Human Rights and Poached Eggs

Yesterday we celebrated Human Rights Day in South Africa. Originally is day was celebrated (not in South Africa) on December 10th, to honour the United Nations General Assembly's adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948. Later it was decided that each country should celebrate the day as they saw fit.

For many people basic Human Rights are everyday things that are taken for granted, and it is only when these are taken away, do you start to value them as a treasured gift - not only a right.

The reason South Africans celebrate Human Rights Day on 21 March, is in remembrance of the Sharpville Massacre, which happened on 21 March 1960. What started as a peaceful protest, in defiance to having to carry "pass books" (a compulsory document carried by all black people over the age of 16, controlling their movements), ended in the death of 69 people. A terrible scar in our country's history.
I am not going to bore you with what basic human rights are, chances are if you have access to the Internet and read food blogs, you already have most of those rights covered. My son might disagree that his basic human rights are infringed by the fact that I refuse to buy him a Sony Play Station, but he still has lots to learn about hardship!

If you would like to read more about Human Rights please click here to read The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In my household, we practice the right to good food. Food is mentioned in the above declaration, "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food...".

I am very happy to say that with this morning's breakfast, I covered that right and then some! It certainly is not something I would make on a working day, but as a holiday treat, it sure does raise the bar for the right to food and well-being.

Breakfast Rosti with Poached Eggs
Adapted from Woolworths Taste Magazine November 2009

Serves 1

1 Large Potato (Grated and left in water to stop discolouring)
1/2 Large Onion grated
30 - 50 g Butter
Salt to taste
a dash 0f Olive Oil

On medium heat, heat the pan (I used a 20cm non stick pancake pan) and gently melt the butter and the oil.
Take the potato from the water and mix with the onion.
Place in a clean tea towel and squeeze out all the water.
Place potato mix in the pan and press down firmly to form a flat disk, with no gaps.
Gentle fry until golden brown and then flip over and repeat until other side is cooked and browned.
Remove from the heat and allow it to rest for a while.

Egg Poaching
This can be done with a egg poaching pan or using the "chef" method.
I will explain the "chef" method, but please note this does require practice, so don't try it for the first time while you mother-in-law is sitting there watching.

Bring a saucepan of water to a gentle boil. Add 1 Tablespoon of white vinegar and swirl the water to create a whirlpool effect. Carefully crack the eggs into the centre of the whirlpool and poach until cooked to your liking. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on top of your rosti.

Like I said - you need to practice this, but once you perfect it, it does become easier. Try clicking here to see a step-by-step guide.

And as Julia would say "bon appetit"!