wild mushroom tarts and brioche 26 July

In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful.

bearded caterpillar on our wall

 Lailatul Qadr night was truly for us as Capetonians did in the time of no electricity -"Kersopsteek aand". As we were just starting our taraweeg we were plunged in darkness. Praying by the light of the candle was something else hey.

There is something to be said about hoarding I think there is bad hoarding and there is good hoarding.  Collect and hoard until you find yourself entering the Qabr. So that’s the bad hoarding that Allah SWT reminds us not to do because one’s life passes in a blink you enter your grave.

The hoarding, maybe that’s not a good word then, let’s say I am talking about preserving - those boxes that we stash things in. And on a day like today you think that’s an oulike wooden chest let me clear it out. Inside you find all kinds of memorabilia and that book that were hunting for; an old report; old receipts you kept which gives you an idea of what things cost and the money you spent on schooling. A receipt that reads:

23 March 2000.

Abutilon - Red emperor

Seeds Kirstenbosch

Narcissus

Bulbs irises golden

Two grow packs - veg and flowers

Thank you for shopping at Stodels.

But what I love best are those little notes and drawings when your kids were still toddlers, Abu’s colourful fez and small bokbaardjie. Priceless.

I love that I found my practical encyclopedia of Whole Foods by Nicola Graimes! All the groups of vegetables and fruits and grains, legumes etc are beautifully explained with health benefits and buying and storing advice in the half of the book and the second half the most awesome recipes, such as red onion and goats cheese pastries and wild mushroom and Fontina tarts. Must get to learn to make them Italian cheeses inshaAllah!

The weather has been quite unpredictable hey, raining the one moment and a rainbow emerges the next, so just as we hang out the towels a deluge hits and we’re back to square one. It does not seem to deter the poppies from reaching for the sky and little buds all over. The seedlings in warm places do their thing, I am just anxious to see black-seedlings emerge inshaAllah. The marigolds are cheerful whatever the weather and the veggies in the crate continue to prosper, see the pics at the end of the blog!

It seems that we may be having Eid on Tuesday, I am relieved for one more day of finding those little things that I forgot to buy. So, we’re off to sight the moon tomorrow at dusk inshaAllah. This is a ritual practice of our family since the 90s and it is an awesome gathering. Picnic baskets and families and friends on blankets in Seapoint, saf after saf in sajdah. The grass is probably wet so we must think to take some waterproofing for underneath the salaah mats.

But for today, I am making baklava to serve with yoghurt and fruit, Azrah wants to make a Cloud cake or roulade but best made closer to time. The baklava needs to sit a day or two for the citrusy syrup to soak into the phyllo. I will be cooking an eyepiece of corned beef to serve with mustard, salads and freshly baked brioche. The jury is still out for what’s for Eid lunch.

Later

Plant food and bake brioche

ps. I use this recipe IT IS FOOLPROOF!  http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/authentic-brioche.aspx