An odd encounter.. a memory forever...

it ws a better winters morning.. which is quite odd living in bathurst.. and here i am sitting outside an ice cream parlour.. ice creams and winter.. a combination any kid would swear by.. to a child theres nothing odd about having an ice cream even if it ws in the north pole!.. after weeks of nagotiations and well earned good behaviour we headed off to THE ice cream spot in bathurst....

sitting out .. beating the icy chilly wind.. enjoying and cherishing each and every scene.. thinking about the days and times we ve walked passed this street, these seats.. when the number of months before our next big move comes closer to the end.. i try to take in the experience of the sights,sounds and the energy a bit closer to heart.. soon all that i see would end up as a memory.. that i would hold so dear to my heart.. these streets and parks have seen my son take his first steps.. utter his first words.. played with his first ball .. fed ducks with his own bare hand.. dropped his first cone of ice cream.... tumbled whilst trying to run with his squeeky pair of shoes.. all these memories....

so here we are enjoying our bubble gum,sofala gold flavoured ice creams...outside in the cold.. an elderly couple keeps heading towards our table... and the moment i notice them i know that this lady has something to tell me.. she taps onto my shoulder and goes... 'excuse me'....and im wondering... did i take over the table that she had reserved for her self? did my husband ignore the queue when placing the order? was i being loud? and then she utters the most UNanticipated few words... 'i think you look lovely with your scarf, i was sitting over there and admiring how beautiful you looked in it.. !!!'.. what???? my scarf is NOT a fashion statement or is it provocative .. it is merely a symbol of a race and religion that since of late has been ridiculed, doubted and frowned upon..It symbolises a choice that brought me negative perceptions, unacceptance and racism.. It made me see things and people for what it/they were truly made of .. this scarf made me put more of myself out there .. because i had to let my words and my behaviour over ride the perceptions and opinions the society held for us and our attire... but amidst all this minute battles ... it gave me the best sense of reality.. in friends, in people, in myself.. It made me realise the true meaning of a blissful existance.. i surround myself with reality.. which in turn brings me real happiness...

An odd encounter, an odd comment, a compliment,an encouragement and acceptance to myself and an entire community. A memory for life.....

Tomato Pasta Sauce with Anchovies and Basil

4 cloves of garlic

1 onion chopped

3 or 4 anchovies chopped

3 medium sized tomatoes chopped

1 Tbs tomato paste

2 Tbs of olive oil

half a bunch of basil leaves

few dollops of ricotta (low fat) cheese for garnishing.. 

1. Fry the garlic and then add the onions onto the olive oil till they turn golden brown.
2. Add the anchovies together with the onions.
3. Stir in the tomato paste and add the tomatoes.
4. Add some hot water(about half a cup) to get it into a thick sauce consistency..
5. Let it simmer for about 10 mins adding salt and pepper to taste.
6. Add the boiled pasta onto the sauce and let it cook in the sauce for about 2 mins.
7. Finally turn the heat off and add the choped basil leaves.
8. Garnish with a few dollops of ricotta cheese..the measurements above would be sufficient for a single batch of pasta per the recipe given in an earlier posting on 'making pasta at home'.

• Anchovies are small fish(that is similar to sprats in sri lanka, eventhough i wouldnt suggest substituting anchovies with sprats!) usually available canned and preserved in oil. the number of anchovies you would like to add to this recipe depends on how much flavour you would like in your sauce. adding a couple or 3 would not make the sauce taste extensively fishy. but it does have an impact on the overall flavour.
• You can substitue basil leaves with fresh parsely or any herb of your choice.
• If ricotta cheese in unavailble, you can use any soft cheese with a low salt content.
• I always like to cook my pasta half way in boiling water and the rest in the sauce.. so that the flavour gets into the pasta rather than merely coating it...

As an asian by origin, pasta is not our favoured choice of meal. eventhough we would have it occasionally it is not something most asians (specially the older generation) would ask for. But when you live away from your comfort zone you need to make adjustments and learn to appreciate new flavours and tastes. This recipe went very well with my 3 year old. and i ws happy because i knew what went into the sauce. The anchovies and greens especially. i used low fat ricotta so that it would be a better option for me and my husband.