Lentil And Vegetable Ragout Korma Food

CHICKEN KORMA

Steps:

• Scoop 1 tablespoon of the cream from the top of the coconut milk. Toss with the chicken, 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder and a big pinch each of salt and pepper in a bowl. Set aside 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, lightly toast the almonds in a large wide pot over medium-high heat. Remove to a bowl and reserve the pot. Puree the onion, ginger, garlic and half the almonds in a food processor.
• Heat 2 tablespoons more coconut cream in the reserved pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion puree and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, until the mixture is mostly dry, 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder; cook until softened, 2 minutes. Stir in the chicken and remaining coconut milk and cream from the can. Cover and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, 10 minutes. Uncover and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the rice as the label directs. Microwave the green beans in a microwave-safe bowl, covered, until bright green, about 3 minutes. Add the green beans and half the cilantro to the chicken mixture; season with salt and pepper. Serve over the rice; sprinkle with the remaining almonds and cilantro.

BASIC VEGETABLE RAGOUT

Steps:

• In a large hot saucepan heat oil. Add onion, 1/3 of garlic, red pepper flakes, thyme and saute until onions and garlic are fragrant. Stir in zucchini, 1/3 garlic and tarragon, partially cover pan and cook for approximately 3 minutes or until zucchini has begun to soften. Stir in plum tomatoes with juice, 1/3 garlic and basil, partially cover pan and cook for 7 minutes or until vegetables are crisp tender. Serve over rice. Top with Parmesan.

CHICKEN KORMA

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large deep frying pan adding chopped onions and fry for 4 to 5 minutes on a medium heat until the onions are slightly brown. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for a further 1 or 2 minutes. Add the salt, turmeric and ground cumin.
• Turn up the heat and further cook for another 1 minute then add the chicken. It is very crucial that spices are mixed within the pan at this point and stirred to ensure that the chicken cooks with texture and flavor. Add water after stirring the chicken into the spices. Turn down the heat slightly and stir in the garam masala and cream cook for a further 5 minutes. Serve sprinkled with green coriander.

BAKED VEGAN KORMA

Steps:

• Before you get started take a look at our chopping and knife skills guide. Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. If your chopping board doesn't have anti-slip grips, lay a dampened tea towel or sheet of kitchen paper on the work surface, then place the board on top to stop it from slipping. Pull the leaves off the cauliflower, discarding any damaged or wilted ones and reserving the rest. Cut the cauliflower florets and leaves into bite-sized pieces, then cut the stalk into smaller pieces. Tip everything into the roasting tin.
• Trim away the root end of the spring onions and peel off the papery skins. Snip the spring onions into small pieces directly into the tin using kitchen scissors. Drizzle the oil over the veg, then season with a pinch of salt and toss everything together with your hands. Put the tin on the middle shelf of the oven. Roast for 15 mins.
• Peel the skins off the garlic cloves. After 15 mins, carefully remove the tin from the oven using oven gloves. Squeeze the garlic cloves directly into the tin using the garlic crusher.
• Measure out the curry paste - you can do this using scales or estimate based on the quantity of paste in the jar - if it's 200g, add roughly half (see tips below). Stir the curry paste and garlic into the veg.
• Use a can opener to open the can of chickpeas, then tip into a sieve over a bowl to catch the liquid (see below for ideas on how to use this liquid and save on waste). Tip the drained chickpeas into the roasting tin.
• Pour the coconut cream into the tin, then measure out 450ml water using a measuring jug and add this, too. Crumble over the stock cube.
• Weigh out the green beans using scales. If they have stalks, snap or carefully cut them off. Add the beans to the roasting tin.
• Weigh out the ground almonds using scales, then tip them into the tin. Hold the tin steady with one hand while wearing an oven glove and gently stir everything together using a wooden spoon. Return the tin to the oven for 25 mins, then carefully remove from the oven (there will be hot liquid in the tin). Serve the curry with cooked rice or naans and some mango chutney.

LENTIL RAGU WITH COURGETTI

Steps:

• Heat the 2 tbsp oil in a large sauté pan. Add the celery, carrots, garlic and onions, and fry for 4-5 mins over a high heat to soften and start to colour. Add the mushrooms and fry for 2 mins more.
• Stir in the lentils, passata, bouillon, oregano and balsamic vinegar. Cover the pan and leave to simmer for 30 mins until the lentils are tender and pulpy. Check occasionally and stir to make sure the mixture isn't sticking to the bottom of the pan; if it does, add a drop of water.
• To serve, heat the remaining oil in a separate frying pan, add the courgette and stir-fry briefly to soften and warm through. Serve half the ragu with the courgetti and chill the rest to eat on another day. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.

CREAMY VEGGIE KORMA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pan. Cook onion with the dry spices over a low heat for 5-6 mins until the onion is light golden. Add the chilli, garlic and ginger and cook for 1 min, then throw in the mixed vegetables and cook for a further 5 mins.
• Divide the mixture appropriately between two pans if serving vegetarians and meat eaters. Chop the chicken into small chunks and stir into one pan. Add the stock, dividing between the pans appropriately, and simmer for 10 mins (if only cooking the veggie version in one pan, use 300ml stock; if dividing between two pans, add 250ml to each). Divide the peas, if necessary, and add, cooking for 3 mins more until the veg are tender and the chicken is cooked through.
• Remove from the heat and stir through the yogurt and ground almonds, if using. Serve sprinkled with the toasted almonds and coriander, with basmati rice or naan bread on the side.

LENTIL RAGU

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan and add the onions, carrots, celery and garlic. Cook gently for 15-20 mins until everything is softened. Stir in the lentils, chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, herbs and stock. Bring to a simmer, then cook for 40-50 mins until the lentils are tender and saucy - splash in water if you need. Season.
• If eating straight away, keep on a low heat while you cook the spaghetti, following pack instructions. Drain well, divide between pasta bowls or plates, spoon sauce over the top and grate over some cheese. Alternatively, cool the sauce and chill for up to 3 days. Or freeze for up to 3 months. Simply defrost portions overnight at room temperature, then reheat gently to serve.