Zucchini leaves saag "Greens" - Indian style

Spiced up Zucchini leaves greens (Indian style)
Galka na paan ni Bhaji (Gujarati)
Zucchini leaves Saag (Hindi) _____________________________________


Looks like Spinach or Sarso da Saag but its really Zucchini leaves.

I like to eat healthy and so lots of vegetables so I am a game for trying out new things in this realm. Last summer July 2014 my daughter did a vegetable garden in our back yard and the Zucchini plants were flourishing well. While we ate the Zucchini in different ways, someone came up with an idea to try out Zucchini leaves. So here is the recipe came up with.


1. Couple of Zucchini leaves, washed and  chopped. (the more the leaves, the better the density)
2. 1 medium/large onion, chopped
3. Garlic ginger paste - to taste
4. 1 teaspoon of Cumin seeds  (Jeera)
5. Salt to taste
6. Jalapeno to taste.
7. 1-2 table spoon oil for heating, tempering and flavoring

Method:
1. Put the chopped zucchini leaves to boil in a pan with little water, when tender turn off the heat and let it cool.
2. Try to take minimum water and put it in a blender to grind to a not so fine paste.
(If you take cupful or two at a time you may need to do it in few batches) It should not be watery so do not add any extra water while grinding.
3. Heat the oil in a pan and add cumin seeds (Jeera) for few seconds, then add chopped onion and garlic ginger paste, let it cook for a while. When onions are tender, add the ground/meshed zucchini leaves, salt and jalapeno peppers. Cook for few minutes and remove from the heat.

Eat warm with Roti (Chapati), Paratha, Naan or Pitta bread. It is tastier.

Enjoy heating healthy,

Kalpana Christian Sharma (Mrs.)
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Fathers' Day 2015 - Joe Eng, a great Piano teacher

Piano Teacher Joe Eng with our girls Narita and Stuti Sharma after their recent Piano recital

On this Fathers Day of 2015 Bharat and I want to take time to thank God for a kind, goodhearted and generous man of God, Mr. Joe Eng, whom we fondly call Teacher Joe. (Tr. Joe) He has been a committed piano teacher to our children since last 13 years.

He has been faithful to God and to what God has put on his heart for children, i.e. teaching music. He is a husband, father to nine kids, grandfather and to top it all, a strong believer in Christ, and a superb piano teacher especially to kids.

He knows how to patiently teach music to kids and connects well with parents. So not only to kids but Tr. Joe is a darling among the parents also. He is such a fun loving person, capturing kids' attention, praying for them and relating in such a sweet way that kids feel at home with him. He prays with kids before and after lessons, encourages them as a father or a grandfather would; social and friendly like Mr. Rogers' in the community.

We came to know him in Fall of 2002. Kids had a good piano teacher back home in Kenya so when we came here we were looking for a good piano teacher who would understand how kids learn. We were new in the country and home schooling, so on top of being a piano teacher, he was like "Mr. Rogers in the neighborhood" informative and helpful in connecting us with many kids' activities in the city. That has been a blessing. He also got to know us as parents and as good friends. And so he has stuck with us thru thick and thin for all these years and we are grateful to God for showing HIS steadfast, amazing and awesome faithfulness to our family thru Tr. Joe, regardless of where we have stayed near or far. He is more than a piano teacher to us, he is a grandpa figure to our kids and we appreciate him much. We continue to introduce him to other parents and kids and they too appreciate him. 

One of my best aha moments is: few years ago, when he used to come home on Saturday mornings,  I would be in the kitchen preparing "Indian snacks and brewing fresh Chai latte" that he enjoyed much; before beginning his lessons he would go on our piano and start playing an awesome classic hymn, "Great is thy faithfulness O God my Father!" oh, he would fill the house with this beautiful music and I would be so blessed, that I would have tears in my eyes because I know what that hymn means to so many of us especially during the difficult days. What an encouragement! Bharat and I have had fun times, and  praying moments as he would listen, give wise godly counsel and pray with us and for us. 

There is hope in the world we live in because there are godly men around like Tr. Joe who continue to share God's love and the grace of our Lord Jesus in practical and tangible ways, selflessly and with what they are able to give, yet giving SO much more and impacting the next generation with God's Grace, Hope and Music which are everlasting even beyond death. We know there is going to be music in heaven so what an eternal legacy God continues to build thru Tr. Joe's life!!!   

On this Father's day we honor Tr. Joe on my blog thanking God for him. We would not be able to repay him in tangible ways for his kindness and generosity to us ward but I pray God continue to shower HIS choicest blessings upon this soul, grant him good health all the days of his life on earth, provide for all his needs and carry on encouraging him to see HIS eternal rewards thru the eyes of faith.

Two verses that come to my mind are : 1 Thess 5:12 "Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other."

1 Cor. 15:28 " Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain." (NIVUK)

Have a Happy Fathers' Day every one!

In gratitude to God for godly men like Tr. Joe! THANK YOU, Tr.. Joe!

Kalpana Christian Sharma (Mrs. )

together with Bharat Sharma

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Watermelon Smoothie - simple recipe for a cold drink

Watermelon Smoothie!

My simple recipe:

1 cup or two of Watermelon pieces

1 mug of milk (about 10 oz) that is like a cup and a half! 

One or tea spoons of rose water OR Rooh Afza available from Indian grocery stores.

(Vanila Ice cream scoop) optional

On a hot and humid day like yesterday I made this simple smoothie and my family loved it.

Mix the above ingredients in a blender and blend it for few min only. You can add or lesson the ingredients quantity as per your taste and like. Also you can add the ice cream later just before serving with a leaf or two of fresh mint! ah! Enjoy the coolness!  

Kalpana Christian Sharma (Mrs.) 

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Watermelon Spiced Pickle (Indian Recipe) Tarbuch Athanu (Tarbuch/Kalinda Achar)

Tarbuch Athanu (Tarbuch/Kalinda Achar) Watermelon spicy pickle

1. Half Watermelon's skin, scrubbed inside, cut into bite-size pieces, and washed.

2. Lemon juice to soak the watermelon pieces (half the bottle) You can also use vinegar but it becomes a lot more sour with vinegar. (if you like more sour taste, by all means try it out)  

4. 1-2 cups of vegetable oil. (When putting in a jar, make it possible so that the pickle pieces will be immersed in the oil, so use discretion as you would know the quantity you would make)

3. Achar Masala pack. (available at any Indian grocery stores) (depending upon your tastes you can use between 2-5 tables spoons to a cup for half watermelon's skin. (less will make it light and more will be spicier, you choose!) 

4. Air tight containers (mason jars)

Few years ago after taking the pulp of the watermelon we used to discard off the skin. It is then that my younger daughter came up with the idea to use the watermelon skin to pickle. I thought, hey! why not try spicy pickled watermelon rinds? So here is the recipe, its simple, inexpensive and delicious.

1. Cut the left over watermelon skin, after scrubbing off the red part of it as much as you can so you are left with the white part inside and keep the top green skin as is. Chop to small edible size pieces. Wash them thoroughly and drain out the excess water.

2. Take a good generous amount of lemon juice, (you can use the 100% concentrate that comes in a bottle or fresh) Note: I used vinegar for number of times but it became more acidic and tangy so I changed to lemon juice. By all means, if you are fond of very acidic or tangy flavor, try out that as well.

3. Keep the watermelon rind pieces soaked in the lemon juice for 2 or 3 days, giving it a good stir every day at least once. You will notice the watermelon pieces becoming tender and taking in the lemon juice. Now its ready to be spiced up! Drain out and discard the lemon juice by using colander (a perforated bowl), it will keep the watermelon pieces well moistened and with sour flavor, while the juice will drain out. You will notice it is good and dry enough to coat with the spices. 

4. You can either make your own Achar masala, (as my aunt and many women did it for years and years) or you can buy ready made Achar Masala pack available in any Indian grocery store. My MIL has been sending me Apex Achar masala from India.

5. Heat a generous amount of oil in a pan. You want the pieces to be almost immersed in the oil so use your discretion. (Do not worry, if you used less oil; in a day or so after you can warm up some oil to be lukewarm and add! not a problem!) When the oil is heated, let it be slightly lukewarm.

6. Take  2-3 table spoons of the Achar Masala and add to the soured watermelon pieces (as per your taste and quantity, I have tried from 2-3 cups to almost a cup to make it more spicier!) and mix each piece well; then add the lukewarm oil.

OR (if you are like my daughters who like a "smoked" BBQ type flavor in their food, you can add the Achar masala to the heating oil and heat it up a bit! When you smell the BBQ smoked smell turn off immediately and take it down or add straight to the watermelon pieces.)

Mix it well.

7. Transfer into mason jars/air tight containers and leave it for 2-3 days. Keep shaking the jar once a day so it is mixed well. You can then keep it in a fridge and enjoy with your meals as a condiment, a tea spoon or two at at time.

When I was growing up it was said that the spiced up Indian Athanu, aka Achar, (spiced pickle) whether mango, or any other usually is made to last a year. It does last for a year or even more if you keep it refrigerated. But if you enjoy it so much, I doubt if it will last even a month! Well, the good thing is the season is here to get watermelons, eat the pulp which is good for this season, and use the skin to pickle, it is easy, and inexpensive to make many jars and refrigerate to enjoy or bless your friends and family as well, like we do. with every blessing, Happy pickling!  

© Stuti Sharma (Ms.) and Kalpana Christian Sharma (Mrs.) 

Mothers' Day 2015 - Honoring late Savita Thakorbhai Brahmbhatt (Bharat's aunt)

On this Mother's Day Bharat and I would like to honor Bharat's maternal aunt who is no more; Her name is the late Savitaben Brahmbhatt!~

  the late Mrs. Savitaben Thakorbhai Brahmbhatt
"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." Proverbs31:26

She was Bharat's materal uncle's wife. A loving, gentle, good, warm and kind-natured aunt as Bharat describes her. She had her own kids but also loved all the nieces and nephews in the same manner. It is this mothering instinct in the extended families that play a deep role in our nurturing and upbringing and so we appreciate the roles such generous aunts play in our lives.

In his own words, Bharat says: "In our childhood every summer holiday we looked forward to going to the village of Davol in India from the big city of Bombay especially because of my caring uncle and loving aunt's winsome and welcoming nature.

During our summer visits to Davol, she had always been accommodating and sweet. We were not restricted to having access to Indian spices to go along with raw mangoes. I used to admire her skill to make Rotla (Millet flour chapatis) over log fire, and churning the butter milk in those huge clay pots. Although of a petite frame, she was a woman of strength. She wore saris like all Indian women wore but as a growing child, I had this wild fantasy to one day make her wear jeans and take her for bike ride; my way of making her day!

Her motherly attractive nature was so magnetic and inviting that at the age of three I wanted to marry her. While attending a relative's wedding ceremony, I observed the bride and the groom holding hands and doing the "pheras" (going around seven times) as part of the Hindu wedding rituals; I thought it was a pretty cool game that they were playing so I insisted that my auntie Savita should do that and go around doing the "pheras" with me. I was explained that this was a serious thing about getting married, but at that young age I really threw tantrum, I wanted to marry her!"  She did not know what to do. But her husband, that is my dear uncle also loved me equally. He used to carry me on his back and take me to visit fields! So taking me as their favorite little baby nephew he insistently allowed me to do the pheras with her. Ah, the joy!! In some ways"

They all joked about it till the day she passed way! How we thank God that such gracious aunt has had a positive impact on Bharat's life.

Many years later, after our own marriage, I got an opportunity to meet her in person, in her home, while visiting India. I found her to be just as Bharat had recounted to me. A warm-hearted, kind and loving soul, welcoming me and our baby girl Narita with both arms open wide. I thoroughly enjoyed her home cooked meal, eating in an ancient Indian village manner by sitting on the floor, something that I luxuriate in and admire, and relished fellowship with her, taking in a little bit of that goodness from her life. Kindness does attract. The world is beautiful because of such sweet people that God allows to come our way and so today we honor Bharat's favorite aunt, the late Mrs. Savitaben Thakorbhai Brahmbhatt, by thanking God for her life and her loving nature.

Happy Mothers' Day to all moms and such motherly figures for the great contribution you bestow on the kids that God puts in your life. We appreciate and bless you.

Bharat and Kalpana Sharma

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Time Spent with a Kid, Waiting at the Doctor's; Today's Visit!

Time Spent With a Kid, Waiting at the Doctor's, Today's Visit;

We all know waiting time in Doctors' clinics/health centers can be boring at times. I usually carry a book to read. Today just as I read 2 pages of book "The Serpent of Paradise" by Dr. Lutzer, I noticed a little sweet girl no more than 2 or so years old playing around in the clinic and seeking someone to play with as there were no other kids.

Some One inside me prompted me, "Play with her." I saw few patients were waiting and the mom of the girl was perhaps tired of running around so I said, "Lets play." I stepped into the kid's play area just there in one corner and saw some picture books for kids. She followed me. The mother was able to see us from where she was sitting and she was happy looking at us playing. I was showing the little one pictures of Elmo, Big bird, and many other pictures of animals and things. She loved each picture especially when I put excitement in introducing each picture. The "Cookies!" "Big Bird!" "Elmo!" "Flower!" "Pitat" = (meaning "baby cat", a word that kids use)! She joined me in the excitement and repeated every word!!! When I showed her the picture of shoes, she said, "Look!" and showed me her own wee little shoes. Ah, the pleasure of playing with kids!

Then all of a sudden the words posted in our own bathroom back home echoed in my mind: "Lord Jesus, we know today you will cross our paths somehow someway, please help us to be vigilant, and to treat you well."

I do not know but seeing the girl and I having loads of fun, other patients, staff, and mom seemed happier. I told the mom that "We have home-schooled our kids and my husband owned a day care in Africa, we love kids." She was happy.

After sometime her turn came to go in, and the baby and mom happily went in. We all had a good happy feeling. Isn't it great to see kids having no barriers of ethnicity or age. They reach out to anyone willing to be friends within the safe environment. Lets not just make this world a safe place for our kids and, the future generation, let them see the "Jesus with skin on", He loved/s kids! It is said, "It takes a village to raise a kid." Lets choose to be a small/big part of that village. I am a game for it, are you? Do it just for fun! yes, do it for Jesus! Serving Him with joy, that joy gets reflected in others, and that in itself is a great reward!

Kalpana Christian Sharma (Mrs.) 

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Blessing someone with a Scriptural and a prayer encouragement

"Freely you have received; freely give."- Matthew 10:8
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."1 Thess 5:11

Yesterday i went to a local copier shop to make copies of a set of 40 day prayer cards that a couple friend has designed. It has helped me a great deal and my old set of many years needed to be replaced with a new fresh looking ones. These are available online but for my daily quick glances i like to have them in a place that i look often even in those few minutes as and when i get some time (in addition to my daily devotional time).

The friendly associate at the copier store helped me make copies but it came out 'not quite good' copies. i had already fed the machine so it was paid for. So the associate offered to use another machine and did make me better copies. The newer copies looked cleaner and better than the previous ones! i thanked him and then asked him what he was going to do with the 'not-so-perfect' copies. He said, he was going to trash it. i said, "Boy, you know this is God's holy Word, i would not want it thrown, it would not be wise." For a second he looked at me, i felt as if he was thinking, which planet is this lady from! (smile!) He was busy so as a matter of fact he informed me officially that, "If i have to walk out of the door with it, he would have to charge me." So leaving him to do his work with another customer, i went and cut my good copies of the 40 cards into individual ones for my self.

As I was cutting, "Someone" in me said, "Go ask, how much he would charge and pay him for it so you can bless someone else with it, it is not that bad." I obeyed and went to asked the associate how much he would charge me. He quickly said, "Oh! you know what, don't worry about it, you can have it." I insisted, "No, please let me how much and i will pay you." He was kind and said, "No, do not worry about it, it is fine, you can have it."

So happily, I took and went to the cutting machine to cut the cards into 40 individual cards from 4 on each page as printed. As i cut, a Voice inside me now told me to "Go and now bless that same associate who has helped you with these free copies." So i obeyed and went near the counter and first said a parting "Thank you!" When they greeted back, i went close to the associate and handing him the 40 days Prayer cards with a little handwritten note thanking him, i said, "You know what, Something in me says, I should bless you with this, if you would like to read each of them every day for 40 days, its something good to start your day with. You can have it." He was SO happy and grateful; with a sparkle in his eyes he accepted it, shook my hand, thanked me and said, he was going to keep it in his drawer and read them every day. I felt so blessed by blessing him.

We have no idea which minds God is working on, so please let us learn to be alert of that "still small voice" inside us, that nudges us to do something different for God's glory! Sharing God's Word is something beautiful you can do for anyone. Encourage someone today, you do not know who may need to hear that message!

Proclaiming Jesus to the world,
Kalpna Christian Sharma © all Copyrights reserved.  
ps. For those of you interested in these 40 days prayer-cards, here is the website of my special friends: http://inverseministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/PRAYERCARDS.pdf