Spiced Lentils Potatoes and Fish

This is such an easy dish and you can omit the fish & chorizo if you would like a completely vegetarian meal. Gently spiced, crispy fish, the goodness of lentils, tomatoes and the spices –  a meal the whole family will like. This is spiced with Panch phoran which is a mix of fennel, fenugreek, coriander cumin and nigella. If you can not find this, make up your own using 1 tsp of each.

Serves 4

2 tbsp panch phoran spice mix

1 tsp each of sweet and smoky paprika

2 tbsp oil divided

1 medium onion sliced

50g chorizo sliced

1 tbsp tomato puree

250gr lentils of choice, soaked and drained

1 vegetable sock cube make up in 200ml hot water

½ tin chopped tomatoes

12 baby potatoes, cleaned chopped into 2cm slices parboiled

4 portions of fish of choice, pin-boned

2 tbsp fresh chopped coriander

Method

In a dry pan toast the panch phoran until it starts to release aromas

Tip into spice grinder ( or do by hand) and blend

Stir in the paprika

Heat the oil in a large deep pan or cooking pot and add the onion and chorizo and cook over a low heat until soft.

Tip in the spice mix and stir well and cook for a minute.

Add the tomato puree stir well to combine followed by the tinned tomatoes and lentils.

Cook for about 20 minutes until the lentils are nearly done, then add the potatoes, stir well to cover and complete the cooking about 5-8 minutes. Just as done, stir in 2 tbsp chopped coriander,

Meanwhile heat the oil and on a hot pan cook the fish until done.

Keep warm while you serve the lentils topped with a piece of fish.