It was a tiring Friday evening and when Raja came back from work, he suggested that we go out for dinner. I was was so inclined to follow his suggestion...when after a little while I thought to myself--having done 10 days of cooking at Dhamma Malaya, and for 100 people at that, did we really have to go out and have dinner? Can I not rustle up something quickly so that all of us could enjoy a meal at home?
And that's what I did--made Veggie kurma curry -an alteration of the one I made at the center (onions and & garlic included this time) and then Jeera rice. Raja said---looks like we don't have to eat out anymore!
Yes, even to me the transformation is amazing. I always considered cooking a "chore", never excited about it and always thought I was no good at it. And now I think differently and feel differently about cooking. My heart is full of love--and I just love to cook! House-keeping, kitchen managing is not difficult anymore. I just have to set myself to it and its done quickly.
I don't know if this is only a passing feeling. I suspect it isn't. I am so glad I served this course. It taught me so much! It taught me how to delegate work, it taught me to give clear instructions: I call my daughter to help me cut vegetables, I demonstrate to her how I want it cut & for what purpose. I do it with enthusiasm and love which is infectious.
Every step on this path has taught me numerous things, expanded my horizons and made me a better person. It has taught me to love and embrace all of life. It has taught me to give unconditionally. Is this just a temporary high feeling after a 10 day course of service? Only time will tell. Well even if it is temporary and it fades, all I have to do is to serve another 10 days in the kitchen!
Dhamma works!
Sorry to be so mundane but I would love to have a recipe for veggie kurma curry...
ReplyDeleteNo problem. As the Zen saying goes, one continues to "chop wood, carry water" Before and after enlightenment.
ReplyDeleteHere goes:
This is a recipe for about 4 people:
1.Vegetables of your choice--potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, green peas all amounting to 1 kg.
2 Onions, a few pods of garlic if you like it.
3. tomatoes cut big size (vertically)
4. grated coconut ( if available or you could use coconut milk)
5. 1 or 2 green chillies ( depending on how spicy you want it), grated ginger (a small piece)
6.a pinch of tumeric powder, half tsp chilli powder and 1 teaspoon garam masala powder, 1 tsp coriander powder.
7. 1/4--1/2 cup yoghurt
8. cinnamon stick ( small piece), star aniseed, cloves--together about 10 grams
Method:
1.Chop potatoes into medium size cubes, cauliflower into big flowerets, carrots medium sized.
2. Boil them till they cook--boil potatoes, carrots together and other vegetables separately
3. grind grated coconut and green chilli and garlic together.
4. heat about 1 tablespoon oil in a wok & fry the cinnamon, aniseed, cloves for a abt 20sec.
5. stir in the ginger and then the onions and fry till the onions become translucent.
4. Mix the spice powders ( tumeric, chilli, garam masala) into the coconut, chilli, garlic paste, with a little water.
5. Stir it into the wok till it lets out an aroma.
6. stir in the boiled veggies and add the tomatoes.
7. Fry them all until the spices are all mixed well with the veggies.
8. add the yoghurt and salt to taste. ( If you are adding coconut milk instead of grated coconut you do not have to use yoghurt)
9 Garnish with coriander leaves.
Important: Through the whole procedure and after make sure your heart is filled with love.
This is the first time I am writing out a recipe--hope this turns out well for you.