Dal Fry

Time to get back to the basics! I’ve been talking to a friend about life and we’ve come to the conclusion that the word for this year (life really) is #perspective . If you’re feeling bogged down by the mundane routines of life and feeling like you’re at a standstill, it’s all about perspective. If you’re feeling like you’re on top of the world (first of all good for you! I’m so happy for you!), it’s still about perspective. Situations can change in an instant. Good or bad. Where you are is not where you will always be. The way to deal with? Gratitude for what you’ve gone through, what you are currently going through, and for what is to come. In the Hindi movie #YehJawaaniHaiDeewani the lead actor compares marriage to eating #DaalChaawal for 50 years or until you die. Like its a bad thing! I could definitely live off of lentils and rice. It’s wholesome, filling, and nutritious. And you can change it up so many ways. By the way, Daal = lentils.

*Recipe* - 1 c lentils of your choice (split chick peas, split pigeon peas, red lentils, petite yellow lentils, etc) - 1 led. onion, sliced - 2 cloves of garlic, smashed - Salt - 1/2 t turmeric - 2 cups of water - 1 tomato, diced - 1 T oil/ghee - 1 t cumin seeds - 1/2 t Kashmiri chili powder - 1-2 dried red chilis - 1/4 c of cilantro leaves and stems chopped finely

* Rinse and drain your lentils. * In a pot, add your lentils, half an onion, garlic, salt, turmeric, and water. Bring to a boil, and cook on a low heat. Check on it periodically and add hot water as you need. * Once the lentils have cooked, add your chopped tomato and cook for another 2 mins. Check your seasoning and adjust accordingly. Add in your finely chopped cilantro, stem and all! The stems have a lot of flavor. No need for wastage! * Now for the tempering (tadka). In a pot heat up your oil or ghee. Ghee gives it a really good flavor. Once hot, add your cumin seeds and whole red chilis. Once they begin to splutter, add the other half of your onion and cook until golden brown. * Once cooked lower the heat and add the chili powder and mix. Remove from heat and pour onto your cooked lentils. First out your diced tomato and a little of your daal into the tempering pot, swish around to collect any last bits of tempering and pour in.