Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Sad News
My only remaining uncle had day surgery today to deal with a blocked intestine. When the doctors opened him up they found advanced stages of cancer. They sewed him up and sent him home but he has to return to the hospital soon to see whether there are any treatment options. My mom couldn't remember all the information but this is the gist of things concerning her brother. Please keep both of them in your prayers.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
More From the Waterfront
This series is a continuation of my day of photos here.
Click the photos for better viewing.
I'm not sure what kind of tree blossom this is. I think it might be a pear tree. |
I love this pop of red colour from the tulips on a cloudy day. I also like the bird's nest way up on the tree on the right. |
These cast-bronze statues are located at English Bay's Morton Park near the waterfront in Vancouver's West End. The statutes are called "A-maze-ing Laughter, by Chinese artist Yue Minjun. |
Join more of Our World Tuesday by clicking here.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Chapatis
In Kenya I've tasted the most delicious chapatis. The ingredients in chaptis are few but I've never tried to make them. Today I tried today using this recipe from
Allrecipes.com
My chapatis didn't look anything like what I thought they should look like and it took awhile to get the hang of the correct heat for the pan without
setting off my fire alarm from smoke, *laugh.
These chapatis were fine and look more like the one's I've had in vegetarian restaurants here. I need to continue to make these to 'perfect' them. I also need to make sure the heat source is right so they bubble up like they are supposed to. Some of my chapati pieces bubbled up and others did not.
One recipe I reviewed didn't oil the pan first. I tried that approach and it didn't work. It only smoked. Perhaps I had the heat too high. I found lightly greasing the pan worked much better. I also preferred my cast iron skillet to my metal pan for this recipe. I also checked on line and found some native chapati makers from Uganda and Kenya. They used much more oil in the pan than I saw in the recipe and one used no oil at all. So I guess I will experiment as I know all stoves are different. Unfortunately my burners are either too hot or not hot enough so I probably need to use the oil until I get my burners fixed. Not sure how to do that. Perhaps I need a new fuse in the stove that controls the burner.
Next time I will also use more whole wheat flour next time as today I was low on this ingredient. I will also play around with increasing the recipe next time so I can make larger chapatis.
The dough is rolled into balls and ready to be rolled into chapati circles. |
These chapatis were fine and look more like the one's I've had in vegetarian restaurants here. I need to continue to make these to 'perfect' them. I also need to make sure the heat source is right so they bubble up like they are supposed to. Some of my chapati pieces bubbled up and others did not.
One recipe I reviewed didn't oil the pan first. I tried that approach and it didn't work. It only smoked. Perhaps I had the heat too high. I found lightly greasing the pan worked much better. I also preferred my cast iron skillet to my metal pan for this recipe. I also checked on line and found some native chapati makers from Uganda and Kenya. They used much more oil in the pan than I saw in the recipe and one used no oil at all. So I guess I will experiment as I know all stoves are different. Unfortunately my burners are either too hot or not hot enough so I probably need to use the oil until I get my burners fixed. Not sure how to do that. Perhaps I need a new fuse in the stove that controls the burner.
Next time I will also use more whole wheat flour next time as today I was low on this ingredient. I will also play around with increasing the recipe next time so I can make larger chapatis.
This one is puffing up properly. |
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
-
3/4 cup hot water or as needed
Directions
- In a large bowl, stir together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour and salt. Use a wooden spoon to stir in the olive oil and enough water to make a soft dough that is elastic but not sticky. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until it is smooth. Divide into 10 parts, or less if you want bigger breads. Roll each piece into a ball. Let rest for a few minutes.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat until hot, and grease lightly. On a lightly floured surface, use a floured rolling pin to roll out the balls of dough until very thin like a tortilla. When the pan starts smoking, put a chapati on it. Cook until the underside has brown spots, about 30 seconds, then flip and cook on the other side. Continue with remaining dough.
Ready for dinner. So overall the taste was fine. It's just the appearance that needs work. Have you ever tried to make chapatis? If yes, what are your tips?
Saturday, April 28, 2012
What I Found Along the Waterfront
Lots of activity on the water. If you click on the photo you will see all the sail boats in the upper right corner. |
I like how the tree leaves frame this photo. Look at all the big tankers on the horizon. |
This is the planetarium where you can learn all about the stars and planets. This April 28th is International Astronomy Day. |
You can view this short video and you will be introduced to "Harry" one of three German made Zeiss projectors made for Canadian cities. Harry is the only surviving projector of the three.
Some residents enjoy boats like this for going out on the water. You will see a lot of them in use when the fireworks displays happen on the waterfront during Celebration of Lights. |
The countries participating in this year's annual Celebration of Lights, a fireworks competition, are Vietnam, Brazil and Italy. Vietnam will show it's fireworks display on July 28th, Brazil on August 1st and Italy on August 4th.
The displays always draw a huge crowd on the water and on the beaches and the shows are always exciting. It is difficult to go down to the beach because parking is at a premium so you really have to walk a far distance once you park or you must take transit.
I hope you will take a moment to leave your comments and to visit other scenes from around the world at Scenic Sunday.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Skies over this past Week
I dislike moaning about anything and that includes the weather. I am quite tired of all the rain we've been having though I hesitate to complain too much as I know it could be worse, much worse, given the terrible events in weather happening all around the world with seemingly increasing frequency.
We have had some nicer days of sunshine here and there but nothing sustained and weather temperatures are still on the coolish side. I wanted to show you the sky above my home in a series of photos taken this week.
I also wanted to show you one of the few plants in my garden. I just haven't planted anything new what with all the soggy weather.
We have had some nicer days of sunshine here and there but nothing sustained and weather temperatures are still on the coolish side. I wanted to show you the sky above my home in a series of photos taken this week.
I also wanted to show you one of the few plants in my garden. I just haven't planted anything new what with all the soggy weather.
Sky on Monday, April 23, 2012. |
Sky on Tuesday, April 24, 2012. |
Sky on Friday,April 27, 2012. You can't even see the mountains. |
Photo taken on Monday, April 16, 2012. The growth had sprung up overnight after one nice warm day of sunshine. |
Thank you for your visit.
Please check in at Skywatch Friday and see the sky in many other places around the world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
We Made it to the Middle of May
Hello friends and fellow bloggers, I trust you had a great week. We've been having spectacular weather with sunny days, blue skies and ...
-
After some glorious sunny days, it started to rain again as is the norm in our Winter on the West Coast of Canada. It rained qui...
-
This is a lovely gospel song sung in Swahili and has special meaning for me. It is special because on my first trip to Kenya a gr...
-
"Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world." -- GEORGE BERNARD SHAW Cli...