Monday, January 31, 2011

Red Lentil Soup



So cold today. Did not remember to layer. Lets talk soup.

1 tablespoon ghee (or butter), plus 1 teaspoon
1 chopped onion
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
1 cup chopped tomatoes (1 can diced)
1 cup dreid red lentils. wash and drain them.
4 cups water or stock
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds

OK I thought this looked way too crazy hard to even try but I realized this is actually really easy. Like most soups right?

- melt the ghee at onion and garlic. cook until they get nice and brown. yum.
- add the spices. (i ALWAYS forget this step and end up added spices later which kind of sucks but doesn't ruin the soup.)
- add tomatoes
- add lentils
- add stock or water
- simmer away for about an hour stir often
- add salt

heat the teaspoon of ghee in a small pan and fry cumin and mustard seeds until the pop and crackle. pour them into the soup for a very dramatic sizzling amazing time.

warm and cozy. makes all my neighbours think i am an amazing cook when i make this. or makes them think i am super annoying since i make this like twice a week. the kids are SO over this soup.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Your New Favorite Chicken Curry Stew

I just learned this from a nanny buddy at playgroup a couple of weeks ago. As you can imagine I almost never measure anything so everything below is approximate...this is a really forgiving recipe though! If I can do it you know you can.

Olive Oil
2-3 cloves Garlic
1 Onion, chopped
3 large Carrots Chopped
3-4 Potatoes Chopped (skin on is fine)
1 can of chick peas, drained
1 -2 packages of chicken breasts or thighs (boneless) cut up in smaller peices
Curry powder, 3 tablespoons + to taste
Salt, to taste

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Heat 2+ tablespoons of olive oil in large pot
Throw in garlic, potatoes and carrots stir and let cook until potatoes and carrots start to get soft, stirring often - yummy!

In frying pan heat olive oil and cook onions until brown and tasty
Add chicken stir until cooked through

Add cooked chicken and onions to the pot with potatoes and carrots

Add curry powder - I would say maybe 3 tablespoons?

Add chick peas

Slowly add water 1/4 cup at a time to create a stewy texture and to help cook potatoes and carrots further, I'd say 1 cup but you'll have to make the call on how stewy you want it to be.

You may want to add more curry powder - its up to you. Definitely add some salt to make everything yummier.

Serve with rice.

Theo says its his favorite dinner, its mine too.