Aum Namah Sivaya
Happy Ardra Nakshatra!
Today our monks performed the special monthly abhishekam to Lord Nataraja in Kadavul Temple. We can’t photograph the event, but here’s a few photos taken around the monastery recently.
First is a collection of images from our newly producing dragonfruit cactus near our kitchen. It gives incredible flowers, followed by equally as wonderful fruits. Next we take you to the afternoon Muruga puja in Kadavul Temple. And finally, off to our small culinary mushroom growing initiative, to see them go from sawdust block, to kitchen to lunch-plate.
The amazing dragonfruit flower. It blooms for one day only
A few weeks later you get some lovely fruits
Yum!
A few days ago Vel arrived at the airport
This afternoon he and Kodiswara are attending the Muruga puja
A great way to start your afternoon
Next, inside our humble gourmet mushroom operation. Where temperature, airflow and humidity must be closely controlled. These are otherwise sterile blocks of growing mushroom mycelium. Once the bag is opened and exposed to air, light and a drop in temperature, they grow mushrooms.
The summer had been too warm to grow much, but these chestnut mushroom give a small flush
A few days layer they turn a bright orange.
Our lion’s mane mushrooms are also content to fruit this time of year
Chestnut mushrooms are similar to Shiitake mushrooms
The day’s fresh, homegrown ingredients: Eggplant. Roma Tomato blend, green beans, chestnut mushrooms, bell peppers, okra, dill, rosemary, parsley and thyme.
A mediterranean chickpea dish to go with the salad and green beans
And of course, a mushroom risotto using our chestnut mushrooms
Something for Satguru and the monks to enjoy!
Yum, yum,….. namaste
Here is a link to a mushroom soup we made today, one can substitute various mushrooms and we also made a batch with coconut milk and curry
https://www.loveandlemons.com/cream-of-mushroom-soup/