Curry Spiced Lentils Spinach Food

INDIAN LENTIL CURRY WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Combine the lentils, water and turmeric in a pot big enough to hold the spinach.
• Bring to a simmer and cook, covered, until the lentils disintegrate, about 40 minutes. Add a bit more water if needed. You are going for a thick puree consistency.
• Heat a skillet over medium heat.
• Add the oil. When the oil starts to shimmer, add the onion and cook until the edges of the onions start to brown.
• Stir in the green chili and garlic ginger paste and cook until the sputtering stops.
• Add the spice mix and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly. This is the critical step. You don't want your spices to burn.
• Add the tomato paste and stir. Turn the heat down and let it simmer 3-4 minutes.
• Stir the tempering into the lentils. Add the salt and taste.
• Mix in the spinach, a bit at a time, letting it wilt into the dal. When all the spinach has been mixed in, cover and let simmer 5 minutes.
• Adjust the salt and serve. You are going to need more. For sure. So creep up on it. Add a bit. Stir. Taste. Add some more. Keep going until you get it where you want it.

SPICY CURRIED LENTILS AND RICE

Steps:

• Pour the oil into a medium or large saucepan with a lid over medium heat. Add the onion, ginger, garlic and pepper. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes. Cook until onion begins to slightly soften, about 5 minutes.
• Add lentils, rice, curry powder, and water. Stir well.
• Cover the pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 35 minutes.
• Remove from heat, add peas to pot, replace cover and let sit undisturbed for 5 more minutes.
• Add tomatoes and salt and fluff with a fork. Transfer to a serving plate. Top with cilantro. Serve immediately.

SPICED LENTIL & SPINACH PIES

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a wide-based pan. Add the onion and cook over a low heat for 10 mins, stirring, until softened. Mix in the garlic, ginger and spices and cook for 1 min more. Tip in the lentils, pour over the vegetable stock, season and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, then cover and cook for 20 mins until the lentils are tender.
• Meanwhile, heat half the butter in a large pan, add the spinach and cook until wilted. Season, then drain. Stir the spinach through the lentils with the lemon zest and juice and coriander, then leave to cool.
• Mix together all the ingredients for the egg wash. Assemble the pies as directed in the pastry recipe, adding a spoonful of chutney to the middle of each. Glaze with the spiced egg wash before baking.

CURRY-SPICED LENTILS & SPINACH

Steps:

• Combine first 11 ingredients in the crockpot.
• Cover and cook on low for about 6 hours, or until rice and lentils are tender but not mushy.
• Add salt to taste; serve garnished with chopped tomato and mint if desired.
• May be doubled.