Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Valentine's Day

 Happy Valentine's Day...I hope yours was lovely....we worked together as usual. Had the odd melt down but generally a smooth and busy day getting things packed, counted, new stitch ideas played with and etc. Another big day at the workshop. Big excitment was sending off the first parcel of Zac's watts wright designs to a shop in Melbourne Australia. Yippee!! fingers crossed for us all.
Next plan for us is to start getting more items photographed and up on websites.


Our stuff is now relaibley good, Stitching Ladies are doing well....new skirts for Tasty Old Chooks just been given onto the ladies of Banseli village to work on....a bit of a sneak priview.
Nothing too challenging to stitch but important to follow the sample colour scheme. Focus needed. I know the Ladies can do it but here people need some encouragement to maintain focus and some jsut freak out at something new.

Comfortable a line skirt in heavy handloom. The great thing about the handloom is it breathes so this skirt will work well in summer with sandles or with a pair of leggings and boots be fabulous for winter.
Length is just below the knee...usually even if you have a big bum like me the calves are good....so I think this skirt will be flattering to women and set off with the right outfit a sharp looker.
Oh cooking....flattering thing happened yesterday- don't know what will come of it but I take it as a compliment. A TV company based in Mombai contacted us- they are working on a new show about travel and cooking and wondered if we might like to be featured. Sounds good need to find out more info of course.
So sat on the steps peeling peas last night day dreaming. Peeling peas always reminds me of my grandmother Charlton, the person I most like to emulate, my Nan. She always cooked with love and I learnt so much from her.
I have been doing a real big bout of research into dals or legume dishes of late. We eat mostly vegetarian becuase it tastes good, is easier- buying meat entails driving for more than an hour and it is also much healthier. In India the variety of driend legumes is astounding and each has quite a distinct flavour and texture so you are never bored thinking same old, same old.
Last night though it was fresh peas in the spot light, being winter time they are readily available [and much cheaper than last year by some miracle] and so delicious. At a pinch you could use frozen but nothing beats the 15 minutes peace and daydreaming of podding peas and nothing beats the sweet texture they have.
Here is a simple recipe to set them off. This is an Indian Andhra style recipe
Peas in a Yoghurt Sauce.
1. sizzle in a little oil
  • 1 t cumin seeds
  • 1 cm cinnamon stick
  • 4 cloves
  • 1 t husked urad dal [if you have it or red lentils]
  • 1 t mustard seeds
  • 5 black peppercorns
2. throw in pounded and gently fry off
  • 3 or 4 garlic cloves
  • few green chillies [to taste]
  • 1 " ginger
  • 2 finelyy chooped onions
3. add and let cook a little to soften everything
  • 1 t red chilli powder
  • 1/2 t tumeric
  • 2 finely chopped tomaotes
4. add and gently cook until ready
  • 1 and 1/2 cups fresh peas
  • 1/2 cup yoghurt
  • 1 t gir/sugar cake or palm sugar or brown sugar or white sugar
  • perhaps a little water
  • salt as needed
5. serve scattered with fresh corriander leaves.

a big yum to you :)!

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