Dedicated to South Africans living abroad...and all lovers of Traditional South African food

Ever wondered what's really happening in Zimbabwe? I have started a new page, the Zimbabwe Letters, just click here and get the news first hand! Feel free to leave comments!

In this newsletter, I will continue with the baby and toddler recipes, in the previous issue I featured First Foods, this time it's Second Foods. Thanx Elzeth for sending these to me. Scroll down to the recipe section.

My little girl got married on Saturday, here are some pics.

The following article was written by a friend of mine, Elizabeth Scrimgeour. It appeared in the The Lakeshore Advance, Wednesday, January 22, 2003

Cookin' Mama discloses basics of chicken stock

IN ELIZABETH'S KITCHEN

Pull up a chair and set a spell...I've been threatening to write a cooking column for years now, but you know how it is. Sometimes an idea has to germinate. Well, the time is now and I'm going to call my first series of articles: "Cookin' as a Mama."
Since I am a self-proclaimed efficiency expert, I thought I would kill two birds with one stone and write a series based on the open cookbook I am writing for my children. Because they are old enough to cook for themselves, I thought I would make it a little easier by writing down all the basic recipes handed down to me over the past 25 years. (Plus, I thought it would increase my chances of ever being on the receiving end of a home-cooked meal someday.)
Real home cooking. Good food made from scratch with your own hands. It's less expensive, better for you and if done properly can improve your health, make you more globally aware, increase your popularity by 100 per cent and can actually be a stress reducer!!!
These will be recipes that you make a few times and then commit to memory. Soon, they become second nature and before you know it, you'll be throwing in this and that and creating your own signature dishes.
I thought I would start with my number one, most favourite thing in the world to make and the first thing my Grandmother taught me how to make: Grandmom Fergeson's Basic Chicken Stock. It's a weekly ritual and it personally gives me a lot of pleasure to make.
I think it's because it's so good, but also because of all the fond memories associated with it. It's so simple. Especially when all you have to do is go out and buy a chicken. (Just a little tip, you should always onions, celery and carrots on hand).
In my Grandmother and Mother's day, it wasn't quite so easy because they raised teir own chickens for eggs and meat. I called my Mom and asked her to tell me the story again. Here it is, verbatim, I hope you enjoy it:
"First you catch a chicken and wring it's neck and chop it's head off. Let it run around. Take it into the house and rinse it good with cold water. Holding it by the feet, immerse it inot boiling water for 5-8 minutes (depending on the heat of the water). Pull it out and rinse with cold running water. Take it back outside, pluck all the feathers off and cut the feet off. Now is the time your mother shows you how to pull the tendons to make the feet move."
Somehow I think if we all had to go through this procedure every time we wanted chicken for dinner, we might consider alternate sources of protein.

Grandmom's Basic Chicken Stock
1 chicken (fryer)
2 onions, cut in half
2 stalks celery, cut into pieces
2 carrots, cut into pieces
1 bay leaf
10 peppercorns

Throw it all in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring it to a boil. Have a bowl and a long handled slotted spoon by the stove and skim off the scum off as it surfaces. Reduce to a simmer and cook 1 1/2 hours. Let cool slightly and remove chicken to a platter for another use. Strain the stock, discard the vegetables, cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove the fat that has risen to the top.
My Grandmother used this to make pastry. Nothing was wasted. It's now ready to use or freeze for up to a month. It's always good to have some chicken stock on hand. It's medicinal qualities are scientific fact.
Next time, I'll tell you what to do with it....It's amazing how many memories one thing can trigger. Cooking in the kitchen with people you love can be a wonderful thing. My son and I have been having some great times!!!
I would encourage anyone to go out and get a nice hard-covered notebook that appeals to your sense of order and style. Alos, buy a water-resistant ink pen in a colour you like. It should be written in your own handwriting.
Then ask yourself the question, "what recipes and stories would I like to hand down to my loved ones? If that's too difficult, what do other people want you write down? And if you don't have anything, hopefully you will by the end of this series.
I look forward to taking you through "Cookin' As A Mama" with me.

Elizabeth Scrimgeour is a cooking instructor at a large grocery store; has been a cook at Oakwood Pub, Catering by Barbara and Lakeview Cafe for the past 5 years. Elizabeth was an instructor and assistant for Susan Lee's Cooking School in London, Ontario for 7 years.

Simple Truths about Children

A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. ft. house 4 inches deep.
If you spray hairspray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.
A 3-year old's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.
If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42 pound boy wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape. It is strong enough, however, if tied to a paint can, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.
You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on. When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.
The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.
When you hear the toilet flush and the words "uh oh", it's already too late.
Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.
A six-year old can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 36-year old man says they can only do it in the movies.
Certain Leggos will pass through the digestive tract of a 3-year-old.
Play dough and microwave should not be used in the same sentence.
Super glue is forever.
No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still can't walk on water.
Pool filters do not like Jell-O.
VCR's do not eject PB&J sandwiches even though TV commercials show they do.
Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.
Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.
You probably do not want to know what that odor is.
Always look in the oven before you turn it on. Plastic toys do not like ovens.
The fire department in Austin, TX has a 5-minute response time.
The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earthworms dizzy.
It will, however, make cats dizzy.
Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.
The mind of a 6-year old is wonderful.

Do you want to learn Afrikaans? Click here!

I once again want to mention a great recipe eBook called  Making Diabetic Cooking Easy. The book contains 177 recipes and is available for only R65. Overseas payments also accepted via Paypal. Contact Annie at 0822946799 or by email at  anna@minimax.cc There is no delay  or postage to be paid as the book is emailed to you.

Wisdom from Grandpa

Whether a man winds up with a nest egg, or a goose egg, depends a lot on the kind of chick he marries.
Trouble in marriage often starts when a man gets so busy earnin' his salt that he forgets his sugar.
Too many couples marry for better, or for worse, but not for good.
When a man marries a woman, they become one; but the trouble starts when they try to decide which one.
If a man has enough horse sense to treat his wife like a thoroughbred, she will never turn into an old nag.
On anniversaries, the wise husband always forgets the past - but never the present.
A foolish husband says to his wife, "Honey, you stick to the washin ', ironin', cookin' and scrubbin'. No wife of mine is gonna work."
The bonds of matrimony are a good investment only when the interest is kept up.
Many girls like to marry a military man - he can cook, sew, and make beds and is in good health, and he's already used to taking orders.
Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.
The! older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.
Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.
How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?
When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to your youth...Remember about Algebra.
You know you are getting old, when everything either dries up or leaks.
I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.
One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young.
Ah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.
Old age is when former classmates are so gray and wrinkled and bald, they don't recognize you.
If you don't learn to laugh at trouble, you won't have anything to laugh at when you are old.
Have a GREAT day.......and keep Laughing

The Hospital's New Wing

When the hospital Board of Directors asked a panel
of doctors to vote on adding a new wing to their hospital.....

The Allergists voted to scratch it!
The Dermatologists advised no rash moves!
The Gastroenterologists had a gut feeling about it!
The Neurologists thought the administration had a lot of nerve!
The Obstetricians stated they were all labouring under a misconception!
The Ophthalmologists considered the idea short-sighted!
The Pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body!"
The Pediatricians said, "Grow up!"
The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness!
The Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing!
The Radiologists could see right through it!
The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow!
The Plastic Surgeons said,
"This puts a whole new face on the matter!"
The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward!
The Urologists felt the scheme wouldn't hold water!
The Anaesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas!
The Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no!

 Interested in Traditional South African Home Remedies? (Boererate).

My Afrikaans eBook, Boererate has now been completed, click here for more info.

We are currently working on an English version.   

AND

My CD, containing both Boererate (sorry, in Afrikaans only at this stage) and Boeremusiek (traditional South African folk music) is now available.

Click here for details and to order.

And from Tint in Brazil:

Outta the mouths of babes...

On the way to the bakery I saw some kids playing "Wedding". The bride's gown was a yellow shower curtain, gathered at the waist with a piece of red garden hose, and the curtain trailing way behind her. Her veil was mosquito netting, topped by a blue cop car bubble as a tiara.

The groom was attired in a grey lab coat with a charcoal black piece of truck tire inner-tube as a wide cummerbund belt. His coat trailed a bit too, but did not quite hide the fact that instead of to a traditional ball and chain, his leg was chained to a tricycle.

The mother-in-law carried the traditional rolling pin but the father-in-law had a plastic space ray look water gun instead of the traditional shotgun.

The preacher was wearing a white bath robe backwards and a trucker style cap, also backwards.

Just as I was walking past them, I heard the preacher sing out: "You have the righ t to remain silent, anything you say will be held against you, forever and ever. If you want to kiss the bride, you better have an attorney present."

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A kindergarten pupil told his teacher he'd found a cat, but it was dead.
"How do you know that the cat was dead?" she asked her pupil.
"Because I pissed in its ear and it didn't move," answered the child innocently.
You did WHAT ? ! ?" the teacher exclaimed in surprise.
"You know," explained the boy, "I leaned over and went 'Pssst!' and it didn't move."

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With a suite of products to choose from, bluebean ensures that customers can acquire the most suitable credit card option for their lifestyle choice, budget and place in the financial lifecycle. Apply today!

My website highlights:

Add your sarmie to my Wacky Sarmies page
I have a Gallery with great pics!
Elephant Stew - add to the recipe
Add to my Cocktails collection
Visit my Afrikaans pages
South African food and products overseas? Click here!
Read the Zimbabwe Letters

Looking for a specific South African recipe? Email me and I will do my best to find it for you!

When you have had a look at the recipes below, click here to visit the main recipe page on my site. 

Any comments, positive or otherwise on this Newsletter will be appreciated!

That's it for now,
Take care,
Peter

The Recipes
See Links for Metric Converter

Apple & Pear Duet

1 Sweet Dessert Apple
1 Ripe pear
3 Tablespoons boiled water
Peel, core and roughly chop fruit.
Simmer for 10 minutes until soft and press through a sieve

Steamed Applesauce

Keep plenty of this sauce on hand. You'll find it will become a staple in
your freezer. Some tasty additions to this fruit puree are ground nutmeg or
cinnamon and other pureed fruits such as bananas, pears, apricots, or plums.


6 medium apples (McIntosh or Rome Beauties), peeled, cored, and thickly
sliced.

1. Bring 1 inch water in a large saucepan to a boil. Place the apple slices
in a steaming basket large enough to hold them comfortably, and set the
basket in the pan. Lower the heat, cover the pan, and steam until the apples
are tender, about 6 minutes.

2. Transfer apples to a blender or food processor and process to the
consistency you want. Freeze any puree that you are not using right away.

Banana Breeze

Half Ripe Avocado
Half Ripe Banana
Baby Yoghurt

Mash together half and avocado, along with half a banana and a tiny pot of baby yoghurt (Danino would probably be good) for a quick and nutritious dessert. Give it a twist: You could substitute papaya for the banana. Like the other ingredients, papaya doesn't require cooking. Or swap the avocado for blueberries. Wash 50g of fresh blueberries, then place them in a pan, cover and cook until soft and purée into a smooth mixture

Carrot-Rice Puree

Servings: 1

2 tb Brown rice, uncooked
6 Carrots, scrubbed and
-chopped in small pieces
1 1/3 c Water

A nutritious, smooth dish with a bit of texture for older infants.
(or broth or leftover cooking liquid from cooking vegetables)
1 teaspoon sweet butter (optional)

Place rice and carrots in a saucepan with the water and cover. Simmer
until the water is absorbed--about 30 to 40 minutes. When cool enough
to handle, puree in blender or food processor with butter until smooth
Refrigerate, or freeze leftovers in ice cube tray.

Makes 1-1/ cups

Cheesy patato

1 medium potato boiled
1 Tablespoons grated Cheddar or Gouda (more or less if baby prefers)
2 Tablespoons Full Fat Plain Yoghurt
Mash all together.

Pureed Vegetables

Servings: 6

1 Potato, cooked and chopped
1 Carrot, scrubbed and chopped
1/2 Baby Marrow, scrubbed, peeled
-and chopped
1/2 Celery stalk, scrubbed and
-chopped (or onion)

Optional: chicken wing meat, cooked, skinned, all bones removed

Place all ingredients in a small saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring
to a boil and simmer until all ingredients are tender.

Put in blender or food processor with a little of the liquid to facilitate
blending. Remove and serve or freeze in ice-cube tray.

If you're traveling, you can always put this in a wide-holed Thermos and
serve whenever you need it.

Cauliflower Cheese

3 - 4 Florets of Cauliflower
25g Butter
2 Tablespoons plain flour
150ml Milk (Breast or Formula)
2 Tablespoons grated Cheddar Cheese

Microwave, steam or boil three or four florets of cauliflower. Make the cheese sauce by heating 25g of butter with 2 tablespoons of plain flour. Let this melt into a smooth paste, the gradually stir in 150ml of your baby's usual milk and heat. Once it's thickened and bubbling, remove the pan from the heat and add two tablespoons of grated mild cheddar cheese. Mash or chop up the cauliflower, then stir in the cheese sauce. Give it a twist: You can also add mashed broccoli to give the dish a bit of colour and variety. Or swap the cauliflower for mashed broccoli and carrots for yet another variation.

Steamed Green Pea Puree

Freezes: 2 months

3/4 pound fresh peas, shelled (1 cup), or 1 package (10 oz.; 2 1/2 cups)
frozen peas

1. Bring one inch water in a medium saucepan to a boil. Place the peas in a
steaming basket and set the basket in the pan. Lower the heat, cover the
pan, and steam until the peas are tender, about 7 minutes for fresh peas, 6
minutes for frozen. The steaming time will, of course, vary with the
freshness of the peas.
2. Transfer the peas to a blender or food processor and process to the
consistency you want. Add water, 1 teaspoon at a time, if needed, to make a
smoother puree. Freeze any puree that you are not using right away.

Makes 1 cup puree from fresh peas, 1 3/4 cups puree from frozen peas

Sweet Potato and Apple Combo

1 Sweet Potato, (Peeled and Diced)
1 Sweet Dessert Apple (Peeled, Cored and Diced)
175 - 200 ml Boiled Water
Simmer until soft and press through a sieve

Sweet Potatoes with Peaches

Try serving plain baked or steamed sweet potatoes to your young eater first.
Once you are sure she enjoys the taste, blend it with ripe peaches or other
favourite fresh fruits.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 12-15 minutes
Freezes: 2 months

3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 in. thick slices
2 ripe medium peaches, peeled, pitted, and cut into wedges
1. Bring 1 inch water in a medium saucepan to a boil. Place potatoes in a
steaming basket and set the basket in the pan. Lower the heat, cover the
pan, and steam 6 minutes. Add the peaches to the basket, cover again, and
steam until the potatoes are tender, 4 minutes or longer.
2. Transfer the potatoes and peaches to a blender or food processor. Process
to the desired consistency, adding water, 1 teaspoon at a time, if needed.
Freeze any puree that you are not using right away.

Chicken and Apple Mash

1/3 cup chopped & cooked boneless chicken
1/4 cup cooked apple (no skin or seeds), very soft

Puree chicken with cooked apple in a food processor or blender until desired consistency for baby is achieved.

Carrots & Rice Puree

2 tb Brown rice, uncooked
6 Carrots, scrubbed and chopped in small pieces
1 1/3 c Water (or broth or leftover cooking liquid from cooking vegetables)
1 teaspoon butter (optional)

A nutritious, smooth dish with a bit of texture for older infants.

Place rice and carrots in a saucepan with the water and cover. Simmer until the water is absorbed--about 30 to 40 minutes. When cool enough to handle, puree in blender or food processor with butter until smooth. Refrigerate, or freeze leftovers in ice cube tray.

**Makes 1-1/2 cups**

Baked Pear Custard

(cooked egg white in custard should be fine for most babies of this age. If you are concerned, seperate the yolk from the white of the egg.)

1/2 cup pear puree
1/2 cup milk
1 large egg

1. Preheat oven to 180c and grease a small ovenproof dish.
2. Spoon the pear puree into the bottom of the dish
3. Beat together the milk and egg and pour over the pear puree.
4. Stand in a small roasting tin with hot water halfway up the dish and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until set

Grandma Dot's Baked Apple Custard

1 cup apple puree
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla flavouring essence
1 egg

1. Preheat oven to 180c
2. Mix the apple puree with the milk, sugar and vanilla flavouring essence
3. Beat the egg well and stir into the mixture.
4. Pour into a greased oven proof dish.
5. Bake for 20 minutes or until set.
6. May be served hot or cold.

Variation - substitute apple puree for mashed banana and add another egg yolk to the egg for more nourishment.
 

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