Giddy Gastronome

A tribute to my mentor!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 23:14:00 +0000

I do not have a recipe today, as I am mourning the passing of my second Mother! I felt the need to come here today, to grieve and just to talk!

Farewell Tietie, as you embark on the most important journey of your life! May the Almighty God forever bless your soul!

…..It was on the morning of 4/14/12, when I received an e-mail from my aunt Mona, from sunny South Africa, stating that my beloved Aunt (Tietie) was gravely ill in hospital! Her words were, " Tietie gravely ill in hospital, things do not look good; I am at her side! Please say a little prayer for her!"
My heart skipped a beat and I immediately felt an uncontrollable pang of apprehension! Oh no, I started to sob, this is like losing my Mom all over again! The cessation of a loved-one's life, once more, felt so surreally palpable and there was nothing anyone could do! Please God, I said, do not make her leave us, make her whole again.... but deep down I knew that Tietie was ready to obey the call of the Almighty!

....And so my tribute begins:

To Tietie, our second mother, the hospital cook, the day-care teacher, and mentor of my love for food and who has also taught my siblings, my cousins, even her siblings and all her friends, the fundamentals of some really flavorful cuisine. Her motto was never to skimp, but only to splurge on the very best of ingredients. Her fastidious nature commanded that every aspect of dining reflect that of a traditionalist and that every meal, be delicious, yet unforgettable. She lovingly prepared meals from scratch and to even dare open up a can, was taboo. In fact all my elders displayed these types of anal dining antics and the one thing they all agreed upon was, whatever the numbers, giving your guests a good time was by far the most important thing to do.

As you can denote from this blog, I always try to put into practice, the food lessons learned from her . I must confess though, that sometimes, I do tend to seek an easier way out of her classic recipes, but the one thing I would never do is to sacrifice, flavor! She insisted upon it and I would never dream of disgracing her!

To all that has had the honor of her teachings in food, let us all try just a little bit harder to keep her atavistic legacy in food alive.
____________________________________________________________

For Tietie

This is a poem I wrote, mainly for me and to let "her" go with dignity and grace!

"Sabr, is thy virtue".............by Nazarina A

Do not ridicule her passing,
do not ponder upon her death,
instead, let her take her place -
amongst the pious and the pardoned,
enjoy the bounty of God's Garden.

All praises be to our Creator
for choosing her, the patient and the pure,
where suffering could no longer lure,
an innocent and tolerant child,
to an underworld gone wild!
___________________________________________________________

I thought it only prudent to include this poem as well, as it is a poem about the Prophet, (S.A.W), (Peace be upon Him). I wrote it while still at college.

The Prophet and the Spider..........by NazarinaA

Spider, spider on the wall,
jointed legs and very tall,
protected by your magical web
free from harm and free from dread.

Spider, spider on the wall,
widowed, black and very bold,
king of the animals of the underworld
protected the Prophet, while on the road
evading hatred and the sword.

Spider, spider on the wall,
creeping, stalking, on the crawl -
we dare not ignore those watchful eyes
It was you who heard the Prophet's cries,
gave him sanctuary, when no one else could,
instilling solace on a broken feud.

Spider, spider on the wall
always proud, you never fall,
gave the Prophet a second chance,
to live, to love and just to dance
to smell the emerald sea and ruby night,
He soon forgot this teary song
and urgent plight!
________________________________________________

I love you Tietie,” were my last words to her and to this she murmured, “I love you too!” Thank you, Sister Michaels, ( And Victoria Hospital, Wynberg, South Africa) for giving me the opportunity to find closure and what may have been her final farewell to me!

Thank you Oegtie and Beit-Ul-Aman, (Home for the Aged in Wynberg, South Africa) for being her home away from home. Words cannot even begin to convey my eternal gratitude for loving her so!

Thank you to my brother A, for being there to endure her “sweet scolding” on behalf of us all!

Thank you to my family here and most importantly, in South Africa, for being there for her, Shukran from the bottom of my heart, for you there really is no bottom!

Nazarina.

Cranberries: Sweet and savory recipes

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:46:00 +0000

On the agenda: A three layered bar cookie "Crangipane bars"(I cut the bars into hearts for Valentine's Day), Persian Pilau, and a satisfying South African drink all made
with cranberries! Click here for all recipes

My version of a Persian Pilau

The munchkin is now 2 yrs old & has
a personality just as big as the Rocky Mountains! he! he!

Click here for recipes, more pictures & good cheer!
www.giddygastronome.com

Scones, Red Rocks, Colorado & Usher's new song!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 16:30:00 +0000

Tahitian vanilla powder, is my little twist on
my Late Mom's recipe of this delectable brunch confection!

Absolutely no pectin or loads of sugar in my
homemade preserves! Just lavish amounts
of sun-ripened berries & a modest amount
of honey!

Sure there are many recipes of this time-honored
tradition of the "Brits" around, but I have many
little twists in mine! Click here for recipe! & scroll
all the way down. I love my scones flaky, with a
"little give" in the center

Mascarpone mousse, lightened with whipped cream!

Publication

This fruit fondant Madeira cake, that I developed here, is featured in this British magazine below, the Fall issue #114 on page 114. Originally, I contacted them to thank them for the safe arrival of my package with the delectable fruit fondant powders, I purchased from them and much to my delight, they emailed me, asking for a head shot of myself & the pictures of this cake and publishing my little article in the ” forum” section on pg 114-115. Anyway, this cake was indescribably delicious, this fruit fondant powder turns into a rich fruit coolie when mixed with water!

This magazine is sold at Barnes & Noble.

Red Rocks, Colorado, is my escape from this sometimes
frenetic world!..........more here

Thanks for your visit, hope you enjoy my version of the scone!

Love,
Nazarina.

A trip to Telluride, Ouray & Durango, south west part of Colorado.

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 20:29:00 +0000

I live in Colorado, so this trip to the south western part was
imminent, sooner rather than later!

Hooray for Ouray, Colorado!

Hayden Trail head, Ouray, Colorado

More about this trip here......

Thank you for stopping by.
Nazarina

Sunflower sprouts, pine nuts, roasted tomatoes, dried fruits & a sour fig dressing.

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:58:00 +0000

This sour fig dressing is actually the star of this dish!
See the ingredient list & "how to" here @ www.giddygastronome.com

The sour figs are from South Africa! recipe here

Pine nuts should be toasted, tomatoes should be roasted.....etc

____________________________________________

This is our old guest bathroom, I can assure you that it
was"dislike" at first sight.....
see the complete new transformation done by my Sweetie

here www.giddygastronome.com

I love making soaps for kids & I really do not mind
when they take them home!

Thank you,
Nazarina.

Pina colada thumbprints, Easter & sea soaps & more!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 03:31:00 +0000

click on picture

Dessicated coconut rocks & the occasional pure-white
coconut flesh toasts perfectly into a delicious toasted
flake!

These Easter soaps were a cumbersome project but
what can I say, perseverance prevails every time!

More here

Soaps that make munchkins want to live in the bathroom!

These molds for the sea creatures above and terrestrial "monsters"
below were not meant for soap but I used them anyway!

I love the unexpected twists & turns in this recipe, it made the diners at this baby shower wish for more! They all wanted to know how I achieved this delicately balanced recipe & not sweet at all! What can I say freeze dried fruit does wonders!

Summer is here & I am stagnant no more!

I made the cookies & the soaps for a friend's baby shower www.giddygastronome.com....more here

Digestive biscuits & another pumpkin pie

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 22:49:00 +0000

To be chocolaty or cheesy? that is the question!

This biscuit had a "malty" overtone with a light crisp
& shortbread-like taste.....Mmmm! must be the barley malt
syrup & just the yolk I added! Absolutely Yum! A nazarina special.

A mousse-like pumpkin pie....vanilla bean whipped
double cream! Stop me please, how many more times
am I going to revamp this gift that keeps on giving? LOL!

Hello!

I developed my rendition of this digestive biscuit with my Mom in my mind, recollecting all those wonderful moments, when we had them for high tea! This pumpkin pie is another rendition of an older pumpkin pie I made last year where I just "Jackson Pollocked" the dark chocolate over the swirled vanilla bean whipped double cream! See all the recipes & pictures of foxes in my backyard......... HERE!

"Thomas", the train made from chocolate gingerbread!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 23:44:00 +0000

All my cherished bake ware is at the brunt of his rambunctious baking demeanor!

Recipe: Use organic ingredients whenever possible!

1/4 cup Valrhona French dark chocolate powder 64% ( Grand Cru de Terroire, “Tainori” Dominican Republic. I am now using this in almost all of my chocolate creations!

Click here for the template & the rest of the ingredients & pictures!

Have fun making this train!

Love,
Nazarina.

Curry pies made with a William Sonoma lattice mold

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 03:53:00 +0000

Have a happy new year!!!!

These are curry pies with chopped egg on top &
roasted apricot & chili chutney on the side
& ice cold glasses of Martinelli's sparkling apple cider &
marachino cherries as a garnish.

Pictures of this mold here and recipe at www.giddygastronome.com

Love,
Nazarina.

Sweet potato recipes, "Lays style" potato chips & a sushi napkin fold

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 18:52:00 +0000

I have all the instructions on my new blog www.giddygastronome.com

The "how to" of these sushi napkins are extremely easy & will dazzle your guests!

A childhood favorite, tomato chips! Yes, that is a dried tomato spice blend and toasted pink peppercorns in the little container.
The sweet potato chips has my Chinese 5 spice & cinnamon blend sprinkled all over the warm , crispy chips!

See the "How to" & more pictures of a baked panko sweet potato salad
on my other domain by clicking HERE!

Enjoy,
Nazarina.

New growth: berries, tomatoes, mint, cherries, cucumbers

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 21:10:00 +0000

Click here for more of this fruit fondant cake, chocolate steam pudding recipe & my absence from blogging!

Love,
Nazarina.

A cute napkin fold, baked potato bonda, chili pesto & a great giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sat, 01 May 2010 05:18:00 +0000

This is super easy to do, gosh, even a child could fold this in less than a minute and will really amuse your guests!
Go to my new blog here www.giddygastonome.com for the "how to!"
Also, I have another fantastic giveaway ( a baker's dream). Details on the new blog!

Love,
Nazarina.

Easter bunnies, eggs, a bunny napkin fold & a GIVEAWAY!!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:40:00 +0000

Read here on my new blog, the details of these Easter goodies
and the fantastic spa essential giveaway!
Do not fret if you are not the winner of this prize because there
will be more such prizes in the future!

new blog www.giddygastronome.com

Love,
Nazarina.

Streusel topped pumpkin pie & a recipe for kumquat & loquat success!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:42:00 +0000

I had to laugh when one of the guests at the bed and breakfast said
"My Grandmother's pumpkin pie is fantastically stuck........... Read more here

Click below!

See the recipe and more pictures here at my
new blog www. giddygastronome.com

Much love,
Nazarina.

Mock moon cake & an unbelievably tasty, savory rice noodle cake

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:51:00 +0000

Moon cake (cookies) cooked coconut on the inside & dipped in intense dark chocolate!

Rice noodle ( rice stick and shrimp savory cakes).
Could be vegetarian and gluten-free as well, see my new blog!

Click here for more pictures and these recipes www.giddygastronome.com

Homemade roast chicken soup & crispy cheese straws

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 18:32:00 +0000

Click on pic.

More pics on new blog, click on link below!

If you are interested in the recipes of this Asian preparation of this
soup & the crispy cheese straws then you will have to visit my new blog at
www.giddygastronome.com

Love,
Nazarina.

Cheeca Lodge & Spa resort...where paradise is not lost, just hidden!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:21:00 +0000

See more of my pictures of the Cheeca Lodge & Spa, including
a review & a portrait of president Bush senior( participating in a fishing tournament)

here at.......
www. giddygastronome.com

Thanks,
Nazarina.

persnickety, perfect Pom Wonderful!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 23:44:00 +0000

See recipe here at www.giddygastronome.com .......

& another recipe called an "Iced Pom Lassi" inspired by my "Indian Mango Iced Lassi."

Coconut creme caramels, Pomtized!

Or here on Pom Wonderful. While you there
could you please vote for me?

Enjoy!
Nazarina.

Chocolate peanut butter cookies with melted dark Reese's peanut butter cups

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:31:00 +0000

You can find the recipe on my new blog:
www.giddygastronome.com

Thanks,
Nazarina.

Gourmet pizza, emulating the Chinese dumpling!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:51:00 +0000

See the inside of this "pizza bun" here at my new home

www.giddygastronome.com

I emulated the Chinese" dumpling/bun"concept here and in return got a healthy investment of smiles and hugs!

Love,
Nazarina.

Cooking pumpkin stew & enjoying a ginger beer libation while dancing to the beat of Shakira

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:33:00 +0000

Do you want a good pumpkin stew recipe and this ginger beer/ pear concoction? then come on over to my new blog site www.giddygastronome.com

Thanks,
Nazarina.

Easy entertaining: featuring fabulous fruity drinks & a scrumptious moussaka!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 03:52:00 +0000

I love to play with my food and in so doing armed with a craft knife, this little guy's fate ended up in my scrumptious vegetarian moussaka!

See what happened to him here( my new domain) www.giddygastronome.com

Organic sesame cookies kissed with dark chocolate!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:17:00 +0000

Join this tea convivial, see more pictures of this post and
get recipe here at my new blog www.giddygastronome.com

Thanks,
Nazarina.

Go to Las Vegas.....when possible!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:52:00 +0000

Read more about this trip here on my new blog www giddygastronome.com

.

Nazarina.

Cooking sweet potato love and sharing my fashion for less!

noreply@blogger.com (Nazarina A) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 05:48:00 +0000

Please go to my new home for the rest of this post and more exciting pictures!!!!

Click here www.giddygastronome.com

Thanks,
Nazarina.