Passage to India

After last week's gourmet tour of the world I made a second attempt at curried lentil and potato stew with spiced okra. It turned out even better though the okra was not as nearly as tender as the previous batch from the Farmer's Market. As we put away the dishes after licking clean the serving spoons we agreed that this recipe was so addicting it should definitely make regular appearances throughout fall and winter. Later I sat on the sofa listening to the hum of the dishwasher and regretfully wishing I'd eaten the rest of the lentils rather than saving them in a Tupperware for tomorrow's lunch. Hmm. I may need to double the portions next time.

Curried lentil and potato stew

Ingredients (serves two with leftovers, maybe)

Stirring in potatoes and cilantro

• Two cups of green lentils
• Yellow curry powder
• A pinch or two of cayenne pepper
• Salt to taste (if there's one thing I learned about curry is that it needs a lot of salt to bring out the flavor, so this is not the food for people watching their blood pressure)

• 2 small gold potatoes, cubed
• Fresh cilantro, about two handfuls, torn
• A cup of strained tomatoes
• White wine (optional)

Almost ready

Put lentils in a large pot and cover with five cups of water. Add plenty of curry powder, salt, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil, covered. When lentils start to boil reduce heat to medium. After ten minutes add potatoes, half the cilantro, the tomatoes, half cup or so of white wine and more salt.

Stir and cover. Cook for another 10 minutes or until lentils and potatoes are tender, adding water as needed to ensure a slightly moist consistency. Right before serving add the remaining cilantro.



Dinner is served


Serve with spiced okra (courtesy of Top Cheftestant Kevin Gillespie, this recipe is delicious even though I skipped the fenugreek and substituted garam masala for the ground fennel seeds - if you do this you can leave out the cinnamon) and a dollop of plain yoghurt if you like. The lentils taste even better at room temperature or the next day.