No time limits.
No alarm clocks.
Staying in pyjamas all day.
Playing games that last all day.
Ice cream for breakfast & weetbix for dinner.
A revolving door of friends coming & going.
Not having plans & being able to seize opportune moments.
Moulding plasticine.
Lovely easy dinner times.
Playing twister & other old style games.
Being a busy family is just that - busy. But I am determined not to miss the good bits in amongst the busy-ness. Idealistic I know...... but being aware that I need to be mindful is a start!
I try never to make dinner time a stressful event in our house. Of course this doesn't always happen- there are times when I just want them all in bed & a little bit of 'me' time. That is when a quick 'eggy dinner' or weetbix is my BEST friend!
But generally speaking I like the dinner table to be the time when most of us can sit together & share our day. Generally the littlest ones have been dispatched but not always. It's pretty hilarious hearing what the little kids highlights of the day were or their favourite joke of the day. Let's face it 4yo's cannot tell a joke- but that is what makes it so fabulous. They truly believe for that moment when all the family is listening to them take the stage-so to speak- that they are hilarious! I love giving a 4 year old the stage.
Very often it is when the eldest children get a chance to talk at their real level of maturity which is difficult to do during their busy day surrounded by younger siblings. It is the time when special thoughts are disclosed & shared. It offers an opportunity to really connect with my children in a meaningful way undistracted by other things. I like to set the table nicely & light candles (the kids LOVE this job). I get the kids to choose the music- they understand the notion of what's 'good' music for dinner & always choose great music. It shows that it is a time and place you value. I love the idea of making dinner 'an event'. It is one of the few times (if not ONLY) of the day when I sit down and take it slowly for a bit. I love to share that with my children.
Gorgeous moments to savour.
I'm not one for alot of rules in the household about what time things have to happen. It helps me. I couldn't ever be one of those mothers who washes the sheets on Thursdays & has dinner on the table at 6pm every night and everyone in bed by a certain time. Mind you I am a keen believer in well rested children so bedtime here is a lot earlier than most homes!
Getting them to bed is important. But my spirit would be crushed if I lived so closely by the clock. I would be a COMPLETE failure.......
It would feel like I was living one MONUMENTAL failed New Year's Resolution every day of my life!
I love the freedom that not having those constraints gives me. I know it's not for all - but IT REALLY SUITS ME.
I especially love it when it's Summer holidays.
I love that sometimes we look at the clock & it's already 7 o'clock and we haven't had dinner because the kids are so engrossed in their games they have forgotten to hear their tummy grumbling.
Then it's time to bust out a quick dinner that fills that space & sends them off to dreams........
My last recipe was for a Lamb Curry (Rogan Josh). Click here to take you to that post.
Today I am going to share my vegie curries that I served alongside the lamb- they are both quick & easy.
A zucchini curry & a potato curry.
The ZUCCHINI is part of the recipe sharing idea called 'The chef & the mum' & this month's ingredient. A few bloggers are sharing recipes with a selected seasonal ingredient. There are links for you to check out the other recipes at the end of my recipe.
GOURMET GIRLFRIEND'S GOODA BARTHA (ZUCCHINI CURRY)
(thanks to Charmaine Solomon and her cooking bible "The complete Asian cookbook" I have been cooking this curry since I was about 11 and still loving it!)
you will need:
- 500g zucchini cut into chunks.
- 1 medium onion
- 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon of brown mustard seeds
- 1 chili (optional)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup of water
- s & p
Finely dice the onion (or blitz it).
Add the butter to a heavy based pan. When melted add the onion & chili if u want it. Cook till translucent.
Add the mustard & cumin seeds and cook until you hear the wonderful sound of the mustard popping! By this time the cumin will have released its magical perfume too. YUM!
Now add the zucchini and stir through to coat in fabulous flavours. Add the water and pop a lid on. Cook for about 10 minutes or unitl the zucchini is cooked through.
Now get a stick blitzer and blitz the curry till it is a fabulous green puree & season. It looks beautiful.
That's it! I know it seems unusual pureeing a curry but you will not believe the wondrous flavour and how lovely it is to eat alongside other curries or just on it's own with rice & raita. It is a real favourite of my children. Especially with lovely crunchy puppadums!
GOURMET GIRLFRIEND'S INDIAN CHAT POTATOES.
what you will need:
- 500g pototoes diced into 5cm chunks (i don't peel them)
- 1 clove of garlic- crushed
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
- 1/2 bunch of fresh coriander
- juice of half a lemon (optional)
- 50g butter & a little oil (this stops the butter burning) or use Ghee
- s & p
Use a non stick pan- it will give you great results without needing much butter & oil.
On a medium heat melt butter & oil and add turmeric, cumin & mustard seeds until the mustard pops.
Add diced potatoes and fry on a low to medium till brown & cooked through. This takes about 15 minutes.
Now add the garlic and cook for about a minute & turn off the heat.
Chop the fresh coriander & stir through. Season with salt & pepper & add the lemon juice if desired. (I love to- it adds to lovely fresh flavour.)
It is a really simple & very pretty curry and like the zucchini is great as an accompaniment or as a main. You could definitely add other vegies too.
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| Rogan Josh, Gooda Bartha (zucchini curry), Chat potatoes, rice & puppadums. |
Click on the links below to check out what the other participants in "the Mum & the Chef" cooked up with their zucchini.
http://www.windsordeli.blogspot.com/
http://www.mishdelish.com/
http://www.papecancook.blogspot.com
http://www.tarisota.typepad.com/
http://www.youwantsomemore.blogspot.com/
I loved cooking to David Bowie when I first started cooking at 10 & I still love cooking to him now!
A favourite track.............ENJOY!
