Curried Vegetables and Lentils

I absolutely love curry dishes, and this is one is a fave in our new and improved "eating lifestyle!" Plus, it's relatively easy to prepare and makes enough for leftovers (always better the second day!) or freezing for another week.

CURRIED VEGETABLES AND LENTILS

INGREDIENTS:

4 cloves Garlic, chopped

1 large Onion, chopped

1/2 cup Red Wine

1 cup Lentils, rinsed

2 Tomatoes, chopped (or 1 small can)

1/4 cup Tomato Paste

2 bunches Broccoli, cut in florets

1/2 large head Cauliflower, cut in florets

2-3 medium Zucchini, chopped

1 cup Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas), cooked

1 16-oz. bag frozen Spinach

1 cup frozen Peas

1/2 cup Raisins and/or Cranberries, chopped

4 cups Veggie Broth (can use Water)

1-2 Tablespoons Curry Powder (to taste)

1-2 teaspoons Cumin (to taste)

1/2 teaspoon Garam Masala

Cayenne to taste

Fresh Ground Pepper to taste

METHOD:

Saute Garlic in Red Wine over medium heat until soft and fragrant 2-3 minutes. Add Onion and saute for 10-15 minutes or until transparent.

Add Lentils, Veggie Broth, Tomatoes, Tomato Paste, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Zucchini, Garbanzo Beans, Spinach, Dried Fruit(s) and Peas. Cover with Veggie Broth.

Time to spice it up: Curry Powder, Cumin, Garam Masala, Cayenne and Pepper. Stir a few times. Cover and cook until boiling, about 15 minutes, then reduce heat to medium low.

Continue cooking for 1.5 hours or until vegetables are soft and lentils are fully cooked.

Serve with Whole Wheat Pita Bread -- homemade is best, but the Ezekiel Sprouted Wheat Pitas are fantastic too!

I like to start my Curry dishes in the morning and let them cook all day! The vegetables become a bit mushy, but the beans and peas stay in tact and give the curry a stew-like texture.

Variations: Along with the other vegetables, add a dozen whole, unpeeled Baby Potatoes which will stay whole and create another level of texture. If you like Carrots (we don't eat them cooked because of the sugar/starch levels), feel free to add a few of them, diced. Sometimes I add a cup of Green or Yellow Split Peas (rinsed) for more protein and thick texture. Also, other Dried Fruits would be delicious, such as Apricots or Apples!