Moong Dhal with courgettes
I’ve got a new rule. When opportunities come knocking, I’m just gonna say yes! The cool thing with that is I don’t have to let my brain get involved….and here’s why. It totally means well, and is only trying to protect me, keep me safe and be logical by pointing out what could go wrong but that can take over from what my heart desires, and that’s where the spark, excitement and joy can be in life. If I say yes, and it’s meant to happen, it will. It just takes the control right out of my hands, and I’m OK with that!
So one of those ‘Yeses’ meant today I addressed 150 year 10, 11 and 12 students at a local girls school about my journey so far as the Fuss Free Foodie. Slightly daunting thought. A room full of eyes, being able to hear a pin drop and only my voice reverberating around the room. My head could’ve found many reasons why not to do it! But I did not allow myself to even get into my head about it. What’s the worst that could happen!?! Sometimes its great just to bite the bullet and do it anyway and in the words of a well-known trainer company…Just do it! So let’s see what comes up next that I have to say yes too!
I feel very blessed that so many of you are saying yes to the Fuss Free Foodie too, which I am so grateful for! Thank you! This week I’ve been hearing more of you giving my recipes ago, and even better you’re families enjoying them as well! It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut with the same 1-2 week recipe cycle, and we all experience that at some point and need to change things up!
This weeks recipe is still helping me use my yellow courgette glut (you could leave them out if you wanted but all part of your 5 a day!) and using those ingredients that lurk at the back of the cupboard. A fuss-free fast food, and is great for making ahead and reheating. Let me know how you get on! Lisa.
Courgette Moong Dhal
1 cup of Moong Dhal/yellow split lentils, well rinsed in water and drained
Heaped tbsp grated ginger
1 tsp turmeric
3 1/2 cups of water
2 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped
2-3 medium courgettes, sliced
Temper
1 shallot, thinly sliced
1 red/green chilli, sliced
1-2 tsp cumin seeds
2-3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
5-6 tbsp butter/ghee/oil
Salt
(Optional 1/2 tsp garam masala, 1/4 tsp chilli powder)
I did it without and was still delicious
1. Put the lentils into a medium-sized saucepan with 3 cups of the water (retain the rest for later). Add the turmeric, tomatoes, and ginger. Stir, and bring to the boil and then return to simmer. Stir occasionally and add more water if it dries out or starts to stick.
2. This should take about 30 minutes until the lentil are broken down and the dal has a porridge consistency. Add the courgettes at this stage and let them cook in the dal for 10-20 minutes. Add a little water if is drying out. Season with a good pinch of salt. It’s not going to do any harm cooking it for longer, just keep adding bits of water if needs be.
3. In a separate frying pan, add the oil/butter and raise the temperature to medium to high, so that you can add the cumin seed and fry for a couple of minutes with the shallot. It is OK to get the shallo
t brown, but turn down to a medium to low heat when you add the chilli and garlic. This doesn’t want to be brown, just cook for a further minute or 2.
4. Add the tempeh to the lentil mixture, stir in thoroughly. Check the seasoning for any more salt, and serve with chapatis, rotis, naan or rice. I only had pittas and that worked well too!!
Remember if you love the Fuss Free Foodie, maybe you’re friends will too, so please remember to keep liking and loving to keep me in your feed! Lisa x