The first thing that I did coming over to UK was start reading ' Ponniyin Selvan'. I was first so sceptical about reading it because it looked so huge. But it was unputdownable. Awesome is a milder way of describing the book. I don't have words to express how engrossing and haunting the book was. I couldn't stop thinking about the characters and twists in the story even in my sleep. I used to wake up in the middle of the night to continue reading it. I've never been forcefully drawn by a book which nagged, pestered, bullied me into completing it. What an experience! Too good to be expressed in words, you have to read it to believe it.

Ok, I'm back from my break. Actually, we (My husband, baby and I) had moved to Uk and I was settling down for the past two months (what a long time to settle!?!). Anyway, now that I'm back at blogging, we'll as well get started on our 'recipe of the week'...

Lentil and Vegetable Broth

Cooking Time : 20 mins.
Preparation Time : 20 mins.

Serves 6.

Ingredients

For the stock

2 tablespoons yellow moong dal (split yellow gram), washed
2 onions
2 large tomatoes

For the topping

1 onion, chopped
1/3 cup cabbage, shredded
1/3 cup spinach (palak), chopped
2 tablespoons baked beans
1 tomato finely chopped or tomato ketchup
1½ teaspoons oil
salt and pepper to taste

How To Proceed

For the stock

1. Cut the onions and tomatoes into big pieces.
2. Add the moong dal and 4½ cups of water and cook in a pressure cooker.
3. When cool, blend in a liquidiser and keep aside.

How to proceed

1. Heat the oil and sauté the onion for 1 minute.
2. Add the cabbage and spinach and sauté again for 1 minute.
3. Add the stock and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add the beans, tomato, salt and pepper and bring to a boil.
5. Serve hot, with Celery Garlic Toasts.

Happy cooking.