caribbean side

Fried Rice
Ingredients

2 pt white rice
1 chicken, 2 – 2½ lb
1 tbsp vetsin
3 tbsp soya sauce
30 – 40 bora beans
½ lb pumpkin
2 large onions
4 eggs
Salt
Oil for frying
Black pepper
Eschallot and celery

Preparation

*Cook the rice only until it is loose and firm, then allow to cool.
*Cut the chicken into quarters, the wash and season the pieces with salt, black pepper and about 1 tablespoon of soya sauce.
*Heat the oil and fry the chicken until almost done.
*Dice the pumpkin and onions, and cut the bora into ¼ inch pieces.
*Remove the bones from the chicken, and cut the meat into strips across “the grain”.
*Make an omelette with the eggs and then cut into ¼ inch strips.
*Fry the onions, add the chicken strips and stir.
*Add the pumpkin, bora, salt, black pepper and vetsin, and stir fry.
*Add the rice and stir fry the lot.
*Add the rest of the soya sauce, the omelette strips and some of the chopped celery and eschallot, continuing to stir fry.
*Add more soya sauce if the fried rice is too fresh.
*Pile on a dish and sprinkle with the rest of the eschallot and celery. Serve hot.

” Common Sense shows that human life is short-lived and that it is best to  make our brief sojourn on this earth something that is useful to oneself and others. “

by Dalai lama

Uniting while the dark night eloped with the warmth and gentle sparkle of small clay lamps (diyas) burning upon the steps, window sills and around the yard of the home of Hindus during the festival of lights (diwali). Diwali, best known as the festival/rows of lights, being celebrated between mid October and mid November. The date changes every year as it is calculated according to the position of the moon. the excitement and joy begins in Hindu religious society. For it is the beginning of a new and important year for the Hindus.

The act of lighting diyas has a deeper meaning to the individual performing such deed.  Some things in life are beyond the realm of human intellect and understanding. There are things that modern science cannot explain and that’s where faith and believe enters that empty space to provide answers to our most puzzling questions. In this chemical world in which this human life exist, and the looming question of where we come from, puzzled the mind, human find themselves seeking a force beyond themselves for answers. Every action performed is like a devotion or worship to the creator.

In each legend and tradition of the festival of lights lays the significance of triumph of good over evil; This commemorates the return of the king from his fourteen-years of exile conquering immorality. In this merry commemoration of the arrival of their king, the Hindu society illuminate their houses and pathways with earthen diyas (oil lamps), while the young children gather about the night bursting fire crackers into the dark midnight air. This celebration that illuminates the homes and hearts is the simple truth that finds new reason and hope. The lighting of diyas to Hindus is emanating light of love, humility and all that is good over evil, a belief that will bring oneself closer to the celestial.

During this festive season families come together to share traditional meals, sweets and dried fruits. At the end of the day everyone would be dressed in all new traditional attire sharing vegeterian dishes and sweets with each other. It is likely that families give each other gifts that’s includes fire crackers, clay lamps, candles, scented oils and traditional outfits.

Before the sunrises in the beautiful morning sky, the Hindu community will congregate at their place of worship singing devotional hymns to the Supreme Being. For generation Hindus seeks a median in which they can communicate with their creator. In their culture and scripture, it is taught that the easiest way to have a communion with the almighty is through the medium of devotional songs which mirrors the pure intentions, love and devotion of the spiritual seeker in the art of surrender.

Our world is a melting pot of cultures, diversity and spiritualism. Each action performed is perceived by different cultures differently. Understanding the actions and meaning of different cultures will allow a better other to appreciate what each action mean to a particular culture. Hindu cultures are rich and diverse and are filled with symbolism. Everything that is traditionally done is considered devotion to the almighty. The action of lighting the path of their homes with earten lamps (diyas) of this auspicious day symbolizes not only purity but is the celebration of the Inner Light.