Color me Red...

This has been an odd kind of a week - work had been busy but the mind preoccupied. The husband was travelling so even with the preoccupation it was busy at home with an active 8 year old. I have been seeing flashes of red yesterday in the bird flying away quite suddenly, the beautiful red camellias and roses in the garden and the beautiful red beets and raspberries that I got in the farmer's market - they inspired poetry and some wonderful meals. I am sharing here with you the recipe for my super yummy and good for you Beets and Quinoa Khichdi.

Color me Red Beets & Quinoa Mush

You Need :

1/2 Cup Quinoa
1/2 Cup Mung Dal ( or whatever Dal grabs your fancy)
2 cups grated beets
2 Cups Organic Vegetable Broth
2 Tomatoes
Finely Chopped - Ginger, Garlic, Green Chilly to Taste

Wash and soak the Quinoa and the Mung Dal.

In a pressure cooker first add a spoon of ghee...add a pinch of Asafoetida (Hing). Let 1/4th tsp of Jeera sizzle and splutter. Then add a half a tsp of turmeric and then add your finely chopped ginger/garlic/green chilies  and fry for about a minute!  Now add in the chopped tomatoes and let it cook for 2 minutes. Then add in the grated Beets and let it cook for 2-3 minutes. Now add in the washed Quinoa and Mung Dal. Add in the Vegetable Broth and turn on the pressure cooker. Let it go for 4 whistles (3 if you like it more Al dente).

When the mixture is cool, add more salt if required (I usually don't add more salt - the salt from the Vegetable Broth is enough), Fresh Lemon Juice (1/2-1 Lemon) and Chopped Cilantro (I didn't have the Cilantro today). Enjoy with a side of yogurt and pickle.

I also made a wonderful raspberry jam with the raspberries from the  farmer's market.

           

So life color me red, yellow, blue, pink or orange but most importantly Color me life and light , I have breathed a thousand breaths and still, I long to see tomorrow's sun.

Tentative Parenting : Being You

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”  

                                                                   -- Dr. Seuss

I was at the PBWC Conference today and it was a day of positive affirmations for me - absolutely essential - the last few days had been intense due to quarter end work.  Got to hear some inspiring speakers, spend time with friends (made new friends) and meet some larger than life personalities.

I made it home in time to pick K2 from his extended daycare and he was in a buoyant mood and  as usual we started talking.

K2: Ma - I think I have a 3 on Social Sciences (side note - his weak subject and a 3 means he is doing great!)
Working Mom : Great! How do you know?
K2: Ms. N showed me the progress report. BTW, Something happened today. 
Working Mom (slight heart rate going up) : Ummm...what?
K2:  There is a Cooking Club happening tomorrow and they are baking pies. None of my friends wanted to go (read : boys!). I told the teacher I wanted to go and she asked me what kind of pie I wanted to bake and I said Apple. Guess, what C and S changed their minds and want to bake pies too! 

I was ecstatic with this conversation for two reasons - (a) my son is learning to appreciate the priceless art that is cooking and not relegating it to "girl" territory...so I am getting thro' to him (b) "Being You" is a concept he is embracing with open arms...even when he has to do it alone

So when the monkey asked me for Quesadilla  (yet again!) -- I of course had to say Yes!  But my Quesadillas are actually GREAT for him...and he says they are the best tasting ones he has ever had (more power to me!)

Here's how I made it  (literally took me 15 minutes!) if you want to try them at home. I confess to eating them myself and feeling great about it -- the nutritional profile is amazing and the taste is to die for !!!

1. Trader Joe's Whole Grain Flour Tortillas with Flax Seeds (really great ingredients with 5 gm of Fiber and 100% Whole Grain)
2. Cheese of Choice was a variety of Organic Cheeses from Horizon
3. Veggie Mix ( I dumped a can of Whole Foods Black beans, chopped onions (about 1/4), chopped cilantro (to taste), grated beets (1 medium sized) with salt, cumin powder and microwaved for 3 minutes. Mix and Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
4. Heat a flat skillet - I added  a touch of Olive Oil and cooked one side of the tortilla, flipped and then added the veggies and cheeses to the cooked side. Fold and let the cheese melting magic happen.

So to K2 and his friends I say in the words of Dr.Seuss - So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you'll move mountains.

P.S - Tomorrow marks the 2nd Anniversary of my Bapa being gone - he is loved and remembered.