Lentil Cakes Tikka Masala

For the Lentil Cakes

My son doesn't like lentil, but he likes meatballs and cakes. I had to get creative and make a lentil cakes, telling him it's a new recipe he needs to try. It worked. He loved it and I loved it.

• 1cup dried green Lentil

• 1/2yellow onion, small dice

• 1tablespoon fresh grated ginger

• 1tablespoon cilantro, minced

• 2teaspoons garam masala

• 1/4cup flour, I used millet flour

• 1egg

• 3/4teaspoon kosher salt

For the Sauce

• 1/2yellow onion, small dice

• 1cup tomato sauce

• 1/2cup cream

• 1/2cup plain yogurt

• pinch cinnamon

• pinch tumeric

• 2teaspoons cilantro

• Canola oil Preffered, but any other oil would work too

1. Boil the lentil into deep pot, covered with water by about three inches. Add the minced onion. Bring the lentils to a boil then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook the lentils until ready adding a pinch or two of salt almost in the end,the last 10 min of cooking It approximately take you 40 min with the Green lentil

2. Drain the lentils. Puree them in a food processor while they are still warm.

3. Add the remaining lentil cake ingredients and pulse a few more times until the rest of the ingredients are combined . Make sure the lentil puree is well seasoned with kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Taste again and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

4. Let the mix sit for a few minutes to hydrate the flour. Make a ball by taking a spoon of the mix. The mix should hold its shape but not be overly stiff otherwise they can be dry when cooked. Add more flour a tablespoon at a time if you need to. Divide the lentils into eight balls.

5. Add enough oil to cover the bottom of a heavy bottomed pan . Heat the oil over medium high heat up to 350 degrees( use candy thermometer if you have) If not, test the oil by dropping a pinch of lentil to the pan. It should begin to sizzle right away.

6. When the oil is ready take each lentil ball and smash it down gently forming it into 1/2 inch thick cakes and add them to the oil. Let each side brown nicely and then remove them to a tray lined with a brown bag to soak up the oil. Keep the cakes warm, either in a low, 200 degree oven or in a warm place on the stove.

7. Heat the oil and add the remaining diced onion. Saute until caramalized then add the rest of the sauce ingredients. Stir to combine, bring to a boil then reduce the heat. Let it simmer for 10 min . It is better to puree the sauce when ready, to make it smooth.

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