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For the Love of Lentils +Recipes!

March 28, 2012
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Written by monthly contributor, Mrs. Faye Henry

We did not grow up eating lentils nor did our friends. In fact, it has only been the last several years that they have been included on our menu.  I had decided to look for a natural way to control my cholesterol, which was a bit high, and was blessed to find a wonderful Lebanese cookbook at a health food store.  It set me on a new and interesting style of cooking and the appreciation of new foods which we had not tried before.  The result was lovely in the fact that my health improved... and so did our eating habits.

Lentils were mentioned many times in the cookbook as they contribute in the lowering of cholesterol and are high in fiber.  They contain 6 minerals and 2 B vitamins and are a protein.  Lentils come in dozens of varieties but we enjoy the brown and green type best because they retain their shape.

They are quick and easy to prepare and have a nutty flavor. I love the aroma from them as they simmer away on the stove!

Another wonderful way to enjoy lentils is to sprout them.  It does not require much effort and the taste and nutrition are worth the time.  You can use the sprouts in salads, stir fry, pitas, and wraps.

Sprouted Lentil Salad

Mix together:

2 cups of sprouted lentils
1/2 cup of chopped celery
1/4 cup of shredded carrot

In a small jar whisk together:

2 T. olive oil
1 T. white wine vinegar
1/2 clove of crushed garlic
pinch of salt and pepper

Pour this over your salad along with fresh chopped parsley.

Allow to sit at room temperature for an hour or so.

Sometimes I will also add a squeeze of lemon.

***

Here is a recipe for a main course which is delicious served with a tomato salad that has been seasoned with garlic, lemon juice and olive oil; it is a Lebanese dish called Moujadara.

 

Moujadara

1 cup of uncooked lentils

1 cup of uncooked long grain rice

1 1/2 tsp. salt

2 large onions, julienned

1/4 cup olive oil

3 cups water

Rinse the lentils in cold water, drain, and place in a cooking pot. Add 3 cups of water, bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat for 15 minutes.

Add the rice and salt, return to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer on low another 15 minutes, or until the rice and lentils are tender.

Saute the onions in the olive oil until golden brown. Add to the cooked rice and lentils, and gently mix. Serve right away.

I also add a squeeze of lemon and some chopped parsley.

***

If you would like a very quick and easy Lentil Soup recipe, you'll find one on my site HERE .

Perhaps you sweet ladies already enjoy the benefits of lentils?  Do you have a favorite recipe?

As they say... Love your heart and eat your lentils!

 

Mrs. Faye Henry has been married to her sweetheart for over 41 years and together they own a lovely shop in New Brunswick, Canada. She also leads many young ladies, wives, and mothers in "Keepers of the Home" classes that she facilitates in the local community. She has a heart for mentoring younger women and fulfilling the Titus 2 mandate! Won't you pop over and visit Mrs. Henry at The Blessed Hearth? Pour yourself a nice hot cup of tea and stay for awhile. The fire is lit and burning brightly and the candles smell heavenly. Biscuits are in the oven...

 

 

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Filed Under: Budgeting & Frugal Living, Eating Real Foods, Recipes 7 Comments

Curried Chickpeas Over Minted Basmati Rice

March 5, 2012
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Last week I posed a question on the LABB facebook page:

What's most important to you in a meal, other than tasting good --- that it be 1) easy, 2) frugal, 3) healthy, or 4) easily modified?

I had a variety of responses, but healthy and frugal seemed to take the lead, with easy to prepare and easily modified still ranking in importance.  This recipe covers all four bases!

If you want to increase the health benefits and get more fiber, you can use brown rice rather than the basmati rice shown here.  Since this is an Indian-inspired dish, I think that the taste of basmati rice works best with the flavors of the curried chickpeas.  And, if you have ravenous meat eaters in your home, you can easily add cubed, cooked chicken into the sauce for a dish that sure to please everyone.

I've been trying to order my chickpeas (or garbanzo beans) in bulk from Azure Standard, but they've been out of stock for the past few months, so I'm planning to place an order for them through Vitacost instead.  I've mentioned it before --- if you refer friends to Vitacost, you can earn $10 in credit for every friend that makes a purchase from them.  It's a great way to build up your pantry frugally by getting the items you need for free!  I've ordered various items from them several times and have been very pleased.  *Pssst... by shopping there through this link, you can get $10 off your first order with them right now.*

Curried Chickpeas Over Minted Basmati Rice

What you'll need for the rice:

  • 1/2 cinnamon stick (about 2-3 inches)
  • 5 small cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 4 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked basmati rice
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped

What you'll need for the curried chickpeas:

  • 1 medium sweet onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cinnamon stick
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 generous tablespoon of curry (powder, not paste)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger root, minced
  • 2 cans of chickpeas or garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained, or 3 1/2 cups of cooked beans if you buy in bulk
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 small can of tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup cilantro, finely chopped

For rice: In a large saucepan, over medium heat, saute the cinnamon, cloves, and cumin in the oil for about two minutes.  Remove the cinnamon stick and the cloves and discard (alternately, you can tie them up in a mesh teabag or something similar and let them simmer with the rice; you just don't want the cinnamon falling apart into the rice as it cooks).  Add the rice and stir to coat.  Add water and mint.  Bring to a boil, then lower heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until done.

For curry: In a large skillet or pot, saute onion and cinnamon stick in oil until onion is tender.  Add curry, garlic, and ginger; cook for one minute.  Discard cinnamon stick.  Add beans, water, tomato sauce, lemon juice, and salt, then bring to a simmer.  Cook for 5 or 6 minutes until slightly thickened.  Stir in cilantro.

Serve curry over fluffed rice and enjoy!

 

You can view other frugal and healthy recipes in my recipe index, here.

*Also shared at the nourishing gourmet

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Filed Under: Eating Real Foods, Frugal Living, Recipes 3 Comments

Maple Granola With Raisins (Updated Recipe)

February 3, 2012
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Some of you might remember this recipe.

This is a recipe I shared nearly two years ago now, and it's morphed a bit over the course of time.  I've made a few updates to the recipe and taken new pictures.  It's a classic; I love the light maple flavor, the nuts, the raisins, and that it's easy to make.  It's versatile, too --- if you have different items in your pantry, it's easy to modify and make it your own.

Several readers have told me this is one of their favorites. *smile*

Granola + yogurt = match made in heaven. Really.  Have you tried it?

Feel free to pile it high on a big bowl of homemade yogurt.

Here's what you'll need:

4 cups rolled oats
3/4 c oat bran
1/2 c chopped almonds
1/2 c chopped pecans
1/2 c chopped walnuts
1 tsp salt
1/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c maple syrup
1/4 c honey
1/2 c melted coconut oil
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c raisins

What to do:

1) Preheat the oven to 325. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil.

2) Combine oats, bran, and nuts in large bowl.

3) Stir together salt, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, oil, cinnamon, and vanilla in a saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat, then pour over oat mixture and stir to coat.

4) Spread the mixture evenly over the baking sheet and bake until toasted, about 20 minutes. Stir once halfway through.

5) Cool, then stir in raisins and store in airtight container.

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Bubbling Brook Tip: Here's a fun limited time offer (through February 5th; great for Valentine's Day!) from The Card Store: 20% Off Valentine’s Day Cards plus Free Shipping. Code SHOPHOME20

 

:: also shared at homestead revival and healthy home economist

Filed Under: Recipes 3 Comments

Dinner on a Dime: Favorite Healthy & Frugal Dinners (and a link-up!)

January 26, 2012

We're all looking for dinner ideas that are simple, healthy, and inexpensive.

Here are a few of my favorites (and there's more listed in my recipe index):

 

Cheesy Chili Pie

Chicken Pot Pie (with a savory herb and cheddar crust!)

Curried Chicken Fried Rice

 

Now, I'd like you to share your favorites!  There are just a few rules.

Please...

  • Dinner ideas only. We'll look at other meals in other upcoming link-ups.
  • Try to keep them both frugal (less than $2 or so per person) and reasonably healthy (no processed foods, boxed meals, etc).
  • Share this post with your friends after linking up. They need dinner ideas, too! :)

Are you ready?  I can't wait to read through your delicious recipes and ideas!  I just know I'm going to be inspired!

 

 

 

*You might also enjoy the ideas and recipes in The America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook: A New, Healthier Way to Cook Everything from America's Most Trusted Test Kitchen

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:: also shared at better mom mondays , titus(2)sdays, teach me tuesdays, and welcome home

Filed Under: Budgeting & Frugal Living, Eating Real Foods, Homekeeping, Recipes 8 Comments

12 Simple, Frugal Dishes For Potluck or Carry-In Parties

December 27, 2011
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There are so many dishes you could bring to a holiday potluck, but what are your choices if you're trying keep things simple and frugal during the holiday season? Plan now for your upcoming family, friends, or church gathering by browsing these inexpensive dishes that are also simple enough to make while creating memories with the children.

Here are 12 ideas to get you started:

image by carolyn|umami girl

1)  Deviled eggs - Easy, yummy, and very inexpensive.  Add a layer of lettuce to the bottom of your flat serving dish to help keep them from sliding around.

2) Melon skewers - Try cantaloupe, honeydew, or any melon and use a melon baller to make perfectly round spheres, then skewer them.

3) Cheese and fruit tray - Children especially love cheese squares, so these make a great option if there will be children at the party.  Garnish with a few pieces of fruit, such as grapes or sliced strawberries.

4) Garlic hummus - My recipe is super easy.  You'll love it.

I'm sharing the rest of my list over at Raising Homemakers.  Won't you join me there?  I'd love for you to add your simple meal ideas, too!

Filed Under: Frugal Living, Hospitality, Kitchen Tips, Recipes 2 Comments

5 Hot Cocoa Recipes: Mostly Guiltless, Somewhat Guiltless, and Not-Guiltless-At-All

December 19, 2011
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image by david+1

Creamy, steamy hot chocolate is one of my favorite winter treats. With sugar, without sugar, spiced, mixed... Who knew there was such a variety of ways to make a delicious pot of cocoa?  Topped with luscious real whipped cream, it makes the perfect cold weather treat.

Here are five hot cocoa recipes you're sure to enjoy:

1) The Warm Chocolate Soother - Shared by Laura at Heavenly Homemakers, this is a not-too-sweet-treat, with a vanilla variation as well.

2) Classic Hot Cocoa - Naturally sweetened, this recipe by Kimi at the Nourishing Gourmet is very simple to make.

3) Hot Cocoa Dry Mix - Whole Foods shares an easy DIY cocoa mix, with variations for spiced hot cocoa as well as java cocoa.  Mmm!

4) Peppermint Stick Cocoa - This would be a wonderful gift-in-a-jar!  Amy at Homestead Revival has put this together beautifully.

5) Fat & Sassy Velvety Vanilla Hot Chocolate Mix - My sweet IRL friend Rachel shares her special cocoa and warns that you may get fat simply reading her recipe.  She also says that it's addicting and you may have someone knocking on your door in the middle of the night wanting more.  Proceed with caution!

Does your family enjoy hot cocoa on a cold, blustery day?  How do you make yours?

 

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Filed Under: DIY Gifts, Kitchen Tips, Recipes, Simple Pleasures 2 Comments