In every season, you can enjoy greenhouse grown Georgia Grown Tomatoes on-the-vine and that means you can make Chef Megan McCarthy’s vegan Tomato Lentil Dal any day of the year! In her local twist on a traditional Indian dish, she explores the amazing world of flavor available right here at home in Georgia!
It’s no secret that the amazing State of Georgia has a lot of flavor to offer the world. Known best for its peaches and pecans, Georgia is the capital of sweetness. Not only are Georgians pretty sweet themselves, but their rich agricultural heritage lends itself to Americans’ favorite pastries and baked goods (peach cobbler and pecan pie, of course!).
Across the world, Georgia is being recognized for more than peaches in culture and agriculture. Thanks to the Georgia Grown program, supporting local producers and growers, greenhouse growing has taken off in the state, a revolution in agriculture that Pure Flavor® is proud to be leading.
With such a prominent place in the culinary world and a robust agricultural heritage, Georgians are exploring how Georgia Grown vegetables fit into a variety of cuisines and styles from across the globe.
Chef Megan McCarthy is always experimenting with recipes from different regions. Her vegan Tomato Lentil Dal is inspired by traditional Indian cuisine with a Georgia Grown twist: fresh greenhouse grown Tomatoes on-the-Vine.
Pure Flavor’s® Georgia Grown Tomatoes on-the-Vine are grown completely indoors in their 25-acre County, GA greenhouse – the first in a three-phase project that will total 75-acres when completed.
Because all Pure Flavor’s® vegetables are grown in a controlled environment, they can be enjoyed in any season 365 days a year!
Using the most advanced growing technology, these tomatoes are grown in a sustainable and efficient way while ensuring incredible, consistent flavor in every single bite.
“We can feel good about knowing where our food comes from and feel good with quality produce,” said Chef Megan McCarthy. “With the vine still attached to the tomato, we know this is as fresh as it gets and thus reflected in the recipe for its fresh and delicious flavor as well as nutrition.”
That consistent flavor available year-round makes Georgia Grown Tomatoes on-the-Vine the perfect addition to an Indian Lentil Dal recipe that you’ll want to make in every season.
What is Dal anyway?
Dal is Indian comfort food at its finest. It’s a warm, spicy and savory mix of incredible flavor.
Dal actually comes from the Indian word for a certain family of legumes, pulses, that includes lentils, peas and beans. The soup made with these legumes and a mix of traditional Indian spices is also known as Dal.
If you’ve never tried Dal or have never made it yourself, you’re going to love this recipe. It’s the right mix of traditional Indian flavor with local, American freshness thanks to Georgia Grown Tomatoes on-the-Vine.
To make Chef Megan McCarthy’s vegan Tomato Lentil Dal, simply sauté onions in a pan or Dutch oven. Stir in garlic, ginger and diced carrots for about two more minutes before adding spices: turmeric, cumin, coriander, chili flakes, salt and pepper.
While your flavors are melding together, stir in a few tablespoons of water to prevent the mix from becoming too dry.
Meanwhile, dice up your Tomatoes on-the-Vine and add them to the mix with one cup of green or brown lentils and 1 ½ cups of vegetable broth.
Bring the broth to a boil and let simmer for 30 minutes.
This is when the magic happens! Don’t rush it because you want the spices to combine well with the Tomatoes on-the-Vine while the lentils soften.
Finally, stir in one can of coconut milk to lighten it up and add that final touch of traditional Indian flavor.
There are many ways to enjoy Dal. You can simply serve it with naan bread for dipping, on a bed of basmati rice, or with a grilled meat like lamb chops or chicken thighs.
Check out the full recipe to make this Tomato Lentil Dal tonight.
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