Indian-Indian Fusion
Vandag is die Amerikaanse vakansiedag wat bekend staan as "Thanksgiving." Ek het dit saam met Chris en sy vriendekring gevier. Ek is gewoonlik die enigste vegetariër by Thanksgiving byeenkomste, egter Chris is ook een, so ek wou iets spesiaal vir ons maak. Hy is ook die vriend wat ek leer hoe om Indiese kos te kook. Met dit in gedagte het ek besluit op 'n kombinasie van die kookkuns van Indiane* en Indiërs*.
Die twee geregte wat ek gebring het was Succotash-kerrie en basmati-Amerikaanse swart rys pilaf met geroosterde okkerneute en tuisgemaakte versuikerde bosbessies. Amerikaanse swart rys is nie werklik rys nie, maar eerder 'n verlangs verwante gras spesies. Succotash is 'n mielie en boontjie bredie van die Narraganset Indiane van Nieu-Engeland.
Today is the American holiday known as Thanksgiving. I celebrated it with Chris and his circle of friends. I'm usually the only vegetarian at Thanksgiving gatherings, however Chris is also one, so I wanted to make something special for us. He is also the friend I'm teaching how to cook Indian food. With this in mind, I decided on a combination of the cuisines of American and Asian Indians*.
The two entrees that I brought were Succotash curry and basmati-wild rice pilaf with toasted walnuts and homemade candied cranberries. Wild rice isn't actually rice, but rather a distantly related species of grass. Succotash is a corn and bean stew from the Narraganset Indians of New England.
* The noun & attributive adjective pairs "Indiane" en "Indiërs" translate into English as "Indians", though in Afrikaans the former is reserved for American Indians and the latter for Asian Indians.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Lindiwe Mazibuko
Ek het op Saterdag middagete saam met my vriend Elrich gehad. Dis altyd lekker wanneer ek 'n kans kry om Afrikaans te oefen. Natuurlik was Suid-Afrika een van die onderwerpe van gesprek.
Elrich wil terugtrek Kaapstad toe en vir die 2014 Demokratiese Alliansie veldtog werk. Die DA is nie perfek nie, maar albei van ons dink dis 'n beter kies as die ANC vir die toekoms van die land. 'n Goeie voorbeeld van die groot verskil tussen die twee politieke partye kan raakgesien word deur die optrede van Julius Malema en Lindiwe Mazibuko.
Malema is welbekend vir sy haatspraak soos "shoot the Boer." Hier is 'n video van Mazibuko.
I had lunch with my friend Elrich on Saturday. It's always nice when I get a chance to practice Afrikaans. Naturally, South Africa was one of the topics of discussion.
Elrich wants to move back to Cape Town and work for the 2014 Democratic Alliance campaign. The DA isn't perfect, but both of us think it's a better choice than the ANC for the future of the country. A good example of the big difference between the two political parties can be seen through the actions of Julius Malema and Lindiwe Mazibuko.
Malema is well known for his hate speech like "Shoot the Boer." Here is a video from Mazibuko.
Elrich wil terugtrek Kaapstad toe en vir die 2014 Demokratiese Alliansie veldtog werk. Die DA is nie perfek nie, maar albei van ons dink dis 'n beter kies as die ANC vir die toekoms van die land. 'n Goeie voorbeeld van die groot verskil tussen die twee politieke partye kan raakgesien word deur die optrede van Julius Malema en Lindiwe Mazibuko.
Malema is welbekend vir sy haatspraak soos "shoot the Boer." Hier is 'n video van Mazibuko.
I had lunch with my friend Elrich on Saturday. It's always nice when I get a chance to practice Afrikaans. Naturally, South Africa was one of the topics of discussion.
Elrich wants to move back to Cape Town and work for the 2014 Democratic Alliance campaign. The DA isn't perfect, but both of us think it's a better choice than the ANC for the future of the country. A good example of the big difference between the two political parties can be seen through the actions of Julius Malema and Lindiwe Mazibuko.
Malema is well known for his hate speech like "Shoot the Boer." Here is a video from Mazibuko.
Friday, November 04, 2011
Tandems
Vanoggend op deel van die roete werk toe het ek agter 'n familie van vier op twee tandems fietsgery. Familietyd, oefening en vervoer alles in een! Ek het nog nooit op 'n tandem fietsgery, maar ek wil dit doen! Dit lyk pret!
This morning, for part of the way to work, I cycled behind a family of four on two tandem bikes. Family time, exercise, and transportation all in one! I've never ridden on a tandem bike before, but I want to! It looks fun!
This morning, for part of the way to work, I cycled behind a family of four on two tandem bikes. Family time, exercise, and transportation all in one! I've never ridden on a tandem bike before, but I want to! It looks fun!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Gestoomde voorgeregte
Steamed Appetizers
Gisteraand het ek aandete geëet saam met my vriend Matt, 'n Amerikaner wat aan die Universiteit van Kaapstad gestudeer het. Baie Amerikaners is vertroud met Indiese voorgeregte, veral diepgebraaide kosse soos samoesas en pakoras. Dit mag as 'n verrassing kom dat Indiese kookkuns ook tradisionele gestoomde voorgeregte het. Ek het sooji dhokla gemaak, 'n spesialiteit van Gujarat. Terloops, my vriend Nikita wat my leer hoe om Indiese kos te kook is Gujarati :).
Ek het dié resep van "Manjula's Kitchen" gebruik, alhoewel ek kerrieblare in plaas van koljander gevoeg aangesien 'n ander dis alreeds die laasgenoemde gehad het.
Hier is die ander disse van die ete:
Aloo Dimer Dalna (eier en aartappel kerrie)
Matar Pulao (rys met soetertjies)
Lahsan Papad (knoffel-lensie skyfies)
Brinjal Chutney (eiervrug blatjang)
Amchur Chutney (mango blatjang)
Nimbu Chutney (lemmetjie blatjang)
Last night, I had dinner with my friend Matt, an American who studied at the University of Cape Town. Many Americans are familiar with Indian appetizers, especially deep-fried foods like samosas and pakoras. It may come as a surprise that Indian cuisine also has traditional steamed appetizers. I made sooji dhokla, a specialty from Gujarat. Incidentally, my friend Nikita who taught me how to cook Indian food, is Gujarati :).
I used this recipe from "Manjula's Kitchen", although I added curry leaves instead of cilantro since another dish already had the latter.
Here are the other dishes from the meal:
Aloo Dimer Dalna (egg and potato curry)
Matar Pulao (rice with sweetpeas)
Lahsan Papad (garlic-lentil crisps)
Brinjal Chutney (eggplant chutney)
Amchur Chutney (mango chutney)
Nimbu Chutney (lime chutney)
Gisteraand het ek aandete geëet saam met my vriend Matt, 'n Amerikaner wat aan die Universiteit van Kaapstad gestudeer het. Baie Amerikaners is vertroud met Indiese voorgeregte, veral diepgebraaide kosse soos samoesas en pakoras. Dit mag as 'n verrassing kom dat Indiese kookkuns ook tradisionele gestoomde voorgeregte het. Ek het sooji dhokla gemaak, 'n spesialiteit van Gujarat. Terloops, my vriend Nikita wat my leer hoe om Indiese kos te kook is Gujarati :).
Ek het dié resep van "Manjula's Kitchen" gebruik, alhoewel ek kerrieblare in plaas van koljander gevoeg aangesien 'n ander dis alreeds die laasgenoemde gehad het.
Hier is die ander disse van die ete:
Aloo Dimer Dalna (eier en aartappel kerrie)
Matar Pulao (rys met soetertjies)
Lahsan Papad (knoffel-lensie skyfies)
Brinjal Chutney (eiervrug blatjang)
Amchur Chutney (mango blatjang)
Nimbu Chutney (lemmetjie blatjang)
Last night, I had dinner with my friend Matt, an American who studied at the University of Cape Town. Many Americans are familiar with Indian appetizers, especially deep-fried foods like samosas and pakoras. It may come as a surprise that Indian cuisine also has traditional steamed appetizers. I made sooji dhokla, a specialty from Gujarat. Incidentally, my friend Nikita who taught me how to cook Indian food, is Gujarati :).
I used this recipe from "Manjula's Kitchen", although I added curry leaves instead of cilantro since another dish already had the latter.
Here are the other dishes from the meal:
Aloo Dimer Dalna (egg and potato curry)
Matar Pulao (rice with sweetpeas)
Lahsan Papad (garlic-lentil crisps)
Brinjal Chutney (eggplant chutney)
Amchur Chutney (mango chutney)
Nimbu Chutney (lime chutney)
Thursday, September 29, 2011
'n Vegetariese Afrikaner
A Vegetarian Afrikaner
Vanaand het ek aandete saam met my vriend Elrich geëet. Nie net is hy 'n Afrikaner en 'n vegetariër nie, hy is ook 'n derde generasie lewenslange vegetariër o.O! Verassend, ne? Natuurlik is hy lief vir Indiese kos, die vegetariër-vriendelikste kookkuns ter wêreld in my opinie :).
Hier is wat ons gehad het:
Palak Paneer (Indiese kaas met romerige spinasiesous)
Jeera Aloo (komyn-aartappels)
Mirch Pulao (rys met soetrissie)
Lahsun Papad (knoffel-lensie skyfies)
Mango Chutney
Lime Chutney
Witwyn - Sommige sommeliers beveel rooiwyn aan vir Indiese kos, maar wit is ons verkies. Die soetheid en delikate smaak van die wyn en die sterk speserye van die kos is 'n lekker kombinasie. Gee dit 'n probeer!
Vanaand het ek aandete saam met my vriend Elrich geëet. Nie net is hy 'n Afrikaner en 'n vegetariër nie, hy is ook 'n derde generasie lewenslange vegetariër o.O! Verassend, ne? Natuurlik is hy lief vir Indiese kos, die vegetariër-vriendelikste kookkuns ter wêreld in my opinie :).
Hier is wat ons gehad het:
Palak Paneer (Indiese kaas met romerige spinasiesous)
Jeera Aloo (komyn-aartappels)
Mirch Pulao (rys met soetrissie)
Lahsun Papad (knoffel-lensie skyfies)
Mango Chutney
Lime Chutney
Witwyn - Sommige sommeliers beveel rooiwyn aan vir Indiese kos, maar wit is ons verkies. Die soetheid en delikate smaak van die wyn en die sterk speserye van die kos is 'n lekker kombinasie. Gee dit 'n probeer!
Geen van die speserye in die drie hoofgeregte is herhaal nie :).
Bord 1 - Jeera Aloo (komyn-aartappels): komynsade, knoffelpoeier, swart kardamom, kaneelpoeier, mangapoeier
Bord 2 - Mirch Pulao (rys met soetrissie): vinkelsade, nigella, lourierblare, fenegrieksade, hing, steranys
Bord 3 - Palak Paneer (Indiese kaas met romerige spinasiesous): groen kardamom, swart mostertsade, fenegriekblare (baie verskillende smaak van die sade), koljandersade, gemmerpoeier
Tonight I had dinner with my friend Elrich. Not only is he an Afrikaner and a vegetarian, he's also a third-generation lifelong vegetarian o.O! Surprising, isn't it? Naturally, he loves Indian food, the most vegetarian-friendly cuisine in the world in my opinion.
Here's what we had:
Palak Paneer (Indian cheese with creamy spinach sauce)
Jeera Aloo (cumin potatoes)
Mirch Pulao (rice with sweet peppers)
Lahsun Papad (garlic-lentil crisps)
Mango Chutney
Lime Chutney
White Wine - Some sommeliers recommend red wine for Indian food, but white is our preference. The sweetness and delicate flavor of the wine and the strong spices of the food are a wonderful combination. Give it a try!
None of the spices were repeated in the three main dishes :).
Plate 1 - Jeera Aloo (cumin potatoes): cumin seeds, garlic powder, black cardamom, cinnamon powder, mango powder
Plate 2 - Mirch Pulao (rice with bell peppers): fennel seeds, nigella, bay leaves, fenugreek seeds, hing, star anise
Plate 3 - Palak Paneer (Indian cheese with spinach sauce): green cardamom, black mustard seeds, fenugreek leaves (very different flavor from the seeds), coriander (the seeds of the cilantro plant), ginger powder
Here's what we had:
Palak Paneer (Indian cheese with creamy spinach sauce)
Jeera Aloo (cumin potatoes)
Mirch Pulao (rice with sweet peppers)
Lahsun Papad (garlic-lentil crisps)
Mango Chutney
Lime Chutney
White Wine - Some sommeliers recommend red wine for Indian food, but white is our preference. The sweetness and delicate flavor of the wine and the strong spices of the food are a wonderful combination. Give it a try!
None of the spices were repeated in the three main dishes :).
Plate 1 - Jeera Aloo (cumin potatoes): cumin seeds, garlic powder, black cardamom, cinnamon powder, mango powder
Plate 2 - Mirch Pulao (rice with bell peppers): fennel seeds, nigella, bay leaves, fenugreek seeds, hing, star anise
Plate 3 - Palak Paneer (Indian cheese with spinach sauce): green cardamom, black mustard seeds, fenugreek leaves (very different flavor from the seeds), coriander (the seeds of the cilantro plant), ginger powder
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Meer Indiese kos
More Indian Food
Ek leer nog steeds my vriend Chris hoe om Indiese kos te kook. Vandag het ons die volgende voorberei:
Achari baingan (eiervrug in piekelspeserye; ek gebruik vinkel en nigella)
Aloo tikki (gekruide aartappel patties)
Dal (lensiebredie)
Jeera chawal (komynrys)
I'm still teaching my friend Chris how to cook Indian food. Today, we prepared the following:
Achari baingan (eggplant in pickling spices - I use fennel and nigella)
Aloo tikki (spiced potato patties)
Dal (lentil stew)
Jeera chawal (cumin rice)
Ek leer nog steeds my vriend Chris hoe om Indiese kos te kook. Vandag het ons die volgende voorberei:
Achari baingan (eiervrug in piekelspeserye; ek gebruik vinkel en nigella)
Aloo tikki (gekruide aartappel patties)
Dal (lensiebredie)
Jeera chawal (komynrys)
I'm still teaching my friend Chris how to cook Indian food. Today, we prepared the following:
Achari baingan (eggplant in pickling spices - I use fennel and nigella)
Aloo tikki (spiced potato patties)
Dal (lentil stew)
Jeera chawal (cumin rice)
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Sterkte-oefening
Strength Training
Ek het onlangs 'n nuwe stertke-oefening roetine begin. Ek het nie geweet die klein maar baie belangrike verskil tussen die frases "om gewig op te tel" en "om gewigte op te tel" nie. Ek het 'n paar vriende vertel dat ek die eerste gedoen het, maar ek het die tweede bedoel. Selfs al is die twee nie wedersyds uitsluitend nie, het die eerste frase dieselfde konnotasie in Engels en beteken gewoonlik om vet te raak. Oops!
I recently started a new strength training regimen. I didn't know the small, but very important distinction between the phrases "gaining weight" and "lifting weights." I told a few friends that I was doing the first, but I meant the second! Even though the two aren't mutually exclusive, the first phrase has the same connotation in English and usually means getting fat. Oops!
I recently started a new strength training regimen. I didn't know the small, but very important distinction between the phrases "gaining weight" and "lifting weights." I told a few friends that I was doing the first, but I meant the second! Even though the two aren't mutually exclusive, the first phrase has the same connotation in English and usually means getting fat. Oops!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Vra nie, vertel nie
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Vandag is die eerste amptelike dag van die nuwe Amerikaanse militêre beleid sonder "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". My pa was in die weermag en het 'n paar gay soldate geken. Dit was nie 'n groot kwessie nie. Soos hulle sê, "you don't have to be straight to shoot straight." Straf onprofesionele gedrag, nie sexualiteit nie. Vir al die soldate daar buite, straight of gay, dankie vir jou diens aan ons land!
Hier is 'n vid van 'n Amerikaanse soldaat wat aan sy pa uitkom.
Are you surprised?
Today is the first official day of the new US Military policy without "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." My father was in the army and knew a few gay soldiers. It wasn't a big deal. As they say, "you don't have to be straight, to shoot straight." Punish unprofessional conduct, not sexuality. For all the soldiers out there, straight or gay, thank you for your service to our country!
Here is a video from an American soldier coming out to his father.
Vandag is die eerste amptelike dag van die nuwe Amerikaanse militêre beleid sonder "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". My pa was in die weermag en het 'n paar gay soldate geken. Dit was nie 'n groot kwessie nie. Soos hulle sê, "you don't have to be straight to shoot straight." Straf onprofesionele gedrag, nie sexualiteit nie. Vir al die soldate daar buite, straight of gay, dankie vir jou diens aan ons land!
Hier is 'n vid van 'n Amerikaanse soldaat wat aan sy pa uitkom.
Are you surprised?
Today is the first official day of the new US Military policy without "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." My father was in the army and knew a few gay soldiers. It wasn't a big deal. As they say, "you don't have to be straight, to shoot straight." Punish unprofessional conduct, not sexuality. For all the soldiers out there, straight or gay, thank you for your service to our country!
Here is a video from an American soldier coming out to his father.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Baie amandels
Lots of Almonds
Gewoonlik hier in Kalifornië wissel amandels van $7 tot $14 per pond, maar ek het onlangs 'n goeie afslag gevind. Die amandels wat ek gekoop het was net $4 per pond! Ek moes 10 pond koop vir die afslag, maar dis nie 'n probleem nie.
Amandels is baie gesond en het goeie vet, vitamien E, fiber en proteïen. Noudat ek weer gewigte optel, probeer ek om meer dinge soos amandels te eet in plaas van gemorskos soos Doritos. Ek probeer ook om minder soyaprodukte te vebruik. Soya kan gesond wees, maar matigheid is die beste, veral vir manne te wyte aan die plantoestrogenen wat dit bevat. Ek eet nog tofu en is lief vir dinge soos tubu chorim, 'n gekruide Koreaanse tofu dis, maar ek begin om amandelmelk te drink eerder as soya.
Amandelmelk klink soos 'n moderne uitvinding, maar dit was eintlik 'n belangrike bestanddeel in die kombuise van Middeleeuse Europa en die Midde-Ooste. Ek gebruik altyd amandelmelk vir die saffraansous van navrattan korma, een van my gunsteling Indiese geregte, maar ek het dit selde uit die karton gedrink. Egter het ek onlangs "Silk Almond Milk" probeer. Dis baie goed op sigself en het my geïnspireer om dit tuis te maak. Met 10 pond van amandels, sal ek genoeg hê!
Almonds are very healthy and contain good fats, vitamin E, fiber, and protein. Now that I'm lifting weights again, I'm trying to eat more things like almonds instead of junkfood like Doritos. I'm also trying to consume less soy products. Soy can be healthy, but moderation is best, especially for men due to the phytoestrogens it contains. I still eat tofu and love things like tubu chorim, a spicy Korean tofu dish, but I'm starting to drink almond milk instead of soy.
Almond milk sounds like a modern invention, but it was actually an important ingredient in the kitchens of Medieval Europe and the Mideast. I always use almond milk for the saffron sauce of navrattan korma, one of my favorite Indian dishes, but I rarely drank it out of the carton. However, I recently tried "Silk Almond Milk." It's really good by itself and has inspired me to make it at home. With 10 pounds of almonds, I'll have enough!
Gewoonlik hier in Kalifornië wissel amandels van $7 tot $14 per pond, maar ek het onlangs 'n goeie afslag gevind. Die amandels wat ek gekoop het was net $4 per pond! Ek moes 10 pond koop vir die afslag, maar dis nie 'n probleem nie.
Amandels is baie gesond en het goeie vet, vitamien E, fiber en proteïen. Noudat ek weer gewigte optel, probeer ek om meer dinge soos amandels te eet in plaas van gemorskos soos Doritos. Ek probeer ook om minder soyaprodukte te vebruik. Soya kan gesond wees, maar matigheid is die beste, veral vir manne te wyte aan die plantoestrogenen wat dit bevat. Ek eet nog tofu en is lief vir dinge soos tubu chorim, 'n gekruide Koreaanse tofu dis, maar ek begin om amandelmelk te drink eerder as soya.
Amandelmelk klink soos 'n moderne uitvinding, maar dit was eintlik 'n belangrike bestanddeel in die kombuise van Middeleeuse Europa en die Midde-Ooste. Ek gebruik altyd amandelmelk vir die saffraansous van navrattan korma, een van my gunsteling Indiese geregte, maar ek het dit selde uit die karton gedrink. Egter het ek onlangs "Silk Almond Milk" probeer. Dis baie goed op sigself en het my geïnspireer om dit tuis te maak. Met 10 pond van amandels, sal ek genoeg hê!
Almonds are very healthy and contain good fats, vitamin E, fiber, and protein. Now that I'm lifting weights again, I'm trying to eat more things like almonds instead of junkfood like Doritos. I'm also trying to consume less soy products. Soy can be healthy, but moderation is best, especially for men due to the phytoestrogens it contains. I still eat tofu and love things like tubu chorim, a spicy Korean tofu dish, but I'm starting to drink almond milk instead of soy.
Almond milk sounds like a modern invention, but it was actually an important ingredient in the kitchens of Medieval Europe and the Mideast. I always use almond milk for the saffron sauce of navrattan korma, one of my favorite Indian dishes, but I rarely drank it out of the carton. However, I recently tried "Silk Almond Milk." It's really good by itself and has inspired me to make it at home. With 10 pounds of almonds, I'll have enough!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Rajma Masala, Veggie Pakoras, & Haldi Chawal
Ek het onlangs verhuis van die Outer Sunset na Ingleside. Die afgelope naweek het ek eindelik my eerste Indiese ete by die nuwe woonstel gekook. Ek raak nog gewoond aan die elektriese stoof, dus was die rys 'n bietjie "al dente" ;). Ek kan nie ook my potjie vir diepbraai gebruik nie, maar dis nie 'n groot probleem nie.
My vriend Justin was my sous chef en ons het saam met my nuwe kamermaats Jessi en Alex geëet. Na aandete het ons na "Nina's Heavenly Delights" gekyk, 'n oulike Skotse Indiese fliek. Ek het ook 'n derde kamermaat, Rick, maar hy het op dié aand vorige planne gehad. Egter het ek seker gemaak dat hy oorskiet kos gekry!
I recently moved from the Outer Sunset to Ingleside. This past weekend, I finally cooked my first Indian meal at the new apartment. I'm still getting accustomed to the electric stove, so the rice was a little "al dente" ;). I also can't use my potjie for deep-frying, but that's not a big problem.
My friend Justin was my sous chef and we ate with my new roommates Jessi and Alex. After dinner, we watched "Nina's Heavenly Delights," a cute Scottish-Indian flick. I also have a third roommate, Rick, but he had previous plans that night. However, I made sure he got leftovers!
My vriend Justin was my sous chef en ons het saam met my nuwe kamermaats Jessi en Alex geëet. Na aandete het ons na "Nina's Heavenly Delights" gekyk, 'n oulike Skotse Indiese fliek. Ek het ook 'n derde kamermaat, Rick, maar hy het op dié aand vorige planne gehad. Egter het ek seker gemaak dat hy oorskiet kos gekry!
I recently moved from the Outer Sunset to Ingleside. This past weekend, I finally cooked my first Indian meal at the new apartment. I'm still getting accustomed to the electric stove, so the rice was a little "al dente" ;). I also can't use my potjie for deep-frying, but that's not a big problem.
My friend Justin was my sous chef and we ate with my new roommates Jessi and Alex. After dinner, we watched "Nina's Heavenly Delights," a cute Scottish-Indian flick. I also have a third roommate, Rick, but he had previous plans that night. However, I made sure he got leftovers!
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