SPICY SPLIT RED LENTIL DAHL

Good Morning to you,

Are you a bit of a nosey parker?

Are you someone who doesn't mean to, but you can't help but listen-in, to other people's conversations?

I hold my hands up.... I am a bit of a nosey parker. I don't mean that I like to know people's business, in fact the opposite is true and  I don't go out of my way to listen-in to other people's conversations, but if I am on my own and I am within ear shot, well, I can't help myself. I think the best way to describe myself is inquisitive.... I find other people so fascinating.

.... and George, well he certainly would not be described as a nosey parker, but the other day he came home from swimming and told me a wonderful tale, about a conversation he had overheard at the swimming pool, between a little girl and her daddy.

I'll set the scene.

George had completed his daily swim when he noticed, up ahead, a little girl holding her daddy's hand. As they walked, the little girl was chattering away, none stop to her daddy. He said it was a lovely scene and it reminded him of the days when Natasha and Danielle were little girls.

George then went for his usual sauna and when he finished he walked into the changing room to take a shower and to get dressed.

He had just locked the door of his cubicle, when he heard this wonderful conversation between the little girl, he had noticed earlier, who he came to know as Daisy, and her daddy.

It went like this.

Daisy. 'Daddy, you don't put my vest on that way. Mammy puts it on the other way.'

Daddy did not respond.

Daisy. 'Daddy you've put my pants on the wrong way.  Mammy doesn't do it like that.'

Daddy. 'Daisy, I do it this way'

Daisy. 'Yes but daddy, mammy does it the other way'.

Daddy.  'Daisy, there are different ways to do things and this is my way'.

George heard a sigh from Daisy and all was quiet for a little while.

Then Daisy piped up. 'Daddy, you've put my socks on the wrong way, they are inside out'.

Daddy. 'No they're not Daisy'

Daisy. 'Yes they are daddy'.

Daddy, getting a little exasperated.... 'Daisy they're not'.

Daisy.  Yes they are daddy, the pink lace should be on the outside, not on the inside.

Daddy.  Daisy they look fine to me.

Daisy.  No they're not. I'm going to tell mammy when we get home, because you've done it all wrong'.

Daddy.  'It's alright Daisy, mammy will understand.'

Brief silence.

Daisy. 'Daddy,'

Daddy. 'Yes Daisy.'

Daisy.  'I need a wee.'

Daddy.  'Really, I just took you for a wee.'

Daisy.  'I know daddy, but I need to go again.'

Daddy.  'Really.'

Daisy.  'Yes daddy, I need a wee.'

Daddy.  'Ok Daisy let's go.'

Daisy.  'Wait a minute daddy.  I need to put my flip flops on.'

Daddy.  'No Daisy, you don't need them.'

Daisy.  'Yes I do, they are my new flip flops'.

Daddy.  'Honestly Daisy you don't need them because you have your socks on and we would have to take them off again.'

Daisy.  '.... but I do,  I do need them daddy, I really, really need them'

Daddy.  A little exasperated.  'I will carry you so you won't need to put them on.'

Daisy.  No, I don't want you to carry me, I want to wear my new flip flops.

.... d-a-d-d-y,

Daddy.  Yes Daisy.

Daisy.  'I'm going to tell mammy about all this.'

Daddy.  'Don't worry Daisy, mammy will understand'.

Daisy.  'No she won't.

Daddy.  Ok Daisy, let's just go to the toilet and you can tell mammy all about it when we get home.

Daisy.  Thank you daddy. Daddy.

Daddy.  Yes Daisy.

Daisy.  I love you.

Daddy.  I love you too Daisy.

Daisy.   But I'm still going to tell mammy, because you've done it all wrong today.'

.... and with that, it all went quiet.

George said he had to really control his laughter, because it was such a funny conversation between Daisy who was about 4 years old  and her daddy.

.... but what really made him smile was it reminded him of when our girls were little.  If things weren't as they should be, they always told George that they would tell mummy when they got home.

It's nice to know things haven't changed.

..... but what I have changed a little is,

what we are making today.... a spicy red lentil dahl. It has a little spice, but not a lot and it is lovely eaten with pitta bread.  I have even added it as a side dish along with a piece of fish.

I do apologise to my Indian friends, because this dahl is not authentic, but I feel sure you will forgive me, because we all adapt recipes to suit our own tastes.

So it's on with the pinnie and the music I am listening to, well here's a hint. If I say, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.... do you know who it is?

Of course you do, it's Bryan Adams.  There are so many songs to choose from, which I love, but I feel sure you will enjoy, I'm Ready.... it's such a beautiful song.

.... and I know the weather is not warm and sunny, but after you have danced to Summer of '69 (now that took you by surprise didn't it) you will have a lovely warm glow about you. So while your dancing, I will gather my ingredients together and of course I am dancing as well.  I cannot imagine anyone listening to this track who did not want to dance.

INGREDIENTS

YOU 

WILL NEED

TO MAKE

SPICY SPLIT RED LENTIL DAHL

100g red split lentils

500 ml chicken stock

1 medium white onion

2 teaspoons of sweet paprika

1/2 tablespoon of fresh ginger

1 clove of garlic

1 teaspoon curry powder

1 tablespoon of olive oil

salt to taste

HOW 

TO MAKE

SPICY RED LENTIL DAHL

Finely chop the onion.

My knife skills are not very good

so I used my food processor.

Place the olive oil

into a pan

and

add the finely chopped onions.

Cook over a low heat

until the onions

are golden.

Crush the garlic

and
add to the pan.

Cook for a minute.

Grate the ginger
and add to the pan.

Cook for a further minute.

Add the paprika

and

the curry powder.

Cook for another minute.

The aroma of the spices will fill the kitchen.

Add the 

chicken stock to the pan

and

the split red lentils.

Increase the heat

and

stir well 

to incorporate the ingredients.

When the  mixture comes to the boil,

reduce to a low heat

and

place a lid on the pan.

Cook for 15-20 minutes

or until the chicken stock has been 

incorporated.

After 10 minutes
stir the ingredients

again.

Replace the lid, but keep a very close

eye on the dahl

as you want the 

liquid to be incorporated,

but you don't want the mixture to burn.

After 15 minutes, if the liquid

has not reduced,

I remove the lid and with a wooden spoon,

move the mixture around the pan until

the liquid has reduced.

Season to taste with a little sea salt

and

as always,

enjoy.

We ate this spicy red lentil dahl for lunch with pitta bread and it was the perfect lunch.

If you are a vegetarian, then add vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.

Now I have written that the dahl will take between 15 and 20 minutes to cook.  The difficulty in pinpointing the exact time is how different our cookers are.  I cook the dahl on my smallest gas ring and as I said over a low heat, but your gas ring might be larger than mine, so it will take a little less time.  The trick is to keep an eye on the dahl whilst it is cooking, because you do not want the dahl to burn.

Spanish paprika might seem an odd spice to add to an Indian dahl, but the reason for adding it is, I had run out of chilli powder and turmeric. So instead of going out to buy more I decided to add the paprika and curry powder instead, as they were the spices I had to hand. It was such a success that I don't add chilli powder and turmeric anymore.

We enjoyed this dahl so much that George has asked that I make it again this weekend so he can have it as part of his 'little plates' of food, whilst he watches sport on Saturday afternoon.

What better recommendation could I give you.

Oh and before I go, I thought I would mention that 'mammy' is a regional word for mummy.

Take care and I will see you next Thursday.

This week I will be joining,

Carol from Art and Sand for Share Your Cup

and

Elaine from Sunny Simple Life

and

Laurie from My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies for Snickerdoodle Sunday

As Always,

PARSNIP SOUP WITH A TOUCH OF CURRY

Good Morning to you,

On Monday morning I went about my usual routine.

I opened the shutters, put the kettle on, then switched on the radio, to hear a David Bowie record playing, then another and then another.... which I thought was very strange.

When the final record finished playing, the radio broadcaster went on to say, what an utter shock it was, that the music icon, David Bowie, had passed away, at the age of 69 years.

I was shocked as well and I felt very sad, but I'm not sure why, after all, I never knew David, he was not someone who was close to me, so why the sadness. 

On reflection, I think it was because I have enjoyed his music on and off throughout the years.  He was unique. He was not afraid to change, to re-invent himself, as he did so many times. 

In the early '70s, when he became Ziggy Stardust, fans, both male and female, used to go to his concerts dressed up as Ziggy.  The hair, the makeup and the clothes were so distinctive. If you saw someone with a lightening bolt painted on their face, you knew that he was a fan of David's. I think his style showed people that it was alright to be individual, it was ok to be different, that we don't all have to be the same. It's fine to be just who you are.

When David gave his final performance as Ziggy Stardust, I remember fans were heartbroken.  Here was a man who was riding high with his alter ego, but he wasn't afraid to let him go.

I remember Phyllis saying when her music idols passed away, how sad she was, and being young I never really understood, but I do now.  

I thank, with all my heart, the incredibly talented singers and musicians, who on a daily basis, enrich our lives with their wonderful music and lyrics.

.... and whether you are a David Bowie fan or not, there is sadness, knowing someone has passed, who, touched so many lives and brightened so many days.

So 'Let's Dance' while we make,

Parsnip soup with a touch of curry. The curry powder adds a little zing and along with turmeric, lifts this soup from being a little pale and uninteresting, to more colourful and interesting.... a little like Ziggy Stardust.

So it's on with the pinnie, and quite honestly, there is only one man's music I can play today and of course that is,

David Bowie.  I downloaded Let's Dance today, so along with the other 29,317,954 people 'Let's Dance' even if it is only for the duration of this song.

So while I dance my own personal dance, I will gather my ingredients.

INGREDIENTS

YOU WILL

NEED

TO MAKE

PARSNIP SOUP

 WITH A TOUCH OF CURRY

Serves 6

750g  parsnips

2 large leeks

2 medium sized potatoes

1 level teaspoon of turmeric

1 level tablespoon of curry powder

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 litre of chicken stock

sea salt

black pepper

HOW 

TO MAKE

PARSNIP SOUP 

WITH A TOUCH OF CURRY

Slice the leeks,

wash

and drain.

Pour

the olive oil into a medium sized saucepan

and 

add the sliced leeks.

Make sure the leeks are dried

otherwise they will spit and spatter.

Using a low heat

cook until soft.

Whilst the leeks are cooking,

peel and cube 

the potatoes

and set aside for the moment.

Peel and cube

the parsnips

and again 

set aside for the moment.

When the leeks have softened,

add the

curry powder

and

the

turmeric

and stir for a minute.

Be careful with the turmeric

because it will stain.

When you can smell the spices,

add

the

cubed parsnips

and the

cubed potatoes

and stir until everything is coated.

Add 

the chicken stock

and 

stir the ingredients together.

Bring to the boil

and then

place a lid on the pan

and simmer

for

30 minutes

or until the vegetables are soft.

Using a handheld blender,

blitz the soup until it becomes smooth.

Season with

sea salt

and freshly ground black pepper.

Ladle into your favourite soup bowl,

(the following is optional)

add a tablespoon or so of cream

and some

little croutons

and 

just

enjoy.

Now when you blitz the soup, you will find it might be a little too thick, don't worry, there are a couple of options. You can thin the soup with a little more stock, or, you can add milk or cream.  On the occasions where I have added milk, I found that it gave a creamier flavour.

Soup is a perfect winter meal and I always make enough so that I can freeze a couple of portions, hence the fact that this recipes serves six. It makes life easier, on those very busy days, which we all have, I can take the soup from my freezer and with the snap of my fingers, I have a quick and easy lunch on the table in no time.

Take care and I will see you next Thursday.

This week I will be joining,

Carol from Art and Sand for Share Your Cup

and

Laurie from My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies for Snickerdoodle Sunday

As always,

PRAWNS WITH A LITTLE TOUCH OF SPICE

Good Morning to you,

Tuesday morning arrived and I wondered, 

Should I?

or

Shouldn't I?

Should I or shouldn't I what?

Well I shall tell you.

On Tuesday, I made my usual morning cup of coffee and George's morning cup of tea, then the next thing I did, was to switch on the radio and listen to the traffic and weather reports. I was not surprised to hear that there were traffic hold ups on the motorway and local roads. Cars were travelling bumper to bumper, well not travelling so much as standing still. Added to that, there was a weather warning in place.

I have to tell you, we have been experiencing some dreadful weather of late. The skies have been grey and the rain has poured from the skies for what seems like days on end.... the rain has been relentless.

So, I was not sure if I should brave the elements and drive to the first meeting of my sewing group or should I stay at home, where I was warm and cosy.

What to do?

I so wanted to go. I wanted to see my friends again after our four week Christmas break. I wanted to catch up with everyone's news.... and of course there was the sewing to catch up on, which I have to say, on the first day, is always secondary to the catching up of news.

I checked my phone, to see if I had received any messages, but not one of my friends had text to say they weren't going.

So what to do?

I decided to get ready, then make a decision. I told George, who did not want me to drive, but he could see how much I wanted to, so instead of trying to put me off, he gave me a pep talk about driving in hazardous conditions and the do's and don'ts of braking in wet weather. He told me to make sure I had my mobile phone with me, just in case of an emergency. Now you may find it strange that George needed to remind me to take my mobile with me, but I have to tell you, I am terrible, I always forget to take my mobile. I am notorious amongst my friends for answering texts a week after they have been sent.  If it's something important you want me to know, then it is always best to ring the house.

So I got myself ready. I looked out of the window, to see, the heavens were still full of rain. The rain fell so harshly, that each raindrop that fell, bounced off the pavement.... but I made my decision, the pull of a morning full of fun and chatter was too much for me to ignore, I really did not want to miss it.

Yes I was going to drive.  

I put my hat on my head, with not an inch of hair peeping through.... don't you find hats always play havoc with the 'hairdo'. Often, when I remove my hat, I am surprised at how my hair style has changed during the period the hat has been on my head.... hey ho, the delights of wearing a hat. Next, I put on my boots, my scarf, my waterproof coat and gloves. I then picked up my sewing bag.... and yes my mobile phone and I was ready to go.... I looked like Nanook of the North.

The journey was slow, and yes it was not the best driving conditions, but I decided it was better to arrive late than not at all. When I finally arrived, I parked in the car park and by the time I returned to the car to display my parking ticket, I was soaked.  I still had a little walk to reach the church.  I tried putting up my umbrella, but it was too windy, so I put my head down and practically jogged to the church.... I was so glad of the hat.

When I walked through the door, I was welcomed with a huge smile from Olive, who said she had missed me over the Christmas.... wasn't that lovely of her to say. We hugged each other and wished each other a Happy New Year.

Olive is a lovely lady, who at the age of 87 years, still makes quilts and bags for family and friends. She produces some wonderful work and donates a lot of it to charity. You can always depend on Olive if there is something you want to know, as she is always at the fore when it comes to useful hints and tips about patchwork. I said I was so surprised to see her, as the weather was so awful and she said, with a smile on her face, that it would take much more than a drop of rain to stop her coming to the sewing group.  

Slowly but surely, each friend arrived and with each friend, the noise level grew louder and louder, as we were all so pleased to see each other.  Even the sound of the choir practising in the next room could not drown out our excitement.

Everyone agreed that we had all made the right decision to battle the elements to return to our Tuesday routine.

I spent a lovely morning with my friends and when I returned home I felt rejuvenated.  I was so happy that I had decided to brave the elements to meet up with my friends.

Was it sensible to drive in such bad weather conditions, probably not, but was it worth it, oh most definitely.

Now today's recipe does not take much effort, and once made, I feel sure you will make it over and over again.

Prawns with a little touch of spice, is a recipe which is simple and after all the Christmas preparations this is certainly the type of meal we want to make.  

When Christmas has come and gone, do you find, when you re-organise your fridge, you find bits and bobs, which were not consumed during the Christmas festivities.  I discovered I had a couple of packets of cooked prawns, which we had intended using on New Year's Eve, but for one reason or another, were not eaten, but  left in the fridge. I could not freeze them as they had already been frozen, so I decided to make this spicy sauce, which incidentally, I use quite a lot during the winter months.

So it's on with the pinnie and today, I am not playing music, instead I am listening to,

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I love audio books and whether I am cooking or sewing, I can so easily become immersed in the story.  Now as you can see the book above has been well read, hence all the marks on the cover. The pages are quite brown with age, but afterall, it is an old book, what does matter is the content.... and I love the content.

Let me tempt you.

Jayne Eyre

Chapter 1

'There was no possibility of taking a walk that day. We had been wandering, indeed, in the leafless shrubbery an hour in the morning; but since dinner (Mrs Reed, when there was no company, dined early) the cold winter wind had brought with it clouds so sombre, and a rain so penetrating, that further out-door exercise was now out of the question.'

.... but now, it really is time for me to organise my ingredients.

INGREDIENTS

YOU WILL NEED

TO MAKE

PRAWNS WITH A 

LITTLE TOUCH OF SPICE

375g large cooked prawns

1 medium sized onion

400g tinned tomatoes

2 cloves of garlic

1 teaspoon of sugar

1 teaspoon of dried chilli flakes

1 teaspoon of ground cumin

1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger

1 pint of chicken stock

2 tablespoons of olive oil

handful of fresh coriander

HOW TO MAKE

PRAWNS WITH A

LITTLE TOUCH OF SPICE

Finely chop the onion.

Place the olive oil in a wide pan

and add the chopped onion.

Cook until golden in colour.

Crush the garlic

and add to the pan.

Grate the ginger

and add to the pan.

Add the dried cumin

and

dried chilli flakes

to the pan

and cook for a minute or so.

Add the chopped tomatoes

and

the sugar

and 

stir.

Add the chicken stock,

and stir to combine the ingredients.

Bring to the boil,

then reduce the heat.

Place a lid on the pan and

gently simmer for 

20 minutes or until the

sauce has thickened.

Add the cooked prawns

and cook until warmed through.

Remove from the heat

and

add a squeeze or two of lemon.

Then

season with salt and

pepper to taste.

Sprinkle with 

coriander

and

as

always,

please enjoy.

While the dish was coming together. I cooked some giant couscous, which I drained and seasoned. I then added finely grated lemon rind and some cubes of Feta cheese. I have to say, we really enjoyed this meal.

Take care and I will see you next Thursday.

This week I will be joining,

Elaine from Sunny Simple Life

and

Miz Helen's Country Cottage for Full Plate Thursday

and
Lois from Walking on Sunshine

Until then,