Masuur Dal – Whole Brown Lentils and Meal Planning – Hack One

Keeping a structure is extremely important to managing these sometimes insane weeks. I have a few tested and tried food hacks, and some basic meal dishes that are flexible and can be varried based on what I have in my refridgerator. This recipe for Masuur Dal or Whole Brown Lentils is one of those.  It is comfort and salvation rolled into one.

Story of Masuur Dal or Whole Brown Lentils

A few blog readers have been asking me for meal planning posts. I gave this some thought, as more than just meal planning, I do a lot of meal prepping. It is my pay it forward kind of thing that helps me survive whatever life throws at me during the week. Especially, a week like this week 11. I do not want to comment on the craziness of the week other than just saying, I am glad that it is over.

This being said even the worst weeks end with a silver lining! I loved the program that I did for Mt Kisco Library today. It was peaceful and successful.

Instant Pot Fun and Programs

I introduced the instant pot, to a few newbies. Yes, wish the instant pot people would appreciate the number of instant pots I am selling during these programs.  Sure, I sell books, in fact, I am glad to see people suddenly rediscovering Spices and Seasons, Simple Sustainable Indian Flavors, right along with Instant Indian.

I am trying this new series. It will be less of the conventional meal planning series that you will find out there. It will be more a focus on some meal prepping and survival tips. I would love to hear what people think of these ideas as we move along. I am waiting to see yellow, the daffodils and the forsythia. They are somewhere, just waiting to surface.

Survival Hack – Holy Trinity of Aromatics

So, here is one my survival hacks. I always start the week with a large batch of what I call the holy trinity of essential cooking, in my kitchen at least.  In fact, this comes in handy for a lot of things that I cook. This to me is chopped onions, ginger, and garlic. This is where the food processor comes in handy. You can chop and keep what I am doing here for up to a week in the refridgerator. You can definitely do this in larger amounts and freeze.

Brown Lentils and the Soup

This fragrant dal or whole brown lentils-based soup gets done in just 25 minutes (start to finish) or cooking, if you have, the aromatics chopped. In my basic recipe, I add chopped carrots. Do note the two other variations to flavorings and the dish. I made this last Thursday evening, the home crew loved it so much, I had to make it again today. I made a large batch. So, before I move on to the recipe, here are some thoughts for the week ahead.

Brown Lentil Soup – Perfect for Meatless Monday, try it with steamed rice or your favorite kind of flatbread.

Taco Tuesday – How about this recipe ?

Wednesday – Mushrooms and Chickpeas, why not?

Thursday – An easy one pot pasta dish, this one has my vote.

Friday – Let us celebrate the fact that we survived the week with an instant pot chicken korma.

If you join me social, I will try to stick to sharing some of these ideas. I will depending on time, as usual share other recipes, but folks I am taking the time to wish everyone a wonderful week ahead. It is week 12, and we are getting pretty close to spring.

If you like this recipe and want more ideas, do join my Indian Instant Pot Facebook group and Legume Love Group. Of course Instant Indian is ready for order, joining its siblings The Bengali Five Spice Chronicles and Spices and Seasons.