Completely Inauthentic Indian Potatoes and Peas

2 medium potatoes, large cube
1/2 cup frozen peas
1 T toasted sesame oil
2 T tomato paste
2 T water
1 T white wine vinegar
1 T coconut cream
3 cloves garlic, smashed and diced
kosher salt
dried chile flakes or hot sauce to taste

Here's my attempt to make something that will pass for a South Asian side dish when the  kitchen is bereft of coriander, cardomon, garam masala...not even any ginger, for FSMs sake! (I had some but turned out it was sharing a bag with something that was blue, mushy, hairy, and completely unidentifiable by the time I found it. Sometimes that's just how it goes.)

Saute the potatoes in the oil with a pinch of salt, tossing frequently until slightly browned. Add garlic, toss and saute for another minute. Don't let the garlic burn! Reduce heat, add vinegar, tomato paste, water, and coconut cream. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add frozen peas, simmer for another 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning.

Stoup

Yeah, for a lot of people every time they hear the word "stoup" their hatred for Rachel Ray gets just a little bit hotter, but I like the perky little spunkmuffin. I've gotten some good recipe ideas from her 30-minute meals show, though I have to say my experience shows she's usually cheating on the time just a little, if by no other means than having a fully-staffed prep kitchen just off-camera.

Anyway...

6-8 cups freshly-made chicken stock
chicken meat stripped from the carcass and shredded
1/4 cup red lentils
1/4 cup pearl barley
1/2 cup split peas
1/2 cup dry white beans
1/2 T garlic powder

8-10 grape tomatoes, quartered

kosher salt

1 large onion
3 stalks celery
1/2 bell pepper
1 moderately hot chile - an Anaheim or Serrano or Mirasol or New Mexico green
4 large cloves garlic, smashed and minced
olive oil
1 t sweep paprika

Strain the stock, return to pot and bring to a simmer. Add the lentils, barley, split peas, beans, garlic powder, tomatoes and salt to taste. Simmer covered for 2-3 hours until the white beans are tender. Coarsely chop the onion, celery, bell pepper and chile and add to a saute pan with the olive oil over high heat. Sprinkle on the paprika and toss to distribute. Saute for 2-3 minutes, then add the garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes more.

Add the chicken meat and sauteed vegetables to the stock, cover and simmer for another 15 minutes. Adjust the seasoning.