None But Ourselves Can Free Our Minds . . .

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Red Lentil Dhal

Ingredients:

8-10 ounces of Dry Red Lentils
4 cups of Filtered Water
1 tsp Sea Salt
2 tbsp Ghee (sub clarified butter)
2 tsp Cumin Seeds
2 ea Bay Leaves
1 large Fine Diced Onion
4 cloves Garlic – minced
1.5 inches Ginger-grated
1 tbsp Tomato Paste

3 ea Tomatoes – diced
2 ea Serrano Chilis – whole
2 ea Serrano Chilis – sliced fine
1 tsp Sea Salt
1.5 tsp Turmeric
1 tsp Fenugreek Leaves
2 tsp Hot Indian Chili Powder
1 tbsp Garam Masala
1 bunch of Fresh Cilantro
1-2 ea Lemons

Cook the Lentils:

- - First wash the shit out of your lentils, until the water runs clear.
  - In a 3qt or better pot, add washed lentils, water, and salt.
  - Bring them to a boil, then turn them down to a quick simmer.
  - Scoop off any white foam that forms on the top.
  - Stir occasionally while prepping the masala.
  - Cook till the lentils are breaking down. (20-30 mins)

Make the Masala:

- - In a wide skillet on medium heat, bring the ghee up to temperature and add the whole cumin seeds and bay leaf.
  - Use the tip of a knife to poke holes in 2 of the whole chilis and drop them in as well.
  - Let the spices toast in the ghee till they become fragrant. (5 mins)
  - Take out the chilis and put them aside, then dump in the diced onions.
  - Increase the heat and let the onions cook down to just getting brown (5-10 mins)
  - Add the garlic and ginger, and let those cook in. (5 mins)
  - Next squirt in the tomato paste and cook that in, don’t let it burn. (2-3 mins)
  - Dump in the tomatoes and sliced chilis and let them cook down to almost a jam. (5-10 mins)
  - Add in the Salt, Turmeric, Fenugreek, and Hot Indian Chili Powder. Cook that in too. (5-10 mins)

Now for the Magic!

- - Put two big ladles of lentils into the masala, using them to deglaze the skillet.
  - Now dump the contents of the skillet into the lentil pot and stir.
  - Sprinkle in the Garam Masala and slowly simmer for a few minutes to let everything incorporate.
  - Turn off the heat and stir in 80% of the cilantro (roughly chopped).
  - Salt and lemon to taste.
  - Garnish with fresh cilantro and one of them ghee-fried chilis.

Serve over rice, or with naan, or in a bowl with a big spoon.

Current

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Kara & Nate do Lisbon 2017

Grays Papaya in the Village is no more . . .

Truly a sad, sad day. The cultural and gastronomical landmark Gray’s Papaya in the Village is no more.

grayspapaya

No more of my favorite guilty pleasure.
No more burning the roof of your mouth with steaming hot doggy wonderfulness, only to cool it seconds later with the cool sweet rush of yummy papaya juice from a plain styrofoam cup.
No more “snappy” service.
No more feeling superior to tourists who don’t know how to order.
No more positioning yourself at just the right angle so as to have your own private counter space no matter how crowded.
No more catching the flipped nickel from the cashier after getting the “Recession Special” and paying with a five.
No more scowling at the horrid people who put ketchup on a hot dog.

grays-papaya

Go on my old friend! Viva Gray’s Papaya! You will live forever in our hearts . . .

Current Family Ode

Rosie “The Cat” (2001-2013) R.I.P.

I’m sad to report that just before noon today my dear friend Rosie “The Cat” passed away.

A few weeks ago I began to notice Rosie wasn’t eating much but still drinking water. She seemed lethargic, but I knew something was up when I opened a can of Fancy Feast and she took all day to eat it.

I took her to the vet a few days later and the Doc gave me the bad news that she was showing signs of kidney failure. He gave me some medication and in his thick Eastern European accent said, “Either she’ll come back or she won’t.” His face told me not to get my hopes up.

Over the next few days, she was quiet and slept a lot, but the drugs didn’t look like they were helping. A few nights ago I couldn’t find her and when I did, I knew that she knew. I looked into euthanization and resolved to go that route if she seemed to be suffering.

In the interim, I did my best to keep her comfortable, but last night she had labored breathing and I knew it was close. This morning she stayed close to me, curling up around my feet as I worked at my desk. Looking at her, she seemed peaceful, resigned.

Around eleven o’clock I carried her into the living room swaddled in a blanket where she passed away peacefully in my arms.

She will be missed . . .

Vinny (~~)

Negril

Metro Card Recycling – Original Artwork Purchases

My Friend Victoria is getting a lot of headaches from the MTA the past few days because she is using used MTA Metro Cards as canvas for mini paintings of New York City scenes.

I’m a big fan and I just had to grab a few of these mini masterpieces before they were all sold out.

Victoria has a series of NYC Water Tower paintings that have always intrigued me.Thank you Victoria, and good luck fighting “The Man”! We’re behind you all the way!

Vinny (~~)

Current Negril Silly