Dinner: Chana Masala

I am addicted to Chana Masala. Our local mall's food court has a hidden treasure--some of the Boston area's best Indian food. Everytime I am at the mall, I treat myself to some Chana Masala (which are chick peas that have been simmering in a spicy tomato sauce for 24 hours). Because it's a new year and my trips to the mall will be far less than they were last year, I figured out how to make my own version of Chana Masala. I threw a few key ingredients today and was so pleased with my lunch that I served it again for dinner. Try it and let me know what you think.

Becca's Made Up version of Chana Masala
2 Tbs. good olive oil
1 12 oz. can chick peas (garbanzo beans)
1 12 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1/2 Tbs. of Garam Masala*
2 Tbs. brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced

Place olive oil in medium sized saucepan on medium heat. Drain chick peas and add to olive oil. Add crushed tomatoes, Garam Masala, brown sugar, and garlic. Simmer for a few hours or for as long as you can (30 minutes would even do the trick). Serve over basmati or brown rice.

*Garam Masala is a particular blend of Indian spices. You can find it at any Indian food store or order it through Penzey's spices.

Lunch: Ham Sandwich

I just finished reading the authorized biography of Alice Waters ("Alice Waters and Chez Panisse" by Thomas McNamee). It was a great read and the ideas behind Waters' food revolution are nutty and inspiring. In between the stories that comprise Waters' life are narrative recipes. One in particular has beckoned me back into the kitchen. Waters explains that whenever she makes a ham sandwich she goes into her garden and picks "whatever herbs" she has. She then chops "them up fine and mix them...with a little garlic...a little vinegar and oil, into a sort of savory herb paste." She then toasts day old french bread and spreads on the "herb paste." She serves the sandwich open topped with a bit of sweet onion marmalade.

Need I write more? Tonight at my friend's New Year's Eve party, I am going to make bit size ham and herb sandwiches. Here is what I am going to do:
1. Fire up my portable grill pan.
2. Place buttered, thinly sliced good bread on the grill.
3. While the bread is on the grill, I'll shmear it with the savory herb paste, then add a thin slice of fancy pants ham, carmelized onions, and a bit of gruyere cheese.
4. I'll put the sandwiches together and cut them into small squares.
5. I'll serve them and everyone will tell me how amazing I am. But I'll give all the credit to Alice. Promise.

Lunch: What to do, What to do

Ladies (I'm not ashamed to admit that all or most of you reading this are in fact Ladies)--

It is time. Summer has arrived (well, sort of...my posse doesn't get out until June 23rd. Yes you read that right--June 23rd). At our house, the first few days of summer are magical--new flip flops, swimming parties, loud music throughout the house while we clean out our backpacks. But within a week, reality sets in. What do I make for lunch? I remember having this problem last summer. I can think of a few fun sandwiches*, but that only lasts for so long. What kinds of lunches do you make in the summer? I really need help here. Last summer my oldest daughter said she was "quesadillad out"--whatever that means. Don't be shy. Share your ideas for a fun and easy summer lunch so we can all benefit.

*Turkey wrap:
large pita bread or wraps
sliced deli turkey
mayo/mustard
lettuce, sliced tomatoes
a bit of salt

Spread a bit of mayo and mustard over pita bread. Place sliced turkey lettuce and tomatoes over bread. Salt tomatoes just a bit. Roll wrap tightly. Slice. If the wrap starts to unroll, stick it with a toothpick--the kiddies get a kick out of toothpicks.

Lunch: Caprese Salad

Tomatoes. We have a past. Until I was 18, tomatoes and I were not friends. But, I will never forget the day we started a relationship. I was sitting in my Aunt's kitchen, talking about food. I mentioned my dislike of tomatoes. She looked at me strangely, then asked:
"Have you ever had tomatoes with fresh mozzarella?"
"No."
"Well, I'm going to prepare tomatoes for you."
Ten minutes later she hands me a beautiful plate and proclaims, "This is how tomatoes were meant to be eaten. You eat this salad, and you will like tomatoes."
She was right. As soon as I took a bite of the tomato, mozzarella, and basil, I knew.

I knew that tomatoes and I were going to have to start over, and find a place where we could co exist.

At this point in the post I have to say that I had a caprese salad in Italy last week. I cried as I ate it. I love tomatoes. I love buffalo mozzarella. I love that God created an herb (basil) specifically meant for one of his beloved fruits.

I love you, tomatoes. I'm sorry I ever doubted you.

fresh tomatoes
fresh mozzarella
fresh basil
salt
olive oil

slice tomatoes and arrange on plate. Slice mozarella and arrange on top of tomatoes. Scatter fresh basil over cheese. Drizzle lightly (very lightly) with extra virgin olive oil.

Lunch: Adults Only Tuna Sandwich

Each day I fix my four-year-old daughter one of three possibilities for lunch: a bowl of yogurt topped with granola, a fluffernut sandwich (more on that next week), or an ambitious bowl of macaroni and cheese. I tire of these possibilities; and after fixing her plate I always ask myself, "but what should I eat?". Well, a few days ago I concocted a tuna sandwich that makes me excited about eating lunch. Here's hoping you will take a few minutes to fix a slightly nicer lunch for yourself than you will for your children.

serves 1-2 (depending on how hungry you are, and how late you put off eating lunch)

1 can albacore tuna
1/4 of a red onion-minced
1/2 of a lemon's juice
1 tsp. lemon peel
diced avocado
salt
dash of white pepper
dollop of mayonnaise

Add everything to a bowl and mix well. Eat as a salad alongside crusty bread, or find some sort of cracker to scoop it up, or settle for dressing up the same bread your children eat.