Red Curry Lentils + GIVEAWAY

When I invite new, non-vegetarian faces over for dinner, I often feel compelled to find or craft the BEST meat-free recipe to date.  Okay, so maybe not the paramount recipe of the world, but one with hearty characteristics that, in a sense, could perhaps be called “meaty”.

I love the majority of the vegan and vegetarian dishes that come out of my kitchen. This goes for the once-a-weekers, the so-called ordinary recipes, the vegetable centered dishes, the 3-ingredient creations, etc. etc.  And it’s not that I don’t think my new meat-accustomed friends wouldn’t like these too. It’s just that I generally want to cook them something that may make them, at least for a moment, think twice about their dependence on meat. To let them know that vegetarian dishes can also be rich, filling and satisfying, even while staying healthy.  If nothing else, maybe they’ll think twice about their options when we’re dining out together at a restaurant – and we can share both entrees. (Hint, hint.)

I should, however, remark that I’ve been pretty lucky to be paired up with so many adventurous eaters in my life. When Nicole from Prevention RD said this was “fan-flipping-tastic” and one of her “favorite vegetarian meals in QUITE some time!”, I jumped on the opportunity to test it out on the new boy in my life.

Though, given the person coming over for dinner, I wouldn’t always say something like a red curry is the safest bet for introducing someone to veg. style of eating. Luckily, I knew my dining date would love it, and love it he did.

This is one of those hearty, full-flavored meals I was talking about that makes the perfect accompaniment to a healthy whole grain. I went with a combination of quinoa and rice, just to spice things up. If you’re looking to make the dish a little richer, add a dab of butter on top as you spoon the hot lentils into your bowl.

Giveaway:

Today I’m also hosting a giveaway of Cascal, a new natural soft drink that tastes great and has no sugars or artificial sweeteners! Plus, each can has just 60-80 calories. Not bad for a carbonated drink.

If you enter, you’ll get a sampler pack, meaning you get to try all 5 flavors like the Fresh Tropical (with mango, jasmine & kaffir lime), the Bright Citrus (with pineapple, lemongrass & tangerine), and the Ripe Rouge (with cherry, rose & chocolate – it’s strange, in a good way, how you can really pick up the cocoa notes in this!).

To enter:

(Leave a separate comment per entry. Each separate comment will give you one entry in the contest.)

This contest closes on **November 20, 2012 at 8:00pm EST**

1) Leave a comment on this post telling me which flavor you’re most curious to sample.
2) Leave a comment telling me what’s your favorite vegetarian meal to impress.
3) Become a fan of F-F-F on Facebook
4) Follow me on Twitter
5) Link this giveaway on one of your blog posts and let me know that you did.
6) Tweet a variation of this on Twitter: @GraceDickinson is hosting an all-natural, low-cal, tasty soda giveaway at FoodFitnessFreshAir.com.

One winner will be chosen at random by random.org.