Life is Like a Box of Chocolates

Every year, from as far back as I can remember, my dad has always bought a box of choco- lates for my sisters, and our mom and I on Valentine's Day. I no longer celebrate Valen- tine's Day, but since I still live with my parents; I received a box of chocolates this year.

As per my dad's custom, he bought boxes of assorted chocolates. So, as usual, my sisters and I would squash and break open each chocolate to see its filling. It made me remember the very popular line from the movie 'Forest Gump'; 'My momma always said, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." And its so true. Sometimes God (or, Allah as I call him) blesses you with things beyond your wildest dreams, and sometimes He allows bad things to happen to you. But, overall, Allah is exalted in might, the wise*.

The celebrations vary depending on which part of the world you're in. In Texas, a lot of people buy Valentine goodies for friends as well as their significant other. In New York, its more common for people to only buy goodies for their significant other. In Grenada, however, heart shaped decorations and treats are not so common. But what is common is something basically unheard of in the USA; people go around hugging their friends and acquaintances. My first Valentine's Day in Grenada had me a bit confused... Everyone was hugging me! I couldn't figure out why, but then my best friend and cousin, Shena told me that's the custom.

Even though I was a bit hesitant this year for religious reasons, I did open my box of chocolates. I read the ingredients, and saw that some of the chocolates contained gelatin. There was no 'K'; indicating kosher, or 'M' for halal, so I just ate the caramel filled ones and discarded the rest.

It's kind of odd having everyone around you celebrate a holiday that you don't, but my living and my dying are for Allah alone, the Lord of the worlds**. Even the food blog scene was buzzing with Valentine's Day posts and recipes for chocolate bon-bons and heart shaped treats.

I worked the day before Valentines Day, and everyone (co-workers, boss, and clients) was so cheerful and greeted each other with 'Happy Valentine's Day'. Whenever someone told me that, I would simply pretend I didn't hear, or respond with; 'good afternoon', or 'have a nice day', etc. - whichever was appropriate. One of my co-workers, Christina, told me she has been disappointed on several Valentine's Days over and has lost all love for the holiday. In fact, she says she is 'anti-valentine's day'. So, at least I wasn't alone in not celebrating.

* Qur'an 59:24
**Qur'an 6:162


© NomadicGourmet.com

Mock Tuna Salad

My maternal grandmother is a Seventh-day Adventist, and a lot of them observe a vegan diet. My grandma tries, and is a vegan about 99% of the time (she cheats and eats curry goat for Christmas). The vegan Adventists- especially those in the USA, are very ingenuous when it comes to mock meats. In fact, a lot of mock meat companies are owned by them.

About a year ago, my grandma told my mom that if you mash channa (that's what we call garbanzo beans/chick peas in my family), you can eat it like tuna. Then one day I noticed a bowl of what I thought was tuna in the refrigerator. My mom asked if I had tried it, and my answer was 'no'. She then told me what it was and asked me to try it. Since then, its become one of my favorite quick and easy meals.

If you're like me and you have a bad wrist; mashing the channa can be a daunting task, but in some ways its worth the discomfort. I like to remind myself that the channa is rich in protein and will help keep my hair beautiful. The mayonnaise that I used this time was one with added in Omega - so more hair-based motivation! Once mashed, you can dress it up the way you like your tuna. I added celery, tomato, and mayonnaise this time. Usually, I add paprika or ground black pepper and mayonnaise; only.

I've found through my most recent experience, that it tastes a lot like fish (maybe even too much) when it has celery in it. This could be due to the sheer fact that the outer texture of celery is somewhat scale-like. This was bad for me, as I suffer from Ichthyophobia or fish phobia. Yes--- I'm afraid of fish. Don't laugh! I will never add celery again, inshallah (God willing), as it's way to fishy for me- I had a hard time eating my 'tuna' this time, and it's all because of it. But, if you like fish, by all means; add the celery.

I used canned channa which was soaked in brine. If you chose to use fresh channa; mix some salt in with the mayonnaise, to taste. The following recipe is really just a guideline. You can add as much of whatever ingredient as you like. There's no right or wrong way to dress your 'tuna' salad.

1 can channa/chick peas/garbanzo beans, drained
1 heaped tbsp celery, chopped
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1/2 cup tomato, chopped

• Place chick peas in a bowl, and mash with a fork, until desired texture is developed.
• Add remaining ingredients.
• Combine well.
  
  

Serve with crackers, bread.

Serves 4

© NomadicGourmet.com