Quick and easy homemade recipes from Mauritius!

This recipe is very popular in Mauritius.In home,we usually serve it along with a "rougaille poisson salee" (salted fish curry) or with a "vindaye poisson" (fish vindaloo),along with some "chatini coco" (coconut mint chutney). I will be posting recipes for these dishes later on:)

Lentils with spinach is a very healthy dish. Check out their health benefits: lentils and spinach.

I don't usually measure ingredients when I cook.With practice,I just got to know how much I need to put.But for beginners' sake,I put the measurements.And here is the recipe:



Ingredients:

200g lentils

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1/4 tsp chilli powder(or u can just put chilli)

1/2 tsp ginger/garlic paste

1/2 kg spinach,washed and chopped

oil

1 medium sliced onion

garlic

2 medium tomatoes,chopped

1 tsp cumin seeds



Steps:

1.Wash the lentils first,like you would do for rice.Then,place it in a pressure cooker,along with the turmeric,chilli,garlic ginger paste,some salt and 3/4 litre of water.Pressure cook for about 10 mins.



2.After 10mins,uncover and check the lentils.If you find that water is not enough,add some water.The lentils should be almost cooked now.Add the spinach,and continue cooking until the spinach has wilted.Remove from heat.



3.In another pan,add oil.When the oil is hot enough,add the cumin seeds.When they start to crackle,add the onion and garlic.Let them fry until crispy.



4.Add the fried onion and garlic to the lentils..Add tomatoes.Continue cooking on medium heat until tomatoes are also cooked.



5.Serve!





Tips:Spinach should be washed very carefully since dirt tends to collect on the stems and leaves.Before washing,cut off the roots and separate the leaves and stems.Then,place in a bowl of clean water and swish around the leaves.Throw the water and repeat the process until no dirt remains.

3 medium potatoes

1 onion,cut in slices

coriander

salt

dried red chilli(optional)

Steps:

1.Boil the potatoes.

2.While the potatoes are boiling,fry the onions until brown crispy.If you want to add chilli,then fry the dried red chillies too.

3.When the potatoes are soft enough,peel them and put in a bowl together with the fried onions,chilli and chopped coriander.Add salt to taste.

4.Mash the potatoes,while mixing it with the other contents too.Use hand as the flavour will come out better.

Serve as a side dish.

You could also add some peanuts or cashews to it.