Lentil Soup with Caramelized Onions, toasted Cumin and Coriander

Lentil Soup with Caramelized Onions, toasted Cumin and Coriander

1/2 cup Yellow Pigeon peas or Red Lentils

1 large Onion

1 Tomato

Fresh Ginger

3 cloves of Garlic

Pinch of Turmeric

Salt to taste

Cayenne

1 teaspoon Lemon Pepper

1 teaspoon Coriander powder

Canola Oil/ Vegetable Oil

1 teaspoon Cumin seeds

Cilantro for garnish

2 teaspoons Lemon Juice

Take 1/2 cup of Yellow Pigeon peas (you can also use Red Lentils) in a pot on a gas and add 1 cup water and keep covered till it cooks completely.You will know the lentils are cooked thoroughly once they turn mushy. Add salt to taste.  Keep them aside.

Chop ginger,garlic and onions finely. Then heat a pan, add 2 teaspoons of ghee or clarified butter. Transfer the chopped onion, ginger and garlic to the pan. Also, add pinch of turmeric and cayenne, salt to taste, 1 teaspoon lemon pepper powder and saute well till the onions are caramelized. Then chop a tomato and add it to the pan. Sprinkle some water and keep covered till the chopped tomato cooks well and takes in all the flavors from the spices. This is called a “TARKA” in Indian Cuisine and adds richness to the humble dal which we cooked earlier. Once onion tomato ginger garlic paste is cooked and ready, add the “TARKA” to the cooked lentils. I like to use a hand blender and blend it a little so you can still see bits of caramelized onions and tomatoes. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice or add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Chop some cilantro leaves and use to garnish as well. Enjoy!

Nutrition facts

Lentils in general contain high levels of protein and the important aminoacids methionine, lysine and tryptophan.

Baked Cauliflower with Pecans, Caramelized Onions in a Cilantro Yogurt Sauce

Baked Cauliflower with Pecans, Caramelized Onions in a Cilantro Yogurt Sauce

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I received so much great feedback from my “Absolutely healthy Cauliflower dish” that it inspired me to make another one- this even better because of the coriander yogurt sauce.

The recipe is very similar but this time with a slight variation. I place the cauli florets in a baking pan along with Pecans and then sprinkle some salt, 2 tsp of turmeric, 1 tsp of chilli powder and 1 tsp cumin – coriander powder. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Heat a pan with oil, add chopped onions and 4-5 cloves garlic with salt and sauté till they caramelize. Transfer the toasted pecans and the florets on to the pan with Caramelized onions and garlic.
For the sauce, chop a bunch of coriander leaves/ cilantro and put it in a blender with yogurt. Blend to a smooth consistency and add salt to taste. Now transfer the green sauce to pan with cauliflower, onions and pecans. Plate and Enjoy!!!!! Absolutely healthy yet delicioussssss:)

Recipe: My Absolutely healthy Cauliflower dish!

Recipe: My Absolutely healthy Cauliflower dish!

Ingredients

Extra virgin Olive Oil
1/2 head of Cauliflower
1 large Onion
3 cloves of garlic
5-6 Mint leaves
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp coriander powder
Pinch of turmeric
1 tsp cayenne powder
1 tsp lemon pepper powder
1/2 cup low fat or Greek yoghurt
2 tsp lemon juice
Salt to taste

For garnish

Mint leaves and dried red chilly

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cut the cauliflower to small florets.

Take a bowl and add 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil. To this add all spices, salt, cayenne and whisk well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now take a baking pan and transfer the almonds and cauliflower florets. Drizzle the oil mixed with spices onto the florets and toss well so they are evenly coated. Place the pan in the oven for 20 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now take a bowl, add yoghurt, salt and whisk in the lemon juice and 1/2 tsp EVOO. Add some mint leaves and mix well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now chop the onion lengthwise and finely chop the garlic.
Heat a pan add some EVOO, add the chopped garlic and onions and sauté till onions caramelize a little.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now after 20 minutes, transfer the cauliflower and almonds from the baking pan to the pan on the gas which has the onions and garlic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfer to a plate and spread the yoghurt over it. For garnish place a sprig of mint and a dried red chilly- enjoy this Currylicious healthy dish and let me know if you liked it:)

My Absolutely healthy Cauliflower dish!

My Absolutely healthy Cauliflower dish!

I opened my refrigerator to cook dinner for us and found just cauliflower and some yoghurt!

It was too late to go out and get something and then cook so figured will have to come up with a dish 🙂

I made this awesome healthy cauliflower dish with crunchy almonds, yoghurt, mint and ofcourse my spices!

My husband loved it and the best part is you can use any vegetable for this recipe and I promise it will turn out perfectly CURRYLICIOUS!!!!!!! Look for the recipe in my recipe section and would appreciate your feedback.