Indian Revisited and Pina Colada Jello Shots

The Indian food turned out to be fantastic--but as far as that detox diet goes I had screwed up by using the reccomended butter in the Boxed Goodes recipe. We actually went to an Indian restaraunt for the first time in a long time last night. I'm starting to recognize and remember a lot of the common menu items by now. I decided I like naan better than roti. Every place is a little different, but I think that one of my favorites by far was/is Wings Express at UConn in Storrs. They have the best vegetable pakora--which is actually hard to find, try it if you find it! Tonight I actually bought a couple of round steaks to cook for my boyfriend, keeping my fingers crossed tomorrow b/c I usually screw this kind of thing up!

Also, I found Pina Colada Jello at the store this evening; I figure it will make bangin' Jello Shots this summer. I love making Jello shots for parties, even though I'm not fond of Jello myself. The key to making good Jello shots is to "aquire" or buy those little plastic sample cups, then line them up in a large cake pan or two--make sure that they wont have room to slide around. Next give them the lightest dusting of unflavored Pam spray. Mix two boxes of Jello in a large glass or metal bowl following the first step of the directions *but decrease the boiling water from 2C to 1 and 1/2C. Do not add any additional water. Then you have to wait until the Jello cools down before you add the booze, now this means you will have to keep an eye on it and stir from time to time. Ideally you catch it while it's still almost warm but not setting yet(this is usually where I screw up). Then add 2C alcohol and stir well. As for pouring the shots, I prefer to use a 2C glass Pyrex liquid measuring-cup to ladel out the Jello and then pour evenly in the cups. Cover with plastic wrap, chill and enjoy!

Vegetarian Indian Food Night!

After a hideous unexplained stomach ache last night, I decided it was time for spring cleaning. I'm trying out a new (to me) 7-day herbal detox from GNC. Starting tomorrow night! But the nutritional plan begins this evening with vegetarian Indian food. Yellow Dahl and Basmati Rice! This is a fancy Basmati blend from a local CT company called Boxed Goodes. Reviews will follow tomorrow!

I found the following recipe at this location: http://vegetarian.about.com/od/vegetarianindianrecipes/r/yellowdhal.htm

Ingredients:

• 1 cup yellow split peas, uncooked
• 2 cups water or vegetable broth
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp cayenne
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp margarine
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 1/2 tsp cumin, whole seeds or ground
• 2 whole cloves
• dash pepper, to taste

Preparation:

In a large pot, place the peas and water or vegetable broth, and bring to a slow simmer. Add the turmeric, cayenne and salt, and cover. Allow to cook for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the onion, cumin and clove in the margarine. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes, until onion is soft. Add the onion and spices to the split peas, and allow to simmer for at least 5 more minutes.
Add a dash of pepper and more salt, if desired, and serve hot with rice or alone in a soup bowl.
This Indian food recipe is both vegetarian and vegan.

New Intentions and Re-inventions

I just ordered new business cards, declaring myself as a painter a well as a sculptor. Then I re-did my website along the same lines. The theme for my next art/music event is "New Intentions and Re-inventions" which is obviously a reflection of my life right now. In this new faux-summer weather, I have begun to fix up my yard and gardens. I planted pansies and violas yesterday, today I purchased bulbs: gladiolious, dahlias, Grecian wildflowers. I had good luck with the gladiolious last year, so I decided to plant a whole bunch! My tulips and daffodils from last year are already starting to come up, no buds yet...this is the second year after my cross-pollination between my mother's daffodils and the ones from my grandmother's yard--so the story goes, her father used to breed them. These are true heirlooms, and near and dear to my heart.