September 13, 2010

Summer's wave goodbye


Don't you just love this sentiment? I fear we are definitely waving goodbye to to summer here...brrrr, it's getitng chilly and our leaves are changing color.

Image stamps from this set at FirecrackerDesigns by Pamela, sentiment from this set.

We went to a once yearly gathering at our organic CSA farm yesterday. It was potluck, which I just adore. Especially with like-minded individuals! *grin*  Not everything was vegetarian, but there was plenty of yummy things to eat. I made Moong Dal with Spinach (and Zucchini and Tomatoes), one of our favorite weeknight Indian meals. It was a huge hit and I came home with just a spoonful left in this giant soup tureen. (if you want my recipe, email me see below.)



And for ease of labeling, I use a dry erase marker to write on everything! I use it on all my glass canisters, mason jars, the fridge, etc. It just wipes off, so it's very handy! 

The boys had a blast with the other children running around, all of them wearing their galoshes I might add! Love these action shots from the Hay bale run/jump.


Doesn't it look like he's going to fall right on his face? *chuckle*

Thanks for stopping by today folks, and listening to my rambling,

Moong Dal with Spinach (serves ~6 as a meal, ~10 as a side dish)

Prep: rinse 2 c. split yellow mung beans (moong dal) and soak for 30 minutes in boiling water.

1. Heat a large pot and add some oil. (2-3 T.) 
2. When it's hot, toss in 1 1/2 t. cumin seeds, and 1/2 t. mustard seeds. Move them around until they pop and sizzle (about 20 seconds)
3. Add in about 1+ c. diced onions and cook a minute, stirring constantly.
4. Add in 1 1/2 T. ginger paste (or minced fresh ginger), and 1 T. garlic paste (or 4 cloves minced), and 1/2 t.chili paste (or one green chili seeded and diced-OPTIONAL). Cook until onions are soft.
5. Stir in 1 t. turmeric, 1 1/2 t. coriander, 1/2 t. paprika, 1 t. garam masala, and 1 T. salt ( if you use real chicken broth later on, don't add this much salt)
6. Cook until spices release aroma, about 45 seconds.
7. Toss in 4 diced tomatoes, and cook until oil begins to separate. (3 minutes)
8. Add in your soaked DRAINED mung beans, and about 6 cups of water or broth.
9. Bring to a boil, toss in many handfuls of diced zucchini, lower heat and simmer with lid on for about 20 minutes.
10. Check and stir occasionally, making sure there is enough water/broth. The dal will expand and absorb a lot of the liquid which is what we want, but you want there to be enough liquid too, We want a thick, soupy consistency, not a runny watery one.
11. When moong dal are soft and beginning to break down, 
12. Toss in a LOT of coarsly chopped spinach or a LOT of baby spinach (no chopping needed). Keep adding it beyond what you think you need. Stir and cook a few minutes until it wilts.
13. Here's where you can turn it off and let it sit for many hours if you want. The flavors will only get better.
14. When ready to serve, stir in 2-4 T. butter, 2 T. fresh lemon juice, 1 cup chopped cilantro, and serve over rice. Garnish with extra diced tomatoes and chopped cilantro.

24 comments:

Rebecca said...

Love the background on this card! The pictures of the boys are great. They look like they are going to face plant on the hay! To fun!!

Sue Ann said...

Love the card ....... especially the sentiment!! Love the soup yes I want the recipe and love the boys ....... Love it all!!!!

Karen B. said...

Great texture on that card Dana. Looks like your boys had tons of fun, well, being boys!

Sherry Eckblad said...

Beautiful card and that saying is just perfect. Our weather here is cool one day and warm the next. Trees have not started changing colors yet, but I am sure it is not far behind.
Great photos of the boys diving head first.

Lindsay said...

This card is perfect Dana! Love that texture and sentiment. My oh my that soup looks A-mazing! So glad everyone enjoyed themselves!

B said...

Oh how fun! Love the texture and LOVE that sentiment! :)

Christina said...

I love the texture on this card, and the rustic look really suits the fall theme. Oh and your dish looks amazing! I love Indian food but have never tried cooking any Indian dishes. I'm sure it was enjoyed!

Carol's Ink Spot said...

Excellent Card! Love the texture and the sentiment is fabulous! The pot luck dish you made looks so yummy! Just perfect for the fall weather.

Aimes said...

Tee hee - Galoshes! That word always makes me chuckle for some reason! They're known as 'wellies' over here! Your boys look like they had so much fun!
Sorry- I digress! Fabulous card with gorgeous colours! I love the texture and distressing!
Hugs,
Aimes
x

Keva said...

Very cute card! Love the texture. The sentiment and image work perfectly together.

I have never heard of Moong Dal, but considering we're steak and potato and pizza people, that's not so unusual. It looks yummy, though.

Your boys look like they're having fun..cool pictures.

Jessica said...

i want the recipe! LOVE Indian food! i really like your dry-erase marker labelling - very cool idea.
And this card rocks! The texture in the background is very fall, love the image, too.

~amy~ said...

LOVE your card...great sentiment and the distressing is fabbie...fun 'action' shots:)

MMmmmmm.....I love Indian food...can you pass along the recipe to me? :)

Kara said...

beautiful card...such a beautiful sentiment...makes me a bit sad though...i'm a summer girl:)

Erica said...

That is a fun sentiment and a great card! I used to love to jump on the hay bales!

Jennifer K said...

Great idea to use a dry erase marker! May have to start using that neat trick. Your boys look like they're having a super time. LOL And I love the texture of your card - I'm kind of really into texture lately. :)

Clare said...

OOooo, I love the canvas looking...paper (or canvas! lol) that you used for the center. Such a natural and clean design!
Those are also some fab pics - I can never get my camera to take action shots - they all come out blurry!

Jen Carter said...

Distressing the edges was the perfect touch to make this card look more rustic. I love that you left the branch bare and ALL the leaves are falling off! Very cute!

IamDerby said...

Beautiful card! And what cute kiddos! Love the action shots.

Alli Miles said...

I LOVE this post!!!!! Thanks so much for sharing :)

Sasya said...

fabulous card, Dana! and thanks for sharing such great photos!! :)

Tigriswillreign said...

The card is cute but pales next to that sumptuous looking dish!!! I was vegan for a year but gave it up when I got pregnant with my 3rd (she's a year old now). It's fare like this that tempts me back!! That and the disgustingness I can't help feeling when handling and preparing meat... ;)

alexandra s.m. said...

What a great Post Dana!
I adore your card and enjoyed your pictures!
Thank you for the dry-eraser trick! GENIUS!!

Cheers ~

Alice said...

simply beautiful! amazing card as always, Dana! love the photos of your kids, too! so cute! =)

MRS.BANN said...

OOOOHH...can I have the recipe please. It looks sooo good!

BTW love your blog!