Such a proud and momentous day for PNG!

2011-11-24T09:30:00.000+10:00

http://www.smh.com.au/world/vote-hailed-as-milestone-for-women-in-png-20111123-1nv17.html

Penny Red: Panic on the streets of London.

2011-08-10T08:58:00.000+10:00

Panic on the streets of London.: "I’m huddled in the front room with some shell-shocked friends, watching my city burn. The BBC is interchanging footage of blazing cars and..."

Bulolo Live: New Prime Minister for Papua New Guinea: Breaking ...

2011-08-03T11:07:00.000+10:00

Bulolo Live: New Prime Minister for Papua New Guinea: Breaking ...: "Peter O'Neill is the new Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, being elected by an overwhelming majority of 74-24, just minutes ago. He is no..."

From Social to Cultural Responsibility

2011-08-02T12:07:00.000+10:00

From Social to Cultural Responsibility

An interesting blog from the private sector's corporate social responsibility peak body on cultural responsibility. For the international development wonks the private sector we don't often talk about or take into account that is having an enormous impact in PNG. So what do you think??

Post 1# Pressure Cooker Sunday

2011-05-30T14:50:00.000+10:00

It seems only right that my first post will be on my latest obsession and my oldest obsession - the pressure cooker and cooking!

It seems I'm always talking about food, so I may as well start writing about it. I'll post recipes and finds for those food obsessed friends (you know who you are). I'll also post tips on substitutes (for those of us who live overseas or are just too lazy to go shopping) and what to do with weird ingredients like a goat!

Edition #1 Pressure Cooker Sunday

Sunday at our place in Port Moresby, has become 'Pressure Cooker Sunday". Since the lovely Kuhn Rikon cooker came into our family amazing things have been happening; 7 minute Risotto, 10 minute Coq au Vin and now this Sunday - 35 minute Rendang Daging (Beef Rendang) and 25 minute Be siap base kalas (Balinese Yellow Chicken Curry).

Below is the recipe for Be siap base kalas with a few of my own tweeks....

Be siap base kalas (Balinese yellow chicken curry)

Ingredients

For the bumbu (spice paste) pictures below

9 candlenuts (buy these online from Herbies spices or substitute macadamias)

4 black peppercorns

4 white peppercorns (don't double it if your missing one sort!)

5 shallots, peeled and finely sliced (substitute 1 red onion)

3 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped

5 birds eye chillies, sliced (if your scared of heat use 2)

3cm piece of fresh turmeric, peeled and finely chopped (you can get this in PNG, I buy it and freeze it. substitute is 1 heaped tsp dried turmeric and 1 tsp water)

5cm piece fresh galangal, peeled and finely chopped (same as above for PNG. substitute 2 tbsp of ginger)

1 chicken or 1.25 kg chicken pieces without skin

1 lemongrass stalk

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

3 salam leaves (substitute fresh or 2 dried bay leaves)

400ml thick coconut milk (substitute coconut milk not cream)

1 tablespoon melted gula bali (substitute palm sugar or brown sugar)

salt

Directions

To make the spice paste use a mortar and pestle or food processor to pound the candlenuts and peppercorns to a smooth paste. Add the shallots, garlic, chillies, galangal and turmeric and pound to a paste.

Cut the chicken into pieces, if using a whole chicken remove fat and skin. Bruise the lemongrass with the back of your knife and tie into a knot.

Heat the oil in wok or pressure cooker (if using), fry the spice paste for about 3 minutes. Add the lemongrass, salam leaves and chicken pieces and stir fry for about 2 minutes. Add coconut milk, melted gula bali and season with salt. Simmer the chicken until cooked about 35 minutes (if pressure cooking lock the lid on and cook for 25 minutes max).

If you are interested in pressure cookers checkout the internet for lots of information on the 'new' non-exploding world of pressure cooking. My next posting will be on how to make your own Hoi Sin sauce (can't find any in Port Moresby at the moment) and Vietnamese food.

The Bower Birds Nest

Such a proud and momentous day for PNG!

Penny Red: Panic on the streets of London.

Bulolo Live: New Prime Minister for Papua New Guinea: Breaking ...

From Social to Cultural Responsibility

Post 1# Pressure Cooker Sunday