Thankful to be Snug As a Bug on This Cold Winter Day

Today was our first snow-covered day.  Temperatures are currently in the twenties and dropping into the teens.

We’ve been having problems with our wood-burning stove.  It has been smoking.  Today my husband took on the job of chimney sweep and now it’s working fine.  I’m so thankful for that.  We have a toasty house.  It has been a good day to knit and eat Indian food, which we had both for breakfast and for dinner.  Both had an ample supply of cumin.  I’ve been reading about the health benefits: http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/seed-and-nut/health-benefits-of-cumin.html

For breakfast, although good anytime:

Upma Sooji for Two      

1/2 tsp mustard seed
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
juice of i/2 lemon
½ cup Cream of Wheat
1/2 cup peas or mixed veggies
20 peanuts or cashews
2 cups water
1 Tbsp oil (I use safflower)

In pot cook peas or veggies in two cups water.

Warm up oil in skillet with a lid handy. When oil is hot quickly add mustard seeds and cumin stirring quickly and covering. The mustard seeds will pop all over the place. Turn heat down to medium after mustard seeds have finished popping and add nuts. After nuts have begun to brown add the cream of wheat and stir for 2-3 minutes. It will turn a little darker.

Slowly add the peas and water, stirring. Add salt, still stirring and lemon juice. It’s ready. Garnish with cilantro.

Cilantro also has great health benefits:  http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/cilantro.html

And now we’re ready for some popcorn and a movie.  My husband’s a master popcorn maker…. none of that microwave stuff.