The beautiful rain, with its soft white noise and cleansing aroma, almost makes me forget my dog has been scratching at the door for the last twenty minutes while I finish my breakfast.
Almost.
Struggling to get my feet into the boots I purchased a month ago (they're for snow AND rain - what a deal, right?), I can feel Felix staring at my back, willing me to get on with it. Hurry up, Mom. I have sh*t to do.
I smell the coffee percolating in the kitchen as I zip up my rain coat, grab the leash, and unlock our front door. Felix is practically sending his little pea brain into overdrive. Dude... chill. I just need the umbrella and we can go outside, okay?
The deluge that is the rain storm is nothing to this dog. Neither thunder nor lighting nor buckets of rain will deter him. Actually, I think he enjoys it... sadistic mutt. While I'm grateful he's cool with weather, I wishing we could both just snuggle up on the living room floor and watch back episodes of SNL together. Let's leave the rain outside, let its sounds and smells wash over us while we stay dry and indoors.
These are the dreams of fools.
As we walk in tandem down the drive, Felix looking evermore like a drowned rodent, I consider getting him in for a bath before work. Do I have time? Would it be better to wait until tomorrow? I'll just have to take him out later. Oh jeez... he just walked through three puddles. *sigh*
Let's get back into the warm, dry comfort of our house, dog. Hurry. Up.
I love his sweet, smelly face. He has a huge puppy grin plastered on his face as we make our way back up to the front door. He's soaked, stinky, and in complete harmony with it all. I am jealous of his glee until I remember...
There is coffee waiting for me in the kitchen. We all have things we look forward to, right? Rain for some, coffee for others.
If you're looking for something to look forward to, might Felix and I suggest hot curried lentils with starchy potatoes and spinach? Something to tuck into when it's beautifully dreary out, perhaps? You simply must, and then eat it while your dog dries out on the living room floor while you watch this.
Curried Lentils with Potatoes and Spinach
1 lb green lentils
1 stalk celery, cut into 3 pieces
1 yellow onion, peeled and halved
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
2 large yukon gold or red skinned potatoes, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 cups packed fresh spinach
salt and pepper
steamed white or basmati rice
plain greek yogurt, optional
To cook the lentils, combine the lentils, celery, and onion in a large stock pot with 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook until the lentils are tender, approximately 30-35 minutes. All of the liquid should be absorbed. Discard the vegetables and set aside 2 cups of the lentils for the curry. The remaining 3 cups of cooled lentils can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to three days. It is highly suggested not to freeze them.
In a heavy-bottomed dutch oven or pot, warm the oil over medium-high heat . Add the chopped onion and cook until browned, about 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic, garam masala, cumin, and coriander, cooking for only 1 minute to get the aromatics toasted.
Add the potatoes, lentils, and 1 cup of water to the pot. Bring to a boil, pushing the potatoes down every so often to ensure they cook evenly. Reduce the heat after 1 minute and simmer, uncovered, for ten minutes. Check the potatoes to ensure they are cooked and can be pierced with a fork easily. Fold in the spinach and cook for about 2 minutes, until the spinach wilts. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Serve the curry over rice and garnish with the yogurt, if using.