We just enjoyed a lunch of simple ingredients in the Monastery dining hall. I admit that in the past a meal of “simple” ingredients looming on the horizon did not evoke excitement. The meals often felt boring and bland and oh so “healthy”!
This has changed lately with, you guessed it, the addition of a few simple ingredients! It is hard to believe what a difference a few seeds, roots, or berries can make to a meal. During these days of isolation and sometime limited access to the foods to which we are accustomed, it is a pleasure to turn some simple easy-to-store ingredients into a gourmet meal.
For lunch we enjoyed quinoa, green French lentils, and greens from our beautiful garden. Chopped fresh ginger, dried cranberries, fresh lemon wedges, and toasted pumpkin seeds filled small side bowls. The meal became a feast of colors, textures, and tastes. It truly felt as if there was no meal anywhere that could be more delicious than this.
You are invited to come up with your own combinations. The foundation is a grain, a bean or legume, and a veggie of your choice. Next comes the sparkle that is limited only by your imagination: lemon or lime wedges, fresh herbs, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, cheeses, pickled veggies, olive oil, ginger…. the list is long. Life is unlimited potential!
In gassho,
Sequoia