Happy Friday!
Kicking off the weekend with a cozy and comforting ‘Swift Sweet Potato Coconut Curry‘, that’s sure to warm up any cold January night. Consider this a special surprise as the recipe’s from my friend Ashley’s new plant-powered cookbook
I’ve been following Blissful Basil for years, shortly after I started blogging. We’ve kept in touch as she also lives in Chicago, but the coolest part is I’ve read her stories, made her recipes and watched her blog grow and transform, and now can celebrate her success on my blog with her cookbook in real form! As women, we need to support each other successes and encourage one another to keep moving forward with our dreams and ambitions. #Girlpower
Ashley started blogging on a whim over 6 years ago and kept at it because she found so much happiness in sharing her creations and real-life stories. I can relate to Ashley on many levels and look up to her in many ways. In the cookbook, she shares past struggles with anxiety, how self-care along with regular exercise played a major part in helping to master her thoughts, her journey from vegetarian to a plant-based vegan lifestyle and how small choices/habits ultimately add up to a strong foundation for a full life filled with happiness and feeling “whole”.
Plant based foods fueled her body to not only function at an optimal level, but to thrive.
I can 100% relate to that, and I know many of you can as well!
Flipping through the beautiful pages and choosing one recipe to share (out of 100+!) was no easy task, but I went with an oil-free, winter-friendly main dish, using seasonal ingredients that I knew would be appreciated – and the Swift Sweet Potato Coconut Curry happened! Ready in a swift 30 minutes (for reals), this dish will have you simmering sweet potatoes in a wonderfully spiced coconut milk broth that forms the thickest and creamiest coconut curry. Infused with scallions, fresh cilantro and gooey raisins, then served over brown rice (or quinoa!) alongside lime wedges and pita, if desired.
YUMM.
Swift Sweet Potato Coconut Curry
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30
Description
Reprinted from Blissful Basil by arrangement with BenBella Books. Copyright © 2016, Ashley Melillo.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional!)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 cup filtered water, divided
- 1 can (14-ounces) full-fat coconut milk (I swapped for light)
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
- 3 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup raisins, optional
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, stemmed and chopped
- 4 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa, for serving (optional)
- 1 lime, cut into wedges, for spritzing (optional)
Instructions
- Toast the curry powder, sea salt, coriander, ginger and turmeric in a medium-sized stockpot over medium heat for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
- Add the yellow onion and 1/3 cup of the water, and cook for 5 minutes, or until the onion is soft and translucent, stirring frequently.
- Whisk in the coconut milk and remaining 2/3 cup water, and bring to a boil.
- Add sweet potatoes, decrease heat to medium-low, cover, and rapidly simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the scallions, raisins (if using), and cilantro, and continue to simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes, or until sweet potatoes begin to break down into the sauce, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
- Spoon the curry into bowls and serve over warm brown rice with spritzes of lime, alongside pita, if desired.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Store leftovers in refrigerator, up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
GIVEAWAY!!
Ashley was kind enough to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a copy of her Blissful Basil cookbook!
TO ENTER: Leave a comment below on how you #honoryourbliss. How do you care for your mind, body and soul? What choices do you make that bring you happiness; emotionally, physically and spiritually? I?ll pick a winner next Friday (1/20/17). Good luck!
*Please note that the giveaway is only open to residents of the U.S. and Canada*
Feel free to tag your social media posts with #blissfulbasilcookbook #honoryourbliss and @blissfulbasil!
I just made the pumpkin soup and loved it. Sharing it with my family along with the toppings. We started eating organic two months ago and have incorporated many new fruits and vegetables including plant based protein smoothies. I plan to try more of your recipes and also start walking more for endurance. Thank you for this delicious soup!
I was never active before. I have turned my life around. Started moving more, eating less. Have followed many of your recipes. Love them all.Have lost 27 lbs so far.
I stay healthy by doing yoga each morning with push ups (10) some jump rope, twisting from the waist as a helicopter,
some jumps into the air. I avoid sugar, and wheat, eat organic vegetables, love to copy quality recipes like yours that incorporate garlic and ginger and curry…
Made this tonight as a kick off to fall weather. Wow! It is so delicious! Love your blog and always look forward to your new posts.
I just made this tonight and it was so delicious and easy! I also added chick peas, shredded carrots and bell peppers to up the veggie count. SO good!
This recipe was amazing :)!!! I loved it!! ❤️❤️
Your recipe is incredibly delicious. I came here to say that I tried it yesterday since my mother-in-law was coming to visit and she loved it. She was even impressed! Oh my, thank you so much.
This looks amazing I can’t eait to try out this reciepe x
I #honormybliss by eating a whole foods diet, surrounding myself with positive people, and making time to exercise my body and mind
this was so delicious!!! thank you for sharing this one 🙂 love it with the cayenne and the raisins and lime!! hubs went back for seconds.
I #honormybliss by mindfully taking time to prepare wholesome meals & nutrient dense options for my husband and I. I love nothing more than an afternoon in the kitchen, candle lit, tea cup half full, trying out and improvising new vegan recipes. You’re site has helped me so much find balance as a vegan and to slow down to enjoy life.
In the midst of a crazy world, schedules and unknowns this has help my anxiety so much to have a calm, safe space to be creative while nourishing my family.
I #honoryourbliss by continuing my quest for the fountain of youth…Really though, age is just a number, I’m in better shape in my forties than ever before. As a distance runner and a foodie I keep a balance between that I put in my body with what I want to get out of it. Running marathons helps me keep my diet in check. I have cravings just everybody else and have found ways to control them when needed!
How do you care for your mind, body and soul? Exercise! It is the best thing for covering all three of those areas! I don’t know why more people don’t do it!
What choices do you make that bring you happiness; emotionally, physically and spiritually? Being vegan, I think, definitely helps bring me happiness all around. I know that I am making a difference for our planet by choosing not to contribute to animal cruelty. I wish I went vegan earlier (I have been for 7 months), but I will never go back!
I try to #honormybliss by eating healthy and exercising daily, especially during this pregnancy. I feel like how I treat my body while pregnant will have great effects on my baby. 🙂
Shannon, you’re amazing. Thank you for your vibrant, energetic, and heartfelt words. Your support warms my heart, and I’m so grateful for it. Also, completely agree with the importance of encouraging other women. Everyone benefits from the good vibes and sincere support! xo
How do I #honor my bliss? Yoga every day and bring my yoga to the world via instruction and support, I also have tea, two times a day..sounds simple and thats the thing, it is..tea time is my time. I am vegan and an advocate for animal rights..this brings me so much joy to be able to bring awareness and love and help this planet and I read this fantastic blog r.egarding a fridge which brings me bliss and joy..yes blogs bring me happiness.
I eat Whole Food plant-based diet, and now my beautiful boyfriend is eating it also. His health is as important to me as mine is. I’m starting to practice yoga again everyday, and as soon as the weather is a little nicer I’ll begin running again.
I only recently became a whole foods plant based devotee about a month ago. My boyfriend is the real reason we have started on this journey. He has been very sick for over a year and unable to work. Doctors are unsure of what is going on and keep telling us results are inconclusive. So I decedied to see what i could do to help him on my own. My bliss is honored when i see improvments in his health everyday. So many of his symptoms have improved that i am mad at myself for not discovering and committing this lifesyle sooner. I spend hours pouring over blogs and looking through books to find new delicious recipes or about how to use nutrition to heal your body. I have really loved your blog and i clicked onto this page today because a sweet potato curry was the first vegan dinner I made for us. Just seeing him loving the food i make and improving everyday has released so much stress and worry from my life that i know we are never going back. Thank you for being so involved and for being an inspiration to me.
Early morning walks with the doggo really wake me up in a good way. A nice slow start to my morning and seeing how happy it makes the lil pup really start my day on the right foot 🙂
walk over bus/driving
As a mom of 3 I try to be sure we have healthy choices with every meal. We always try to have a big salad that my older 2 prepare each night. I also like to include lots of veggies. My kids actually fight over who gets the most zucchini, spinach, or broccoli. I’m still learning what’s the very best for my and my families health but I try to make good food choices to be a healthy example for my family.
i practice yoga everyday!
I make sure I spend some time alone every week – I just need some quiet time to knit or read.
I went Vegan about 8 months ago now and that is one of the biggest ways I have honored my body. It has been and I hope
It continues to be such a humbling experience. Cooking is where I find my bliss! I love reading your recipes and picking out my dinner and taking the time to cook and make my food, it’s such a great way to decompress from my hectic work schedule, and knowing that what I’m making doesn’t harm another living life is so rewarding! Fresh veggies and fruit and really yummy fun recipes keep me
Fueled and feeling beautiful! #honoryourbliss
Ashley’s blog and recipes surely never disappoint and, judging by everything I have seen and heard so far, her book seems nothing short of amazing!
Personally, while I definitely still struggle with fully honoring my bliss, I’m working on it and a the things I make sure I do include: meditating/stretching/breathing deeply/ doing some light yoga every morning; switching off with a BIG cup of tea every evening; reading a little on a daily basis; and reminding myself of everything I have to be grateful for every night, just before going to bed 🙂
What do YOU do to honor your bliss?
I honor my bliss by creating a life full of balance. I do yoga almost daily to keep myself fit and sane. I meal prep to ensure i am ready to properly fuel my body for the week ahead. I wind down every night with a good book and a cup of tea. All the while leaving Saturday free for meals out with the hubby, or dancing and cocktails with friends, all with no regrets!
I would love to add blissful basil to my ever growing collection of plant based cookbooks!
I honor my bliss by being mindful in all that I do. Whether it’s eating, working out, spending time alone, or with others, I try to live in the moment. A lot of time we stress too much about things that have happened or things that will happen so it’s important for me to slow down and take each moment as it comes.
I honour my bliss by doing the things I love, spending time with the people I care about, but also leaving time for myself whether that be reading, a workout class, or cooking! What really brings me the most bliss is spending chill nights with friends and family and seeing the look on people’s faces when I tell them the brownie they just ate (and loved) are made with black beans or some other unusual ingredient.. it never gets old!
I honor my bliss by trying to stay present in the moment. I am lucky enough to be a stay at home mama to a 21 month old baby girl who loves adventure! Seeing her creativity, innocence and playful nature keeps me smiling all day long. Also, a little wine never hurts!
I honor my bliss through doing small things throughout the day to re-center and focus myself. I do yoga, meditation, small deep breaths, reading, cooking and baking, and journaling. These are all things I enjoy and they all help me center and focus my energy and mind. Also it’s important to eat whole foods and avoid anything processed and also to get a lot of rest. I listen to my body. I have Crohns Disease, Fibromyalgia and Arthritis and I have learned that’s very important. I collect cookbooks so I would love to win this! It seems like I would really enjoys it!
This recipe looks awesome! I’ve been meaning to try more curry recipes. I love the simplicity and vibrance.
To honor my bliss, I do things that make me happy. I spend time with my son. We watch movies and play with our dogs. I spend time by myself and watch movies or read novels. I spend time with my guy. We listen to our favorite music, watch stand-up, and just talk.
I surround myself with dogs. They make the world a happier place. I do body weight, HIIT, plyometric workouts and practice gratutude daily. Last but certainly not least, I fuel my body with whole plant foods.
Recipe looks soo delicious! I honor my bliss by listening to my body daily. Sometimes I wake up and I know a green smoothie is what I need, some days it is a delicious bowl of oatmeal. Listening to my body also means knowing when to let my body rest after a tough workout and when to push myself harder! Cooking and consuming nutritious, whole, plant based foods is something I know my body appreciates. Moments of bliss can be found in the little moments every single day, but for me I find it the most when I am in the kitchen creating wholesome meals!
As I busy (and often overwhelmed) University student I #honormybliss by starting and ending each day the same. The first thing I do in the mornings is Yoga- my body and mind craves it- before whipping up a smoothie, a cup of hot lemon water with sliced ginger and cinnamon, and hitting the books. By nine every evening I am in my pajamas, with soft light and music, sipping on tea, munching on dark chocolate, and reading poems or essays or adventure books that have nothing at all to do with my degree!
These small moments of stillness that I begin and end each day with ground me. Knowing that they await me, day after day, no matter what else happens provides a peace to my life that I would otherwise not have. In the midst of essays, marathon training, and wedding planning 🙂 knowing I have the capacity to balance my life with simplicity and quietness brings unprecedented joy.
I honor my bliss in the middle of stressful moments by reminding myself of five things that I am grateful for–anything big (like the fact that my mom is alive after receiving a lung transplant this summer) to small (that I have a wonderful The Glowing Fridge meal waiting to be cooked or waiting as leftovers).
I also try to focus daily on moments that bring me happiness–when my patients make me laugh (or when I make them laugh!), when I get into a random conversation with the grocery checkout clerk, or when I walk through the front door to the wagging tail of my ever happy pup.
I try to remember that we are responsible for our own happiness, that it comes from within, instead of from external sources that we so often chase.
However, I do stand by the fact that my happiness is significantly improved by good, healthy plant based food!
My first time commenting as this looks so yummy!! How incredible that Ashley shared such personal stories in a cookbook…unheard of. Side note, your blog is one of the very few I follow religiously and love everything. <3
I discovered bliss early in 2016 when I learned meditation. As a mom of two young and lovely little girls and a woman who has fought the battle with depression, finding my bliss has been a mission the last couple of years. Finding meditation has opened up my world and created space where I can be quiet and listen to what the universe is saying. I love it so much and share the practice with my girls whenever I can.
I #honormybliss by taking time every morning to pray. It centers me before I go in to work.
I #honormybliss by running and doing yoga and filling my body with healthy whole foods!
I just had baby #3 three months ago. Because I am so busy I honor my bliss in small ways throughout the day. I drink green smoothies daily, I try to fit in realistic workouts (10 minute HIIT usually) and I try to just take small breaks and breath because life is busy right now but in the best way possible.