Category: cooking

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South Africa is Bobotie

bobotie

 The mountains and lakes say something about the people who inhabit a land. Herodotus wrote that to understand any people you must understand the land that shapes them. However, I believe it is the culinary masterpieces that people produce for themselves that say so much more.

One of my favorite meals consists of ‘Bobotie’. It is a South African dish rich in history and influences. It should be no surprise that much of the food of South Afica is a fusion of African, British, Dutch (Afrikaner) and Malay influences; concequently, it is made with subtle influences of the people who live there. Although there are variations, it is more similar than different. Bobotie served with rice, a salad and Mrs. Ball’s Chutney ( you can find Mrs. Ball’s Chutney at World Market and finer stores). The flavor of pork and lamb intertwine with raisins, appricot, pine nuts and scented with Curry* and Garam Masala* (*I make my own blends) crowned with a custard and banana topping!

Bobotie is light , satisfying and delicious!

concord grapes in california

Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York are the big produces of Concord Grapes in the United States and although there are a couple of growing regions in California… it can be problematical. However, for me in San Luis Obispo, it hasn’t been a problem and my arbor is starting to get covered!

my grape plant
a couple of runners from the hugh Concord Grape Base!

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spices add life to any meal

spices add life
CLICK on the picture above to view my powerpoint presentation on Spices

Over the years, Laura has asked me to come an provide a lecture to her class in Sensation & Perception (Psychology). In keeping with the subject , I usually present something involving the various senses and something — hopefully — I know a little about. I’ve discussed: Luca Turin and the basics of Perfumes, the history and variations of chocolate and most recently…. spices. In each case, I offer an exploration of the subject to the student. With perfume, I ask them to identify from various esters the components of popular fragrances; with chocolate, they come to know a bit about grading and what constitutes quality chocolate; and with spices, I ask them to identify the complex ingredients in a Scandinavian Christmas cookie.

CLICKING on the above picture you will get the idea of some of the key ideas that we discussed in a powerpoint … some of the material is my own, while I did ‘borrow’ a bit from here and there. I also placed a few references with links at the end.

Spices do a lot more than just make food taste better!

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punishment by baklava

baklava for iraq
Sometimes the punishment fits the crime! CLICK on the picture for our recipe

When my daughter Kristin was home we baked a great many things. Of course there had to be the requisite Baklava for a little get-together. There was a tad left over and Kristin planned to send some to a friend stationed in Iraq. It was all ready to ship, but then the unthinkable happened. It was eaten!

Finally the culprit was caught and forced to bake up more Baklava based on the ancient family recipe… which was torture indeed. Soon it will be off to where it is supposed to be.

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save the planet by eating uni!

sushi with uni
aAaAaah, one bite and I am in heaven!

When most of us think of Japan,  we think of Sushi and I would agree that the Japanese have certainly popularized, refined and defined what sushi is today. In the study of the  history of sushi — most would agree — that sushi started somewhere in southeastern asia. It really isn’t the same as what we think of today;  it is kind of like crediting folks who first took two pita breads together spread with a sweet honey and nut filling and saying they invented  ‘Baklava!’

Although I would admit to not being the best sushi chef even with decades of practice, using the best and the freshest ingredients seems to make up for my shortcomings. For me, making uni sushi is a tad more challenging than making a simple sushi roll.

making a sushi roll
making uni sushi is easier than my attempts... but if it is fresh, then it is wonderful! CLICK on photo for my favorite sushi place!

Making uni sushi is a very simple process: 1) start with a nice short grain rice ( I throw in a little saffron for fun!) 2) cut your Nori (dried seaweed) into long 1 1/2  wide strips 3) overlap ends, moisten one end and seal 4) I stuff the bottom with rice and 4) place at least 2 sections of uni on top! enjoy!

Uni as it is wonderful all by itself; however,  you may wish to add a little Miso soup and some Saki will round things off

an uni sushi feast
for me... this is a 'feast'!

BTW, I read that with the hunting of whales causing the increase in the killer whale population resulting in far less sea otters than their ‘should be’ and a potential ‘population explosion’ of sea urchins… you are doing your planet good by eating all the UNI (sea urchin eggs) you can!

Next time your at a fine Sushi restaurant, try a little UNI in your sushi meal. After all, being GREEN can be delicious!  😉

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hunting for the wild and elusive uni

Fresh from Catalina Seafood CLICK on picture to read more about this deliciously wonderful ingredient!

When I was a child, finding ‘fresh uni’ was challenging as was finding great sushi. However, today we have wonderful sushi restaurants – not only in California – but around the world. My daughter Karen took great delight in sending me a few pictures of some  great sushi at Balducci’s in Capetown, South Africa! Karen can be so cruel! 😉

Now, it is great living in San Luis Obispo, California; however, there is a downside. The downside is that there are a lot of folks here who don’t want the place to change. It does feel like Alice falling down the rabbit hole when you hear people debating whether or not ‘sewers’ should be built? Never-the-less, the winds of positive change move even the most stubborn mountains and the first elements of civilization are making there way here… including great sushi.

Call it habit, stubbornness or perfection, but I have always enjoyed making my own sushi starting with the finest and freshest ingredients. Thanks to the internet, we can buy ‘uni and delivered to this far flung outpost’.

Now, maybe my daughters will be a bit envious?