My sister just turned 7 x 10, she did not really want to celebrate, but I asked if we could come for a visit anyway. We were so excited to be with her for her birthday!
I planned the trip, and we traveled two and a half hours to our son’s home, where our other sister, Sonnie, joined us. She, Gary, and I then traveled another four and a half hours to Jan’s home. The itinerary took us around Melbourne, not through, and across so many different, beautiful landscapes. It was so much nicer than battling city traffic – always a good thing as far as I’m concerned, and didn’t take much longer than if we had battled the city traffic.
Sonnie and I had prepared a special menu for Jan’s birthday meal – we based it around a comment that she had made about how much she had enjoyed the meals during her travels through Sri Lanka and the Middle East. We made lots of little dishes that could be re-heated (if necessary) upon our arrival, and served in the middle of the table for all to share. As is our way, there was always much more than we could eat!
On the night, Sonnie and I quietly contacted our sons and arranged to “do the cake” before the children were in bed, if possible. There were a few technology challenges at our end, trying to work out how to “facetime” everyone, but we got there in the end. Candles were lit, singing sung, candles blown out, and then for those of us at the table, it was time for dessert.
The cake was really just a torta caprese, a simple Italian flourless cake, but I make mine with ground walnuts rather than almonds. When I can, I like to finish the cake with strawberries, meringues and walnuts – candied or toasted. To serve we added a dollop of double cream, just because we could.
Oh, and Jan had only, just, stopped working – no she hasn’t retired, she is just no longer working. Happy birthday Jan, and happy not working, too – we all love you so much, and I’m so proud that I can call you my sister. I am soooo blessed to have two of the best, most beautiful sisters in the world.
I asked Sonnie if she would share one of her recipes for this piece, she kindly provided the recipe for Indian Dhal. This is a dish that connects us all to a beautiful, kind and generous couple who have touched our lives.
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil or ghee
- 1 brown onion diced
- 1 - 1½ cups of red lentils
- 4-5 cups of water
- 1 teaspoon Garam Masala or less if you do not like to much spice
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- Salt to taste
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Heat a pan over medium heat.
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Drizzle about 1 tablespoon of oil, or ghee, into the pan and add onions. Fry until you get some burnt edges (this adds to the flavour).
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Add the lentils, garlic, garam masala and turmeric, and stir well to combine with the onions, ensuring the everything is coated with the spices and oil/ghee.
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Add the water and bring to the boil.
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Cook until lentils are nice and soft.
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Add salt to taste.
Until next time…
Love your family, and…
Bon appétit!
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With many thanks and kindness,
Julie.
