Spicy green pepper
Cucumber
Lemon
Radishes

Finely chop all ingredients and mix together. It is eaten as a condiment or garnish along with your meal.

DESSERT FIRNI

2 cans condensed milk
4 cans of water (fill the milk can 4 times)
Put mixture to simmer
5 or 6 teaspoons cornstarch
Sprinkle of ground cardamom
Nuts for topping, as desired

Allow the milk/water mixture to simmer. Add cornstarch and let lightly boil for a few minutes. Pour mixture in 9-by-11-inch pan and allow to cool and set up. Sprinkle cardamon and whatever kind of nut on top.

Serve the dessert chilled or at room temperature.

AUSH

This delicious soup is often served as a cold remedy. It can be eaten vegetarian style as listed below or topped with meatballs.

1/4 cup black-eyed peas, dried
1/4 cup red kidney beans — dried
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 medium onions, grated
1/2 cup tomato juice
1 red bell pepper, chopped (about 1/4 inch)
2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
16 ounces spaghetti

1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cilantro
1 tablespoon dried mint
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
4 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
8 ounces yogurt
Salt and pepper

Rinse and then soak the black-eyed peas and beans for 8 hours. Put the black-eyed peas and beans into a large pan with the water in which they were soaked.

Add 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and boil gently until cooked, adding extra water if necessary. Cooking time will vary according to the freshness of the pulses (peas and beans).

While the pulses are cooking, heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the grated onions and fry, stirring continuously until they are nicely browned (about 20 minutes). Add the tomato puree and bring to a boil. Add the chopped red bell pepper and carrot. Add water as necessary and cook until the bell pepper and carrot are soft — approximately 10 — 15 minutes.

Bring 3 1/2 cups water to a boil in a large pot. Add salt and the spaghetti, and boil gently for 10 minutes. Add the onion/carrot/bell pepper mixture to the spaghetti. Add the beans and peas with a slotted spoon, you may add the juices from the peas and beans depending on how thick you like the soup. Typically it is the thickness of Italian Minestrone soup. Add the dried mint, crushed red pepper, cilantro, and red pepper. Add salt to taste. Allow soup to rest for 10 minutes or so to let the flavors blend. Serve the soup. Each individual may top their soup with yogurt, cilantro, and other toppings according to their taste.

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E-mail: mbennett@desnews.com