You might think that it would be exciting to go the capital city of Belize, Belmopan, once in a while to go shopping. But alas, our habits and lifestyle have changed so much that we don’t find thrills and excitement in grocery shopping. This is especially when our wants have become refined and we only want very specific things. My short list would be chocolate eclairs, smoked salmon and Yorkshire tea…dream on…can’t get any of that here!
Anyway, I did manage to find some Chinese stuff…
This is glutinous rice flour which is used to make mochi balls and Chinese equivalent.
This is wheat starch for yummy transparent steamed dim-sum. There is no gluten in wheat starch…I wonder if people with gluten intolerance can eat this?
Fermented black beans for black bean sauce. I remember my mum telling me that this stuff was for real Chinese people and that the black bean sauce jars were for “other people.” Anyway, I still consider myself Chinese so I will insist on buying the real deal! Incidentally we are making this stuff…it’s bubbling away in the corner somewhere…not ready yet to unleash the monster!
Dried lotus root…usually boiled in soups:
Oh we did find something for the Italian Gnome…although he mostly likes to be a Straits Chinese Gnome.
A big tin of olives:
For the last year or so we have had problems starting the truck. When we turn the key in the ignition sometimes the engine starts and sometimes it doesn’t. Usually it takes a few goes before it gets started. It was becoming such a routine that the Catholic Gnome would turn the key with a Sardinian prayer. Finally I said to him that it was just getting too ridiculous and we should just get the starter replaced. I said to him,
Hello Everyone! Just something short and sweet today. Gnome likes specific things that usually allows for practical applications…this is one of them. If you know what this actually is, you will know how to procure one. Otherwise, you will just think it is a piece of junk and if you ever happened to have one cross your path. Finding one of these makes a Gnome happy:
More harvests from the farm…the ducks have been laying so we have been eating lovely eggs. Here in Belize, the shop bought eggs are really, really bad…they are runny and the yolks are anaemic. You can’t even make a proper custard with them…believe me, I have tried and I ended up with a yellow snot that won’t thicken. Thanks to our Zazen duckies for their contribution to the farm!
Some of you may have noticed that Gnome has started posting up Haikus. I think that it is a good thing and it gives us a few giggles and guffaws. Often when we find something humourous, nobody else does so this one may purely be for our own benefit. Though we would be pleased if these were received with joy and release in your hearts too. 😉
If you ever look through my Belize Wild Recipes section, you will know that I like “mixing it up” and revel in being non-traditional in my invention of meals. I am indeed a Rebel Cook!! ;). Anyway, I’ve cooked an Italian Style meal to eat with fry jacks. Just in case you don’t know, fry jacks are puffed up dough traditionally eaten in Belize with refried beans or eggs for breakfast. Well, I am being twice the rebel because I have modified it into Italian and Brunch!
The heat is Punishing; It’s stifling hot and we are suffering in the midst of dry season in Belize. I’m not whining for nothing…it has been a real feel of 117F (47C)! Phew!! The Piggies are whining in Paradise too…with squeals, squawks and prolonged weeeeeeeeeees! Mmmm…maybe we should do a Piggie Haircut Day…anyone for a mow-hawk!! It’s not a joke by the way, we do shave their hair as an annual event..
