Lentils and Rice

Another good, quick meal with what is on hand. Lentils can be found very cheaply at many specialty stores. A large percentage of the immigrant population in Japan comes from South America so there are many Brazilian or Peruvian stores where dried beans and other legumes as well spices abound. That is also where I got the coriander which is not used at all in Japanese cooking and thus is not available at all in regular Japanese stores.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup brown rice
1 cup lentils
3 cups water
1 clove garlic, minced
2 inch piece of negi, chopped
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp mirin
1/4 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp cumin

Method:
1. Combine rice, lentils, garlic, onions, and water in rice cooker and cook for 30-40 minutes.
2. Combine soy sauce, mirin, coriander and cumin in a large bowl.
3. Add the rice, lentils, onions, and garlic mix and stir well.

Of course, if you have the money for fresh vegetables and other luxuries, you can add whatever you like. Again, this makes one very large, very filling serving or two small ones.

Estimated nutritional info:
Energy: 740Cal, Carbs: 140g, Fat:3g, Protein: 42g

Vegetable and Chickpea Rice

I have officially run out of the money that I had budgeted for this month and, in an effort to avoid withdrawing extra funds, I have become very creative with the few bits of food I have left in the kitchen. Here is a quick and easy recipe.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
1 cup water
1 inch piece of negi, sliced
1 cup chickpeas, after having been reconstituted (soaked overnight and boiled for 1 hour) and drained
1 cup frozen mixed veggies (I used a corn, peas, and carrot mix)
1 tomato, diced
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp mirin

Method:
1. Combine the rice, water, and negi in a rice cooker and cook.
2. Combine the frozen veggies and some water in a pot and heat until thawed.
3. Scoop rice into a bowl and add all other ingredients.
4. Stir and serve.

This recipe makes a large serving for one person. But is very healthy and will fill you for the whole day!! Other veggies can be added or substituted in as you like, of course.

Estimated nutritional info:
Energy: 676Cal, Fat: 6g, Carbs: 138g, Protein: 23g