CREEMORE ECHO •
Friday, January 30, 2009 •
9
The Lowly Lentil CREEMORE DISH
Well, hopefully all of us have now third largest global producer of lentils after India and instead of too much; and eating a variety wound down from the holiday season. Turkey. Here’s another little known food fact. 80 per of food types. Which brings me to this I managed to avoid overdosing on cent of the lentils harvested in Canada are grown in week’s topic – the lowly and often lonely Christmas baking this year because I Saskatchewan (along with other varieties), making legume. didn’t bake. I know, I know, it might be the province the legume capital of Canada. If you Legumes are among the most versatile hard to believe that this food columnist have nothing else to do one evening or have trouble and nutritious foods you can buy, and failed to create the numerous festive sleeping, visit the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers they are very easy on the wallet too. Elaine cakes, cookies and other bonbons she website – isn’t Google just the best? In Brazil, a Legumes, or “pulses,” are a class of COLLIER usually does every December. But while I common New Year’s custom is to eat lentil soup, vegetables which includes beans, peas didn’t bake much, I also didn’t scarf back which is supposed to bring good fortune in the coming and lentils. Packed with nutrition, they as much either. This led me into the New Year without year. Using coconut milk and spices give this hearty are commonly used by vegetarians as a good protein (for once) having to go through sugar, chocolate, soup recipe an exotic flavour without being too off source but need better publicity to grab the attention of pastry and candied fruit withdrawal, although I did the wall for those reluctant to try new foods. Have a all you carnivores out there. It’s time to take a closer have a few dreams where I was chasing chocolate bowl… it’s my wish for good fortune to all of you look at the lowly legume in all its forms, and give it Santas around the neighbourhood. But that’s another in 2009! a supper time whirl. story! Feedback is great and I would love to hear from This week’s recipe will ease you into the world This culinary aberration of mine, which I’m sure you. Email me at avalonclearview@sympatico.ca. of legumes in a tasty and simple way, by making will not last through next Christmas, has at least Until next time, eat well, live well… use of a bag of dried red lentils. FYI, Canada is the made January easier for me to get back on the wagon in terms of healthy eating. In last year’s column at this time, I talked about the “D” resolution – or “diet” to those of you who can’t quote my columns word for word. While going on a diet/losing weight has historically been one of the world’s leading New Year’s resolutions, more and more people are Serves 4 starting to see that a healthy diet along with some consistent exercise is the method which will keep 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) you at a satisfactory weight and fitness level. Healthy 1 cup cooking onion, chopped does not mean eating one small meal a day to lose 3 tablespoons tomato paste weight, eating nothing but protein shakes for weeks 1 ½ teaspoons grated fresh ginger (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger) on end or starving yourself. Healthy involves balance: ½ teaspoon ground cumin ensuring you get enough protein, carbohydrates and ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric other nutrients in each meal; eating just enough ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon white pepper 4 cups chicken broth 1 cup dried red lentils t’s a h w d see 1 ½ cups light coconut milk in an e m Co 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
Red Lentil Soup
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Rinse red lentils in cold water and drain. In a medium-size soup pot over medium heat, add EVOO and chopped onion. Cook for a few minutes until onion is softened but not brown. Add lentils, tomato paste, fresh ginger, cumin, turmeric, salt and pepper and stir for a few minutes to incorporate. Add chicken broth and light coconut milk. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until lentils are tender and cooked through. Stir lime juice into soup and serve. Note: You can serve this soup “chunky” style or purée it in a blender for a smoother soup.
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