when a stranger says...
                                                                                                       may volume 19

hello.
wink, wave, smile, speak... all gestures of unexpected exchange. if you answered with a lowered brow and quick glance away, then simply wear a post it note on your forehead that says wrongful entry. however, if your gesture in response was kind, just imagine the possibilities of your day. solicit yourself to break your barriers. until your alarms ring silent. you just might meet your furture calling.

trespassing. the act of gambling borders. gotta greet.

toolkit for building your house of peace:                                                                    

1.   gotta get slow before you flow                              

2.   gotta listen before you glisten
3.   gotta peel to reveal
4.   gotta admit before you submit
5.   gotta move it to groove it
6.   gotta forgive to live
7.   gotta rise wise
8.   gotta have heart
9.   gotta shout it out
10. gotta be breath
11. gotta be insightful
12. gotta lose your mind
13. gotta a-door yourself
14. gotta shack'in
15. gotta flavor'in
16. gotta un-knot
17. gotta proverb
18. gotta exalt
19. gotta resume
20. gotta pitcher empty

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2 large bags frozen lima beans
1 spanish onion - small dice
1 leek - white part only - small dice
4 stalks of celery - small dice
1 roasted tomato
1/2 cup olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
zest of lemon
juice of 1 lemon

1. blanch lima beans in boiling water - shock in ice bath for several minutes - drain - reserve
2. in heavy set sauce pot sweat onion, leek and celery until soft - medium low heat with cover on -
    about 15 minutes
3. transfer lima beans to a large bowl
4. add onion leek celery mixture, olive oil, salt, pepper, lemon zest and lemon juice
5. with hand blender - pulse lima beans and aromatics until crushed - should be mostly smooth but not a
   puree
6. transfer to serving dish

croutons/crostini - preheat oven to 375.

1-2 baguettes - cut into ¼" slices
1/2 stick butter per baguette
1/4c olive oil

1. melt butter and oil
2. place croutons in a bowl
3. drizzle butter oil over croutons and toss gently until well coated
4. line croutons on a sheet tray lined with heavy duty foil and parchment
5. bake for 10-12 min at 375 until golden
6. VEST for 10 minutes before serving - want the butter to absorb back into the crouton
7. serve croutons with the lima bean mash dip

brownie is the creator of the shanti shack, a hip lifestyle company that teaches you how to get your personal house of peace on through in-home culinary classes for quick healthy dishes and easy entertaining with yogic vim. the focus is on global cuisines trekking indigenous ingredients and their road trip. the story of our land and where we come from gives root to who we are. each menu is customized per class and focuses on the renewed voyage of local and seasonal goods. topics such as conscious food, the changing terrain; the cost of health in our food chain and product pedigree are discussed as we change the way we plate our table. tasting party of class creations with Q and A to follow. the energy you put into your food is always the result. shanti is the sanskrit word for peace and the shack is your first house - your body. through the shack classes, you learn to take the chaos out of the kitchen and stir stillness into the pot. and into your life. to create something beyond the happy meal.
                                                      
spring brings summer.  whether for yourself , friend, household or gift, get kitchen fit for the summer. classes are (2) hours long, (2) dishes per class. special new student offer. contact brownie directly at browniebrown@mac.com* students who live outside of manhattan must shop for class ingredients - shopping list will be provided.