Category Archives: Belize

Fasta Pasta!

December 29, 2020 Munchkin

Just when we were saying that it was time to get out on the farm again because it was drying up, we had a big glorious downpour last night. We can’t get anything done!! And it has been a recurring theme all year!! It’s wet outside…what are we going to do? I am still not done cleaning up but it isn’t a fun thing to do for an end of year finale. Oh, but of course…we can get the noodle machine out!!

This noodle machine weighs about 20lbs (10kgs) and it even comes on a stainless steel stand. It is made of cast iron and stainless steel…the plastic bits on the sides are just veneer to hide the metal gears…Gnome has taken the plastic bits off already because he thinks that they get in the way. Besides, he would rather see the exposed gears.

(I feel like I am writing a product review…Ha-Ha!!)

The Italian pasta machines were very light weight and had to be attached to the table in order to give them stability.

Another good thing (good thing because I am designated dough maker) is that you just need to mix the flour and water very quickly with a spoon. This machine is strong enough to do all the kneading. I can mix about a lb of flour at a time. With the Italian machine, it was about a 1/4lb at a time, the dough had to be kneaded by hand initially and then there was a lengthy dough working process with the pasta machine.

Be warned that using this machine still requires some arm strength but you can see that it has been designed with motorisation in mind. This machine is made in China…you may be surprised. Yes, but you have to realise that Chinese people eat noodles and there has to be machines properly equipped to meet the demand. This noodle machine is a commercial model or (according to their advertising blurb) can be used for large households to feed five or more people. It certainly does the job…

The other thing is…it is a noodle machine…not a pasta machine. You can make the following: one size of noodle (3mm…typical Chinese noodle size), ‘pasta’ sheets and dumplings. There is one noodle cutting attachment only. If you are looking for fancy mafaldine, you need an Italian pasta machine. Gnome has thought of ‘working’ the dough on this noodle machine and then passing it through an Italian pasta cutting machine but the widths of dough are not compatible.

Here is a picture of the noodle cutter in action:

These are the noodle cakes that you get:

We are very, very pleased!! Oh, and the price…some people might be interested. Italian pasta machines cost about USD$50.00. The noodle machine is about about USD$125.00. Definitely worth it if you are likely to make lots of noodles. 😉

Belize, Food

Winter Time in Belize!

December 28, 2020 Munchkin 2 Comments

It is deepest, darkest winter in Belize right now. The temperature is around18oC/ 64F and it doesn’t get light until 6am in the morning. It is really hard to get up when it is so chilly. The scarves, woolly hats and cardigans are out now and the cats are fighting for a cosy position on our laps. Anyway, I trust you all had a good Christmas; we ended up with a ham dinner since there was a cold front and drizzly showers on Christmas day. It was hard to start a fire and cook our goose in coals outside. Oh, and I was so cold, I asked Gnome to make mulled wine. Of course, we didn’t make it the traditional way (God forbid!)…I walked around the yard to pick all the ingredients…this is what we used: cinnamon leaf, allspice leaf, calamondin peel, chilli pepper and sorrel.

It was very warming and exactly what I needed for a cold winters day in Belize. All in all, Christmas day was quiet and the cats were so cold that they spent most of the time sleeping!!

Boxing Day was another cold day so we had the bright idea of bringing out the brand new noodle machine. Gnome cranked out skins to make ham and potato dumplings (from our Christmas leftovers!!). We spent the whole morning cranking and filling…ended up with 56 dumplings to freeze and managed to use up all of Christmas dinner. I will have pictures on a later post. Meanwhile, I will leave you with some pictures of our new noodle machine; Gnome is very pleased with it because it is a lot sturdier than the traditional Italian pasta machines. Perhaps this one will make it through a rigorous Munchkin and Gnome marathon! Ohhh…look at that!! Quite formidable looking…Made in China too!!

This one can take a pound of flour at one time, un-kneaded! Hours of fun!!

Belize

Merry Christmas!!

December 25, 2020 Munchkin

A Very Merry Christmas from Munchkin and Gnome!! May your day be filled with joy and laughter. This is day to make gestures to all. Have a Good One!!

So, cold today (Brrrrrr!!! 20oC/ 68F). We actually made mulled wine. The chilled wine in the fridge will have to wait!!

Chee-eeeers Everyone!!!!

Belize, Farming, Food

Something Festive.

December 24, 2020 Munchkin

Time to write something Festive since it is Christmas Eve!! We had our last day in town yesterday before the holidays.

It was quieter than I imagined but there was the usual hustle and bustle of last minute shopping at the Chiney. This year, there were plenty of imported hams and turkey. Oh, and weirdly enough, there were so many imported berries…strawberries and blackberries and that kind of thing. That is quite a phenomenon here because berries are very uncommon. I was told last year that there was a shortage of flour during this season…this year, it was cream cheese…seems to be a big deal…what do people do with cream cheese??

Everyone that we met tried to evoke some Christmas cheer despite the new COVID-19 curfew for this season with no parties allowed and no mixed households for Christmas. There was the usual exchange of black cake (in our case, it was soap and oils).

So, what’s happening for Christmas lunch…mmm…it’s gonna be goose this year with home-made wine. This is our Christmas plant this year…calamondin…look, they are like orange bobbles…who needs a Christmas tree on the farm?!

Amusing, Belize, Farming, Food

Just a Shortie!!

December 23, 2020 Munchkin

Hello and a Happy Wednesday Mornin’ to y’all!! Just a shortie to sneak in some pictures from the farm. By the way, it has been raining so we haven’t been able to clean up the farm once again. Awwwhhh…what can we do…we can laugh or cry about it. Some pictures for your enjoyment:

Very trendy coffee table picture of our cheese rolls:

Dried tobacco from the farm; Gnome has been twistin’

We are waiting for our sesame seed to seed…very nice looking plants, by the way:

Oh and looky here (Gnome just commented on the fact that ‘I sound like somebody trying to be a Southerner but not really a Southerner’).

The next thrilling instalment of Munchkin and Gnome!! Yes!! Hand Noolde Machine!! Let the marathon begin!!

Amusing, Belize

Bumper Ride!

December 22, 2020 Munchkin

We had a right old bumper ride a few days ago! We were driving along the highway and we suddenly heard a scraping, dragging noise coming from the back of the truck. The bumper came half way off!! To make things worse, it was pouring down!! Gnome stopped the truck by the side of the road and ran out to assess the situation and quick smart, ran back into the shelter of the truck.

Gnome: ‘Munchkin, the bumper’s handing half way off! What are we going to do?’

There was no place nearby to take shelter from the pelting rain. So, I thought the this was the most sensible thing to do:

Munchkin: ‘Let’s have a cup of tea!’

It wasn’t the response that he was looking for but it seemed logical enough so Gnome agreed and we sat down in the truck and had a cup of tea.

It was quite funny…we were actually really cool about it and we didn’t get annoyed about the situation. Gnome asked me if we had anything in the truck to fix the bumper problem temporarily…something like rope or string. I reached down underneath my seat and pulled out a burlap sack…a fairy must have packed this for us…inside the bag, there were two ponchos, 3 large belts for securing loads and a whole lot of string. The first thing I said was:

Munchkin: ‘Do you want the purple or the blue poncho???!!’

(Ha-Ha!!! I was trying to be funny!!)

Gnome didn’t quite get that I was Humorous Munchkin at that point and he said,

Gnome: ‘…this is not the time or place to be choosing colours of ponchos!!’

(Ha-Ha!! Guffaw!!!)

It stopped raining after a while and we both donned the ponchos and went outside. The bumper was still welded on the left side but loose on the other side. It was a shame that it didn’t come off entirely because that would have made it easier. Anyway, it was the usual Gnome Magic.

He just made it look easy and simple…he secured the belt with the bumper and added a bit of string for support. An old man came along to help us which was a very nice gesture. Hey Presto:

Now, we are driving about like this. It’s not anything unusual in Belize…some people are driving around with a belt or rope securing something loose on the truck. We have joined the ranks of Belize-rigged trucks!! Now, Gnome with have to learn to weld…mig or tig?? We are not sure because we both know nothing about welding!! We better learn quick…

Amusing, Belize, Farming, Food

We Herd Geese!

December 19, 2020 Munchkin

This is a funny conversation that we had today. At least, it made me laugh and guffaw!! I was looking at recipes on the Internet because Gnome said that the chances of finding a chocolate eclair in Belize was very, very slim (almost impossible). I have cravings for chocolate eclairs and they consume my thoughts entirely sometimes!!

Anyway, that part wasn’t really the point of the story. I decided to look at recipes for choux pastry (I made it before a long time ago when I was a medical student…I went through a crazy phase of making profiteroles). I think that if I really want to satisfy my need for a chocolate eclair (and stop the day dreaming) then I have to make choux pastry and stuff them with cream and then put on the top chocolatey layer (mmmm….yum…yum!!).

That part still isn’t the point of the story!! To get the point, I found a very nice choux pastry recipe (it was explained very well with the scientific principles behind the reasons for the ingredients and manipulation of ingredients). When I scrolled down and read the profile of the writer, it was really cool…the description included working in organic farms around Italy ,etc, etc and the finally he mentioned that he once herded 200 sheep on a mountain top (for how long, I don’t know…but it sounded too cool, right!!). So, I got all sucked in about cool blog profiles so I told Gnome about it and mentioned:

‘Can you think of something cool to say about us?”

Gnome’s response:

‘We herd geese!!’

Yes Indeed!! Picture Munchkin and Gnome herding geese around our farm in Belize!! So Cool…Ha-Ha!! Now, we have a blog profile to brag about!! 😉

Amusing, Belize, Food, Pets

Two Fat Fairies!

December 17, 2020 Munchkin

Gnome wished for two fairies to help us out with the unenviable task of tidying up the house. I think we need an army of fairies! But anyway, Gnome’s wishes have come semi-true because we have two fat cats that are licking up the kitchen floor every time we are cooking or processing food. Every bit counts! Gnome has got back into the routine of grating coconuts everyday:

It is a messy job with coconut grated bits flying everywhere. The cats have got into the habit of waiting for Gnome and then scrabbling about like mad under his feet. Yes, so we have two fat fairies to clean up the floor after us. This is a picture of them resting, after feasting on coconut:

These two cats are bestest buddies…they lick and groom each other but, yes they will still fight over food! Just a short and sweet post for today!

Amusing, Belize, Farming, Our Products

One That didn’t Make It…

December 14, 2020 Munchkin

Hiya Folks…I have been tidying up the house like there is no tomorrow. I was forced to do so today because it was pouring down! Gnome was stuck indoors too experiencing the fun of an even bigger mess…somehow it seems like the beginnings of tidying up start off worse than before because you end up with a pile of things that are useful (that you don’t want to throw away) but there is no designated space for them. Right now, I have a ‘rubbish pile’ and a very big ‘don’t know what to do with but it could come in useful’ pile. Arrrghh…help…it is actually really difficult!!

Anyway, enough of the lament. Guess what I found…on one of my mystery forays into one of the corners of the room:

Ahhh…brings back old memories from over a decade again. Once upon a time, when we thought that time was timeless, we engaged in mega brain-storming into how to convert everything(!) from the farm into products to sell. This was a Gnome idea since we used tongue scrapers and there was none to be found in the whole country of Belize at that time. Also, being Doctors, we viewed it as a great combo promotion of ecological and health (dental) awareness. We thought it was the best idea since sliced bread and it was an original thought…we didn’t have Internet or anything…at the time, we had no electricity, no computer, no phone and zero technology. To put the great brain fart into motion, Gnome cut down bamboo and painstakingly made long strips. Each single bamboo tongue scraper was made lovingly with our own hands in addition to all the blood, sweat and tears (Ha-Ha…going a bit overboard here but it was a laborious task).

You see…we even printed out a label…in those days, we would design and print our labels in the Internet shop in Punta Gorda and pay a $0.50 for each printed sheet. We tried out our new product at the first Cacao Fest in PG (2009, I think?) and we couldn’t sell any!! They started at $2 then we got desperate and slashed the price down to $0.50…still no takers. We explained the oral hygiene and that stuff but we didn’t get any interest…they couldn’t even see the novelty and excitement that we felt for them…we were heart-broken!! All that work and nobody could recognise it. We ended up taking a big bag of bamboo tongue scrapers back home unsold and there in the corner of the house they have sat dejected and unloved for all this time(awwwhh!!). That’s why I decided to write a post on our Bamboo Tongue Scrapers…to give them some acknowledgement and now that I have found them, we will have clean tongues for the rest of our lives!!

Let’s hear it for the Natural Bamboo Tongue Scraper. May it be remembered and I have given it a special place in this post.

Amusing, Belize

The Teapot Top Incident.

December 13, 2020 Munchkin

That was the icing on the cake…that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I can be funny about it now but believe me, we had one big hissy fit over this one. This is what happened:

Gnome: ‘Munchkin, oh dearest!! Where is the teapot top?’

(This isn’t exactly what he said but the for the purposes of wholesome family entertainment we will keep to this version).

I didn’t know where it was and I couldn’t find it for 5 days! This was rather disturbing because we used the teapot twice a day. How could the top go missing all of a sudden??

Well, I have some explaining to do…the days typically started with this type of conversation:

Gnome: ‘Munchkin, oh dearest!! Where is my…fill in the blank?’

Gnome: ‘Munchkin, oh dearest!! Have you seen my…fill in the blank?’

We have had some trouble finding things because the house is a mess. Arrrghhh!!! Picture a kitchen with a massive table top with every square inch filled up with an array of vegetables and fruit. Pots everywhere. Buckets of miso brewing in the corner. Oh and of course pig tail buckets of wine blubbling away happily in a corner. The floor under the table is crammed full of containers of home-made coconut oil. There is not an inch of space left to move in…

and what’s more…

in this tiny little house, there’s a place for making soaps, another place for pressing coconut oil, another place for drying herbs with jars crammed full of dried herbs. There is stuff everywhere!!

I have been neglecting the house-work because there is always so much farm work to do!!

Anyway, I think it is time for Munchkin to tidy up…can’t wait until Spring…it has now become a matter of great urgency…as soon as you can’t find the teapot top, then it is time for a great big tidy up.

So, this means that Gnome will have to do the farm work for the next week or so while I try to organise our house into some semblance of a house! Let’s hope I can get it done before Christmas!!

Casa Mascia Apothecary