SAL JY ONTHOU

"Sal jy onthou" by Nianell

Suid-Afrikaners ken haar as die “Engelstem”. Ek stem saam. Sy het 'n wonderlike stem!

KOEKSISTERS...

Koeksisters are sweets from South Africa and it is dough made in the shape of a plait, that is deep fried in oil and then dipped in a cold syrup.

If you keep your oil hot and the syrup very cold you get the perfect koeksister - crisp and crunchy on the outside and soft, moist and syrupy on the inside.

Making koeksisters is time-consuming and labour-intensive, so plan ahead to set a night and day aside for making this delicious treat. You can also do like me, plan ahead and invite friends for the afternoon to have fun cooking the koeksisters...from experience, I can guarantee some good laughs!

The syrup is made the night before to chill in the refrigerator. If the syrup isn't cold the dough won't soak up the syrup and you will end up with a dry koeksister.

DAY 1

INGREDIENTS (SYRUP):

• 15ml lemon juice
• 12 cups sugar (250ml)
• 5ml cream of tartar
• 3 small pieces of cinnamon sticks
• 2ml ginger powder
• 1.625ml water

1. Mix the ingredients in a pot
2. Bring into a boil while stirring - sllow the sugar to dissolve
3. Turn the heat to medium and allow to boil for 10 minutes
4. Cool down.
5. Leave in a fridge over night (It has to be very cold when used. A little trick, have lots of ice ready to keep your bowl of syrup very cold at all times!)

DAY 2

INGREDIENTS (DOUGH):

• 4 X 250ml flour
  
• 20ml Baking Powder
• 1ml salt
• 60ml butter
• 3 large eggs
• 150ml water
• 750ml cooking oil
• Invite friends over!

1. Sieve the first 3 ingredients
2. Rub the butter into it with your fingers
3. Mix eggs and water until foamy
4. Add egg mixture slowly and mix with hands
5. Prepare dough (knie) for 5 minutes
6. Roll out the dough about 6mm thick - cut and plait
7. Heat the oil
   
8. Keep the syrup close by (bowl of syrup within another larger bowl full of ice)
9. Fry koeksisters until golden (not too many at a time)
10. Dip into syrup immediately. Hold in syrup for a few minutes (reason why it is better - and funnier - to be 2 to do this, one persons fries and the other one holds the koeksister in the syrup).
    

I would like to thank my "funny" visitors of this afternoon for the laughs and the fun we had baking the koeksisters!

LEECHIE TART...

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tin evaporated milk
• 1 tin condensed milk
• 1 container cottage cheese (smooth)
• 125ml lemon juice
• Biscuits and butter (for the tart base)

PREPARATION:

1. Put into a tart ring, a crust made from the butter and the finely minced biscuits
2. Drain the leechies and keep their juice aside
3. Mix together evaporated milk, condensed milk, cottage cheese and lemon juice
4. Add the leechies to the mixture
   
   

TOP OF TART:

1. Slightly boil the juice from the leechies together with one spoon of maize flower.
2. Spread over the tart.
   

LEMON CAKE!

Cake
Ingredients

• 1 yoghurt (nature, vanilla or lemon)
• 4 eggs (if small, 6 eggs)
• 3 cups (yoghurt) of flour
• 2 ½ cups (yoghurt) of sugar
• ½ cup of oil (neutral taste)
• ½ cup of cream
• Yeast
• 1 lemon
  

1. Pre-heat oven at 180°C
2. Separate the whites from the yellow of the eggs.
3. Whip the whites of the eggs until firm. Keep aside.
4. Mix the yellow of the eggs with the sugar and whip until creamy.
5. Add the yoghurt to the eggs/sugar cream.
6. Add the yeast to the flour.
7. Add the flour to the yoghurt/sugar/eggs preparation.
8. Add the oil and the cream.
9. Add the grated lemon zest and juice of half of the lemon.
10. Add the whipped whites and mix in gently.
11. Cook for about 40-45 minutes. The best way to be sure the cake is cooked is to put in a toothpick; if it comes out clean the cake is baked.
    
    
    
    
    

Lemon Syrup
Ingredients:

• 3 lemons (juice only)
• 1 glass (careful, not too big and not to small either) sugar
• 2 glasses water

1. Put the sugar with the water in a pan.
2. Add the juice of the 3 lemons and let it boil until sticky syrup is formed.
3. The best way to check if your syrup is ready is to put in a spoon. If it sticks to it then it is ready. However, to be sure pass a finger in the back of your spoon (careful not to burn yourself) and see if the line your just did on the syrup remains clean.
4. Pour over the cake still warm.
5. Let it cool until serving time.
   
   

TUK TUK...COMING THROUGH...!!!

Coming back to my post about India, I was reminded this morning that there was much more to say about it...true, but it was not my primary intention when writing that particular post.

Nevertheless, it is true that during that week, many situations happened that deserve a little "highlight".

Many funny moments (unbelievably funny!!! One time at dinner I laughed so much - and was not the only one - I completely forgot there was important people at the table as the atmosphere was so great), many hard working moments and moments of peace and enjoyment.

So let me tell you about one particular moment...the motorickshaw ride!!!! Have you ever had the impression that you had absolutely no idea of what you were doing and if you would still be alive the next second? NOOOO???? Well, get on a motorickshaw and go for a ride in the Indian traffic...funny as hell (excuse the expression) and scary as hell!

Where to start? Maybe I should mention the fact that it seems that traffic rules are not to be respected, after all, what are they for? Or do I mention when big trucks pass by and it just happens that their exhaust pipe is at your face level and you have this incredible warm wave hitting you on the face and when you think you are going to faint because of that unusual heat there comes the second wave...the smell...ah that is probably the best part...the smell...oh smell of wonders!!!! Huh...it helps you turn red, yellow, blue...just pick the colour you like best! Preferably some colour that matches what you are wearing on that particular moment...I was lucky I was wearing black, so ...was an easy pick! Can you imagine the dilemma if I was wearing another colour????

Oh...do I also dare mentioning people rushing by in the middle of the traffic instead of using the pedestrian crossings...drivers that only seem to know one (or two) traffic rules i.e. HONK AS MUCH AS YOU CAN AND OCCUPY ANY EMPTY SPACE IN FRONT, AT YOUR SIDE OR BEHIND YOU!!!

When we reached our point of destination (after having zigzagged our way trough) and I got out of the motorickshaw, I didn't know if I was going to throw up or just plainly lay on the floor and try to recover my breath!

To be honest, I enjoyed every minute of that ride...I really did (was laughing all the way back too)! It is an experience I would recommend to everyone at least once. It was even funnier because I wasn't alone...if I was I would have "behaved" as a "lady" (well, yes...I am!) is suppose to.

Anyway, advice is, go to India, go on a motorickshaw ride (preferably be as lucky as I was to be with a wonderful person who has a sense of humour the size of the universe) and have the time of your life!!!!

I happened to be with a person (you will recognize yourself) who has a sense of humour which is as weird and as huge as mine...try that too if you can...go on a motorickshaw with a person who has a solid sense of humour....it gives another dimension to it!

I would go on a motorickshaw right now...for sure! I may joke, but I love India and all its little "tweaks"!

Don't miss the next episode of "The Adventures Of A Lady (well yes!) In India"!

Unfortunately, this time the pictures I took in India did not come out OK, so I am using motorickshaw pictures I took 4 years ago when I was in Hyderabad.

Cheesecake...from India with Love!

The need to bake (although am not quite sure, one can talk of "baking" regarding this cake), is still to overwhelming to let it go...as a result I have made a special cheesecake. A recipe I have learned from a friend of mine from India and who lives in Dubai.

I stayed at Rani's place for a week and believe me was hard remembering I needed to diet...was not only the sweets, but all the other recipes, and her "masala dosa"...mmmiiiiaaammm...and if I would speak of Elizabeht's coffee...but I better stop here before I start craving for things I shoudl not eat (where's the chocolate when needed????????)!

Ok, so here goes the recipe...I have modified it a bit (sorry about that Rani and Elizabeth!) but I guess that is the whole point when it comes to cooking...experimenting!

By the way, the cookies were a major success at the office...so, have a go at the recipe and don't hesitate in "experimenting" too!

PINEAPPLE CHEESECAKE

Missing in the picture, the butter

INGREDIENTS

• 1 can condensed milk
  
• 1 can sliced pineapple
  
• 1 packet whipping cream
  
• half glass fresh lemon juice
  
• Digestive biscuits nicely powedered
  
• Butter melted
  
• Hazelnuts (this is my "addition" to the recipe!)
  

For the base

1. Mix the powdered digestive biscuit with the butter. I have added the halzenuts for a little "pizazz" and a to have a difference of consistence between the finely powedered biscuits and the crunchy feeling of the halzenuts.
   
2. This is the base of the cheesecake, so firmly press it on the bottom of your cheesecake pan or other "presenter" so that your base stay firm when serving.
   
3. Whip the cream nicely - Keep aside.
   
4. Mix the lemon juice constantly stirring into the condensed milk (in a pan).
   
5. Chop up the pineapple nicely leaving a few big bites.
   
6. Mix the whipped cream and the chopped pineapple.
   
7. Now mix this with the condensed milk and lemon juice.
   
8. Pour this over the digestive biscuit base.
   
9. Easy...refrigerate for 4 hours before serving in the chiller.
   

DUBAI...

...there is so much to say about it...and so little time...after all...each time you end up in Dubai you end up discovering a "new face" of the city!

I was there for one week to visit friends and have fun...which I did!!! Another story, other chapters opening and closing...a re-discovering "journey".

Nevertheless, aim number one was to have fun...how to describe the amount of fun I had there...? Could mention so many things...but maybe I can let you discover it through the photos of this post...enjoy it...more photos are coming...so hold on!

India...mysteries...

I was back in India very recently...for work...but it was wonderful to be back to that wonderful place.

The moment I landed (at midnight) in Mumbai I was engulfed (not only by the incredible humidity!) by the atmosphere of peace and the sounds (not just the cars honking!) of the night.

How to explain it? Don't know...maybe a sense of letting yourself live.

One thing we seem to hold dear in Europe (and in most countries!) is this need to constantly be in a rush, go as fast as we can from point A to point B. WHY??? For one week, I lived at another rhythm...ok, ok...so you might say I rarely got out of the hotel so how could I know? I KNOW....and that is all that counts for me. After all, even the working rhythm (although generally doing more hours than I probably would in the office), the peace and "no rush" aspect was dominant.

I re-discovered many things about me when there, closed and opened a few chapters...and that helped me to follow to the next travel which is the post above this one...where I also did some interesting discoveries...but that is another story!

In many ways (for many reasons), it was hard being back home, I still feel I am not back, I am still there...if not physically...my mind remained.

I will soon be back for sure...!

P.S. The song on one of the posts below (Bang Bang - My Baby Shot Me Down - by Nancy Sinatra) is connected to this post...and the closing and opening of certain "chapters"...the lyrics are self-explanatory...maybe.

SWEET...IDEAS!

Whenever I am stressed, sad, furious, disappointed or just plain happy...I cook...better yet... I bake! I am not a good cook, but when it comes to baking any kind of sweets...I am quite good according to "critics" who end up eating everything I bake in the blink of an eye!

This evening was one of those occasions...don't ask me what kind of mood I was on...so, I needed to bake something to help me concentrate on myself again.

I ended up trying a cookies recipe with some "left-overs" I had in my pantry (pity I did not have any macadamia nuts...next time). I ended the evening baking around 30 chocolate chip cookies (without macadamia nuts!!!!

Yes, I know...next time!) and 6 "Pasteis de Nata" (the recipe and short background of this traditional portuguese pastry can be found HERE).

So, enjoy as much I have baking and as much as my "critics" will enjoy it tomorrow!!!

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup butter, softened
  
• 1 cup white sugar
  
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  
• 3 cups all-purpose flour


• 1 teaspoon baking soda


• 2 teaspoons hot water


• 1/2 teaspoon salt


• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips


• Nuts (macadamia, walnuts etc...follow your taste buds!)

1. Preheat oven to 180 °C .
   
2. Cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
   
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
   
4. Dissolve baking soda in hot water.
   
5. Add to butter along with salt.


6. Stir in flour, chocolate chips (...and nuts).


7. Drop large spoonfuls of the dough on a greased pan (or protected with baking paper).


8. Bake for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are nicely browned.

Bang Bang...My Baby Shot Me Down...

I was five and he was six
We rode on horses made of sticks
He wore black and I wore white
He would always win the fight

Bang bang, he shot me down
Bang bang, I hit the ground
Bang bang, that awful sound
Bang bang, my baby shot me down.

Seasons came and changed the time
When I grew up, I called him mine
He would always laugh and say
"Remember when we used to play?"

Bang bang, I shot you down
Bang bang, you hit the ground
Bang bang, that awful sound
Bang bang, I used to shoot you down.

Music played, and people sang
Just for me, the church bells rang.

Now he's gone, I don't know why
And till this day, sometimes I cry
He didn't even say goodbye
He didn't take the time to lie.

Bang bang, he shot me down
Bang bang, I hit the ground
Bang bang, that awful sound
Bang bang, my baby shot me down...


By Nancy Sinatra

Off she goes...around the corner!

Two more days and off I am to the other side of the world!

After having been in India (Hyderabad) 4 years ago, I am returning to that wonderful and magical country. A country I learned to appreciate and where I felt good, but had so little time to discover.

I still remember the warm welcome and the joy that greets you daily...the easy laughter, which is something that actually goes well with me as I laugh quite easily. I will also never forget the way life is enjoyed by each and everyone day by day although faced with problems that seem endless. A good lesson...that we tend to forget...too easily!

I will never forget the eyes of the children amazed to see "gold" hair and their need to touch it to find out if it was real. I'll never forget feeling incredibly good with the children's laughter.

Children saying good bye to "gold-hair" in Hyderabad

I will be back in incredible India (this time in Mumbai) in only two days. Although for work, I cannot wait to return to a place that really resembles "Shangri-la"!

After India, off in another plane I will be. I will go to my beloved Dubai. Discover a city that you can absolutely not know as it changes daily, a city that keeps you in an turmoil of fun and mystery...everyday one wonders what new discovery it will bring...

Burj Al-Arab

If I am writing these few lines is to let you know that the blog might not be maintained during the time in which I will be away.

I will take my camera and try to take as many pictures as possible and to keep you posted on what is happening in India and Dubai, but don't be too disappointed if you have to wait for my return! I promise I will surprise you with wonderful stories and pictures!

So...off she goes...around the corner!

The Three Stooges - A Gem of a Jam!

A special dedication from A. to A.

Mr Bean Rushes To The Dentist

This is a special dedication (from a CV!)

ASAS DE FRANGO PICANTES

Ingredientes:

• 1,5 Kg de asas de frango
• 2 colheres (sopa) de páprika
• 1 colher (sopa) de cebola ralada
• 1 colher (chá) de mostarda
• 1 colher (sopa) de casca de limão ralada
• 1 1/2 colher (chá) de tomilho
• sal a gosto. 2 dentes d'alho
• pimenta ardida seca a gosto. 3 copos de vinho tinto de boa qualidade
• 4 colheres (sopa) de azeite
• 1 pimento "jamaicano" cortado em quadradinhos pequenos. (São pimentos muito fortes! Cuidado!!!)
  

Modo de Preparação

1. Misture todos os temperos acima citados numa vasilha e passe as asas nesse tempero.

2. Deixe as asas marinar no tempero durante pelo menos 30 minutos.

3. Aqueça o forno - 200 °C

4. Coloque as asas numa assadeira grande untada com azeite ou manteiga e leve ao forno quente

5. Asse-as durante 30 ou 40 minutos. As asas devem estar bem doradas e estaladiças!

6. Sirva-as num prato junto com pão ainda morno e um bom vinho tinto!

N.B. Em vez de assar as asas no forno, podem-se também assar nas brasas durante um bom BBQ no verão!

Esta receita é dedicada á pessoa a quem devo o facto de falar italiano e a quem prometi a "minha" receita de "chicken wings"...chi sa un giorno...com uma beijoca carinhosa!

Never be a Stepping Stone...

I remember way, way back when
I said I never wanna see your face again
cause you were loving, yes you were somebody else

and I knew, yes I knew I couldn't control myself

and now they bring you back into my life again
and so I put on face just like your friends
but I think you know, oh yes you know whats going on
cause the feelings in me, oh yes in me are burning strong.

(Chorus)
but I will never be your stepping stone,
take it all or leave me alone,
I will never be your stepping stone,
I'm standing upright on my own.

you still call me up from time to time
and it would be so hard for me not to cross the line

the words of love lye on my lips just like a curse
and I knew, oh yes I knew they'd only make it worse
and now you have the nerve to play along
just like the maestro beats in your song
you got your kicks, you get your kicks from playing me
and the less you give the more I want, so foolishly.

(Chorus x3)
but I will never be your stepping stone,
take it all or leave me alone,
I will never be your stepping stone,
im standing upright on my own.

Stepping Stone by Duffy

Now you see me...now you don't!

A month...a whole month away from maintaining my blog...this one being the 3rd attempt to return to writing more often!

For a while I thought about closing the blog, as I had no more time to maintain it frequently, but then the caring from all those that visit it pushed me to keep it on until I would finally have time to write on it.

I never imagined that professional life could completely take over your life. It seems like my private life has completely disappeared. Nevertheless, I am enjoying all that is happening professionally...more responsibilities (more headaches), more challenges but a huge satisfaction to finally know that I am on the right track after having wandered on the different decision alleys of my life...I kept asking questions like "should I really be studying Political Sciences? Should I keep on studying Archaeology? Should I be working on the Humanitarian Aid field?" All those questions actually do have an answer now, the answer being yes. All those different alleys I took lead me to being where I am now.

So, although at the moment I am working a lot more than before due to the imperatives coming with new responsibilities, I am enjoying every minute of it.

So, even being tired, and when I arrive quite late at home (and leaving home pretty early these days), I still have a very warm thought for my friends.

Thank you all for all the sweet messages you have been leaving wondering where I had disappeared to, and thank you to those from the office who are real fans of my blog who convinced me to come back...even if just to publish some of my recipes...which reminds me I have a few promises regarding a few cakes ;-)

Anyway, here I am...back...can't promise to write as often as I used to, but I'm here!

Global Warming: Point of No Return?

How to react to Prejudice...!

A lesson marvellously delivered by the serial "All in the Family" when Archie Bunker Meets Sammy Davis!!!

"Le donne sono come le mele su un albero: le migliori sono in cima. La maggior parte degli uomini non vogliono arrivare alle migliori perché hanno paura di cadere e farsi male, così preferiscono prendere quelle che sono cadute a terra e che, pur non essendo così buone, sono facili da raggiungere.

A volte le mele che stanno sulla cima dell’albero pensano che ci sia qualcosa che non va in loro, quando in realtà sono semplicemente "meravigliose", devono solo essere pazienti e aspettare che l’uomo giusto arrivi, colui che sia cosi coraggioso da arrampicarsi fino alla cima dell’albero.

Non dobbiamo cadere per essere raggiunte: chi avrà bisogno di noi e ci ama farà di TUTTO per raggiungerci...La donna uscì dalla costola dell’uomo: non dai piedi per essere calpestata, né dalla testa per essere superiore, ma dal lato per essere uguale, sotto il braccio per essere protetta, accanto al cuore per essere amata... "

Suspiros...Sighs...

The rose - A Sigh

If this delicious, grateful flower,
Which blows but for a little hour,

Should to the sight so lovely be,
As from it’s fragrance seems to me,

A sigh must then it's colour show,
For that is the softest joy I know.

And sure the rose is like a sigh,
Borne just to soothe and then - to die.


A Rosa - Um suspiro

Se esta flor tão bela e pura,
Que apenas uma hora dura,

Tem pintado no matiz
O que o seu perfume diz,

Por certo na linda cor
Mostra um suspiro d’amor:

Dos que eu chego a conhecer
É este o maior prazer.

E a rosa como um suspiro
Há-de ser; bem se discorre:

Tem na vida o mesmo giro,
É um gosto que nasce e - morre.

Almeida Garrett