{"id":22131,"date":"2017-03-15T05:00:21","date_gmt":"2017-03-15T11:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.blissfulbasil.com\/?p=22131"},"modified":"2021-04-27T12:05:09","modified_gmt":"2021-04-27T18:05:09","slug":"weeknight-root-vegetable-dal-from-the-first-mess-cookbook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blissfulbasil.com\/weeknight-root-vegetable-dal-from-the-first-mess-cookbook\/","title":{"rendered":"Weeknight Root Vegetable Dal from The First Mess Cookbook + Giveaway"},"content":{"rendered":"

This thin and fragrant weeknight root vegetable dal from The First Mess Cookbook unites comfort and simplicity in one ultra-cozy, one-pot vegan meal.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Weeknight<\/p>\n

When I think of Laura Wright<\/a>, the first word that comes to mind is \"cool\".<\/p>\n

Not \"cool\" in the too-cool, standoffish sense. Quite the opposite, in fact. Cool in the chill, kind-vibin', creatively attuned, confident, well-rooted, and awesome kind of way.<\/p>\n

Laura's recipes have this sort of inspired vitality that emanates from them. It's as if the creative state she wrote a\u00a0recipe within becomes transposed upon the maker's experience. Does this make sense? Probably sounds crazy, but I can't think of a better way to explain it.<\/p>\n

Take this recipe for example. As I drizzled the final touch of spice oil over the simmering golden dal, I could feel<\/em>\u00a0the spirit that Laura infused into the creation of it. When I tasted the first of many delicious bites, I sensed it yet again.<\/p>\n

Writing\u00a0a recipe that translates well into other kitchens is a feat; creating a recipe that\u00a0moves the next maker's heart is a gift.<\/p>\n

Laura has this gift, and it radiates from each and every page in her debut cookbook,\u00a0The First Mess<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Weeknight
\nCover photography by Laura Wright<\/em><\/p>\n

This is one of the most beautiful cookbooks I've ever held in my hands. It's brimming\u00a0with whole food, plant-based recipes and packed with full-page photos (nearly one for every dish).<\/p>\n

Much like her\u00a0brilliant blog<\/a>, Laura's\u00a0cookbook is home to undeniably stunning photos. Her photography is vibrantly moody. This\u00a0paradoxical style seems almost impossible to pull off, yet she\u00a0does so effortlessly.<\/p>\n

\"Weeknight
\nPhoto by Laura Wright<\/em><\/p>\n

Beyond its coffee-table appeal, this cookbook is packed with approachable, innovative, and nourishing recipes. Other than marking the recipes I was deciding between for this post, I gave up on dog-earing pages because there are simply too many I'm itching to try.<\/p>\n

Here are a few at the tippy-top of my list:<\/p>\n

Savory Ginger Green Onion Crepes
\nLeaf and Stem Green Tortilla Soup
\nCreamy Jalape\u00f1o Corn Chowder
\nPepperoncini Lentil Crunch Salad (with pepperoncini dressing\u2014say what?!)
\nCaramelized Onion Potato Salad
\nBroccoli Caesar with Smoky Tempeh Bits
\nWarm Balsamic Mushroom Salad with Pine Nut Parmesan
\nTandoori-Rubbed Portobellos with Cool Cilantro Sauce
\nBBQ Mushroom Toast
\nCrispy Avocado Tacos
\nGarlicky Winter Vegetable and White Bean Mash with Mushroom Miso Gravy
\nSalted Date Caramel Shake
\nCoconut Cream Tart
\nFudgy Nut and Seed Butter Brownies<\/p>\n

Yeah, that's the \"short list\".<\/p>\n

And if you decide to follow my lead, be sure to also add this one to your short list:<\/p>\n

Weeknight Root Vegetable Dal.<\/p>\n

Oh. Em. Gee.<\/p>\n

I love a good lentil dal and am not easily impressed, but this is the best I've ever tasted. It uses a simple throw-it-all-in-the-pot-and-simmer method that I was initially skeptical of, but my goodness did this impress.<\/p>\n

The dal relies on simple ingredients with your choice of root veggie (I opted for carrots, but beets, celery root, etc. are up for grabs, too). Simply toss\u00a0all of the ingredients into a pot, bring everything to a boil, and then simmer for 40 minutes, giving it plenty of stirring love near the end.<\/p>\n

It's finished with a handful of fresh cilantro and the most delightful spice oil made from virgin coconut oil, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds.<\/p>\n

\"Weeknight
\n\"Weeknight
\n\"Weeknight
\n\"Weeknight<\/p>\n

I love how special this dish looks, feels, and tastes. Add to that the fact that it comes together without a fuss, and there's no denying that this one is a keeper.<\/p>\n

I hope you give this recipe a go\u2014you'll be so happy you did!<\/p>\n

For more recipes like this one, be sure to pickup a copy<\/a> of The First Mess cookbook\u00a0or\u00a0<\/em>scroll down and enter for a chance to win a copy<\/strong> (details below)!<\/p>\n

\"Weeknight<\/p>\n

\"Weeknight<\/p>\n

\"Weeknight<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udcd6 Recipe<\/h2>
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4.85<\/span> from 13<\/span> votes<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Weeknight Root Vegetable Dal<\/h2>\n
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\"This thin and fragrant lentil stew recipe was quite popular with my recipe testers. A bunch of them told me they had already started working it into their weeknight dinner rotation. With the \u201cthrow it all in the pot\u201d preparation method, I totally understand why. I\u2019m usually skeptical of one-pot dinners that don\u2019t coax the flavor out of the aromatics, but in this context it totally works.\" \u2014Laura Wright, The First Mess cookbook<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/g><\/svg><\/span> Course <\/span>Bigger Bites, Soups, Stews<\/span><\/div>
<\/g><\/svg><\/span> Cuisine <\/span>Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, plant-based, Vegan<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n
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<\/g><\/svg><\/span> Prep Time <\/span>15 minutes<\/span><\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span><\/div>
<\/g><\/svg><\/span> Cook Time <\/span>45 minutes<\/span><\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span><\/div>
<\/g><\/svg><\/span> Total Time <\/span>1 hour<\/span><\/span> hour<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n
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<\/g><\/svg><\/span> Servings <\/span>4<\/span><\/div>\n\n
<\/g><\/svg><\/span> Author <\/span>Laura Wright, The First Mess Cookbook<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n

Ingredients<\/h3>