Haleem

We had Zone Conference on Thursday and then did some practicing for conference. After our practice some of us went to Paradise Hotel for Haleem. That's Elder & Sister Nielson from Paradise Utah that are sitting next to me. Across from us you see starting at the far end...Shaker Boddu, Madhu, Shilpa, Hema and Sirisha. It was the first Haleem for us ever!!

Hyderabad is known for its Haleem which is available only during Ramadan. It is a mainstay during the Holy month of Ramadan.

It's a wheat porridge that got it's start in Iran. The Muslim people will fast from dawn to dusk and then eat Haleem. It's only available after 6 p.m. and they say it gives you Energy and is very healthy for you.

I found a recipe and I'm adding it to the blog...Good Luck!!!!
Haleem
Ingredients
2 lbs Boneless pieces of Lamb
3 cups Cracked wheat
4tbsp Ginger-Garlic paste
1 cup Mixed lentils [urad daal,chana daal]
1tbsp Red Chilli powder
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1 n 1/2 cup Yougurt
1 cup Golden n Crisp fried onions [ the readymade brands available in the market can be used,if you want to save time]
1/2 cup Cashew nuts
1 tsp Garam Masala powder[1 tsp shahi zeera,2-3 cardamom,2-3 cloves and 1" cinnamon stick...blend into a fine powder]
1/2 tsp Black Pepper corns
Whole spices- 1" cinnamon stick, 2-3 cloves,2-3 cardamom
1/2 cup Ghee
Fresh Herbs- 1 cup fresh coriander, 1/4 cup fresh mint and 5-6 green chillies
Salt to taste
1/2 cup oil.
How to make Hyderabadi Haleem

1.First wash and soak the cracked wheat for atleast 1/2 hour.Then wash and clean the lamb thoroughly,trimming off any excess fat.

2.Mix the lamb with 1tbsp of Ginger-Garlic paste, 1/ tsp of salt,Red chilli powder,1/2 tsp Garam masala powder and 1/4 tsp tumeric

3.Pressure cook the lamb on high for 8-10 min[ or until 3 whistles] and then simmer for another 15-20 min.After it cools down...shred n keep aside.

4.Boil the cracked wheat along with the mixed lentils,1tbsp ginger-garlic paste,1/4 tsp turmeric powder,3-4 green chillies,1/2 tsp black pepper corns in 8-10 cups of water until its cooked completely and the water is almost absorbed by the wheat.

5. Put this wheat in a blender and pulse for a few seconds.[ in 2-3 batches] .Remove and keep aside.

6.Heat the oil in another container add the whole spices,the cooked and shredded lamb,remaining green chillies, 1/2 cup fresh coriander and saute for a 2-3 min.

7. Add the Yoghurt and saute for another 10- 15 min or until a lil oil starts to float on top.

8.Add 3 cups of water and bring it to a boil.

9.Add the cooked Wheat and mix well...adding a little bit of Ghee at a time.Do Check the salt and add if needed.

10. Let it simmer for atleast 1/2 hour...keep stirring in between. Serve hot Garnished with fried onions, cashew nuts and fresh Coriander. It can also be enjoyed with FRESH NAAN.

I understand it takes most of the day to make this...So if anyone tries it...let me know!!! We liked it and will probably go back for Haleem once more before the season is over.

It's a happy little group!! These are some of our dear friends!!! Aren't they cute???? And they were so excited about HALEEM NIGHT!!!!

Sirisha is the sweet girl that got accepted to Utah State. I'm so excited! We had to remain neutral in her decision to go or not to go...but once she decided and was accepted...I have to say I was jumping up and down. We love her so much!!!

Elder Nielson with "The Cat that Ate the Canary!" We always tell Shaker that he looks like the guy who just did something that he shouldn't have done!! Vani is visiting his family in Rajahmundry. Shaker's brother Mahesh got his mission call yesterday. He was called to this mission!! Mahesh was the first person to call and wish me Happy Mother's day last year. I will never forget how fun that was. He called early in the morning just to tell me that! I adopted him after that!!!

Shilpa, Hema and Sirisha. Good people....good friends!!!

I'll finish by saying we really liked the Heleem. We would have it again...but we are more fond of the Biryani at Paradise! We had Haleem last night...followed by Biryani. The Nielson's were in agreement with us! Best Biryani in town!!!

Mondo Market and Rajiv

We went shopping at Mondo Market again. This guy was selling a fruit that I've seen but not tasted. Many of the locals say they don't like it that much so we haven't even tried it....
This boy wanted his picture taken. He laughed and laughed when I showed him. It's typical to see the people sitting in the middle of what ever they are selling. Acres of people selling their vegetables and fruit. I love Mondo Market.

Rajiv was the tour guide this day. We love Rajiv. He's in 1st branch and a returned missionary with a great testimony.
We bought some of the pomegranates that you see in the background. Bright red!! I like pomogranites better than at home...they are juicy and sweet and just better.

We were looking at stones and thinking about a ring for elder. These kids accumulated and started following us around! I finally stopped them in front of the little jewelry store elder was shopping at and took their picture. It happens all the time. Kids just congregate and follow us where ever we go!!! We do like the kids!!!

We were doing some back street shopping. By that I mean we weren't on the main road...Rajiv took us to see his goldsmith who was on the otherside of this wall. We really like unique places that we end up when we travel around the city. This old wall and door was fun to look at.

I was the photographer for the day. These were my models!!!

They just walked and talked. It was a fun afternoon.

Now we've been here 16 plus months...I have a better idea how to short cut a lot of our trips. It was interesting to me that I thought Mondo market was forever away!!! And it's not!!!

Cows????

OK....I'm a farm girl....I grew up with cows being part of my everyday life. I've been calling these cows the whole time we've served our mission. Not often do we see what you would call "A Normal Cow."
Elder said the correct term is "Brahma Bullock."
Can you believe that? A city boy telling a country girl what this animal is!!!!
Ya Gotta love him anyway!!!!

We were looking to visit some less active people and because they don't use regular addresses we couldn't find the people. We even found the sign showing the plot # of where they live and no one could tell us where it was. We found all the other plots....but not the people we were looking for. It was so hot and humid that day...We tried to call the people and they weren't lifting the phone so we enjoyed the cows and made the best of a bad day!!!

P.S......These are not Brahma's....or cows.......These are Water Buffalo....If you don't believe me ask Elder!!! He's the city boy!!!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!!!!!

This was a night to remember....Some of our favorite friends put together a surprise birthday party for Elder Kasper.... All I had to do was to get dressed and show up!!! How fun is that??? I wore one of the Salwar's that I had tailored from the beautiful cloth Ambeika gave me....The Chuni I purchased to go with it. Tradition says you feed the cake to your good friends.

You don't always have to be nice about it. Elder Kasper said he could see it coming. He said there is a twinkle in my eye when I'm about to do some mischievous thing. We were having fun!!!

After the cake mashing on his face he wanted me to get up....He had fed me so nicely just before I got him....He was nice and didn't rub it in my face, so I gave him a little kiss on the lips in front of everyone!

Group photo time.

Having a little bit of fun!!! This group is always having fun. That's why we love them so much.

Nikhil singing and dancing....Go Nikhil!!! Don't you just love the banner they made for Elder Kasper's birthday? It's written in Telegu (Is that right everyone?) It says "Dear Elder Kasper Happy Birthday!!")

They entertained us most of the night. You'll notice by their big smiles that they are having a great time...And so were we!!

Madhu, Sirisha, Jane and Nikit.

Hema Gutty

Shilpa and Nikhit sang a love song. (The song "Something Stupid") Then after Madhu told that it didn't mean anything. We found humor in that because in the USA it wouldn't mean a thing if a guy and a girl sang a love song....Here, EVERYTHING means SOMETHING!!!! I'll explain that when I get home.....

Shaker Boddu and Vani....Vani is pregnant with their first child. They are so excited to be parents.

Rajesh and Fathima. (Mary) Rajesh is like the entertainer....He is always doing something to make us laugh. He's fun to be with. Mary is sweet and beautiful and talented!!

Hema and her back up boys, Nikhil and Madhu.

We Will Rock You!!! Lots of fun dancing went on...You can see other pictures on facebook if you are interested in looking at all of them.

Showing off his new birthday present. They gave him a watch.

We'd call this one of the best birthday parties yet!!! A special thanks to Madhu who we're sure was at the lead of arranging this party....Jane made the delicious chocolate American cake.....Nikit is always picking up pieces and making sure things work!! And Rajiv...Thanks for "Let's go up on the terrace and have a word of prayer before we leave!!"