pantry staples, this surprisingly moist, delicious snack cake mixes up in a jiffy, right in the pan!

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time45 mins

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course: Dessert, Sweets

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cake, chocolate, Dairy-free, eggless, vegan

Servings: servings

Calories: 236kcal

Author: Renée B. ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Equipment

Ingredients

1½ cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon vinegar
5 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup water

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F [177°C].
Spray an 8x8 pan (or 9x9) with cooking spray.
Sift together dry ingredients into the pan.
Flatten the sifted dry ingredeints and form three depressions in the top - one large and two small.
Pour oil into the large depression, vanilla into the second depression, and vinegar into the third.
Pour water over the whole thing.
Stir with spoon or fork until thoroughly mixed. Be sure to check the corners.
The cake batter will produce bubbles on the top of the cake. Gently tamp the cake pan on the countertop once or twice to release gas.
Bake at 350°F [177°C] for 25-30 minutes, until the top springs back when touched.
Allow cake to cool. Wacky Cake can be served as is, or with a sprinkling of powdered sugar, or iced with your favorite frosting.

Notes

Be sure to use natural cocoa if possible, and not Dutch-pressed (which is also sometimes called European-style or alkalized). Dutch-pressed cocoa is washed with a solution of potassium carbonate which lessens its acidity, and Wacky Cake depends on that acidity to strengthen the gluten and help the cake rise.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

I’m sharing this recipe on the Weekend Potluck Recipe Linkup.
Check it out for more great recipes!

Looking for a good STEAM activity? Consider Wacky Cake as a great opportunity to demonstrate the power of baking soda and vinegar outside a volcano! (Whoohoo kitchen science!)

P.S. If you love baking cakes, be sure to try my scratch-made Triple-layer Strawberry Cake. It’s amazing!

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Indian Eggplant Pickling Style LIGHT (Lake Palace Hotel Aubergine)

March 5 By Renée ♥ 15 Comments

Sweet, spicy and tangy, this lighter version of Indian Eggplant Cooked Pickling Style (Baigan Achari) makes a perfect side; or pair it with rice or a flatbread for a simple, satisfying meal.

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

The texture of eggplant can be a challenge for some, me among them, so I was in my mid-30’s before I discovered my love of this egg-shaped Old World tropical fruit. (Yes, it’s a fruit!) The recipe for Indian Eggplant Cooked Pickling-style presented here is a lighter version of the recipe that converted me: Madhur Jaffney’s Lake Palace Hotel Aubergines.

Indian Eggplant Pickling Style (Baigan Achari) has since become one of my all-time favorite dishes. This mildly spicy, subtly sweet side dish can be served immediately after it comes out of the oven, but we often put it in the fridge because it’s just as delicious cold as it is warm.

Serve it up with a simple dal, raita, and naan, and you’ve got yourself a wonderful vegetarian meal. Add a hearty curried protein and some Muhammara and you’ve got yourself a feast! (We also love to serve it warm for breakfast, topped with a poached egg.)

Baigan Achari LIGHT – It may not be pretty, but it’s delicious!

NOTE: Eggplant goes by many names around the world. In this recipe, eggplant and aubergine are used interchangeably.

Eggplant: The name “eggplant” was given to the fruit by Europeans sometime in the mid-18th century. The size and shape of the fruit was similar to those of goose eggs, and the color was white or yellow, leading to comparison with an egg.
Aubergine: Commonly used in British English, German, French and Dutch.
Brinjal or brinjaul: Commonly used in South Asia and South African English.

Making Pickling-style Indian Eggplant Lighter & Healthier

The most substantial changes I made to the original Indian Eggplant recipe (Baigan Achari) were to streamline the cooking process and lower the fat content.

Most often in Indian recipes, eggplants (aubergines) are softened by frying them in vegetable oil: the original recipe from which this one was adapted calls for a whopping 1 1/2 cups of vegetable oil! In an effort to lower the fat score for this dish, I started baking the eggplants instead (thus reducing the oil used by almost 75%) and we loved the results!

Indian Eggplant Pickling Style does not suffer at all from reducing the amount of oil used; in my opinion, the flavors are fresher and more accessible.

The magic of this tangy-sweet Indian Eggplant is in the sauce – a blend of tomatoes ginger, garlic, and essential Indian spices that will make your kitchen smell amazing. Before you make the sauce though, you need to prepare the eggplant.

Baked, not Fried: How to Prepare Eggplant with FAR Less Oil

Eggplants, as you may know, are a little like sponges, and they soak up a ton of oil when they are fried. This method for baking the eggplant is a great alternative: the amount of oil used is reduced substantially, without any sacrificing either flavor or that delicious, tender, melty eggplant texture.

Peel the eggplants first, discard the stem and ends, and then slice evenly into 1/2 rounds. (Peeling is optional, but I always do it unless I’m using very small, thin-skinned eggplants.)
In a large bowl, dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt in a cup of warm water. When the salt is fully dissolved, add 4 cups of cold water.
Put the sliced eggplant into the salt water. Cover the eggplant slices down with a plate that fits inside the rim of the bowl, and then weight the plate so that the eggplant slices fall below the water line.
Allow eggplant to soak for 30 minutes.
After the eggplant slices have soaked for 30 minutes, drain them and pat dry with paper towels.
Lay prepared eggplant slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. You may need to use more than one sheet pan. Do not overlap slices.
Lightly brush or spray eggplant slices with oil. Turn all the slices over and brush or spray the other sides.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the underside is lightly browned.
Remove from oven and flip eggplant slices over. Return to oven and bake until second side is lightly browned, about 10 minutes.

Do I Really Need to Soak the Eggplant in Salt Water First?

Many recipes call for salting and rinsing eggplant before cooking it to draw out any natural bitterness, but I have found that most eggplants I buy (here in Oregon) do not seem to have any discernible bitterness, so I often skip this step to save time. However, I have found that brining does help the eggplant keep its shape when cooked (regardless of cooking method), and seasons it in the process.

Indian Eggplant (Baigan Achari) is a sweet, spicy, tangy side that pairs well with meat dishes and pulses of all kinds. Or, served simply with rice or one of the many varieties of Indian bread, it makes a tasty light meal or snack. (Did you know that India has over 30 different types of bread?!)

5 from 3 votes

Indian Eggplant Cooked Pickling Style (Baigan Achari)

This lightener, healthier adaptation of Madhur Jafney's classic Indian Eggplant Cooked Pickling Style (Baigan Achari) is just as delicious as the original, but uses far less oil.

Prep Time30 mins

Cook Time1 hr

Eggplant Soaking Time30 mins

Total Time2 hrs

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Course: Condiment, Side Dish

Cuisine: Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Indian, Vegan, Vegetarian

Keyword: eggplant

Servings:

Calories: 181kcal

Author: Renée B. ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Equipment

Ingredients

Eggplant Prep

2 large eggplants
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/2 quarts water
1/4 cup olive oil

Sauce

2 15-oz cans diced tomatoes drained, liquid reserved
6 cloves garlic
1 inch cube fresh ginger coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon whole fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon whole cumin seeds
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Prepare the Eggplant:

Peel the eggplants first, discard the stem and ends, and then slice evenly into 1/2 rounds. (Peeling is optional, but I always do it unless I'm using very small, thin-skinned eggplants.)
In a large bowl, dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt in a cup of warm water. When the salt is fully dissolved, add 4 cups of cold water.
Put the sliced eggplant into the salt water. Cover the eggplant slices down with a plate that fits inside the rim of the bowl, and then weight the plate so that the eggplant slices fall below the water line.
Allow eggplant to soak for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375°F [190°C].
Line a heavy baking sheet with a Silpat mat or parchment paper.
After the eggplant slices have soaked for 30 minutes, drain them and pat dry with paper towels.
Lay prepared eggplant slices on a baking sheet in a single layer with at least 1/2 inch between slices.
Lightly brush or spray eggplant slices on both sides with remaining olive oil.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the underside is lightly browned.
Remove from oven and flip eggplant slices over. Return to oven and bake until second side is lightly browned, about 10 minutes.

Prepare the sauce:

In a small blender or food processor cup, combine ginger, garlic, and reserve canned tomato liquid.
Blend until almost smooth.
In a large, heavy bottom skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium high until a droplet of water sizzles in it.
When hot, put the fennel and cumin seeds in the skillet and cook until they turn a few shades darker. This will only take a few seconds, so have the other ingredients ready.
Pour in tomatoes, and add remaining spices.
Stir and cook about 5 minutes to thicken slightly.

Bake Eggplant:

Preheat oven to 325°F [165°C].
Layer eggplant and sauce in a casserole dish, beginning with eggplant slices and ending with sauce.
Cover and bake for 20-30 minutes.
Serve warm or cold.

Notes

Serving Suggestions

Indian Eggplant can be served immediately, but we often put it in the fridge and serve it cold. It's just wonderful with a simple dal, raita and some naan. We also love to serve it warm for breakfast, topped with a poached egg.

Ingredient Note

For an extra flavor boost, I like to use petite-cut canned tomatoes with roasted onions and garlic.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

Have you tried Red Pepper Walnut Dip with Pomegranate Molasses {Muhammara}? It’s delicious, and it goes perfectly with this Baigan Achari recipe, too!

Additional Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Eggplants – There are many types of eggplants available, but I prefer to use American (Globe) Eggplants or Italian Eggplants for this recipe. I have also made this with Japanese Eggplants with good results.

Ginger & Garlic – A few years ago while I was cruising our local Indian grocery, I discovered that you can buy garlic-ginger paste in jars! While it isn’t quite the same as making it at home in the blender, it is very handy to keep around.

Ginger and garlic are a match made in heaven, and this stuff is a game-changer! We rub it on chicken before grilling, we use it as a marinade for shrimp, and I use it to flavor countless other things.

In this recipe, you can substitute 3 generous tablespoons of garlic-ginger paste for the 1-inch of fresh ginger and 6 garlic cloves.

Tomatoes – I usually use canned tomatoes to make this dish. My favorite canned tomatoes to use for his recipe are petite-cut tomatoes, diced with onions and garlic or with roasted garlic.

I have also made a delicious version of this recipe using in-season, garden-fresh tomatoes. To use fresh tomatoes, use 3-4 large tomatoes, chopping them first. I break them down farther by squishing them in my hands as I add them to the skillet.

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Homemade Flour Tortillas

February 15 By Renée ♥ 28 Comments

Homemade flour tortillas are surprisingly easy to make! With just a simple list of ingredients and a few turns of the rolling pin, you can have warm, fresh, delicious homemade tortillas ready to serve in about a half an hour!

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

It’s been more than twenty years since I had homemade tortillas for the first time, and the memory is as fresh as if it had happened yesterday.

I remember watching fascinated as our cousin Leah, the Mexican-born daughter of Christian missionaries, rolled out one tortilla after another in well-practiced rhythm, flour motes dancing with each turn of her pin.

In well-practiced rhythm, Leah rolled, flipped, turned, and fried each circle of dough with machine-like consistency; quickly building a stack of warm, floury flat-breads tall enough to feed our small army of children.

Soft, flavorful, and tender, Leah’s homemade flour tortillas made nearly every tortilla I’d eaten up until then taste like flattened papier-mâché. Watching her work was a moment of pure grace, and I remember feeling immense gratitude for her efforts.

If you have never made homemade tortillas, it’s high time that you do. And once you do, you will never go back to store-bought. (OK, maybe you will sometimes, for the convenience, but after these, those store-bought tortillas will never taste the same again.)

Now, here’s the biggest secret of all – homemade flour tortillas are surprisingly fast and easy to make!

How to Make Homemade Flour Tortillas

[For ingredient amounts and further instructions, scroll down to the recipe card below.]

Mix together flour, salt, and baking powder. Drizzle in the olive oil and mix with your hands. Mix in a little water at a time with your hands until you have a soft dough.

The dough should be soft but not sticky. You can always add more flour if you need to. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes, adding flour as needed if the dough gets sticky.

Form the dough into a ball and wrap in plastic or cover with a towel. Let rest for about 20 minutes.

After the dough has rested, divide it into 2” balls (about the size of a golf ball).

Flatten a dough ball with your palm and dust each side with flour, then roll into a 5-6” circle. Turn and flip each tortilla a few times as you roll them out.

Heat a dry frying pan or griddle over medium heat. Do not grease or spray with cooking spray. Place a tortilla in the pan and cook until it bubbles a little – around 20-30 seconds. Flip it and cook the other side 20-30 seconds.

Place cooked tortillas in a tortilla warmer, or inside a folded kitchen towel. The steam from the hot tortillas softens them.

Want to make an awesome tortilla warmer like the one in the picture above? Check out my Tortilla Warmer DIY tutorial here!

Homemade flour tortillas are Super Easy to make! 🌯 Perfect for #TacoTuesday! So much better than store-bought, too! 🌮 #tortillarecipe #easyrecipe #vegan #vegetarianrecipe (Olive oil recipe - no lard or shortening) Click To Tweet

5 from 12 votes

Homemade Flour Tortillas

With just a simple list of ingredients and a few turns of the rolling pin, you can have warm, fresh, delicious homemade tortillas ready to serve in just over half and hour.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Resting Time20 mins

Total Time50 mins

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course: Bread, Dinner or Appetizer, Lunch

Keyword: flatbread

Servings: tortillas

Calories: 94kcal

Author: Renée B. ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Equipment

Rolling Pin

Ingredients

4 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 cups warm water not HOT

Instructions

Mix together flour, salt and baking powder. Drizzle in the olive oil and mix with your hands.
Mix in a little water at a time with your hands until you have a soft dough. (The dough should be soft but not sticky. You can always add more flour if you need to.) Knead the dough for about 5 minutes, adding flour as needed if the dough gets sticky.
Form the dough into a ball and wrap in plastic or cover with a towel. Let rest for about 20 minutes. (This allows to gluten to rest.)
Divide dough into 2” balls (about the size of a golf ball). Flatten a dough ball with your palm and dust each side with flour, then roll into a 5-6” circle. Turn and flip each tortilla a few times as you roll them out. [See note]
Heat a frying pan or griddle over medium heat. Do not grease or spray with cooking spray. Place a tortilla in the pan and cook until it bubbles a little – around 20-30 seconds. Flip it and cook the other side 20-30 seconds.
Place cooked tortillas in a tortilla warmer, or inside a folded kitchen towel. The steam from the hot tortillas softens them.

Notes

It takes about the same amount of time to roll out a tortilla as it does for to fry one, so after you roll the first few, it is easy to get into a rhythm of cooking one and rolling the next at the same time.

The cook time listed on this recipe is the collective time it will take to cook all of the tortillas. A single tortilla only takes about 1 minute to fry up.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

My flour tortilla recipe is an adaptation of “Flour Tortillas Diaz.” I love that it doesn’t call for lard or shortening, and the tortillas it makes are soft and pliable even after they have been sitting for some time.

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

POST UPDATED 2.15.2020 – This post was originally published June 30, 2014.

How to Make a Buddha Bowl {+ 37 Delicious Bowls}

January 2 By Renée ♥ 29 Comments

The perfect Buddha Bowl {aka Bliss Bowl} made easy, plus 37 great ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Buddha Bowl = Bliss Bowl = Glow Bowl = Hippie Bowl = Power Bowl = Glory Bowl = Nourish Bowl = Big Bowl of Awesome

By any name, a Buddha Bowl is basically a colorful, delicious meal served up in a big bowl of Awesome. Comprised of healthy, plant-based ingredients like grains, roasted vegetables, nuts, sometimes fruits, a handful of leafy greens, and a flourish of sweet, savory, or tangy sauce, Buddha Bowls offer infinite combinations of flavor and texture.

From my first bowl, eaten aside a downtown Portland food cart, I have been in love with both the idea and the practice of Buddha Bowls. In the warmer months, they are often comprise the majority of our weekly menu. However, as you may know, making your first bowl can be a little like opening up a brand new 64-color box of crayons – there are so many choices! However, once I was hooked, I set about making the task of creating new bowls a little easier.

UPDATED: January 2, 2020. {Originally published June 27, 2016.}

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

How to Make a Buddha Bowl

Step 1: Beginning with a Base, layer at least one item from each list in the infographic below into your favorite bowl to create your own Buddha Bowl bliss.
1. Base: Anything green [Examples: Lettuces, Leafy greens, spinach]
2. Veggies: Chopped, grated, cooked or raw, anything goes here.
3. Protein: Traditional Buddha Bowls, by definition, are plant-based; however, you can use whatever protein you want.
4. Complex Carbs: This category includes such tasty additions as corn, sweet potatoes, and wheat berries.
5. Sweet: Add some fresh fruit to your bowl for a sweet component.
6. Crunch: Texture is as important in a Buddha Bowl as taste. Be sure to include a crunchy option to keep things interesting.
7. Flourish: This is your finishing touch – your sauce, your sprinkling of fresh herbs, etc.
Step 2: Enjoy!

FREE PRINTABLE BUDDHA BOWL GRAPHIC: I created the infographic below as a road-map to make the task of creating new combinations a bit easier. If you would like a copy of your own to magnet to your fridge, click here for a free printable PDF.]

Note: This infographic is provided as a jumping-off point, and is by no means an exhaustive list. This list includes a number of animal-based choices in the Proteins category. By definition, traditional Buddha Bowls are plant-based; however, that is the beauty of the Bowl! You can make your bowl anything you want it to be.

Need more inspiration? Check out this list, then grab your favorite bowl and have some fun!

Vegetarian & Vegan Buddha Bowls

Traditional Buddha Bowls, by definition, are plant-based.

Cuban Quinoa Bowl with Spicy Lemon Cashew Dressing

Photo Credit: heatherchristo.com

Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowl w/ Cashew Curry Sauce

Photo Credit: www.veggieinspired.com

Crispy Tofu Bowls {& Garlicky Lemon Yogurt Sauce}

Photo Credit: girlheartfood.com

Brown Rice Veggie Bowl - Eat Thrive Glow

Photo Credit: www.eatthriveglow.com

Buddha Bowl Recipe with Peanut Butter Coconut Dressing

Photo Credit: theforkedspoon.com

Asian-Style Farro Buddha Bowl with Crispy Baked Tofu

Photo Credit: jessicalevinson.com

Masala Chana Chaat - a classic Indian street food recipe for vegetarians

Photo Credit: www.greedygourmet.com

Sweet Potato Buddha Bowls in 30 Minutes

Photo Credit: umamigirl.com

Sweet Potato Vegan Buddha Bowl

Photo Credit: littlesunnykitchen.com

Vegan Buddha Bowl with Tempeh and Quinoa

Photo Credit: www.bucketlisttummy.com

Turmeric Chickpea Buddha Bowl: Eat ALL the Superfoods!

Photo Credit: thekitchengirl.com

Vegan Buddha Bowl With Sweet Potatoes, Chickpeas, Spinach and Brown Rice

Photo Credit: www.melaniecooks.com

Buddha Bowl - A Balanced And Easy Meal

Photo Credit: claudiacanu.com

Chili Lime Chickpea Buddha Bowl - This Healthy Kitchen

Photo Credit: thishealthykitchen.com

Teriyaki Tofu Bowl with Cauliflower Rice

Photo Credit: www.jessicagavin.com

Sweet Potato & Black Bean Quinoa Salad

Photo Credit: www.simplyquinoa.com

Grain Free Cauliflower Rice Buddha Bowl

Photo Credit: www.tastingpage.com

Hippie Macro Glow Bowl

Photo Credit: www.theglowingfridge.com

The Vegan Buddha Bowl | Well and Full

Photo Credit: wellandfull.com

Healthy Thai Coconut Quinoa Bowl

Photo Credit: gethealthyu.com

Harvest Black Rice Salad Recipe

Photo Credit: www.foodfaithfitness.com

Grain Bowls with Smoky Tofu and Creamy Pumpkin Seed Sauce Recipe

Photo Credit: yummybeet.com

Mediterranean Quinoa Bowls with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Photo Credit: pinchofyum.com

Thai Buddha Bowl with Peanut Sauce VIDEO » LeelaLicious

Photo Credit: leelalicious.com

Dragon Bowls with Easy Vegan Option - Black Food Bloggers Club by The Blenderist

Photo Credit: theblenderist.com

Spring Harvest Bowls with a Dill Shallot Vinaigrette

Photo Credit: withfoodandlove.com

Moroccan Quinoa Salad

Photo Credit: greenkitchenstories.com

The Ultimate Winter Bliss Bowls

Photo Credit: pinchofyum.com

Shaved Purple Asparagus & Asian Vegetable Soba Noodles

Photo Credit: strengthandsunshine.com

Goddess Bowl

Photo Credit: sewfrenchembroidery.blogspot.com

Soba Noodle Bowl Recipe with Vegetables & Peanut Sauce

Photo Credit: www.cookincanuck.com

Bangkok Coconut Curry Noodle Bowls

Photo Credit: pinchofyum.com

Seafood, Chicken & Other Meaty-type Power Bowls

The following bowls are not vegan or vegetarian, and therefore not technically ”Buddha” bowls. Nevertheless, these bowls provide some delicious inspiration, not to mention some amazing sauce options!

California Chicken, Veggie, Avocado & Rice Bowls

Photo Credit: www.halfbakedharvest.com

Sesame Crusted Tuna Buddha Bowls

Photo Credit: www.coupleinthekitchen.com

Japanese Farm Style Teriyaki Bowl

Photo Credit: www.feastingathome.com

Crab Cake Buddha Bowl

Photo Credit: www.karenskitchenstories.com

Summer Detox Chicken Buddha Bowl

Photo Credit: gypsyplate.com

Grilled BBQ Chicken Quinoa Bowls

Photo Credit: thecompletesavorist.com

Southwestern Buddha Bowls

Photo Credit: www.simplysissom.com

Fiesta Chicken + Cilantro Lime Rice Fajita Bowl with Avocado Chipotle Crema.

Photo Credit: www.halfbakedharvest.com

We’d love it if you’d share your favorite Bowl ideas in the comments below!

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Red Pepper Walnut Dip with Pomegranate Molasses {Muhammara}

June 17 By Renée ♥ 24 Comments

Roasted Red Pepper & Walnut Dip with Pomegranate Molasses (Muhammara) is a versatile, savory-sweet dip that is delicious spread on pita, as a dip for veggies, or sauce for kabobs. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and… AMAZING!

Muhammara, or Roasted Red Pepper & Walnut Dip with Pomegranate Molasses, originated in Aleppo, Syria, and its principal ingredients traditionally include red peppers, ground walnuts, breadcrumbs, spices, and olive oil. However, this recipe – inspired by popular local pub fare – omits the bread crumbs, and instead uses roasted carrots to thicken and extend the dip. Not only do the carrots keep this delicious savory-sweet dip gluten-free, but they give it a wonderful creaminess and infuse an earthy sweetness as well.

^{This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.}
Every year, our town hosts the Portland Book Festival [formerly Wordstock], a week-long literary celebration with a mission: to use the power of writing to effect positive change in people’s lives. Some years back, my sister-friend Dottie and I attended the annual Poetry Slam together, and afterwards decided to stop for a little late night nosh at the adjacent Bagdad Pub.

Dottie and I ordered something called “Three Faces of Eve,” [super-fancy hummus plate] and sat down to rehash the slam, poet by poet.

Forty-five minutes later, still no hummus plate. When we finally got our waitress’s attention and she (let’s call her Alice) went to check on our order, only to return frantic and apologizing all over the place. Alice said she had no idea what happened but the kitchen never got our order.

“Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?” she asked us – at least seven times. In between apologizing, she kept up a steady train of chatter, trying so hard to be accommodating that it was driving us nuts. All either Dottie or I could think was, “It’s OK, we understand. Really. Just please stop talking.”

Finally, I told Alice what would really make me happy: I wanted the recipe for their roasted red pepper walnut dip. Which I love. LOVE. As in, I have been known to go to this pub solely for the walnut-pomegranate dip. (It is my favorite of Eve’s three faces.)

“Can you get the recipe for me?” I asked, smiling my best ‘you might just be able to salvage your tip’ smile.

“I dunno, but I’ll try.” She didn’t sound very confident, but it gave her something to do besides hover over us like a needy dragonfly.

Ten minutes later, Alice emerged from the back with a big grin, waving piece of white paper. My recipe! I was so happy I almost got misty. I had literally been wanting this recipe for years! I scanned it briefly before I returned to Dottie and our conversation, and it was a good thing I did! Because somewhere between the booth at the Bagdad and my front door, that little slip of paper completely disappeared.

Luckily, I have a knack for remembering printed text pretty well, so I wasn’t really panicked. I was pretty sure I had the complete list of ingredients memorized, including basic ratios. In the long run, losing it wasn’t entirely a bad thing, because it forced me to really work each this recipe out for myself, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results!

Roasted Red Pepper & Walnut Dip {Muhammara} is savory, sweet, smoky deliciousness! Spread on pita, dip in veggies, or sauce up kabobs! 🌻 #glutenfree #dairyfree #vegan #healthyfood #healthylifestyle #healthyrecipes #recipes Click To Tweet

5 from 6 votes

Muhammara (Red Pepper & Walnut Dip with Pomegranate Molasses)

Inspired by the Walnut-Pomegranate Dip on the "Three Faces of Eve" Plate at McMenamins Bagdad Theater & Pub in Portland, Oregon.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time45 mins

Total Time1 hr

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keyword: appetizer, dip

Servings: servings

Author: Renée B. ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Equipment

Ingredients

1 pound carrots peeled and cut into 2" pieces
1 large red pepper cored, seeded, and cut into eighths
1 teaspoon cumin
4 tablespoons olive oil divided
1 cup walnuts about 4 ounces
1 teaspoon smoked paprika or sumac
1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper flakes or 1/2 tsp regular red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons Pomegranate Molasses plus more for garnish
2 cloves garlic coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
1 cup warm water

Instructions

Roast Vegetables

Preheat oven to 425°F.
Cover a baking sheet pan with a Silpat mat or parchment paper and spread the prepared vegetables out in a single layer. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over vegetables and toss to coat. Season vegetables lightly with kosher salt and ground cumin.
Roast vegetable in preheated oven for 45 minutes, turning once halfway through. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Once vegetables are cool, remove peel from red peppers.

Toast Walnuts

Heat walnuts in a dry, heavy skillet over medium heat for 2 or 3 minutes, or until nuts are golden brown and smell toasty. Walnuts burn easily in a skillet, so be sure to stir constantly to ensure even toasting until the nuts turn a rich, golden brown. Remove walnuts from skillet and set aside.

Prep Spices

In the same skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Turn off burner, add the cumin and paprika, and stir in hot oil until fragrant - just a few seconds. Allow to cool slightly.

Put it all together!

Put all ingredients into a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth. Serve with warm pita triangles, celery sticks, carrot sticks, or whatever makes you happy.

Notes

As with many things, the flavors in this dip benefit greatly by having a little time to blend. It can definitely be eaten immediately after making it, but If you are making this for a party, I strongly suggest doing so a day ahead of time to allow the flavors to mingle and come together. Serve cold or at room temperature.

If you prefer your dips a little chunkier, reserve one carrot and a handful of walnuts until after you have mostly pureed the mixture, then throw the reserve nuts and carrot in and pulse for a few times to combine.

Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

I’m sharing this recipe on the Weekend Potluck Recipe Linkup. Check it out for more great recipes!

Ingredient Notes:

Aleppo Peppers: Named after the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, Aleppo dried pepper flakes are traditionally used in Muhammara. Aleppo pepper flakes are about half as hot as crushed red chili flakes, and according to some, twice as flavorful. Aleppo pepper flakes can be found in specialty markets or online.
Carrots: Carrots are not a traditional ingredient in muhammara; however, this recipe uses carrots in place of breadcrumbs to thicken and extend the dip. For this recipe, I chose to roast the carrots before blending them into the dip, instead of simply boiling them as my original notes indicated. Not only do the roasted carrots pair perfectly with the walnut-pomegranate flavors to make this savory-sweet dip gluten-free, but they give it a wonderful creaminess as well.
Pomegranate Molasses: Probably the most unusual ingredient in this recipe, pomegranate molasses is a household staple in many Middle Eastern kitchens. It has a truly unique flavor, and can be used for glazes, salad dressings, and even barbecuing. You can find it at specialty stores or online. And before you even ask: no, here is no good substitute for it.

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter of The Good Hearted Woman. ❤ Be sure to PIN and Print this recipe!

^{Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!}

Originally Posted June 2013.1

How to Pick a Watermelon {+ 101 Watermelon Recipes}

July 31 By Renée ♥ 13 Comments

Knowing how to pick a watermelon that is perfectly ripe isn’t a magic trick. Just remember: girls are sweeter, size matters, and your Mama was probably right.

“When one has tasted watermelon, he knows what the angels eat.”

~ Mark Twain

The picture above is one of my all time favorites. It was taken on a sweltering July night in the summer of 1995, in my Uncle Russel’s backyard in Maryville, Missouri. The little girl on the left looking straight into the camera grew up to be a dedicated, compassionate teacher, and her sister is now a talented photographer with a gift for capturing light. This image recalls one of my fondest memories from their childhood, and the second best watermelon I’ve ever eaten in my life.

The best watermelon I’ve ever eaten was on the shores of Spirit Lake in the shadow of Mount St. Helens, a few years before she blew her top. It was the first of my “coming-of-age” summers, and I still remember the boy I was sitting with. (His name was Shawn, and he was beautiful.)

Coincidentally, the third best watermelon I’ve ever eaten was, like the second, grown and eaten in Missouri… and even as I type that, it occurs to me that my summer memories are as entwined with the feels and flavors of ripe watermelon as a field of vines.

^{This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.}

Perfectly Ripe: How to Pick a Watermelon

It seems like everyone has a trick or idea about how to pick a watermelon. Some are based in science, while others are wisdom passed down from our grandmas.

The tips that follow have proven themselves over time to be reliable. However, no matter how many tricks you learn for how to pick a watermelon that is perfectly ripe, there will always be a little mystery and magic involved – that’s one of the things that makes a perfect watermelon so special!

Follow these tips for how to pick a watermelon, and – with a little luck – you’ll soon be making your next watermelon memory!

How to Pick a Watermelon: Seven Proven Tips

1. Check the “Field Spot.”

The yellow spot, known as the field spot, is the place where the watermelon rested on the ground as it was growing. The yellower the spot, the riper the melon. A ripe watermelon will have a creamy yellow or orange-yellow spot. If the field spot is white or very pale yellow, choose another melon.

2. Look for “Webbing.”

When you see weblike brown spots on the watermelon, it means that bees touched the pollinating parts of the flower many times. The more pollination, the sweeter the fruit.

3. Avoid bumps & blemishes.

Other than webbing, note any lumps, dents, soft spots, or other irregularities. If the watermelon you’re considering is covered with blemishes or bumps, choose another.

4. Girls are sweeter.

Did you know that there are male and female watermelons? Male watermelons are more elongated, usually bigger, and can have a flat, watery flavor. Female watermelons are usually rounder and sweeter.

5. Size matters.

Don’t go for the biggest or smallest melon in a group: try to choose an average sized melon that feels heavy for its size. A ripe watermelon will feel heavier than one that is less ripe. (I use this trick for choosing oranges, too.)

6. Check the tail.

If your melon still has its tail, check to be sure it has dried up. If it’s still green, it means the watermelon was picked too early. Similarly, the surface of the melon will turn from shiny to dull and the rind will noticeably harden when the melon is ripe.

7. Thump it!

Your Mama knew what she was doing! Go ahead and give it a good knuckle-thump, and then take note of how it sounds. You want to hear a deep, hollow sound. If the sound is dull, the fruit likely isn’t quite ripe.

Now that you’ve picked out your perfect watermelon, here are 101 things you can do with it!

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of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!

Roasted Ratatouille {with Pan-fried Onions}

May 31 By Renée ♥ 12 Comments

Fragrant layers of bright zucchini, tender Japanese eggplant, and juicy romas – all roasted to perfection in a nest of herby, garlicky tomatoes and pan-fried onions.

No one makes ratatouille like I do. In fact, it seems like E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E puts their own flare on this simple summer vegetable medley. My personal spin? Pan-fried onions for extra sweetness and depth of flavor. SO GOOD!

Originally from the South of France, ratatouille is an amazingly versatile dish, both for the cook and as a meal. Traditionally made with a base of tomatoes, zucchini, onions, eggplant, garlic, and herbs, home chefs around the world add everything from potatoes to porcinis to the mix. Some cook it in a pot on the stove, others roast it in the oven. You can even make it in a slow cooker, or an Instant Pot! The whole idea is, once you have the basic recipe down, feel free to make it your own.

And here’s a little secret… (shhhhh….)

When it comes to making ratatouille, it really doesn’t matter how you put it together.

It’s true! Whether you choose to “fussy up” and camera-ready your ratatouille, or just throw everything in the dish and let the chips fall where they may, the fragrant flavors of all those fresh summer veggies and herbs will magically combine to create something your tastebuds will love.

Ratatouille can be enjoyed hot, cold, or somewhere in between. Serving suggestions are just as flexible, too: as is, over rice, on toast, in pasta, on a sandwich, and with eggs are just a few ideas. (One of our favorite breakfasts is leftover ratatouille with poached eggs.) Enjoy!

5 from 1 vote

Ratatouille with Pan-Fried Onions

Prep Time30 mins

Cook Time1 hr

Total Time1 hr 30 mins

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings:

Author: Renée B. ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Ingredients

1 large sweet or red onion sliced 3/8" thick
4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil divided
14 ounces crushed or diced tomatoes (1 can, drained)
1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
2 cloves minced garlic about 1 1/2 teaspoons
1 Tablespoon fresh basil chiffonade
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary or a small spring fresh, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1 lb medium zucchini sliced 1/4" thick
1-2 Japanese eggplant sliced 1/4" thick
3 fresh Roma tomatoes sliced 1/4" thick

Garnish:

Fresh basil
Finely grated Parmesan or Romano cheese optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a deep-dish pie plate with cooking spray. Set aside.
Heat a cast iron or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoons of olive oil and swirl to coat skillet. When a water droplet sizzles on the surface, carefully place whole onion slices on the skillet. Allow onion slices to brown and crisp on one side for a few minutes, and then carefully turn them over using a spatula and brown the other side. Allow onion slices to cool, and then separate onion rings from one another and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, and chili powder.
In a medium bowl, combine crushed or diced tomatoes, remaining olive oil (2 teaspoons), vinegar, garlic, fresh basil, and all but 1 teaspoon of the herb mixture.
Pour tomato mixture evenly into the bottom of a deep dish pie plate. (I use my cast iron pie dish.)
Arrange sliced veggies around the edge of the plate in a pattern that makes you happy. (I did tomato-zucchini-eggplant-zucchini-eggplant-repeat.)
Put the pan-fried onion mixture in the middle of the veggie-ring. Arrange more veggies in the middle, until you are either out of veggies or space, whichever comes first.
OPTIONAL: At this point, you can spray the whole thing with a little cooking spray or brush it with just a bit of olive oil to encourage browning if you would like. Doing so also seems to make the whole thing look better after it is done roasting.
Sprinkle remaining dried herb mixture over the top of the prepared ratatouille.
Bake in preheated oven for an hour, or until the sauce is bubbly and the veggies are tender (but not mushy!!)
Garnish with fresh basil and freshly grated Parmesan or Romano.

Notes

Weight Watchers: 1 serving (1/4 recipe) = 1 SmartPoint [2018]

Alternate (aka "non-fussy") Prep: Put the crushed tomato mixture in your baking dish. Top with pan-fried onions. Throw the veggies on top. Bake as directed.

Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

Recipe Notes:

This dish is best when made with the freshest veggies possible.
Be sure to slice your vegetables uniformly to all be approximately the same size and thickness so that everything cooks evenly.
Japanese Eggplant is more tender than Italian eggplant, and works better for this dish. However, if you cannot find it, you can definitely use Italian eggplant as a substitute. The important thing is to cut it in approximately the same size as the other veggies you will be using so everything cooks evenly.
Ratatouille and similar foods (i.e., spaghetti sauce, lasagna, and eggplant parm) usually taste better “the next day,” after flavors have had a chance to marry and mellow. I’m sure that there is a scientific explanation for this phenomena, but whatever the reason, keep this in mind if you plan to serve this dish to company. I often make meals like this a day ahead of time, refrigerate overnight and reheat to serve.

Armenian Lentil Stew {with Eggplant & Golden Raisins}

April 16 By Renée ♥ 19 Comments

Armenian Lentil Stew is a thick, rich medley of eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, onions, golden raisins, and lentils, all flavored with a savory-sweet blend of traditional herbs and spices. Naturally vegan and gluten-free, it is wonderful alone, or served over a bowl of rice or bulgar.

Ten years ago, my daughter married a young Armenian named Vahe. When I first met Vahe, I could barely locate Armenia on a map; moreover, I knew virtually nothing about its rich culture and even less about the tumultuous history of its proud and faithful people. All I knew was this earnest, poetic young man loved my daughter, which is all I really needed to know back then.

And I knew he could cook, because whenever he visited us, that is what he did – COOK! Using nearly every pan in my kitchen, he would make us a bountiful feast of Armenian-inspired fare. Everything from delicious garlicky green beans with eggs to delectable eggplant rolls stuffed with carrots and raisins to amazing fire-roasted shish kabobs. (Like many Armenians, Vahe is a master of fire and skewer.)

Over the last decade, I’ve learn a lot. I’ve developed a great appreciation and genuine respect for my son-in-law and the hard-fought struggle he has endured to become an American citizen. I’ve gained four amazing Armenian-American grandchildren and a wonderful extended family. I’ve read a number of books and countless articles on Armenian history (of which I was taught virtually nothing about in school) and learned a great deal about traditional Armenian cooking as well.

Did you know that Armenia is one of the oldest countries in the world? With a recorded history of about 3500 years, the small, landlocked country has a cuisine as old as the nation itself, where it occupies a unique place in Asiatic cuisine. Relying on a rich medley of diverse tastes and fragrances, Armenian cooking often employs savory flavors like lemon, garlic, onion, paprika, and sumac, and warm spices like cinnamon, vanilla, and cloves.

I’ve known for some time that I wanted to celebrate this milestone in our family’s history here on GHW with a traditional Armenian recipe, so when I saw “Armenian Lentil Stew” on a restaurant menu awhile back, I knew that I had to give it a go. In the end, I don’t know how “traditional” this recipe is; in fact, my culinary instincts are telling me that, even with my exhaustive research, it may be a bit Americanize. All I know is, it’s delicious.

When it comes to ethnic recipes, I’m usually a stickler for authenticity, but under the circumstances, I think it’s perfect. My son-in-law – who coaches his daughters’ soccer team and reads Kant (in Russian) to his three-year old son, who would move heaven and earth for my daughter, and who stood almost five years ago in a courthouse and pledged his allegiance to the United States of America… well, he’s a little Americanize now, too.

Happy Anniversary, kids. May you have many more to come. 💚

5 from 1 vote

Armenian Lentil Stew

Prep Time30 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time1 hr

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Course: Main Dish, Soup

Cuisine: Armenian

Servings:

Author: Renée B. ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Ingredients

Stew

1 cup dried red or brown lentils or combination
5 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1/2 cup golden raisins chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 large onion diced
1 pound eggplant peeled and diced 1/4-3/8"
1 28-oz can diced tomatoes undrained
1 bell pepper red, green or yellow, diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons hot paprika or regular paprika
1-2 teaspoons kosher salt or to taste
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1 heaping teaspoon crushed dried mint leaves
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

Garnish (Optional)

fresh mint or cilantro chopped
sour cream or plain Greek yogurt

Instructions

Rinse lentils and place in large sauce pan. Add broth and chopped apricots and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or other heavy pan over medium heat until it begins to glisten, and then add chopped onions. Saute onions 5-7 minutes, until translucent.
Add eggplant, tomatoes, bell pepper, and garlic to onions. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add lentil mixture and remaining Stew ingredients to vegetable mixture. Simmer until lentils are tender; about 30 minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste.
Garnish with fresh mint or cilantro and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt. Serve as is, or over cooked bulgar or basmati rice.

Notes

WW Smartpoints [2018] - 16 Smartpoints total for one whole batch, or 2 Smartpoints per serving
If stew becomes too thick while cooking, just add some additional broth or water.
Like most stews, this is always better the next day when the flavors have had a chance to play together.

Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

I used a number of recipes for inspiration and guidance in the development of this Armenian Lentil Stew recipe; most notably, Armenian Lentil Soup with Eggplant and Apricots [Peanut Butter Runner], and Armenian Lentil Soup [Epicurious].

Do you love beautiful pottery? The stunning bowl in the back left of many of these stew images is from Muddy Pants Pottery. Check them out!

Garden Fresh Gazpacho

September 11 By Renée ♥ 31 Comments

Classic Spanish Gazpacho is the perfect summer soup – chilled, savory, and full of rich, robust, garden-fresh goodness.

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I remember the first time I ever ate gazpacho: I have to admit, I was dubious. Cold tomato soup? Really? I was twenty and I’d never eaten cold soup of any kind before. I wasn’t sure that I wanted to either, but I was at a luncheon hosted by a friend’s mom, and you remember what your mama always told you when you went to eat at other peoples’ houses, right? Anyway, when I tasted it, I found it to be surprisingly rich and savory, with slightly sweet overtones and more body than I expected from a purely vegetable-based soup.

Since then, I’ve worked to perfect my own gazpacho recipe, one little batch at a time. At this point, I think it’s pretty darn awesome.

Gazpacho Starter Kit 😉 For reference, the big tomato on the right side (at 3 ‘o clock) is about five inches across.

As far as I’m concerned, there is only one good time of year (in the Northern Hemisphere) to make traditional tomato-based gazpacho: in the waning months of summer and through September, when the gardens and farmers markets are overflowing with warm, fat, vine-ripened tomatoes and shiny sweet peppers.

The picture above shows a single day’s harvest from our garden last week. Thanks almost entirely to Mr B’s dedicated gardening skills, we are flush with a wide variety of tomatoes, cukes, and peppers! In an effort to use everything at its peak of freshness, I decided to make a big batch of gazpacho to get us through a busy week. (Gazpacho will keep about a week in the fridge.)

Garden Tip: We plant marigolds in our garden as part of our organic pest control plan. You probably already know that they repel a number of creepy-crawlies, but did you know that they are edible? Marigolds have a slight citrus flavor, and can range from spicy to bitter, tangy to peppery, making them great for salads or as a pretty garnish on any savory dish.

Garden Fresh Gazpacho

Prep Time1 hr

Cook Time2 hrs

Total Time3 hrs

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Course: Soup

Servings: Servings (1 cup each)

Calories: 120kcal

Author: Renée B. ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Ingredients

Tomato Mix 1

4 lbs. vine-ripened tomatoes peeled & diced 1/4"
1 lb. cucumbers peeled, seeded & diced 1/4"
1/2 lb red orange, yellow or green bell peppers, seeded & diced
1-2 jalapeno peppers seeded and diced 1/8"
1/2 lb. onion diced 1/4"
15-20 large fresh basil leaves, chiffonade
4 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1-3 teaspoons Sriracha or other hot sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder optional **
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Tomato Mix 2

1 lb tomatoes roughly chopped (or cherry tomatoes)
1/3 cup olive oil
1 lime - juice & zest
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine Tomato Mix 1 ingredients: diced tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, jalapeno, onion, basil, garlic, salt, cumin, oregano, Sriracha, and pepper. Toss thoroughly to combine.
In a blender jar, combine Tomato Mix 2 ingredients: Rough chopped tomatoes, olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, balsamic, and Worcestershire sauce. Puree mixture until smooth.
Pour Mix 2 into bowl with Mix 1 and stir to combine.
Using a hand-blender, puree the two mixtures together until it reaches the desired consistency. If you like your gazpacho very chunky, you don't need to do this step. (See Blender Note below)
Refrigerate 2 hours or overnight to allow flavors to blend.
Garnish with additional diced veggies, avocado, and/or sour cream. Serve cold.

Notes

This recipes lends itself easily to halving or doubling.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

Serve with hearty, rustic bread on the side.

** In my most recent batch of gazpacho, I subbed in a teaspoon of my Spicy Rockfish Dry Rub for the chili powder. Totally awesome – I highly recommend it!!

Blender Note: Some people like their gazpacho very chunky, while others prefer it completely pureed: the choice is yours. If you don’t have a hand-blender, you can definitely do the last step in your regular blender jar: just puree about half the total mixture in the blender and then remix everything together. That said, I prefer the hand-blender method because I think it allows for better control of the final product.

Final Thoughts: Like biting into the perfect BLT, for most of us there is only a narrow window of opportunity each year to enjoy truly great gazpacho. Certainly you can make it year round, but don’t try making gazpacho in February with my recipe. (How often do you read about bloggers expressly advising you not to use their recipe?) If you want great garden-fresh gazpacho, and you have a bunch of ripe, sweet tomatoes, then this is your gazpacho recipe. However, if all you have are those hard little red balls they sell in the grocery stores in the winter months, then look for a recipe that uses canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, or tomato juice. Hot house tomatoes and the like simply do not have the depth of flavor or sugar content to make it worthwhile. (Nor do they taste like actual tomatoes.)

Some things are worth the wait.

^{Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they will help us keep this site up and running – and (relatively) ad-free!! Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!}

This Easy Sourdough Bread recipe is perfect for beginning bakers and old sourdoughs alike! (Recipe makes a long-rise dough, and requires only sourdough starter: no added yeast.)

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

POST UPDATE: March 30, 2020 [Originally published September 17, 2013]

Why Sourdough Bread MAY Be the Answer for Some Gluten-Sensitive People

Want to make someone feel really special? Want to feel great yourself? Give a loaf of Homemade Sourdough Bread!!

Basic Sourdough Bread

Equipment

Ingredients

Sourdough Bread Dough

Additional Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

How (and Why) to Fold Sourdough Bread Dough

Folding dough is a relatively easy process:

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Chocolate Wacky Cake is the easiest scratch cake you will ever make! (No eggs, no milk, no butter, no clean-up.) Made exclusively with pantry staples, this surprisingly moist, delicious snack cake mixes up in a jiffy, right in the pan!

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Six Simple Steps for Chocolate Wacky Cake

Chocolate Wacky Cake

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

I’m sharing this recipe on the Weekend Potluck Recipe Linkup. Check it out for more great recipes!

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Sweet, spicy and tangy, this lighter version of Indian Eggplant Cooked Pickling Style (Baigan Achari) makes a perfect side; or pair it with rice or a flatbread for a simple, satisfying meal.

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Making Pickling-style Indian Eggplant Lighter & Healthier

Baked, not Fried: How to Prepare Eggplant with FAR Less Oil

Do I Really Need to Soak the Eggplant in Salt Water First?

Indian Eggplant Cooked Pickling Style (Baigan Achari)

Equipment

Ingredients

Eggplant Prep

Sauce

Instructions

Prepare the Eggplant:

Prepare the sauce:

Bake Eggplant:

Notes

Nutrition

Additional Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

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Homemade flour tortillas are surprisingly easy to make! With just a simple list of ingredients and a few turns of the rolling pin, you can have warm, fresh, delicious homemade tortillas ready to serve in about a half an hour!

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How to Make Homemade Flour Tortillas

Homemade Flour Tortillas

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

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The perfect Buddha Bowl {aka Bliss Bowl} made easy, plus 37 great ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Buddha Bowl = Bliss Bowl = Glow Bowl = Hippie Bowl = Power Bowl = Glory Bowl = Nourish Bowl = Big Bowl of Awesome

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How to Make a Buddha Bowl

We’d love it if you’d share your favorite Bowl ideas in the comments below!

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Roasted Red Pepper & Walnut Dip with Pomegranate Molasses (Muhammara) is a versatile, savory-sweet dip that is delicious spread on pita, as a dip for veggies, or sauce for kabobs. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and… AMAZING!

Muhammara (Red Pepper & Walnut Dip with Pomegranate Molasses)

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

Roast Vegetables

Toast Walnuts

Prep Spices

Put it all together!

Notes

Ingredient Notes:

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Knowing how to pick a watermelon that is perfectly ripe isn’t a magic trick. Just remember: girls are sweeter, size matters, and your Mama was probably right.

Perfectly Ripe: How to Pick a Watermelon

How to Pick a Watermelon: Seven Proven Tips

1. Check the “Field Spot.”

2. Look for “Webbing.”

3. Avoid bumps & blemishes.

POST UPDATE: March 30, 2020
[Originally published September 17, 2013]

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of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!

I’m sharing this recipe on the Weekend Potluck Recipe Linkup.
Check it out for more great recipes!

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!