Christmas Decoration(toran)

 

This year Mama made a different above door hanging,we bought this silver ribbon with cross design,there was not much of a choice at the store.Mama stitched bells and there our door hanging was ready, Used as a Toran, especially in Indian culture,to welcome a guest on  joyous festivals.

The Toran just above our main door

Christmas Bell

Mama said it's time to bring out the stored decorations and put up the Christmas Tree and decorate the home.As we sorted out we wanted to throw out some discolored bells. After an afterthought Mama suggested we could paint them. Aha that's what we exactly did.

The lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return. 

Kindly read this passage  (Exodus 28:31-35)  in the Bible  

our painted bells on the Christmas tree

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The symbols of Christmas

Christmas is the celebration of the birthday of Jesus Christ. The occasion promises life, enthusiasm, love, care, affection and family bond.

As we were putting up up our Christmas Tree, Mama said we should know why we are using these decorations. So here is what we learn't. 

Paper Mache(papier mache) bought in Kashmir

 The Star: A heavenly sign of prophecy fulfilled thousands of years ago, reflecting our thanks for the Star of Bethlehem. A beautiful example of light, as a symbol of the coming into this world. 

 bell bought at our local market

The Bell:  The sound of bells at midnight Mass, announces the birth of Christ on earth. Ringing the bell symbolizes medium between heaven and earth.

Alrich brother decorated this candle

The Candle:  represents Jesus guiding us from darkness of the world. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. And Jesus said to us, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

The Candy Cane: The shape of candy cane is letter ‘J’ which stands for Jesus; Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd. It also represents the shape of the shepherd's staff, used to bring lost lambs back to the fold.

Mama's last years handmade wreaths

The Wreath:  A symbol of the never-ending eternal value of love. The wreath has no beginning and no end it symbolizes at Christmas that the love of God never ends. the circular shape of the wreath represents God, with no beginning and no end.

Gifted by Uncle Francis

The Gift Bow:  we should all be tied together in bonds of goodwill always.

Imitation of the Poinsettias in our vase

The Poinsettia: The Bright, flaming red, star-shaped leaf pattern Poinsettias symbolizes the star of Bethlehem. The Mexicans call it the "flower of the holy night," and associate it with a story about a little girl who cried on her way to church on Christmas Eve because she had no gift to bring. So she took this wild flower while passing by the road.Also known as the Flame Leaf, it’s the famous beloved Christmas flower in American cities. 

Decorating the Tree at home

The Christmas Tree: Always Evergreen, shows everlasting life.  The needles point up to heaven and the constant presence of God.

Mama's handmade Christmas decoration on the tree

The Gift:  What gift should we give baby Jesus, this is what we should be asking ourselves, what should he deserve from us? Christmas is a time giving,receiving gifts. 

The only gift is a portion of thyself (Ralph Waldo Emerson). I love and will remember this quote for a very very long time.

Gulab Jamun

Figo was after Mama to prepare Gulab Jamun, she prefers the Gits ready made Packet. Well Mama saw to it that we helped her in preparing it..

Once ready i took these pictures.

Some tips from Mama
when you give the round shape to the kneaded dough see that it has a smooth texture and no cracks/lines
and please oil your palms.

when you deep fry the gulab jamun see the flame on the burner is high and then reduce it to medium or low.

The sugar syrup should not be watery.

 

Some jamuns in this bowl which don't have the smooth texture were rolled out by us kids.
But they turned out to be simply very delicious. It seems they may be called as waffle balls in English.

The Tomato Shev Bhaji/Tamata Nu Saak

Tea time, is generally Mama's favourite time, she prepared the tasty tomato shev bhaji .

The first time we ate this was at the Gujrati Katiawadi dhaba on vasai highway. Thereafter, we have been a few more times there.

It’s nice that Mama attempted to try this dish, now we make it very often.Do try this Recipe

Ingredients

8 big ripe Tomatoes(finely cut)

2 large onions (finely cut)(optional)

1&1/2 tsp Mustard seeds /Rai

2 tsp Cumin seeds (jeera)

1tsp garlic paste

3 or 4 tsp Chilli powder (more if you want it very spicy)

3/4 tsp Turmeric 1 tsp

8/10 chopped Curry leaves  

1tsp Dhania(coriander) powder

4/6 tsp Jaggery(Gur)

2 pinch  asafoetida

Oil 2 tblsp

salt to taste

Cilantro and shev for the topping.

Method

Heat oil in a deep bottomed pan and add mustard seeds and let it splutter,add the cumin seeds add hing and curry leaves. Add the onions,saute till transparent,add the garlic paste sauté again now add the tomatoes, chilli powder,turmeric powder,dhania powder and salt as per taste.Add 1 cup of water and jaggery. Cover the pan with a lid and let it cook till the tomatoes are cooked to a mash. Add more water if need for a consistent gravy`

The sweet and spicy at the same time is amazing. Enjoy eating with paratha or chapatis.We all love it.

The delicious tomato vegetable.

  

Gavar ki sabji (Cluster Beans)

Cluster beans
( guar phalli, goru,chitkimitki chikkudu,  kothavara)

 Ingredients

 250 gms cluster beans

1 onion
1 tomato
1 tsp cumin seeds(jeera)
1/4 pinch of hing (asafoetida)
1/4 tsp tumeric powder (haldi)
1/2 tsp coriander powder
 5/6 nos curry leaves
2 Green chillies
1 tbsp of ginger-garlic paste
Salt for taste

Wash well, cut the ends of the vegetable, see that you strung the sides and remove the threads.

Break or cut it into one inch size pieces.

Heat the kadai with 1tbspn cooking oil,

splutter the cumin seeds(jeera)

add asafotedia (hing),

add  and fry the ginger-garlic paste

then add chopped onion and saute for a minute

add the slit green chillies and saute it for about 1 min,

add the chopped tomatoes (used to tone down the bitterness)

Mix in curry leaves, add coriander powder, saute again

add the vegetable with 1/2 cup water 

cook till done, dont forget the salt.

cook the vegetable on medium  to low heat.

Do not overcook

(Optional add ajwain when dish is almost done, it gives a flavour and helps in digestion)

It can be prepared in different other ways, surely shall post when Maa cooks the variant.

its rich in iron,calcium and folic acid,

Enjoy the vegetable with chapati

Its rich in protein and dietary fibre ,health benefits shown in cholesterol,colitis
also good for weight control and diabetes .

The Bhindi (OKRA)

I love The bhendi /bhindi/ also know as okra or ladies finger vegetable.
No doubt the chef at home is my Maa. Here is  the recipe she cooked.


Guidelines
Thoroughly wash and dry bhindi properly with the kitchen handtowel.
Cut the stalk and tip ends.
Cut it length wise or the way you prefer

           Ingredients

• 500 gm.  bhindi
• 1 large onion, 
• 1 heaped tsp. grated ginger(optional)
• 4 cloves of garlic, sliced, crushed or grated
• green chillies cut or sliced.
• tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• A  pinch of asafoetida or hing
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
•  1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tbs. cooking oil( as per requirement)
• juice of half a lemon(optional)
• Salt to taste

Method

Take a broad, shallow pan. Heat oil in over a medium heat. Splutter cumin seeds. Add the green chillies and garlic ,fry a few seconds.Add onion and saute till translucent.Add the other spices except tomato, mix well. Add the bhendi vegetable and mix well,  cook for few mins, stir in between and now add tomatoes before the veg is completely cooked, also add salt to taste. once the tomatoes and vegetable is completely cooked. Its done.Bhindi on low-to-medium heat.

Nutrition of this recipe
Calories = 100
Dietary Fiber = 8 to10 gms
Protein = 30 to 35 grams
Carbohydrates = 12 grams
Vitamin A = 920 IU
Vitamin C = 26 mg
Folic acid = 71.5 micrograms
Calcium = 400 mg
Iron = 0.40 mg
Potassium = 1000 mg
Magnesium = 400 to 450 mg
The above guideline is just to know the benefits. For perfect counts kindly consult your dietician or family doctor.


To avoid sliminess, Bhendi is briefly stir-fried or cooked with acidic ingredients such as tomatoes,  vinegar, lemon juice.

I love this non toxic vegetable full of nutrients

Health benefits
Bhindi  stabilizes blood sugar as it controls the rate of sugar being absorbed from the intestinal tract.
Okra's mucilage lower's cholesterol.