251 Calories. 80% of your Daily Recommended Dietary Fibre. 

October 2017 Recipe Redux Challenge

Good Gut Health

With cold and flu season upon us, the best defense may be good gut health. Since much of our immune health begins in the gut, show us your healthy, delicious recipe to bolster gut health. Flipping through the crisp pages of the book, I found myself drawn to the beautiful photography on the page. I ran my fingers down tracing the list of ingredients on the page. I looked down at my phone. It was time to go.

I dragged Zoe away from her intense study of the pile of cookbooks she had managed to collect and started to walk back towards Linacre College, Oxford. The cobble stone pathways, alleyways, and tall red buses made it difficult to manoveur round the crowd. The afternoon breeze swept in, as we huddled in our thick coats and rubbing our chilled fingers. It was ridiculous, how could England Summer’s be so chilly?

We stopped by Tesco’s to pick up a few simple ingredients: Eggplant, Curry Powder, Basil.

The cold temperatures continued to drop as we stood by the shared linacre college kitchen. We took out what was left in our friend’s cupboard: Bag of Red Lentils, Can of Butter Beans, Salt, 1/2 onion. Right. It was all we had to work with. Somehow it made me think of the World War II, where people lived off a meager storage of food – especially tinned beans. How did people survive back then? I was definitely grateful I wasn’t living in a Bombing Raid.Although the Sunday Dinner wasn’t as “fancy” as the fish and chips with mashed peas; or Beef Pot Roast most English families would be enjoying; or even the delicious steamed fish, and braised pork my family would be enjoying at home – it was still pretty dang good.

Out of the ingredients, we had managed to whip a Vegetarian feast of Eggplant & Lentil Curry Dahl, Basil Butter Bean Hummus, Brown Rice and a Bowl of Fruit. No one could have guessed how simple the ingredients list was. 

Sometimes, out of desperation, the best does emerge out of us. This Eggplant Lentil Curry Dahl was a gem. We took inspiration from all the wonderful cookbooks we spent studying at the local bookstores that morning, especially from Deliciously Ella’s. Throwing together a few of the simplest pantry ingredients came a wonderful surprise. Ever since that night, Zoe and I have made batches of these here for quick college meal prep dinners and it tastes amazing.

Protein packed, filled with amazing spice blend of turmeric, ginger and cumin, this is a heartwarming dish for the colder weather.

Ginger – great for indigestion, menstrual pains, nausea

Cumin – digestion, immunity, skin

Turmeric – Natural Anti-inflammatory Properties, Brain Functioning, Powerful Medicinal Properties

Eggplant – Vitamin, Nutrient Rich, packed with Dietary Fibre, aid for digestion 

Lentils – Dietary Fibre, Rich in, Energy Weight Loss, Lowers Cholesterols

Growing up, Zoe and I have always struggled with bloating problems and indigestion. This is one of my favorite go-to meals that goes easy on the stomach, low in fat and also extremely easy/cheap to throw together. It is especially delicious with a dollop of yogurt, fresh coriander and sprouts for extra greens.

Best Ever Weeknight Eggplant & Lentil Curry Dahl (GF, Vegan, Oil-Free)

 

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Author: Unconventional Cooks

Serves: 4-5

Ingredients

• 1 Aubergine
• 1.5 cup Red Lentils (whole)
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 2 tsp Ginger paste
• ½ white onion, chopped
• 3 cups veggie broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• Salt & Pepper
• Garnish: Yogurt, Avocado Slices, Sprouts, Brown Rice

Instructions

1. Chop your aubergine into small ½" cubes.
2. Over high heat, saute aubergine in a saucepan till golden brown (you can use oil or you can fry the aubergine with a little water). Set aside.
3. In the same pan, saute your onion till fragrant.
4. Add garlic, ginger and red lentils. Mix well.
5. Add water, tomato paste, curry powder.
6. Bring to boil. Cover and simmer on medium for 20-25 minutes. (Add water incrementally if the stew looks too dry).
7. Mix in your fried aubergine and allow to simmer on low for 5 minutes.
8. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste.
9. Serve with rice, avocado, yogurt.

Nutrition Information

Serving size: 5 Calories: 251 Fat: 1g Saturated fat: 0.1g Carbohydrates: 45g Sugar: 5.8g Sodium: 1427mg Fiber: 22.4g Protein: 16.6g

3.5.3251

LOVE,

Zoe & Mia

(This post is featured on Twinkly Tuesday, Hearth and Soul)

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