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Please visit my website at
www.jinisethnicgourmet.com
You will find more wonderful recipes there to try out tonight!
Why is the Canadian Thanksgiving earlier than in the US?
Encarta says: "Thanksgiving is also a legal holiday in Canada. Because Canada is north of the United States, its harvest comes earlier in the year. Accordingly, the Thanksgiving holiday falls earlier in Canada than in the United States. The Canadian Parliament set aside November 6 for annual Thanksgiving observances in 1879. In 1957 the date was shifted to an even earlier day, to the second Monday in October."
So Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends south of the border!
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Bits & Bites from Jini
Comforting Foods to Chase the Chills Away
Hello,
After a hectic month of October events and some very sad happenings, I had to take some time to chill off, although I don't remember asking for the rain storms and gusty winds! So there is nothing much one can do, but stay warm and treat ourselves to some comforting foods that can chase those chills away!
Last week, students in my Delta cooking class came up with the perfect answer. We were treated to some great cooking by two girls from Columbia. It was indeed a very educational evening, as they also put together a power-point presentation to show us the beautiful pastures, green vegetation, blue skies and sandy beaches, as well as the contrasting winter scenes of the snow-capped mountains in the interior – just two hours drive from the coast! Apparently, it is a paradise for tourists.
So thank you Tulia and Karin for these wonderful recipes.
If you have any special Christmas recipes you like to share, please email me so that I can publish them in my December News. Thank you!
Recipes
Columbian Cocido (soup)
Columbian cooking is down-to-earth and simple with very few ingredients, even the most reluctant cook can put together this hearty chicken & beef soup loaded with vegetables in 30 minutes! Unlike Mexican cooking, where the food is spicy and hot, Columbian cooking only uses onions, garlic, salt and pepper – to bring out the true flavour of the ingredients used. Yet it was warming and delicious and perfect for this weather.
| Columbian Cocido |
Ingredients:
Cut each of the following ingredients into large chunks/pieces:
1 1/2 lb short rib
1 chicken
3 carrots
3 leaks
2 corn cobs
2 plantains
2 small cassavas (yucca rout)
Also prepare the following ingredients:
1 small cabbage thinly sliced
10 small pealed potatoes
1 green onion finely shopped
Cilantro finely shopped
2 cloves minced garlic
1 cup of hogao
Pepper, salt
Instructions:
In a saucepan saute green onions and garlic in vegetable oil. Add water, leaks and cilantro. Add beef and chicken and bring to a boil. Than add the plantains, carrots, potatoes, cassavas, corn and cabbage. Seasoned with salt and pepper. Cook until meat and vegetables are tender.
Take out all the solid ingredients and pour over the hogao. Serve the remaining liquid as a soup side dish.
Hogao:
6 tomatoes finely shopped
1 Onion finely shopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
salt to taste
3 tbsp of olive oil
Directions:
Heat oil in a saucepan and add all of the ingredients. Cook over medium heat until everything is soft.
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Delta School Board classes
INDIAN COOKING SERIES
1) STREET FOOD OR TAPPAS: November 20
2) MADRAS STYLE: November 27
3) INDIAN - North Indian: December 4
To register, phone Delta School Board at 604/940-9355 or register on-line at connectandlearn.deltasd.bc.ca
Please visit here for course descriptions on Jini's private classes offered.
Alfajores (cookies)
The Columbian cookies called Alfajores, were a melt-in-the mouth slice of heaven, a rich shortbread cookie sandwiched with a caramelized condensed milk layer; just the thing for your Christmas baking.
| Alfajores(cookies) |
Ingredients:
1 lb soft butter
3 cups sifted flour (strainer)
2 cups cornstarch
3/4 cups icing sugar
1/2 cup shredded dry coconut
Icing sugar
Caramel Filling
1 can sweetened condensed milk. Put the condensed milk can (unopened) in a pan with enough water to cover the can. Boil for around 2 hours and let it cool down.
Instructions:
In a bowl mix butter and sugar very well. Add the flour and cornstarch little by little, mix well and shape into a ball. Put between two sheets of wax paper, roll out and than cut the cookies in a round shape. Preheat oven to 350F and bake for 10-15 minutes.
Spread caramel filling on each cookie and join two cookies together. Also spread caramel around the edge of the joined cookies. Put coconut in a bowl and roll cookies in it. Finally sift icing sugar on top of the cookies.
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Coming up Soon!
Lecture and Book Signing
Exploring South East Asian Cuisine George Mackie Library – North Delta
Call to register: 604-594-8155
No entry charge
Featuring:
Jini Aroon, author of Ethnic Pleasures will demystify the spices used in South East Asian dishes and share her knowledge of the healing and balancing properties of the herbs and spices used in ancient Indian Ayurvedic cooking. Jini will also discuss the recipes from her book and answer questions. Chai tea and Indian snacks will be served.
Don't wait for the last minute rush for Christmas and the holiday treats...
Jini's Holiday Open House and Bake Sale
When: December 10th
Time: 10am - 5pm
Where: 6129 Brodie Road, Delta.
Mark your calendars and drop by to say hello and enjoy a glass of delicious mulled cranberry and some delectable treats.
There will be lots of goodies to take home too... like Columbian cookies(Alfahores), Jamaican Rum Cakes, Jini's special baked samosas, tamarind chutney, curry sauce and Victorian Epicure Dips and spices for easy holiday entertaining.
Stocking Stuffer Idea: Gift Certificates from Jini's Ethnic Gourmet are always a welcome treat! They can be used for a customized cooking class or special dinner for a birthday anniversary or just a romantic evening!
All proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards the village assist Project to build homes for the homeless Tsunami victims in Sri Lanka.
Until next month... happy cooking!
Jini
jini@jinisethnicgourmet.com
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