Matar Paneer: (Peas and Paneer curry) by Dipti Patel (Gluten Free and Vegan) This is one of the easiest and tastiest Matar Paneer recipes in my opinion. Many of my Waldorf friends have enjoyed this when my children were part of the Waldorf School of San Diego for years. This is traditionally not Vegan however the last few years I have made it Vegan and I will include that as well. For 4 full servings Need/Ingredients: 1. One large onion diced (Dungadi/Kaando) 2. 6 Medium tomatoes diced (Tameta) 3. 1 tbsp Olive oil 4. 1 small Cinnamon stick (Tuj) 5. 3 cloves (Laving) 6. 6-7 whole black peppers (Mari) 7. 3 Star anis (Badiya) 8. 1 cup heavy whipping cream or Coconut cream for Vegan option 9. 1 cup frozen peas 10 . 1 cup diced paneer chunks (you can buy these ready made or you can buy a block of Paneer from a Indian store and dice it in small cubes then saute them gently until slightly brown with 2 tsp of olive oil and turn then let it cool while you prepare the gravy). or 1 cup diced extra firm Tofu chunks 11. 1 Tablespoon Patak hot curry paste (You can find this at Ralphs, Safeway, Vons or any Indian store) 12. Salt to taste (2tsp or more) 13. 1 tbsp chopped green Cilantro for garnish. 14. 8 oz. Stainless steel or nonstick pot 15. Blender. I use Vitamix but any blender works 16. Ladle and spatulas to mix. Method/How to cook: 1. Take a 8 oz. round nonstick pot. 2. Add the oil, clove, cinnamon stick, black peppers, star anis and cook on medium to high heat till brown. 3. Throw in the diced onion and cook for 2-5 minutes till it becomes slightly brown 4. Add diced tomatoes to this mix and cook for 3-5 more minutes. 5. Turn the heat off and let the mixture cool for 2-5 minutes. 6. Then add the mixture to the blender and blend it all finely. 7. Add the blended mixture back to the pot and add salt, Patak paste and cook for 2 more minutes. 8. Add the frozen peas and cook for another 5 minutes. 9. Add the paneer cubes and the whipping cream and cook the pot on medium heat for 5-8 more minutes. 10. Taste and add more salt if needed. 11. Let it cool and garnish with Cilantro. ***This is normally accompanied with Jeera Rice-Cumin Rice(Check the recipe for this below) or Paratha(Flaky tortilla bread) or Naan*** Onion and Jalapeno salad to accompany Matar Paneer and other Punjabi dishes: Need: 1. Medium onion sliced 2. 2 Jalapeño sliced long 3. 1tsp salt 4. 1tsp lemon juice Method: Mix all the ingredients together in a small glass bowl #MATARPANEER #paneer #curry #peasandcarrot #recipe #recipes #gujaratifood #cooking

5 ways to improve communication in your family Our families are like a beautiful, colorful, radiant garden. There are roses, jasmines, tulips, orchids, lilies with gorgeous colors and scents. They all grow differently and are all beautiful on their own. The Garden as a whole is alive because of all the beauty from all of these different and unique flowers. In a family we are all different and unique. In a garden, you can not ask a rose to be a tulip so that there can be more tulips or vice versa. This is also true in a family, we must learn to love and accept who we are without expectations of changing others. For generations, Indian families have been patriarchal and women have been submissive. However in the last few years this has changed dramatically. What has not changed is being able to communicate clearly without disrespecting or breaking any cultural boundaries. We are taught to not talk back to our elders, or that our elders in the family know whats best for us because they have experience and are wiser. This sometimes has a very negative effect as when you are being mistreated or you don’t agree with someone older in your family you are afraid to speak up. There is no disrespect in speaking your mind and voicing your opinion. I am still working on this one however here are few things that have worked for me. 1. Your voice matters: You can always speak up with respect and kindness. When you disagree with something or someone do not hesitate to say what or how you feel. You can always begin with , “I love and respect what you are saying, I also think we can do it this way and it may not be what you have been doing but this is certainly ok as well.” you end with, “I know we can figure it out so that we both feel at peace”. Doesn’t mean you both will be at peace but your efforts towards creating peace are never wasted. 2. Drop the power struggle: Look it is not about who is right and who is wrong? The part about communication I am learning is that before you get mad or feel frustrated, think why and where is the other person coming from? Somedays it is ok to drop what you think of how it should be and allow the other person to feel like they are right. It is ok to be wrong because the part of you that feels hurt is the ego, its not you! 3. Firmness with kindness: As parents we want our kids to listen to us as we know what is best for them, however I can be demanding or I can be firm and kind at the same time. If things don’t get done right away, don’t take it personally however hold firm boundaries about the consequences. 4. Break the gender barrier: Many Indian families the daughter in laws will not speak up to father in laws because of the imposed respect barrier. We no longer live in those times. Speak up gently and share what you must. You may create a wonderful loving relationship here. 5. Clean and loving intentions: I too have to keep all of these pointers in mind and do I always follow them? No. However it is great to remind myself frequently that my intention is to never harm others with my words or deeds! #desiparenting #desi #parenting #communication #family

Pick bread of your choice, I like sourdough or French bread Smear the butter over the bread Then smear the green chutney (cilantro, garlic, jalapeño, minced together with some salt, oil and lemon added to it) evenly Layer the veggies - Boiled potatoes, beets, and raw onion, cucumber, bell pepper and then tomatoes Sprinkle a generous amount of chaat masala or sandwich masala Put the other slice of bread and grill the sandwich Add the shredded Amul cheese and some laal marchoo over it Stay connected for more recipes, Gujarati culture topics , and language learning tools! #bombaysandwich #sandwich #recipes #recipe