Just Another Meatless Monday #54 Mushroom Kale Dal

Today was the first day this year I was able to hang sheets and blankets on the line to dry in the warm sun and the wind. Of course I had to climb through and over 2 foot snow drifts to get there but it was worth it. The smell of summer is filling my bedroom and it's the best smell in the world. We had plans to work inside and outside today but a migraine took me down in the afternoon so I excused myself and took a 3 hour nap. Usually I suffer through a migraine and make everyone miserable while trying to stay productove so I consider it a step in the right direction that I was able to move off and let everyone else have a good day.

Before the migraine took over I made a delicious Mushroom Kale Dal for lunch. Dal is simply a stew made with lentils or beans that can be flavored many different ways. To the simple stew I added sliced mushrooms and curly kale and a libreal dash of spices and coconut milk. This was such a great lunch and kept everyone well nourished all afternoon playing and working outside in the sun and wind, while I slept off a migraine.

Mushroom Kale Dal
cooking time about 30 minutes

2 TBSP oil
2 cloves garlic
2 TBSP curry powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp corriander
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp black pepper
2 cups water
2 cups red lentils
1 can coconut milk
6 large mushrooms, cleaned, stems removed and roughly chopped
2 cups chopped curly kale
2 tsp salt--more or less to taste
sour cream or greek yogurt to dollop on top-optional

in a heavy dutch oven heat the oil over medium heat
press the garlic through a garlic press and cook in the oil for about 30 seconds
add the curry powder and the rest of the spices stirring and cooking for another 30 seconds
add the water and scrape the bottom of the pan to get up any dried on spices
add the lentils and coconut milk
bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes
add the mushrooms and kale simmer another 10 to 15 minutes adding more water as neccessary
taste for salt and add as needed
serve hot with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt on top

I served the dal with a very early trial run of sourdough naan. I'm working on a recipe and if I ever get it figured out I'll post it. They were good but tasted a bit like a mall pretzel, which is kinda weird. Like I said I'll keep working on them.

Peace and Love--