Global Grub: Indian Cuisine

The Curry Diva, Heather Janzs, lands us in India with a curry dinner for a family of four for under $20 – including Curried Dhal (lentils).

Curried Dhal (Lentils)

3 cups red lentils
1 cup coconut milk (and about 5 cups of water)
1 tsp paprika
1 1inch piece of cinnamon
1 tsp turmeric
1 Tbs brown mustard seeds
one med to small onion chopped
6 cloves of garlic crushed
a few curry leaves (Optional) or 1/4 cup chopped cilantro or basil - HERBS
1 Tbs roasted curry blend (or a tsp each of fresh ground coriander and cumin)
1 Tbs oil (olive oil canola oil or grape seed etc) is fine

Method
Heat the oil in a pan throw in the mustard seeds they will start to pop
Then throw in the onions and garlic and herbs - toss for a couple of mts
then throw in all the spices and toss a couple of mits.
Then add the lentils and the coconut milk and water
And cook for about ten mts. or till the lentils are soft (other lentils will vary in cook times)
Last of all add salt to taste.

The entire meal that I will be making includes
Basmati Rice
Curried lentils
Beef curry
Kale Mallung - which is a wok tossed Kale with toasted coconut

Cost under 20 dollars
Basmati rice 3 cups  $1.50
Red Lentils 3 cups  $2.20
Beef Stew Meat 1lb $6.70
1 bundle of Kale $2,00
Which totals up to  $12.40

Estra Spices, coconut milk,onions,garlic & fresh herbs  is about $6.00
Bringing the total to $19.40