August 17, 2023
Slow Cooker Red Lentil Dal
Ingredients
- 576 grams red lentils (can use part yellow split peas or split mung beans, or a combination of two or more)
- 1.4L water
- One 28 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon turmeric
- 3 green cardamom pods
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoon each: cumin seeds, mustard seeds, onion seeds (nigella) and fenugreek seeds
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For serving:
- Hot cooked brown rice
- cilantro, optional
- extra onion and cumin seeds, optional
- fresh lemon juice, optional
Method
- Place red lentils and yellow split peas into a large bowl and cover with water. Let soak for a few minutes and swish to wash the lentils and split peas. Drain well and rinse. Place in a slow cooker and add the 6 cups water. Add the diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric, cardamom pods, bay leaf, salt and black pepper.
- Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add all of the seeds to the pan. Shake the pan while on the heat, or use a wooden spoon to stir, while toasting the seeds. When they smell fragrant, remove from heat and transfer to the slow cooker. (It will probably bubble up a bit as the hot seed hit the liquid.) Stir well to combine all ingredients. Place lid on slow cooker and let cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 8-10 hours.
- Remove lid after cooking time and stir. Taste and if lentils are not soft, cook for another 30-60 minutes, if needed. Add more salt and pepper, if needed.
- To serve – Ladle the dal over brown rice and top with a squeeze of fresh lemon, cilantro, and more seeds, if desired.
NOTES
Be careful not to toast the seeds for too long or the dal may become bitter. For a lighter flavor, use half as much of the fenugreek.
If onion seeds cannot be found, it’s fine to leave them out. The same for the fenugreek. The mustard and cumin seeds are fairly easy to find.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Yield: 10 - 12 serves
One Pan Miso Honey Chicken Thighs with Squash 2 servings | 40 minutes INGREDIENTS 1 tbsp Miso Paste 1 tsp Raw Honey 1 Garlic (clove, large, minced) 3 tbsps Chicken Broth, Low Sodium Sea Salt & Black Pepper 1 lb Chicken Thighs with Skin (bone-in) 1 Delicata Squash (large, sliced, seeds removed) 1 tbsp Parsley (minced) METHOD Preheat the oven to 400oF (205oC). Heat a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Mix the miso paste, honey, garlic, chicken broth, salt, and pepper together. Add the chicken and squash to the marinade and toss well to coat. Sear the chicken thighs in the cast iron pan, skin-side down, until just browned, about two minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan. Add the squash and remaining marinade to the pan and place the chicken thighs on top. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the squash is tender. Garnish with parsley and enjoy! NOTES Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days. Serving Size: One serving is approximately two chicken thighs and one cup of squash. Additional Toppings: Sesame seeds, hot sauce, and/or chopped green onions. Nutrition Facts Amount per serving 623 calories 57gs protein 15gs carb 35gs fat
Creamy Spinach Stuffed Salmon & Potatoes 2 servings | 35 minutes INGREDIENTS 5 oz Potatoes (wedges) 1 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste) 2 tbsps Cream Cheese, Regular 2 tbsps Frozen Spinach (thawed, drained) 2 Garlic (clove, minced) 1/2 Lemon (juiced, zested) 12 ozs Salmon Fillet METHOD Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the potatoes on the baking sheet and toss with oil, salt, and pepper. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, spinach, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Using a sharp knife, slice down the middle of each piece of salmon, lengthwise. Make sure that your knife doesn't go all the way through. Stuff each fillet with the spinach mixture and season the fillets with salt and pepper. Place the salmon onto the same baking sheet as the potatoes. Place back in the oven and cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until cooked through. Divide the salmon and potatoes between serving plates and enjoy! NOTES Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days. Serving Size: One serving is equal to one stuffed salmon and one cup potatoes. More Flavor: Add parsley to the spinach mixture. Dairy-Free: Use cashew cream cheese instead. Nutrition Facts Amount per serving 563 calories 40gs protein 43gs carb 26gs fat
Chicken Chowder 3 servings | 35 minutes INGREDIENTS 2 slices Bacon (sliced) 2 Yellow Potato (medium, chopped) 1 Leek (large, sliced) 1 Carrot (medium, diced) 2 stalks Celery (sliced) 2 Garlic (clove, chopped) 1 tbsp Thyme (fresh) 4 cups Chicken Broth, Low Sodium 12 ozs Chicken Breast, Cooked (shredded) 1/2 cup Whipping Cream (at room temperature) METHOD Heat a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the bacon and cook for three to five minutes or until crisp. Set aside on paper towels, leaving the fat in the pot. Add the potatoes, leek, carrot, and the celery to the pan. Sauté over medium heat for five minutes. Stir in the garlic and thyme and add the broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, half-covered, for 15 minutes. Add the chicken and cook for three more minutes. Stir in the cream and allow it to heat through. Serve topped with bacon. Enjoy! NOTES Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days. Serving Size: One serving is equal to approximately two cups. More Flavor: Add salt and pepper to taste. Use turkey breast instead of chicken. Dairy-Free: Use coconut cream instead of whipping cream. Nutrition Facts Amount per serving 342 calories 11g fat 26g carbs 33g protein