Tag Archives: Pasta

Belize, Food

Gnome Has Brought Out The Pasta Machine!

Together.Eating

What a treat and a carbohydrate lover’s delight to make yummy stuff with a pasta machine.  Yes, every now and then we have a total carb blitz and Gnome cranks up his pasta machine.

Rolling Out Dough.
Rolling Out Dough.

My contribution is the making of the dough which just takes a couple of minutes.  Now, the real Italian way of making pasta is actually to use the machine to “knead” the dough.  So, no need for Munchkin to knead…just a quick mix is required:

Mixing Dough.
Mixing Dough.

And the rest is Gnome know-how with the pasta machine (taught diligently by his mother).  He has been churning out some lovely fresh pasta and pies!

Fresh Pasta.
Fresh Pasta.
Gnome Mini Pies.
Gnome Mini Pies.

Pasta machines are actually very versatile because, besides the pasta, you can also make pastries for pies, croissants, puff pastry, filo pastry and whatever else you can imagine.  We have been eating pasta (noodles) everyday.  Getting bloated and sleepy but still getting the farm work done at the same time.  Well, we still have to work off all the calories!

Amusing, Belize, Food, Saving Money

Good Buys In Belize.

Together.Eating

Occasionally, we stumble across some good stuff to buy in Belize.  Usually we don’t so that is why we make/grow and cook most of our food on the farm.  Here are a few things:

Can you believe it…you can actually get some Italian Christmas Food at Save-U in Belize.  Panettone is a treat because I haven’t summoned up enough courage to bake one of these yet…I keep on making the excuse that I don’t have a proper cake tin!  Oh, and Torrone is Italian nougat which is typically eaten during the festive season.  Gnome keeps on hinting that I should try making some…this one might be a project at some point.  We both like the hard nougat as opposed to the soft type.

Italian Christmas Goodies.
Italian Christmas Goodies.

This is 20lbs of Basmati rice from Brodies.  Normally, this rice is sold in tiny ridiculous amounts of about 200g (1/2lb) for stupid prices.  This bag will last us a whole year.

Basmati Rice.
Basmati Rice.

This one is a surprise…Guatemalan pasta (linguini) has got the thumbs up from the Italian Gnome (he is Italian when it suits him).  He says not to waste money on US imported brands because they usually contain more than just flour, water and salt and do not have the al dente texture. This stuff is really cheap and sold at every Chinese Superstore in Belize.  One packet of 200g (1/2lb) costs BZ$1 and if you have a hoarding instinct (like Munchkins) you can buy a case of 24 for BZ$18.  What a bargain.

Guatemalan Pasta.
Guatemalan Pasta.

Last but not least…something for the Duckie Bag.  Vanilla and hazelnut coffee sachets for impromptu coffee stops by the side of the road with our trusty thermos flask.

Coffee Sachets.
Coffee Sachets.
Belize, Food, Plants

Spicy Sapodilla Sauce.

Munchkin.Eating.BunIt is the beginning of harvest time for Sapodilla fruit here in Belize.  We planted a whole orchard of this delectable fruit so we are expecting a bountiful crop this year.

Ripe Sapodilla Fruit.
Ripe Sapodilla Fruit.

The Sapodilla tree is widely known for the gummy latex which is obtained from the bark to make chicle.  The fruit have the texture of rough peaches and have a distinctive cinnamon taste.  Since we have so much of it, I have started to experiment with it.  So far, I have found that they have a similar consistency to tomatoes, so I am using them as a substitute.  Today I made Spicy Sapodilla Sauce with Pasta:

Spicy Sapodilla Sauce with Pasta.
Spicy Sapodilla Sauce with Pasta.

I used Seed Amaranth as a garnish because I thought that the sauce was a tad pale looking.  Don’t worry if you don’t have that…it was just to add a bit of colour.

Amaranth Plant on my Doorstep.
Amaranth Plant on my Doorstep.

I spiced up the sweet sauce with chilli peppers, onion and spring onions.  The result was a thumbs up from Munchkin and Gnome!  Watch out for more Sapodilla recipes…might try pizza next!

Belize, Food

Tropical Italian Sauce with Roselle and Star Fruit.

Munchkin.Eating.BunSince we are in the Tropics it is great idea to use exotic fruits and vegetables in an Italian sauce.  In this recipe, I have added starfruit, roselle (sorrel) and malabar spinach.

Sliced Starfruit.
Sliced Starfruit.
Sorrel Plant with Flowers.
Sorrel Plant with Flowers.

Here is the yummy Tropical Italian Sauce with Pasta…

Tropical Italian Pasta.
Tropical Italian Pasta.

It tastes great and is really easy to make.  For the full recipe click on this link: Tropical Italian Pasta.

Ok guys, have a great Monday and hope you are all eating something yummy for dinner!!