HAPPY LEAP YEAR!

Valentine's Day 2008 was lots of fun. We went to KORHOGO 126 on Union Street. That place is to die for ...
Flowers equal a happy woman. *grin* Words to live by ...


This week, I cooked with panch phoran for the first time. *ugh* SOOOO good.
Cauliflower Dal with Panch Phoran* (vegan)

1 1/2 cups masoor dal or red lentils (I used channa dal [yellow lentils] because that’s what I had on hand.)
4 cups water
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/8 teaspoon canola oil (or canola oil spray)
1 tablespoon panch phoran
1 large onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon ginger paste (or 1 tsp. minced ginger)
16 ounces diced tomatoes (or 1 can)
1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets (I steam mine for 8 mins before hand, but that is optional)
1/2 cup water

Pick over and rinse the lentils and soak them in 3 cups of warm water for 1 hour.
Drain and add them to a pot with the 4 cups water and turmeric. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer until the dal is tender, about 30 to 40 minutes. When done, add salt and set aside.

While the dal is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Heat a large, deep skillet, preferably non-stick. When hot, add the canola oil and shake it to spread it around. Add the panch phoran and stir. (You may instead use oil spray; spray before and after adding the panch phoran.) When the first seed pops, immediately add the onion, garlic, pepper flakes, and ginger paste. Stir and cook until the onion softens, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, cauliflower, and some water, and stir. Cover and cook until the cauliflower is just tender, about 10 minutes.

When the dal and cauliflower are both done, add the dal to the cauliflower mixture. Stir well, and check seasoning, adding more salt if needed. Simmer gently for a few minutes to allow flavors to blend. Serve hot, over rice if desired.

Recipe from: (There are also additional recipes using this spice here.)
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2008/01/cauliflower-dal-with-panch-phoran.html

* The spelling of this spice blend varies.

The results:

I served the above over couscous and I also made my secret beet salad. *yum*