Well it’s official winter is here and what a strange winter we are having. It is very cold and pouring with rain,which is very unusual weather for Johannesburg. That is usually what the weather is like in Cape Town. But I actually quite like it,I prefer that damp air to the icy dry weather we usually have. But I guess that’s global warming for us;the weather is changing everywhere. So the fire is lit,with its lovely smoky smell wafting into the house and the dogs are cuddling in their bed,so its time for some yummy winter,comfort food.
I had a real desire for some lentil soup last night,and wanted to rustle something up,without much hassle. So I made an impromptu lentil soup. I fried a chopped onion and carrot in a little butter and then added 2 teaspoons of turmeric,fried for a little while. Then I added 1 cup of red lentils until they were coated and golden,making sure to turn down the heat so they did not stick. I then added 2 1/2 cups of chicken stock ( you can add vegetable stock,but I prefer chicken) and then let it simmer for a about 20 minutes. It was really yummy and delicious for my first attempt at lentil soup.
Lentil Soup:
1 onion chopped
1 carrot chopped
1 cup red lentils
2 tsp of turmeric
Fry all ingredients together until lentil are coated.
Add 2 1/2 cups of chicken stock
Simmer for 20 mins
Today I am going to make an easy fish pie,by mixing tinned tuna and having a sweet potato mash topping which I adore. Sweet Potatoes are lower GI than ordinary potatoes and I think they just add a brilliant sweet texture to dishes. In fact I make my cottage pie with a sweet potato mash topping as well.
Easy Fish Pie
Grease Oven proof dish and pre heat oven to 180C
2 tins of tuna
1 onion chopped
1 T chutney
1 cup of fresh or frozen veggies of your choice. Corn/Peas/Broccoli works well.
Mix all together
White Sauce
Melt a little butter in a pot
Take off the heat ( to stop it from making lumps)
Add 2T of Flour ( I either use potato flour,or corn flour,rice flour)
Then slowly add milk until forms a nice sauce
Then add grated cheese of your choice. I usually use cheddar,but Mozzarella is also good.
This is a staple gluten free white sauce and can be used for pasta or any other dish requiring a white sauce
Mix together with tuna and veggies
Sweet Potato Mash
Boil Sweet Potatoes
Peel to remove skin and mash with masher or fork
Add a little milk or stock to thicken and salt and pepper to taste.
Add Mash onto the top of the tuna and veggie mix and flake it up with a fork
Bake for 30mins at 180C and put on the grill for the last few mins to brown the top.
Mmmm now just have to get a fork and sit in front of the fire and dig in.
