DAAL

I love daal. Here is a version I just made... delicious.

1 cup red split lentils
6 cups water
1 medium onion chopped small
2 tbs finely chopped fresh ginger
2 tbs oil
1 tsp whole black cumin
2 bay leaves
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 tsp Garam masala
2 tsp ground Coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
1 clove garlic crushed
salt to taste

In oil, cook whole cumin seeds until poppy, add bay leaves, onions, ginger and garilc. Cook a few minutes more ... 5 maybe. then add powdered spices and stir around. Add everything else and simmer two hours. Serve over cooked shortgrain brown rice with a touch of butter. Doesn't get much better than this.

Fried Rice

For something as simple as fried rice, I am always surprised at the lack of knowledge on how it is best assembled. It is best for using up leftovers. Add and subtract ingredients as you have on hand. Here is one of the most simple forms of fried rice.

Heat 1-2 tbls of oil in pan...such as Canola
Cook at the same time
chopped bacon (4 strips)
one small yellow onion
the whites of scallions (4)
one clove of garlic crushed and chopped

Cook all until bacon is mostly done, but definitely not crispy.

Add about 4 cups LEFTOVER rice. preferably cooked the day before and refridgerated.
This is important for the consistancy of the rice in the fried rice.

Add the chopped greens of those four scallions
Season with sesame oil, tamari, salt, and more pepper than you think you need.

Continue to cook till the bacon looks done (again not crispy).

Make a hole in the center of the rice... clear away till you see the bottom of the pan. Add a tbl of sesame oil.

Pour scrambled eggs (2) into the center. cook the eggs there. They will draw in some of the rice and bits, but that is okay. Just keep it mosly rice free until the eggs are cooked, then mix into the rice. Serve hot.

Yum. Rice should be oily, but not unplesantly so. It should also not be too salty.

Enjoy.

Ham and White bean soup

1 can each of navy beans and butter beans
4 cups chicken broth
1 ham steak with bone cubed and throw bone in too
4 stalks celery chop large
5 fat carrots chopped large
1 tsp each thyme, marjoram, basil
1 bay leaf
black pepper to taste
olive oil
6 cloves garlic
3 cups water
some swiss chard (sauted in olive oil and garlic till soft)


Saute celery, carrots and ham in olive oil until veggies partly cooked
Add broth, water, herbs and spices. Cook at least one hour on low to med heat. Add cooked swiss chard.
Adjust seasoning, and eat with buttered bread.

Yum.