Kosher Parve Lentil & Egg Curry

High in protein, low in fat, low in calories, and amazingly cheap to make - sounds like the worst dinner ever, right? But South Asian spices can rescue even the dullest of ingredients, and this combination transforms plain brown lentils and boiled eggs from sparkling glass to the rarest diamond. This a wonderful Parve dish is great as a side at either a meat or milk meal, or as the centerpiece of a hearty vegetarian meal. Like most (non dairy or soy based) curries, it tastes even better as leftovers, when the flavors have had a chance to mingle overnight. Ingredients

• 1/2 cup brown lentils
• 3/4 cup water
• 6 eggs
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 4 chopped tomatoes or one 14 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 heaping tbsp minced garlic (or 6 minced cloves)
• 2 tsp curry powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp ginger powder (or 1/2 inch ginger root, peeled and finely chopped)
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt (unnecessary if using canned tomatoes)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 3 cloves
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Egg and Lentil Curry

Boil lentils according to package directions - approximately 30 minutes, or until just tender. Drain.

Meanwhile, hard boil eggs. When cool enough to touch, peel eggs and cut lengthwise.

Fry onions in a large saucepan until almost translucent. Add all spices and continue to fry another 5 minutes, or until onions are tender and spices are aromatic. Add tomatoes, sugar, and 3/4 cup water. (If using fresh tomatoes, add 1 full cup of water rather than 3/4). Stir well and bring to a boil.

Simmer 5 - 10 minutes until sauce thickens. Add boiled lentils and stir well. Drop in boiled eggs, drenching with sauce but not handling too much.

Cover and simmer for another 10 minutes.

Serve with basmati rice or warm bread to sop up the juices.

Variations:

• I like my curries hot, so I use the canned tomatoes with "zesty jalapeno" and add another 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper.
• Add 1/4 cup of diced dried fruit when you add the tomatoes to add contrast to both the flavor and texture.
• Simply leave out the eggs to make it vegan.