This Monday marks the last day of Summer. With Fall on the way our thoughts have been turning to warm clothes and of course stews. I always find there are certain foods we associate with different times of year or weather. With things getting cooler, for some reason we always think of Indian food. For tonight our trio has invited Jennifer to join us.
To start, since it is still officially summer, and we still have fresh tomatoes, from the garden, we made an Indian Cream of Tomato Soup, with yellow tomatoes from the garden.
With the yellow tomatoes the soup came out a little more pale that we expected, but the flavours were wonderful.
We served the main course family style, so everyone can try everything and then go back for their favorites. The choices included Royal Lamb Korma, Chicken TIkka Masala (with chicken that was grilled outside on skewers), Steamed Shrimp with Mustard Seeds, Baingan Achari (Eggplant fried and stewed with Indian pickling spices), Basmati RIce and Naan.
After we ate, I think we all looked at each other and thought “How am I going to make it through rehearsal now?” There is something comforting about the subtle indian flavours, that just makes me want to have a little more… and maybe just one more taste….
For dessert we decided to have some fun and make Rasmalai. It consists of Chhena, or cheese curd, formed into balls, with a little semolina and rose essence, that are very gently simmered in a sweet syrup, flavoured with cardamom pods. The Chhena balls then have a cream, milk pistachio and cardamom mixture poured over. This recipe is also referred to as Squeaky Balls, because when you bite into them, they feel squeaky on your teeth.
Rasmalai and herbal tea make for a very relaxing finish to a meal. The subtle flavours of the chhena, spices and nuts, with the fragrance of the tea, just belong together. Now where was it we belong shortly? Pax Christi Chorale rehearsal, that’s where. Although I love singing and the rehearsal process, there are evenings, when I wish we didn’t have to rush off, and could just stay and chat (maybe have another glass, or a jam session). I looked up the boys that will be singing with us, from the Aslan Boy’s Choir and we can’t let these guys down, so rehearse we shall. The Elgar piece we are working on (There is Sweet Music) I am really enjoying, and the Martin (And as I Wake) is a joy to sing. The concert is coming together nicely for Oct 19th.
I think with friends and aromatic stews, I am looking forward to fall…. And I do love those fall colours.
S & D: I’m just back from a conference on Music and the Mind at McMaster University. I’m a bit dizzy after all those science papers, so I’m looking forward to the simple joys of breaking bread with you tomorrow night – though the meal looks far from simple!