The Big Crash - Spinach Bhaji

There was a big crash! Poet and Flower came home with huge news. They couldn't contain themselves, and the words poured out. Their friend had been in a car accident. No one was hurt, and he was ok, but this was something new for them. They detailed how he had been on his way to their favorite park, Bumpy Slide Park. Aka, a playground near us with this rolling, bumpy slide that you slowly slide down. It feels like going through a washing machine down a hill. Their little friend needed a new car (with many questions of why) and had to get x-rays of his arm, but nothing was broken. He was back in school the next day detailing this huge event.

And so the kids asked me if I had ever been in a car accident. It's something that I haven't thought about it in a while. But, sure I said, this has happened to me and G. Poet and Flower were fascinated and couldn't stop listening. I explained how I had been rear-ended in medical school. The sunglasses flew off my face with the impact. And how G and I had a car drive into us and take off our rearview mirror. And if it hadn't been for some quick thinking on G's part, it would have been much worse.

Processing all of this as a child is a lot. It's incredible how these events are so all-consuming and over arching. I remember my car accident vividly so many years ago, but the memory fades, and so many more things come into our lives. Perhaps that helps to put things of our day-to-day into perspective. What seems like something big and all-consuming today will likely fade away into our book of memories. They can be good or bad, but they will fade either way in time.

And so the big car crash will become a memory for Poet and Flower too. How their little elementary school friend was in a car accident as he went to the park. I'm glad everything turned out ok, it won't always be, but we will take things as they come.

Spinach Bhaji

This is a quick and easy spinach dish. Saute the spinach with onions, mustard seeds and curry powder to make a perfect weeknight dish.

Serves 4-6

• 1 pound spinach (fresh or frozen)
• 2 tablespoons neutral oil
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• 2 green chilis (slit vertically)
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon Madras curry powder

1. In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add mustard seeds. When they begin to pop, add onions and green chilis and saute for 5 minutes until onions are soft and translucent.
2. Add curry powder and saute for 30 seconds.
3. Add fresh or frozen spinach and salt. Give it a few stirs and then cover and cook over medium low heat for 10 -15 minutes until spinach is soft and wilted.
4. Uncover and let any excess water boil off. Serve warm as a side or with roti.