I got this recipe from my friend here. It's actually Arab, but when made with the spices it's very reminiscent of Indian cuisine.
It's a lot like the simple lentils that I make, only with some ethnic spices and sweet caramelized onions on top. It's the same ingredients, but it's a very different meal. We liked it!
I just wanted to add my recipe for masala (nope, you don't have to buy the fancy spices, you can use combinations of your own!
MASALA
1 tsp cardamom
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp cloves
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
Smothered Salad
Grandma calls this a 'sealed salad' because the dressing 'seals' it across the top...but I mis-heard it as smothered salad the first time, and I think that sounds more appetizing anyway.
This recipe makes a LOT of salad, so it's great for family gatherings or potlucks.
The original recipe has green pepper but no cucumber. I often adjust the veggie content according to what I have on hand, but I would avoid anything particularly crunchy like carrots. The original recipe also calls for mayonnaise and miracle whip, but I don't use miracle whip, so I use mayonnaise and ranch dressing.
1 head leaf lettuce, chopped
1 head iceburg lettuce, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 cucumber, chopped
16 oz package of frozen peas
1 Tbs sugar (I suspect this is optional, although it may help prevent wilting)
1 1/2 c mayonnaise
1 1/2 c ranch dressing (or miracle whip)
Parmisan cheese--the powdered stuff works ok
6-8 pieces bacon, cooked and crumbled
Mix lettuce, lettuce, pepper, onions, and peas together in a large bowl. (You may need to divide in halves and use two bowls.) Spread out in a large shallow dish if desired. Sprinkle with sugar.
In a separate bowl, mix mayo and ranch, then spread evenly over the salad, spreading to edges to 'seal' the salad. Sprinkle parmisan and bacon crumbles over the top. Cover (plastic wrap or a good lid) and let chill for 4 hours or overnight.
If I make it in a bowl, then I toss in the dressing right before serving. If I make it in a shallow dish, I serve it up as a layered salad--dipping all the way down for each serving.
This recipe makes a LOT of salad, so it's great for family gatherings or potlucks.
The original recipe has green pepper but no cucumber. I often adjust the veggie content according to what I have on hand, but I would avoid anything particularly crunchy like carrots. The original recipe also calls for mayonnaise and miracle whip, but I don't use miracle whip, so I use mayonnaise and ranch dressing.
1 head leaf lettuce, chopped
1 head iceburg lettuce, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 cucumber, chopped
16 oz package of frozen peas
1 Tbs sugar (I suspect this is optional, although it may help prevent wilting)
1 1/2 c mayonnaise
1 1/2 c ranch dressing (or miracle whip)
Parmisan cheese--the powdered stuff works ok
6-8 pieces bacon, cooked and crumbled
Mix lettuce, lettuce, pepper, onions, and peas together in a large bowl. (You may need to divide in halves and use two bowls.) Spread out in a large shallow dish if desired. Sprinkle with sugar.
In a separate bowl, mix mayo and ranch, then spread evenly over the salad, spreading to edges to 'seal' the salad. Sprinkle parmisan and bacon crumbles over the top. Cover (plastic wrap or a good lid) and let chill for 4 hours or overnight.
If I make it in a bowl, then I toss in the dressing right before serving. If I make it in a shallow dish, I serve it up as a layered salad--dipping all the way down for each serving.
Simple Lentils
This is a favorite of mine. It's very simple, pretty fast, and really really good for you. It can seem a little bland (Hubby admitted to being scared of it the first time he saw it!) but in fact it's quite filling, and reheats very well.
Rice (I use a white/brown blend, 1c boiling water to 1/3c rice, cover and simmer 20min)
Lentils (about 4cwater to 1c lentils, cover with a vent and simmer 15-25min)
Grated Cheddar Cheese
BBQ sauce or ketchup
optional additions: garlic powder, salt, onion (cooked in with rice or lentils, or sprinkled on later), tomato, or whatever else strikes your fancy.
Just layer it up, and dig in! We like LOTS of cheese.
Rice (I use a white/brown blend, 1c boiling water to 1/3c rice, cover and simmer 20min)
Lentils (about 4cwater to 1c lentils, cover with a vent and simmer 15-25min)
Grated Cheddar Cheese
BBQ sauce or ketchup
optional additions: garlic powder, salt, onion (cooked in with rice or lentils, or sprinkled on later), tomato, or whatever else strikes your fancy.
Just layer it up, and dig in! We like LOTS of cheese.