Red Lentil Dahl with Spinach and Curried Yogurt
With approximately 26% of their calories from protein, lentils have the third-highest level of protein by weight, of any plant-based after soybeans and hemp. Lentils are an important part of the diet in the Indian subcontinent, which has large vegetarian population.
Made with spices of Ayurvedic importance, this is a powerfully healthy and healing dish..
Red Lentil Dahl with Spinach and Curried Yogurt
Serves 2 (adapted from a recipe by the Post-Punk Kitchen)
1 tablespoon ghee
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup dried red lentils, rinsed and picked over
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cups vegetable stock
2 plum tomatoes, chopped
juice of 1/2 lime
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
3 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon hulled cardomom
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 dried red chiles, seeded
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon good curry powder
Toast whole spices in a dry skillet over medium heat, shaking often until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a spice grinder and pulse with chiles. Set aside.
Heat ghee in a heavy skillet over medium heat and fry onions until golden. Add tomatoes and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated. Add ginger, garlic, turmeric, black pepper and toasted spices and fry 5 minutes.
Add vegetable stock and lentils and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender, about 20-25 minutes. Add spinach and cook 3 minutes, then add lime and cilantro, adjusting consistency with tomato paste if necessary.
Serve over brown basmati and top with a dollop of curried yogurt.
This post is in support of Meatless Monday, whose goal it is to goal is to help reduce
meat consumption by 15% in order to improve personal health and the health of our planet.
Sprouted Brown Rice Curry
A thick, rich soup of sprouted brown rice, corn, curry, red chiles and coconut cream, topped with toasted cashews..
Sprouted Brown Rice Curry
Makes about 4 servings
2 cups germinated brown rice (GBR)
1 1/2 cups dent corn, soaked
2 cups vegetable stock
3 cups filtered water
1 small white onion, diced
2-3 fresh red chiles, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon safflower threads, soaked
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ghee
1/3 cup coconut cream
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon black mustard seeds
1/2 black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons turmeric
1/2 teaspoon fenugreek
2 teaspoons curry leaves
raw cashews
raw coconut flakes
To germinate rice, place in a bowl and cover with 100 degree water. Cover loosely and allow to stand on the counter, changing water 2-3 times a day until germinated, 18-48 hours.
Toast coriander and cumin seeds in a dry skillet until fragrant. Transfer to a spice grinder and process along with mustard seeds, peppercorns, turmeric and fenugreek.
Sauté chiles, onions and garlic in ghee until softened.
Combine vegetable stock and water and bring to a boil. Stir in corn and simmer 20 minutes. Stir in rice, cover and simmer 20 minutes. Add spices, curry leaves, onions, garlic, chiles, safflower threads and coconut cream and simmer until thickened, about 15 minutes. Adjust flavor with salt if necessary.
Ladle into bowls and garnish with cilantro, toasted cashews and coconut flakes.
This post is in support of Meatless Monday, whose goal it is to goal is to help reduce
meat consumption by 15% in order to improve personal health and the health of our planet.
Grilled Cheese Soup
Simmering vegetable stock, sourdough croûtons, fresh basil, scallions, Roma tomatoes and raw cheeses..
Grilled Cheese Soup
This recipe is a riff on The Moosewood Collective’s Italian Bread & Cheese Soup
For the stock
Roast such vegetables as you have available. At a minimum, try to include celery, onions, carrots, tomatoes and garlic. Parsley root and celery root add extra flavor.
Place roasted vegetables into a clean pot and fill with cold, filtered water. Bring to a rapid boil, then reduce heat and simmer until reduced in volume by 1/3 or more, about 2 hours. Add a teaspoon each of turmeric and paprika for color if you like. Strain and keep hot.
Tear wild yeast sourdough into irregular pieces and sauté in pastured butter until crisp and golden brown. Place in the center of a deep dinner plate.
Add diced Roma tomatoes, thinly sliced scallions, Italian parsley and fresh basil.
Add shredded cheeses. I’m using raw cheddar and Grana Padano.
Pour hot vegetable stock over the top and garnish with additional minced herbs. Season with a little coarse seal salt and freshly-ground black pepper.
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- Grilled Cheese Soup
