I had a bit of trouble naming this dish. I didn't think of it as a curry, but couldn't come up with a better descriptor - and technically, curry is probably right. I then dithered between five spiced and quintuple spiced. I am not thrilled with either, but quintuple won out to avoid Chinese five spice confusion (my five spices are not those five spices!). In all, it is probably easier to eat this meal than to label it. Fortunately, it tastes so good that I don't think it matters too much what it's called.
The five spices featured are turmeric, cumin, ginger, tarragon and cardamom. It was an impromptu mix, but one I can now recommend. The flavours were warm and varied and slightly sweet, and a perfect match for the vegetables.
I served this with chickpea pancakes, which means the dish is quite similar to my lentil-vegetable filled chickpea pancakes from last month. However, the spices are different here, and so are the tomato and pepper components. If I'm honest, I liked this version better than the last!
You could also serve this with rice or quinoa, or just enjoy it straight up. It is easy to make, and very easy to eat.
Quintuple spiced lentil eggplant curry
A satisfying meal that is beautifully flavoured by the five featured spices
Serves 4 if paired with chickpea pancakes, rice or quinoa
Vegan, low fat and gluten free
Author: Bite-Sized Thoughts
Ingredients
2 baby eggplants, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp tarragon
1/4 tsp cardamom
1/4 tsp salt
1-1/2 cups (1 tin) crushed tomatoes
1-1/2 cups (1 tin) lentils
2 tbsp lemon juice
Drizzle of oil, for sauteing
Method
Saute the eggplant and pepper over high heat, until starting to brown. Add the spices and salt, and stir to coat the vegetables.
Add the tomatoes, lentils and lemon juice and reduce heat to low. Allow to simmer for at least 15 minutes, but up to an 45 minutes. The flavours will develop with longer cooking.
Submitted to Healthy Vegan Fridays.
What spices are you enjoying this week?
Sounds curry-like to me! I love your five spices. I think more than the Chinese five spices. So much flavor in this meal!
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne!
DeleteMmm, I love a good curry recipe, I'll have to try this soon. Your name is perfect--I'm sure its quintuple delicious too :)
ReplyDeleteI did rather think that ;) Thanks June!
DeleteI totally know what you mean. Sometimes naming your recipes (or posts) is the hardest part! You should patent your five spices. It needs to be bottled up. I think I have everything in my pantry except for cardamom. This is a curry I wouldn't mind enjoying straight up!
ReplyDeleteI definitely ate some of it that way Min :-)
Deletecurry and chickpea pancakes sounds so good - and this curry reminds me I should not neglect eggplant - I really like the idea of pairing it with lentils and tomato
ReplyDeleteI am a bit wary of eggplant sometimes - and at other times just forget about it! - but it really played a great role here. I recommend it :)
DeleteThis looks amazing! So much spice :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Gabby!
DeleteQuintuple is a good name. Chinese five spice and I don't get along and any connotation to it and I stop paying attention. This one however, all of my attention dear Kari :-)
ReplyDeleteThank goodness I didn't go with five spiced in that case!
DeleteHey, I love your spices! What a great spice collaboration in this dish. I can imagine the flavours in the aroma and taste. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Gourmet Getaways
I'm glad you like the look of it Julie :-)
DeleteI love a good hearty curry like this one, especially in winter.
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely the season for them :)
DeleteI do love the look of your pancakes! What a great dish, Kari, and it's so full of flavour - I love the sound of that combination of spices xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Charlie - I certainly enjoyed it :)
DeleteI often don't know what to do with eggplant, but this looks delicious with the lentils and spices!
ReplyDeleteI often don't know what to do with it either! Thank goodness I hit on this, as it will give me inspiration next time I'm stuck with one too ;)
DeleteDef my type of dish - nice and easy home cooking :-) My hubby would eat this too I reckon - lentils & tomatoes :-)
ReplyDeletehehehee yeah sometimes it's hard to think of an appropriate name for food!