Muhammara, Chana Masala, Pumpkin Curry, and Masoor Dal

Muhammara on pita

If you want to gain some instant popularity amongst your friends, devote a month to cooking from a fabulous new cookbook.  As soon as the word got out that I’d be cooking all month, the offers to be dinner guests came pouring in.  A few friends volunteered to bring some dishes from the Vegan Table, and so a potluck was born.  So that the foods would complement each other, we all agreed to make foods with an Indian and Middle Eastern bent. 

I realized after the date was set that our dining room table only seats four, and there would be six of us.  So my husband and I ventured to the hardware store to pick up a piece of plywood to set over our coffee table.  We covered the table in a long, pretty piece of fabric, and threw pillows around the table for seating to give the feeling of eating in an exotic hideaway in a far-off land.

Pumpkin Curry

Ari and Mikko arrived with Muhammara (Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Spread) and pita.  The flavorful, garlicky spread was perfect on the pita backdrop, and it’s a tasty and vibrant hummus alternative.  It would also make a scrumptious sandwich spread.  We gabbed over the appetizer table and enjoyed cool glasses of Bonterra Vineyards Chardonnay. 

For the main course, Ari and Mikko also brought Chana Masala (Curried Chickpeas), which had sweet notes of garam masala, cinnamon, and cloves. Patrick and Leah brought brown rice and Pumpkin Curry, which blended the smooth taste of pumpkin with hints of coconut and ginger.

Masoor Dal

Finally, David and I rounded out the meal with Masoor Dal (Red Lentils).  The Masoor Dal was a great dish for the host or hostess to prepare, because it practically makes itself.  Just put a pot on the stove with lentils, onion, garlic, spices, and water, and in twenty-five minutes, you have a warm and tasty meal. It’s perfect for when you’re juggling getting everything put together and ready before guests arrive.  With dinner we had Albero Tempranillo, a personal favorite of David and mine, a full-bodied organic Spanish wine that’s available at Trader Joe’s.

"May we always have a roof above us, food before us, and love between us." --Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, The Vegan Table

After the last morsel was eaten and last drop of wine drank, we lingered over the table talking and laughing while the candles burned.  Delectable food, fascinating conversation, and delightful people.  What could be better?