My husband once told me that when flying a plane the pilots have a special diet. It has to be nutritious and light. Hence a preacher, in his opinion should also eat light nutritious meals. I agree that it is very difficult to focus nicely when the belly is too full.
Taking the above into consideration i made: Zucchini, celery, chickpeas in tomato gravy and garnished with small blocks of cheese and home made bread.
Subji Ingredients:
3 stalks of celery
1 small try of zucchinis
1 cup of boiled chickpeas
2 tomatoes blended into puree
pinch of hing
salt to taste
1/2tsp cumin seeds
1/2tsp tumeric powder
fresh crushed ginger to taste
1tsp ghee/olive oil
Method: Chaunce spices ie. hing, cumin seeds, ginger and tumeric powder. Add all vegetables and salt and slow cook until vegetables are tender. Offer to Krishna and serve!
Bread:
2 and half cups of brown bread flour
2 and half cups of white flour
1tsp salt
2 tbl sp brown sugar
1 sachet instant yeast
1/3 cup oil
500mls of luke warm water
Method: Mix salt, sugar and yeast together. Add both flours. Make a well in the centre and add oil. Mix and add water gradually to make soft pliable dough. Leave to stand for 1 hr. Turn on oven. Reknead the dough and form into loaf in loaf tin that is greased. Bake at 180 degrees for exactly40 mins. Remove from pan and cool then store in airtight container. Offer and serve!
Above a child recipient of the mercy relishes every grain of the sumptuous breyani prasad he just received from the devotees.
Vrajabalaba on mrdanga is seen above. His hands are always trying to recover from blisters derived from playing the mrdanga.
Above are bystanders. The lady clapping is from Cape town, another province. She asked me for a book and later took prasad after clapping a lot during the kirtan. Young and old relished the prasad.
Above left, facing the camera is Lokanath Prabhu who arranges harinam in different places every month. He is also a very good book distributor and a humble friend to all. Partha Sarathi( of Battle field bhajans) was there also. He distributed many donated books that were well received. Bhima Prabhu always adds a special flavor to kirtan with his accordion and bright smiles. Nrsimhananda Prabhu makes every one dance with his chanting.
Adding festive color to the occasion were the enthusiastic matajis in their pretty saris. Many people were amazed by this glorious site.
Arjunacarya, his two daughters and Mother Krsna-laya and her two daughters brought the hot sumptuous breyani, neatly presented in stainless steel containers. They brought smiles to many a face by handing out plates of prasad.
Above a lucky candidate poses with his double dose of mercy, a book and prasad while the kirtan continues to permeate the atmosphere. Mahaprabhu gave a talk in the local dialect to the gathered crowd and was well received. The experience reinforced the fact that together we can make a difference, a tangible impact on the lives of others by distributing Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya's mercy! May you the reader feel enthused by the example.
