Whole Wheat Orange Walnut Muffins

It will probably shock you to hear that I’m not the biggest muffin fan in the world.  Usually they’re too sweet, too bready, too sticky, too…something.  Evidently I am pickier than I thought. But these MUFFINS.  Gracious.  A few weeks … Read More

DIY Coconut Honey Face & Body Scrub

  Ah, yes, the coconut oil obsession continues.  I made this scrub as a quick DIY addition to some Christmas gifts last year and have been using it regularly myself ever since.  It’s the perfect thing as we start to … Read More

Creamy Coconut Peach Frozen Yogurt

We made these popsicles last summer and loved them.  But popsicles are often messier than I’d prefer at the dinner table (especially with a few snail-pace eaters over here, AHEM, N), so I thought I’d whirl it into a frozen … Read More

Toddler Screen Time

[Whoo boy, first toddler eating and now toddler screen time?  Since when did I become such a not-afraid-of-controversy blogger?  (I didn’t; I’m still deathly afraid.  This just happens to be important to me.)]A couple of months ago, Janssen posted about … Read More

Book Lovers Day

    Blouse/Necklace: Forever 21 (here and here); Skirt: Banana Republic (old); Shoes: Steve Madden (old); Belt: Target (came with another skirt) I’ve been a total bookworm for as long as I remember.  My mom has vivid memories of spending … Read More

Smoky Sweet Corn Chowder

I’m generally a strictly hot-soup-belongs-in-the-wintertime sort of person (although chilled soups, such as peach and strawberry and cucumber are planted firmly in my mind’s summer, but one could say that’s more dessert than meal) (will I ever create parentheticals shorter … Read More

Even with meal planning, there are days when I just get behind or failed to plan ahead or am just plain feeling lazy.  This is the meal that I make on those days.  It’s quick (30 minutes to the table), healthy, hearty, and I almost always have the ingredients on hand.  It pairs great with a simple salad or some roasted veggies, and the leftovers taste even better.  What’s not to love?  Nothing, there is nothing not to love.



Easy Indian Dal
adapted from here

1 cup red lentils
1 large tomato, cut into wedges
1/4 cup oil
1 medium onion, diced
5 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 cup minced cilantro leaves
1 teaspoon salt

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over high heat. Add the onion and saute
over medium heat. About 3 minutes later, add the garlic and saute until
most of the onion has turned dark brown, about 5 minutes altogether.

2. Add the spices, stir, and let cook for one minute.  Add tomatoes, lentils, and 2 cups of water.  Let simmer until lentils are tender but not mushy, about 10 minutes (can add more water if it seems too thick).  Stir in the cilantro and salt. Serve hot over rice or with chapati.

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