Red Lentil Stew

I watch the Chew when I have some free time,  It's a fun cooking show on abc network, hosted by Clinton Kelly, Chef Mario Batali, Chef Michael Symon, Karla Hall and Daphne Oz. 


Daphne and chef Mario made this lovely stew with red lentils and sweet potato which I really loved and had to make it the same day. It is very similar to the one I usually make with some more healthy extras!

I used:

• Olive Oil
• 1 Red Onion (finely chopped)
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 7 Carrots (thinly sliced coins)
• 2 Celery Ribs (finely chopped)
• 1 Bunch of Kale or spinach (chopped)
• 3 Garlic cloves (finely minced)
• 2 cups Red Lentils (rinsed)
• 2 teaspoons ground toasted Cumin Seeds 
• 1 teaspoon ground toasted Coriander seeds
• 1 teaspoon Chipotle powder or smoked paprika or Aleppo pepper  
• 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric
• 6 cups Water or more
• 1 Sweet Potato (peeled and finely diced; about 1 cup)
• freshly squeezed lemon juice from one lemon

Served with whole grain crackers

Method :)

Sautéed onions in a heavy bottomed pot with the hot oil.

add the celery, carrots and cook for 3 more minutes. 

add garlic and saute for 1 more minute.add in lentils and sweet potato and cook for about 3-4 minutes, toasting in the oil.

add the cumin, coriander, chipotle powder or any of the substitute u have and the turmeric with a pinch of salt and peper.

add the hot water, stir and bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and let simmer for about 45 minutes or until the lentil is cooked thoroughly and has a good consistincy. then add the greens, stir and cook for 3 more minutes.

to serve:  splash with lemon juice and a pinch of cumin along with toast or crackers or my favorite (Trader Joe's Veggie & Flaxseed Tortilla Chips )

find the Chew recipe here:
http://abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/red-lentil-sweet-potato-stew-daphne-oz 

Enjoy :)

Thai chicken curry recipe

There are so many variations of chicken curry recipes out there. I have tried few recipes I found online, in cookbooks or some I came up with! 

This recipe is so easy and delicious! 

and the ingredients are very simple! It is a one pot meal and semi-homemade!

Ingredients:

1 medium onion cut in half and sliced 1/2" thickness 

5-6 small skinless boneless chicken thighs

2 sweet potatoes roughly chopped 

2 carrots chopped 

One red bell pepper thickly sliced

1-2" piece of fresh ginger minced

 3 gloves of garlic sliced

1 (11oz) trader joes Thai yellow curry sauce 

In a hot heavy bottomed pot, sauté the onions with 3-4 tbls olive oil for 4-5 minutes. Add the ginger and cook for another minute

Add the chicken and brown each side

Add garlic, carrots, sweet potato and mix  everything together!  Cook for 8-10 minutes then add red peppers and let cook for 2 more minutes.

add the curry sauce, mix well, cover, bring to boil then let it simmer till the chicken and the veggies are tender and the sauce has thickened!!!

Serve it warm on a bed of jasmine rice

(1cup jasmine rice 2cups water, bring water to boil add salt and a table spoon of cooking coconut oil then add the rice cover and let simmer on low till the water is all absorbed! ) 

Enjoy! :)

Nancy