Sunday 31 August 2014

Rub a dub dub, thanks for the grub

I've recently started a course of acupuncture, and one of the first questions they ask you is, how is your appetite? I find mine is always good.
Our apples are ready ridiculously early this year, which means apple tart is on the menu.
Seems it's also time for the tomatoes. We like to use whatever we have, so yesterday it was aubergine, tomato and mozarella bake, with a green salad, to make some inroads on our sudden glut of cucumbers from the greenhouse. We peel the skin off, because they're a bit tougher than shop bought ones, but they taste mighty fine.
We had some walnut bread to use up tonight and since there's a nip in the air, this store cupboard staple seemed the perfect thing. It couldn't be easier to make.

Fry an onion and a couple of cloves of garlic until they are soft, then add spices (1 teaspoon garam masala, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, half a teaspoon of turmeric and a quarter of chili flakes). Stir in for 30 seconds. Then add a tin of chopped tomatoes, a pint of stock, the juice of half a lemon, 6oz of red lentils and a tin of coconut milk.

Bring to the boil and then simmer for 20 minutes or so until it's ready. Serve with some chunky rustic bread and a glass of wine.

It doesn't look fancy, but it's the easiest dish in the world to make, it's packed full of goodness, it's vegan and gluten free and it goes down a treat.

Bon appetit!

13 comments:

Helga said...

MMMMMMMMMM, basically a soupy yumcious dahl idea....I'm all over that. I always reckon if you have a tin of tomatoes in the cupboard, you can eat.
I'm bloody hungry now. And we just happen to be having Indian tonight! I must dig over the vege garden again, and get ready to plant! I need a glut of EVERYTHING! XXXXX

Krista said...

Your garden produces such a bounty and your food is as pretty as I bet it is delicious. I will try this soup for sure, thanks for sharing! Am I really first? Bam!
Xxxooo

Vix said...

Its just gone 7.15am and I'm starving already!! I'm hoping I'll get a few bags of home grown tomatoes donated from friends as our plants got eaten by the slugs when we were at Glasto!
The bake looks wonderful and I'm definitely going to try your soup. It sounds very South Indian with the coconut milk and chili.
How are you finding the acupuncture? I used to get treated for free when I worked at the chiropractic clinic. My sleep was never deeper! xxxxx

Miss Magpie said...

I didn't get past the tomato and aubergine MMMMmmmmmmmm

Anonymous said...

Great minds must think alike sis as I had my version of lentil soup ( lentils, onions, garlic, potatoes,,carrots and veg stock) with garlic bread this weekend!
Could have done with a serving of that apple tart and ice cream for afters xx

Fiona said...

Your apple tart looks divine and I can just smell that soup. Missed growing toms this year. (had three holidays and thought the cat was more than enough for my neighbour to look after.)

Curtise said...

Aubergine and tomatoes, apple tarts, and a spicy soupy dhal? Right, after that food porn, I'm inviting myself round for tea! You and Vix are encouraging even ME to make more effort with cooking... Though I don't think I'll ever make anything pretty enough to be photographed for the blog, my food is decidedly "rustic" and scruffy! xxx

ric-rac said...

Yum yum x

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Never has a post made me as hungry as this one did :)

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello,

Well, we must confess that we try to avoid the kitchen at all times but we do love to eat. So, if you should have a spare place, or two, at the table then we should be there like a shot. And, such a delicious concoction made with your own fresh produce, perfect!

We fear that you might find our neck of the woods, Budapest, rather tricky on the vegetarian front. A meal is not considered complete without meat, although cabbage does feature quite strongly!

We have found you via the enchanting Curtise and have enjoyed our stay!

Ivy Black said...

Yum. And that is how to photograph food. Makes me want to eat the lot...now.xxxx

Anonymous said...

That looks delicious. You've made me hungry now!

Kylie said...

I am cooking this tomorrow (I'm in the midst of a meat-free week). Thanks for the recipe Tania - I'm getting bored with salad.
I am also planting tomatoes tomorrow.
Unfortunately though, the similarities end here...as we are not having home-made, home grown apple tart for pudding:(