Baby Bee!

Baby Bee!, originally uploaded by chloe & mark nightingale.

Coming in May. Also, the reason why I haven't posted in a while. The first trimester was rough -- morning sickness and soooo tired.

Morning sickness was s rough, I couldn't do VeganMoFo ( http://veganmofo.wordpress.com/about/ ) because food seemed like a terrible thing.

I was so tired, I needed to sleep more than Bert -- it was like being drugged! Hopefully, this will lessen during the second trimester (and probably return during the third).
I have already started cooking and crocheting and knitting up a storm. I will try to post some of my creations here!

Hara Bhara Kebabs:

Sorry, no photos this time, whoops!

MASH: boiled potatoes (I used about 3), boiled peas (I used about the same amount as the potatoes), 1 tbsp curry powder or paste (I used Patak's Rogan Josh paste, but a garam masala or chaat masala would be nice, too), 2 tbsp corn starch. If you are not using a curry paste, add a dash or two of salt.

Stir in 1 chopped jalapeño pepper, 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tbsp chopped or grated fresh ginger (please do not substitute powdered ginger, it will not work), and a few handfuls of freshly chopped raw spinach. Stir some more.

Make into patties and fry on both sides. Enjoy alone or in a pitta or wrap.

succulent

succulent, originally uploaded by chloe & mark nightingale.

Remind me to post the recipe for this delicious wheat and dairy-free eggplant lasagna.

Crochet Your Own Berry Hat

in neutral, originally uploaded by chloe & mark nightingale.

Just a quick head's-up! The pattern for my Berry Hat and Booties (as well as many other loverly patterns) is available in the book Crocheted Gifts, by Interweave Press. The hat is available in all sizes -- from Preemie through giant-headed adult! The booties are newborn and 0-3 month sizes.

You can get it at a number of places, but here are two linkies (BTW, I don't get paid for referrals, I'm just linking):

http://www.powells.com/biblio/9781596681071

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1596681071

Chlo-Momma's Cow Peas (Black-Eyed Peas)

Soak cow peas (aka black-eyed peas) overnight. Drain.

Boil a pot of water with:
cow peas
any greens or any green or white cabbage or kale
jalapeño
bay leaf
(stewed tomatoes or coconut milk)

Oil up a pan and fry:
finely diced onion
shredded carrot
(celery)
equal parts garlic and ginger

Put a ladle of liquid from the pot into the pan to deglase and add contents of pan to pot.

Add Chloe's Cajun Blend (recipe follows) to pot. Salt to taste.

Roast in oven: halved and deseeded (green) bell peppers (cut side down) with a smidge of olive oil.
Remove from oven when pepper skins are starting to brown, slice into strips, and stir into pot.

At this point, your cow peas will probably have been cooking for about 40 minutes or so. You want to boil them for at least an hour and you want the liquid in the pot to be nice and thick and opaque.

Serve with rice or millet.

Chloe's Cajun Blend:
Paprika
Cumin
Chili Powder
Thyme
Oregano
dash Turmeric
(and garlic, ginger, and a bay leaf, but you already added those!)

(As far as portions go, quantities are up to you, but I like at least a cup of soaked cow peas, half a carrot, a quarter of an onion, half a cup of shredded cabbage, and one bell pepper per person.)

hexagons on the tongue

hexagons on the tongue, originally uploaded by chloe & mark nightingale.

Bye-bye Alma. We will miss you!

Kinnard Family Reunion many many years ago., originally uploaded by chloe & mark nightingale.

My awesome grammie died. She had 7 kids and was a domestic and crafting goddess. Rumour has it, she made EVERY SINGLE RECIPE in the Joy of Cooking cookbook.