Ingredients

• 1 lb cooked mince (ground beef – with onion in oil or butter, salt and pepper and one tablespoon tomato paste for flavor – parsley)
• 1 big onion
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 slice bread soaked in milk
• 1 tablespoon curry (paste or powder – I use paste)
• 1/4 cup coconut (not sweet) or almonds
• Juice of one lemon
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Apricot jam or 1 dessert spoon honey
• 3 cups milk
• 3 eggs

Instructions

1. Fry the onions in butter and add curry – allow to become darker.
2. Beat the eggs and milk together. Add lemon juice into curry then Apricot jam, coconut, bread & vinegar.
3. Add mince beef and one third of milk & egg mixture. Bake for ten minutes in pyrex dish uncovered at 325 F.
4. Then pour over the balance of milk & egg mixture and leave in oven until brown.

Submitted by Casey and Amy , Massachusetts 2004

Instructions

1. Sauté 1 large diced onion and 2 diced green peppers in 1/2 C vegetable oil
2. Add 4 large peeled and grated carrots, fresh coriander and 1 can beans in ketchup (baked beans)
3. Optional: add a bag of mixed frozen vegetables or cut-up fresh cauliflower
4. add 1 C chicken or vegetable stock, or more if needed to keep the mixture from sticking to the pot
5. Cook 15 minutes
6. add 4 teaspoons curry powder and cook another 15 minutes.
7. Can be stored in the refrigerator for at least a week.

Serve with Mealie Pap (Corn meal Pudding)
Mealie Pap Ingredients

• 2 C water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 C maize meal
• 1 Tablespoon margarine

Instructions

1. Bring the water to the boil. Slowly add the maize meal until it forms a pyramid in the middle of the saucepan .
2. Put on the lid and allow to simmer until a “skin” has formed around the maize meal.
3. Stir with a fork till fine and crumbly. Put the lid back on and simmer over LOW heat until done.
4. Stir occasionally to break the lumps, about 30 – 40 minutes.

Submitted by Princess, staff member at Mvaba High School, Inanda, South Africa

Ingredients

• large chicken-cut into pieces
• 1 cup breyani dhall (Lentils)
• 4-6 potatoes
• 3-4 cups rice
• 7-8 medium tomatoes
• few green chillies
• 1 large onion
• 1-2 tblesp chilli powder
• 1-2 tsp tumeric powder
• 1 tsp jeera powder
• 1 tsp cummin powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• 2-3 bay leaves
• 125ml oil (1/2 C)
• 1 tsp ginger -crushed
• 1 tsp garlic -crushed
• egg yellow food colouring
• herbs-eg thyme,mint etc-
• salt to taste
• cubed pieces of butter

Instructions

1. Half cook the rice. add few drops food colouring{3/4 drops}
2. Boil breyani dhall{lentils} till soft
3. make the chutney:
   add half cup oil to large pan
   when hot add onions and green chillies
   when brown add chili power, turmeric, jeera, cumin, cinnamon, and bay leaves
   then add the grated tomatoes and ginger and garlic salt
   let it cook for about 15-20 min till water evapourates.
4. Add some food colouring to potatoes and roast.
5. Add salt to chicken and fry pieces in shallow oil.
6. Then when all is ready make the layers for your breyani:
7. 1. rice(half of the quantity)
   2. chutney-pour over the rice
   3. place pieces of fried chicken on top
   4. cover with breyani dhall
   5. place potatoes all around
   6. add balance of rice
   7. place cubed butter all around top
   8. returned to stove and cook for 15 minutes on lowheat
   9. test rice – when rice is soft, remove from heat.

Serve hot with salads-green or carrot.

Submitted by Elizabeth, South Africa, au pair in Massachusetts 2004

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken [medium] cut into pieces
• 2/3 large potatoes-cut into halves-or fours
• 1 small tomato-chopped into small pieces
• 1 small onions-chopped
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder or 2/3 cinnamon sticks
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 125 ml (1/2 C) oil
• 250 ml water (1 C) {add more if needed}
• 1 tablespoon salt-or add accordingly
• fresh coriander for dressing.

Instructions

1. Heat oil in large pot.
2. add onions, cumin powder, cinnamon, bay leaves. fry until onions are golden brown.
3. Add curry powder, turmeric powder, potatoes and chicken pieces. Mix well.
4. Add water and allow to cook.
5. curry is ready when potatoes are cooked and curry has thickened. sprinkle chopped coriander on top of curry.
6. Remove from heat and set aside-

Serve hot with rice {eg.basmati} and salad.
serve with Mealie Pap (Cornmeal Pudding)

Submitted by Elizabeth , South African au pair, Massachusetts 2004

Syrup

• 250 ml (1 cup) water
• 625 ml (2 1/2 cups) white sugar
• 12.5 ml (2 1/2 tsp.) lemon juice
• 5 ml (1 tsp.) vanilla essence

Dough

• 375 ml (1 1/2 cups) cake flour
• 22 ml (4 1/2 tsp.) baking powder
• 1 ml (pinch) salt
• 20 g butter
• 150 ml (1/2 Cup + 1 Tablespoon) milk
• 750 ml (3 cups) canola oil

Instructions

1. Put the water and sugar in a pot and bring to boil on low heat. Stir frequently until the sugar is completely dissolved. Boil for 7 minutes.
2. Remove the pot from the stove and stir in the lemon juice and vanilla essence. Put the pot aside.
3. Mix the flour, salt, and baking powder thoroughly in a mixing bowl. Break the butter into small pieces and add to the flour mixture. Add the milk. Mix well until a dough is formed.
4. Roll the dough out to a thickness of 5 mm (1/4 in.). Cut the dough into thin ( 10 mm or 1/2 in.) strips. Take 3 strips and join their ends on one side. Braid the strips to desired koeksister length and join the other ends.
5. Heat the oil in a pot until fairly hot. Put about 3 koeksisters at a time in the oil and fry them on both sides until they get a golden-brown color. As you remove the koeksisters from the oil, place them directly into the syrup. Allow the koeksisters to absorb the syrup thoroughly.
6. Remove the koeksisters from the syrup and allow the excess syrup to drip off. Place them in the refrigerator. Try to eat a few before the family gets home because once they get stuck into them, you “ain’t gonna get none”.

Submitted by Casey and Amy, Massachusetts 2004

(makes 2 tarts)

Pastry

• 2 cups Flour
• 1/2 cup Sugar
• 125g (4 oz or 1/2 C) Margarine
• 1 Egg
• Salt
• 2 tsp Baking Powder

1. Cream margarine and sugar. Add egg, flour, baking powder and salt.
2. Mix well, and press into 2 pie dishes. Bake for 10 minutes at 320 F (160 C). (Or buy two readymade pie bases – preferrably the shortbread type.)

Filling

• 4 cups Milk
• 2 tbsp Margarine
• 2 1/2 tbsp Flour
• 1 cup Sugar
• 1 tbsp Cornflour
• 2 Eggs
• 1 tsp Vanilla Essence

1. Boil milk and margarine.
2. Mix the rest of ingredients into a smooth paste in a bowl and add to boiling milk.
3. Return to heat and stir until thick (about 5 minutes). Pour into shells and sprinkle with cinnamon. Put in the fridge.

Submitted by Casey and Amy, Massachusetts 2004

A Folk Tale from South Africa
Marvin’s Good Deed

It was a chilly winter’s day, but fortunately the sun was shining. The troop of monkeys had climbed to the top of a large tree and was sitting up in the canopy, soaking up the sun’s rays and trying to thaw out from the equatorial chill.

After a while, the younger monkeys became bored and decided they wanted to play.
They started to scramble through branches and chase one another. They were having such fun. Marvin was a naughty little monkey that liked to show off, but he had a kind heart. He was busy swinging from branch to branch when he came across a bird’s nest. Inside were three delicious looking eggs. As Marvin put his hand into the nest to grab one, he heard a cry.

“No, please Master Monkey, leave my eggs alone!” shrieked a worried Mrs. Bird.
“But I want to eat the eggs!” shouted Marvin.
“I know,” said Mrs. Bird “but I’ve been incubating them and they’re due to hatch soon. I can’t wait to see my little chicks. Please leave them alone and then one day I may be able to help you.”

Marvin hesitated, but decided that he would leave the eggs alone. He forgot about the incident and continued with his monkey business in other trees.

A few months later, the troop of monkeys was having barrels of fun trying to catch termites that were emerging from a termite mound on the savannah. The monkeys leaped down to try and catch the tasty morsels as they exited their mound. If the young monkeys were successful, they would shove the tasty insect into their mouth and crunch on it.

The monkeys were so intent on the termites, that they didn’t realize that they were in grave danger. A spotted leopard was inching up on them, hoping to catch a monkey for dinner that evening. The leopard was crouched low, stalking closer and closer towards the troop of monkeys. Just then Mrs. Bird happened to be kiting overhead and noticed the leopard. She yelled down to the monkey, “There’s a dangerous leopard! Run for your lives!”

Marvin and the other monkeys leaped to safety just in time. Mrs. Bird had saved their lives. Marvin thought back to the eggs he had spared and realized that the good deed had been returned.

Submitted by the following South African au pairs living in Massachusetts, 2004
Sarah Ryley
Taryn Jerrier
Nonjabulo Ngcobo

Ingredients

• 1 cup diced cooked meat (ham, beef, turkey, or your favorite)
• 2 cups cooked, peeled and diced beets
• 2 cups cooked, peeled and diced potatoes
• 1 cup cooked beans (your favorite)
• 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced
• 3 hard boiled eggs, sliced
• 6 small sweet pickles, chopped
• Oil and Vinegar for dressing

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients in a large salad bowl.
2. Add salt and pepper to taste. Let each guest prepare his or her own dressing.

Russia has holidays in both the winter and summer that each last more than a week!

Russian White Nights takes place in June at the time of the summer solstice. In St. Petersburg the nights are so short from June 21-29 that the sky appears white (or light gray). Twilight only lasts 30-40 minutes. Why are the nights so short in summer in St. Petersburg? The city has many light colored buildings so it looks particularly nice in this light. The time is celebrated with a festival that focuses on ballet, folk dancing, opera and musical theatre. Performers come from all over Russia and about a quarter of a million people attend the festivities.

After the revolution in 1917 it was not acceptable to practice religion. As a result Father Frost became a symbol of the Russian winter and the festival of arts and time of partying from December 25 to January 5. There are outdoor parties and troika (sleigh) rides, and dancing around fir trees. Father (or Grandfather) Frost brings gifts on New Year’s Eve. He wears a red robe and black boots and has a white bear and a helper called Snow Girl. Does her remind you of another popular holiday figure? Since 1992 many of the old traditions are again being celebrated in Russia. What happened in 1992 that would account for the difference?

Ingredients

• 800 ml milk (3 ½ cups)
• 4-5 tablespoon sugar burnt
• 1 kg apple (2 ¼ pounds)
• 5 eggs
• 5 tablespoon sugar
• Vanilla (about 2 teaspoons)
• Cinnamon (about 1 teaspoon)
• Raisins (1/2 Cup)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

1. Put the 4-5 tbsp. sugar in a middle size pot and let the sugar burn.
2. Mix 5 eggs with 800 ml milk and with 5 tbsp sugar
3. When the sugar is caramelized add the combined milk and sugar in the pot and add cinnamon, raisins and vanilla to taste
4. In that milk mixture add 1 kg apple without skin and cut in medium parts.
5. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 10-15 minutes until the top is brown.
6. Turn the pot with the cake inside an a large plate. You can decorate with whipped cream.

*To Make a cake by 4 eggs:

1. If you make with 4 eggs, you have to separate the white part of the eggs from the yellow part.
2. In a bowl beat the whites until stiff but not dry.
3. In another bowl mix the yellows with 5 tbsp sugar.
4. Mix all that together with 5 tbsp flour and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Be careful and mix slowly.
5. Put this batter in the pot after the apples are brown.
6. Bake in a 375 grade oven for 30 minutes or till a wooden toothpick comes out clean.
7. Turn the pot with the cake inside an a large plate. You can decorate with whipped cream.

Submitted by Renata Moca 2003, au pair in Illinois

Ingredients

• 3lbs. sauerkraut
• 2lbs green cabbage, chopped like sauerkraut
• 2lbs. ham with bone, pork spareribs or pork rib roast
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 2 bay leaves
• 1oz. dried mushrooms, chopped
• 1lb. Polish smoked sausage, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 20 black peppercorns
• 1lb. Polish white sausage with garlic, cubed
• 10 allspice berries
• 1 lb. bacon, cut up
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 11 cups beef broth, bouillon or water

Instructions

1. Rinse sauerkraut with cold water, drain well.
2. In a large stockpot, combine sauerkraut, ham or pork, bay leaves, mushrooms, peppercorns, allspice and salt.
3. Add 6 cups broth, bouillon or water. Cook uncovered, 15 min. over medium heat.
4. Cover and simmer over low heat 45 minutes. Remove meat. Let meat cool.
5. Place cabbage in a large saucepan. Add remaining 5 cups broth, bouillon or water. Bring to boil.
6. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat, 1 hour or until cabbage is tender. Add to sauerkraut mixture.
7. Bone cooked meat; Cut the meat into 1/2-inch cubes.
8. Melt butter or margarine in a large skillet. Add cooked meat, smoked sausage and white sausage. Saute over medium heat 10 min or until browned. Add to sauerkraut mixture.
9. In same skillet, saute` bacon over medium heat until crisp. Drain bacon on paper towels. Add to sauerkraut mixture. Cover; cook over low heat 1 hour or longer.
10. Remove and discard bay leaves. Serve hot. Makes 12 to 14 servings.

USE ONLY MEAT WITH LARGE BONES, SO BONES CAN BE REMOVED EASILY.THE SECRET OF OLD-TIME BIGOS IS THAT IT IS BETTER AS IT’S REHEATED ON SUCCESSIVE DAYS, PEAKING AT THE 6TH OR 7TH DAY. IN BETWEEN, STORE COVERED IN THE REFRIGERATOR.

Contributed by Magdalena Popek, au pair in Illinois 2004

A Folk Tale from Poland
The Three Princesses

It happened a long, long time ago, so long that no one knows whether it is true or not, but we believe that it is.

In a large castle with thousands of towers, windows and doors lived three princesses. They were very beautiful and dressed only in the best dresses, covered in ribbons and lace. And on their feet they wore golden shoes. Their affection for clothing was so great, the dressmakers and the shoemakers could not keep up with their demands.

All day long in the castle, music played and the three princesses did their favorite thing of all. They danced. They did not want to study, they did not want to work, or even go outside to play or for a walk.

The King and Queen were getting worried because, although the three princesses were beautiful, no princes would stay long enough to absorb their loveliness. The princesses were to become Queens one day and every Queen must know much more than how to dance. Being a wife of a King was a very difficult thing.

One day, the King got some news about a fortune teller that lived in his kingdom. After a long search for her, the King finally found the fortune teller and invited her to his castle. When she arrived at the castle, the King was very shocked to see a very tired and old looking woman, holding a broom. He did not picture her this way.

” I was brought here to sweep,” said the old lady, and before the King had a chance to think, the old lady began to wave her broom stick. With one wave of her broomstick, everyone in the castle disappeared, including the King and Queen, the servants and the musicians. A strange silence fell over the castle and the three princesses were left alone.

“We can sing and dance by ourselves,” said the first princess.

“Yes, yes.” agreed the second princess.

” Yes, now we have more room to dance and no one will tell us what to do,” exclaimed the third princess.

So the princesses continued to dance and sing. They sang and danced until the evening, when it started to get dark and the girls were beginning to get hungry. So they decided to have supper. The oldest princess, called for the servants to bring their dinner to the table, but all she heard in response was an echo. The girls decided to go to the kitchen, but when they looked inside and there was no one there, and nothing was ready for them to eat, they began to cry.

The oldest princess realized that she must take charge and said, ” Don’t be scared, this is only a dream and we’ll wake up soon.”

The princesses were so tired and hungry that they didn’t have the strength to go to their own beds to sleep. So they sat down at the kitchen table to rest their heads, and fell asleep. They stayed there until the sun’s rays started to shine through the kitchen window.

But unfortunately, when the girls awoke, the kitchen was still empty and they were now even more hungry.

“If there is no one here inside the castle, maybe everyone is hiding outside” said the middle princess. So the three of them ran outside to see if anyone was there. They ran into the garden but they only saw flowers and trees. Underneath one of the trees, they saw a little squirrel holding a nut in its paws. The girls approached the squirrel:

“Can we have that nut you have in your paws?” They asked the squirrel in unison.
“Well why haven’t you been gathering nuts?” asked the squirrel.

“I am collecting nuts for the winter and have been for a long time now. Look at all of the nuts laying underneath the tree,” proclaimed the squirrel.

The princesses looked at each other and then looked under the tree and saw lots and lots of nuts.

“We have to get a basket and start gathering the nuts,” said the oldest princess.

So the three princesses began to gather the nuts. When they were done, they sat down to eat and they noticed that the nuts they collected themselves tasted so much better than any other nuts they have tasted.

“We were lazy, and forgot how to do anything for ourselves,” said the middle princess with lowered head.

“I want our mother to return,” said the youngest princess.

And then the old fortune teller, carrying her broom, approached the princesses. She handed her broom to the oldest princess and said, “I see that each of you has proven yourself to be very smart and if you clean up the castle, everything will be back to normal, and you’ll be able to dance again when the time is right.”

The fortune teller disappeared and the girls knew that there was a lot of work to be done, because the castle was big and they wanted to see their parents so much. When the night came, the girls were so tired that they fell asleep right away. But when they awoke, they saw their parents, the King and Queen, standing by their bedsides. Everything was as it was before that nightmare had begun. Everything except for one detail: from that day on, the princesses studied and worked hard and afterwards, when they had time remaining, they danced and sang. And everybody in the castle was happy.

Only the King once in a while scratches his head and wonders if what happened was real, or was it simply all a dream.

Submitted by Karolina Palka, a Polish au pair living in Massachusetts in 2004