Brittany from Body by Balance solved a problem familiar to many South African homemakers: how to prepare a hearty and nutritious dinner for a family of four without spending too much money. She demonstrated that a family meal does not have to be expensive, showing a recipe for a four-person dinner that cost only 80 rand.
Instead of relying on expensive ingredients for a filling family dish, Brittany used humble lentils and ordinary vegetables, creating a comforting dinner inspired by cottage pie and legumes. She noted that visiting the local farmers' market helped her realize that healthy eating does not have to be expensive.
Ingredients
To make this dish, you will need: one packet of lentils, sweet potato, spinach, small gem pumpkin, onion, curry seeds, curry spices to taste, cinnamon, 8 grams of oil, 50 grams of cheese, water for cooking the lentils, as well as salt and pepper if desired.
Preparation Method
Cooking the Lentils
The lentils should be rinsed and placed in a pot with water. Bring to a boil and cook until soft according to package instructions. Then drain the excess liquid.
Preparing the Vegetables
Peel and chop the sweet potato. The gem pumpkin needs to be cut into manageable pieces, and the spinach and onion should be prepared for further processing.
Air Frying the Vegetables
Place the gem pumpkin and other vegetables intended for baking in the air fryer. Cook at 180°C for 10–15 minutes, checking readiness periodically. The spinach is set aside separately for making creamed spinach.
Making Curry Lentils
Dry roast the curry seeds in a dry pan until fragrant. Then add the chopped onion and sauté until soft. While this is happening, stir in the cooked lentils and curry spices to taste, mixing thoroughly so the aromas combine.
Mashing the Sweet Potato
Boil the sweet potato until soft, then mash until smooth. Sprinkle with cinnamon for a light sweetness in the topping.
Making Creamed Spinach
Cook the spinach until tender. Then add 8 grams of oil and 50 grams of cheese, stirring until the cheese is completely melted and a creamy consistency is achieved.
Assembling the Dish
Serve the finished dish by combining the lentils with the sweet potato mash topping, baked gem pumpkin, and creamed spinach. For a cottage pie style presentation, place the lentils in a dish, distribute the sweet potato mash on top, and bake lightly until heated through.