Category Archives: Food

Fried Cassava With Peach Palm Miso Dip.

November 24, 2015 Munchkin

Munchkin.Training

Mmmmm…deep fried cassava is one of our favourites…it is really hearty and warming for colder days in Belize.

And since we are moving into winter time in Belize when the temperature can drop down to 18C (64F), this dish is perfect.

To prepare the cassava, peel and wash:

Boil the cassava in a stockpot. You will know when they are ready when they start to split length-wise. Drain the roots and once they have cooled down, slice them into 1/2 inch circular pieces. Heat up oil (I use a wok) until smoking. Fry about 10 pieces at a time, until golden brown, and drain on kitchen towel.

To make Peach Palm Miso Dip combine the following :

2 tbsp Soya Sauce

2 tbsp Honey

1 tsp Peach Palm Miso (or Shiro Miso)

Enjoy!! We deliver Peach Palm Miso in Punta Gorda on Wednesdays. Contact us by email or Facebook if you are interested and we can drop it off for you.

We can also send it to you via Tropic Air within Belize. Check out The Apothecary for prices.

Amusing, Belize, Farming, Food, Plants

The Brain!!

November 23, 2015 Munchkin

Together.Smiling

Before I start on another hilarious story with Munchkin and Gnome (Ha-Ha), I would like to mention that you can find us on FaceBook under Mandy Tsang. We have removed the Casa Mascia Apothecary page because it has only served to confuse everyone or maybe it’s because I don’t know how to use FaceBook properly! Anyway…back to The Brain…

Every-time we harvest one of these beauties, we call out “The Brain!!” in unison. Well, it is because we think that this root resembles a brain and also, we have been living in the bush for so many years, we have developed a sense of humour to offset some of the boredom (Ha-Ha).

Hmmm…I suppose you could say that it also looked like an elephant’s foot…

“The Brain!!” is also known as elephant foot yam, white-spot giant arum and its latin name is Amorphophallus paeoniifolis. Anyone who knows a bit of latin will be wondering why this is called a misshapen (amorpho) penis (phallus). This plant actually produces a spectacular flower which is the reason for the name; unfortunately, we have not been privy to the flowering of this plant. If you do a quick Internet search, you will find pictures easily…the flowers are truly amazing.

If you look at the stem of this plant, you can see the tell-tale white-spots which lends them their popular name.

This plant is related to A. konjac which is consumed in South-East Asia and Japan. According to a Straits Chinese Gnome, this is used, amongst other things, to make Jello in Asian countries because it can remain solid in the Tropics.

The preparation and cooking will be for another post!! Watch out for the dissection of The Brain!!

Belize, Food

Our Very Own Instant Cuppa Cassava Ramen.

November 22, 2015 Munchkin

Together.Eating.Fire.Pot

A couple of weeks ago we harvested fresh cassava from the farm to make “Cuppa Cassava” which is our own home-made version of an instant noodle meal. As described in an earlier post, we prepared the root by peeling, cutting into pieces and steaming. After that, we put the cooked vegetable through a meat grinder in order to homogenize it and obtain a “noodle-look.” Then it was placed in the sun to dry for three days.

We made an “instant” quick meal by adding boiled water (about 1+1/2 cups) to a handful of dehydrated cassava noodles; we covered this and allowed the vegetable to soften and cook for 10 minutes. At 7 minutes, a teaspoon of miso (our famous Peach Palm Miso) and a 1/4 cup of finely chopped green spinach were added to the mixture. And Hey Presto…Cuppa Casava Ramen was ready to eat!

The cassava noodles had a chewy, firm texture with a bite. We both agreed that this was a good preservation method and this was definitely worth having in the pantry as “farm-made fast food.”

Belize, Farming, Food, Plants

Farm Vegetables and Fruit.

November 21, 2015 Munchkin

Together.Tank.Top

Hello Everyone!! I am always so pleased with our harvests on the farm; the farm still keeps producing bountiful crops and there is always something new and exciting to eat. It never ceases to amaze me how generous the land can be if you are willing to put in a bit of time and work.

Plenty of Cassava to harvest right now.

A whole bed of sweet potatoes and it gets better…you can even eat the greens like a spinach.

Voluntary wild papayas dotted all around the farm. Get them before the birds feast on them.

This is malabar spinach. Simply stir-fry, steam or boil; also makes a great salad green. It can be started from cutting and grows well in boggy areas. This is such an easy green to grow that I think everyone should have a patch of this in their garden.

This is a cultivated variety of purslane; it makes a lovely salad green and the edible flowers add colour to a dish.

We have been harvesting these for about 3 months solid from one tree…and it has started flowering again! These have a crunch just like apples.

It is absolutely wonderful growing our own vegetables and fruit to eat. I would not have it any other way!

Belize, Fermentation, Food, Our Products

Peach Palm Miso: The Basics.

November 17, 2015 Munchkin

Munchkin.More.Eating

We have had a great response with our Peach Palm Miso. A Big Thank-you to all the people who bought it last week. Their support is much appreciated. We even sent one packet on Tropic Air to Placencia. So, yes we can send this food product to anyone within the country via Tropic Air. It is a fermented product so does not need special refrigeration. Once you receive it, it should be refrigerated or stored in cool, dry place. It is best consumed within 6 months but can be kept indefinitely…like all fermented products it actually gets more flavoursome with time.

To start with basics, to make a simple miso soup, dissolve one teaspoon of peach palm miso in hot water and simply enjoy! Miso is a healthy pro-biotic food which can aid digestion and helps maintain healthy digestive flora. Moreover, our miso, is made with peach palm and white rice koji only so it is completely gluten-free.

Miso.Soup.

Anyone interested in purchasing Peach Palm Miso, please contact us by email or Facebook. We can deliver within Punta Gorda on Wednesdays (tomorrow) or send by Tropic Air to the destination of your choice within Belize. Check out The Apothecary for prices.

Belize, Farming, Food

Saturday Night Pumpkin Bhaji.

November 14, 2015 Munchkin

Munchkin.Another.Eating.Shot

Anyone for Pumpkin Bhaji? Whilst living in Scotland, I used to really enjoy Indian food especially the onion bhaji. Since we are still having a marathon run of pumpkins, I decided to make these Indian-style fritters. Check out my recipe for Pumpkin Bhaji in Belize Wild Recipes.

In this recipe, I used pumpkin, onions and red jalapeños.

The batter is made with rice flour so it is completely gluten-free. And of course, the most important flavouring is turmeric (yellow ginger, as they call it here in Belize).

Yummy!!

Amusing, Belize, Food

Jesus Bouillon Cubes.

November 13, 2015 Munchkin

Together.Eating

This one is for Jesus. As doctors, we come across all manner of interesting folk. We have a patient who is an elderly missionary gentleman whom we have known for years. Throughout this time, we have enjoyed him as quite a character and he continues to bring humour and gestures of thanks into our lives. The other day, he stopped by and gave us two packs of bouillon cubes (and a sack of oranges).

He instructed me that I could make the best tasting rice in the world by combining a beef and a chicken cube together. Furthermore, he was giving me 240 cubes in total which equated to 120 days of great tasting rice! Oh, and of course,

“Praise the Lord! Jesus loves you!”

So, now when I start to cook dinner, I ask Gnome:

“Darling, do you want the Jesus Bouillon Cubes or Miso tonight?”

Scottish Munchkin.

And Gnome replies,

“Jesus Cubes tonight, babes!”

Gnome.at.Lunch.Table

The genuine warmth and gesture behind the gifts are much appreciated.

Amusing, Belize, Food, Saving Money

What's In The Duckie Bag?

November 11, 2015 Munchkin

Together.from.Front

Whenever we leave the farm, I always carry our trusty Duckie Bag with us. It has a silver Mallard Symbol and has an upside down (?) duckie pattern.

This is our travel food bag and I never leave home without it. We never like to “feel caught out” in town (or on the highway traveling) having to procure water or a hot drink. On a minimal shopping day out in Punta Gorda, I will bring two litres of water, 1 litre flask of hot water, coffee and tea. Oh, and of course, a packet of Digestive biscuits! So, whenever we feel like a break, we will pull over in the truck and make a nice hot drink together and dip our biscuits in the hot beverage. Awwwhhh…so romantic!! I have even bought special drinking cups for the occasion! His and Hers; Munchkin and Gnome Paraphernalia.

Right now, we have been bringing our special Teh Tarik tea from Singapore to have “on-the-go.”

It’s all in the name having fun, doing something different and saving money. What a Triple Combo!!

Belize, Food, Our Products, Plants

Fresh Produce From Casa Mascia!

November 10, 2015 Munchkin

Together.Horses

Hello Everyone. We have fresh produce from our farm to sell and will be in Punta Gorda tomorrow (and every Wednesday) to sell our stuff. Email or Facebook us if you are interested and we can drop it off for you in town tomorrow.

We have the Peach Palm Miso for sale. This product is made in the same traditional way as normal miso but we have used Peach Palm (Pejibaye) instead of soya bean.

This is a gluten-free, vegan natural flavouring for soups, sauces and marinades. Simply use this as an alternative to a bouillon cube. You only need to use a teaspoon at a time so one bag goes a long way. Check out The Apothecary for prices.

We will also have our coconut cream for sale which can be used for curries, stews, coconut rice and smoothies.

Amusing, Belize, Food

Dak Now In Ring-Pull!

November 6, 2015 Munchkin

Gone are the days of that little key thing that you use to open up a rectangular tin of flayed meat. Dak has come into the 21st Century with a new-look, convenient ring-pull! How do you eat your Dak??

We eat Dak. In fact Chinese people eat this type of preserved food…just check out Asian cuisine Blogs…there are usually quite a few recipes devoted to this ingredient.

As a quick meal, I like to steam the Dak on a bed of white rice:

We eat this with a large side of steamed green vegetables; right now it is pumpkin!

I still think that this is better for you than buying junk food.

Everything Handmade in Belize.