Random thoughts

So, that was Xmas, was it? It certainly didn't feel like Xmas. I don't know if it was the fact that everyone's po' at the moment, or the fact that I'm not taking any holiday time over Xmas, but I just didn't have that same feeling this year that I usually have. Ah, well, we all grow up sometime I suppose.

Panda and I went for Xmas-eve sushi (our local was closed, so we went to Sake House* in Claremont), then came home and opened his gift to me (us): the collector's edition Star Trek: The Next Generation (all 7 seasons on 49 dvds with loads of extras). It is made of win. We've watched the first 3 dvds so far. I have reached the height of geekdom: admiring knitted sweaters in a cheesy sf show** :P. I do love the Trek, though. Mmm, Picard. And Data (he's fully functional, you know).

The day itself was ok, had a big lunch at my aunt's place with a total of 16 family members. There were no fights (for a change!), I didn't overeat too badly (although I did make too much trifle, which was a bit heavy on the sherry or so I'm told), and I got to see everyone. It was pleasant, except for pretty much every single person asking me when P and I are getting married and having kids. Argh. The Xmas is the coolest (weather-wise) that I can remember, it's raining at the moment. Damn climate change, interfering with my laundry schedule.

My yarn from everymoment arrived (via red-headed glamazonian courier in lime-green and turquoise sequinned high heels). It's so lovely, but I'm struggling to find a pattern that will suit it.

Here are some adorable pictures of Puff (warning: the high levels of cute may cause eyeballs to bleed).

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Also, here is a recipe for rice salad. I am posting it here as I have received lots of compliments from people who might like to make it themselves. I haven't given quantities, use as much of each ingredient as you like. The end ratio of rice to veg should be 1:1.

Rice rice baby

- cooked brown rice
- mushrooms
- red peppers
- green peppers
- onion (red or brown)
- can of whole kernel corn
- garlic
- soya sauce

Chop your veges. Fry onion and garlic until tender, then add peppers and fry until tender. Add mushrooms and fry until tender. When all the veges are done to your liking, add the rice and fry it all together. Then add soya sauce and mix well. Ta da! You can also add cashews to this, or lentils to make it a complete meal.

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* quite pricey compared to our local, not as tasty but a much greater variety. Almost too much variety. It was ok for a treat, but probably won't go there again unless for a special occasion.

** it's a good thing I'm not in Starfleet:

*alarms ringing, lights flashing*
Redshirt: Captain, the Borg are attacking, there's a Klingon Bird of Prey decloaking off the port bow and the holodeck has malfunctioned causing fictional characters to swarm the lower decks!
Me: Is that a C4F or a Cr4L I see on your sweater?
Enterprise: *asplode*

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Edit: a good reason to get your pets microchipped.

Herewith, some recipes from my new cookbook Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian. It is full of win. Recipes reproduced at the request of extemp and Jo (of JoStv).

Spicy Eggplant Stew with Potatoes, Mushrooms and Chickpeas (India)

(Serves 4 to 6)

1/4 cup peanut ir canola oil
1/8 teaspoon ground asafetida (couldn't find; didn't use)
1 1/2 teaspoons whole cumin seeds
3 whole dried hot red chillies (I used 3-ish teaspoons crushed chillies)
2 garlic cloves, lightly crushed and peeled
3/4 pound potatoes, peeled and cut into 1- to 1 1/2-inch chunks
3/4 pound eggplants, cut crosswise into 1- to 1 1/2-inch chunks
3/4 pound large white mushrooms, halved or quartered to match other vegetable pieces
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 cup tomato puree
2 1/4 teaspoons salt
3/4 well-packed cup very finely minced fresh cilantro/coriander/dhanya (I left this out)
2 1/4 cups drained cooked chickpeas (a 20-ounce can)

Put the oil in a large, wide pot and set over high heat. When hot, put in the asafetida and cumin. Let them sizzle for 10 seconds. Put in the red chillies. As soon as they swell and darken, a matter of seconds, put in the garlic and potatoes. Stir and fry for a minute. Put in the eggplant, stir and fry for 2 minutes. Put in the mushrooms, stir and fry for another 2 minutes. Now put in the turmeric and ground coriander. Stir once and put in the tomato puree, 4 cups of water, salt, cilantro and chickpeas. Bring to a boil. Cover, turn the heat down to low, and cook gently for 35 to 40 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.

I served this stew with:

Yoghurt with Walnut and Raisins (India)

(Serves 4 to 6)

You can add a few tablespoons of diced green apple to this if you like. I didn't.

1 cup plain yoghurt
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon sugar
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh mint (I used more, I like mint)
1/4 chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon ghee or peanut oil (I used marg)
1/4 cup golden raisins (I used golden sultanas, couldn't find golden raisins)

Put the yoghurt in a bowl and beat lightly with a whisk or fork until it is smooth and creamy. Add the salt, sugar, pepper to taste, mint and walnuts and combine.
Put the ghee in a small frying pan and set over medium heat. When hot, put in the raisins. Stir them briefly just until they plump up. Quickly pour the ghee and raisins into the bowl with the yoghurt. Stir to mix.

and:

Fresh Ginger and Green Chilli Relish

(Makes 1/2 cup)

1 (3-inch) piece of fresh ginger
7 to 10 fresh hot green chillies
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

Peel the ginger and then cut it crosswise into the thinnest slices possible. Cut the green chillies crosswise into fine slices. In a small, clean glass jar, combine the ginger, chillies, salt and sugar.
Put the lemon juice into a small stainless steel or enameled pot and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and allow the juice to become lukewarm. Pour the juice over the ginger and cover the jar with a noncorrosive lid. Shake to mix. This relish may be eaten after an hour. Store in the fridge, will keep for 1 week.


In other news, I have joined the Cape Philharmonic Choir. First practice was tonight. In at the deep end with Handel's Messiah. It's hard. A's are not my friend when I'm so out of practice :(. There was a blind lady there and her guide dog whined a little when the sopranos squeaked on the high notes.

Also, reading Sunshine at the moment. I'm not sure if I like it, it's a bit angsty. It reads a bit like Ursula Vernon's blog at times, similar sense of humour. Also also, went to see The Merchant of Venice at Maynardville. I'm not sure I appreciated the new "take" (ie, raping). Obviously, the common-sense department was on holiday when the director said "I know! Nazis! Let's put Nazis in!". And, as we all know, as soon as someone introduces Nazis we all lose. And they didn't even salute the Bard's statue at the end! Shylocke's butler was fabulous, I wonder around saying "weeeeeeeeelll, my conscience, he says.." and "the deveeeel (hands up)". Sigh, good times.