Lentil Soup

shallot 1
onion 1/4 of a medium size
garlic cloves 4 cloves
butter 1 tbsp
tomato (crushed) 1 cup
vegetable stock 4 cups
lentils 1 cup
parsley 1/2 cup
dried lime 3 (found in Persian food stores)1
golpar 1 small pinch (found in Persian food stores)2
dried chili flakes 2 pinches
turmeric 1 tsp
salt and pepper

Saute onion, shallot, garlic, turmeric, golpar, chili flakes, salt and pepper in butter for 3 minutes. Add tomato and bit more salt. After 3 minutes add lentils, dried lime and parsley, bring to boil, turn the heat down and simmer until the lentils are soft. Blend using an immersion blender and serve with a nice bowl of spinach/tomato/pecan/onion/goat cheese salad.

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_lime
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golpar

Roasted Chicken Sandwich

chicken thigh 1 with skin and bone
double smoked bacon 1 thick slice
string beans 3 to 4
tomato 1
kalamata olives 3 to 4
garlic 2 colves
parsley 2 tbsp
nice bun (kaiser or ciabatta)

charmoula sauce:
meyo 2 tbsp
lemon 2 tsp
cumin 1/4 tsp
parsley 2 tsp
salt, pepper

Score and dress the chicken with salt, pepper, olive oil, parsley and chili flakes. Chop and fry the bacon until crispy. Put the bacon aside and drain most of the fat. Fry the chicken, skin side first, in the same pan. Add sliced garlic. Fry each side for 2 minutes. Add the beans and put in the oven, 250 F, for 30 minutes. Take the beans out half way through. Once the chicken is ready, pull the chicken apart and assemble the sandwich!

Dinner, wine, tea and movie at Nastaran's

Spring Grocery

Warm Caramelized Onion/Chickpea Coleslaw

• red onion 1/2 medium, sliced thin
• chickpea 1/2 can
• green cabbage 1/3 medium, sliced thin
• carrot 1 to 2, grated
• lemon 1, juice and zest
• cumin 1/2 tsp
• salt, pepper, olive oil

Caramelize the onion (with salt/pepper/olive oil) in a sauteing pan on low heat until soft and sweet. Add chickpea, half of the lemon juice, cumin and mix until the mixture is warm. In a bowl mix the cabbage and carrot. Add lemon zest, the rest of the juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Serve in individual bowls and top with the warm mixture.