Vegan MoFo ~ Quinoa Lentil Garam Masala

Vegan MoFo 2013 has begun!  The last few years I have signed up late and altho wasn't listed on the Blog Roll of participants decided to do it any way!  This year I made sure I signed up a month or so a head of time!  I just stopped by and didn't see my link listed but left a note in comments.  It's OK tho, because, I'm really just doing it for FUN and for my own reasons and will still participate regardless if my blog is on that list or not.  I give them TWO thumbs up for organizing all of it because I understand how hard it is to do something like that!  What great people they have behind the annual event!  A great way to spread the word!

You might be wondering what I have for my first Vegan MoFo 2013 Post above!  Well, it's a twist on Garam Masala.  You might usually find Garam Masala with Lentils and/or Rice.  Instead of Rice I used Quinoa AND Lentils!  I loved it...if I do say so myself!  The flavor was tasty and it was FUN to make!  I also used Wildtree's NEW Garam Masala Blend!  So here's the recipe I used for this dish...

1 C Sweet Onion
1 1/2 tea Wildtree Garam Masala Blend
2 Tomatoes
2 Cloves Garlic
1 Medium Eggplant (About A Pound)
2 to 3 C Cooked Quinoa
1 C Red Lentils, Cooked
2 C Zucchini (1 Medium)
Water, Salt as needed

Next time I think I will do it with less Quinoa and more Lentils.  Of course - you could use various rices, too!  Either way I do really like it!  And the BEST part...this is SO VERY Nutritious!

With the Quinoa you have: a Complete Protein, Fiber, Potassium, Calcium, B-6, Magnesium, Iron, etc.  By adding the Red Lentils in this dish you are getting: Potassium, Fiber, Protein, B-6, Iron, Magnesium, "Good" Carbs, Vitamin A, Folate, etc.  You know how I LOVE Garlic and eat it nearly everyday, well, it's good for: Vitamin C and is a great anti-inflammatory among other things!  Now is the perfect time for Zucchini where I live and those are high in...Protein, Vitamin A, Thiamin, Niacin, Phosphorus and Copper, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Magnesium, Potassium and Manganese.  Eggplant is known for the following nutrition...Vitamin K, Thiamin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Potassium and Manganese, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber.  And, of course, Tomatoes...Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Copper, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Potassium and Manganese.

Every once and a while I like to list these things as a spot check for myself but also to inform others of the nutritional values of whole foods - fruits and veggies - and that it IS possible to get the nutrients you need from them!  Sure often people ask about protein - that's EASY to explain, really - but now more and more people are asking about calcium, potassium, and B Vitamins, it seems.  Well, if you take the time, you can see it's just as easy!  I know prior to my Sciatica Discovery I was assuming I needed to step-up my potassium intake but I really think I am getting a good deal of it - eventho I don't regularly consume Bananas, for example.  Opal and I have discussed this a great deal as well!  Sometimes I (temporarily) forget which natural foods are high in some things - such as potassium. I'm going to try and mention this more often here on my blog.

This dish was POWER PACKED full of GOODNESS!  I had some stand-alone but am thinking about doing some pita pockets, wraps, and such with it this week, too! 

CORRECTION:  I am listed on Vegan MoFo 2013 HERE under the 2013 The United States Of Blogging!  YAY!  Thanks guys!