DINNER: Indian Style Mushroom Chicken

Indian chicken dishes don't often feature mushrooms, but I took a chance, and this recipe turned out pretty well...fungi away:

Serving Size: 4-6

Ingredients:

• 1.5 tsp cumin, whole or ground
• 1.5 tsp coriander, whole or ground
• 2 cloves
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp red chili pepper flakes (optional)
• 1.5 tsp dried basil, or a fresh basil, chopped
• 1 onion, diced (I prefer red, but it's up to you)
• 1 pd chicken breast or thigh filets, chopped into small-medium size pieces

Instructions:

• Place onions, coriander, cumin, garlic and cloves into a pan
• Saute onions for at least 3-4 minutes on medium heat until golden brown (use at least 2 tbsp of canola oil)
• Add mushrooms and allow to cook until mushrooms decrease in volume
• Add chicken, black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper, and cover
• Add basil and chili pepper flakes after the chicken has mostly cooked through
• Serve over brown rice (and with a side of daal)
• Enjoy!

SIDE DISHES/DINNER: Easiest Indian Yellow Daal Recipe Ever

I love Indian daal, but for some reason, always thought it was very complicated to make, and based on the recipes I came across, never had the right ingredients already at home. I made this last night, and it was incredibly easy, and delicious.  I recommend serving this over brown rice (I also like it with a protein - see "Indian Style Mushroom Chicken".

Serving Size: 2

Ingredients:

• 1 cup yellow split peas, uncooked and rinsed
• 2.5 cups water 
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, ground
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 onion (red is best), diced
• 1 1/2 tsp cumin, whole seeds or ground
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/2 tsp pepper, ground
• 1 small tomato, diced

Instructions:

• Place the peas and water in a medium pot, and bring to a simmer
• Add the tomatoes, turmeric, cayenne pepper and salt, and cover
• In a separate pan, saute onions, cumin, chopped garlic for 5-7 minutes (until onion is browned and soft)- you can use low fat butter or a tablespoon of canola oil
• Add onions to the split peas
• Add pepper and salt
• ***If you like your daal to be more blended rather than seeing the individual split peas, let the split peas simmer longer before adding in onions - you should also use more water (maybe 3 cups)
• Enjoy!