Veggie Foodie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 cup farfalle pasta or any other pasta
• 5 cups water
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 red capsicum, chopped
• 2 zucchinis, chopped
• 2 tbsp peanut or any other vegetable oil
• 2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp asafetida
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp minced garlic
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce / passata
• 3 medium size tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tsp chili flakes
• 2 tsp curry powder (we used Maharaja Curry Powder from Spice Souk, Nature’s Basket)
• 2 tsp salt, or to taste
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/2 cup chopped spring onions
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper powder
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Method:

1. Wash the red lentil three times, till the water runs clear.
2. Cook the red lentil along with the pasta, 4 cups water, salt and turmeric powder in a pressure cooker. If you are using traditional pressure cooker, cook under pressure for 3 whistles. If you are using Instant Pot, cook under pressure for 10 minutes. Once cooked, put aside.
3. Put a pan on medium heat, add 1/2 tbsp oil, 1 cup chopped red capsicum, 1/2 tsp salt and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Then, take the capsicum out and put aside.
4. To the same pan, add 1/2 tbsp oil, 1 cup chopped zucchinis, 1/2 tsp salt and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Take the zucchinis out and put aside with the sautéed capsicum.
5. To the same pan, add 1 tbsp oil and 2 tsp cumin seeds.
6. When the cumin seeds crackle (10-15 seconds), add 1/2 tsp asafetida and mix it in the oil.
7. Add chopped onion, 1/2 tsp salt and sauté till the onions become light brown… 3-4 minutes.
8. Add minced garlic, chili flakes, curry powder, mix well and sauté for a minute.
9. Add tomato sauce, mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes.
10. Add chopped tomatoes, mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes.
11. Add the cooked lentils and pasta as well as the sautéed vegetables to the curry sauce, mix well and bring to boil.
12. Turn the heat to low and cook for 4-5 minutes, regularly stirring it to make sure it does not stick to the bottom of the pot.
13. Turn off the heat, add some salt if necessary, add ground black pepper, chopped cilantro, chopped spring onions, olive oil and give it a stir.
14. Serve the pasta in curried lentil sauce / stew hot!

Notes

• To re-heat the lentil pasta, add some boiling water to it and heat it in the microwave or stove.

Servings: 4

Inspiration source: