Vegetarian Cuisine
Aubergine Pizzas
Serve hot from the oven as a snack or add a grain dish and salad for a full meal. Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
1 large aubergine
4 teaspoons sesame seeds
4 teaspoons dried oregano
4 teaspoons dried basil
Salt to taste
150 ml (5 fl oz) olive oil
2 or 3 large tomatoes, sliced
100 g (4 oz) vegetarian Cheddar and/or mozzarella cheese, grated
Preparation:
1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C/350 degrees F/Gas mark 4. Slice the aubergine into 1 cm (½ in) rounds. Combine the sesame seeds, dried herbs and salt on a plate. Brush the aubergine slices with oil and then dredge in the sesame seed mixture until coated.
2. Place each slice on an oiled baking sheet and top with a slice of tomato and some grated cheese. Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes, or until the aubergine is tender. Serve hot.
• For a vegan version of this dish, substitute 200 g (7 oz) tofu for the cheese. Slice the tofu and marinate it in a mixture of three tablespoons tamari, 3 tablespoons water and 1 tablespoon grated root ginger before adding to the pizzas.
• Sliced olives and/or other toppings may be added before or after baking.
Ahimsa is perfect harmlessness. It is positive, cosmic love. It is a wonderful quality of the heart. – Sri Swami Sivananda
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| JUNE 2023 04 Full Moon 14 Ekadasi 18 New Moon 29 Ekadasi JULY 2023 You live, because you share the universal life. – Sri Swami Sivananda |
Glossary
GURU PURNIMA
The full moon day in the month of Ashad (July-August) is an extremely auspicious and holy day of Guru Purnima. On this day, sacred to the memory of the great sage, Bhagavan Sri Vyasa, Sannyasins settle at some place to study and discourse on the thrice-blessed Brahma Sutras composed by Maharishi Vyasa, and engage themselves in Vedantic, philosophical investigation.
Sri Vyasa has done unforgettable service to humanity for all times by editing the four Vedas, writing the eighteen Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata. We can only repay the deep debt of gratitude we owe him, by constant study of his works and practice of his teachings imparted for the regeneration of humanity in this iron age. In honour of this divine personage, all spiritual aspirants and devotees perform Vyasa Puja on this day, and disciples worship their spiritual preceptor. Saints, monks and men of God are honoured and entertained with acts of charity by all the householders with deep faith and sincerity. The period Chaturmas (the “four months”) begins from this day; Sannyasins stay at one place during the ensuing four rainy months, engaging in the study of the Brahma Sutras and the practice of meditation.
Mark fully the deep significance of this great day. It heralds the setting in of the eagerly awaited rains. The water drawn up and stored as clouds in the hot summer now manifests in plentiful showers that usher in the advent of fresh life everywhere. Even so, all begin seriously to put into actual practice all the theory and philosophy that have been stored up in them through patient study. Aspirants commence or resolve to intensify with all earnestness, their practical spiritual Sadhana right from this day.
Generate fresh waves of spirituality. Let all that you have read, heard, seen and learnt become transformed, through Sadhana, into a continuous outpouring of universal love, ceaseless loving service, and continuous prayer and worship of the Lord seated in all beings. Live on milk and fruit on this day and practise rigorous Japa and meditation. Study the Brahma Sutras and do Japa of your Guru Mantra, during the four months following the Guru Purnima. You will be highly benefited.
From Hindu Fasts and Festivals by Swami Sivananda