clinging to the wreckage: Sky blue, with sparkles!

Monday, 5 January 2009

Sky blue, with sparkles!

Thank goodness the hormones are beginning to get whipped back into some sort of order! Don't you just love that girls....I know that when God created man she was just having a joke but I do wish more attention had been paid to the endocrine system of us girlies, what a f....ing cock-up she made of that little piece of design!

Still, as in all things, hard work and distraction seem to solve most problems and I have begun to take the preparation of the boat in hand. Over the weekend the 'marquee' (massive sun-awning) came down and we have sent it up to the laundry for it's annual clean up. No mean feat when it has just come through its 4th tropical rainy season.

That of course has exposed the sadly neglected decks....yuck. Still no point cleaning those up until we have finished putting all the hardware issues to rights after our time here. Yesterday out came the running backstays and TBH reattached them in their rightful place. When we put the boat 'up' for the season we take off as much line as possible to protect it from UV and make sure there is as little green growth as possible!

Now we can get at the mast again( marquee down) there is no excuse to not get up there to replace the wind instrument and check on the rigging. We had planned to go up this morning but events rather overtook us. TBH's new venture seems to be developing well and as the world returns to work after the holidays his inbox was a bit full...

With three offspring, all rabid entrepreneurs, there is a never ending demand for our opinions, help and proof reading. They all seem to have started the New Year with a bang and we are delighted to be able to be of practical help to them!

So far this morning we've read two scripts, scanned the news for relevant items of interest, checked the weather, done the banking, worked on some email responses and made breakfast.Checked the website, cubanposters.net (one offspring's venture), given opinions on 3d imaging software, looked at ideas for a new website... Oh and run the engine to cool the fridge, had coffee and watched CNN and it's only 9.30am....

Hey I'm not moaning - I'm loving it! Maybe depression is actually just another word for boredom. Without doubt the remedy lies in my own hands. Don't you just hate that!

Bring it on baby!

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Cuban-style shrimps with rum

100ml rum
few drops tabasco sauce
zest and juice of 1 lime
2tsps worcester sauce
2.5tbso plain flour
pinch of ground cumin
pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
24 large shrimp,peeled and deveined
10z butter
80ml olive oil
4 large cloves garlic,crushed
1tbsp chopped parsley
1tbsp chopped coriander(cilantro) leaves

Mix rum,tabasco,lime juice and zest and worcester sauce in a small bowl.
Mix flour with cumin,nutmeg and season with salt and pepper.Dip the shrimp in the mix before cooking.
Melt half butter with half oil in large saute pan, when hot add half garlic and half shrimp. Cook until prawns are pale pink and lightly golden. Lift on serving plate, keep warm. repeat with remaining butter,oil, garlic and shrimp.
Pour rum mix into pan and allow to bubble for a minute or two, stirring.
Mix with parsley and ciltrano.
pour over shrimp and serve with rice as a main dish or alone as a starter.

Delicious!

Caramalised Onion,Fruit and Nut Pilau

2tbsp Ghee
2 large onions, sliced
2tbsp Ghee, extra
1tsp hot chilli powder
1tsp ground black pepper
1/4tsp saffron threads
4 cardamon pods, crushed
4 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1tsp salt
2 cups basmati rice, washed and drained
4 cups water
1/2 cup currants
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup pistachio nuts, shelled

Heat ghee in large pan. Cook the onions until caramelized. Remove from pan.

Add extra ghee and spices to same pan, cook stirring, until fragrant. Stir in salt, rice and onions.

Add water, bring to boil. Reduce to simmer and cover until rice is tender and all water has been absorbed.Stir in fruit, cover and stand 5 mins.

Just before serving stir in nuts.

Carrol Shelby's Chili Recipe.

1/4	lb suet or 1/4 cup cooking oil
1	lb beef round steak, coarse chili grind
1	lb beef chuck, coarse chili grind
8	ounces can tomato sauce
12	ounces beer
2	tablespoons crushed red chili peppers
2	medium garlic cloves, minced
1	small onion, finely chopped
1 1/4	teaspoons dried oregano (preferably Mexican)
1/2	teaspoon paprika
1 1/2	teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/4	teaspoons salt
1/8	teaspoon cayenne pepper
3/4	lb monterey jack cheese, grated

Melt suet or heat the oil in a heavy 3-quart (or larger) pot over medium-high heat.
Remove the unrendered suet and crumble meat into the pot. Break up any lumps with a fork and cook, stirring occasionally. until meat is evenly browned.
Add tomato sauce, beer, crushed red chile, garlic, onion, oregano, paprika, 1 teaspoons of the cumin, and salt. Stir to blend and bring to a boil.
Lower heat and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
Taste and adjust seasonings, adding cayenne pepper.
Simmer uncovered 1 hour longer.
Stir in the cheese and the remaining 1/2 teaspoons cumin.
Simmer 1/2 hour longer, stirring often to keep cheese from burning.
I serve the chili with sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese to garnish, and warm cornbread on the side.
The cookbook actually called for 1/4 cup of crushed red chile pepper, but unless you have a taste for fire, use less! I use half that amount, and I really like hot food.