Dal

Mmm…I love Indian food. I love how it tastes; I love how it smells; I love how it looks…and I love how it makes me feel when I eat it. I’ll be serving the dal over saffron infused basmati rice tomorrow. Easy to make, nutritious, and delicious.

Curried Red Lentils and Potatoes

Yield: 4-6 servings
3 tablespoons vegetable oil or clarified butter
1 small onion, peeled and diced
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon Madras curry powder
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced into 1″ cubes
1-1/2 cups red lentils
3 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
1 cup diced tomatoes, fresh or canned
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Heat the oil or butter in a small heavy saucepot over medium heat and add the onion and garlic. Sauté the onion and garlic for 5 minutes, or until translucent but not browned. Lower the heat, add the curry powder, and sauté the spices with the onions for an additional 5 minutes, stirring often and taking great care not to burn the spices. Add the potatoes and lentils; stir them to coat them with the fat and spices.
Add the chicken or vegetable broth along with the tomatoes, salt and lemon juice. Bring the liquid to a boil, lower it to a very low simmer and skim any impurities that may have risen to the surface. Slowly cook the lentils and potatoes for approximately 45 minutes, or until they are fully cooked and the lentils have begun to lose their shape and thicken the broth considerably. If it becomes too thick, simply add a desired amount of additional broth. Serve over steamed basmati rice.
Simple Madras-Style Curry Powder
Yield: 1/2 cup
3 tablespoons ground cumin
3 tablespoons quality chili powder
2 tablespoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground fenugreek
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Mix all the spices thoroughly and store away from direct sunlight in a jar with a tight fitting lid.

>Dal

>Mmm…I love Indian food. I love how it tastes; I love how it smells; I love how it looks…and I love how it makes me feel when I eat it. I’ll be serving the dal over saffron infused basmati rice tomorrow. Easy to make, nutritious, and delicious.

Curried Red Lentils and Potatoes

Yield: 4-6 servings
3 tablespoons vegetable oil or clarified butter
1 small onion, peeled and diced
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon Madras curry powder
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced into 1″ cubes
1-1/2 cups red lentils
3 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
1 cup diced tomatoes, fresh or canned
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Heat the oil or butter in a small heavy saucepot over medium heat and add the onion and garlic. Sauté the onion and garlic for 5 minutes, or until translucent but not browned. Lower the heat, add the curry powder, and sauté the spices with the onions for an additional 5 minutes, stirring often and taking great care not to burn the spices. Add the potatoes and lentils; stir them to coat them with the fat and spices.
Add the chicken or vegetable broth along with the tomatoes, salt and lemon juice. Bring the liquid to a boil, lower it to a very low simmer and skim any impurities that may have risen to the surface. Slowly cook the lentils and potatoes for approximately 45 minutes, or until they are fully cooked and the lentils have begun to lose their shape and thicken the broth considerably. If it becomes too thick, simply add a desired amount of additional broth. Serve over steamed basmati rice.
Simple Madras-Style Curry Powder
Yield: 1/2 cup
3 tablespoons ground cumin
3 tablespoons quality chili powder
2 tablespoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground fenugreek
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Mix all the spices thoroughly and store away from direct sunlight in a jar with a tight fitting lid.

The Bicycle City



There are so many bad or negative stories in the news everyday that it’s really nice and inspiring when I come across the positive stuff…like this short clip. It’s a trailer for an upcoming documentary about an organization–Pedals for Progress–that donates bikes (by the hundreds and thousands) to impoverished countries to help change peoples lives. I was going to tell you more about it but it would be better if you just watched the clip and/or visited the site.

From their web site:  The Bicycle City is the story of the struggle, determination, idealism, and hope that has brought about the transformation of an entire society.

Pedals For Progress
The Bicycle City

>The Bicycle City

>



There are so many bad or negative stories in the news everyday that it’s really nice and inspiring when I come across the positive stuff…like this short clip. It’s a trailer for an upcoming documentary about an organization–Pedals for Progress–that donates bikes (by the hundreds and thousands) to impoverished countries to help change peoples lives. I was going to tell you more about it but it would be better if you just watched the clip and/or visited the site.

From their web site:  The Bicycle City is the story of the struggle, determination, idealism, and hope that has brought about the transformation of an entire society.

Pedals For Progress
The Bicycle City

Soup…the original comfort food.

“There is nothing like a plate or a bowl of hot soup, its wisp of aromatic steam making the nostrils quiver with anticipation, to dispel the depressing effects of a grueling day at the office or the shop, rain or snow in the streets, or bad news in the papers.”
– Louis P. De Gouy The Soup Book, Dover Publishing, 1974

I enjoy making soup almost as much as I do bread…it’s super nourishing and inexpensive to make (it’s also one of the oldest prepared foods). And I was thinking this as I was making 20 gallons (75L) of vegetable soup today at my place of employment.  Thankfully a couple of my cooks cut and diced all the vegetables (and made the broth)…I just made the soup (thanks Steve and Sam!). Anyhow I thought I’d post a simple recipe.

To read the article where this recipe was originally published, click here; to read another article I wrote on soup/broth making, click here; to read other posts on this blog relating to soup, click here; and–finally–to read an excellent article on soup making in the New York Times by Mark Bittman, click here.

Potage de Legumes
(Hearty Vegetable Soup)
Dice whatever vegetables you have on hand. Heat a small amount of olive oil or butter in a pot. When the fat is hot add the hard or sweet vegetables first (onions, celery, carrots, turnip, cabbage, fennel, etc.). Cook the vegetables for a few minutes to release their flavor, then add a chopped clove of garlic with a few herbs. Then add the softer vegetables (zucchini, tomatoes, corn, broccoli, potatoes, etc.). Stir in enough broth to cover the vegetables by a couple inches. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower it to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer the soup for about 1/2 hour, or until all the vegetables are very soft.

 

>Soup…the original comfort food.

>

“There is nothing like a plate or a bowl of hot soup, its wisp of aromatic steam making the nostrils quiver with anticipation, to dispel the depressing effects of a grueling day at the office or the shop, rain or snow in the streets, or bad news in the papers.”
– Louis P. De Gouy The Soup Book, Dover Publishing, 1974

I enjoy making soup almost as much as I do bread…it’s super nourishing and inexpensive to make (it’s also one of the oldest prepared foods). And I was thinking this as I was making 20 gallons (75L) of vegetable soup today at my place of employment.  Thankfully a couple of my cooks cut and diced all the vegetables (and made the broth)…I just made the soup (thanks Steve and Sam!). Anyhow I thought I’d post a simple recipe.

To read the article where this recipe was originally published, click here; to read another article I wrote on soup/broth making, click here; to read other posts on this blog relating to soup, click here; and–finally–to read an excellent article on soup making in the New York Times by Mark Bittman, click here.

Potage de Legumes
(Hearty Vegetable Soup)
Dice whatever vegetables you have on hand. Heat a small amount of olive oil or butter in a pot. When the fat is hot add the hard or sweet vegetables first (onions, celery, carrots, turnip, cabbage, fennel, etc.). Cook the vegetables for a few minutes to release their flavor, then add a chopped clove of garlic with a few herbs. Then add the softer vegetables (zucchini, tomatoes, corn, broccoli, potatoes, etc.). Stir in enough broth to cover the vegetables by a couple inches. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower it to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer the soup for about 1/2 hour, or until all the vegetables are very soft.

 

A Few Pics and How I Finally Figured Out My Bicycle Computer

As mentioned in a previous post I had gone on a longish ride today for exercise. Actually it was probably the longest I’ve ridden the Mundo at one time…over 22 miles (35km). I know that’s not a lot for some people (many people) but it is for me…especially when you are nearly 50 years old riding a 65lb bicycle. Anyhow, to get to my destination I had to ride through South Buffalo, which while it is part of the city proper it always feels different to me. It is separated but the rest of the city by water, railroad, and industry, thus making it feel like it’s own entity I suppose. This is also some of the oldest sections of the city and as I don’t get down here that often (especially on bike) I snapped a few photos.

Top left…General mills plant; the reason Buffalo smells like Cheerios in the morning.
Bottom left…a working class scene taken from a railroad trestle in the Valley. 
Top right..a view from the same trestle; classic old time Buffalo view…a towering grain elevator with a church in the distance.
Bottom Right…riding down Seneca street in the shadow of the Larkin Building (which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright)It’s easy to see how old these houses are by how close they sit to the street. And the street is recently re-paved…surprisingly it includes a bike lane.

Below is an image of the impressive Botanical Gardens in South Park (which is part of the Frederick Law Olmsted Park System); it sits nearly in the shadow of Our Lady of Victory Basilica.

Anyhow…this brings me to my computer. Last summer I purchased this inexpensive wireless computer (odometer). I mounted it but before I programed it I missplaced the directions…thus I don’t belive I ever had it working correctly. But joy of joy the Internet is incredible (isn’t it?). After doing a few simple google searches I came upon this page that helped me out. Now it’s easy to see (counter clockwise, starting at upper left) that I traveled a little over 22 miles and it took me nearly 2 hours total travel time (not bad for a leisurely ride on a heavy seven ft. bike). I burned almost 700 calories and my average speed was 11mph/18kmh.

I have a pipe dream of taking the Mundo on an extended trip…I’d be interested in hearing if any Mundo owners out there have taken their bikes over the road (sure would be easy to carry whatever you need).

>A Few Pics and How I Finally Figured Out My Bicycle Computer

>

As mentioned in a previous post I had gone on a longish ride today for exercise. Actually it was probably the longest I’ve ridden the Mundo at one time…over 22 miles (35km). I know that’s not a lot for some people (many people) but it is for me…especially when you are nearly 50 years old riding a 65lb bicycle. Anyhow, to get to my destination I had to ride through South Buffalo, which while it is part of the city proper it always feels different to me. It is separated but the rest of the city by water, railroad, and industry, thus making it feel like it’s own entity I suppose. This is also some of the oldest sections of the city and as I don’t get down here that often (especially on bike) I snapped a few photos.

Top left…General mills plant; the reason Buffalo smells like Cheerios in the morning.
Bottom left…a working class scene taken from a railroad trestle in the Valley. 
Top right..a view from the same trestle; classic old time Buffalo view…a towering grain elevator with a church in the distance.
Bottom Right…riding down Seneca street in the shadow of the Larkin Building (which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright)It’s easy to see how old these houses are by how close they sit to the street. And the street is recently re-paved…surprisingly it includes a bike lane.

Below is an image of the impressive Botanical Gardens in South Park (which is part of the Frederick Law Olmsted Park System); it sits nearly in the shadow of Our Lady of Victory Basilica.

Anyhow…this brings me to my computer. Last summer I purchased this inexpensive wireless computer (odometer). I mounted it but before I programed it I missplaced the directions…thus I don’t belive I ever had it working correctly. But joy of joy the Internet is incredible (isn’t it?). After doing a few simple google searches I came upon this page that helped me out. Now it’s easy to see (counter clockwise, starting at upper left) that I traveled a little over 22 miles and it took me nearly 2 hours total travel time (not bad for a leisurely ride on a heavy seven ft. bike). I burned almost 700 calories and my average speed was 11mph/18kmh.

I have a pipe dream of taking the Mundo on an extended trip…I’d be interested in hearing if any Mundo owners out there have taken their bikes over the road (sure would be easy to carry whatever you need).

Pilgrimage

OK, firstly this was not an actual pilgrimage (just thought I’d get your attention), but more of a long ride on the Mundo through South Buffalo to Lackawanna, NY with the destination of a local Basilica and Shrine. It was a beautiful day, albeit a bit chilly, and I felt like I needed some exercise (haven’t been able to swim for the past week or so because of a bruised–hopefully not cracked–rib). Anyhow, I rode to Our Lady of Victory Basilica for a couple reasons (besides wanting exercise)…one is that I like to have a destination in mind when I start out, and also I wanted to see the Father Baker Museum that I had heard about which is housed in the basement of the Church.

Before I continue I’ll offer a bit of personal and some family info. Firstly, while I am a Christian I believe that all major or True religions are legitimate and have their place. Also, I am not Catholic but have a deep respect for Catholicism. On my Dad’s side of the family, he, his parents, all of his siblings and anscestors were or are Catholic; on my mom’s side of the family, my grandfather, his parents, siblings and all of his ancestors were Catholic, but my grandmother (on my mom’s side) was Protestant…thus my mom, and her children (including yours truly) were raised Protestant. With this said, I would have difficulty living withing the restraints of Catholicism…the Church of which I am a member is part of one of the most liberal mainline denominations (UCC)…and I need that…liberal, open mind (and heart)…everyone (and I mean everyone) is welcome at our church. Anyhow, besides all that, I still find the rich tradition of the Catholic Church both mystical and moving. And at least a couple times a year I find myself sitting in the back pew of a grand old church listening at the whispering in the air echo of the stone walls…thus was the case today at OLV.

Anyhow…I’m getting off point here. What I wanted to do was highlight both this Basilica and Father Baker in this post. I was only in this church one other time (years ago) and it is truly breathtaking…and I mean that literally; it’s beauty can take your breath away. The above photos were taken as I approached the church…as it overlooks the city of  Lackawanna. After I went to museum I went to a portion of the noon Mass. The interior is even more spectacular but I did not feel comfortable taking photographs. The below picture was taken by Matt Roginski (click it for a larger view; click here to see more pictures).

Back to Father Baker. I’ve always known of his local legacy but until I went through his museum never really new how much he did. He was an incredible human being (some might even say Saint…he is in the process of being Canonized). To read more about him and his incredible life click here. 

He was said to work tirelessly for others, both literally and spiritually. One of the things that he was said to do was pray for whoever asked….and apparently a lot of people asked. But still he never turned anyone down and prayed for each person by name whenever they asked. Because of the amount of requests he carried little leather notbooks with him and would write the names of the prayer requests in them and check them off as he prayed for them. The above image is one I took in the museum; it’s one of many of his little prayer books that were on display but this one was the only one open. What immediatly caught my attention when I looked at the book–and the reason I took the photo–is the name that is sixth from the bottom…the surname looks to me to be George (my last name), but I can’t make out the first name. The George side of my family came to the USA in 1920 (I believe) and has lived in the Buffalo area ever since…I can only wonder if Father Baker (who passed away in 1936) personally prayed for one of my direct ancestors (there’s not a lot of Georges in the area).

After leaving the church it was such a beautiful day and the Mundo is such a beautiful bike to ride that I thought I’d ride some more; I rode through the graveyard directly behind the Basilica to look for Father Baker’s grave (which I’d never seen before); my grandparents are also buried in this cemetery.

I don’t believe I am morbid nor do I think I am in the minority when I say that I find cemeteries peaceful (if you’ve ever walked through Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris then you know how beautiful it can be…not to mention the history). Anyhow, after finding Father Baker’s grave I passed the teeny little chapel pictured below. And no they are not Photoshopped; the photos are not edited. When I raised my cheap little camera the sun glared into the lens but I still snapped a few photos…below are the results.

>Pilgrimage

>

OK, firstly this was not an actual pilgrimage (just thought I’d get your attention), but more of a long ride on the Mundo through South Buffalo to Lackawanna, NY with the destination of a local Basilica and Shrine. It was a beautiful day, albeit a bit chilly, and I felt like I needed some exercise (haven’t been able to swim for the past week or so because of a bruised–hopefully not cracked–rib). Anyhow, I rode to Our Lady of Victory Basilica for a couple reasons (besides wanting exercise)…one is that I like to have a destination in mind when I start out, and also I wanted to see the Father Baker Museum that I had heard about which is housed in the basement of the Church.

Before I continue I’ll offer a bit of personal and some family info. Firstly, while I am a Christian I believe that all major or True religions are legitimate and have their place. Also, I am not Catholic but have a deep respect for Catholicism. On my Dad’s side of the family, he, his parents, all of his siblings and anscestors were or are Catholic; on my mom’s side of the family, my grandfather, his parents, siblings and all of his ancestors were Catholic, but my grandmother (on my mom’s side) was Protestant…thus my mom, and her children (including yours truly) were raised Protestant. With this said, I would have difficulty living withing the restraints of Catholicism…the Church of which I am a member is part of one of the most liberal mainline denominations (UCC)…and I need that…liberal, open mind (and heart)…everyone (and I mean everyone) is welcome at our church. Anyhow, besides all that, I still find the rich tradition of the Catholic Church both mystical and moving. And at least a couple times a year I find myself sitting in the back pew of a grand old church listening at the whispering in the air echo of the stone walls…thus was the case today at OLV.

Anyhow…I’m getting off point here. What I wanted to do was highlight both this Basilica and Father Baker in this post. I was only in this church one other time (years ago) and it is truly breathtaking…and I mean that literally; it’s beauty can take your breath away. The above photos were taken as I approached the church…as it overlooks the city of  Lackawanna. After I went to museum I went to a portion of the noon Mass. The interior is even more spectacular but I did not feel comfortable taking photographs. The below picture was taken by Matt Roginski (click it for a larger view; click here to see more pictures).

Back to Father Baker. I’ve always known of his local legacy but until I went through his museum never really new how much he did. He was an incredible human being (some might even say Saint…he is in the process of being Canonized). To read more about him and his incredible life click here. 

He was said to work tirelessly for others, both literally and spiritually. One of the things that he was said to do was pray for whoever asked….and apparently a lot of people asked. But still he never turned anyone down and prayed for each person by name whenever they asked. Because of the amount of requests he carried little leather notbooks with him and would write the names of the prayer requests in them and check them off as he prayed for them. The above image is one I took in the museum; it’s one of many of his little prayer books that were on display but this one was the only one open. What immediatly caught my attention when I looked at the book–and the reason I took the photo–is the name that is sixth from the bottom…the surname looks to me to be George (my last name), but I can’t make out the first name. The George side of my family came to the USA in 1920 (I believe) and has lived in the Buffalo area ever since…I can only wonder if Father Baker (who passed away in 1936) personally prayed for one of my direct ancestors (there’s not a lot of Georges in the area).

After leaving the church it was such a beautiful day and the Mundo is such a beautiful bike to ride that I thought I’d ride some more; I rode through the graveyard directly behind the Basilica to look for Father Baker’s grave (which I’d never seen before); my grandparents are also buried in this cemetery.

I don’t believe I am morbid nor do I think I am in the minority when I say that I find cemeteries peaceful (if you’ve ever walked through Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris then you know how beautiful it can be…not to mention the history). Anyhow, after finding Father Baker’s grave I passed the teeny little chapel pictured below. And no they are not Photoshopped; the photos are not edited. When I raised my cheap little camera the sun glared into the lens but I still snapped a few photos…below are the results.

Evolution

My son bought me this sticker yesterday…it made me smile. I’ve seen it before but because my son bought it for me it seems extra special. I’m not sure yet where I’ll place it. He–like his father–has a good sense of humor, albeit a bit dry. If I put it on the bumper of my truck, he commented, it would seem wrong because I wasn’t on one of my bikes. But if I put it on my bike…well it’s just too obvious.  🙂

>Evolution

>

My son bought me this sticker yesterday…it made me smile. I’ve seen it before but because my son bought it for me it seems extra special. I’m not sure yet where I’ll place it. He–like his father–has a good sense of humor, albeit a bit dry. If I put it on the bumper of my truck, he commented, it would seem wrong because I wasn’t on one of my bikes. But if I put it on my bike…well it’s just too obvious.  🙂