"Jubilant" Dal, Thermomix style

dinner tonight was this recipe, made in the thermomix (mostly) it was a very nice mild flavour. next time i'll use a little more lentils in it and do more of the steps in the tmx.

here's my version:

6 garlic cloves
1 tsp ghee
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp turmeric powder
Half tsp chilli powder (optional)
1 tbsp oil
1 medium onion, peeled and quartered
1 small - medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into chunks
200gm red lentils
1 bunch fresh spinach, shredded, or 1 packet frozen spinach
2 medium tomatoes, quartered & sliced

2 tspns Massell chicken stock powder

Place the garlic cloves in the thermomix and peel them on reverse speed 4 for 3-6 seconds
remove skins and chop on speed 6 for 2-10 seconds (until you hear pieces stop hitting the sides)
scrape garlic out and place in a small saucepan with the ghee (do not heat yet)

place oil in a pot and heat over medium-high heat, add spices

place onion in the thermomix and chop for around 5 seconds seconds on speed 6. remove and place straight into the saucepan with the spices, stir

place sweet potato in the thermomix and chop for around 5-10 seconds on speed 6 (optional - you might prefer to dice this yourself if you want bigger pieces). place into the saucepan with spices and onion, stir

add the sliced tomato in with the onion & sweet potato and cook, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes or so **

in the meantime place lentils in the thermomix and add 350g of water. cook on reverse speed 2 temp 80' for 15 minutes

add the spinach to the onion saucepan and cook until wilted. turn heat down to low. when the lentils are done add more water if needed then add the onion / tomato / spice mix. cook for another 10 minutes on reverse speed 2 temp 80'
add the stock powder through the top of the lid.

meanwhile heat the ghee over medium-low heat until fragrant and starting to brown. pour in through the top of the lid.

check that your lentils are cooked - if not cook at reverse speed 2 temp 80' for 3-5 minutes longer until done.

serve with steamed basmati rice and microwaved pappadums ***

** i guess you could do this part in the thermomix too but it would increase the overall cooking time as using the stove lets you cook both at once :)

*** we learned tonight that you cannot microwave pappadums on a plate! they just would not cook! as soon as we put them on the turntable (on paper towel) they cooked perfectly!