This is small afternoon meal which was prepared for myself and my little brother Mason. It was made as such that it is fit to be offered religiously to Lord Krishna according to the standards of Vedas. It contains no meat or animal products and no garlic or onion.
The rice is a Turmeric Pilaf rice made by pre-frying the dry rice in olive oil infused with coriander and turmeric. The salad is spinach and radish greens (don't ask.) As a side tomatoes are offered. The tomatoes are cut into unevenly into 8ths in a rustic style (i.e my good paring knife broke) and topped with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. They then are sprinkled with generous but tasteful amounts of salt and pepper. Perhaps a little coriander too if the weather is warm.
The dressing is made by emulsifying olive oil, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, lemon juice, and cream using flour as a binding agent. It basically comes out something like 1000 Island Dressing. It's usually what I make because it's easy.
The sweet is made by dressing all-wheat toast with sweetened yogurt, bits of bananas, and a cherry jam. Cherry has recently become my favorite flavor of jam. We'll see if that persists through raspberry season though.
Prasadam is meant to be an offering to the Supreme Lord of the universe Sri Bhagavan. In his infinite mercy he returns the food to us so that we may still indulge on it knowing that our bodies require sustenance. It is a delicate play between two loving parties-- The devotee who is offering the food to the Lord and the Lord who offers it back to us. In the offering of Prasadam the mystery of Krishna's merciful love is demonstrated in a way that we can literally eat.
namo maha-vadanyaya krishna-prema-pradaya te
krishnaya krishna-chaitanya-namne gaura-tvishe namah
Hare Krishna! Hare Rama! Wait... Especially Rama!" --Kai