Mexicali 2

C made a fabulous pot of refried beans - both for the vegetarians (him and me) and also because you can't have Mexican without the beans!

Refried Beans

2 T vegetable oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 large tomato, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 small green chilli
3 x 400 g cans red kidney beans, roughly mashed in the food processor

Heat oil in pan. Add onion and garlic and saute until fragrant. Add tomatoes and cook until it begins to soften. Add beans and chilli. Cook for 10 - 20 minutes, stirring every now and then. Adjust flavors if necessary.

Mexicali 1

Today we did Mexican food for our cooking group - which involved (my criteria) cooking reasonably real Mexican food without the use of the ubiquitous yellow boxes!

We (well the lovelies actually) cooked 2 basic chilli con carnes from the the same recipe - one with spices and one without. You can see from the photos that we chucked in a little corn instead of the beans for the non-spicy mix (bottom photo). Please also note, in the same photo, the artistic use of funky lettuce offered by the lovely when he knew that it was to be blogged :-)

From this we made empanadas and cheesy burritos, as well as offering the meat served separately for a 'build your own' option.

Chilli Con Carne

2 T olive oil
1 brown onion. finely diced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 T tomato pasta
3/4 - 1 t cayenne pepper
1/2 t ground cinnamon
500 g beef mince
400 g can crushed tomatoes
200 g can red kidney beans, washed and drained.

Heat oil in sauce pan. Add onion and garlic and saute until transparent. Add mince and brown. Add tomato paste, cayenne pepper and cinnamon. Add tomatoes. Reduce heat and cook for about 20 minutes.

Status Report

Dinner last night was as a stir fry that had a little soy and garlic as the favor base, vegetables of mushrooms, zucchini and snow peas and bean vermicelli. Very yummy and straight out of the pantry/fridge.

So far today (during eating hours anyway) I have been at work so I had a slice of cheese for breakfast and then some of the Mexican for lunch.

So I have got through the first 24 hours without spending additional money but apart form some more snow peas, I am out of veg and fruit so the frugality won't last much longer.

Here endeth the first update :-)

It's Back

Just a quickie - was about to do some grocery shopping but it has occured to me that now would be a good time to go back to the $21 Challenge.

I have invited potential guest/s for lunch on Saturday so that will be my only exception (if it happens) but I will factor in left-overs.

Will keep you posted - including recipes :-)

Monday Sports Report

When too much sport just isn't enough ... well it can't be expected to come in on time can it ....

Polo, played by kings and princes alike isn't for everyone - I mean it isn't always easy to retain the stiff upper lip when trying to whack a ball from on top of a horse. Much more practical is elephant polo :-) Elephant polo allegedly evolved as the result of a drinking bout (really!). The rules are much the same as regular polo but the pitch is smaller as elephants are slower than horses (really!). The competitions are sponsored by such companies as Cartier and Chivas Regal. See polo for the common man!

Now I can't find pictorial evidence for the Double-Decker Demolition Derby but I have seen it so you will have to take my word it is real. And no, no buses are hurt during the race. The Double-Decker Derby is contested by two vehicles that are welded on top of each other - the top one is a little car and the driver does the steering, the bottom car is bigger one and the driver controls the accelerator and brake. Yes I am serious - two cars stacked vertically attempting to demolish of versions of the same, while not overbalancing. Does sport get any better :-/

The ultimate weird sport (yes I have been saving this one because of the timing) is 20-20 cricket. Now cricket is a gentleman's game played over 5 days. There are moments of excitement, lots of stopping for drinks and lunch, and something of a genteel aura to it all. In the late 70's it became more commercial with the introduction of a one day version which, with a few tweaks of the rules and the introduction of colored pyjamas instead of the traditional whites, took over our televisions. While it definitely wasn't the same, it was somehow acceptable, well it was after 20 years of thinking about it. Now they have 20-20 for people who don't like cricket and don't have time to watch it. Think baseball on a cricket pitch - oh don't be fooled by the wearing of the pyjamas and the players having familiar names - they are just trying to suck you in with something you have become used to. And for those who have no interest in *real* cricket, it works ... sigh

Lightning Magic

Coming into work tonight there was a number of cloud-to-cloud lightning strikes. Absolute magic to be driving along and then get bursts of lightning highlighting the cloudscapes.

I was initially planning to stop and take photos but accepted the difficulty in fluking a lightning shot so decided to enjoy the show and take 'memory shots' instead :-)

Looking Forward to 2008

Realization ... if I am going to get serious about recipe development (and getting serious about food overall) I am going to have to eat periodically ... sigh ...

Not that I need to give up developing vegetarian alternatives but unless I want to niche myself in that area (not really practical at the moment) I will have to taste what I eat - and find out what others are doing. And it isn't really realistic to cook from flavor memory - especially when experimenting with new products, flavors and combinations.

I can obviously still eat mostly vege food and I can honor any animal that dies so I can live (which I did kinda say I would do when I went vege) but it is just the end of the era and I am a bit wistful.

The Spider Story

Some days I do the dumbest things ....

I was walking past my kaffir lime tree this afternoon when I noticed there was a hole about the size of a 5 cent piece in the soil. Thinking this was a bit strange I had a bit of a poke (with my finger) around to discover that there was quite a cavernous hole behind the tunnel that collapsed as I continued to 'play'. Then I noticed that a small stick had been moved to the outside of the tunnel so I picked it up, ignoring the spider web that dangled like a fishing line from the exposed end, and poked around a bit more.I did consider that the web did look a bit like a tripline.

At some point it occurred to me that maybe this was the home of a spider and I should consult A about possibilities.

A looked at me for a bit the offered the opinion that it was probably the home of a funnel web. Now we don't have them in WA and it never occurred to me ... well that was the thing really - I just wasn't really thinking anything - even basics like "don't poke you finger repeatedly into weird but big holes in the ground".

Sigh ... don't even get me started on the snake story ....

Dear Julia

Not only am I devastated that Kim didn't get over the line in Swan but I had planned to come to Canberra and have lunch with him in the New Year so obviously that won't happen either.

I know you have said very nice things about Kim so I am wondering if I could come and have lunch with you instead.

I would be looking at arriving on a Tuesday - I will stay at the hotel I always stayed at when I came to Canberra when I worked for Kim - so I was thinking about lunch on Wednesday. Thursday would be fine too but I am reasoning that Thursdays will be more busy for you than Wednesdays but really, whatever suits. I was hoping to just go to the cafe at the House - nothing really fancy by any means.

I am more than happy to do any filing or check the stationery or whatever if you need a hand while I am around - just for old times sake.

I figured I would do some touristy things while I am in the capital - when I have been there before I was working so I have checked out the Embassys and the cafes in Manuka - and then come home on Friday - again doing a couple of touristy things on the drive back.

Cheers (in amongst the tears)

Mountaingirl

Slow Food, Real Food

While I am contemplating food I must pass on information about the Slow Food movement.

It all started in Italy in 1986 when Carlo Petrini decided the world needed another revolution - this one based not on violence and anger but this one based on a determination that 'fast food' was depriving the world of the cultural importance of regional and local food - both the products, the methods and the recipes as well as the quality - plants and animals are being bred to suit the needs of the supermarkets instead of people appreciating and celebrating the intrinsic benefits of each of the breeds. Take tomatoes for instance - they are being produced to enable them to be of a similar size, be picked green, be able to be transported and cold stored for extended periods rather than any degree of taste and texture of what are now 'heritage' breeds.

The official philosophy is

We believe that everyone has a fundamental right to pleasure and consequently the responsibility to protect the heritage of food, tradition and culture that make this pleasure possible. Our movement is founded upon this concept of eco-gastronomy – a recognition of the strong connections between plate and planet.

Slow Food is good, clean and fair food. We believe that the food we eat should taste good; that it should be produced in a clean way that does not harm the environment, animal welfare or our health; and that food producers should receive fair compensation for their work.

We consider ourselves co-producers, not consumers, because by being informed about how our food is produced and actively supporting those who produce it, we become a part of and a partner in the production process.

The revolution was well over 80,00 official members and who knows how many other who, like me, haven't let the organization know I exist :-)

Long live real food - vive la revolution!

Food Miles

I am challenged about the concept of food miles. If the term is new to you, it is literally the distance travelled by your food from where it was grown to your plate.

Where practicable I do like to buy local organic food that is in season. I also minimize the amount of packaged or fake food I buy - you will never see Twisties in my pantry for example :-)

The reliance on the importation of fruit and vegetables is possibly more of an issue for Europe and the US than Australia but we still import phenomenal amounts of the same. That decision is easy for me - I was brought up as a "buy Australian" kid (who says advertising doesn't work) - so I virtually never even consider buying overseas fresh food.

Chocolate is another easy one - I am not aware of a fair trade Australian chocolate producer - and certainly I have never seen one in the supermarkets or gourmet stores I frequent, so I am more than happy to purchase fair trade chocolate, even if the company is from overseas and the product has considerable food miles attached to it.

I get stuck on other things though. Take coffee for example - we have a perfectly acceptable coffee producer who grows their own beans just up the proverbial road (a couple of hours away). Now do I purchase their coffee - minimizing food miles and supporting local businesses, or do I buy fair trade coffee and support a community elsewhere in the world, but clock up enormous food miles. Even if I assume that the quality and the taste of the coffee is equal, I get stuck on which one is the more 'moral' decision.

Shall keep you up to date with my musings :-)

Footprints

I have been seriously considering the size of my carbon footprint lately.

I have been making what little changes I can (changing the lightbulbs, reducing the amount of packaging, being particular about my recycling, buying local foods where possible, reducing my chemical usage in the home, all that sort of stuff) and although they are little, they are important.

I commute to work so that is my biggest contributor of pollution and while there isn't an alternative (I live too far to cycle and public transport doesn't correlate with shift work) I am trying to not use the car any more than I absolutely have to.

One thing I am going to do is have some trees planted for me so I can completely offset my usage. If you don't know yours use the calculator to give you a rough idea. Interesting there is a plethora of choices as to where I can plant them - for practicality Brother G has a farm but then there is also very active Landcare groups in and around my home town and there there are a number of organisations that will plant for you - either in Australia or overseas.

And I have a new challenge for myself - even though I am planning to off-set my footprint, I still want to reduce my actual emissions to be as low as practicable.

Yes this is part 'save the world' but it will also save me money. How can that nor be win-win :-)

Bowraville

I love this little town. Yesterday I heard it referred to as the town that time forgot and I agree. It is just a regular country town from my childhood. Not over developed, not renovated to within an inch of it's life, not trying to be anything it isn't. It has its problems but if community spirit has anything to do with long-term success, then Bowraville will be forging ahead forever :-)

Yesterday was the opening of the new town clock. The town had had a clock for an infinite number of years and it had been broken for almost as long! So a number of community groups got together, formed a committee, worked their butts off and bingo! One new clock :-)

And this isn't just any clock - it has a webcam built in so you can go onto the local website and check out the view at any time - day or night!

The clock was actually opened by the widow of the original designer which was a lovely touch. Also present for the ceremony were the famous Bowraville Singers, and the local pollies.

Now I could say something cheeky about the pollies coming out but the elections are over, their presence was obviously appreciated and they spoke warmly and genuinely. Nothing to criticize really ...

Anyway, and this is another indication of how the town works, it was amazing how many people in the audience had gone to a significant effort to get dressed up for the occasion. This wasn't just a brief interruption to the Saturday morning routine, this ceremony was genuinely important.

Karma Currency

I have already posted my Christmas wish list but I have just discovered Karma Currency and they are definitely worth a look.

It works by (say) I buy someone a $50 voucher for someone for Christmas. I actually pay a couple of dollars more to cover KC's administration costs so I know that my friend can have the entire $50 to spend. She can then go to the website and choose from over 100 Australian charities. She might give all of it to one charity, or divide it amongst any of the charities listed. If she has a specific charity in mind, and they haven't signed with KC, she can even let KC know and they can follow up for you.

KC also works for birthdays or any other RAK you may want to do. You can even register for a wedding this way!

Wednesday's Lunch

One of the real joys of working where I do is running a cooking class on Wednesdays - and now with the change of hours, I get to do it every week. Menu planning is one of the absolute joys of my life and now I get to do it very regularly :-)

Yesterday I was playing with the theme of a 'light lunch' with the objective of introducing different sorts of salads to the lovelies.

We made a garden salad with chicken strips, my potato salad, a pasta salad, a rice salad , a mushroom salad and a Greek salad. This was served with tuna patties. There was also sliced watermelon.

We made our own dressings too. It all went down really well - even though some of the lovelies are far more interested in meat than vegetables :-)

Next week I am looking at real Mexican food (ie, doesn't come out of a box) and am playing with two menus on that theme. Mind you I am also considering a South American bbq theme but that might be better after Christmas. Oh the joy of the possibilities :-)

BTW: Next week I will actually have my camera and I will post the recipes too :-)

Ali MeMe'd Me

So, here are 7 Random Things about me!!

1. Scrabble is my favorite board game

2. I used to have a fear of walking down sloped surfaces

3. I am a 'bearant'

4. I love to make my own fresh pasta

5. English and English Lit were my favorite subjects at school

6. I have more cook books than any other sort of books

7. Jasmine and gardenias are my favorite smelly flowers

I pass on the meme to everyone who reads this as well as Gabi, and Rob :-)

Mountaingirl Arts

I have been building a blog that features my art and wanted to wait until it was absolutely perfect before opening it to the world.

Photographing the new work (read 'stuff that I have done since moving to the east coast') has been the biggest problem - I have got one done but I am still working on the rest (with advice from Anony and A). Just can't get the light right!!!

But rather than wait I have decided to dive right in and lift the security and welcome the world...

Spotted Catbird

A spotted catbird came to visit me some months (maybe even a year) ago. It was the weirdest bird I had ever seen but I was able to identify it after Googling around. Ironically I went to the Dorrigo Environment Centre in the next few days so I was able to hear its call too.

Anyway, it's back. One of John's nephews heard it a couple of mornings ago and today it was my turn.

Now the challenge is to see it as well as hear it and get a photo of my own!

Feelings Check

I found it most interesting that I felt very lonely last night. I know I live alone, and spend vast amounts of time alone but I don't actually remember the last time I actually felt lonely. Was it because I had had company for the previous few days, was it a result of my shift changes and not seeing my friends very often, was it just a phase of the moon :-)

Not quite sure, but am very glad that the feeling has passed...

I'm Smarter Than A Fifth Grader

Yes I am a homework-helper again (well I was yesterday) and this time it was Year 9 maths - specifically calculating the area and volume of weird shapes. Now I don't want to brag ... well yes I do actually ... firstly I was asked if I knew Pythagorus' theorm just as a random ... and yes I did (a2 + b2 = c2) ... and then I had a go at the outstanding problems that were proving difficult and, after a couple of fiddlings ..... (drum roll please) yes I did them - and got the correct answers.

Yes after 23 years I can still do maths :-)