Dal - An Indian Red Lentil Dish

Dal is one of those Indian comfort foods that I could just eat contentedly with a piece of warm garlic naan bread! This is a delicious recipe that incorporates a smoky flavour that really hits the spot!

MURKHA DAL

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter

2 tsp black mustard seeds

1 onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 tbsp grated gingerroot

1 tsp turmeric

2 green chilies, deseeded and finely chopped *wear gloves!!*

1 cup of dried red lentils

4 cups water

1 1 /4 cups coconut milk

1 tsp salt

• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the mustard seeds and cover the pan - when you can hear the seeds popping, add the onion, garlic and gingerroot (this smell emanating from the pot just makes my mouth water!!)
• Cook uncovered until they are soft and the garlic is brown - about 7 to 8 minutes. Do not worry that the garlic is burned to the bottom of the pan - this is what produces the heavenly smoky flavour.
• Stir in the turmeric and green chilies and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the chilies soften a little.
• Add the lentils, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until they begin to turn translucent.
• Add the water, coconut milk and salt. Stir well and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 40 minutes, or until the desired consistency is reached. You may like it more liquid than I do, in which case 40 minutes will be about right. For a thicker consistency you will need to cook it about 10 to 15 minutes longer.
• Serve immediately and ENJOY!!!

Black Beans with Corn and Tomatoes

This is one of those super-easy side dishes that I love not only for it's clean taste and ease of preparation (because I generally have the ingredients at hand), but also because it is so good for you! Tasty and healthy?! You bet!

BLACK BEANS WITH CORN AND TOMATOES

Ingredients:

1 tbsp EVOO

1/2 a yellow onion, finely diced

1 - 28oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed

1 tsp finely chopped green chilis

1 cup chopped tomatoes

1 small can of corn, drained and rinsed

Pinch of salt

Fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

• Heat the oil in a large skillet and add the onion. Saute for approximately 5 minutes (or until the onion is translucent).
• Add the black beans, chilis, tomatoes, cilantro and corn. Simmer 15 minutes over medium heat. If the mixture becomes too dry, you can add a touch of water or fresh lime juice (my personal favourite as it makes the flavour of the chilis and cilantro just pop!) Taste and add salt if required.
• Serve with lime wedges and ENJOY!