Tag Archive | christmas

PRAWNS MOILEE for 2


My goodness – does time fly!

It is already Epiphany, 06th January, and Christmas is now most definitely over – until next time.

But before I post my Prawn Moilee today I like to share with you a picture of our own (Christmas) Crip with the Three Wise Men having now arrived at The Stable. Jo gets all the credit for actually building this one and the figures, angles etc. were all purchased by us over the years in Germany, England, Thailand and here in our own town in India. So many good and happy memories are attached to this tableau.

For New Year’s Eve we once again stayed at home – we have always preferred it like this.

But what to cook for this special occasion? –Very simple, one of our other favourite dishes, Prawns Moilee! Prawns simmered in slightly mild and creamy coconut gravy. Having the Arabian Sea as our coast, gives us all this beautiful sea-food for our kitchen. The prawns used in this preparation by me are acquired directly from the Chinese Nets (pictured above) workers.

Kerala is known of course, amongst other things, as the land of coconuts and there for one will find in most of our local cuisine either freshly grated coconut or/and coconut milk –absolutely delicious.

So, come and join us at our table, have a glass of wine or whatever, and enjoy this wonderful local dish

PRAWNS MOILEE for 2

For you who like to know – Moilee just means “An Indian curry, originally from Goa, containing fish or seafood and coconut milk

To marinate the prawns you will need:
1 x cup of shelled and deveined prawns
1 x tsp Turmeric powder
½ x tsp chilli powder
½ to 1 whole lime
1 x tsp Salt

To make the Moilee you need:
2 x Tbsp Coconut oil (or any other vegetable oil)
1 x large Tomatoe, sliced
Curry leaves (10 – 15 numbers)
1 x cup of Onions, sliced
3 x green Chillies slit in middle
1 x Tbsp Ginger, finely sliced
2 x Cardamom
2 x Cloves
½ x tsp Fenugreek seeds
½ x tsp Mustard seeds
A small piece of Cinnamon (stick)
3 x dried red Chillies
3 x Garlic pods, very finely chopped
½ x tsp Turmeric powder
1x tsp Coriander powder
1 x cup of Coconut milk

How to make the Moilee:
1. In a bowl mix together all the items mentioned under ‘to marinate…’ and keep aside for ca. 30 minutes.
2. Heat oil and when hot add and fry the Fenugreek seeds. After this add the Mustard seeds until they ‘pop’. Add Cardamom, Cloves, Cinnamon stick, dry red Chillies. Stir and add Onions, Ginger, green Chillies, Garlic and the curry leaves and fry until the onions turn translucent.
3. After this add Coriander- and Turmeric powder and keep stirring for ca. ½ minute. Now add the prawns, ½ x cup of Coconut milk and the sliced Tomatoes and cook until the Prawns turn pink.
4. When this is done add the remaining ½ cup of Coconut milk and bring this to a slight boil for a minute only.
5. Serve with Rice or Appam and enjoy!

Notes:
Having all the fresh Coconut at our disposal we make Moilee with two kinds of Coconut milk; first we squeeze the freshly grated Coconut with some water to extract the initial thick (first) milk and repeat the process on the same to extract the thin (second) milk.

That’s it! And Happy New Year to you all.
Carina

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Merry Christmas to you ALL

To all my Blogger friends, near and far, I wish you a joyous, peaceful and for all of you who are travelling, a safe CHRISTMAS!

GOD’S Blessings to you all.

My heart is too heavy right now to post a food blog this time – I am still shocked and saddened by the latest atrocity in Berlin – in my home country! What has become of it – what has become of Europe?!

I hope you find at least a couple of minutes in your own busy schedule to listen to one or more Gregorian Christmas Chants which were actually recorded live from Berlin.

Carina and JS

MADRID ……

(Two weeks of non-stop festivities, noisy parades (and a visit to Santa Maria la
Real de La Almudena)

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This is the Catholic Cathedral in Madrid, which was consecrated by Pope Paul II in 1993. When the capital of Spain was transferred from Toledo to Madrid in 1561, King Felipe II wanted a Cathedral for his new capital. Plans were discussed as early as the 16th century to build a Cathedral in Madrid dedicated to the Virgin of Almudena, but construction did not begin until 1879. Unfortunately, when we visited Madrid and this Cathedral my normally faithful Nikon let me down, so I was not able to photograph this beautiful Church; but hopefully on our next visit…..!

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Some time ago the 4 of us flew off to Madrid to spend a very happy month on a family holiday in this vibrant city. Although each of us wants to go back, especially on the invitation by friends to return for Christmas, we all decided to spend this year here at home – for once!
So for today I will just take you to some famous sightseeing spots of Madrid.

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The actual Christmas celebrations are stretched over 2 weeks and include noisy (but fun) parades and dancing everywhere.

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This year the whole centre of Madrid is literally bathed in lights – an incredible sight; this “spectacle” is designed by a number of well known names in the fashion- and design field using energy saving lights. The boulevards are brightly decorated and there are open-air ice rinks. Charming Christmas markets are set up in the main squares – and one must not forget to look at the most spectacular Belenes (Nativity Scenes).

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Madrid is worth visiting at any time of the year – so why not try to come for Christmas?

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I now offer you 3 totally different kinds of music for this season and which, I think, go well with this beautiful city. Let me start with this video entitled “Canciones de Navidad en español”

For you, who like Flamenco for Christmas I found this little musical treat. The video is entitled: “Villancico Flamenco.- “Mira Qué Bonita” por Camarón de la Isla.”

This was recorded in 2011 in Belén de la Catedral de Sevilla . Try and see this video to the end – the crib here is absolutely beautiful.

But if you prefer just to sit back with a nice glass of wine and listen to a beautiful concert, I present this feast to ones ears; it is “Concierto Navideno de la Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria”.

So, light your candles, take your time and choose the right kind of seasonal music for you and relax, but most of all – enjoy!

Have a wonderful and peaceful 4th of Advent.

Carina

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(Meine “freie” Uebersetzung)

Dies ist der katholische Dom in Madrid, welcher in 1993 von Papst Paul II eingeweiht wurde. Als die Hauptstadt Spaniens in 1561 von Toledo nach Madrid verlegt wurde, wollte Koenig Felipe II einen Dom fuer seine neue Hauptstadt. Plaene wurden schon im 16th Jahrhundert discutiert einen Dom in Madrid zu bauen zur Widmung der Jungfrau von Almudena, aber der Bau startete erst Anfang 1879. Leider, als wir Madrid und diesen Dom besuchten, liess mich meine normalerweise getreue Nikon im Stich, so dass ich nicht in der Lage war diese wunderschoene Kirche zu photographieren; aber hoffentlich beim naechsten Besuch.
Vor einiger Zeit flogen wir 4 rueber nach Madrid fuer einen monatelangen Familien Urlaub in dieser lebendigen Stadt. Wir wollen alle wieder dort hin und ganz besonders auf die Einladung von Freunden Weihnachten mit ihnen zu verbringen, aber wir haben uns alle entschlossen, dieses Jahr mal hier zu Hause zu bleiben – zur Abwechslung!

So fuer heute moechte ich Euch nur zu einigen der sightseeings spots von Madrid nehmen.
Die eigentliche Weihnachtsfestlichkeiten strecken sich ueber 2 volle Wochen hin und man sieht viele laute Paraden, die aber grossen Spass machen; und ueberall wird getanzt!

Dieses Jahr ist die ganze Innenstadt von Madrid buchstaeblich in bunte Lichter getaucht – irre; dieses Schauspiel wurde von einigen der bekanntesten Designer in der Mode- und Design Branche entworfen. Und die Lichter in allen Farben erfuellen waehrend dieser gesamten festlichen Zeit die Stadt und sie sorgen dank Einhaltung strengster Umwelt- und Energiekriterien fuer helleres Licht bei geringerem Verbrauch.

Freiluft Schlittschuh Bahnen, Weihnachtsmaerkte auf all’ den grossen Plaetzen – und dann noch die wunderschoenen “Belenes” (die Krippen) – herrlich.
Es lohnt sich Madrid waehrend des ganzen Jahres zu besuchen – so warum versucht Ihr mal nicht zu Weihnachten dorthin zu reisen?
Ich biete Euch nun 3 ganz unterschiedliche Musikvideos fuer diese Saison und diese schoene Stadt an.
Erlaubt mir dieses video “Canciones de Navidad en española” vorzustellen.

Fuer Euch, die Flamenco zu Weihnachten hoeren moechten, habe ich diesen kleinen musikalischen Schatz gefunden. Das video heisst : “Villancico Flamenco.- “Mira Qué Bonita” por Camarón de la Isla.”

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Es wurde in 2011 in der ‘Catedral de Sevilla’ aufgenommen. Schaut Euch dieses video bis zum Ende an – die Krippe hier ist unwahrscheinlich schoen.
Aber wenn Ihr es vorzieht Euch mit einem Glas Wein in Ruhe hinzusetzen um ein schoenes Konzert zu hoeren, stelle ich diesen Ohrenschmaus vor: “Concierto Navideno de la Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria”.

So, zuendet Eure Kerzen an, nimmt Euch Zeit und sucht Eure Musik aus, aber hauptsaechlich – geniesst sie!

Habt einen ruhigen und friedvollen 4. Advent.

Christmas in Fort Cochin in Kerala

After I posted my previous video here I had a sort of minor brain wave; why not take you on a little journey around some of the many many places in the world we have either lived in or visited (in some cases many times over). And knowing how busy you are all during those last hectic days before Christmas I thought that just a little musical introduction to these places is just enough – for now!

So – why not sit back, with a cup of coffee or tea (and a biscuit or two) and enjoy my “Christmas music from near and far”.

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The journey starts here right on our own doorsteps – with the Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica (one of the only eight Basilicas in the whole of India) in Fort Kochi, who’s history goes back to the sixteenth century, beginning with the arrival of Portuguese missionaries in 1500 CE. (pic. Above and below)

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The following musical video features CSI Immanuel Church Choir, Cochin/Kerala, India singing “Whispering Hope”.

I wish you all a happy and peaceful Third of Advent.

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Nachdem ich mein vorhergehendes Video hier zeigte, hatte ich einen kleinen Geistesblitz ; warum nehme ich Euch nicht einfach mit auf eine kleine Reise zu den vielen vielen Plaetze in der Welt wo wir entweder gelebt haben oder die wir besuchten (in einigen Faellen mehrmals). Und da ich weiss wie beschaeftigt Ihr alle seid waehrend dieser letzten hektischen Tage vor Weihnachten, dachte ich dass nur eine kleine musikalische Einfuehrung zu diesen Plaetzen gerade genug ist – fuer jetzt!

So, warum macht es Ihr Euch nicht bequem mit einer Tasse Kaffee oder Tee (und ein oder zwei Plaetzchen) und geniesst meine “Weihnachtsmusik von Nah’ und Fern”.
Die Reise beginnt hier “vor unserer eigenen Haustuere” – mit der Santa Cruz Kathedrale Basilika (eine von den nur acht Basiliken in ganz Indien) in Fort Kochi, deren Geschichte zurueck geht bis auf das Sechzehnte Jahrhundert, angefangen mit der Ankunft der Portugisischen Missionare in 1500 CE.
Einen schoenen, geruhsamen Dritten Advent wuensche ich Euch allen.

Carina

St. Nikolaus Day

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6th of December. Saint Nikolaus Day. Soon it will be Christmas – once again! How does time fly so quickly?

My earliest Childhood memories of this Saints Feast Day are somewhat bitter-sweet.

As a small child one was always told “… you must be a good girl, or no gifts from Saint Nikolaus, and only the “Rute” (Birch) from his helper, Knecht Ruprecht”. Occasianally one did remember to be just that –good! Learn well at school, keep out of mischief, not answer back to Adults and not kick ones little (boy) friends when they teased you and pulled on your long hair.

This applied certainly to me, especially once it was past my birthday, which is end of October.

Then came the 5th of December. My little black patent leather shoes were polished to mirror-standard and put into their prominent position outside our door in the high hope, that Nikolaus would come to me and leave some little gifts behind – which were then mainly apples, nuts, one orange! and some sweets.

But the day was not over until after school had finished. As always Nikolaus came to my school – an imposing figure dressed like a Bishop and carrying his “Golden Book”; In that all the bad – and good – deeds of each child were recorded and read out and we watched with glee when one of the boys was ‘introduced’ to the dreaded Rute. The crafty ones were even known of having padded their trousers!!

Only much later did I learn about the real Saint Nikolaus – Nikolaos the Wonderworker – Bishop of Myra, who was born 15 March 270 in Patara and died 6 December 343 (aged 73) in Myra.

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But this maybe is for another Blog.

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6. December. Nikolaus tag. Bald wird es wieder Weihnachten sein – wie schnell doch die Zeit fliegt.
Meine fruehesten Kindheitserinnerungen an den Namenstag dieses Heiligen sind etwas gemischt.
Als kleines Kind hoerte man immer: ….Du must ein liebes Maedchen sein oder Nikolaus wird keine Geschenke bringen sondern nur Knecht Ruprecht kommt mit seiner Rute”.

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Manchmal erinnerte man sich ja auch dran “gut” zu sein: fleissig in der Schule zu lernen, keinen Unfug zu machen, keine Widerreden zu Erwachsenen zu geben und nicht die kleinen Jungs zu treten wenn sie wieder gestritten haben und an meinen langen Haaren zogen.

Das war ganz bestimmt fuer mich der Fall, besonders nach meinem Geburtstag, der Ende Oktober ist.

Dann kam der 5. Dezember. Meine kleinen schwarzen Lackschuhe wurden auf Hochglanz geputzt und vor die Tuere gestellt in der Hoffnung, dass Nikolaus auch zu mir kommen wird und kleine Geschenke hinterlaesst – welche damals moistens Aepfel, Nuesse, eine Apfelsine und ein paar Bonbons.

Aber der Tag war noch nicht zu Ende bis nach Schulschluss. Wie immer kam Nikolaus auch zu meiner Schule – eine imponierende Erscheinung die aussah wie ein Bischof und er trug sein “Goldenes Buch”; in diesem waren alle boesen Taten – wie auch die guten – all’ der Kinder eingetragen waren. Diese wurden vorgelesen und wir guckten mit Schadenfreude wenn einer der Jungs Bekanntschaft mit der Rute machte. Die ausgefuchsten waren auch schon dafuer bekannt, dass sie ihren Hosenboden ausgepolstert hatten.

Nur viel viel spaeter lernte ich dann die Geschichte des echten Sankt Nikolaus kennen. Bekannt als Nikolaos – The Wonderworker – Bischof von Myra, der am 15 Maerz 270 in Patara geboren wurde und am 06. December 343, im Alter von 73 Jahren, in Myra verstarb.

Aber dies ist vielleicht fuer einen anderen Blog Beitrag.

Carina

(Source of all pictures: Wikipedia – with thanks)

I Have Returned ……

Hello my dear friends from near and far – after nearly exactly one year “Pause” I am now back at last and I promise that I will try to blog a little bit more on a regular basis. But for today I just wish you all a joyous and peaceful Advent weekend, wherever you are.

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Hallo meine lieben Freunde von Nah und Fern – nach fast genau einem Jahr “Pause” bin ich endlich wieder hier und ich verspreche, dass ich versuchen werde wieder etwas regelmaessiger zu bloggen. Aber fuer heute wuensche ich Euch allen erst einmal ein recht schoenes und friedliches Adventwochenende wo immer Ihr auch seid.

Carina

UNDER THE MISTLETOE

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In a season for giving and sharing, of stocking the freezer and checking the lights, these are moments to treasure – special moments to share in twinship with the special one.

We are at home this Christmas time, after many Christmas spent far away from home – away from its relentless commercialisation.
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We all have our favourite things about Christmas. Our Christmas tree and the little electric lights were brought out for the ritual of decorating it with enormous pleasure by me, born in Germany where the tradition of decorating a tree for Christmas is thought to have originated.
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Our Christmas crib in the magical glow of little lights and graced by three large satin angels (courtesy of my mother) is my husband Jo’s creation. It contains mainly figures from Bangkok with additions acquired by us from various parts of Europe including England.
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A red tablecloth, embroidered by my mother, covered our dining table – its centrepiece, a beautiful floral arrangement in a crystal container. Two stars, white and silver, were hung on two locations. We love this time. It can be magical – of Peace, Hope and Love.

Love can give us a fairy tale – all the sweets of life…. It is said “Love is only a word until we find the person who gives it a sense”. We would not disagree on that…
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We wish all of you more happiness and good health to light up this Festive and Family time of the year. – Carina
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Some more Christmas scenes from our house:
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(Photos: © Joseph Sebastine/Manningtree Archive)