Curried Lentil, Tomato and Coconut Soup

I’m always looking for ways to incorporate more lentils and quinoa into soups and other dishes I make.  For this soup, the lentils create a richly textured, hearty soup that is a meal in itself.   I added a small can of tomato sauce to make it nice and thick.  You can also hit is with a bit of cayenne, if you want a little heat.

Curried Lentil, Tomato and Coconut Soup

4 servings

https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/curried-lentil-tomato-and-coconut-soup

2            tablespoons virgin coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil

1            medium onion, finely chopped

2            garlic cloves, finely chopped

1            2 -1/2 inch piece ginger, peeled, finely grated

1            tablespoon medium curry powder

1/4         teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

3/4         cup red lentils

1            14.5 ounce can crushed tomatoes

1            small can tomato sauce (this was not in original recipe)

1/2         cup finely chopped cilantro, plus leaves with tender stems for serving

Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium.  Cook onion, stirring often, until softened and golden brown, 8-10 minutes.  Add garlic, ginger, curry powder, and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.  Add lentils and cook, stirring, 1 minutes.  Add tomatoes, tomato sauce (if using),  1/2 cup cilantro, a generous pinch of salt, and 2.5 cups water; season with pepper.  Set aside 1/4 cup coconut milk for serving (I just used entire can and did use for serving), and add remaining coconut milk to saucepan.  Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until lentils are soft but not mushy, 20-25 minutes.  Season soup with more salt and pepper if needed.

Double Chocolate Date Bars

A Mother's Day treat!

I just bought a big bag of pitted dates and was so happy to find this recipe on line.  I like that the recipe calls for regular pitted dates rather than Medjool Dates, which I find to be a little too sweet.  These bars are so easy to make that I will be keeping them on regular “sweet treats” rotation as well as taking a goodie bag to my mom for Mother's Day.

I just bought a big bag of pitted dates and was so happy to find this recipe on the web.  I like that the recipe calls for regular pitted dates rather than Medjool Dates, which I find to be a little too sweet.  These bars are so easy to make that I will be keeping them on regular “sweet treats” rotation.

Double Chocolate Date Bars

https://thealmondeater.com/double-chocolate-date-bars/

1 1/2         cup dates, pitted

1/4            cup + 1 tablespoon cocoa powder

3               teaspoons maple syrup

1/2            cup almonds

1/4            cup almond butter

1/2            teaspoon vanilla

1/4            teaspoon salt + extra for topping (I used finishing salt for final salting)

1/2            cup dairy-free chocolate chips

1               tablespoon coconut oil

Make sure dates are pitted.  Then place dates and almonds into a food processor and pulse.

Add cocoa powder, syrup, almond butter, salt, and vanilla to processor and pulse until everything is mixed together.

Place mixture in a 5 x 8 pan and smooth out with a spatula – or if you want thicker bars, put mixture in the middle and spread out without going to the edges.

Place in refrigerator for approx. 10 minutes, allowing bars to harden a bit.

Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil together in a microwave-safe dish – or small saucepan on stove.

Remove bars from refrigerator and drizzle melted chocolate over top; place back in the refrigerator for an additional 10 minutes. 

Add a little finishing salt to the top.

Orange-Scented Cauliflower Rice Pilaf

Cauliflower Rice is so light and can be dressed with many different sauces, it is definitely my new favorite side.  This particular dressing is light and refreshing and paired well with Asian vegan pot stickers.  I ended up making a double batch of dressing and used it all - I'd rather have too much than not enough.

Orange-Scented Cauliflower Rice Pilaf

Love & Lemons Every Day Cookbook

Serves 4

Dressing

1            tablespoon orange zest

3            tablespoons fresh-squeezed orange-juice

1/2         tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1            tablespoon rice vinegar

1            tablespoon sriracha

1/2         teaspoon sea salt

              pinch red pepper flakes

Pilaf

1            small cauliflower, trimmed and cut into florets (1 pound)

1/2         tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1            shallot, chopped (1/3 cup)

2            scallions, finely sliced

              sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/4         cup toasted chopped almonds

1/4         cup toasted chopped pistachios

1/4         cup dried currants

1/4         cup pomegranate seeds

1/3         cup chopped fresh parsley

1/3         cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/4         cup fresh mint leaves

1.5         teaspoons orange zest

              orange wedges, for serving

Make the dressing:  In a small bowl, whisk together the orange zest, orange juice, olive oil, rice vinegar, ginger, sriracha, salt and red pepper flakes.  Set aside.

Make the pilaf:  Working in several batches, place the cauliflower in a food processor and pulse until it resembles rice.  This should yield about 4 cups riced cauliflower.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the shallot and cook, stirring, for 6 minutes or until soft.  Add the cauliflower rice, scallions, a generous pinch of slat, and a few grinds of black pepper.  Cook, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes more until the cauliflower has just softened.  Do not overcook.

Remove the skillet from the heat and let it cool slightly.  Transfer to a large bowl and toss with three-quarters of the dressing, the almonds, pistachios, currants, pomegranate seeds, parsley cilantro, mint, and orange zest.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.