Pappadums!

This past weekend I have been acting as hostess to a couple from Germany.  We met this couple while vacationing in Nova Scotia this summer, and they decided to stop by for a visit as they are traveling for a year through the continent.  I was worried at first to what to serve people from Germany.  But was very happy to realize they eat the same as my family (as healthy as possible)!   On Saturday we decided to have a nice curry.  While we were shopping for ingredients my new German friend was very excited to find Pappadums at my grocery store!  Now I have never had a pappadum, I usually don't give boxed foods a second look.  But I said sure that I would try them, when I found out they are made from lentils!

They are so yummy!  And so much fun to watch cook!  They are described as lentil crackers.  We found out not to go by the instructions on the box.   We tried the pan fry method and it did not work.  So the microwave had to do.  What you do is, throw one Pappadum in the microwave for 45 seconds and voila! it is done!  We did not add oil as suggested.

See pictures!

Who would of thought I would learn about Indian food from Germans?  The Pappadums are a bit spicy and salty...but makes a very yummy (not so bad for you) treat!  I wonder if I can find a recipe to make my own?

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Posted in: Lentils

Masoor Dal

What is masoor dal?  It is a very yummy, quick, and easy red lentil curry dish!
I was looking for a red lentil dish that I could make for my family with the ingredient's I already had on hand.  I didn't have much so it was tough to find until I saw this recipe here!  It just looked so easy I had to give it a try!  This is what I came up with! 

Masoor Dal

• 2 cups red lentils
• 3 cups water
• 1/2 onion
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp cumin
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• red pepper flakes

I just threw all ingredients into a pot and cooked  until lentils were done.
Serve with some Naan and ENJOY!

Sharing with
Just Another Meatless Monday is hosted by Hey Whats For Dinner Mom?
My Meatless Monday is hosted by My Sweet and Savoury 

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Posted in: Lentils

Lentil Lasagna

I love lasagna!  So I decided to try substituting meat for lentils in my recipe.  It worked out well, but next time I am going to add more veggies to it as it was a bit plain.

2 cups dried lentils boiled in a lots of water, drained
2 jars spaghetti sauce
onion, mushrooms, peppers, carrots, zucchini, use what you have in the fridge or none at all.
tub of cottage cheese
egg or 2
spinach (if frozen drain all excess liquid/if fresh fry in pan with little water till wilted, drain)
shredded cheese as much as you like
lasagna noodles
9"by13" casserole dish

1. Boil noodles as per instructions 12 should work depending on size of dish.
2. Mix lentils with one jar of sauce in a bowl add in any extra veggies.
3. Beat with blender cottage cheese, egg or 2, and spinach.  If you have lots of cheese add it too!
4. Using second jar of sauce, spread a layer of just sauce in casserole dish.
5. Lay down 3(or whatever fits)noodles then layer half of lentil mixture.
6. Lay down row of noodles, layer all of cottage cheese mixture.
7. Lay down row of noodles, layer rest of Lentil mixture.
8. Lay down row of noodles, rest of second jar sauce.
9. Add shredded cheese!

Cook at preheated 350 oven for an hour...best to make ahead then freeze then cook again from frozen(for some reason it just tastes better)  I usually make 2 at a time, 1 to eat now and the 2nd to freeze.  Can substitute lentils for beef or chicken...I use left over roasts or chicken and ground it up with a food processor all the time.

Enjoy!

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Posted in: casserole,leftovers,Lentils,pasta