Flowers, A Recipe & A Memory

Happy Mothers day to all the strong, beautiful phenomenal women I know, including those, who like my sister, will be mothers this time next year. I salute each and everyone of you for your tireless, selfless and loving devotion to your children - even those of us who are grown adults. In your eyes we will always be babies, your little ones :)

I want to salute the Dads who are mothers in their own rights too. The world often forgets, but I want us to all remember, that there are many fathers out there who are raising their children, independent of a mother in the household.

My column this week pays tribute, not only to my mom, but to all moms. I'm sure when you read it, you'll find many things that you can identify with. Please read and come back and share a favourite food-memory of your mother.

I'll start the ball rolling.

As children, every afternoon when my brother, sister and I got home from school, we would be hot, tired and hungry but mostly we would be thirsty.

One fine hot, sunny afternoon, we arrived home and mom had made us a treat - Strawberry Nesquik! It was our favourite drink. What made it special this particular day was the way in which she served it. Instead of pouring it into glasses as she usually would, she had poured the drink into ice-cube trays and frozen it! So we each had a cup full of Strawberry Nesquick flutees!



I remember sitting on the steps and sucking and biting my flutees and licking my fingers, they were so good. I was in heaven. So in honour of this memory, for the first time since all those years ago, I've made Nesquik flutees and for a moment as I sucked on them, I was a kid again.

Also my gift to all the busy parents out there on this special day is a simple, healthy, tasty and satisfying dish that can be cooked in less than 30 minutes.

Vegetable Rice - Pumpkin

Vegetable Rice - Okra (Bhindi)

Recipe - Vegetable Rice

Notes:
You can substitute the water with chicken or vegetable broth
Most vegetables can be used in this dish.
You can choose to use one vegetable or a combination of vegetables
Use whatever rice you have available and use the liquid to rice ratio according to the package instructions.You can add shrimp or cubed firm fish to this dish

It's a great way to sneak vegetables into your children's food.

Ingredients

2 cups Basmati rice
2 cups of vegetables cut into chunks
3 cups boiling water
1 onion, diced
3 sprigs thyme
2 tbsp oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Method

In a pot, heat oil
Sauté onions and thyme (1 – 2 minutes)
Add vegetables and sauté for 2 minutes
Season with salt and pepper
Add rice and continue to sauté for another minute
Pour in boiling water and stir
Check for seasoning (salt and pepper). Add if desired
Cover pot and let boil for about 3 minutes or until you begin to see the rice surface
Turn down stove to simmer, cover pot and let cook for 20 minutes or until all the liquid is dried out
Stir and serve as you please.