Tag Archives: curry

Food

Andy’s vegetarian pasta

August 9, 2013 Andrew Harvard 4 Comments

It was my night to cook and the two young ladies did not want the “healthy adult stir-fry” version of dinner.

In fact, they wanted a pasta dish just like their mom cooked it! No less and no more than that.

I was under severe pressure, having to now cook two different dishes at the same time plus ensure that the one matched mom’s years of perfecting this particular pasta dish.

I started the special order first and it went something like this:

• Chop and fry onions in olive oil
• Add curry powder and mix together
• Liquidise one tomato with added water, and add to the above to simmer for 5 – 8 min
• Add a sprinkle of mixed herbs, sugar and teaspoon of crushed garlic
• Add two heaped tablespoons of Imana flavoured soya mince plus salt to taste
• While this is simmering away for a further 10 min, cook the pasta in another pot
• Place cooked pasta into a casserole dish and pour the thick liquid mixture over
• Mix together well, pat flat gently and then grate copious amounts of cheese over
• Sprinkle curry powder over the cheese to colour red
• Also toss a few chopped chillies over the top to colour green and give an extra bite
• Place the casserole into oven at 220 degrees centigrade until cheese browns on the edges
• Bring out of the oven and sprinkle finely chopped dhania (coriander) on top
• Serve the hungry kids!

Below is the finished product.

Both ladies loved the taste. One had seconds and the other saved hers for school the next day.

Mom was visibly impressed and, possibly feeling outdone, proceeded to bake cookies when the kitchen had been cleared of my mess.

Food

Timol’s chicken curry 2

May 20, 2013 Andrew Harvard Leave a comment

Who remembers Timol’s bean chutney and chicken curry?

This is another one of her splendid curry creations we enjoyed for dinner, which also means lunch for me today (lucky me!).

As you know, I can’t give you Timol’s recipe – it’s a family secret (not). You could look at Anjum’s recipe if you need a hint or two.

Food

Timol’s chicken curry

March 3, 2013 Andrew Harvard 4 Comments

Who remembers Timol’s bean chutney?

Her last two chicken curries have really shot tongues out, caused a ruckus and had crowds diving in for thirds.

The second version shown below was a defrosted chicken that escaped getting roasted but that ended up getting spiced-up.

We enjoyed the dish with a selection of roti, rice or bread.

I can’t give you Timol’s recipe – it’s a family secret (not).

You could look at Anjum’s recipe if you need a hint or two.

Travel

Why we love Durban: Victoria Street Market – 5

January 21, 2013 Andrew Harvard 2 Comments

This post follows Why we love Durban: Moses Mabhida – 4.

Where to stay advises of the following:

“Durban’s Victoria Street Market is a vast oriental bizarre with hundreds of stalls offering a huge selection of spices, fabrics, baskets, beads, sculptures, soap-stones and other African curios.

It is a favourite tourist destination as it offers not only great prices, but a unique chance to experience the atmosphere of an oriental marketplace where haggling is considered the norm.

The market is located at the corner of Queen St. and Victoria St. and has plenty of underground parking“.

There is a general section for all and fish / poultry / offal section (not for the meek). Traders on the roadside sell vegetables.

Ulwazi, as always, provides a wealth of information:

“The Victoria street market in Durban is a rich historical site that reflects the struggles of a poor community striving for their own identity and a burning need to make ends to meet to survive in new pasture market currently stands strong in the central business district of Durban, and is an epic in the Indian community as it serves as a reminder of a disadvantaged community that was determined to survive against all odds.

The market was a seed sown by the Indian indentured labourers that had completed their indenture ship and had a choice of either going back to India, or to seek employment, or create their own means employment.

The market was seen as transition from farming to industrial employment. Having experience from an agricultural sector their best option to survive was growing fruit and vegetables and selling them on the streets of Durban.

Initially they used the Grey Street Mosque to trade but as the number of traders grew from both Hindu and Muslim backgrounds they moved to the streets. The atmosphere was a buzzing environment of a rush, with horse drawn carts and people sitting on the streets of Durban, attracting potential customers. They had to pay a daily rental fee to Durban town council and because it was unaffordable to travel back and forth from home they were forced to sleep on the pavements or seek shelters at a nearby temples.

A typical market day started at 4am and ended at 6pm. Farmers reached the market as early as 2 am to secure a trading place. There was no access to toilets and there was no protection from extreme weather conditions.

In 1910, the Indian market was formally built by the municipal in Victoria Street it was also known as the Top Market or Squatter Market. The traders also sold groceries, fish, spices and crafts as part of their trade.

The traders also experienced conflicts amongst themselves as the squatters on the street was seen as a hindrance to the stall holders inside the building complaining the squatters was causing pollution and was a threat to their sales.

In 1934, the Durban Town Council prohibited the sale of cooked food to accommodate restaurants in the market building.

The squatter traders were members of the Indian Agricultural Association, Natal Farm Association and from the towns of Springfield, Newlands and Clairwood it was a business hub, but the traders were seen as a threat as they were selling cheaper commodities that meant other business were running losses.

The squatters also caused traffic congestion, and they were also destroying the cemetery that were near them. The Durban Town Council built a wall which the squatter traders had to pay the costs of.

In 1970, the Durban City Council were set to build a freeway across the market which was opposed by the traders who protested, however in 1973 a fire destroyed the market and although the reason behind the fire was a drunk street man, the traders viewed it as a sabotage.

The market was reconstructed and its still thriving strong as ever with a blend of Indian spices and African craft.”

Travel

A scooter, a bridge and a maiden 2

January 9, 2013 Andrew Harvard 4 Comments

It is likely that most of you did not view one of my first posts in July 2012, which is shown again hereunder with added extras: Club Fresh, Rococco, Relax with Beautiful People and Urchins.

“Early morning 17 January 2012, somewhere on the road between Shantadurga Temple and Morgim Beach in Goa (India), buzzing along on a 125 cc Honda scooter.

Wind racing over my semi-bald head, eyes stinging, mouth watering for that first beer on Morgim Beach and mind gloating over the possibilities (food): chicken tikka, prawn curry, roti, rice, chips…

It was then that I saw the bridge, an upcoming sandy village and a maiden (walking) in a yellow sari.

To be honest, she was just passing by at the time I got captivated by the old bridge and dirty muddy river underneath.

The route from my temporary abode in Candolim, dotted with holy cows, chickens, more scooters, taxis, tantalizing smells, sleepy villages and bustling junction points, is shown below.

I was “experimenting” once again this evening with single photos, my limited knowledge and some software.

The two photos (original then edited), shown below, advertise “Club Fresh” and other joys for some (the well-off) but not the unfortunate urchins, who emerged from a tent alongside the signboard.

The final photo is an edit of the maiden and the bridge.

Once again, I am not ecstatic with the results but this is how we learn: by never giving up and trying once more.

Travel

Varanasi

November 25, 2012 Andrew Harvard 16 Comments

Whilst reading THE CULTUREUR this afternoon, I came across the post SPIRITUAL CHAOS ON THE HARIDWAR GHATS ALONG THE GANGES RIVER.

I immediately thought of Varansi (calm and chaos) and this inspired me to pull out some photos I recorded there during my last trip to India in 2011/2012.

I first went to India in 2009/10: see related blog here and some other photos here.

I have inserted my photos above, below and in between the comment by Wikipedia that enlightens us as follows “Varanasi (Hindustani pronunciation: [ʋaːˈraːɳəsi] (listen)), also commonly known as Benares, Banaras (Banāras [bəˈnaːrəs] (listen)) or Kashi (Kāśī [ˈkaːʃi] (listen)), is a city on the banks of the Ganges in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, 320 kilometres (200 mi) southeast of the state capital Lucknow.

It is regarded as a holy city by Hindus and Jains, and holiest of the seven most sacred Hindu cities (Sapta Puri), of its ancient historic, cultural and religious heritage. Hindus believe that death at Varanasi can bring salvation.

Body being transported to a ghat for cremation

It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the oldest in India.

Unfortunately many of its temples were subject to plundering and destruction by Mohammad Ghauri in the 12th century. The temples and religious institutions seen now in the city are mostly of the 18th century vintage.

The Kashi Naresh (Maharaja of Kashi) is the chief cultural patron of Varanasi and an essential part of all religious celebrations.

The culture of Varanasi is closely associated with the River Ganges and the river’s religious importance.

The city has been a cultural and religious centre in North India for several thousand years and is one of the world’s most important religious centres with a history which transcends and unites most of the major world religions.

The Benares Gharanaform of the Indian classical music developed in Varanasi, and many prominent Indian philosophers, poets, writers, and musicians resided or reside in Varanasi. Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath located near Varanasi.

Varanasi is today considered to be the spiritual capital of India.Here scholarly books have been written.

Ramcharitmanas was composed by Tulsidas here while there is the temple Tulsi Manas Mandir that is famous here.

In addition to this, the largest residential University of Asia, Benares Hindu University is located here.

People often refer to Varanasi as “the city of temples”, “the holy city of India”, “the religious capital of India”, “the city of lights”, “the city of learning”, and “the oldest living city on earth.”

Ghats in Varanasi are an integral complimentary to the concept of divinity represented in physical, metaphysical and supernatural elements.

All the ghats are locations on “the divine cosmic road,” indicative of “its manifest transcendental dimension.” Varanasi has at least 84 ghats.

Steps in the ghats (ghats are embankments made in steps of stone slabs along the river bank where pilgrims perform ritual ablutions) lead to the banks of River Ganges, including the Dashashwamedh Ghat, the Manikarnika Ghat, the Panchganga Ghat and the Harishchandra Ghat (where Hindus cremate their dead).

Many ghats are associated with legends and several are now privately owned.Many of the ghats were built when the city was under Maratha control.

Marathas, Shindes (Scindias), Holkars, Bhonsles, and Peshwas stand out as patrons of present-day Varanasi.

Most of the ghats are bathing ghats, while others are used as cremation sites.

Flash not allowed at cremation ghat and my settings were off

Morning boat ride on the Ganges across the ghats is a popular visitors attraction. The miles and miles of ghats makes for the lovely river front with multitude of shrines, temples and palaces built “tier on tier above the water’s edge”.

The Dashashwamedh Ghat is the main and probably the oldest ghat of Varansi located on the Ganges, close to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

It is believed that the god Brahma created it to welcome Shiva and he also sacrificed ten horses during Dasa -Ashwamedha yajna performed here.

Above the ghat and close to it, there are also temples dedicated to Sulatankesvara, Brahmesvara, Varahesvara, Abhaya Vinayaka, Ganga (the Ganges), and Bandi Devi which are part of important pilgrimage journeys.

A group of priests perform “Agni Pooja” (Worship to Fire) daily in the evening at this ghat as a dedication to Shiva, Ganga, Surya (Sun), Agni (Fire), and the whole universe.

Special aartis are held on Tuesdays and on religious festivals. The Manikarnika Ghat is the Mahasmasana (meaning: “great cremation ground”) and is the primary site for Hindu cremation in the city. Adjoining the ghat, there are raised platforms that are used for death anniversary rituals.

Flash not allowed at cremation ghat and my settings were off

It is said that an ear-ring (Manikarnika) of Shiva or his wife Sati fell here. According to a myth related to the Tarakesvara Temple, a Shiva temple at the ghat, Shiva whispers the Taraka mantra (“Prayer of the crossing”) in the ear of the dead.

Fourth-century Gupta period inscriptions mention this ghat. However, the current ghat as a permanent river side embankment was built in the 1302 and has been renovated at least thrice.”

I also found out that kite flying (or fighting) was important in Varanasi ; but even more so in Jaipur where the youngsters and adults ran around madly after fallen kites.

Emergency repairs

Fun in the afternoon

Rooftops were a hive of activity

She “shared” her puppies with me (rooftop of Suraj Guest House; the owner’s daughter)

Suraj Guest House is a good bet when looking for somewhere to stay

The owner was very helpful and accommodating – visit Suraj website here

No post about Varanasi would be complete if Ganga Fuji Restaurant was not mentioned. The owner Kailash asks that you design a “country of origin” poster for his wall

Lovely non-oily food and great entertainment

Some uninformed person called the food bland. The owner cooks exactly what you ask for i.e. freaking hot spicy or mild like a cucumber

Free entertainment

Bhai on drums!

Ganga Fuji was recommended by the owner of Suraj: good contacts usually recommend good contacts

Impromptu hair appointment

Roadside food stall

Outskirts of Varanasi – Chinese Buddhist temple at Sarnath

Sarnath is where Buddha gave his first sermon.

It was a lovely break from the hustle and bustle of Varanasi, but we will leave all of that for another day & post.

Some related posts you may be interested in:

Durga Puja, the Worship of the Hindu Goddess Durga, Returns to Calcutta, India (part 1)

A World of Prayer

A must watch documentary filmed at Varanasi:

Beyond

Food

Spice Emporium

September 16, 2012 Andrew Harvard 22 Comments

“Emporium” (medieval Latin from Greek emporos = ‘merchant’) is a term used for a store selling a wide variety of goods, and for marketplaces or trading centres in ancient cities (see emporia (ancient Greece) and emporia (early medieval).

Situated but a stone throw away from Durban’s Beachfront, standing proudly in a sturdy spacious building, we have Spice Emporium.

Spice Emporium was born 20 years ago as an ethnic food store and since its inception, has been world renowned for its ability to provide the complete Indian experience. The brand has become synonymous with quality and exclusivity across the entire market and as a result the flagship store has become a landmark tourist destination.

There is ample parking on the street and car guards who take their job seriously.

The store also offers limited off-road parking.

Smart and alert security guards watch over the goings-on inside and outside the store.

The only thing that you can get away with and steal here is a VERY GOOD DEAL!

So with the advent of the Puratassi fasting period from 17th September till the 17th of October, where else to go and stock up on essentials but Spice Emporium of course.

Carefree holidays, eels, motorcycles & jaffles

September 10, 2012 Andrew Harvard 2 Comments

There were many holidays spent at aunt Norma’s house in Zululand.

I was in my preteen and teen years at the time.

Some memories from my visit’s stick like gum:

fishing with uncle Mike
him sending me in the water only to be greeted by a large eel instead of a fish
burning my new trainers in the fire that same trip
uncle later giving me the same eel for dinner
my cousin’s boyfriend’s Yamaha DT 50 motorcycle
the rides allowed on this motorcycle to “give them space”
my other cousin giving me a rude introduction to Tequila
my aunt “exploding” food from her pressure cooker all over the kitchen roof
carefree holidays
JAFFLES for breakfast lunch supper and whenever else possible

I enjoyed the tasty jaffles so much that my aunt bought me my own jaffle maker, which I still have kept nestled away in my cupboard.

It’s now 30 years later. The jaffle maker is out…

Now to make a top-class jaffle you need super hot filling. Think of it as a “pie made of bread”.

You wouldn’t eat a lettuce and tomato pie now, would you?

So to bring the jaffle maker back to life in a respectable manner, Timol and I went for a spicy chicken curry filling.

For the spices and other ingredients, the shop of course (where there is a large selection and bargains galore) – Spice Emporium, who I see have an online facility. Read the metrobeat article here.

Albany Best of Both was our choice of bread.

The two slices of bread were buttered on either side, before a dollop of curry was placed in between (not too much otherwise it “blows” out the sides.

The really naughty part: grate and throw some cheese on the curry before making the sandwich.

Place the sandwich into the jaffle maker, squeeze it shut and attach the clip.

Remove the crusts if they don’t fall off the sides.

Place onto the hot stove.

I always turn the jaffle maker over every few minutes and open it to check progress.

The jaffle above was a little “overloaded”.

When ready (lightly browned or darker if you prefer); place the jaffle onto a plate and munch away (do let it cool down slightly first).

Thank you to aunt Norma, uncle Mike and their daughters for all the wonderful memories, looking after me like one of your own and never telling my parent’s all the naughty things I did.

Food, Travel

Thailand – “One Night in Bangkok”

September 5, 2012 Andrew Harvard 5 Comments

Farang for a few weeks.

Sawadee krup; Sawadee ka.

At the risk of using some really old dodge pics; I have gone ahead with this post.

But memories are memories, and scanned low-quality 35mm pics still tell a story.

Let me take you back to March 2002 at the time when I climbed onto an SAA plane from Johannesburg to Bangkok with an odd looking brown army backpack (more like a sack).

I did this trip alone and my best mate, shown below, drove me to the airport playing One Night in Bangkok with a big grin on his face.

Once I landed in Bangkok, I caught a bus to my accommodation in the central CBD.

I managed to snap a pic of the mini-gym below during the ride in.

I quickly dumped my sack in my room and then scooted across the road for a snack.

After sampling the kebabs above, I walked in and around a large market where I discovered an assortment of counterfeit clothes, shoes, watches, jewellery and other property. The “fake” women were discovered that night.