When it come to Indian food, it’s hard to get more authentic than dal. This recipe calls for red lentils, but I have also made it successfully with chana dal. Those who own a copy of James McNair’s Beans & Grains will already have this recipe. For those who don’t, this article’s for you.

What you need: 2 cups red lentils, 2 tbsp high quality vegetable oil, 2 cups finely chopped shallots or red onions, ¼ cup finely chopped fresh ginger, 1 tbsp minced fresh serrano chile (or other hot chile), 2 tbsp pressed garlic, 2 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground cayenne, 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, ½ tsp ground cardamom, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp ground cloves, ¼ tsp ground nutmeg, 2 quarts hot water, 2 cups diced tomato (or canned), ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro, tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice.

What you do: Rinse lentils and set aside. In a deep-sided sauce pan, heat oil and add all spices and remaining ingredients except for cilantro and lime juice. Cook until onions are slightly tender, or about eight minutes. Add lentils and hot water and cook until tender (at least a half hour). Remove from heat and add cilantro, lime juice and a pinch of salt if desired.

Serve with a fluffy batch of basmati and a healthy dollop of cool nonfat yogurt. If you happen to have access to some naan, go for it. For other great lentil recipes, check out this post over on my Wise Bread blog.

Photo Credit: Mary Sue Photoeth

Add a comment

Travelers’ Tales – Edited by Jennifer L. Leo

In another Travelers’ Tales compilation of stories for women, Jennifer Leo has put together an absolutely hilarious collection of stories from ladies on the road. Ready for a peek at some of the highlights? Continue reading “Book Review: The Thong Also Rises”

Add a comment

Anyone who as traveled to the Southwest has seen the strange and unique cactus that is known as the prickly pear. At certain times of year, this plant sprouts brilliant magenta berries which are used to make everything from jelly, to flavored teas to prickly pear margaritas. Continue reading “Taste of the Southwest: Prickly Pear Jelly”

Add a comment

 

Another Travelers’ Tales compilation, this title combines over twenty-five tales from adventure loving funny girls on the road. The sequel to Sand in My Bra, this women’s interest grouping is also edited by Jennifer L. Leo. A few of my favorite picks?

• Eat My Shorts . . . If You Can Find Them (Jenn Dlugos)  A racy practical jokester gets some seriously appropriate payback.


• Waiting for the Big “O” (Felice Prager) No honeymoon is completely immune from the rigors of travel, particularly the driver versus navigator scenario. This bride, however, has one of the most hysterical meltdowns over it I’ve ever seen.


• Underwear and Tear (Deanna Sukkar) Any woman with curves who’s had to shop for imtimate apparel in the developing world will be able to relate to this one.


• Where the Size of Your Butt Matters (Wendy Soref) Body conscious women experience the liberating feeling of spending time in a country where a fuller figure is “fully” appreciated.


• Hemorrhoids in Holland (Suzanne Lafetra) OK, now this one was just damn funny. A memory-jogging read for anyone who’s had to pantomime their needs to a foreign pharmacist.

A great poolside read that’s great for a chuckle, this book is definitely “one for the girls”.

Photo Credit: Travelers’ Tales

Add a comment

 

 One of our favorite types of cuisine is Thai.  In fact, it’s one of the few types of food that routinely tempted us to eat out more than we would have otherwise budgeted for. While we’re committed to financial discipline as we rebuild savings after the flood losses, we really wanted to find a way to enjoy Thai food at home. Continue reading “Thai Food Round Up: Simple Recipes for the Shoestring Chef”

1 comment

This is similar to a Thai dish we enjoy quite often. Its seasonings are slightly different of course, giving it the Chinese flavor required. Because the protein in this dish is used so sparingly, it definitely saves you some meat money on your grocery bill. The recipe as a whole is low on ingredients, making it a great full-flavored dish to help you save bucks and stay psyched for your next trip abroad.

What you need: 2 cups long grain white rice, 1 pound fresh thin green beans, ½ cup low sodium soy sauce, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 ½ tbsp corn starch, 2 tbsp plain rice vinegar, ½ cup water, 2 tbsp high quality vegetable oil, eight ounces finely ground or minced  lean pork, ¼ cup chopped garlic, 2 tsp crushed dried chile peppers, ½ cup sliced green onions (including green tops).

What to do: Cook rice and set aside. ( A rice cooker is an excellent way to keep it hot for serving.) In a small bowl combine, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, corn starch and water. Set aside. Pre-cook the pork in a tiny bit of the oil until opaque and set aside in a separate bowl. In the same pain, heat remaining oil and add beans, garlic, chile powder and a tablespoon or two of water. Stir until beans are tender-crisp, then add pork, whisked sauce and green onion. Cook until sauce starts to thicken and serve over the rice.

This is a very simple way to feed several people with only a small amount of meat. It also uses only one main vegetable, keeping the produce budget in control. Purchase the rice in bulk and you are really saving some cash. This helps divert otherwise used funds to the travel budget. For even more cool info on traveling in China, check out Wanderlust and Lipstick’s own Dim Sum Diary blog. Start packing!

Photo Credit:   Luo Shaoyang

Add a comment

Looking for something new to try for dinner? Want to take pasta night to the next level? Garofalo pasta is stepping up to the plate. I’ll be giving away a gift pack of three different pasta types in a give away contest. Wondering how to enter? It’s easy. Read on.  (**Contest winner has been determined – Congratulations to Maximizing Money**) Continue reading “Free Pasta Give Away Sponsored by Garofalo”

2 comments

Although not completely what I expected, Floating through France was still a treat . . . and an inside peek at a long time dream. While never exposed to sailing per se, the idea of living on a barge turned floating loft has been appealing to my husband and I for some time now. Doing a trial run via the canals of Europe seems like an excellent way to test drive the lifestyle. But what’s it like? Who do we call?

Floating through France provides that information and more. A compilation of travel essays based on a writers’ workshop conducted during a cruise down the Canal du Midi, this title  (edited by Barbara J. Euser) includes a variety of perspectives. Also present are a sprinkling of poems, photo-inspired sketches and contact info for a number of boat rental companies if you want to try a similar adventure for yourself and some friends. A few of my favorite selections?

• The Gift – Christie Marcus tells of seeing Paris through new eyes again during a visit there with her niece. Seeing  a place you’ve been to before with new travelers can be refreshing that way.


• April Orcutt’s Sunday Market Largesse – I too love to stroll food markets snapping closeups of vegetables, bread and fruit. This particular essay spoke to me in that regard. It also speaks to the fact that we are all capable  of capturing some seriously fabulous souvenirs without having to lug anything extra home.


• Searching for Bread – Also by April Orcutt, this essay deals with an experience I’m sure every traveler has had. We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Spending an entire day searching for something so basic you never in your wildest dreams expected it to be difficult? I hear you, April.


• Fish Out of Water, by Lynn Brenecky. Thank God. I’m not the only one obsessed with swimming and having pool access when I’m on a more traditional vacation. Go Lynn!


• Ann Ure’s quest for the ultimate cassoulet. After combing France to find the best and researching numerous resources back home to recreate it, Ann comes to the conclusion that it is just pork and beans, after all.

All in all, an enjoyable read and definitely worth the time. Those wanting to try the canal boat experience for themselves will find it particularly worthwhile. Thanks, Travelers’ Tales.

Photo Credit: Travelers’ Tales

Add a comment

Jonesing for Thai food? Curtailing your restaurant budget so you can actually take a trip the country? Here’s a simple, three ingredient recipe you can use to enjoy the flavor of Thailand over a humble bowl of rice. Read on. Continue reading “Thai Food: Three-Ingredient Curry”

2 comments

 

Love the taste of olive oil but wish it was a bit more spreadable? Enjoy the health benefits but craving the convenience of margarine? This patented product from France has olive oil available as an affordable gourmet spread. Continue reading “Explore Cuisines of Multiple Countries with One Simple Product”

Add a comment