lunch!

While I could get depressed about coming to Wyoming because I love big cities like home in Seattle, I've tried to keep a positive outlook. Johnny and I have gone on lots of adventures in the area and have more to look forward to before we leave. I have met some really wonderful people here, and it's fun to experience living in a small town where everyone knows each other.

One thing that I suddenly appreciated today occurred to me while I was home making lunch this afternoon. If I hadn't come out to Wyoming and met Lauren, I might never have been exposed to, much less thought of making, one of my current favorite dishes: Chana Masala

So toady I bring you Lauren's Chana Masala recipe (I've sort of fine-tuned it to my tastes, so it's not her original):

Ingredients
1 tbsp oil (veggie, canola, whatever)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, peeled and minced
1 tbsp curry (to start)
1/2 tbsp ground ginger
1 tbsp tomato paste or ketchup
1 15 oz. can of chick peas, drained Reserve 3 tbsp liquid
1 tbsp coconut milk or 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
1 red bell pepper
salt to taste
pepper to taste
crushed red peppers to taste

rice or noodles

1. Heat oil in skillet over med-high. Saute onions until they are slightly brown
2. Add in garlic, curry, ginger and paste. Stir for 2 minutes. Add more curry for more kick if you so desire.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Add peas, liquid, coconut milk, salt and black pepper. Simmer for 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Add red pepper in to taste.
5. Simmer for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
6. Serve over rice or noodles

makes about 2-3 servings

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I frequently make this because the ingredients are always on hand. When I quickly make it, I just use lemon (or lime) juice instead of coconut milk because so little coconut milk is used that it seems like a huge waste when it comes in such a big can. (same goes for the tomato paste/ketchup option). The lemon or lime juice does leave a bit of a tangy aftertaste, so I recommend trying coconut milk first so you get the real taste. :) Jason and Johnny don't like this dish (their complaints range include "I don't like chickpeas!" to "It's too spicy!") so I usually make it for lunch and have lunch for the next day, too!

In other food-related news, I picked up two types of Thai peanut sauce while visiting The Cupboard in Fort Collins this past weekend that I am just dying to try:


I should have a large post of pictures from this past weekend coming up soon, so stay tuned!