Lentils for Breakfast

Must Have Breakfasts

Make sure to keep variety of lentils in your pantry. They are quick and a great vegetarian option packed with nutrients. Apparently, a 1/2 cup provides enough fuel for the whole day. I can vouch it lasts for quite a while. This is a protein fiber rich food you can eat anytime of the day.

Currently, I have three or four varieties including chick peas and black beans. I also use black eyed peas, green gram whole in its outer skin, and red lentils. These don’t require a lot of cooking time once they are ready to go into the pot. First, soak the lentils for a couple of hours. Leave it out on the counter for at least a night or four to five hours. I’ve done this in lesser time of two to 3 hours. They still come out perfectly cooked. So begin with 1 or 2 cups depends on how many mouths you are feeding.

After soaking, the lentils should be cooked in additional 1 cup or 2 cups of water with pinch of salt. Add the cooked lentils to the seasoned pot with liquid. I use Indian spices. You can start with a basic seasoning like turmeric. If you have mustard seeds add in a teaspoon of that, red chilli powder/red pepper flakes (1/2 tsp) and few curry leaves (optional). Additionally, top it off with lemon juice, tamarind sauce, and any herb like cilantro or coriander leaves for extra vibrancy and flavour. Give it a stir now and then for another five to ten minutes. Can taste test for salt and adjust accordingly. Turn off stove.

Breakfast is ready! You can buy frozen roti or naan to go with this. Just reheat in a pan. It is a fantastic meal and goes well with rice too. This is all you will need to feed your family a healthy hearty breakfast.

Turkey Beef Meatloaf

Recipe

Ground turkey 1 lb.

Ground Beef 1 lb.

Pepper Salt Thyme

Breadcrumbs (1/2 cup)

Eggs (2)

Ketchup (1/2 cup)

Potatoes (1 Large Russet)

Mix all the above except potato.   Microwave and mash the potato separately. Add 1 egg to potatoes. Add seasoning salt pepper and 1 tbsp 
Ranch dressing.  Mix well and layer on top of meatloaf. Bake in 350 
degree oven for 20 minutes. Garnish with additional Ketchup.

 

Farfale Pasta with chicken

 

 

Farfale (1 1/2 cup)

Chicken (Cooked/Cubed)

Chicken Stock (1 cube)

Salt/pepper (pinch)

Cheese 1/2 cup (cheddar)
Garlic (2 cloves)

Spinach or greens (optional)

Oil (2 tablespoon)

Cook farfale in pot of boiling water. Add 1 tsp of salt. Drain. In a saucepan, add oil or butter and 2 flakes of garlic. Mix in the chicken pieces or other cooked meat. Add 1 tablespoon of flour and a half cup of stock. Stir until thick gravy forms. Add vegetable or herbs to liking. Garnish with cheese.

Dates Bread

 

Dates (dry/1 small packet)

Flour (1 1/2cup)

Eggs (1)

Spicy rum (1 cup)

Sugar (1 tablespoon)

Baking Soda (1 tsp)

Baking Powder (1/2 tsp)

Salt (1/4 tsp)

Soak dates for at least a couple of hours in spicy rum. Mix dry ingredients. Add eggs slowly dry ingredients and add dates mixture and beat for a minute.  Grease loaf pan and put the mixture in. Bake in 350 degree until done. Check with toothpick or fork. If sticky then wait for another 5 or 10 minutes and check again.

 

 

 

Costa Rica PURA VIDA

Spring break in Costa Rica – adventures in foods!.

 

Cake Heaven

 

Mini Pineapple Tarts

 

PINEAPPLE TARTS

 

PINEAPPLE DICED. ADD SUGAR, PINCH OF SALT AND 1/2 TSP LIME JUICE. COOK PINEAPPLE OVER MEDIUM LOW HEAT. COOL. 

FOR DOUGH – USE FLOUR, SALT, BUTTER, AND LITTLE MILK. USING A FORK, BLEND BUTTER AND FLOUR AND SALT. ADD LITTLE MILK AND CONTINUE TO MIX INTO A BALL. REFRIGERATE. ROLL OUT DOUGH AND CUT INTO SMALL DISCS.  SPOON PINEAPPLE MIXTURE INTO EACH DISC. USE A MUFFIN PAN TO BAKE (350 DEGREE).

WHEN COOL DUST OFF WITH POWDERED SUGAR.

Appetizers and snacks

This is the ultimate lazy day snack recipe you can put together in no time!

Tortilla Corn Chips half bag

Avocado (1)

Salsa (medium) 

Lettuce (optional)

Leftover fish or meat (cubed)

All these ingredients are ready and easily available at stores. But alternatively, use pita bread or bagel. Slice bagel or break pita into bite size pieces. Add salt and drizzle a little olive oil. Bake in oven at 300 degrees for 5 or 6 minutes until crisp. Delicious with hummus too. Here’s some pics I uploaded for some inspiration.

 

GRANOLA BARS

Cranberries (1 cup dried)

Oatmeal (2 cups)

Almonds or other nuts (1 cup)

Honey (1 cup)

Salt (pinch)

Break almonds up using a kitchen towel and rolling pin. Toast the almonds and oatmeal in oven for about two minutes. Add the cranberries, honey and salt. Mix well quickly. Use foil or plastic wrap to press down into square shape.  Refrigerate for half hour. Cut into bars when completely cooled.

 

BAGEL PIZZA
Bagels 

Marinara sauce or spaghetti sauce (1 cup)

Mozarella Cheese (sliced)

Basil Leaves (4)

Salt (1/4 tsp)

Use half bagel for making each pizza crust. Put the marinara sauce using a spoon. Sprinkle salt and distribute mozarella slices on bagels. Top with basil leaves and bake in 350 degree oven until cheese melts (7 – 10 min).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chang appetizer!

 

This lettuce wrap combination is served at PF Chang’s (restaurant) as an appetizer. Use rotisserie chicken or leftover meats. Dice and stir fry with onions. Use a little soy sauce to finish. Serve with large lettuce leaves, tomato slice and light ranch dressing on the side.

Whoopie Pies