Product: Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit – $4.99+
It was the start of a new year. Yes. January 2015. And what happens at the start of a brand new year? New Year’s Resolutions! WOOO!! I am proud to say that I don’t make resolutions, because I don’t like to make promises I can’t keep. I do, however, try to make each year a good one and try to improve on some things.
Like…eating better.
Well, my New Year 2015 (January) Cuisine Cube, took a lot of the work out of that by providing a box of 6 healthy choices for food/snacks. YAY! So, as you all are pretty much aware, Cuisine Cube is a delivery subscription service that brings smaller, lesser-known, artisan products from the gluten-free food world to your door. Yes, some of them I have heard of…but most I haven’t. And that’s the beauty of this service. Without it, I’d have no idea that some of these products or companies even existed. And, subscriptions start for as low as $29.99/month. It’s a great deal and a great service. If you haven’t tried it or have been meaning to give it a try…do it. You’ll end up loving it as much as I do.
So, January was all about healthy products it seemed. And the product that was packed inside for the Lunch option was this great little Indian spiced meal kit from Jaali Bean. It was the Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit. It sounded beyond delicious as I am a huge…and I mean HUGE…lover of Indian food. Around here, I can find a plethora of the Tasty Bite Indian meals, but this was the first time I ever heard of Jaali Bean. Already, I was intrigued.
Jaali Bean was created by Brian and Molina Junkins, a husband and wife team who shared a passion for food, family, and healthy living. They also had a passion for helping people discover the amazing flavors and tastes that are incorporated in Indian cuisine. They challenge everyone to toss aside their preconceived notions about preparing Indian cuisine at home, because they make it all happen within minutes with these great little kits they put together. It is super easy and the are just loaded with all-natural ingredients and all the spices that make you fall in love with Indian food.
They really do make it easy. The Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit comes with two packages attached. Inside is the brown rice and lentil mixture. In the smaller pouch…the spices. Simply set a pot on medium-high heat and heat up 1 tablespoon of oil. Put the spice packet in and stir for about 40-50 seconds. You’ll know when it’s done when you get that amazing aroma out of the spices. Do not burn them. Add 2-1/4 cup water and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling, turn the heat down to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the pot from the heat and give it a stir. Let it sit for an additional 5 minutes. All the extra liquid will get absorbed. Trust me. It works. You are left with a fantastic pot of moist and creamy looking rice that smells as amazing as it looks.
But the true test is always with the taste.
And, let me tell you…Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Rice Kit cooks up an amazing taste of India. Better than Tasty Bite…and as close to authentic restaurant quality as possible at home. Amazing. I grew up eating Indian food, thanks to my neighbors up the way, who were from India. The cuisine has always resonated with me. And I know what is good and what isn’t. Jaali Bean is delicious. Seriously…delicious. The rice cooks up rich and creamy, seasoned to perfection. It’s mild in flavor, so add a kick of your own heat if, like me, you like things a little spicier. I think my only complaint was that there wasn’t enough peas for my liking. How’s that for a complaint, eh? Seriously, perfectly seasoned and it cooks up beautifully. Nothing else I have had packaged has come close to tasting this close to the real deal. I am beyond impressed.
So…let’s discuss what all goes into the Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit, shall we? This kit is a combination of par boiled long grain brown rice, orange masoor lentils, peas, spices (which include cumin, mustard seeds, coriander, dried red chili powder, and amchur powder), salt, cane sugar, tomato granules, and nutritional yeast. It is gluten-free, cholesterol free, vegan, and non-GMO.
As for the nutrition information in regards to Jaali Bean Cumin and Pea Lentil & Brown Rice Kit…I was very impressed. A serving is 1 cup and there are 4 servings per package. Each serving will provide 160 calories, 2 grams of fat, 380 mg sodium, 32 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams sugar, 4 grams fiber, and 6 grams of protein. Healthy, filling, and delicious. You can’t go wrong.
Honestly, I’ve never seen Jaali Bean products around here, so without my subscription to Cuisine Cube, I might still be in the dark. With that being said…these products are now on my radar and I know how to get my hands on them via the Internet, if I can’t find any here. And that, my friends, is a very good thing. I’ll definitely keep these on hand for a quick and easy go-to meal.
On a side note, this product wraps up my January 2015 cube. The only product I didn’t get to blog on was the Budi Bar, because somehow I missed the note on freezing it and it got all fuzzy and moldy. I was sad when I had to throw it away. But…perhaps I’ll run across them somewhere around here. Or, I’ll just order one online. We’ll see.
The Celiathlete 