Curried Crockpot No Meat Mush

[Da Nag]

Perhaps I could have picked a better name for this dish...

This is super easy to make, tasty, healthy and very low fat. It's derived from a recipe found online, but I tweaked it significantly.

It's also dirt cheap, and tastes better when reheated...a great combination for these tough economic times.

Ingredients

• 2 cups rice
  
• 1 cup lentils
  
• 4 small red potatos
  
• 1 large white onion
  
• 1 red bell pepper
  
• 6 cups chicken broth (or one large 50 oz. can from Costco)
  
• 1 tsp garlic powder
  
• 1 tsp fine ground pepper
  
• 2 1/2 tbsp curry powder
  

A note on the curry powder...tons of choices here, and if you are a curry fanatic like I am, you just might have several varieties to choose from in your spice cabinet. I've settled on a combination of three Penzey curries that I've used in other dishes: 1 tbsp of Sweet Curry powder, 1 tbsp Garam Masala, and 1/2 tbsp of Maharaja. Penzeys link HERE.

Preparation

Rinse the rice and lentils, dice the potatoes, onion and red bell pepper, then toss everything in the crockpot on low. Mix it up well, and stir occasionally for the first couple hours.

Cook until lentils are desired firmness, usually 4-5 hours.

Makes 8-10 serviings. Reheat leftovers in a wok or pan on medium high heat, with just a dab of olive oil to keep from sticking.

[SENSEI]

this would be real good with a pound of ground chuck added in to the mix....lol....

[Captains Cat]

Yeah, what he said,

WHERE'S DA BEEF?

Or at least, the chicken?

Charlie

[Chris Bulovsky]

Interesting....... I have been a Penzey customer for about twelve years. The Rojon Josh mix is very good with venison and a bit of fresh ginger. It’s a bunch easier than the from scratch all afternoon method of cooking and still very good. Being a fan of curries I look forward to giving that a whirl.

Do you find that after eating curries that you experience vivid dreams? I speculate it may be cloves and cinnamon. It usually makes for interesting morning conversation.

Chris Bulovsky

[Byrdman]

OK... now for those of us who take that wonderful cholesterol med every day....(WHERE THERE IS DOPE....THERE IS HOPE!!!)....

Looks good...but like the others.... put some meat in there.... You are going to kill off all the cows and pigs Bill by eating all their food!!

It does look good...but now watching my salt a bit more closely.... I have found that Mrs. Dash (my 3 salt free favorites are Original Blend, Soutwest Chipotle & Extra Spicy)..... has replaced many of the spices I kept on board...to include the salt shaker.

Then....cube up a good pork tenderloin and toss in there.... after you have gilled it and let the fats drain out.....OR NOT...and just take a double on the cholesterol pill that day!!

Love crock pot cook'n on the boat! Thanks Bill!

Byrdman

[Pat Anderson]

By golly, add in a lb. of cubed Hilshire Farms smoked sausage, and you might have something there!

[Sneaks]

[Wefings]

How about we compromise and add some tofu and low sodium bacon ??? Walking Protein lovers unite !
Marc

[Da Nag]

Heh...as anyone at the recent Sequim gathering will attest to, I'm far from one of those vegan hippy dudes. I didn't just spend close to $800 on a smoker and accessories, to toss mushrooms and zucchini in it.

So yes, I absolutely agree...dropping your favorite meat in the mix would definitely fill the void, for those of you fearful of something so healthy.

However, it's dang fine without any. You can also add the meat in later, or use it as a side dish instead of a main - both of which I've done.

There are just incredibly few things I like to eat, that are this filling, healthy and low fat.

[SeaSpray]

Hi Bill,

We just tried your recipe with a few modifications. It is a keeper!

We don't eat curry too often so I only used 1tbs and I added a little cumin and I used brown rice. I also cooked it in a pressure cooker. It only took 18min to cook. This will make a good dish for when we are out on the boat.

Thanks,
Steve

[Byrdman]

OK...no boating today..... Out with the crock pot.... Fire up the little Big Green Egg..... Honey...were going cook'n!!!

And Bill... I did print that puppy out. It does look good I just ain't got all the stuff here...and not going back to the store until around 930 am on Monday.

Why 930 you may ask??? Or..you may not ask...but I'm gonna tell ya.... Well, it is like this. Most kids are in school and not screeching like a lost bat hitting a windshield cause Mom will not let the "I got to have everything I desire spoiled little gizmo" have.... it is simply much quieter,....and I can read the labels better.

Plus, others have returned to work for the most part and the crowds are down.

Then, my basket gets the "healthy check" by the ladies leaving the health club after their Monday morning attempt to run, jump, bend, stretch, walk, swim off all that wonderful tailgate foods they tossed down this weekend during the football games.

You know the look.... Hummm...he cooks...just not too healthy. It is getting better now and feels better now with some of the changes I have made since Jun this year....but I still feel like the English teacher has that damn red pen out checking my spelling. We all want good grades.

But then....there is immediate relief in that I can look back now... Yep, and I do. Some of those basket checkers could stand a few more hours at the gym, and a few less ball games.....or at least give up the spandex. I actually had to put some food back one day cause I lost my appetite. Good God Girl....yes..you got all that junk in your trunk in the spandex....but folks are trying to buy food in here. Go over to aisle #5 and get you some big ol cover up floppy shorts like I got on....and a t-shirt that fits you now instead of when you were 6 might help too. But hey...they are trying and are again an inspiration for me to get my big ol butt out there doing something to burn a few calories and get the ticker ticking, and the lungs a pumping a bit.....God Love'm And for you C-Brat ladies that truly look good in that spandex.... we love ya.

Thanks for the receipt Bill. I needed another healthy alternative for my journey. Uncle Don... I have not had to fill the little shot glass size salt shaker in my kitchen since Jun. It was about a 3-4 week refill schedule depending on how much I was on the road....and...I have been home much more now....but springing back...and getting my travel legs back a bit too!!

Byrdman...making the list to make the basket checkers smile.

[Captains Cat]

Well, I've got Bills recepie in the slow cooker, and it smells great. Another 4-5 hours and It'll be ready for me to eat while the Skins beat the Rams! I did add some leftover chicken diced up.

The guy at the grocery store wasn't sure what a lentil was and I wouldn't have known one if it came up and bit me in the rear end. Have never used them, they look interesting. Finally, after searching through the fresh produce section....I found them in the dried peas (which I guess is what they are, at least from that family...) and a pkg was already seasoned with herbs and garlic. Added all that stuff in the receipie anyway...

I'll let all know how it is, sure smells good though...

Charlie

[Pat Anderson]

Well, will have to try this again sometime, screwed it up royally today. Only had half a cup of lentils, so put in half a cup of black eyed peas...BIG mistake, the rice and lentils are mush, the black eyed peas are hard little rocks. Also, should have used Thai curry (Golden Curry is our favorite) instead of the Indian curry, I think I will like the flavor but doubt that Patty will.

[colobear]

Pat,

Just think of it as a lug nut, or trailer brakes, or.... that should make it much easier.

[Jeff Brigner]

OK Byrdman. I can't believe a lightning bolt didn't take you out when you were typing about how well you were doing without salt. I guess that white stuff you were licking off that pitcher of margaritas the other night must have just been dust bunnies. Your busted