Yikes! Blueberry Stains!

After a grand feast, I discovered a blueberry stain on a favorite sari. What to do? The stain has already dried on. An Internet search suggested:

"Flush the stain with cool water as soon as possible. Mix 1 tbsp. of white vinegar with ½ tsp. liquid laundry detergent and 1 qt. of cool water. Soak the stain in the solution for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water. Inspect clothing to see if any trace of the stain remains. If the stain isn't gone, dip a sponge in rubbing alcohol, blot and gently rub the stain until it lightens. Rinse the item thoroughly, then launder using chlorine bleach if it's safe for the fabric."

This helped after soaking a long time, but the best and simplest advice was this:

"To remove blueberry stains from clothes drench the stain with vinegar then pour boiling water over the stain. The stain will disappear before your eyes!"

OR

It is recommended to simply stretch the stained clothing over a heat proof bowl and secure it with a rubber band. Then pour the boiling water (carefully -- you don't want to burn yourself!) over the stained area, at a height of 2-3 feet. Repeat as necessary until the stain is gone.

Launder as usual.

Well, I'm glad to say the above worked, and best of all, I have a new stain removal tip to add to my collection!

Krishna's Blessings

Don't feel like cleaning? Here's some inspiration:
(Author Unknown)

Thank you Lord for this sink of dirty dishes; we have plenty of food to
eat. Thank you for this pile of dirty laundry; we have plenty of nice
clothes to wear.

And I would like to thank you Lord, for those unmade beds; they were so
warm and comfortable last night. I know that many have no bed.

My thanks to you Lord, for this bathroom, complete with all the splattered
mess, soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory; they are so convenient.

Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so
badly; it has served us faithfully for many years. It is full of cold
drinks and enough food for two or three meals. Thank you Lord, for
this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today; it has baked so many
things over the years.

The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing and the
lawn that needs raking; we all enjoy the yard. Thank you Lord, even for
that slamming screen door. My kids are healthy and able to run and play.

Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says; You have richly
blessed my family. I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings; Thank you
Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as
possible, Thank you Lord, that I can see. There are many who are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, Thank you Lord, that I
have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast
is burned, tempers are short and my children so loud, Thank you Lord, for
my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines
and the menu is at times not balanced, Thank you Lord, for the food we
have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous, Thank you Lord, for
the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I may grumble and bemoan my fate sometimes and wish my
circumstances were different, thank you Lord for life. Lord, Thank You!

burlap bag pillow (and more)

We get a lot of large burlap bags from the temple that the basmati rice comes packaged in. The two pictured here were extra large and each had a zipper closing, so I took them home and let them sit around awhile, waiting to see if any ideas how to use them came up. Then, right before I was going to let them go, I hit upon an idea to stuff them and turn them into pillow casings.

All that was needed was some filling, which I already had on hand (well, I had enough to at least fill one pillow fully) and some pillow cases for covering the filled bags:

Voila! A burlap pillow:

LATER NOTE: A really great way to have on the cheap pillow fillers: Got an old blanket with cover torn up? Remove the cover and fold the filling to fit the pillow. A great way to store it, too, in case you want to sew a whole new, beautiful patchwork cover to recover it later.

TWO MORE USES FOR BURLAP BAGS: Makes a nice drain pad for pots and dishes to air dry. Also the zipper kind make a great way to store potatoes! 

barats in yogurt

Also called "peef" (when made with split peas) as a beef substitute or found in other dishes such as with tomatoe sauce, barats are easy to make. My favorite variation is to use whole mung beans:

INGREDIENTS:
1 c whole mung beans or split peas
1 t ground cumin
1 t ground coriander
1/2 t ground black pepper
1/4 t hing (asafoetida)
1/2 t turmeric
1 t salt

PREPARATION:
1. Soak the beans overnight. Drain.
2. Grind the soaked beans in a food grinder or blender with a little water.
3. Add all the spices and mix well.
4. Scoop up with fingers or a tablespoon small batches of ground beans

and deep fry until brown and firm.

5. Soak in yogurt until softened. Offer to Krishna.

VARIATIONS: try split peas instead of mung

vegetable samosa

INGREDIENTS:
For the dough:
4 c atta or fine wheat flour
1 t salt
8 T melted butter or ghee
cold water

For the filling:
3 potatoes, chopped
1/2 small cauliflower, chopped
1 c fresh peas
5 T ghee
1 T grated fresh ginger
2 t cumin seeds
1/4 t asafoetida
1 t fenugreek seeds
1 1/2 t turmeric
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoon salt, as desired
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Also:
ghee or vegetable oil for deep-frying

PREPARATION:
1. Rub the butter or ghee into the flour until like fine crumbs. Add enough cold water to make a nice dough similar to puris. Not sticky nor too dry but nicely pliable. Set aside covered while preparing the filling.
2. Chaunce in ghee the fresh ginger and cumin seeds until brown, quickly add remaining spices and then the vegetables. Stir a few minutes to coat with spices and cook the vegetables. Then cover and cook with a little water until done. Set aside to cool
3. There are different ways to make samosas. My favorite is to fill up a round of dough (rolled out like puris) and twist it closed manually. I think there's less chance of breakage from an improperly closed seal. Also less gadgets to mess with.
Another method is to use a mold or a machine for a neater finish:


4. Deep fry samosas in a wok with ghee until golden brown. Drain excess ghee and then offer to Krishna  hot with a favorite chutney.

Happy Janmastami!

A little late, but this picture is so awesome! Aren't They the cutest!

bread making

Occasionally, bread making with yeast for leavening is nice for variety and time saving, too, although yeast is a fungus and therefore not for offering to Krishna. So on occasion it is offered to Guru Gauranga. Also it should always be taken very fresh because yeast attracts yeast when bread sits uneaten.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 t yeast
• warm water, about 1/2 c
• 2 c whole wheat flour
• 4 t sugar
• 1 t salt
• 1 T ghee or melted butter
• whey leftover from paneer making

PREPARATION:

1. Activate the yeast by adding it to a little warm water and a teaspoon of the sugar and let it rise in a warm place.
2. Mix the dry ingredients together.
3. Whisk in the melted butter or ghee until finely mixed.
4. Add the activated yeast and then slowly add enough whey to form a dough.
5. Knead very well.
6. Lightly oil with ghee and then set the dough to rise covered with a damp cloth in a warm place for 30 minutes.
7. Punch down and shape into a loaf or buns. Let rise another 45 minutes

8. Bake at 350 F for about 15 minutes or until nicely browned.

Slice cooled buns in half. Add butter; cheese; lettuce; cucumbers marinated in lemon and salt; black pepper; various sprouts, sour cream; grated green pepper, guacamole...or other favorite fillings.

Or toast and add butter, cinnamon and sugar, or cream cheese, or jam or hummus... or spread with yogurt cheese and top with sautéed cabbage. 

I love homemaking

A slightly edited text taken from Laine's Letters, a devoted wife, early riser and mother sharing her homemaker inspirations over the e-mail fence:

Dear Sisters,
I was thinking this weekend of the pleasures of homemaking and thought I'd share a few with you.

I love homemaking because my time is my own. I dictate how my day will go and that is an awesome thing in this world. Many high paid executives do not have the freedom that I have almost every day. I love homemaking because I get to decorate a room in exactly the way I like. 
I love homemaking because my kids get to lick homemade popsicles or smile with whipped cream and sugar on their lips.

I love homemaking because I can sit and read to my children all day if I want with every pillow we own under us.

I love homemaking because my uniform is a simple apron. When I put it on I feel like my grandmother and want to do so many "homey" things for my family.I love homemaking because I get to keep learning new things to make this home a special place. Last year I learned decoupage and tole painting. (Many things from a library book!)

I love homemaking because I get to work in my garden and cut beautiful plants from it to bring into the house.

I love homemaking because I get to listen to beautiful music all day long which causes me to think of my...LORD. My work doesn't even seem like work with Him on my mind.

I love homemaking because I get to cook some of the most wonderful food on a slim budget causing me to give thanks and praise to Him who shows me the way. I love homemaking because I can go to the library and check out other women's wisdom which inspires me in my own kitchen and home.

I love homemaking because I can stop my kids at any time of the day and say, "Let's pray."

I love homemaking because I can lay on my bed and have great talks with my kids about the LORD and life.

I love homemaking because I get to smell up my house with some of the best smells on earth: homemade bread, apple pie... baked beans, and cole slaw. And that's just one meal!

I love homemaking because I can feel the softness of yarn flowing through my fingers as I knit an afghan for my kitchen chair.

I love homemaking because I can sit with other women and their babies and compare struggles and trials; then come away feeling so much better to handle my own babies and struggles and trials. I love homemaking because I can look at each room in my house as a blank canvas to paint a beautiful picture on. And slowly, here and there, I pick up the beautiful treasures to make those canvases come alive with love.

I love homemaking because I create the atmosphere all day in my home. If I am at peace, they are at peace. And the King helps keep me at peace because I have spent time at His Throne in the early morning hours learning from Him.

I love homemaking because I have permission to fail while I learn. I have granted permission to myself recently which makes me feel a whole lot better about learning new things and not being afraid to fail.

I love homemaking because I can plan special little surprises for my husband that bring him such delight: homemade (mango pickle).I love homemaking because I fill little mason jars with homemade jams and watch my kids open them in anticipation for breakfast.

I love homemaking because when my kids are sick it is no inconvenience. I get to put them right to bed in their pajamas and bring them a (tray) with a flower, (herbal) tea, and some special treat to make them smile.

I love homemaking because I get to do things with beautiful fabrics. I love homemaking because I can gather my kids in my room if I am sick and have them take care of me or just lay next to me and play.

I love homemaking because I get to scrub my floors by hand just the way my grandmother did. Then I get to tell everyone to stay off the floor just like she did.

I love homemaking because I get to hang out my clothes on the line just the way my mother did and smell the sweet air in them when they come back in the house.

I love homemaking because I get to stretch a budget beyond measure which gives me great joy to see so much done with so little.

I love homemaking because I get to put a fluffy feather down comforter on everyone's bed and run them out to the clothesline on a windy day.

I love homemaking because I get to smell a freshly bathed child. I love homemaking because I can put a fresh tablecloth on my table and transform it into a fancy restaurant with a rose in the center.

I love homemaking because there is always a new recipe to try.

I love homemaking because I can sit in any room in my house and it is used to its fullest. No room is for show. Every room is pleasantly occupied.

I love homemaking because no one can make me laugh like my kids. I love homemaking because I can grab my camera and capture three muddy kids in a moment.

I love homemaking because I can take full advantage of all the seasons. Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring never get by me. I love homemaking because I can bring home some books and know they will get read.

I love homemaking because I know my kids very well and can work with them like no other.

I love homemaking because if I am sick of being inside I can go outside. And if I am sick of being outside I can go inside.

I love homemaking because I can kiss my kids thirty times a day if I wantI love homemaking because the weather never affects my plans to stay home.

I love homemaking because it makes me more in awe of my mother, grandmother, and favorite aunts causing me to notice their work in great detail.

I love homemaking because my kids can get really dirty and jump in the tub before anyone's the wiser.

I love homemaking because I am the " LORD's Servant."

I love homemaking because I can watch a "Leave It to Beaver" or "Andy Griffith Show" and be inspired by June Cleaver or Aunt Bee to do a better job in my home.

I love homemaking because I have time to light candles, put on soft music, and start a fire in the fireplace.

I love homemaking because I know where my kids are.

I love homemaking because I get to be HOME. I love homemaking because God called me to this job and I love it!!!!

Love,
Laine
called to be a Homemaker of God

carrot halava

(Serves 4)
Grate 4 large carrots, saute in a couple tablespoons of butter. Add 1/2 cup sugar and enough milk to cover well. Add a few dashes of cardamon. Bring to a boil and keep cooking and stirring until thickened. Then fold in a cup of blanched, toasted and ground almonds (or walnuts, cashews. Use what is available). 

salad dressings

This is an ongoing post of collected salad dressings.

FRENCH DRESSING

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 c parsley or cilantro
3 romas or 1/2 c cooked tomato puree
2 bells (med if possible)
1/2 bunch radish
1/2 c raisins
1 T tamarind paste
1/4 c lemon juice
1/2 c olive oil
1/3 c brown sugar
1 t black pepper
salt, as desired

PREPARATION:
1. Run the first 5 ingredients through a food processor and or blender until smooth.
2. Stir in the remaining ingredients and mix well

GREEN GODDESS DRESSING

(new improved!!)

INGREDIENTS (makes about 8 cups)

1 large tub of kosher sour cream, (6 c) OR thick yogurt
1 bunch of parsley or fresh coriander leaves, stems removed (this is what gives the green color)
1/2 bunch of celery leaves or 2-3 sticks of celery, chopped
2 c water
3/4 c lemon juice (I use ReaLemon if fresh is unavailable)
5 t salt
1 T pepper
3 t dried basil  (opt)
1 T dried oregano (opt)
1 T dried dill weed
1/2 t asafoetida

PREPARATION
1. Blend the parsley and celery leaves in a blender with one cup of the water.
Add it and remaining water to the sour cream in a large bowl.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients.

ITALIAN DRESSING

INGREDIENTS:

 5 cups olive oil
4 cups lemon juice (preferably fresh)
1 c honey
4 t salt
4 T basil
4 T oregano
1 T black pepper
1 t hing
4 c blended tomatoes or puree
1 T dill weed (opt)

PREPARATION:
Combine all the above ingredients and stir well.

ALMOND DRESSING (I have yet to try this one. Saving the recipe here)

INGREDIENTS:
3 T fresh turmeric, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 T fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped
3 T water
1 pinch asafoetida
1/2 t ghee
1/4 c plus 2 T lemon juice
3 T almond butter
1 T sugar
1/4 t salt

PREPARATION
Combine all ingredients with the water except for the hing and ghee.
Puree until smooth
Chaunce hing in the ghee and add
Add lemon and salt and mix well.

strawberry banana nectar

Blend about 2/3 a carton of strawberries, 3 bananas, a few dashes of cardamom, 1/3 c of sugar, and enough water to make 6 cups of nectar. Add more water for thinner drink.

Since there is no yogurt but still contains fruit, this is labeled as nectar instead of lassi although it would be just as good with yogurt.

Not Too Long Ago

Not too long ago, even in America, women took their home life seriously.

by Helen B. Andelin:

My mother-in-law was a Real Domestic Goddess. Not only was she an excellent housekeeper, she was a devoted homemaker in all areas of endeavor. She managed her house like it was a five star hotel. The most noticeable thing about her was that she seemed to enjoy it. She usually arose about 4:00 am, not because she had to, but because she was anxious to begin her day. She reminded me of a little girl anxious to begin playing house. To her it was a career – her career in the home.

In the afternoon her husband urged her to take a nap. She earnestly tried to but she enjoyed working more than sleeping. Finally he resorted to paying her for each nap.

My husband told me much about his mother during his childhood. When he was six years old and ready to begin first grade he put up such a fuss to stay home that he got his way. He began school when he was seven. Home, he thought, was the very best place to be. When he was in school he described how great it was to go home. As he and his brother walked home in the snow they were thinking of home. Soon they smelled fresh bread baking. When they arrived they never had to raid the refrigerator for a snack. She had freshly baked bread and homemade jam waiting for them.

Shortly after we were married we spent a month in their household. They had five children and my husband was the only one married. I observed many things about my mother-in-law during my stay there. It was quite an education. They had two pantries, one on the main floor near the kitchen and one in the basement. Both had well built shelves nicely painted and well stocked with food. The one near the kitchen contained fresh fruits and vegetables including squash, potatoes, yams...apples and oranges. She kept the produce by a window to keep them cool. Everything in the house was well painted, even the furnace. It was a large coal furnace with large pipes going here and there but they were all painted light green, including the furnace. I have never seen such a clean, bright, well-kept furnace before in all the days of coal.

Not only was the house well stocked with food but with sheets, towels, soap and clothing. In the beautiful tiled bathroom was a little tiled nook with a faucet, especially for bathing babies. My husband was the only child to have a room of his own. It was always immaculate and his drawers always filled with carefully laundered shirts, socks and under clothes...I could easily see that here was a woman who had her heart in her work and that housework could be a real pleasure. What an abundant blessing it was for this little family, and how sad that many women of today desert their posts and run away from their work.

One more thing I observed about my mother-in-law: She was so very good at taking care of babies and little children. What a wonderful example she was in this regard. They were always well bathed and well fed. She prepared them for a nap, not by just laying them in their crib with all of their clothes on, but by first removing their shoes, then dressing them in comfortable pajamas. She sensed when they were tired, hungry, thirsty, or needed some soothing cream on their sunburned faces. She was truly in tune.

What made Gladys what she was? This is what I wondered. I think one thing that made her what she was is that her mother and mother-in-law were almost the same. They were both shining examples. They couldn’t help but be a positive influence on a young woman who observed them.

One day while I was visiting Gladys’s mother, I looked around to observe a well-painted, immaculate, orderly dwelling place. Humble but very nice. While there I asked for a needle and thread and was handed a little sewing basket. I have always remembered the moment I opened the lid to see the most tidy sewing basket I have ever seen. Instead of the sewing things being jumbled together as in most sewing baskets, I saw neat little rows of spools, little skeins of embroidery floss, a pin cushion, needles, thimbles and scissors, all in a place of their own. Another thing that made Gladys what she was is that she went the second mile. She did more than her duty required. This is what takes the burden out of work and brings soul satisfaction. It makes “our yolk easy,’ and ‘our burden light.”

Besides the benefit of homemaking bringing soul satisfaction and inner happiness, did you know that the exercise required to fill this role is the best for a woman’s body? How do I know this? One morning when I was lying on the floor doing my exercises and listening to TV, I heard a news report that medical research had found that the use of the various muscles required for doing housework and carrying for a family – bending, stretching, picking things up from the floor, pushing a vacuum cleaner around and carrying a toddler on your hip is the best type of exercise for a woman’s body. They made no comment about men. I will end this discourse by saying that I believe homemaking is the best therapy for a woman’s distress, the best career for emotional and physical health, the most soul satisfying, and the greatest contribution a woman can make to her family and the well being of society.

wheat meat

EXPERIMENTS WITH SEITAN, AKA GLUTEN OR WHEAT MEAT:
For one thing, a colander with medium sized holes inside a large bowl of water is a lot quicker to catch the little pieces of gluten while washing it. Knead the dough continuously, changing the water as needed until you got only gluten left, this stretchy stuff that clngs together well.
Here's how much gluten came from the dough on the right.

Here's the slices of gluten. Cut them small because they expand.


SEITAN IN RICE
INGREDIENTS(Serves 3)
A chunk of seitan cut into about 18-20 pieces
water
1 t turmeric
salt

1/2 c rice
4 T ghee
2 t ginger root, grated
1 t cumin seeds
1 t coriander powder
1/4 t black pepper
a pinch of hing (opt)
1 t turmeric

PREPARATION
1. Fill a large pot with cold water. Add 1 t turmeric, 1 t salt and the seitan. Turn on the heat and bring to a boil. Then cover and simmer about 20-30 minutes.

2.  Meanwhile, make a chaunce with the ghee. Add the ginger and cumin seeds. When browned, add remaining spices. Then add the rice, water and 1/2 t salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer 20 minutes.
3. Turn off the heat. Stir the cooked seitan pieces into the rice.


Offer to Krishna piping hot along with a wedge of lemon.

BROCCOLI WITH SEITAN

INGREDIENTS
3 small heads Broccoli
seitan, about 25 precut pieces
3 T ghee
2 t grated fresh ginger
1/8 t hing
1 t coriander powder
1/4 t black pepper
1 t turmeric
water
salt

PREPARATION
1. Chaunce in the ghee the fresh ginger until brown and crispy. Add the hing. Then add quickly the remaining spices. Stir in the broccoli. Stir a few minutes in the ghee and spices.
2.. Add enough water to just cover the broccoli. Cover the pan and cook on high until all the water evaporates and broccoli just begins to brown (a technique called char char or braising). Turn off the heat.
3. Stir in the cooked seitan. Add salt as desired and stir. Offer to Krishna.

Goes well wrapped in chapatis with a dab of sour cream.