🎃Curried Pumpkin Dhal Recipe

Perfect for the holiday season or anytime something warm, spicy and soul-soothing is called for! NOTE: Pumpkin, like all winter squash, is very heavy, full of soma, hard to digest and channel blocking. As a result, this recipe is recommended for occasional holiday treats - not for every day use. 

Puree the below spices together in blender with enough water needed to form paste:

• 1/3 cup shredded coconut

• 1 green thai chili (sliced in lengthwise, seeds removed)

• 2 Tbs fresh chopped ginger

• 1 Tbs garam masala powder

• 2 tsp cumin seeds

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder

• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder

• 2 tsp coriander powder

• 1/2 medium yellow onion

• 1 clove garlic (omit or substitute with 1/8 tsp hing - aka asafoetida if you prefer)

Next...

• Fry above spices with 6 Tbs ghee or enough ghee to coat and not burn, until is smells aromatic

• Add below ingredients and sautee a few minutes until veggies are coated with spices:

• 4 cups cubed pumpkin (you can make yourself by cutting a pumpkin or your favorite winter squash in half and baking it facedown on a baking sheet for about 45-60 min at 425 degrees Farenheit until a the pumpkin is al dente, meaning a knife goes in easily but when you push the side of the pumpkin is still maintains a little form - this way it won't fall apart in the soup. Alternately, you can use 1 peeled yam chopped into 1" cubes, or 1-2 cans of pumpkin)

• 2 c kale - chopped into bit size pieces

• 1 c green cabbage - shredded

• 1 c grated carrots

• 1 c zucchini (sliced into half-moon bite-sized slices)

• 2 tsp coriander seeds (if you have them, otherwise, another tsp coriander powder is fine)

• 16 oz can of chickpeas or favorite bean of choice - when you have more time you can cook fresh dhal to use here instead

Next...

• Add 8 cups water and 

• Then, cover and bring to boil and reduce to simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes until veggie are tender

• Add enough salt to taste (approx 1 Tbs + 1 tsp)

• Add enough lime juice to taste or 1.5-3 Tbs tamarind paste

• Garnish each bowl with:

• a few leaves of fresh chopped mint, or cilantro or any fresh herbs you have on hand such as basil, tarragon, parsley, etc

• small spoonful of roasted nuts/seeds of choice such as pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, pecans, etc

• small dollup of yogurt or sour cream for an extra creamy probiotic treat

• ENJOY!

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