Sureshwari Devi Dasi
Please note that next Sunday there will be an evening program for Sri Nrsimha Chaturdasi. The regular noon feast will not be happening. Join us at 6 pm instead, or come a little early to pitch in.
Author Archive for Sureshwari Devi Dasi
Dear friends and family,
I consider we are an association of lottery winners, Spiritual lottery winners at the Soquel Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram. We are at the beginning of kali yuga and have been gifted the association of three pure devotees: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhativedanta Prabhupada, His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj and our dearmost Srila Gurudev, His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj, who established this safe haven in Soquel where we are protected from the kali yuga world of chaos, confusion, quarrel and hypocrisy.
Through the hard work and glorious efforts of Srila Janardan Maharaj and Sripad Hasyapriya Prabhu, we have here a field for unlimited devotional service.
Now I am again managing Srimati Gandharvika’s kitchen and I need the help of all interested parties. At
Their Lordships Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Giridhari
present the cooking and supplying are covered but the cleaning is sorely lacking. What follows is a list of service opportunities with explanations and details about how often they are needed.
Please sign up for whatever suits your time and energy. Those of you who have older children are welcome to come together to do any of these services. Our ideal lives must carry some idea of permanent devotional service. Please be super benefited by accepting one of these services.
~Sureshwari Devi Dasi
–Stoves: We have 2 large stoves. The tops need scrubbing once a week and the ovens about once a month. You may sign up for one stove.
–Ramai’s stove needs to be cleaned once a week.
–The candy stove should be cleaned once a month.
Srila Prabhupada referred to the stoves as altars of the kitchen and they should be treated as such. Please take this opportunity as this is a much needed service.
Sureshwari Devi in the kitchen
–Spice shelves: Once a month dry containers and shelves need to be cleaned.
–Pot-washing room: The machine table to be scrubbed down from top to bottom and all the utensil containers need to be cleaned once a month. This involves dumping out the utensils, washing and drying the empty containers and replacing the utensils. Someone also needs to clean under the sink once a month, checking for accumulated junk, etc.
–Ramai’s Deity paraphenalia closet needs to be done every two months (brahmin preferred). Empty the closet, clean and organize.
–Windows need to be cleaned inside and out with Windex and newspaper in the pot-washing room, kitchen and prasadam hall once a month.
–Hobart machine can be cleaned every week with soap and water. This is only about a 20 minute job.
–Buckets need to be washed and dried, and also the table they rest on.
If you wish to sign up please contact Sureshwari didi at (831) 476-6505 or contact Sanatani didi at susan@toshani.com.
Nityananda Prabhu and Jiva Goswami in the Holy Dham Sri Nabadwip
All glories to Lord Nityananda who brings mercy to one and all. He begs us to serve Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
He loves us more than we love ourselves. Please welcome Him into your heart. Just a small amount of chanting will protect you from the greatest danger.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
Sixteen little words to improve your life. Participate and increase your faith! We made samosas for the Nityananda feast. Here is the recipe:
Cauliflower and Pea Samosas
- 1 cauliflower
- 2 cups frozen peas
- 4 tbsp. olive oil or ghee
- 1 tbsp. cumin seeds
- 1 tsp. chilies
- 1 tsp. hing
- 1 tbsp. cinnamon
- 1 tbsp. garam masala
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
Use a wok or a large frying pan. Heat oil. Add cumin seeds. Lightly brown. Add chilies. Wait 30 seconds. Add hing immediately. Add chopped cauliflower and peas. Sprinkle cinnamon, garam masala, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Cover for ten minutes. Remove cover. Use a potato masher to mash cauliflower and peas into a dark brown paste.
To make the dough, mix together:
- 2 cups white flower
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 3/4 cups butter
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 1 1/2 cups water to make dough soft
Roll a golf ball sized piece of dough into a circle. Cut it in half. Fold half into a triangle and seal outer edge with water. Fill with cauliflower paste. Seal edge with water. Fold over for a decorative edge. Deep fry in oil or ghee for eight to ten minutes. Serve with chutney of choice.
Another method for filling the samosas is the half-moon method. Roll dough into a circle, wet edges, fill with dough, seal edges and fry.
February 2, 2011
We are so fortunate at the Seva Ashram. All glories to Sri Sri Radha Goivnda Gandharvika Giridhari and Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu.
We are preparing for the feast of Lord Nityananda on Sunday February 5th and we just finished an elaborate lunch feast for Sri Adwaita Acharya. The favorite prep seemed to be Yellow Split Mung Beans in Tomato Sauce.
Sureshwari Devi in the kitchen
Yellow Split Mung Beans in Tomato Sauce
(serves 20 guests)
Soak overnight: 4 cups yellow split mung beans
In the morning: blend beans in least possible amount of water to make a smooth paste
Put in a bowl and add:
- 1 tsp hing
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp ground coriander
Mix well.
Heat oil for frying.
Drop batter by teaspoon into oil.
If clumps fall apart add small amount of flour.
Fry for four minutes.
Drain in a colander.
Make sauce.
Heat oil in saucepan and add:
- 2 tbsp of olive oil
- 2 tsp of hing
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 bay leaves
- 1/2 tsp all spice powder
Optional:
- 1 tsp basil leaf
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp finely chopped ginger
- 1 chili if desired
Blend 12 fresh or canned tomatoes and pour them into the heated oil and spices.
Cook for 15 minutes.
Place in serving container.
Pour sauce over mung bean clumps.
Keep warm in oven.
If you prepare this at home place a small bowl of the mung bean preparation in front of a picture of Srila Gurudev and chant the Hare Krishna mantra.
This prep is great served cold the next day.
It can make terrific sloppy Joe sandwiches with just a hint of barbecue sauce.
It can be a taco filling with some Mexican spices.
Please respond with questions and suggestions.