COCONUT MBAAZI (RED LENTILS,KAMANDE)

Ingredients:

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•  1 cup of red lentils- mbaazi/kamande , picked through for stones

• 2 diced onions (Julian style)

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 small ginger, minced

• 1 diced carrot

• 1 diced green pepper

• 3 blended tomatoes

• 2 tablespoon tomato paste

• 1/2 teaspoon ground garam masala

• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon of chillie flakes* optional

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

• 1 corriander (Dhania)

1 cup of coconut -Creme preferrably

• 1 cup of chicken broth*- or water

• 1 cup of milk

• Salt to taste

Directions:

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1. Boil the lentils in garlic & ginger paste for about 10 minutes or until the lentils are tender (This is optional)

2. Put oil or butter in a large pan over medium heat as you add  onions, ginger and garlic, and sauté 5 minutes or until onion is tender.

3. It is now time to add the all the spices (Garam masala,black pepper,cumin,tumeric,basil,chilli flakes*) and gently mix while you add the green pepper and carrot. Cover and let it cook for about 5 minutes.

4. Add the red lentils in the same pan and let it mix well with all the other ingredients. If it is too dry, you can add either water, chicken broth or milk and let it cook for about 10 minutes.

5. Add the blended tomatoes and tomato paste and cover it for about 7 minutes.

6. Put the coconut milk and if it is too thick, add again the chicken broth,water or milk and let it cook for about 7 minutes on medium low heat.

7. Garnish with freshly cut corriander(Dhania)