Spicy Lentils South Africa Recipes

SPICY RED LENTILS WITH CAPERS AND CURRANTS

Steps:

• Place large saucepan of water on to boil for the lentils.
• Check lentils for any stones etc. Place lentils in a fine sieve and run under lots of running water, when water runs clear, give them a good tap on the side of the bench to get rid of excess water.
• Tip lentils into saucepan of boiling water, stir them well and cook them for only a couple of minutes, until they are just tender with a hint of firmness (watch them very carefully as they can turn into mush in the space of 30 seconds or so, testing them as you go).
• As soon as they are ready pour them into a sieve to drain, shaking them well to get rid of any excess water.
• Tip the cooked lentils into the dressing and mix well. Add the currants and the capers, and leave the salad to cool to room temperature, stirring it regularly.
• When you are ready to serve, pile it onto a plate/bowl and sprinle some onion slithers and parsley leaves over the top.

SPICY LENTILS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a dutch oven over medium heat and add onions, ginger, and a dash of salt& pepper.
• Cover and cook for 10 mins until soft.
• Add garlic, curry powder, cumin, coriander and cook for 1 minute.
• Add water, broth, lentils and bay leaves and bring to the boil.
• Cover and reduce heat, simmer for 2 hrs until tender and the liquid is absorbed.
• Remove bay leaves, add the yogurt and tomato puree and simmer 5 minutes until heated through.

SPICY LENTIL STEW

Steps:

• Pick over lentils. In a bowl soak lentils in water to cover 1 hour. Wrap cinnamon sticks and cardamom pods in a small square of cheesecloth and with kitchen string tie into a bundle. Separately chop onions and tomatoes. Wearing rubber gloves, seed and devein chile and finely chop.
• In a 4-quart kettle cook onions in oil with cheesecloth bundle over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until onions are softened. Stir in tomatoes, chile, garlic, masala, cumin, coriander seeds, and turmeric and simmer 10 minutes.
• Drain lentils in a sieve and add to onion mixture with 4 cups water. Simmer mixture, uncovered, adding more water if necessary to keep ingredients just covered with liquid, until lentils are very soft, about 40 minutes.
• Cut zucchini into 1/8-inch-thick rounds. Discard cheesecloth bundle and arrange zucchini in an even layer on top of curry. Cook curry, covered, until zucchini is tender about 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle curry with cilantro and serve over rice.
• *Available at East Indian markets and some specialty food shops.