Counting my Blessings....

Yesterday began the first full week of Lent.  Part of my Lenten journey is giving to the poor.  I do so in the form of donations to the CRS Rice Bowls.  This bowl sits on my kitchen table, along with a calendar that was provided with a thought provoking few lines listed for each day.  The bowl also came with a short synopsis of six families from different parts of the world.  It tells you a little bit about them and the challenges they face, how our donation will help them and others in their country and a recipe that the family shared from their native land.

The first family encountered were the Singh's.  The Singh's live in East India, an area that often suffers floods from the Malaguni River.  When this happens the Singh's and others cannot get to market to buy or sell food and if the waters don't recede quickly enough they lose their rice crop which supports the family.

They shared a recipe for Dalma, a Vegetable Stew served with Rice.  I decided to make this dish yesterday for Meatless Monday.  It is quick, easy and tasty.  Frank didn't miss the meat at all.  Best of all it was easily adapted to be FMD friendly.  I eliminated the potato and olive oil to keep this recipe Phase 1 friendly.  I also used crushed red pepper instead of whole dried red chiles and cut the recipe in half because it was just Frank and I enjoying this dish.

Dalma

adapted from crsricebowl.org

1 c. water

1 (15 oz) can black eyed peas

1 c. butternut squash, cubed

pinch of salt

1/8 t. turmeric

pinch crushed red pepper

1/2 c. diced canned tomatoes with juices

1  1/2 c. baby spinach leaves 

1/4 t. cumin

1/8 t. chili powder

2 c. cooked brown rice

Place water, black eyed peas, squash, salt and turmeric in a dutch oven.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until squash is tender.  Add the tomatoes, spinach, cumin and chili powder.  Cover and simmer until warmed through and spinach is wilted.  Serve over hot rice. Print Recipe