NEPALESE TEMPEH CHOILA

This Nepalese Tempeh Choila, a vegan take on a popular Nepalese dish that usually contains meat, is spicy and fresh and plays well both as an appetizer, or a stuffing for tacos and rotis. Recipe takes under 20 minutes and is gluten-free and nut-free.

Ingredients

• 1 8-oz package tempeh, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 medium red onion or 2 shallots, minced
• 2 medium tomatoes, finely diced
• 4 scallions or spring onions, trimmed, green and white parts finely chopped
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2-inch piece of ginger, peeled and finely julienned
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp vegetable oil (mustard oil is traditional, but use any other if you don't have this)
• 1 tsp fenugreek seeds (methi)
• 1/2 tsp turmeric

For tempeh marinade:

• Juice of 1 lemon
• Ground black pepper and salt to taste

Instructions

1. Mix the tempeh with the marinade ingredients-- lemon, pepper and salt -- place in a baking dish, and broil at the high setting for 5-10 minutes or until the tempeh browns slightly at the top. Remove.
2. Mix the chopped onions, tomatoes, scallions, ginger, garlic, black pepper, paprika, coriander leaves, and broiled tempeh cubes in a bowl.
3. In a small saucepan, heat the oil. Add the fenugreek seeds and, as they start to blacken, add the turmeric. Remove from heat after a few seconds and pour over the veggies and tempeh.
4. Mix well and squeeze more lemon juice if you wish. Add salt to taste. Serve at room temperature.

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