The Beauty in Simplicity - Masala Vada (Chana Dal Vadai)

We eagerly looked out the darkened window. Flower was already fast asleep in her bed, but Poet was still up eating his bedtime snack. His snack of choice this week is almonds, cashews, and chocolate chip trail mix. As he munched, we turned off all the lights, and Poet peered out into the darkness. He looked closely and finally said, " I see one!." He excitedly started counting, his first time seeing fireflies in the night. One by one, he looked in wonder. Watching this little person leaning up against the glass was so peaceful and joyous.

Looking at the world through Poet and Flower's eyes has given me a new perspective. It's easy to lose sight of simple things. Often, I wake up in the mornings, sometimes already dismayed about the day. I often think about all the things that need to get done, making mental notes and lists. I'm so busy trying to get things done and off my never-ending list that I don't have time sometimes to stop and take it all in.

Poet and Flower have helped me to regain that sense of awe and wonder. Looking at things through their eyes is a daily lesson in gratitude. They will run around in the vegetable garden and ooh in amazement at the baby vegetables. They gently push aside the leaves and flowers, looking at the tiny vegetables that are slowly growing. Or they will ask curiously if they can eat this leaf or that leaf. Poet enjoys eating Thai basil, though I think it tastes a bit too much like licorice. Flower enjoys eating brussel sprout leaves.

Art too celebrates the joy in the everyday. Wayne Thiebaud, an American painter from California, uses color and light to paint everyday objects. He is known for paintings of pies, cakes, and other common-place objects. His use of light and brushwork elevate the ordinary to something much more. Standing in front of one of his paintings, the beauty of a mundane object struck me. Each soda in his painting was bright and beautiful, which we see every day but don't look at.

As in life, food too can celebrate simplicity. My mother loved to make masala vada. These fritters are a popular South Indian snack made with Indian lentils, chana dal. Mix the ground dal with onions, cilantro, and green chilis and then fried to make a crispy, crunchy snack. They are perfect with a cup of chai in the afternoon.

As I sit back and enjoy my masala vada, I will happily watch the children play. And I will take a moment to savor the simple moments.

Masala vada (Chana dal Vadai)

A popular South Indian snack. These fritters are made of chana dal, onions, and cilantro. Perfect with an afternoon cup of tea.

Makes about 20-25 vadai

• 2 cups chana dal
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• 4-6 green chilis - chopped
• 1 cup cilantro (chopped)
• 1/8 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons salt

1. In a medium bowl, soak the chana dal for 4 hours. Drain and set aside.

2. Put 4 tablespoons of the soaked dal aside.

3. In a food processor, grind the chana dal for 1-2 minutes. You don't want to add any water and the mixture will look fairly dry and crumbly and this is ok. Don't grind it too smooth, it should feel crumbly between your fingers and not a fine paste.

4. In a large bowl, mix the ground dal, whole dal, onions, green chilis, cilantro, salt and baking soda. Mix well. Again the mixture will be crumbly.
5. Take 2 tablespoons of the mixture and make into a small ball, Gently flatten it until it is about 1/2 an inch thick about 1 1/2 inches wide. Place the mixture gently on the palm of your hand and flatten with your thumb.
6. In a fry pan, heat neutral oil like peanut or canola over medium high heat When it is shimmering, gently drop the vada in. Fry until they are golden brown.
7. Serve warm with a hot cup of chai.