Karina is here with a delicious and elegant way to celebrate good breast health. I’ll be back next week. Enjoy!

— Denise

This one is for the ladies; October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and in support of that I have the perfect recipe that is full of ingredients that help boost the immune system, aid the body in absorbing nutrients, have powerful anti-inflammatory properties and have lots of omegas, vitamins and minerals. This is a light dish, very low in fat and warming; a perfect fall delight.

Spiced Lentils with Grilled Fish

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 ripe tomatoes, finely diced
• 1 tsp cardamom pods, crush pods and extract seeds
• 2 Tbs Olive oil
• 1 onion – finely diced
• 4 garlic cloves – finely diced
• 1-2 fresh red chilies – finely diced
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 whole star anise
• 1 1/2 cups green or French du puy lentils
• 4 cups hot water
• 3 tsp fish sauce
• Juice of 1-2 lemons
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Big handful fresh chopped coriander

For the Fish

• 4 white fish fillets, skin on – I love sea-bass, red snapper, haddock, halibut
• 2 Tbs olive oil & seasoning

Lentils:

Heat oil in a medium saucepan over a medium heat. Add tomatoes, cardamom seeds, onion, garlic, chilies, turmeric and star anise. Cook until onion softens and the whole kitchen smells stunningly aromatic, about 5 mins stirring occasionally.

Add lentils and water and simmer, partially covered, until lentils are tender and almost all the water has been absorb. The lentils will be quite thick, about 25-35mins.

Turn off heat and stir in fish sauce, lemon juice, coriander and season to taste. Cover until ready to serve.

Fish:

Turn on broiler & cover sheet pan with foil. Rub fish fillets with olive oil, place on sheet pan and season skin with salt and pepper. Cook under broiler until fish is white and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes – watch closely.

Serving

Plate lentils and top with fish fillet. Optional garnish: pan fry sliced red onions and mix in some fresh coriander leaves.

Cooks’ Note:

These are delicious just by themselves or as a side dish. When reheating lentils, be careful to heat slowly, stirring occasionally and keep covered.

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