We’re frantically busy at the moment.
My mother has a lovely Hokkien expression for times like this – pee kung bor hong – which literally translated means, “nose has no air”. Or in other words, “too busy to breathe”.
When things get hectic, I like to eat dhal, specifically chana dhal. Not only do I adore the taste of it, but it has an amazingly low GI – between 5 and 11 – and I find it comforting and levelling during busy times. I first read about it years ago on this website, and have been a big fan of the pulse ever since.
Today, I used it to cook up a large batch of Simon Bryant’s dhal soup recipe, which can be found here. I’ll now stash the pot in the fridge, and dip into it for lunches over the next few days. That’s one thing sorted, and I’m feeling better already!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Ah there must be a little Indian in you Celia – dhal is a classic ‘comfort’ food for most Indian people! Tastes good and makes you feel virtuous at the same time. Hope you get through the busy rush ok.
Hectic times are hectic…. :-)
Loved the saying “nose has no air” – I might have to use it myself, times have been a bit crazy here too
I’ve never cooked dhal myself, always wanted to, I’ll keep this recipe in mind. Thank you!
Think I need to cook up a huge batch of this gorgeous Chana Dhal too Celia. Life has suddenly got so busy, I almost buckled at the knees when I looked at my calendar for the rest of the month (I’m to scared to look at November).
Really like the sound of Chana Dhal.., yum.
I love dahl too – although never made such a soupy version (the recipes I’ve used tend to be more forkable to have on rice). I love the fresh tomato floating in it. I do like Simon Bryant’s cooking so I’ll bookmark that recipe.
Your Chana Dhal looks SO delicious! I first ate dhal when my husband and I moved to Mauritius – instantly addictive and I have enjoyed many variations and versions.
Hope things settle down soon for you.
:-) Mandy
Thank you all! It will settle down – it always does – but it’s just a little crazy right now! All good though, no complaints! :)
Sarah, I’ve always had dhal on rice too, but when I saw Simon making this recipe on an old rerun of The Cook and the Chef, it looked too good to resist! :)
Shhhh.
Don’t tell Simon I said this, but your dahl looks the tastier, Celia.
Hope things calm down! Have just printed out recipe. I’m on an Indian tangent too – did a cooking course last week. Presume you don’t add the ghee at the end?
Celia I’m with Gill, yours does look better :-)
Love dhal of any sort. lentils are a such a budget/health and comfort friendly meal.
Hope your nose finds some air soon.
Soup soup beautiful soup! Very grounding a nice bowl of soup like you say! Keep coming up for air x
Number 1: I LOVE your mum’s saying!
Number 2: A big dhal fan here too… I just don’t make it as often as I should. Thanks for the inspiration.
Number 3: I hope your nose finds some air soon. :)
Thank you, you all make it lovely to log in at the end of a busy day!
Chris, Brydie, I hope my nose finds some air soon too! It’s such a funny little phrase, always makes me laugh when mum says it.. :)
Gilly, Brydie – I’m a little heavier handed on the old turmeric than Simon is, methinks.. :)
Anna, I don’t add the ghee, but I do use the water that the chana dhal was boiled in as cooking liquid – the starch gives the soup a creamier texture (or so Simon said on his show).
Jo, you’re so right – they’re nothing more comforting than a bowl of soup!
Celia I am the same as you at the moment! thanks for the chana dahl recipe, I think I’ll need it! :P
Lorraine, you are always busy! I think you’re one of the hardest working people I know! :)
Celia sorry to hear you are hectic busy but glad to hear you are taking care of yourself. And indeed glad that you have time to share your great food inspiration.
This really is the sort of dish to be tucked away in fridge as it just gets better over time. My poor family has lived on BBQ chicken the past few days with me doing 10hr days cooking for everyone else but for them! I think this sounds like a perfect solution to my problem, thanks!
Gosh that looks comforting. Our fallback soup is French Onion. It’s one of the few vegetarian dishes the boy likes though he will eat spinach soup.
Hoping you get some quiet room to breathe,
Maz
It’s such a great feeling when you have made something that can be used for meals later on in the week. It certainly takes the pressure off.
That soup sounds very tasty and fresh, I think I will have to make a batch up soon!
Celia – are we just talking about red lentils here? I am confused. If you are – then YUM we love em!
I am so excited! They are chickpeas!
I have a big bag of these in my pantry- and I’m diabetic- so I’m making this when I get home from “Grandma” duty.
thanks so much for sharing the links as well- I found the information so helpful.
Forgot to mention my mother’s favorite Eastern European saying- “pity the feet with the empty head!”
(she would say this in Slovak when my husband would make 4 trips up and down the stairs for items he forgot!)
I love these proverbs from afar.
Gill, thanks love, it’s not necessarily bad hectic, just busy. I’m eating lots of chocolate too. :)
Chef, it’s a nice blood sugar leveller too, which helps when you’re busy – you don’t need to be starving as well!
Maz, thank you – same to you too! :)
Susan, I had a bowl for lunch today and watched 15 minutes of tv – it was so nice!
Vita, not red lentils – these are a specific lentil known as chana dal. They look like a small split chick pea, and you can buy them at all Indian grocery stores. They don’t tend to turn to mush as fast as other lentils do. Do have a look at the link in my post, it’s very informative.
Heidi, the man in the Indian grocery store said they’re related to chick peas, but they’re not exactly the same – these are a much smaller variety and they cook much faster than chick peas do. Also the chick peas have a much higher GI – the chana has tested very low. Having said that, I adore chick peas, and I’m sure they’re very good for us too! Love your mum’s saying! :)
Yum! When I’m crazy busy, I try to make a plan at night to get dinner in the crockpot before I leave. Few things make me happier than coming home to a great meal that has been cooking all day! I also make a double batch of soups when I have time and then freeze them in individual containers so that I can re-heat whenever. It doesn’t always happen that way but when I get myself organized, I find it makes a world of difference on hectic weeks to at least have the option to re-heat soup I made two weeks ago. Otherwise I end up eating take-out all week and gaining 5 lbs. Ha!
Celia-
Just made this!
Thanks for the recipe!
I used to make this years ago from a recipe I found in the paper- it was called “Spicy Indian Soup”- and called for brown lentils. This is SO much better! Thanks, thanks, thanks!
My d-i-l gave me a big bag of dhal- so i was totally prepared!
Pink, I have one last serve of the soup left for today! It’s been perfect.. :)
Heidi, so glad you enjoyed it. I think it could be made with almost any sort of dhal…