RED LENTIL DAHL
(RECIPE INSPIRED BY WWW.THEHAPPYPEAR.IE)

Love curry, red lentils, and eggplant! This recipe is easy and can be prepared in under an hour. The happy pear is all about eating more vegetables and having a balanced diet. They opened back in 2004 with a tiny shop and a dream of helping people eat more veg! Fifteen years later they have a thriving business, farm, and 7 books plus online courses all based in Co. Wicklow, Ireland. Follow them on Instagram for inspiration @thehappypear

Serve over your favorite rice…..
COOKING TIME – UNDER an hour!

4-6 servings
2 cups red lentils – rinsed
3 cloves of garlic – minced
2 red onions – sliced thin (if the onion is large use only 1)
1 medium courgette (eggplant) cut into bite-size pieces, toss w/salt in a bowl and set aside. Just wash eggplant do not peel.
1 28 oz. Organic chopped tomatoes strained
(Save liquid for another use…drink as is…so good for you)
2 tsp kosher salt
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp grated ginger (or more if you like)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp ground turmeric
3 tsp medium curry powder*
1 tsp ground black pepper
3 tbsp tamari
Juice of 1 lime – I put the juiced lime peel in the curry as it cooks.
1 can organic coconut milk
Coriander for garnish
4-6 quart Dutch oven (or large stock pot)

Sauté onions, garlic, and ginger in a large dutch oven with 4 tblsps water. Stir regularly, adding more water as needed.
When onions are soft, add the courgette, tomatoes and 1 tsp of salt.
Cover and cook gently over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the lentils, spices, tamari, lime juice, coconut milk, lime peel, 1 tspn salt and 7 cups of water and bring to a boil.
Stir, cover and simmer for 25 minutes on LOW heat. Stir regularly so the lentils do not stick.
Taste and add more spice to your liking.
Serve in large bowls and sprinkle with coriander.
Brown rice or Jasmine complement this dish perfectly.
(Leftovers freeze wonderfully)

NUTRIENTS: Protein: 35g, Fiber: 42g, Calcium: 136 mg
Plus Potassium, Vitamin A & C

Bon Appétit.

*CURRY POWDER

A little about curry powder. I have found the fresher the better. So, if you can find a herb store near you buy small quantities as it’s life span in the pantry is about 8 months. I have a beautiful spice shop at the Grand Central Market where I get most of my unique spices.  Also, a great online source for the hard-to-find seasonings.

GRAND CENTRAL MARKET CURRY