cranberry chutney

For the perfect vegetarian Thankgiving feast:

INGREDIENTS:
(serves 100)
32 cups fresh cranberries
water for blending
5 T ghee
3 T grated ginger
4-8 crushed dried chilis (or 4 t chili seeds)
8 t coriander powder
10 c sugar

PREPARATION:
Blend the cranberries
Chaunce in ghee the ginger. When just beginning to brown add the chilis and cook until ginger is fully browned. Add the coriander powder. Stir and immediately add the blended cranberries. Add the sugar. Cook until thick.

pumpkin and potato subji

Got pumpkin? Try this recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

4 c fresh pumpkin, cubed
4 c potato, cubes
3 T ghee
1/2 t mustard seeds,
1 t kalonji seeds (available at asian grocery)
1 cinnamon stick, 

1/4 t hing
2 cardamom pod seeds
2 whole cloves
2 bay leaves (opt)
1 t ground coriander
1/2 t fenugreek seeds
1 c yogurt
1 t ground roasted cumin
1/4 t chili powder
1/2 t turmeric

1/2 t sugar
2/3 c water
1 t lemon juice


PREPARATION:
1. Chaunce in ghee the mustard seeds, kalonji seeds, and cinnamon stick. When mustard starts popping add hing, cardamom, cloves, bay leaves, coriander, fenugreek seeds and yogurt and pumpkin and potatoes in quick succession.
2. Add the cumin, chili powder, turmeric, sugar and water. Stir and bring to a boil.
3. Then lower the heat, cover and cook until the vegies are tender.
4. Stir in lemon juice.

VARIATION: pumpkin and potato w/ peas and cauliflower
1 t mustard, 2 cloves, 1/2 t fenugreek, 1/4 t hing, 1 t coriander, 1 t gr. roasted cumin, 1/2 t bl. pepper, 1/2 t turmeric, 1 t brown sugar

Don't feel like cutting up and peeling a pumpkin? Bake it semi tender first, peel and chop and add to the potatoes when near done.

potato and spinach (aloo shak)

INGREDIENTS:

2 bunches of spinach, washed and chopped

1-2 potatoes, peeled and chopped small (smaller than pictured makes crispier taters)

2 T ghee
1/4 t yellow hing

1/4 t black pepper

1 t coriander powder

pat of butter (opt)
squeeze of lemon juice (opt)

salt

PREPARATION:

Chaunce the ghee with hing, black pepper and coriander powder. Add the potatoes and stir fry a few minuts on medium high heat until they begin to shrink and slightly brown. Add the spinach and turn down the heat to cover and simmer until the potatoes are tender. Add salt, as desired

VARIATION: deep fry the potatoes in ghee first and then toss them in at the end of cooking.

potato patties

(Also called "tikkis")
INGREDIENTS:
4 potatoes
1 t ground roasted cumin
1/2 t black pepper
1 T grated ginger
1 T chopped fresh coriander leaves
1/2 t turmeric
pinch of cayenne
1 T lemon juice
salt, as desired
1/4 c fine pearl tapioca, soaked for 1/2 hr. and drained
1 T arrowroot powder (optional)
ghee for pan frying

PREPARATION:
1. Boil the potatoes until done. Cool a bit and peel and mash.
2. Add the remaining ingredients and stir well.
3. Form into patties and pan fry until brown on each side.

These may also be deep fried like tater tots. Make sure the ghee is almost smoking. If the mixture is not holding together, use the arrowroot. Do not stir until beginning to brown.

A SIMPLER VARIATION Use as desired:
fresh jalapeno chillies, finely chopped
chopped fresh coriander (cilantro) or parsley
ground black pepper
salt
lemon juice (opt)

Both varieties can also be pan fried in ghee rather than deep fried.

olive oil lamp

This little lamp came in handy this evening after a major power outage. Gave a bright, steady light.

DIY Olive Oil Lamp

I used an old candle holder and filled it part way with olive oil (I've tried soybean oil before this, but it gave off a strong odor). I made my wick from a strip of an old 100% cotton dhoti and twisted it, soaked it in salt water and dried it. For wire, I used an extra long piece of wire from the grocery store that was used to hold a bunch of broccoli together. I burned the paper off of it first and let it cool before handling.

It burns slowly and well. For more light, I just pull up more wick. Only problem may be getting whats labeled 100% pure olive oil but is mixed with low grade oils by the manufacturer anyway. In any case, use oil lamps in a well ventilated area.

See The Olive Oil Scam

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