Despite how great things are going here, there are still those “grumpy-Botswana” moments when I’m just not digging it. So I thought I would tell you a little story about one of those moments just to paint a more realistic picture. . . (now you have to take into account that this is supposed to be entertaining so I have to build it up- I’m not really as bitter as I sound. By try to imagine me telling you this story- acting it out and all- and then you’ll appreciate it as I intended—I think)
So it’s Sunday and I’m heading into Silibe- Phikwe to use the internet and buy some groceries. Now I had been planning on this all week, so I wake up at 6:30 to be sure that I am all ready and waiting on the side of the road in time for the “8 o’clock” bus that will take me into Bobonong where I will then need to catch another bus to take me into Phikwe. The day is cold and windy and not one of the 340 days of sunshine that Botswana boasts of and as expected, I am waiting alongside the road until about 8:30 or quarter of 9. The bus finally arrives and luckily I am able to get a seat along the back bench with a mom and her 4 children- who I guess had never seen a “lakoa” (white person) before and had super-glued their eyelids open so that they stare me down for the entire trip- I swear I don’t think they blinked even once! Now I’m pretty used to this, but sometimes you just want to blend in with the crowd and go unnoticed- and this was one of those times. Now I think everyone on the bus, with the exception of me, was on their way to their various church services in Bobonong. This means that I was also treated to a lovely Church-on-radio program at full volume (the churches are those with the radical, scare-the-devil-out-of-you kind of sermons) and in Setswana to top it off. So I spent my morning being screamed at for an hour in a language that I don’t understand, but it is probably telling me that I’m going to hell. Great.
So now we arrive in Bobonong and I think I’m in luck because I spot the bus that goes to Phikwe already in the parking lot. So I hop on and luck is still on my side because the bus is half empty so I score a seat once again- and a window seat at that! That’s about where my luck runs out . . . turns out that since the bus is only half full, we must wait for it to fill before we can depart. Ok, still cool, I always come prepared with a book these days because I’m always waiting somewhere on someone, so I pull it out and settle in. This is when things start getting fun. A mom and her cute little baby enter the bus and take the seat in front of me. Followed a few moments later by another mom and baby who take the seat behind me, and then as if they had just seen the most terrifying thing (maybe me- who knows), the two babies start screaming simultaneously at the top of their lungs. So the infant choir practice had been going strong for about 15-20 minutes by now and you can tell the tension is just rising and rising. Now some guy (kinda old and a little creepy and smells like he bathed in cologne but forgot to brush his teeth) sits down next to me and puts his arm around me and starts all the usual “Hello Mommy. Where are you from? How is Botswana? How long have you been here? What are you doing in Botswana? Are you married?” Well, YES! That has become my answer to that question- it isn’t very effective in deterring them since small houses (a lover on the side) are quite the norm around here, but it gives me a little leverage to ward them off with. I am finally able to rid myself of that guy’s company when I am graced with another seat partner. Now I must preface this by saying that the seats on Botswana transportation are “economy-sized” at best. Two people of my size could probably be comfortable (not by American standards of a personal bubble, but still a little room to breathe). Now, for a culture that goes to great lengths to be “fat” (it’s a good thing here) and curvy and is constantly telling me that I need to eat more so that I can have a nice womanly figure, Why on Earth do they make the seats this size?!?! For reason beyond my comprehension, they do. And I have the great gift of attracting all 300+ pounders as seat mates- and today was no exception! So this whale of a woman wedges herself in next to me, despite the fact that there are still about 15 empty seats. By now, I’ve been sitting in the parking lot for going on an hour and the sun is beginning to turn the bus into a greenhouse and the bus driver is still nowhere in sight. And then, the icing on the cake—the babies (who were still going strong) end with a grand finale of projectile vomiting this curdy, white, sour porridge (a local staple) all over! Now if it was sour porridge to begin with, you can imagine how it smells the second time around! And Batswana have a fear of open windows in vehicles because “the flu” might come in . . .
It’s about now that I’m thinking to myself all I really wanted to do today was wake up, walk out of my house and hop into my Jeep, turn my music way up and roll the windows down and take to the open road for a 1-hour straight shot to Phikwe, do what I want to do and get home to Semolale before dark or worrying about missing the last bus and relax. But then I think to myself---- Life wouldn’t be nearly as exciting that way!
So instead, I pull out my ipod and put on some Bob Dylan, turn it all the way up until it drowns out all the chaos around me, and slip away to a world where everything is just right. So learn from me, there’s no sense fighting something you can’t change; you’ll only wind up with a headache and in a bad mood.
Now here’s a little food for thought. Once my mind was at peace once again, I reflected. Why is it that we the get all bent out of shape over time and schedules and all the things we have to do, as if they won’t get done if these things aren’t adhered to? In my experience, if you really want to see something happen, it will. Maybe not exactly when you want it to, but it gets done nonetheless. And sometimes those detours along the way will lead you to an unexpected adventure. So chill out and relax and let life run its course!
And yes, I did get everything done that day that I wanted to (including the last blog post that you all have probably seen by now) and in addition, my timing was just right to meet a friend for lunch in town and I ran into a friend from the clinic and we traveled home to Semolale together. So as usual, a great day!
Week 4 (July 13th-18th)
This week flew by! So much so that I didn’t even get to spend any time adding to this blog. So I will try to touch briefly on the highlights. Mostly this week was a weather mess. Cold, Wind, Rain, Sun- and sometimes even in the same day. It was like those weird summer days when you can just feel something strange in the air- only it lasted all week! Most of the week seems unremarkable. Many intended meetings fell through, which I almost expect to happen at this point. But some good things did materialize. I was able to meet with the DAC to discuss the planning of a “Students Teach Parents: HIV/AIDS Awareness Day”. This was initiated last year by the volunteer who was here in Semolale and was a huge success! So the school requested that it be organized again this year. When I took this to the DAC to try to secure funding for it, she said that she wants to see me organize an event at each primary school in the catchment area! So between now and the end of September I must organize and execute 3 of these events both here and in the neighboring 2 villages. But I am glad to have support and enthusiasm behind it, which should make my life easier- we’ll see!
I spent much of this week just organizing the next steps for many of these activities and projects. Making the necessary phone calls, trying to set up meetings, following up with groups, etc. I have enjoyed working with some of the clinic staff to improve their typing and computer skills. I have also spent some afternoons tutoring our Family Welfare Educator in Math. She is preparing to take the Cambridge test, which is the equivalent of the GED (high school diploma). I guess those years as a kid “playing school” is paying off because I really enjoy being able to teach others—and it looks like I might be conducting some lessons at the primary school in English , Health, and Cross-Culture (Social Studies).
Then there is today! Which has been without a doubt, my best day here! This morning was a little warmer than the rest of the week and good vibes were in the air to start off the morning. When I got to the clinic I found that I had finally received my first piece of mail from Vanuatu! Which is nothing short of a slight miracle! (Once I got home, I found out that I actually got 2 pieces of mail and one was a full letter!- which alone made it the best day ever!) So I was all smiles and excitement as I make my way across the village to meet with the youth group. The Department of Youth and Culture came today to meet with the youth to discuss the next phase of the youth center. This brought a mixture of good and bad news. Good news is they showed up! And so did a large majority of the youth! Things were looking good. Bad news—they told the youth that they had to cut the amount of the original grant by half! So now, they would only be receiving P15,000 (roughly $2,500). So we had to redo the budget, reducing it to the bare minimum. They also got a lecture about getting motivated and taking initiative and becoming leaders within the community, which needed to be done (and I’m glad I didn’t have to do it), but probably a little disheartening to the youth given the circumstances. Either way, things were at least moving forward. I tried to revive their hopes a little by offering words of support and encouragement, as well as, congratulating them for getting this far in the whole process- which I know wasn’t easy. Botswana is notorious for its “red tape” and making you jump through the bureaucratic hoops to get anything accomplished. In that spirit, I invited them all to my house this evening to celebrate! After lunch, I was busy preparing for the evening- baking, cooking, and cleaning. They all came around 7, along with the social worker and some friends from the clinic. We had a great time! I taught them the card game “spoons” which as you all know can get a little out of hand- they loved it! They taught me a game called “Chris 8”. Some of us attempted to play the guitar- haha. I think everyone really enjoyed themselves- I know I did! I hadn’t laughed that hard in a long while!
Well that’s the excitement for this week. Sala Sentle!
Kagiso, Lorato le Boitumelo ~Gorata
P.S. I did get to try some new recipes, but I have not had a chance to type them up. So I’ll try to get those posted for you all the next time!
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Stories and tales of my African Adventures . . . a little way for me to share some of my experiences with all of you back home. Enjoy!
Tim's Blog
Quotes
Quotes
A Dear Friend gave me a little book to collect quotes, memories, and life lessons during my journey . . .
I thought I’d share some thoughts and words of wisdom that I have collected during my experience
“I love it when we put our heads together and they don’t bump.”
“You keep digging that hole and you’ll have a swimming pool soon enough.”
“I rise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it very hard to plan the day.”
“Do not forget that your will has power over all your fantasies and dreams. Trust it to see you through, and carry you beyond them all.”
“Dreams show that you have the power to make the world as you would have it be.”
“Perception is a mirror, not a fact. And what I look on is my state of mind, reflected outward.”
“Peace, like love, must first be uncovered within and then extended through our relationships in ever-widening, ever more inclusive circles, until eventually peace encompasses everyone.”
“Offering peace to others is a way to have it ourselves, and a natural result of having it is sharing it.”
“Qué sera, sera.” -- “What will be, will be.”
“Life is a near-death experience. The leading cause of death is life.”- so live it up so you never have to live it down!
“Sometimes you cannot believe what you see, you have to believe what you feel. And if you are ever going to have other people trust you, you must feel that you can trust them too--- even when you’re in the dark. Even when you’re falling.”
“Enlightenment is but a recognition, not a change at all.”
“We only become what we are by the radical and deep-seated refusal of that which others have made of us.”
“One day when our human kind become full grown, it will not define itself by the sum total of the whole world’s inhabitants, but as the infinite unity of their mutual needs.”
This pretty much sums it up: “So why am I here? Adventure is part of it. Proving myself is also part. Doing good is a very large part. The rest I guess will be known in time.”
“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable man persists in trying to adopt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”
“People cannot be developed; they can only develop themselves.”
“If the people will lead, the leaders will follow.” ~Ghandi
“Only when the power of love, overcomes the love of power will the world know peace.”
“Of the gladdest moments in human life is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands. Shaking off with one mighty effort the fetters of habit, the laden weight of routine, the cloak of mnay cares, and the slavery of home, man feels once more happy. The blood flows with the fast circulation of childhood. A fresh dawn on the morn of life.”
“To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition, to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived--- this is to have succeeded.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
“With the best leaders, when the work is done and the task is accomplished, the people will say, we have done this ourselves.” ~Lao Tsu
A Dear Friend gave me a little book to collect quotes, memories, and life lessons during my journey . . .
I thought I’d share some thoughts and words of wisdom that I have collected during my experience
“I love it when we put our heads together and they don’t bump.”
“You keep digging that hole and you’ll have a swimming pool soon enough.”
“I rise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it very hard to plan the day.”
“Do not forget that your will has power over all your fantasies and dreams. Trust it to see you through, and carry you beyond them all.”
“Dreams show that you have the power to make the world as you would have it be.”
“Perception is a mirror, not a fact. And what I look on is my state of mind, reflected outward.”
“Peace, like love, must first be uncovered within and then extended through our relationships in ever-widening, ever more inclusive circles, until eventually peace encompasses everyone.”
“Offering peace to others is a way to have it ourselves, and a natural result of having it is sharing it.”
“Qué sera, sera.” -- “What will be, will be.”
“Life is a near-death experience. The leading cause of death is life.”- so live it up so you never have to live it down!
“Sometimes you cannot believe what you see, you have to believe what you feel. And if you are ever going to have other people trust you, you must feel that you can trust them too--- even when you’re in the dark. Even when you’re falling.”
“Enlightenment is but a recognition, not a change at all.”
“We only become what we are by the radical and deep-seated refusal of that which others have made of us.”
“One day when our human kind become full grown, it will not define itself by the sum total of the whole world’s inhabitants, but as the infinite unity of their mutual needs.”
This pretty much sums it up: “So why am I here? Adventure is part of it. Proving myself is also part. Doing good is a very large part. The rest I guess will be known in time.”
“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable man persists in trying to adopt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”
“People cannot be developed; they can only develop themselves.”
“If the people will lead, the leaders will follow.” ~Ghandi
“Only when the power of love, overcomes the love of power will the world know peace.”
“Of the gladdest moments in human life is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands. Shaking off with one mighty effort the fetters of habit, the laden weight of routine, the cloak of mnay cares, and the slavery of home, man feels once more happy. The blood flows with the fast circulation of childhood. A fresh dawn on the morn of life.”
“To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition, to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived--- this is to have succeeded.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
“With the best leaders, when the work is done and the task is accomplished, the people will say, we have done this ourselves.” ~Lao Tsu
Recipes
Pumpkin (Butternut) Bread
I think this is my favorite recipe so far in Botswana! (It’s a close rival to my long time favorite: Banana Bread)
Makes 2 loaves
3 ½ cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
½ Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
½ cup chopped nuts
¾ cup butter
1 ½ cups sugar
4 eggs
2-3 cups cooked pumpkin (or butternut)
¾ cup water (as needed)
Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add nuts. In separate bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one by one, beating well after each addition. Add pumpkin, then mix in dry ingredients. Add water as needed. Mix well. Pour into greased pan. Bake on 350 until top bounces back when touched or when knife comes out clean (about 40 minutes).
Smashed Squash
Butternut squash is readily available here and a staple in Botswana dishes, but I think you could use this same recipe with pumpkin or sweet potatoes for a tasty dish (especially around the holidays!).
2 medium sized butternut squashes
2 Tbsp. melted butter or margarine
¼ cup run or brandy (or substitute with milk)
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
Ginger snap cookies (crumbled) or spiced pecans or both!
Rinse squash and cut into fourths- leaving the skin on.
Remove the seeds from the bottom half.
Put in a pot with about 1 inch of water and cook until tender (about 20-30 minutes)
Drain water and wait until squash is cool to handle
Scrape squash out of skin and mash with a fork
Add butter or margarine, liquor or milk, and spices
Cream together and put in a casserole dish or baking pan.
Top with ginger cookies or pecans
Bake on medium heat (350 F or 175 C) for 30 minutes.
Granolas
1 ½ cup oats
¼ cup sliced almonds
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
2 Tbsp. cashews
¼ cup sunflower seeds
1/3 cup maple syrup
¼ cup oil
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt
1/3 cup raisins (and/or craisins, figs, apples)
Add all ingredients beside fruit and stir. Spread on a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes on 350 stirring frequently
½ cup water
1 Tbsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla
6 cups oats
1 cup wheat germ
½ cup oil
½-1 cup honey
2 cups whole wheat flour (or regular flour)
1 cup coconut
Bring liquids to a boil and add mixed dry ingredients. Bake in a greased pan or stove for 40 minutes stirring often. Add raisins, dried fruit and/or nuts.
Maryland- styled Lemon Herb Spinach Salad
Ok this one is a bit crazy but believe me it tastes good and is perfect for a light, summer dinner!
Spinach- ribboned
Zucchini- sliced
Meat of choice, cut (I actually used a veggie burger and it did the trick)
Old Bay
Garlic clove, minced
Onion, chopped
Lemon juice
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper
Put meat (preferably already cooked) in a pan adding garlic, onion, lemon juice, and olive oil (You might need to add a little water too to make a nice marinade sauce). Put on low heat to simmer. Add sliced zucchini. Sprinkle Old Bay and pepper on top. Cook until hot and zucchini is cooked to desire. Briefly weep spinach. Place spinach on plate. Pour meat and zucchini mixture over bed of spinach. Eat immediately or spinach will get mushy!
To create a more filling meal, serve with Roasted Potatoes:
Wash and cut potatoes into bite-sized chunks. Chop onion. Spread evenly onto baking pan. Top with salt, pepper and old bay. Add a bit of water to the pan to prevent burning and check water level throughout duration. Bake until potatoes golden and crispy outside and soft inside (about 45 min.).
They are perfect to dip in the excess marinade!
Mediterranean Eggplant Spread
1 ¼ lb. eggplant
1 Tbsp. olive oil
½ medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
¼ cup fresh parsley leaves
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
½ tsp. sugar
Salt & pepper
Cut eggplant lengthwise and brush sliced surface with olive oil and place face down on oiled baking sheet. Bake until tender (about 35 minutes)- eggplant will look wrinkled and deflated. Let cool.
Heat oil in skillet add onion for 3-5 min. Add garlic and tomato and cook for 1 min. stirring.
Scoop flesh out of eggplant skins and cut into bite-sized pieces. Add to skillet with tomato. Add basil, parsley, lemon juice, and sugar. Blend well. Salt and pepper to taste. Serves with toasted bread or crackers.
Curried Rice Salad
So out of the few spices actually used in dishes here- curry is one of them. So here’s one to try at your next cook out.
2 cups cooked rice
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. chutney (I don’t know if they sell this premade in the states- if not I can post a recipe to make it from scratch)
1 can peaches, drained
1 Tbsp. curry powder
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped (optional)
¼ cup lemon juice
Mix all ingredients, adding peaches and lemon juice last. Let sit in a cool place (fridge) for one hour before serving.
I’m thinking that some raisins and chicken chunks could be added to make this dish more complete for a nice summer dinner.
Banana Oatmeal Cookies
These are like a cross between banana bread and cookies- they have a consistency close to a muffin top. They are great for breakfast!
1 ½ c. flour
¾ tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. salt
½ c. mashed banana
¼ c. shortening
¾ c. sugar
1 ½ c. oats
1 egg
Optional: 1 c. chopped nuts
Makes about 2 dozen.
· Cream shortening and sugar
· Add egg and beat
· Stir in oats, banana, and nuts
· Add remaining ingredients
· Spoon on to an ungreased baking sheet (they do not spread much while cooking)
· Bake 10-15 min. at 350 or until lightly brown
Butternut Squash Soup
I just experimented with this and it turned out pretty well. Below is a basic recipe (I think this can easily be replaced by pumpkin if that’s easier to find, especially come Fall.)The prep is a little time consuming so I would recommend doubling or tripling the recipe so that you can freeze some for a second, quick meal. This would serve about 4 for dinner (main course) and about 6 as a lunch/snack/appetizer, etc.
2 medium sized butternut squash
1. Cut the squash in half at its waist
2. Cut off the ends
3. Cut down the sides to remove the rind (both halves)
4. Cut the bottom in half and remove the seeds (live carving a pumpkin)
5. Cut into bite-sized cubes
1 onion
2 cloves of garlic (or more if you’re like me!)
Olive oil (about 4 Tbsp.)
Salt & Pepper (about 2 tsp. each)
· Finely mince onion and caramelize with oil in a pan on med/low heat. It will take about 20-30 min. Toss and add water as needed so prevent the onions from drying out.
· Mince garlic and add to onions with a little more oil
· Add squash chunks and sauté for 5 min. (still med/low heat)
· Add water until it covers the squash
· Add salt, pepper and other spices (I added cloves and cinnamon. You might also want to try nutmeg, cumin, allspice, anise, anything sweet and savory)
· Cover and simmer on med. heat for about 15 min. or until squash start to get soft.
· Once soft, use a potato masher or a slotted spoon to mash the squash and stir.
· Add water, or for a creamier soup add milk, cream, or coconut milk, until soup is the desired consistency.
· Cook until smooth and bubbly- but do not boil, milk will separate!
I made mine with cauliflower and spinach. I steamed these well in a separate pot, because I wanted the cauliflower whole, not mashed with the squash, and added them to the main pot at the very end to finish. I also used milk for a creamy soup. This is a hearty soup and can easily be a full meal especially if you serve it with bread (I had some cornbread and it went nicely together).
Some other suggested variations:
· Coconut curry (coconut milk and 1-2 tsp. curry)
· Creamy potato (add peeled chunks of potato with squash and use milk or cream at end)
· Carrot ginger (add diced carrots and either fresh grated (4 T) or ground ginger (2 t.))
· Spicy (roast a red bell pepper, chop, and add to squash or add cayenne pepper)
Or create your own . . .
Dijo Mo Botswana
Here are a few traditional dishes . . .
They are rather bland, but you all asked for them so here you are!
Dipapata (like a dense biscuit or English muffin)
1 ½ c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. sugar (if you don’t like them sweet, omit the sugar)
Water
· Sift dry ingredients together
· Add water while you mix until dough reaches a soft doughy consistency (solid and slightly sticky)
· Add flour (so it doesn’t stick to your hands) and knead until smooth
· Divide dough into small balls and fold the outsides inward to form a disk shaped patty
· Place on a non-stick pan on low heat for about 5-10 min. on each side or until cooked through
Madombi (dumplings)
2 c. flour
1 tbsp. instant yeast
2 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. sugar
Warm water
· Mix dough and knead to same consistency as above
· Since this one has yeast, let it stand covered in a warm place until it doubles in size
· Punch dough down and knead for several more minutes
· Form disks/ patties as above
· Place in boiling water for 15-25 min.
Fat Cakes
Prepare the same as the dumplings only cook in hot oil instead of boiling water. Do not cover. When the cake floats on top of the oil, flip over and continue cooking until browned on both sides.
Butternut Salad
Butternut squash
Nutmeg to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
· Cut squash into quadrants and boil until soft
· Scrape squash out of rind and smash with a fork
· Add desired spices
Beetroot Salad
Boil beetroots until cooked through. Allow to stand in water until cool enough to peel. Grate.
You can also add grated carrots and a bit of mayonnaise until the salad is hot pink.
An Americanized version:
After beets are grated, cut onion into thin half slices and separate into ribbons and add to beets. Add 1 c. red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp. oil (preferably olive), 1 tsp. sugar, 2 tsp. salt, 2 tsp. pepper, 2 tsp. paprika, and 2 tsp. cinnamon and toss.
I think this is my favorite recipe so far in Botswana! (It’s a close rival to my long time favorite: Banana Bread)
Makes 2 loaves
3 ½ cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
½ Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
½ cup chopped nuts
¾ cup butter
1 ½ cups sugar
4 eggs
2-3 cups cooked pumpkin (or butternut)
¾ cup water (as needed)
Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add nuts. In separate bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one by one, beating well after each addition. Add pumpkin, then mix in dry ingredients. Add water as needed. Mix well. Pour into greased pan. Bake on 350 until top bounces back when touched or when knife comes out clean (about 40 minutes).
Smashed Squash
Butternut squash is readily available here and a staple in Botswana dishes, but I think you could use this same recipe with pumpkin or sweet potatoes for a tasty dish (especially around the holidays!).
2 medium sized butternut squashes
2 Tbsp. melted butter or margarine
¼ cup run or brandy (or substitute with milk)
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
Ginger snap cookies (crumbled) or spiced pecans or both!
Rinse squash and cut into fourths- leaving the skin on.
Remove the seeds from the bottom half.
Put in a pot with about 1 inch of water and cook until tender (about 20-30 minutes)
Drain water and wait until squash is cool to handle
Scrape squash out of skin and mash with a fork
Add butter or margarine, liquor or milk, and spices
Cream together and put in a casserole dish or baking pan.
Top with ginger cookies or pecans
Bake on medium heat (350 F or 175 C) for 30 minutes.
Granolas
1 ½ cup oats
¼ cup sliced almonds
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
2 Tbsp. cashews
¼ cup sunflower seeds
1/3 cup maple syrup
¼ cup oil
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt
1/3 cup raisins (and/or craisins, figs, apples)
Add all ingredients beside fruit and stir. Spread on a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes on 350 stirring frequently
½ cup water
1 Tbsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla
6 cups oats
1 cup wheat germ
½ cup oil
½-1 cup honey
2 cups whole wheat flour (or regular flour)
1 cup coconut
Bring liquids to a boil and add mixed dry ingredients. Bake in a greased pan or stove for 40 minutes stirring often. Add raisins, dried fruit and/or nuts.
Maryland- styled Lemon Herb Spinach Salad
Ok this one is a bit crazy but believe me it tastes good and is perfect for a light, summer dinner!
Spinach- ribboned
Zucchini- sliced
Meat of choice, cut (I actually used a veggie burger and it did the trick)
Old Bay
Garlic clove, minced
Onion, chopped
Lemon juice
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper
Put meat (preferably already cooked) in a pan adding garlic, onion, lemon juice, and olive oil (You might need to add a little water too to make a nice marinade sauce). Put on low heat to simmer. Add sliced zucchini. Sprinkle Old Bay and pepper on top. Cook until hot and zucchini is cooked to desire. Briefly weep spinach. Place spinach on plate. Pour meat and zucchini mixture over bed of spinach. Eat immediately or spinach will get mushy!
To create a more filling meal, serve with Roasted Potatoes:
Wash and cut potatoes into bite-sized chunks. Chop onion. Spread evenly onto baking pan. Top with salt, pepper and old bay. Add a bit of water to the pan to prevent burning and check water level throughout duration. Bake until potatoes golden and crispy outside and soft inside (about 45 min.).
They are perfect to dip in the excess marinade!
Mediterranean Eggplant Spread
1 ¼ lb. eggplant
1 Tbsp. olive oil
½ medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
¼ cup fresh parsley leaves
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
½ tsp. sugar
Salt & pepper
Cut eggplant lengthwise and brush sliced surface with olive oil and place face down on oiled baking sheet. Bake until tender (about 35 minutes)- eggplant will look wrinkled and deflated. Let cool.
Heat oil in skillet add onion for 3-5 min. Add garlic and tomato and cook for 1 min. stirring.
Scoop flesh out of eggplant skins and cut into bite-sized pieces. Add to skillet with tomato. Add basil, parsley, lemon juice, and sugar. Blend well. Salt and pepper to taste. Serves with toasted bread or crackers.
Curried Rice Salad
So out of the few spices actually used in dishes here- curry is one of them. So here’s one to try at your next cook out.
2 cups cooked rice
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. chutney (I don’t know if they sell this premade in the states- if not I can post a recipe to make it from scratch)
1 can peaches, drained
1 Tbsp. curry powder
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped (optional)
¼ cup lemon juice
Mix all ingredients, adding peaches and lemon juice last. Let sit in a cool place (fridge) for one hour before serving.
I’m thinking that some raisins and chicken chunks could be added to make this dish more complete for a nice summer dinner.
Banana Oatmeal Cookies
These are like a cross between banana bread and cookies- they have a consistency close to a muffin top. They are great for breakfast!
1 ½ c. flour
¾ tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. salt
½ c. mashed banana
¼ c. shortening
¾ c. sugar
1 ½ c. oats
1 egg
Optional: 1 c. chopped nuts
Makes about 2 dozen.
· Cream shortening and sugar
· Add egg and beat
· Stir in oats, banana, and nuts
· Add remaining ingredients
· Spoon on to an ungreased baking sheet (they do not spread much while cooking)
· Bake 10-15 min. at 350 or until lightly brown
Butternut Squash Soup
I just experimented with this and it turned out pretty well. Below is a basic recipe (I think this can easily be replaced by pumpkin if that’s easier to find, especially come Fall.)The prep is a little time consuming so I would recommend doubling or tripling the recipe so that you can freeze some for a second, quick meal. This would serve about 4 for dinner (main course) and about 6 as a lunch/snack/appetizer, etc.
2 medium sized butternut squash
1. Cut the squash in half at its waist
2. Cut off the ends
3. Cut down the sides to remove the rind (both halves)
4. Cut the bottom in half and remove the seeds (live carving a pumpkin)
5. Cut into bite-sized cubes
1 onion
2 cloves of garlic (or more if you’re like me!)
Olive oil (about 4 Tbsp.)
Salt & Pepper (about 2 tsp. each)
· Finely mince onion and caramelize with oil in a pan on med/low heat. It will take about 20-30 min. Toss and add water as needed so prevent the onions from drying out.
· Mince garlic and add to onions with a little more oil
· Add squash chunks and sauté for 5 min. (still med/low heat)
· Add water until it covers the squash
· Add salt, pepper and other spices (I added cloves and cinnamon. You might also want to try nutmeg, cumin, allspice, anise, anything sweet and savory)
· Cover and simmer on med. heat for about 15 min. or until squash start to get soft.
· Once soft, use a potato masher or a slotted spoon to mash the squash and stir.
· Add water, or for a creamier soup add milk, cream, or coconut milk, until soup is the desired consistency.
· Cook until smooth and bubbly- but do not boil, milk will separate!
I made mine with cauliflower and spinach. I steamed these well in a separate pot, because I wanted the cauliflower whole, not mashed with the squash, and added them to the main pot at the very end to finish. I also used milk for a creamy soup. This is a hearty soup and can easily be a full meal especially if you serve it with bread (I had some cornbread and it went nicely together).
Some other suggested variations:
· Coconut curry (coconut milk and 1-2 tsp. curry)
· Creamy potato (add peeled chunks of potato with squash and use milk or cream at end)
· Carrot ginger (add diced carrots and either fresh grated (4 T) or ground ginger (2 t.))
· Spicy (roast a red bell pepper, chop, and add to squash or add cayenne pepper)
Or create your own . . .
Dijo Mo Botswana
Here are a few traditional dishes . . .
They are rather bland, but you all asked for them so here you are!
Dipapata (like a dense biscuit or English muffin)
1 ½ c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. sugar (if you don’t like them sweet, omit the sugar)
Water
· Sift dry ingredients together
· Add water while you mix until dough reaches a soft doughy consistency (solid and slightly sticky)
· Add flour (so it doesn’t stick to your hands) and knead until smooth
· Divide dough into small balls and fold the outsides inward to form a disk shaped patty
· Place on a non-stick pan on low heat for about 5-10 min. on each side or until cooked through
Madombi (dumplings)
2 c. flour
1 tbsp. instant yeast
2 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. sugar
Warm water
· Mix dough and knead to same consistency as above
· Since this one has yeast, let it stand covered in a warm place until it doubles in size
· Punch dough down and knead for several more minutes
· Form disks/ patties as above
· Place in boiling water for 15-25 min.
Fat Cakes
Prepare the same as the dumplings only cook in hot oil instead of boiling water. Do not cover. When the cake floats on top of the oil, flip over and continue cooking until browned on both sides.
Butternut Salad
Butternut squash
Nutmeg to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
· Cut squash into quadrants and boil until soft
· Scrape squash out of rind and smash with a fork
· Add desired spices
Beetroot Salad
Boil beetroots until cooked through. Allow to stand in water until cool enough to peel. Grate.
You can also add grated carrots and a bit of mayonnaise until the salad is hot pink.
An Americanized version:
After beets are grated, cut onion into thin half slices and separate into ribbons and add to beets. Add 1 c. red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp. oil (preferably olive), 1 tsp. sugar, 2 tsp. salt, 2 tsp. pepper, 2 tsp. paprika, and 2 tsp. cinnamon and toss.
I am sending this out just because I have already been asked by a few and know I will get it more as the holidays come up. So here is some mailing advice for the next 2 years that I have received from current volunteers. The U.S. postal service has an international flat rate box ($30?) to send up to 20 lbs which from all volunteers' experiences seems to be the best. They also have an $11 flat rate envelope if you want to send smaller things. (They supply the box so be sure you pick it up first so you know what dimensions you are working with!) I have seen packages arrive where parents have sent things in their own boxes and the postage has been up to $100 and some of them are small packages or envelopes that are like $40 so be careful; and stick to those flat rate deals bc they seem best. Anything that needs to get here by express or extra security can be sent by DHL. Now that I have received my first packages, I can say that they arrived in about a week and a half- not bad! Also, I had no problem receiving them fully intact. So it seems like the mail system works pretty well- even all the way out here to Semolale. Also, for all of you who might be a little confused about regular postage rates, a standard letter requires a $0.94 international stamp. These I have also received here in Semolale, and it seems like they take just about 1 week to arrive. I am sending this to you all and you can give suggestions/ forward this as you get inquires from other family members or friends.Care Package suggestions:pens & office supplies & craft supplies (paints, glue, colored paper, markers)
Stationary and envelopesphotos- updated ones of you all and events i'm missing :(
seeds for a veggie garden and herbs and wild flowers that can grow in arid climates
acoustic guitar strings and tablature (especially some bob marley, bob dylan)
crossword puzzle books, magazines (travel, homes, nature, environmental issues)- the kids love anything Hollywood or current events- they don’t even have to be current!
board games or card games (like uno)
sports balls, Frisbees
computer games and tutorials (CD-Roms)
workbooks to teach English (Elementary level)
blank CDs
burned DVDs (or send some that I have left behind- maybe putting a bunch in a CD case would be a space saving way to send them) or CDs (maybe some keller williams, rusted root, dave, john butler trio, and any newly discovered music that you think I would enjoy) Also, maybe disney or kids movies because they loved Ratatoullie but I think if I watch it one more time I’ll go insane! I need to find a way to get Ravens games taped to DVD and sent next season so if someone could start some research that would be awesome! I’m thinking maybe Tivo can do this, but I’m not sure.
~also, the kids really like R&B and American Rap/ Hip hop artists I hear a lot about Chris Brown, Rhianna, Alicia keys, Beyonce and the like
Hemp & beads- the youth have seen the necklace that I wear all the time and want to learn how to make it and try to sell them to raise money for the group
batteries (AA rechargeable and the long life camera ones- lithium or titanium)
calenders with pics from national parks or other natural landscapes or beach scenes- they can be the 2008 clearance ones or even outdated I just want big glossy pictures to decorate withearl gray tea bags and green tea bags
incense sticks granola and cereal barsnoxema face wipes (those things the girls use on their face. i am covered in a layer of dust everyday)recipes- some of my faves like banana bread, chicken dishes, salads, and anything that can be made from scratch like cookies, breads, etc.hot cocoa and cappuccino mixes- winter is upon us!
spices and marinade packets (like the grill mate ones) and taco seasoningcereals- you know what i like: granola, life, frosted mini wheats, total w/ cranberries and they have a honey cluster one now, oatmeal squares, honey clusters, honey bunches of oats, special K with yogart and berries, honey nut chex, etc.craisinstrail mix/ chex mixes/ nuts***PAM***, they do not have anything like this and i refuse to use oil! so please, please, pleasebrownie mix, blueberry pancake mix (anything just add water)ziploc baggies and the Ziploc/ gladware storage containersfig newtons/ animal crackersshout wipes/ clorax pen/ mini sewing kitcountry time pink lemonade mixhand sanitizers/ cocoa butter/ chap stick
Stationary and envelopesphotos- updated ones of you all and events i'm missing :(
seeds for a veggie garden and herbs and wild flowers that can grow in arid climates
acoustic guitar strings and tablature (especially some bob marley, bob dylan)
crossword puzzle books, magazines (travel, homes, nature, environmental issues)- the kids love anything Hollywood or current events- they don’t even have to be current!
board games or card games (like uno)
sports balls, Frisbees
computer games and tutorials (CD-Roms)
workbooks to teach English (Elementary level)
blank CDs
burned DVDs (or send some that I have left behind- maybe putting a bunch in a CD case would be a space saving way to send them) or CDs (maybe some keller williams, rusted root, dave, john butler trio, and any newly discovered music that you think I would enjoy) Also, maybe disney or kids movies because they loved Ratatoullie but I think if I watch it one more time I’ll go insane! I need to find a way to get Ravens games taped to DVD and sent next season so if someone could start some research that would be awesome! I’m thinking maybe Tivo can do this, but I’m not sure.
~also, the kids really like R&B and American Rap/ Hip hop artists I hear a lot about Chris Brown, Rhianna, Alicia keys, Beyonce and the like
Hemp & beads- the youth have seen the necklace that I wear all the time and want to learn how to make it and try to sell them to raise money for the group
batteries (AA rechargeable and the long life camera ones- lithium or titanium)
calenders with pics from national parks or other natural landscapes or beach scenes- they can be the 2008 clearance ones or even outdated I just want big glossy pictures to decorate withearl gray tea bags and green tea bags
incense sticks granola and cereal barsnoxema face wipes (those things the girls use on their face. i am covered in a layer of dust everyday)recipes- some of my faves like banana bread, chicken dishes, salads, and anything that can be made from scratch like cookies, breads, etc.hot cocoa and cappuccino mixes- winter is upon us!
spices and marinade packets (like the grill mate ones) and taco seasoningcereals- you know what i like: granola, life, frosted mini wheats, total w/ cranberries and they have a honey cluster one now, oatmeal squares, honey clusters, honey bunches of oats, special K with yogart and berries, honey nut chex, etc.craisinstrail mix/ chex mixes/ nuts***PAM***, they do not have anything like this and i refuse to use oil! so please, please, pleasebrownie mix, blueberry pancake mix (anything just add water)ziploc baggies and the Ziploc/ gladware storage containersfig newtons/ animal crackersshout wipes/ clorax pen/ mini sewing kitcountry time pink lemonade mixhand sanitizers/ cocoa butter/ chap stick
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