Simple Dal

It was another first!

My first dal, my first time using green cardamom pods and my first time using French lentils. Am giving myself props because a) it tasted great and b) nothing caught on fire.

I combined two recipes from How to  Cook Everything Vegetarian (it has to go back to the library today. Come on Santa, bring me my very own copy to cover with drips and food stains!). This dinner was a combo of Simplest Dal and Lentils & Potatoes with Curry, plus a little something Random (courtesy of me).

Super Simple Dal (or Dal for Dummies)

• 1 c. dried green French lentils, rinsed and picked over
• 4 green cardamom pods
• 2 whole cloves
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• A few cloves of roasted garlic
• 1/2 inch piece of ginger, peeled and chopped
• A can of lite coconut milk
• About half of a medium yellow onion, diced
• About 1/2 cup strained plain yogurt mixed with Trader Joe’s curry sauce or curry powder
• Kosher salt to taste

I sautéed the onion in a tablespoon of neutral oil and then added the garlic, ginger, and cardamom pods once the onion was softened. I added the lentils, salt/pepper, coconut milk and water (enough to cover the lentils by about 1/2 inch). Simmered for 30 minutes uncovered, stirring periodically.

Topped with parsley (I am out of cilantro), sliced hardboiled eggs, toasted cashews and toasted coconut. Raisins would have been a nice touch too, but I am cutting down on sugar since I’ll be eating a plate of cookies left for Santa.

Served with boiled fenugreek seeds, mixed greens with tahini-lemon dressing and topped with cumin scented almonds from my pal Bekah at Beek Eats. Plus, finally a glass of wine that didn’t suck! Ah, nothing but the finest served in my household…um, okay, not exactly true.

The green cardamom was subtle in the dish, but I did get a bite of a whole clove which was a spiced slap in the face! My preschool aged daughter actually cried out in horror at the sight of a green, beany pile on her plate. But after a bit of threatening coaxing, she took a bite and ate the whole thing. Make again? Yes.