Thursday 4 September 2008

Downside to Blogging

Having just celebrated my one year blogaversary (great new word for Oxford and Collins) I have spent some time thinking what are the good and bad points to blogging.

Firstly, as you know, the biggest gripe in my family is the endless photo secession before meals. As Jeanne so aptly put it "even if your family does lose the will to live, waving a camera around when they are starving". I can't remember the last human I photographed!

Secondly, trying to think of really "cool" stuff to cook and bake, that will be of some interest to the people kind enough to visit more than once - Once again thanks all of you.

Thirdly, using all the bandwidth before the end of the month and then having to explain to the rest of the herd, why there is nothing wrong with visiting local internet sites for the last 2 weeks of the month - Local is Lekker, I'm told!

And finally (actually not really, but I've just lost half my readers, through boredom), having to read and see all the divine dishes everyone is making and thinking - "OH PLEEZZEE, I can't do that" !

Well with Ramadaan in full swing, there have been some wonderful treats floating through cyberspace and in order not to miss out I thought I would join in the fun (cooking not fasting). Now there is a disclaimer to this recipe, they are not samoosas, even though I call them that. I will not even attempt to try the real thing (yes, I know they are easy and anyone can make them), but as a good Christian girl, I thought I would adapt them a little and so here goes....

Not Really a Samoosa Samoosas

500g Steak Mince
1 Onion
1" Piece of Ginger, minced
1 Teaspoon Curry Powder
3 Teaspoons Chilli Flakes
1 Beef Stock Cube
1 Sachet Tomato Paste
15ml Masala

Fry the onion,, ginger and the mince until browned.
Add the spices, except the masala.
Add all the other ingredients , with a some water and cook for about an hour.
This is a dry curry, as you don't want something too saucy in the "samoosas"
About 15 minutes before the done, stir in the masala.
Allow to cool to room temperature (I did this in the freezer for about an hour).

The Pastry is Phyllo (ready bought)
Take one sheet and spray with olive oil spray, or if you not watching the fat, brush with butter.
Lay another sheet on the first and then spray or brush.
Cut the sheets into 3 pieces - longways.
Place a spoonful of filling at the bottom, about 10cm up and fold over to form a triangle.
Keep folding in a triangle - check this site for pictures
Seal the edge with a brush of melted butter or olive oil.
Place on a sprayed baking tray and brush the tops with butter or give another spray of olive oil.
Bake in a 200 degree oven for about 20 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.
Serve hot with a nice chutney or sweet chilli sauce.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

These are so beautifully flaky! I bet they were tasty too! :)

Homemade Heaven said...

Tom - Thanks, they were very good and even healthy.

Nina Timm said...

Rose....I think you and I must get together, because I need to kick your b...... You CAN do all these complicated recipes, but it is not YOU!!! You are cooking what you know best and that is honest and good!!! Your love for your family is shining through in your blog and God wants nothing more from you!!! You are doing great!!!!!!
Ps. Make sure you get good pictures of your dying family!!!ha-ha!

Homemade Heaven said...

Nina - Thank you for encouraging words, I surprise myself when I try these things and then they come out beautifully! I have grown in confidence since blogging. I even baked my own pita bread last night!

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogoversary!!!!

Jeanne said...

I hear you... Sometimes you do think what the hell am I doing?!? Instead of reading a good book I am faffing around with a photo of a salad ;-)

I also sometimes hit the wall and think I can't come up with anything interesting to cook, you'll just have to make do with what we had for dinner, and then those are ths posts that get the most comments - go figure. There is a general angst among bloggers that you have to do something really fancy to keep people interested but I've learned that this is just not so. I have a friend who is all truffles and caviar and oyster money-is-no-object cooking. Which is great for her, but it's just not how the realities of my life are. And that's OK! The great thing about the blogosphere is that there is room for everyone - as long as you have a unique voice, people will hear you.

These un-samoosas look divine - I hate frying stuff in oil so these are perfect for me :)

Homemade Heaven said...

Jeanne - LOL, glad to see I'm not the only one who feels this way. You are so right about sticking to what you feel comfortable with.

Homemade Heaven said...

Maryann - Thanks, there will be many more!

Jeremiah 17: 7-8

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water."

It is not your business to succeed, but to do what is right : when you have done so, the rest lies with God.
C.S. Lewis

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