Indian Mung Dal (Kitchari minus the rice)

This was my first venture into Indian Cooking. It's so simple and quick. Even picky eaters and fussy children will eat Kichari. It's also soothing when your sick and nothing else tastes good.

1 c mung dal (split yellow lentils)
1 T ghee or olive oil
¼ t cumin seeds
¼ t brown mustard seeds
¼ t turmeric
¼ t salt
4 c water

Rinse mung dal until water is clear. In a saucepan over medium heat, heat the ghee and add the mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Stir a moment until the seeds pop. Add the mung dal, turmeric and slat. Stir until well blended with the spices. Add the water and bring to boil. Boil for 5 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally. Turn down the heat to low and cover, leaving the lid slightly ajar. Cook until tender, about 20-25 minutes.

Abstinent Measuring
1 cup cooked mung dal = 1 protein

Note: The traditional Kitchari recipe calls for 1 c rice/1 c mung dal. They are cooked together in the same pot and the blended flavor is a beautiful thing. Since this recipe is for the abstinent meal plan follower, the rice was removed and the lentils doubled to make the spices work.

Serving suggestions
1. Rice is a wonderful complement to this protein (See note above) . 1 cup cooked mung dal and ½ cup cooked brown rice makes a hardy dish that comforts from the inside out.
Abstinent measuring = 1 protein, 1 starch

Make it a Meal: Add 1 cup/8 oz fresh greens/tomato salad and 1 cup curried okra.
Abstinent measuring = 1 protein, 2 vegetable, 1 starch

2. Spinach! Put 4 oz of washed fresh baby spinach in bottom of large-ish pasta bowl. Spread 1 cup cooked mung dal more or less evenly over the spinach. Roughly dice 4 oz fresh tomato and place on top of all. Microwave until spinach is slightly wilted. Stir to mix warmed food to spread the lentils evenly throughout the spinach.
Abstinent servings = 1 protein, 1 vegetable

Make it a Meal: This is actually one of my favorite lunch solutions. I make the above spinach/lentil combination, but I add another 4 oz fresh diced tomato (for a total of 8 oz of tomatoes). Add ½ c diced fresh veggies: combo of bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash and/or cucumber. The exact content of this last ½ cup varies depending on the contents of my fridge vegetable bin. Add dollop of Thai Garlic-Chili sauce for extra spice and you have an awesome, satisfying lunch for any time of year.
Abstinent measuring = 1 protein, 2 vegetable

3. for extra heat and spiciness
Add a dollop of Thai Garlic-Chili sauce
Add chopped Hot Banana Peppers