May 17th (2020)

 

May 17th
‘Woke up this morning
Got a blue moon
(Got a blue moon in your eyes)
So sad’
("Woke Up This Morning"Alabama 3, 1997 )

I woke up at about 5am this morning and am still a bit blur at 7.55am. There was no blue moon, no discernable moon at all.

I was between ‘authentic’ relationships when I met a woman who had this long story about loving India, going to India with her fiance and him leaving her to join some Indian religious sect or other. Anyhow, it was she who introduced me to the music of the ‘Alabama 3’. I’ve thanked her for this ever since, even though we met (I think) twice, and that was a long long time ago.

There are many sad things about this current pandemic. One is, so I am informed by Reuters, that after twenty-six years the curtain comes down on Mann Kosal's Phnom Penh Khmer shadow puppet theatre.

The tradition of Khmer shadow puppets dates back to antiquity, but was all but lost in the upheaval of the Khmer Rouge days. It survived, just, but the hard times which now befall many have struck the final blow to this puppet theatre specialising in the larger sized, flat, 'Sbek thom' (cowhide) shadow puppets.

In a moment or two I have to go scavenging for pork mince and beef mince, and the other ingredients for a decent ‘Ragu’ (meat-based Italian sauce), to cook for today’s lunch. It was to be Spaghetti Bolognese, but I may use a different pasta instead.

I have bought, chopped, and fried the ingredients (tomato puree, celery, carrot, mushrooms, onions, garlic) for the ragu. I'm a little concerned that the two minced meats (pork and beef) are not as fresh as I would have liked, but fingers crossed as they are all I could find. There was no smell. So that's a good sign. Now, with the water (I couldn't afford wine) added, it should take about two hours cooking, stirring every fifteen minutes so that it doesn't stick.

The cooking has taken three hours, then an extra half an hour for the spaghetti to cook. I am making Spaghetti 'Aglio e Olio', so I finely chop the garlic, add it to the spaghetti with olive oil. When finished, it has taken four hours from start to finish. And it seems to be a success. As my partner doesn't like to eat beef, I rarely make this dish at home. It is too big just to make for myself.

Next week, I have decided, I will make chicken curry again. I am missing my chicken curry. Maybe I will get some popadoms, fry them, and maybe get some Youtiao (cha kvai). In Malaysia I like those deep fried long doughnuts (Youtiao) to dip into Malaysian chicken curry (Kari Ayam), or 'Roti Cannai' (fried paratha). I am grateful that I can get to cook at least once a week here. I love to cook, and I love to eat what I cook too.

Today’s spend is….
Thai Huot Market……Dasani Water; Coca Cola, Campagna Tomato Paste; Campagna Olive Oil; Campagna Spaghetti, Shiitake Mushrooms; White Onion; Celery, Carrot, Garlic, Pork Minced and Beef Minced.

Total spend is a whopping, and quite prohibitive $26.06. And that is without wine!