June 15, 2022

Dhal poached eggs with herby raita

Ingredients


  • 2 tbsp  rapeseed oil
  • 2 onions (320g), halved and thinly sliced
  • 2 tsp each cumin seeds and ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 2 tbsp garam masala
  • 4 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 1 red chilli, deseeded and sliced
  • 175g red lentils
  • 400g can chickpeas
  • 2 tsp vegetable bouillon powder, mixed with 700ml boiling water
  • 320g baby spinach
  • 8 large eggs

For the raita

  • 150g natural bio yogurt
  • 1 garlic clove
  • thin slice of peeled ginger
  • 20g coriander leaves, plus a few extra leaves to serve (optional)
  • 10g mint leaves


Method


STEP 1

Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat and fry the onions for 5 mins until they start to colour. Stir in the spices, garlic and chilli, and cook for a few more seconds until aromatic.


STEP 2

Add the lentils, chickpeas and stock, then cook, uncovered, for 15 mins until the lentils are tender. Stir in the spinach until wilted.


STEP 3

Remove half the dhal from the pan and leave to cool. Will keep chilled for up to three days. Break 4 eggs, spaced apart, into the lentils that are left in the pan, cover and cook over a medium heat for 8-10 mins.


STEP 4

Meanwhile, put all the ingredients for the raita in a bowl and blitz together using a hand blender.


STEP 5

Serve the eggs and dhal with half the raita and scatter over a few extra coriander leaves, if you like. The remaining raita will keep chilled for up to three days. Reheat the remaining dhal in a pan over a medium heat until bubbling. Add a drop of water if it looks dry, then cook the eggs in the hot dhal as described in step 3 and serve with the remaining raita.

Honey Lime Chicken and Avocado Rice Stack

By Zina Stone • December 4, 2025
Ingredients 2 tbsp honey Juice and zest of 1 lime 1 tbsp olive oil 1 lb boneless skinless chicken, cubed 1 garlic clove, minced Salt & pepper, to taste 2 cups cooked rice (white or brown) 1 tbsp lime juice 1 tbsp chopped cilantro (optional) 1–2 ripe avocados, mashed Juice of ½ lime Salt & pepper, to taste Instructions Step 1 Marinate the chicken In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, lime juice and zest, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add in the cubed chicken. Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 15–30 minutes. Step 2 Cook it golden Heat your best skillet for cooking chicken over medium-high. Sear the chicken without stirring for 2–3 minutes, then cook through, about 6–8 minutes total. Temp should hit 165°F. Step 3 Brighten the rice Fluff the warm rice with a fork. Stir in lime juice, salt, and cilantro if you like. Keep it fresh, not heavy. Step 4 Smash the avocados In a bowl, mash the avocados with lime juice, salt, and pepper. Don’t overdo it you want texture. Think creamy with little bites left in. Step 5 Stack it tall Place a ramekin or ring mold on the plate. Spoon in a layer of rice, then avocado, then the honey lime chicken. Press gently, lift the mold. A little tower of joy. Nutrition and Cooking Times Serves: 4 | Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Nutrient Value per serve: Calories: 420kcal | Protein: 32g | Fat: 18g | Carbohydrates: 32g

Freedom Bulletin #307

By Zina Stone • December 4, 2025
In this bulletin...

Healthy one-pan piri piri chicken

By Zina Stone • November 27, 2025
Ingredients 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp dried oregano leaves 1/4 tsp dried c hilli flakes 2 (about 500g) chicken breast fillets, halved horizontally 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 small zucchini, sliced 175g mini capsicums, deseeded, halved 1 tbsp no-added-salt tomato paste 400g can cherry tomatoes 2 tsp white balsamic condiment 140g (2/3 cup) wholemeal couscous 160ml (2⁄3 cup) boiling water 250g green beans, steamed, halved lengthways Lime wedges, to serve Instructions Step 1 Combine paprika, cumin, oregano and chilli. Sprinkle spice mixture over the chicken. Step 2 Heat half the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Cook the zucchini for 1-2 minutes each side or until golden. Transfer to plate. Add chicken to pan and cook for 2-3 minutes each side or until browned and almost cooked through. Transfer to a plate. Step 3 Heat remaining oil in pan over medium heat. Add capsicum. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until begins to soften. Stir through tomato paste. Add tomatoes and 125ml (1 ⁄2 cup) water. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 6-7 minutes or until slightly reduced. Add chicken, zucchini and balsamic. Simmer for 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Step 4 Meanwhile, combine the couscous and boiling water in a heatproof bowl. Cover and set aside for 3-4 minutes to absorb. Fluff with a fork. Nutrition and Cooking Times Serves: 4 | Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Nutrient Value per serve: Calories: 480kcal | Protein: 30g | Fat: 28g | Carbohydrates: 28g