March Culture Club Meeting: INDIA

{Image I took at the Krishna Temple last saturday during the Night of Shiva Festival}

Hey girls the theme for next months meeting has been chosen....India. Kitchen will been kind enough to give us a lecture/ presentation based on all the amazing things she is learning in her eastern art and culture class at BYU. Religion, music, traditions, and general culture will be discussed. Along with fun activities where all your 5 senses will be enlivened. Unfortunately I dont think Slumdog Millionaire will be out on DVD by then as it would be perfect to watch and discuss together. Go watch it if you can or have an interest in it as it is an amazing film about India. But we can read a book to supplement what we will learn in the meeting and have a little book club action added into the mix. The book that Libby recommended is "A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry. Its about 600 pg long (which is about half as long as MY favorite book on India which we didnt choose for obvious reasons) so I thought I would give you a heads up so that you gals can start reading it. 

Where: Bethany's House

When:The tentative date for this meeting will be March 21st and probably will go for a good part of the afternoon.

We wanted to Study India this next month as the Festival of Colors will be held at the Kirshna Temple in Spanish Fork on March 28. An extremely popular and fun festival to attend where they throw colored chalk and eat good food. So we thought that we would get you in the mood. PLEASE comment back and let me know if this date will work for you or any suggestions for the activity. Thanks. Im totally excited.

Bethany's 30 min Recipes

Zucchini Risotto

4 sm zucchini, cut 1/2'' thick

1 Chopped and seeded tomato

1 onion finelt chopped

1 clove of garlic minced

3-4 cups chicken broth (2-3 cans)

1 1/2 cups raw Arborio rice (looks like really short and fat grains of rice, found next to the noodles in the store NOT the asian or rice sections)

Saute onion in 1 T olive oil until limp, Add 1/3 tsp. salt and 1 cup of broth, zucchini, and rice. Stir then cook over med low heat until liquid is gone, then add another cup of broth. Repeat until all broth is used. This will make the rice creamy. Sprinkle with 1/4-1/3 cups parpasan cheese and toss.

Rosemary Lemon Chicken

Very easy. Wash and trim chicken breasts, spread out on plate and then sprinkle 1 1/2 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp grated lemon zest, 1tsp finely chopped rosemerry, 1/4tsp salt, 2 cloves of garlic onto the chicken and then rub in the flesh with the back of a spoon. Place in fridge while you assemble and get the risotto cooking. When the risotto is ready saute chicken until done and then serve over the risotto.

Beef Stroganoff (Reece's Favorite)

3 T. butter

1/2 cups green onions chopped

1-2 cloves of garlic minced

2 lbs extra lean hamburger

4 cans sliced mushrooms (optional)

6 T fresh lemon juice

6 T Red Wine Burgundy

2 cans beef consomme

2 tsp salt

1 pkg (12oz) egg noodles

2 cups (one small tub) no fat sour cream

Melt butter in a deeper saute pan, saute onions and garlic, add meet and brown, add mushrooms lemon juice, wine, consomme, and salt. Add noodles (uncooked) 15 min till noodles are soft. Just before serving mix in the sour cream but dont let the mixture boil.

I think the secret ingredient is the wine and lemon juice. Dont blush you are all old enough now to go buy some if this stuff (for cooking purposes only).

February C.C. Meeting = Yummy

Thanks to Libby for hosting the February Culture Club meeting. She did a cooking demonstration for an impressive, healthy, and very yummy 30 min meal and did a wonderful job. She cooked Salmon with a brown sugar glaze, brown rice, asparagus, and garlic breadsticks. It was fast and amazingly tasty. We got great tips on where to shop, what to get, measuring tips, and seasoning suggestions. Not to mention sweet chic little binders to store our recipes. It was so fun to spend an afternoon learning and chatting with my lovely ladies. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. She is going to post the recipes soon. We were also asked to bring our favorite 30 min recipe which I will post soon as well. All of you feel free to post your delightful yet fast recipes even if you couldn't make it to the meeting. I cant wait till next month. Be planning on our monthly meetings being about the 2nd or 3rd saturdays of every month so mark those on your calenders, we will hold the meetings those weeks with whoever can make it that month. I look forward to see all of you.

New Inspiring Magazine

Just heard about this beautiful mag that writes for women that "want to be stylish, sexy, and engaged in the world while retaining high standards in dress, entertainment, and lifestyle." Im in love with the photography and am inspired by the styling.

Some suggested creative blogs to follow....

Here are some views that will spark your creativity.