Biltong and Mrs Balls

It is interesting how the food you grew up with stays with you as a major part of who you are.  Especially when stressed people reach for familiar, comfort food, and that really does vary all over the world. Comfort foods always have that element of nostalgia.  I guess there are 2 categories - snack foods versus a meal. I don't think of ice cream or peanut butter or Buttermilk Fried Chicken or "goulash"...

Most South Africans can tell you that that they miss biltong, bobotie and of course Mrs Balls chutney (which is essential in the bobotie and other curries). Hey I just found out I can buy it on Amazon - who would have thought!

http://www.mrsballschutney.com/History.html

And of course biltong - always miss it.  I tell friends it it like jerky, but honestly that is being rude to the wonderful taste and texture of biltong.  It is dried meat and I was always partial to the ostrich which is a little drier than the game biltong. As wiki says, biltong is salty not sweet like jerky which is definitely the appeal to me.  Why would you sweeten cured meat?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biltong


As this image says "bledie lekker"...very good!

Snow

Haven't posted for a while but been enjoying/ overwhelmed with the snow this winter.  Having seen snow twice in my life as a child, I admit that it is still a novelty for me.  Of course being a skier makes it fun!  Just back from a week in Montana and the majesty of the mountains is really special and amazing.  I used to find peace at the beach, but now the mountains have even a more profound, soothing affect.

Enjoy some pictures from Big Sky, Montana!

On the drive up.  Very dramatic

Lone Peak in the distance...

Christmas

Tis the season to celebrate the differences....here are some I am aware of.

South African Christmas turkey 

vs American Christmas ham

	South African Christmas	American December “holiday”
Christmas cards show:	A British robin and some snow	Just about anything
Days:	Christmas and Boxing Day to recovery	Just one day off unless it is a weekend….
Weather:	Hot – go swimming after lunch	Hope for snow
You can say:	Happy Christmas	Happy Holidays only
Main course:	Turkey of course	Just had turkey at thanksgiving, so need options. Ham is popular
Dessert:	Christmas pudding and yummy brand sauce	Not clear – pies seem common
Gifts:	Used to be just one gift to say I remember you	Seems a little out of control with multiple gifts
Drinks:	Champagne or wine or beer	Weird things like eggnog and other cocktails

Strangers

When thinking about cultural differences one seldom thinks about how one interacts with people you don't know.  I now remember how surprised I was in my first weeks in Boston when everyone said "hi" when I was out walking, and commented on how cute my "puppy" (a full grown border collie) was. I got used to it quickly and learnt that hi was the standard response to seeing anyone when out walking.

It was last summer only when my friend from London was visiting that I fully learned how American I had become.  We were shopping in Concord, MA and suddenly she came out of a store stating, "I just had a real American experience!"  She proceeded to explain how a stranger asked her if the cutting board she was eying in the store would be the right size for a particular kitchen function... My friend did manage a "yes, sure" before scurrying away.  

She later explained that she had often thought about being on an underground train and seeing an unattended package, and realizing that it would be way too embarrassing to say something, so she would choose to just sit there silently, and hope she didn't get blown up... Really truly!

I think the American way of greeting everyone, and casually chatting is a good change!