My friend Raakhee hails all the way from Zambia, Africa - a real African Indian! I'm not entirely sure how she ended up in Northern Illinois but I'm not complaining, she's cool and she certainly keeps me sane and awake at work. Raquel hails from... all over the place - Brazil, Iowa, Florida... she is what I would deem a "Third-Culture Kid" (Martin is one too, one day I'll write more about this). The last lady is not shown but I sometimes think of her as my office mom - a cute Filipino lady with a bald head (her choice!) and some serious sass. |
I heard a sermon recently about Spiritual Friendships - it said that the human longing for friendship is not only a normal thing but a good thing. We were made for it. How strange it is to be in this stage in life and feeling so confused and torn, wondering if what I feel is part of growing up or the opposite, immaturity. I often want to silence this need for needing people thinking that I will be okay if I just get on with the day-to-day and not have to worry about anything else. But how boring would that make life? How trivial? Now that I've moved away from NC I realize the utter importance and desire for something deeper, more meaningful in my life.
All this to say - yay for friends :)
And without further ado, a recipe (from Raakhee):
Mattar Paneer (peas & paneer cheese):
1. Cut 2 blocks of paneer cheese (looks like tofu) into 1/2" cubes
2. Fry paneer in a large flat pan, when brown one on side flip. Once done plate on napkin.
3. Temper cumin seeds (1 heaping Tbsp), a pinch of mustard seeds, and turmeric for color
4. Add finely chopped onions, add additional coconut oil, and continue sauteeing on low heat for a very long time until onions are translucent
5. Add 2 big spoons of ginger-garlic paste and continue to cook
6. Add chopped green chili (to your liking), 1 Tbsp ground cumin, and 2 Tbsp garam masala
7. Add 4 finely ground tomatoes (done in a food processor)
8. Add paprika for color, continue to slow simmer
9. Let simmer until oil rises to the top ** (KEY! Takes FOREVER...)
10. Add fried paneer and froze peas, keep on low heat
11. Add water, continue to simmer on low heat until all flavors meld together
12. Enjoy with naan or rice :)