Friday, May 21, 2010

Inside a Kraal Hut



We were invited to view the interior of an African Kraal hut. These women sat down for us where the women usually sit. Men sit on a bench along the left that is not visible. Notice the chairs that had quickly been brought in to seat the visitors!
At the back you can see "the kitchen", the women's domain. There is no chimney. The smoke seeps through the thatched roof.
You can imagine what the atmosphere could be like!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Eco Coconut Oil

Chop away the shell of a coconut with a machete:


Pull the strands from the inner husk:


Give a few good wacks with the back of a machete around the middle of the nut, so it will crack open.
Drink the water.
Scrape the white coconut fruit out of the shell:


Mix the yield of 30 coconuts with 5 liters of water:


Squeeze out the milk and strain.
Cover the container with cocnut milk with a white cloth and leave in the sun for 2 days.
Strain the oil that has come to the top:


Pour the oil into bottles:


Feed the residue to the pigs. Or better still: sell as animal fodder.
The oil can be used as vegetable oil for frying, or to soften your skin.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Getting Ready



Checklist:
* shots,
* light dresses,
* insect repellent,
* camera,
* Because I am a Girl presents,
* malaria pills and other medication,
* passports and shot books,
* etc.,
* etc.,
* etc.

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Fried Cheese Sticks

-
This is a recipe that my mother often made. She wasn't too keen on meat, and she didn't like fish. She should have been a vegetarian, the way she felt about meat, but that was considered weird in her circles: excentric, maybe even leftist.

Anyway, not being much of a cook, it was also quick and easy. This is a slightly different version: crispier, less soggy.

Cut some hard cheese into thick sticks, or thick slices, if you prefer. Aged cheese is fine, even if it crumbles a bit! Roll them first in beaten egg, then in flour, back in beaten egg, and lastly in breadcrumbs.

Fry in hot oil until golden and crisp. Serve immediately.

We had them with a potatoes-and-fresh-greens mash.

Delish!!!

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Bag That DO exist

-
A. has launched a website to share her enthousiasm about the bags she has made.

She absolutely deserves our admiration, and should be duly proud!