MANILA, Philippines?The meal was served with a warm smile and partaken in an atmosphere of silence.
On a muggy day, the soup, a swirl of eggless noodles, was welcoming and unique. It chucked in the animal pleasures for gluten and shiitake mushrooms with mock oyster sauce complemented by a rich, delicate broth flavored with anise, cinnamon bark and Chinese five spice.
Traditional ingredients of onions and garlic were substituted with finely chopped celery for the crunch, a tad of asafetida powder for the kick, and ginger for the warmth.
As if the comfort weren?t enough, it was followed by vegetarian Mongolian barbecue?the rice was tender, yet far more variegated and subtle, what with the vegetarian choplets, mushrooms, bok choy, wansoy and bean sprouts for crunch.
The adobo choplets were a perfectly seasoned plate of vegetarian chuck, again laced with asafetida instead of garlic. As counterpoint, the mildly sweet ginataang buko, or fresh coconut meat, stewed in coconut milk and topped with nutritious kamote tops and malunggay leaves, offset the saltiness and spark of its predecessors.
The meal was capped with sticky chocolate bliss balls, done with powdered milk, vanilla honey, rolled in desiccated coconut. Although it was just a simple recipe, it was the process of making the food that made the difference.
The purity of the food of Brahma Kumaris mystifies the palate. This UN-affiliated NGO and university on values formation imparts that the original nature of the individual is peace and all the positive attributes. Hence, eating should be an uplifting and joyful experience to both body and soul.
Brahma Kumaris tenet
A tenet of the Brahma Kumaris is: ?The preparation of food for eating is a sacred act; it is to honor and respect life.? Since love is touted as the mother of all virtues, this quality provides the vital ingredient and nourishment in the meal.
First, the cook needs a calm and focused mind. Washing up and a short meditation before cooking promotes hygiene and clean mental attitude. Then, the cooking area should be clutter-free. Members of the Brahma Kumaris who live with their non-vegetarian families usually separate their cooking utensils and storage.
Most important, the cook must have a big heart yet handle the food with no ego and detachment. Being generous in spirit means using the right amount, neither scrimping nor wasting. However, the cook simply allows the creative process to unfold and keeps cool if something goes out of hand.
There should be lightness and enthusiasm in the preparation. Cooking out of duty can court disaster.
One of the most asked questions is: What do vegetarians eat daily? Just about everything, without animal products, eggs, onions, garlic and alcohol. Eggs come from the ovaries of chickens.
Texas-based medical scientist and BK lecturer Hansa Raval disputes studies on the healing effects of garlic and onions. She cites researches that in societies where excessive garlic is consumed, the hypertension and mortality rates are high. ?Onions and garlic are highly acidic. They have an effect on the mucus membrane, eyes and skin. They can burn the mucus membrane of the intestines and it has been proven to cause ulcers and hyperacidity,? explains Raval. ?The odor of onions and garlic is offensive and the odor settles in the sebaceous gland of the skin. This creates a constant offensive smell.?
Raval also debunks the protein myth. ?You don?t need anything more than complex carbohydrates (whole grains, fruits, vegetables, pulses) to provide all the nutrients in a perfect diet. Everything else is to please the palate.?
The restrictions are aimed at harnessing the mind and senses for better concentration, and ultimately, returning to the original nature of peace.
(The Brahma Kumaris will hold a cooking demo on Sept. 26, 9 a.m.-12 noon. For details, call 890-7960. Located at 7484 Bagtikan, San Antonio Village, Makati City.)
