What a great day to wake up
The news that the remaining young football team and their coach had been brought out from deep inside the caves at Chiang Rai spread joy around the world early this morning NZ time (albeit, tinged with sadness at the loss of one of the elite diving team). There is a long way to go for these boys, it is being reporting, but for now we can reflect on the wonderful aspects of human nature. We’ve seen countries come together offering the best of the best in strategic planning and medical assistance, and skilled cave divers who carried out the mission putting their own lives at risk, and uncountable volunteer hours across all services, to bring about the dramatic rescue. In all the doom and gloom, hate, violence and war, this is indeed time to reflect on something wonderful.
My weekend was also wonderful as I spent it with my family, celebrating my son Luca’s birthday (I don’t want to reflect tooooo much on his age because every year he gets older so do I. Funny that!). We had a feast. An Indian feast. I share the recipes and lots of photographs with you this week. The great thing with these dishes is that they can be made ahead. I made both the coconut chicken curry and the cauliflower and potato curry the day before, and even grated the carrots for the gingered carrot salad a day ahead. It was so easy to pull it all together on the day, just a bit of chopping and rice to cook. The coconut chicken curry is indeed the one that I featured on Shared Kitchen a few weeks. Every time I look at it, I want to eat it, it is that good, so if you haven’t tried it, give it a go this weekend. Bowl of rice and a little side dish or two is all you need.
Inappropriately, perhaps, I made a chocolate gâteau. I love this recipe because it is a quick mix and whip cake, but it has a velvety texture and very rich chocolate taste. Just watch your oven heat and keep it soft in the centre.
I’ve also included notes on how spices work. Which ones warm you up and which ones cool you down. Do you know? Have a read, then …
And have a great week.
Julie
