Dal-icious

Another bean recipe for dinner last night. This one comes from "The Ultimate Dal Cookbook" by Mona Verma and is simply called 'Delicious Black Beans'. It uses black turtle beans which I found in Tesco and which are pretty quick cooking. I've cut down on the oil suggested in the recipe to make it more diet friendly and served it with Gujerati courgettes and chapati.

Delicious Black Beans
(serves 4)
1 cup black turtle beans soaked overnight
1/2 tsp turmeric
2 tsp oil
1 tsp cumin seed
2 tsp coriander seed
2 tsp minced ginger
8 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 - 1/2 tsp chilli powder (to taste)
1/2 tsp garam masala
400g chopped tomatoes
2 tsp dried fenugreek leaves
1 tsp lime juice

- Drain and rinse the beans, put them in a pan with the turmeric and plenty of water. Bring to the boil and simmer for approximately 40 mins or until tender. The cooking time will depend on how long they have been soaked for.
- While the beans are cooking, lightly toast the cumin and coriander seeds and then grind them to a rough powder.
- When the beans are ready, heat the oil and add the ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, garam masala and chilli and cook for a couple of minutes on a low heat until fragrant and combined.
- Add the chopped tomato and dried fenugreek, cook for a few more minutes.
- Add the beans and lime juice and simmer for 10 mins, then serve.

Gujerati Courgette Salad
(serves 2)
2 medium courgettes
2 tsp oil
1 tbs black mustard seeds
1 tbs lemon juice

- Coarsely grate the courgettes and drain them on kitchen paper to remove excess moisture
- Heat the oil in a lidded pan and add the mustard seeds. When the seeds start to pop against the lid, add the courgettes and stir the mustard seeds through.
- Add the lemon juice and and stir until everything is heated through.
- Serve immediately.