Experimental cooking can be a source of deep joy--or agony--depending on how it turns out. The perfect meal shared with a good companion puts me in a deliciously good mood. But unhealthy, un-tasty, untimely meals put me in a frump. This is my quest for good foods and good moods.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Tanzanian dinner
Time spent with our friends Ryan and Emily Chappalear is an adventure. The two founded a mission (African For Jesus) to train native missionaries in Africa to reach the unreached villages in Tanzania and beyond.
Emily slaved over a hot stove Saturday to make us an authentic meal of ugali, chapati, stew and salad (you have to say 'stew' and 'salad' with a Tanzanian accent). We ate with our fingers... and I got plenty of ugali stuck in my nails and plenty more into my tummy. Though I had never tried African food before, I must say it has quickly jumped high on my list of comfort foods.
Emily said that when you've been walking miles every day in Africa, you crave the feeling of a stomach full of ugali-- a finer textured version of grits, with less moisture. The corn-based staple is used to scoop up savory stews and reminded me of cream of wheat.
More about this to come after I write this month's food column.
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1 comment:
This looks yummy! And looks like you all had a great time!
Love,
Tina
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