Tag Archives: Around the Word in 80 Days

Around the World in 80 Days – Argentine Milanesas or Shnitzels

Milanesas or Shnitzels

Ingredients

  • 6 veal rounds
  • 2 eggs, whipped
  • 1 cup of bread crumbs
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Dip the milanesas (veal rounds) in the whipped eggs and in the bread crumbs with salt and pepper.
  2. Shake of the excess bread crumbs.
  3. Fry the milanesas until golden, or bake in the oven at 350°F (place the milanesas in a pan, cooked them for 10 minutes, then turn them over and baked them 10 more minutes). You can make them a la napolitana with tomato sauce and mozzarella on top.

You can served them with French fries, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, salad or rice.

Submitted by Betiana Turteltaub, au pair in Villanova, Pennsylvania, 2004-2005

Photo by: Matias Berhardt {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Ireland

IRELAND

Western Europe
Capital: Dublin
Languages: English, Irish
Predominant Religion(s): Christianity (Roman Catholic, Anglican) – most other religions are represented

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Irish people are often said to have the “Gift of the Gab” (the talent of talking rings around most other people).
  • The Irish are very musical.
  • Irish people consider themselves passionate, funny and creative!

FUN FACTS:

  • The Irish flag has three vertical bands of green, white, and orange; officially the flag colors have no meaning, but a common interpretation is that the green represents the Irish nationalist (Gaelic) tradition of Ireland, orange represents the Orange tradition (minority supporters of William of Orange), and white symbolizes peace (or a lasting truce) between the green and the orange.
  • Ireland covers five-sixths of the island of the same name; the remaining one-sixth of the island is Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.
  • The world famous Guinness beer is from Ireland – it originated in the Dublin brewery of Arthur Guinness.

Photo by: Raul AB {flickr}

 

 

Around the World in 80 Days – Hunter’s Stew (Poland)

This is a recipe for Hunter’s Stew also called Bigos. It is a harmonious blend of flavors and is known as the Polish national dish.

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

Photos by: Laurel F {flickr}; Eugene Kim {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Ecuador

Ecuador

South America
Capital: Quito
Languages: Spanish (official), Amerindian languages

Au Pairs in General:

  • The idea of being an au pair is becoming common in Ecuador.
  • Applicants from Ecuador are motivated by the opportunity to improve their English and study in the U.S.
  • The job potential of an au pair improves upon her return to Ecuador.
  • Applicants sometimes have difficulty affording the program fees.
  • Young people in Ecuador have the freedom of their family to socialize and date.
  • Curfews are common.
  • In general, young women are accustomed to sharing in household chores; however, middle class applicants will have maids to perform household tasks.
  • Nudity is not acceptable in public, nor is topless sunbathing.
  • Ecuadorians are family-oriented, warm and conservative.

Diet:

  • Most young people in Ecuador eat meat.
  • Vegetarianism is becoming popular, but is not yet widespread.
  • A typical Ecuadorian diet includes rice, potatoes, and meat. Ecuador is known for its exotic fruits, fish and seafood, tasty soups, and the countless varieties of Andean potatoes.

Religion:

  • The most common religions in Ecuador are Catholicism and Protestantism.
  • Most young people in Ecuador do not practice their religion regularly.

Photo by: Rinaldo Wurglitsch {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Kite Day in Singapore

Kite Day falls on January 19. Everyone who enters the kite competitions in the Singapore Kite Festival must make his or her own kite. Some kites are huge dragons or ships with 19 sails. Judges score competitors’ kites on both artistic design and flying performance. There are team competitions too. The team has to design the kite and they are timed on how long it takes to make it fly. They also have to try to touch a target up in the air.

What do you suppose the weather is like in Singapore in January? Would you fly a kite in January where you live? Here is a link to pictures of kite festivals all over the world.

Try making a kite of your own and trying to fly it!

Around the World in 80 Days – Food in El Salvador

 

  • Most young people in El Salvador eat meat.
  • Vegetarianism is not common.
  • A typical Salvadorian diet includes beans, cheese, rice, eggs and tortillas.
  • Coffee has fueled the Salvadoran economy and shaped its history for over a century. Coffee in El Salvador has traditionally provided more than 50% of the country’s export revenues.
  • Breakfasts in El Salvador generally include a variety of food, such as eggs scrambled with vegetables (huevos picados), cheese, fried plantains (platanos fritos), mashed beans, and tortillas. Fresh tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and banana are also a common accompaniment.
  • You can find more info on foods in El Salvador here!

Photos by: Maren Barbee {flickr}, Charles Haynes {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – China

CHINA

East Asia
Capital: Beijing
Languages: Chinese (written), Mandarin (spoken)
Predominant Religion(s): Buddhism

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS: 

  • Diligent, hardworking and modest: these words are often used to describe Chinese people.
  • Collectivism is a norm in China. Chinese love group activities. Winning honour for the group is something to be proud of.
  • Chinese tend to be reserved when it comes to showing affection in public.

FUN FACTS:

  • Despite its size, China only has one time zone!
  • While the dragon is typically seen as an evil creature in Western culture, it holds first place among the four greatest creatures in Chinese mythology, along with the phoenix, tiger, and tortoise. It is typically associated with the emperor.
  • Once known as the “Kingdom of Bicycles,” now China owns the most number of electric bikes. There are over 200 million e-bikes in China!

USEFUL PHRASES:

  • How are you?             Nǐ hăo ma?
  • Fine, thanks.               Wŏ hĕn hăo, xiè xiè.
  • My name is…:             Wŏ de míng zì shì…
  • Nice to meet you.      Hĕn gāo xìng yù jiàn nĭ.
  • Thank you:                  Xiè xiè.

Family

  • Usually grandparents live with their children and grandchildren, so there are three generations in one house. Grandparents will also share the responsibility of bringing up the children. The Chinese value peace and wholeness of a family. As an old Chinese saying goes: “A harmonious family can lead to the success of everything.”
  • Chinese families attach a lot of importance to the traditional holidays, and parents like to arrange large family meals with their children.
  • Children are encouraged to develop and learn new talents such as music, calligraphy, dancing and so on from an early age.

Photos by: Stephanie Kroos {flickr}; UI International Programs {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Melktert from South Africa

Melktert – South Africa

Melktert(or Milk Tart) is a Afrikaner dessert consisting of a sweet pastry crust containing a custard filling made from milk, flour, sugar and eggs. The ratio of milk to eggs is higher than in a traditional Portuguese custard tart or Chinese egg tart, resulting in a lighter texture and a stronger milk flavor.

Crust

1 Egg

1/2 cup sugar

2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 pound butter

1 teaspoon of baking powder

5 drops of vanilla

Beat egg and sugar until the sugar is not visible.

Sift flour, salt and baking powder in a separate bowl.

Add butter and lastly the vanilla.

Mix everything together

Press it into a tart pan

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 min.

Rest of dough can be frozen for later.

 

Filling

2 tablespoons butter and 2 cups milk

Boil it with a pinch of salt.

In separate bowl, mix

2 tablespoons Corn Starch

4 tablespoons of sugar

1 beaten egg

Add it to the milk mixture

Cook it (for a little while) until a little stiff and toss in the crust.

Recipe by Danielle, an au pair from South Africa