Aaloo Palak

This recipe is very special and one of my favorites. I am thrilled to share my simple , easy to follow recipe of this traditionally  slow cooked laborious process, all without compromising on an ounce of flavor.

My home made version is not doused with cream and butter which often is the reason for flavor in many restaurants. I like to rely on the natural taste of the ingredients and add to the deliciousness with perfect combination of spices and stay away from the cream.

Much like for me,  this will quickly become one of your favorite weekend meals.

1 pound of baby potatoes, boiled and peeled (around 10-12)
3 bags of baby spinach (about 12-13 cups of fresh spinach)
1 large red onion, peeled and diced
3 large tomatoes, roughly chopped
5 cloves garlic, peeled
1 inch piece of ginger, peeled
3 green chillies (substitute: 1 serrano)
3 cloves
1/2 inch stick of cinnamon
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp canola oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 tsps salt
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp coriander powder
3 tbsps cilantro, washed and finely chopped
In a large saute pot, melt 2 tbsps butter and add the oil and heat for 30 seconds. Add the cumin seeds and just when it starts turning light golden brown,  add chopped onions. Keep sautéing on medium-high heat until the onions are golden brown, around 10-12 minutes. Drop the heat to low.

In the meantime, using a blender, make a puree of roughly chopped tomatoes, garlic, ginger, cloves, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. No extra water needed since the tomatoes will lend a lot of water.

Add this pureed tomato mixture to the simmering onions. Make sure you are on low heat, there will be some spluttering. Mix well and let cook covered for 15 minutes until the tomato puree and spices are cooked and infused together with the onions and cumin.

Uncover and let the tomato sauce simmer on low heat. In the meanwhile, puree the baby spinach in a blender with few tsps of water. You will have to do this in batches. Make sure the spinach is a puree and not too watery. It is raw spinach at this time.
Add the pureed spinach to the simmering tomato sauce. Mix well and let simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes, while mixing every 10 minutes. You will notice a change from a bright green to a darker and earthier green as an indication of being done.

Add salt, coriander powder and garam masala. Mix well, add the halved cooked baby potatoes to the spinach sauce. Let simmer over medium heat for another 20 minutes. Check for seasoning, sprinkle cilantro and turn off the heat. Tastes great with any indian bread or basmati rice.

I like to serve this the day after because the baby potatoes have more time to absorb all the flavors. Tastes quite divine!

Spiced Lentil and Bean Stew

Inspired by the classic Ethiopian dish, and with my inclination towards indian spices came about this hearty and ‘warm your belly’ lentil stew. If you love earthy, warm spices, this will hit the right spot. Just the perfect bowl of dinner for the winter.

You will need:

3 cups lentils (regular brown or puy)
2 cans dark red kidney beans (pre-cooked)
1 bay leaf (fresh or dried)
1 large onion, finely chopped (yellow or white)
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2″ piece ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp butter
2 large tomatoes, chopped ( for plum tomatoes, use 4)
1/4 cup tomato paste
4 cups vegetable stock (you can substitute with water)
1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
1 sprig, fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp lemon juice

For the Spice mixture:
2 tsp cumin seeds
2 tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp fenugreek seeds (optional)
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 tsp cardamom (i use whole ones)
4 cloves
1/2 stick cinnamon
2 tbsp crushed red pepper
1/2 tsp salt

In a dry skillet, add all the above spice mixture  ingredients. Toast over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Keep tossing making sure the spices don’t burn. Powder these ingredients in a blender along with the chopped ginger with no liquid. It has to be a dry powder. Frying whole spices and freshly grinding them adds immense flavor to the stew. If you don’t have access to fresh whole spices, as a substitute, you could use the pre-powdered version of all the above spices and just mix them together in a bowl.

In a large pot, add 6 cups of water along with the lentils and bay leaf. Boil the lentils for about 45 minutes. Around the 30 minute mark, check to see the doneness and adjust amount of water and cooking time accordingly. The lentils after 45 minutes, should be cooked but not mushy. It should be firm and al dente since it is going to cook a bit more while putting together the stew.

Drain the lentils, also drain the can of kidney beans and set aside.

In a large pot, add the butter and vegetable oil. Once the butter is golden brown, add the onions and garlic. Sauteé for 10 minutes until the onions soften.

Add the ground spice mixture and cook for 7-8 more minutes making sure the spice powder is mixed evenly.

Add the chopped tomatoes and salt , cook 5 more minutes.

Add tomato paste, mix well and then add the vegetable stock.

Simmer over medium heat for 25-30 minutes.

Now add the cooked lentils and beans, simmer 20 more minutes.

Check for salt, top with the chopped cilantro, mint, lemon juice and turn off the heat.

I prefer this stew just on it’s own with a little extra squeeze of lemon, but you could also serve it with your favorite bread.

Black Bean Salad with a Mint-Lemon Dressing

This is a recipe I frequently make and definitely one of my favorites. It’s a wholesome salad with a perfect combination of textures. The creamy black beans and crunchy vegetables, with fresh herbs and lemon makes this a flavor packed, quick and easy to make salad.

1 32oz can, cooked black beans (drained and washed)
1 small onion
1/2 cup tightly packed fresh mint
1/4 cup tightly packed fresh cilantro
1 serrano chili (substitute:jalapeno)
1 large tomato, cubed
2 medium carrots, cubed
1 green bell pepper, chopped
juice from 1 lemon
juice from 1 lime
1/4 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp salt

Finely chop the mint, cilantro, serrano chilli and onion together. I used a manual chopper, but use whatever you have. In a mixing bowl, add the rinsed black beans, tomato and the herb onion mixture. Sprinkle salt, lemon zest and toss together.

Add the chopped carrots, green peppers, lemon+lime juice and mix well. I like to serve these in lettuce cups with my favorite rye baguette, makes for a great lunch. It can also be served as a side with entrees.

Sweet Potato, Chickpea and Green Lentil Soup

This is a soup recipe adapted from BHG. The original recipe called for pumpkin, red lentils and chickpeas, but with sweet potatoes, green lentils (french puy lentils) and chickpeas in my pantry, I decided to improvise. The sweet potatoes and green lentils turned out to be a great substitute for the pumpkin and red lentils.

I also had sage in stock. Since I am a sucker for sage with sweet potatoes, I decided to fry the sage in butter first and then start the soup with the sage infused butter. The crispy butter fried sage also makes a great garnish.

I was quite pleased that I could make enough and share with friends at work. It turned out to be a great lunch perfect for that rainy day!

4 medium sweet potatoes, washed, peeled and cubed
1 32 oz can chickpeas
3 cups green lentils, dried ( I prefer using dried and cooking it in stock, rather than using pre cooked lentils)
1″ piece ginger, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
3 large tomatoes, chopped
6-8 fresh sage leaves
3 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 dried bay leaf (optional)
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 1/2 tsp coriander powder
3/4 tsp cumin powder
4 tbsp butter
12 cups vegetable stock
2 tsp salt ( split into four 1/2 tsp quantities to be added in layers)
juice from 1 lemon

Melt butter over medium heat until it turns golden brown. Add sage leaves which will start becoming crispy after some spluttering. Remove sage and set aside.

In the sage infused butter left behind in the pan, add garlic, ginger and onions. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the onions are cooked translucent.

Add chopped carrots, 1/2 tsp salt and sauté for 5 minutes until the carrots just start getting tender. Add cubed sweet potatoes, chickpeas, 1 tsp salt, turmeric, cumin and coriander powders. Cook for 10 minutes until the sweet potatoes just start cooking.

Add chopped tomatoes, remaining 1/2 tsp salt and the sage leaves. Cook for 2 minutes and add the lentils, bay leaf and measured vegetable stock. Cover and let cook over medium heat for 40-45 minutes.

Uncover and check for doneness. The lentils should be perfectly tender (but not mushy), the sweet potato, chickpeas and carrots should also be tender yet hold their shape but will melt in your mouth into an explosion of flavors. Add chopped cilantro and lemon juice, turn off the heat and serve hot with any fresh baked bread of your choice.

I served the soup with pumpernickel bread and loved the combination of the smoky earthy soup with the deep and intense pumpernickel bread. The combination was perfect.

Coconut Chayote Squash Masala

This kind of Squash, a prominent vegetable in Indian cooking, is known as Chayote squash in markets in the US. The local name we know and call it by is Chow Chow, which certainly sounds more fun! It is typically used to many varieties of stews. It is a juicy/watery vegetable with a light and delicate flavor.

This variation makes it an easy weeknight meal and an ideal side dish for Indian breads or a steaming bowl of basmati rice. Personally, the garlic-ginger-coconut combination makes it divine!

4 chayote squash, washed and peeled
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 large tomato, chopped
1 large potato, chopped into 1 inch cubes
1″ piece ginger, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 serrano peppers, finely chopped
2 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 tsp cumin powder
1/3 cup freshly grated coconut
3 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped
2 tbsp canola oil
2 tbsp salt

Heat a non stick pan over medium heat. Add the chopped serrano, ginger and garlic. Stir for a 30 seconds and make sure the garlic doesn’t burn. Add the chopped onions and cook for 5 minutes until they turn translucent. Add tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes until the tomatoes soften.

Add cumin, coriander and turmeric powders. Sauté for 6-7 minutes minutes until the strong spices mellow down slightly and get incorporated well with the veggies. Add the chopped potatoes, squash, salt and mix well together. Cover and cook on medium heat for 10-15 minutes. Check a couple of times in between and stir the veggies to make sure they don’t stick to the bottom. If they do, then sprinkle a little water and lower the heat.

Uncover and make sure the squash and potatoes are cooked well. Insert a small knife into the center of veggie and make sure they are cooked through. They should to still hold their shape but also be tender.

Sprinkle the coconut and cilantro and cook uncovered for another 6-7 minutes which helps blending all the flavors together. It is best served hot like most other Indian curries.

Lima Bean Biryani

This is another one of my crazy kitchen sink recipes. Kitchen sink recipes are ones I have no plan or recipe for. I just make it up as I go along, with whatever ingredients I have at that moment. Most of the times it works well and the times it doesn’t, you don’t hear about it!

I love lima beans and I think these classic flavors go very well together and jazz up the usually challenging lima beans. It’s just another way of using the yummy beans.

2 cups lima beans, thawed ( I used frozen)
2 cups basmati rice
1 large white onion, peeled and roughly chopped
1 large red tomato, roughly chopped
5 cloves of garlic, peeled
1″ piece ginger, peeled
3 serrano chillies, roughly chopped ( I use the whole peppers. Feel free to adjust this as you please)
6 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1/4 tsp asafoetida powder ( Optional: don’t let not having this ingredient discourage you from trying this recipe!)
1tbsp + 1tsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp coriander seeds
2 tsp salt
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
2 tbsp canola oil
1 tbsp butter

In a blender, add garlic, ginger, serrano chillies, cilantro, 1 tbsp cumin seeds, coriander seeds, 1 tsp salt, tomato and onions. Blend this mixture together, with no added water. The watery tomatoes yield just enough. Make this into a smooth paste and set aside.

Heat a largewide non-stick pan over medium heat with canola oil and  butter. Once the butter has melted add the remaining 1 tsp cumin seeds  and asafoetida powder.As I mentioned above, asafoetida is one of those things that not every one may have available. But don’t let not having  this one ingredient discourage you  from making the dish. It will taste great either way.

When the cumin seeds start spluttering, remove the pan from heat and  add the blended mixture. Doing it on heat will make a mess, there is a lot  of spluttering. Make sure you reduce the heat to low before returning the  pan to heat. Cook over low heat partially covered for 20-25 minutes,  stirring every  8 or so minutes. This will remove the raw smell from the  onion and spices and give room for all the flavors to meld together. Your kitchen must smell heavenly just about now!

Add the lima beans, the measured water and remaining tsp of salt. Increase the heat to medium high and cook uncovered for 10-12 minutes. Add the basmati rice, mix and let it come to a boil.

Just when it comes to a boil, cover and drop the heat to low. Cook for 20-25 minutes until the rice is perfectly done. Remove and gently fold or fluff using a spatula. Do not over mix or the rice will break and become mushy.

Garnish with cilantro and serve this dish hot with a cup of cool raita.

Tomato and Goat Cheese Bruschetta

This is a dish than can never go wrong. It is super easy to make, delicious yet light and healthy. It is perfect as an appetizer for a party because it doesn’t fill you up and that can mean only one thing, more room for food!

5 medium sized ripe red tomatoes
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil ( a good quality oil is important because you are consuming it raw)
5-6 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp dried basil
1 tbsp fresh basil, minced
1 tbsp crushed pepper ( you can leave this out if spice is not your thing)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup goat cheese
Fresh baked French baguette, sliced 1″ thin

In a mixing bowl add extra virgin olive oil, garlic, dried and fresh basil, salt and crushed red pepper. Mix well, set aside and let sit for 20-30 minutes. We want all the flavors to meld and the oil to absorb the garlic and the basil. The longer this mixture sits the better. If you don’t have 30 minutes, let sit for at least 10 minutes.

Dice all the tomatoes. If they are over ripe and extra juicy, remove the seeds along with the soft center and gently squeeze extra water from the tomatoes. Over ripe tomatoes will make the bruschetta watery and messy.

Add the tomatoes to the olive oil-garlic marinade and mix well. Set aside for 20 minutes.

Toast the sliced baguette, top with 1 tbsp of the tomato mixture and crumble goat cheese over it.  Serve while bread is warm. You could also serve without cheese, tastes great either way.

Note: Do not refrigerate the tomato mixture if you are going to serve within 4 hours. Keeping it room temperature lets the tomatoes absorb all the flavors better and it keeps the dish juicy. If you plan to serve it the next day, then refrigerate overnight, remove and leave it outside at least 4- 5 hours before you plan to serve.

Bombay Sandwich – The Queen of Street Food

One of the best things about India and the thing I miss the most food-wise is street food. Here’s one of my favorites, the bombay sandwich. A simple yet soul satisfyingly delicious snack perfect for an appetizer or served with coffee or tea. The thing I love about this is you can make this with things you probably always have in your pantry. The only extra step is to make the chutney which is the star of this dish.

For the chutney you need :

4 green chillies (indian or thai variety preferably, serranos or jalapenos are a good substitute)
1/2 cup Cilantro
1/3 cup Mint
1/2 tsp Tamarind paste
2 Garlic cloves, peeled
1/2″ piece Ginger, peeled
1 tbsp grated Coconut (frozen works fine)
1/2 tsp Cumin powder
1 tsp Salt
2-3 tbsp Lemon juice

To make the sandwich:

3 slices of white bread- makes one sandwich (classically made with white bread, substitute with wheat or grain bread, not with any stonf flavored bread like rye)
1 white onion, slicked thinly lengthwise
1 large tomato, sliced thinly into rounds
1 large potato, boiled, peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch rounds

Blend all the chutney ingredients together in a blender with as little water as possible. You want a smooth texture almost the consistency of room temperature butter.

Fill a pot of cold water an add some salt. Drop in the potatoes and bring to a boil. Boil until the potatoes are completely cooked. Peel and slice into thin rounds and set aside. Remove the crusts off the bread, slice the onions and tomatoes and set aside.

Spread the chutney liberally on the first slice of bread. Place a couple of the sliced onions and tomatoes on it. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread the chutney liberally on the second slice of bread and place it on the first slice with veggies, chutney side up.
Place the sliced boiled potatoes on the second bread, add a pinch of salt  and pepper. Spread the third slice with chutney and place on top of the potatoes chutney side down. Press down slightly.

Cut into four pieces serve at room temperature.

Gnocchi in Roasted Red Pepper, Caper and Roasted Garlic Sauce

What’s better than pillowy soft gnocchi in warm herbed sauce on a rainy cold day? Nothing! So here’s what’s for dinner tonight.

I used gnocchi bought from my local italian store. If you have extra time on your hands, you could always make your own. Here’s how.

1 pound gnocchi
Whole tomatoes, peeled and canned
1 whole bulb garlic, roasted
1 red pepper , roasted
2-3 tbsp large capers
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp + 1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp +1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp crushed red peppers (adjust to your level of heat)
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Preheat the oven to 375 F.

Brush the entire bulb of garlic (skin on) with canola oil. Place it in a baking dish and bake for 20 minutes until golden. Remove and let cool. When completely cooled, gently squeeze the soft roasted garlic from the skin and set aside.

Bring salted water to a boil and drop the gnocchi in. The gnocchi will float and come up to the surface when it is cooked. Drain the water and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, add the whole canned tomatoes, 1 tsp dried basil, 1/2 tsp salt , onion and garlic powders and roasted cloves of garlic and crush into a pulp using your hands. I prefer using whole tomatoes and hand crushing them instead of using tomato puree or pre crushed tomatoes.

In a skillet  heat olive oil over medium heat, add the blended tomato-garlic mixture, crushed red peppers, salt, capers, dried oregano and remaining 1 tbsp dried basil. Mix well together and warm through for 6-7 minutes and drop the cooked gnocchi in.

Just before serving add the chopped roasted red peppers, mix well and serve.

Potatoes in Tomato-Fenugreek Gravy

Here is how I used some great south indian ingredients like fenugreek seeds, curry leaves and mustard seeds with potatoes and tomatoes. It makes a comforting and spicy side dish to any bread or steamed rice.

3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1 large onion, chopped
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp split black gram dal (Urad dal)
1 tsp fenugreek(methi) seeds
10-12 curry leaves, chopped (leaves from 1-2 stems)
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp butter + 1 tbsp canola oil

To make into a paste :

3 medium tomatoes, halved
1 ” piece ginger, rough chopped
1/4 tsp asafoetida powder
1 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp salt
1/3 cup grated fresh cocnut

Add the tomatoes, ginger, asafoetida powder, coconut, red chilli powder and salt. Grind together into a smooth paste and set aside.

Heat the oil and butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds, as soon as it starts popping, add the black gram dal and fry until it starts to turn golden. Add the methi seeds, fry for 10 seconds and add in the chopped onions, half of the curry leaves and saute until the onions turns golden.

Add the pureed tomato-coconut mixture and a tsp of salt  to the onions stir well. Cook on medium heat for 10-15 minutes until the tomato masala cooks through. Mix in the chopped potatoes, cover and cook for 10-15 minutes until the potatoes are tender but not mushy.

Sprinkle rest of the curry leaves on top and serve with chapati or with steamed rice.

Fried Tomato and Onion Rice

I call this the South Indian risotto. It has the same comfort and warmth to it. On a cold day, this is one of my favorite things that I look forward to.

 

1 cup basmati rice (I used brown basmati rice)
2 tbsps butter
1 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp asafoetida powder
8 indian green chillies, split into two lengthwise
1″ piece ginger, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 large onions, diced
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
3 tomatoes, diced
1/2 tsp coriander powder
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped

Bring 2 1/2 cups of water to a boil over high heat. Add the cup of rice, cover and let simmer over medium heat for 35-40 minutes until all the water is absorbed and the rice is cooked. Remove from heat and let cool.

If using white basmati rice, follow the same procedure, just use 1 1/2 cups water per cup of rice and simmer for 20-22 minutes to cook completely.

Melt the butter in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add the mustard seeds and asafoetida. As soon as they start spluttering add garlic, ginger and green chillies.Fry for a minute, add the onions and turmeric powder.

When the onions start turning golden brown, add the tomatoes, salt and coriander powder. Mix well, cover and cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes. Uncover, add the cilantro and stir together.

At this stage, this makes a great side dish on its own, served with chapathi or naan.

Add this tomato-onion mixture to the cooked rice, mix well together and serve warm.

Leftover Makeover – Vegetarian Burrito

The leftover black bean-cilantro pilaf made a great base for  this easy to assemble burrito. I made a simple grilled onion and green pepper mixture to make the filling.

You will need :

1 cup guacamole
1 cup sour cream
1 cup salsa
1 cup black bean pilaf
2 cups shredded cheese, I used a mixture of  pepper jack, monterey jack and cheddar
2 green peppers, sliced lengthwise
1 large red onion, sliced lengthwise
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 jalapenos, sliced thin lengthwise
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp canola or vegetable oil
4 tortillas

Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and jalapenos. Fry for a minute and add the sliced onions. Cook until they soften and start browning. Add the green bell peppers and salt. Saute for 5-6 more minutes just until the peppers soften. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Here’s a little assembly line I made to make things easy. A bowl of mildly spic salsa, a bowl of guacamole, a bowl of sour cream, a bowl of leftover black bean cilantro pilaf, the grilled onions and peppers, the mixed shredded cheese and the tortilla. Warm the tortillas for 20-30 seconds in the microwave before you make the burrito.

Sprinkle an even layer of cheese on the tortilla. lay a dollop of the salsa, guacamole and sour cream. Top with the black bean pilaf.

Add the onion-green pepper mixture and top off with more cheese. Fold over the right and left edges and fold the top and bottom flap over it like a package.

Line them on a baking sheet and place them in the oven for 5-8 minutes just until the tortilla is slightly crisped and the inside is hot, cheesy and melted. Serve with more sour cream, salsa and guacamole if needed.

Chickpeas and Methi leaf Curry

Methi(aka Fenugreek) Leaves and Seeds are common ingredients in Indian cooking. They have a slightly bitter but intensely nutty and savory flavor. Added to any gravy or vegetable curries, it adds a great depth. Herb combination of Methi leaves and Cilantro is just a great flavor treat!

Using chickpeas or potatoes with methi leaves is most common. Here is a version of methi leaves with chickpeas in a tomato/onion masala.

1 32 oz can Chickpeas
1 cup Methi leaves (aka Fenugreek leaves) cleaned & washed
5 tbsp canola oil
2 tsp salt
1 tsp garam masala
1/3 cup cilantro

To make into a paste:
1 stick Cinnamon
4 cloves
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 tsp coriander seeds
8 Indian green chillis (use 4-5 for a milder version)
1 ” Ginger piece
3 garlic cloves
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1/4 tsp asafoetida powder
1 large tomato
1 medium onion
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 cup water

Add all of the above paste ingredients to a blender. Add the cup of water and blend everything together to make a smooth paste. Set aside.

Prepare the methi leaves: pluck the leaves from the stem and discard the stems. Put all the leaves in a bowl and fill it with cold water. Let it sit for 5 minutes, all the dirt and grit will sink to the bottom. Gently pick the leaves out the water, pat dry with a paper towel and rough chop the leaves and set aside.

In a pan heat 5 tbsps canola oil over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Remove the pan off the heat and pour the blended spice mixture into the pan stirring the mixture and the oil together. If you pour the mixture into the oil while still on heat there will be a lot of splattering. Put the pan back into medium heat, sprinkle 1 tsp of salt and cook this masala for 15-20 minutes stirring ever 5 minutes. The raw flavor and smell of the spices will mellow down as it simmers. Your kitchen will smell insanely good by now!

Add remaining salt, garam masala powder and the chopped methi leaves. Mix throughly. Let this cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Add the chickpeas and cilantro making sure the chick peas is really coated well in the masala. Cook for another 7-8 minutes, remove from heat and serve hot. I served it over a bed of hot basmati rice and with Chapatis. Naan would be great too!

This curry tastes even better the next day when the chickpeas has completely soaked into the masala sitting in it all day! In fact I always make this dish in the morning and serve it for dinner. The flavors intensify and marry better the longer it sits.

This is my entry for Weekend Herb Blogging, hosted this week by Haalo from Cook (almost) Anything At Least Once. Here are the rules if you want to participate and  here’s Who’s Hosting Weekend Herb Blogging if you’d like to join the weekly celebration of cooking with fresh herbs.

Hearty Lentil Soup

This hearty, one pot meal is our lunch today. Sitting with a hot bowl of this soup watching a movie is just the comfort we need on this frigid cold day!

3 tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
4 large garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeno, minced
1 carrot, diced
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups green/brown lentils( I use dried lentils, you could substitute with precooked and canned lentils )
2 tomatoes, chopped
8 cups vegetable broth
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 pound pasta (use any small soup pasta)

In a large pot over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the onion, jalapeno, garlic, carrot and sage and saute until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and salt, let cook for another 5 minutes until they just begin to breakdown. Add the potatoes and lentils and stir together.

Stir in the lentils, add the vegetable broth, salt, rosemary and simmer over medium heat, covered for 30-45 minutes until the lentils are tender. In the meanwhile bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta around 2 minutes shy of package instructions because the pasta will continue to cook in the soup. Drain the pasta well and add to the simmering soup

Check for seasoning and add more salt if needed, stir well and serve warm with your favorite bread.

(Adapted from Williams-Sonoma)

Leftover Makeover – 2

With my leftover Chickpeas-Mint patties and lemon garlic dipping sauce came this sandwich. Continuing my leftover makeovers, this is such a great snack with crisp fresh veggies, creamy sauce and minty patties.

I used a hearty multi grain bread that adds great flavor and stands up well with all these strong flavors of garlic, mint, chickpeas and lemon. 
1 ripe tomato, sliced 1/2 inch thick
1 onion, thinly sliced
3-4 pickled jalapenos
1/4 head of lettuce, rough chopped 
more lemon juice, optional 

Toast the bread until toasted crisp. Spread one slice liberally with the garlic-cilantro sauce, and place the chickpeas-mint patties over it. I used two patties to make the sandwich more hearty.

Top with crisp lettuce, 2 slices of tomatoes, 1 slice of onion, jalapenos, a tsp more of lemon juice. Spread more of the sauce on the second slice of bread and gently press down to make into a manageable size!