Vanilla Extract

Yes, this is the real deal - no artificial flavors! Also this is a long process - 6 months to get your first extract so be patient. Essential ingredients:

Slice open the vanilla beans - we found ours at the Hawaii Vanilla Company on the Big Island.
Inside are thousands of tiny seeds and you will instantly smell the familiar vanilla flavor. Add to a bottle, pour in the vodka and then your wait begins for about 6mths!

Shake the bottle every few months and you will see the color darken. After about 6 months pour out 1/3 of the bottle. Refill with vodka and we were told it is supposed to last for years! (Empty out 1/3 every 6mths).

Add to a variety of recipes, eg: Flan. More will come soon.

Lasagna - spinach, mushrooms

First cook the lasagna for about 15mins in hot water. Then wash our with cold water. Also start to pre-heat your oven to 400F.

Simultaneously you can prepare the onion, mushroom, spinach and pasta sauce (marinara) mix and cook it.

Start layering! In a baking corning ware spary some pam/non-stick spray/oil. Layer the lasanga, the mix, ricotta cheeese. Top off with a layer of marinara sauce and grated cheese (mozzarella/blend).
Bake for 15-20mins and serve!

 

Cheela

Cheela is like an Indian crepe. Prepare the mix first. Add some besan (garbanzo flour), salt, chili, heeng and ajvien. Add water and stir. Don't let it get too watery.

 

You can add some chopped onion and cilantro as well if you prefer.

Heat a flat pan. Sprinkle water to cool it down if it gets too hot.

Serve with nimbu pickle!