What could Dahl — that wondrously fragrant, rib-sticking dish of curried lentils, ever so healthy — and Nutella Crepes possibly have in common, you might ask?
Well,
cooking these very different dishes was part of my response to being home all cozy while this wintry goodness loomed just out the window.
In fact, I did get outside a few times, even taking a turn with the shovel . . .
but more often, heading out the gate for a walk or a run (strapped on my Yaktraks) around the island, taking in the pretty.
And then I’d get home, throw another log on the fire, and realize how hungry I was
and remember that I’ve been wanting to try out the Nutella Crepes recently featured on Cup of Jo. Head over there for the recipe, but you’ll need to grab a jar of Nutella from the grocery store. I have to say that Pater’s eyebrows moved substantially higher when he spotted these on the list I gave him. Nutella hasn’t been a WeightWatchers staple around here, but it felt like time for a controlled treat.
Believe me, worth every calorie. The servings were small but ever so delicious — and if you pick them up and nibble them with your fingers, you’ll perhaps be reminded of enjoying them in Paris. The best kind of street food!
That was Saturday. Today, my craving was for more nutritious fare (although noticeably lacking in the Chocolate Food Group!). I found this recipe for Lentil Dahl and realized that we had all the ingredients right here in the pantry, although I did sub green lentils for the specified red. . .
The spicy warm dish was the perfect antidote to the wintry scene outdoors, and the fragrance that filled the house only added to the fire’s coziness. Surprisingly, perhaps, this mix of warmth and fragrance and enough allusion to exotic places (India, Paris) marries the two otherwise very different meals.
Now I’m wondering what Pater’s planning for dinner, what he’s putting in the grocery cart right about now, given that he was recently out playing in the snow himself . . . .
So tell me, chez vous, has the weather affected the food you’ve been making and/or eating?
Hi Mater – we had home made pea and ham soup for supper this evening!
Yum! Perfect for the season!
Even in our 70 degree weather, curried little lentils sounds wonderful.
I thought I'd have some leftovers for today, but apparently Paul thought they were wonderful too . . .70 degrees? Really?
Oh, I love dahl! I'm so enjoying your wintery scenes, though I'm sure it's not quite as magical when you have to shovel it!
It's enough of a novelty that the shovelling was just another workout for Paul, who loves activity of most kinds and even did our elderly neighbour's walk as well. If it went on and on and on as it does back East, I'd be singing a different tune!
It was a weekend for stuffed pork tenderloin, soup and more soup. The curried lentils sound so yummy. Your island wears snow beautifully.
That's the perfect menu — stuffed pork tenderloin is such a warming dish, in so many ways. And soup, of course.
I have to agree — our island does snow well! Thank you!
Hmmm….sounds like chocolate might be in the forecast !
You're a great meteorologist! 😉
We were snowed in for a bit and still have lots in the ground. I spend the days napping and being waited on, sipping soup and tea – very cosy!
You needed that, didn't you?! I'm glad you were able to stay home and cosy.
I enjoyed our snowy days and made a large pot of turkey chili and banana muffins. I love the snow when I don't need to go anywhere.
Yumm! Chili really hits the spot on days like these. And I agree with you — snow is great if there's nowhere important to be.
I made dal just the other night! My children prefer a cream dal, which our local restaurant serves, but I make it without, thinking that the cloves and cinnamon and ginger can stand on their own. This winter I have failed to keep up my cavewoman menu that I so enjoyed during the summer and fall. Green smoothies, no matter how delicious, are just too cold for winter dining and baked goods too alluring. I will try to locate my discipline in the next couple of weeks.
I suspect I'd prefer a cream dal as well for taste — hard not to! But this was really good and for four servings (ha! my husband made that suggestion into a joke), it used only two tablespoons of butter. As you say, the spicing (mine had turmeric, cumin, garam masala, some red pepper flakes, ginger) made it lively enough. As for the difference between a summer and a winter regime, food-wise, I think the cold requires a stronger response than that found in a green smoothie! My discipline has definitely wandered a bit in this recent bout of snow and ice.