Indian

Spinach Dal

Spinach DalA few days ago I promised you a new dal recipe that MIGHT just be better than the original Green Lentil Dal I posted awhile back. That’s hard to imagine since the original is SO. DARN. GOOD! It’s also probably my top viewed recipe, so I have a lot to live up to by saying this new spinach dal recipe might be better. I guess you’ll just have to try them both and let me know which you prefer!

Spinach DalFavorite thing about this spinach dal recipe is that it’s tasty. Number one priority FOR SURE. Next favorite thing is that it is amazingly good for you. Since it is the new year and resolutions are sure to be made, that’s a good thing! Right?? I think every year I try to tell myself I’ll eat healthier. Raise your hand if you say the same thing every new year…I’m going to assume everyone’s hand is raised because I really can’t see you all. Reality is that lasts about a week before I’m tired of salads and whatnot. BUT, if all healthy foods taste *this* good, I’m sure not complaining. In fact, I’m coming back for seconds!

Spinach DalI can already tell some of you are still looking at that bright green color and cringing. Let me tell you, it may look awfully green but it tastes like gold…haha. I crack myself up. I find rice and naan also help even out the green-ness of the dal. They are a nice balance to this meal!

Spinach DalEven my don’t-want-to-touch-a-veggie little guy was eating this stuff by the spoonful. In fact, he inspired this recipe! Awhile back he started eating solid foods and I was trying my best to get vegetables in his diet without boring steamed vegetables as the go-to. I bought some spinach dal at the store for him to try. It was so good and he loved it. He would eat anything with a little bit of that stuff on top! I told myself I would totally make it every day of my life if he would eat it and it was good for him. Life happens and about 6 months later I finally got around to making some and little man still loves it (as does big man, Travis 🙂 hehe)! I love spice-filled foods so if the kid only eats veggies covered in chili powder and curry, you will not hear any complaints here!

Spinach Dal
Serves 6
Indian, spinach-based lentil stew, with aromatic spices
Print
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
40 min
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
40 min
Ingredients
  1. 2 1/2 cups vegetable stock
  2. 1 cup dried lentils, rinsed*
  3. 2 teaspoons chili powder
  4. 1 teaspoon turmeric
  5. 1 teaspoon salt
  6. 2 (10-ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach
  7. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  8. 1 onion, diced
  9. 2 cloves garlic, minced
  10. 3 Roma tomatoes, diced
  11. 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
  12. 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
  13. 1/2 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
  14. 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
  1. Bring the vegetable stock to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the lentils, chili powder, turmeric, and salt. Reduce the heat to low and simmer about 15 minutes, until the lentils are tender (but not mushy).
  2. While the lentils are cooking, cook and drain the frozen spinach according to the packaging. Make sure to press out as much excess water as possible. Set aside.
  3. Melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium to medium-high heat. Add the spinach, onion, garlic, tomato, cumin, curry powder, ginger, and cinnamon.
  4. Saute until the onions are translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat.
  5. Once the lentils are cooked, add about 1 cup of their cooking liquid to the spinach mixture. Use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until almost smooth. Add more of the cooking liquid, as needed, to blend the mixture.
  6. Once the spinach mixture is blended, stir in the remaining stock and lentils. If the mixture is too thick for your preference, you can thin it with additional vegetable stock or water.
  7. Eat warm with rice and naan.
Notes
  1. *When you rinse your lentils, sift through them and remove any little pebbles or bad lentils before cooking.
Flavor From Scratch https://www.flavorfromscratch.com/

Green Lentil Dal

Lentil DalWhen I made naan recently, I told you all that I ate it with some green lentil dal. That probably didn’t mean much to some of you. If I were reading this about a month ago I would be just as lost as you most likely are. Here’s just a little background I learned through some major internet researching (Google, anyone?). “Dal” can actually mean a split lentil, pea, or bean. You might be thinking that I’m talking in circles because now all you know is that I made green lentil…split lentils. So helpful for you all. You’re welcome!

Lentil DalTo be fair, “dal” can also mean a stew-like dish prepared with, well, dal. So turns out I’m not completely losing it! This means that in the simplest terms, this dish is a green lentil stew. Often served with rice and bread (hence, the naan), this dish is oh-so-much-more than just a stew. It’s full of flavor and spices that will make your mouth wonder why it has never tasted something so delicious before. Want. more. now!

*Side note: I’m not a pro at Indian cuisine, or any cuisine for that matter. This is seriously delicious stuff but don’t look at me for the traditional recipe that your great aunt twice removed from India used to make. I probably don’t have it here.

Lentil DalThis is a vegetarian dish, which is cool. I’m not vegetarian and my husband is most definitely not a vegetarian. Every so often I try some tasty vegetarian dishes but if Travis had it his way we would probably be eating steak and chicken every day. Mostly steak. BUT, I must say that it’s big news that Travis actually told me this dish is a keeper and not a bit of meat was to be found. Must mean it’s pretty darn good without it. Just saying.

If you love this recipe, check out my Spinach Dal! YUM YUM!

**Update: After some feedback about this recipe, I made the 2 cups of water optional. If you add the water, you end up with more of a soup than a stew. Without the water, you end up with something like the pictures show. Both delicious!

Green Lentil Dal
Serves 4
A delicious, vegetarian Indian green lentil stew served with rice and naan.
Print
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
55 min
Total Time
1 hr 15 min
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
55 min
Total Time
1 hr 15 min
Ingredients
  1. 2 cups dried green lentils
  2. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  3. 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  4. 1 small onion, finely chopped
  5. 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  6. 2 cloves garlic, minced
  7. 2 teaspoons chili powder
  8. 1 teaspoon turmeric
  9. 1 teaspoon cumin
  10. 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
  11. 1 can diced tomatoes, with liquid (14.5 ounce can)
  12. 4 cups vegetable stock
  13. 2 cups water, optional
  14. small jalapeño, finely chopped
  15. cilantro, to garnish
Instructions
  1. Place lentils in a colander or sieve and rinse with cold water. Let drain.
  2. Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add cinnamon, onion, ginger, and garlic. Saute approximately 5 minutes, or until onions start to become translucent.
  3. Add in lentils, chili powder, turmeric, cumin, salt, and tomatoes. Stir and bring to simmer. Simmer for 3 minutes.
  4. Add vegetable stock, bring to a boil, and reduce heat. If you would like to end up with more of a soup than a stew, add up to 2 cups of water along with the vegetable stock (optional). Cover and simmer for 40-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender but not mushy.
  5. Garnish with jalapeño and cilantro.
  6. Serve with rice and naan.
Notes
  1. While you are rinsing your lentils, just sift through them to make sure there are no bad ones or even little rocks/pebbles. I've never had it happen, but better safe than sorry!
Adapted from Neil's Healthy Meals
Flavor From Scratch https://www.flavorfromscratch.com/

Naan

NaanI have a confession. I do believe that when I made and ate this naan, it was the first naan I ever ate. EVER! Can you even believe that?? I am so ashamed. I feel like I’ve been living under a rock. If you’ve never eaten fresh naan before, I think it’s safe to say you’re living under a rock too. A very sad rock…with no naan. Don’t worry though, I was right with you there until recently.

NaanWhether you’ve had naan many, many times or whether this is your first time, you won’t be disappointed. These little guys are fluffy and light and chewy. Oh, and the garlic butter. Yeah. Enough said. I actually forgot to put the garlic butter on my first few naan because I didn’t know any better. Add the garlic butter. It’s wonderful either way…But trust me, add the butter.

NaanNaan is the perfect pair for many dishes! Try it with chicken tikka masala. Hello wonderful Indian food. I made mine with some lentil dhal (dahl? I’m still figuring that one out. HELP!). However you spell it…it was AMAZING! I think I even ate some leftovers with some hummus. Yum yum. 

NaanI’ll be honest, the naan is best within the first day or two but you can store it a couple of days in a plastic bag or wrapped in foil. Just make sure to wrap it up tight. If it starts to get a little hard, microwave for a few seconds and it should soften up a bit!

Naan
Yields 8
Delicious homemade naan that will leave your mouth watering!
Print
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
1 hr 15 min
Total Time
1 hr 30 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
1 hr 15 min
Total Time
1 hr 30 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 cup warm water
  2. 2 tablespoons honey
  3. 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (or 1, 0.25 ounce package)
  4. 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  5. 2 teaspoons salt
  6. 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  7. 1 egg
  8. 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  9. cooking spray or olive oil to coat bowl
  10. 4 tablespoons butter
  11. 3 cloves garlic, minced
  12. cilantro, optional
Instructions
  1. Stir warm water and honey in your stand mixer bowl until the honey dissolves. Sprinkle yeast on top and stir with a fork. Let sit for 5-10 minutes, until the mixture becomes foamy.
  2. Using a dough hook on your stand mixer, put mixer on low speed and gradually add the yogurt, salt, baking powder, egg, and flour.
  3. Mix on medium-low for 2-3 minutes. The dough should be slightly sticky but smooth.
  4. Shape the dough into a ball and place in a greased (with cooking spray or olive oil) bowl. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
  5. While the dough is rising, melt the butter in a small saute pan. Add garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes. Strain out the garlic and set the butter aside.
  6. Transfer the risen dough to a lightly floured surface and separate into 8 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then use a rolling pin to roll into a circle about 1/4" thick.
  7. Heat a cast-iron skillet or sauce pan over medium-high heat. Butter one side of the rolled out naan dough and place buttered side down in the heated pan. Once in the pan, butter the other side. Let cook for about 1 minute on the first side, flip, and cook for another 30-60 seconds.
  8. Keep naan covered with a kitchen towel until ready to serve. Sprinkle with cilantro to serve, optional.
Notes
  1. You will know that the naan is getting ready to flip when large bubbles start to form.
Adapted from Gimme Some Oven
Adapted from Gimme Some Oven
Flavor From Scratch https://www.flavorfromscratch.com/

Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka MasalaI first had chicken tikka masala a couple of years ago at a nice little Indian restaurant near college with some friends. It looked fairly typical. Chicken. Rice. Reddish, orange sauce. Little did I know I was going to have a flavor EXPLOSION in my mouth. Wow, I was in for a delicious surprise.

Chicken Tikka MasalaIn very general terms, tikka masala is a tomato and cream based sauce with a slew of spices added. It’s very hard to describe to someone who has never had it but it’s a flavor that you will for sure remember once you have had it. It’s kind of spicy and earthy and warm. Yeah…that was a horrible description. I don’t even know what that means. Needless to say, I am seriously drooling right now and wondering how I can come up with a last minute version of this with what is in my house because we are out of leftovers.

Chicken Tikka MasalaBefore I had this dish at that Indian restaurant, I never really even knew what tikka masala was let alone attempt to make it! Now I LOVE to make it and crave it often. As in I crave it every time I am coming up with the weekly menu.

Now, this is for sure not a recipe based off of traditional Indian cooking techniques. If that’s what you’re looking for, you’re probably better off somewhere else. I grew up Slovak in a house where pierogi and stuffed cabbage were the menu items, not Indian cuisine. However, I find this dish delicious and packed with flavors similar to what I remember from my first tikka masala experience. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala
Serves 6
Print
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
45 min
Total Time
1 hr
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
45 min
Total Time
1 hr
Ingredients
  1. 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts, cubed
  2. 1 tablespoon olive oil
  3. 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
  4. 2 tablespoons butter
  5. 1/2 onion, finely chopped
  6. 4 cloves garlic, minced
  7. 1 tablespoon dried cumin
  8. 1 teaspoon salt
  9. 1/2 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
  10. 1/2-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste
  11. 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  12. 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
  13. 1 can no salt added tomato sauce (14 ounce)
  14. 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  15. 2 teaspoons paprika
  16. 1 tablespoon white sugar
Instructions
  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and curry powder. Sear chicken until just cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet. When the butter is melted, add the onion and sauté until the onion starts to become translucent. Add the garlic and sauté 1 additional minute. Add the cumin, salt, ginger, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and turmeric. Sauté 2 minutes.
  3. Reduce heat to low and stir in tomato sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in whipping cream, paprika, and sugar. Simmer another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Return chicken to the skillet with the sauce and let simmer for about 5 minutes. Serve over rice.
Notes
  1. This can get pretty spicy depending on how much cayenne pepper you add. If you do not like it spicy, try using the 1/2 teaspoon (or less) of cayenne pepper. This is definitely best over rice because the rice gets coated in the delicious sauce as well.
Adapted from All Recipes | Curry Stand Chicken Tikka Masala
Flavor From Scratch https://www.flavorfromscratch.com/