Aloo Gobi à la Beckham

Always on the forefront when it comes to new movies and trends, I just watched the comedy “Bend It Like Beckham” (2002) which I found enchanting. 

The DVD also provides some bonuses. One of them shows the director of the movie, Gurinder Chadha, cooking a traditional Indian recipe, Aloo Gobi, mentioned in the movie.

Aloo Gobi is a potatoes and cauliflower curry stew. The ingredients include turmeric, ginger, tomato and cauliflower, who all happen to be also powerful anti-cancer food.

Here is the recipe:

¼ cup olive oil

1 onion peeled and chopped

1 to 2 teaspoons cumin seeds, to taste

1  bunch of cilantro

2 teaspoons of turmeric

1 teaspoon salt

One green chili, cut up or 1 teaspoon of chili powder

1 can (14 oz.) of diced tomatoes, undrained

Fresh ginger, peeled and grated

Fresh garlic, chopped

1 cauliflower (or half of a big one) cut up into florets

3 large potatoes, peeled and diced

2 teaspoon of garam masala

Heat oil in the pan and fry up the onion until translucent with the cumin seeds.

Finely chop the stalks of cilantro and add to the onion with turmeric and salt.
Stir for a while, then add chili and the can of tomatoes. Stir.

Add ginger and garlic.

Add diced potatoes and florets of cauliflower, as well as a few tablespoon of water.

Cover and simmer for 20 minutes of until potatoes are tender.

Add garam masala and cilantro leaves. Turn off the heat and let stand for some time before eating.

You can also watch Gurinder Chadha cooking, with her own comments, here.

If you enjoy food from India, this is a divine dish! 

Two Christmas in December with Juliette

Working in a church, while being an active member (and the pastor’s wife) in another congregation, means having a lot on your plate, particularly before Christmas. I went from fry bread and craft sales at Indian fellowship to annual events at UPPC. I was physically exhausted but was rewarded by the encounters and discoveries that took place during those very full days.

On December 14^th, I was part of the Community Christmas day at UPPC. On that Saturday, many families in need were welcomed at church. Children had workshop to craft presents for their parents while parents would pick up gifts for them as well as festive food. I was among those that would escort the parents and we had great time of conversation and sharing. On the picture below, I am the one wearing the antlers.

Meanwhile, at church of the Indian fellowship, fry bread and craft sale was going on. Juliette, a French friend, was learning to deal with the dough and hot oil under Irvin’s direction. 

I had never met Juliette before : she is the grand-daughter of Marcel who used to work at my very first home church, le Centre Protestant de Rencontre. 

When I used to worship there, Juliette was probably 4 or 5. She is now a Medical student who just got done with her 6^th year. She travelled through the US for two months. We connected as if we had always known each other during this epic weekend.

We were both tired with sore feet when we caught up with each other. A Presbyterian Christmas the American way, you cannot make that up. 

I am prejudiced

A few years ago, Irvin and I were in Los Angeles for a conference and we visited the Museum of Tolerance – a great place to learn and reflect. 

As you start the visit, you are faced with two doors. You get to choose the one you will get through: one invites you to come in if you are a prejudiced person. The other one is for you if you are not.

Of course, the “unprejudiced door” does not open – everyone should go through the other one. We all deal with those spontaneous thoughts and biased judgments one way or another.

This memory came back to my mind last month, when I started working at University Place Presbyterian Church (UPPC) which is a strong, wealthy church, in a residential neighborhood. Over 1,400 members - many of them middle or upper class.

How does it feel to belong to a self-reliant congregation? Are you tempted to stay among your friends and not reach out to the world of needs and scarcity that lies outside?

Well, the answer is no. Members at UPPC are involved and active in many fields, helping people both locally and abroad. 

During the month of December, where I started to work there, I was surprised. Surprised? I guess I was holding some prejudice against the ability of a wealthy church to reach out. 

It did not last long – I went fast from ‘surprised’ to ‘impressed’. And since my job is to help them do just that, I should have an amazing time at UPPC. 

First blank page

“Tomorrow is the first blank page of the year of a 365 page book. Write a good one!”

This was one of the quotes I enjoyed on facebook  as the year 2013 was coming to an end. The idea of the new year as a blank canvas is inspiring…

2013 was certainly a busy, emotion-filled year. Now to new experiences! Good madness, kisses and creation, suggests author Neil Gaiman. Looks like a plan. I would add a good dose of serenity... Happy New Year!

“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art – write or draw or build or sing or live as you only can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.”  (Neil Gaiman)