Noon-7pm
1. Open all doors and windows to reach the appropriate temperature inside the house. Close curtains so there is some shade. Try to not open too many doors that open out onto busy streets, the Western street noise will ruin the experience.
2. Download or buy a CD from Gambian artist Jaliba Kuyateh. This will be used later.
Sunset
1. Start playing the Jaliba CD on your home speaker system. If you have an EQ turn down the bass to simulate playing on a small portable stereo system.
2. Place a large matt/rug on the ground and sit/lay down.
3. Do no turn on any lights as the sun goes down, instead light a candle or two when absolutely necessary.
4. Begin to cook Saatoe. See as follows:
Directions for Saatoe for 2 to 4
2 cups white rice
1 cup plain peanuts
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk or yogurt
1.) Pound the rice and peanuts into a fine powder.
2.) Boil about 6 cups of water.
3.) Place the powder into the boiling water being sure to stir until the boiling takes over the stirring.
4.) Let simmer until the water evaporates and the water/power becomes thick and porridge like.
5.) Pour into a large bowl and let cool.
6.) Once cooled pour in sugar and stir.
Night time
1. Place the large bowl of Saatoe on the mat and put spoons depending on number of eaters.
2. Pour milk/yogurt on the Saatoe and have everyone eat from the same bowl. Add milk/yogurt as needed for flavoring.
3. After dinner pour water from the tap into a large bucket and wash pots and utensils with the water from that bucket.
4. Read or chat by candlelight.
5. Be sure that you do not give in and use the A/C, it's all part of the experience. If there is too much outside noise turn the Jaliba CD up. When the CD is finished have it play again on repeat until you go to bed.
6. Download sound effects for donkeys and before you go to bed play the sound effect 3 to 4 times.
7. Before going to bed be sure to roll up your mat or rug, blow out all candles, and lock all doors. Go to sleep without A/C.
Enjoy!
2 comments:
Hey Todd -
Another good recipe to include goes a-little somethin' like this (which you'll also be eating if you're an education n00b in TG):
Killer Brownie Surprise
These brownies are great for all sorts of get-togethers, and they taste great, too! Just follow these simple instructions.
Ingredients:
6 Tablespoons Cocoa
1/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 Teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup flour
1 cup toasted pecans (optional)
2 eggs
8-10 Habanero Peppers (to taste)
Step 1: Prepare the Batter
- Chop Habanero peppers into very fine pieces, as fine as possible. Be sure to wear protective gloves to prevent chemical burns!
- Melt 1/4 cups of butter in a pan over very low heat. Add Habanero peppers to the butter and stir continuously to prevent burning (and to facilitate the spread of all that capsaicin goodness to the rest of teh [sic] butter)
- Measure 6 tablespoons of Cocoa powder into the mixing bowl.
- Add spicy-hot melted butter to the mixing bowl and mix thoroughly.
Step 2: Add the following ingredients to the batter:
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
Step 3: Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees
Step 4: Prepare the baking pan
Coat the sides in butter or Crisco to make sure your brownies don't stick
Step 5: Evenly pour the brownie mix into the pan.
Note: make sure that peppers aren't obviously poking out from the top. If they are, just cover them over with a little chocolate batter (finely chopping the peppers will help prevent this problem).
Step 6: Bake brownies for 35-40 minutes.
You can periodically check the brownies with a toothpick to make sure they're done.
Step 7: Remove brownies from oven and allow to cool.
Step 8: Serve and enjoy!
(the expressions on their faces, anyway)
Author's Recommendations:
The author recommends preparing two batches of brownies: one with peppers, and one without. This way, you can happily munch away on your own chocolatey pepperless treats while everyone else gets from the other, spicier batch. Then when they come to you seeking blood, you can innocently say, "what? your brownies are hot? mine taste fine, dunno what you're talking about noob."
Todd,
I wondered about Gambian-style food. Is there a cookbook or anything available for that style? Your food sounds quite...like you said (rice with rice and more rice topped with rice).
Will email you this weekend with an update (should hear back about interviews, etc, by then). There's a Scottish Festival in one of the Chicago suburbs where, among other things, they have a rugby tournament. Should be fun and I hope to get some pix.
I hope you're well.
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