An Indian-inspired lunch box today. Massur dal (aka red lentils) and carrot soup is in the thermos. The whole wheat dumplings are filled with turmeric potatoes and peas (aloo matar), and some mango slices and cucumber raita are on the side. A dark chocolate (the Halloween candy is starting to arrive!) is the treat.Verdict: He loved the soup and the potato-stuffed dumplings, the cucumber raita not so much. As he does with anything breadlike, he decided one piece of the dumpling was the "crust", so he left that one piece. Too funny! We lucked out and scored some good, creamy mangoes this time. 3 stars.
id just like to say that im in love with your website and i really appreciate the ways in which you make healthy and nutritious food so creative and tasty..i know youve mentioned that you're publishing a cookbook and i would love if you put in the recipe for that carrot-lentil soup in this lunchbox, it looks so good! anyways, just thought id leave a comment, and compliment you on your great work
ReplyDelete-Dayna
Mmmm,red lentils. I made red lentils soup today too! I've never tried making my own "dumplings", did you use a basic whole wheat dough? Also, what kind of soy yogurt did you use for the raita? Those mangoes look divine! I get so upset when I buy mangoes and they're half bad I even cut them. Anyway, awesome lunch as usual. :)
ReplyDeleteThat should say half bad BEFORE I even cut them. That's what happens when I get excited...
ReplyDeleteThank you, dayna! Yes, the dal-carrot soup is definitely going in there. Yum!
ReplyDeleteHi, miriam! The dough is loosely based on Indian "paratha" dough, which is sometimes stuffed with spicy mashed potatoes, rolled out, and fried. I stuffed mine and baked them instead.
The raita is made with silken tofu instead of yogurt, as I can't find plain soy yogurt around here that isn't sweetened. Sometimes I make my own, but this time I had some open silken tofu in the fridge. Yes, most of our mangoes are disappointing, too, so it was refreshing to find a good batch.
As always, loving your lunches. I am even having some success getting my son to eat vegetables because "shmoo does."
ReplyDeletePLEASE - where are you finding vegan chocolate Halloween pieces? I can only find whole bars and that is too pricey for the horde of kids on our block.
The produce "king" at my local Whole Foods will cut a mango open if you ask him. He told me that all I need to do is ask and he will cut any one of those strange and exotic fruits for me to taste. No, I'm not that cute, they're just big on customer service is all. He volunteered the service once for me and I was so impressed. Ask them at your grocery store. They might suprise you too.
ReplyDeleteHi, stonetree! The dark chocolate Halloween candy were in the health food section at my regular grocery store (Fred Meyers). They are "Endangered Species" brand. A lot of regular candies are vegan, too, like Smarties, Airheads taffy, Nerds, etc. I think PETA has a list on their website. We've got to keep those trick-or-treaters happy! :-)
ReplyDeleteGreen & Black's has vegan dark chocolate too. I love indian food, this lunch looks yummy!
ReplyDeletei don't always comment, but i ALWAYS read. today's lunch looks particularly good. yum!
ReplyDeleteMy kids leave a symbolic crust too. How funny!
ReplyDeleteI love Indian food and I accidently drooled all over my screen when I saw the dumplings.
ReplyDeleteI'm so ashamed.
Just be careful with Peta's accidentally vegan list...it's not all vegan!
ReplyDeleteThey're now finding a certain amount of Dark Chocolate is heart healthy. Since it's more likely to be vegan, I figure that's one more point for us.
ReplyDeleteDawwud
Heart healthy sounds good to me! :-)
ReplyDeleteEndangered Species chocolate is my family's very favorite chocolate! And, as I know from experience, you can order directly from them if you can't find it locally, or if your store doesn't carry the kind you like. Their website is www.chocolatebar.com.
ReplyDeletei need to agree...the dumplings look and sound delicious (healthy and low in fat too!) i'd LOVE to see the recipie!
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