DIWALI (Indian festival of lights)

top left corner = Dal        top right corner = Chicken Tandori
bottom left = chicken curry        top right = lamb curry   
 far right is the nan bread



top left = salad       top right = eggplant burta
bottom left = rice pulao     bottom right = paneer tikka masala


I invited my family over to help my husband celebrate Diwali . He is always a little home sick this time of year, but with friends and family around him this year he looked very happy . 

Diwali is one of the biggest festival of Hindus, celebrated with great enthusiasm and happiness in India. The festival is celebrated for five continuous days, where the third days is celebrated as the main Diwali festival or 'Festival of lights'. Many colorful varieties of fireworks are always associated with this festival. On this auspicious day, people light up diyas and candles all around their house. They perform Laxmi Puja in the evening and seek divine blessings of Goddess of Wealth. The festival is never complete without the exchange of gifts. People present gifts to all their dear ones.


The exact day of the festival is decided by the position of the moon. According to the Hindu calendar, Amavasya or 'no moon day' is considered as the perfect day to celebrate. This dark night comes after every fortnight and in the month of Kartik, it marks this festival of lights and diyas. As per the English calendar, the festival generally comes in the month of November and December. For Hindu people, the festival holds an imperative meaning since the festival is reckoned with Lord Rama's victory as the King of Ayodhya after his return to the kingdom from 14 years of exile along with his wife Sita & brother Laxman after killing the demon, King Ravana. The festival is celebrated by lighting diyas and candles to drive away the darkness of Amavasya.

Tip for saving time in the kitchen

Once a week I peel a few potatoes ,  cover them with water and place them in the fridge .  As I need them during the week it saves me so much time , I just slice them the way I like and cooking is a breeze. 

  My husband loves potatoes with his breakfast every day , so having them all peeled for me and ready when I need them makes the morning go a whole lot smoother for me .

I just change the water every 3rd day and they keep in the fridge for more than a week with no problem .

got any time saving tips you would like to share ? leave it in the comment section .

BEEF STEW

 BEEF STEW

4 TBSP oil
2 large chopped onion
1  chopped garlic clove
3 lbs cubed beef
3 stalks sliced celery ( washed with strings removed )
3 Tbsp gravy master
1 - 16 ounce can of pealed tomatoes w/puree
4 cups water
1 lb bag of mixed frozen veggies (corn,carrots,peas,string beans,Lima beans )
4 large pealed potatoes - cut in cubes



2 TBSP flour mixed with 1/4 cup water
salt & pepper to taste

I have been using my pressure cooker but you can use either , the regular method just takes hours to cook .

I start out by adding the oil to my pressure cooker and put in the onion , fry on med high flame till the onions brown and start to stick to the bottom , add the garlic , stir and add in the beef , cook on high till the beef starts to stick to the bottom of pan , keep cooking and stirring . You want it to stick to the bottom real good :) , this may take 30 minutes depending on how  much juice comes out of the beef .  Add in the celery and stir till it starts to get translucent . add in the gravy master and stir ,  add in the can of tomatoes and the water and close the lid  after3 whistles on the pressure cooker( If using regular stove top method bring it to a boil and reduce heat to low and cook for  1 1/2 hours ) cool it and open the lid . Add in the frozen vegetables and the potatoes and close the lid again ( wait for 3 whistles , cool and open lid again .( reg method just simmer for another 30 minutes )  stir in the flour that's mixed with water and simmer for 3 minutes . add the salt & pepper to taste 

This will serve about 8 hungry people

pickling - hot cherry peppers

HOT CHERRY PEPPERS


I bought these peppers about 2 weeks ago ... I like to wash & dry them and then placing them in a cool dry place in a single layer till they start to wrinkle then I take my jars ( I prefer using the quart size unlike most people that do the gallon size because once you open the jar if you keep them to long in the opened jar  they will go bad on you . ) I put a garlic clove and 1/4 tsp salt in the jar then put in as many peppers as you can get in there put a splash of water and top with distilled white vinegar making sure the peppers are completely immersed under the vinegar . seal the jars tightly and within 3 weeks you can start enjoying the peppers . 

Keep in a cool dry place or spare fridge if you have.(they keep well for 1 to 2 years )

once the jar is opened you must keep them in the fridge and use within 2 weeks of opening the jar for best flavor .