February 9, 2010

Kosher Meals on Cathay Pacific

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After Air France and Swissair in 2007, I have now tried the economy class kosher meals on Cathay Pacific.

The first meal was lunch: Greek Style Mushrooms, minced lamb with pasta, brownies, apple compote and a bread roll. The mushrooms were quite tasty. The meat had been cooked like a bolognese sauce, with carrots and tomatoes, but with lamb instead of beef, which was a pleasant variation. The dessert was not great but acceptable.

There was a certificate on the sealed tray which indicated that the meat was glatt kosher and the roll mezonot,

I used to think that this was to make things easier for the traveller as far as the brachot are concerned but having read the OU’s guide to blessings, I am not so certain. What do you think?

The next meal was nine hours later and, since we were to land in the morning, was breakfast. It corresponded more to my idea of an Israeli breakfast than a European one: a thin slice of turkey breast, scrambled eggs and ratatouille, another brownie and apple compote again.

My overall impression was quite good. The caterer, Servair, is much better than the English supplier of Swissair and I would recommend it to anyome travelling with Cathay Pacific. I wish however that the portions had been a bit larger and would advise big eaters to stock some food (parve as both meals contained meat) in their travel bags.

February 9, 2010

Late Nose with Red

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Taken in Paris yesterday (Monday) and posted from Hong Kong today (Tuesday).

On Tuesdays, just post any photo you like (it must be one of your own) that contains the color RED and then link to this blog.

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This lovely new badge was created by Leora from Here in HP.

February 7, 2010

Dear Students

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Unlike what you seem to imply, I don’t particularly like to be angry/mad at you. What’s more, I’d appreciate if you could learn the meaning of “deadline” and understand why I am not terribly delighted when you hand in an essay four days late.

Things would be so much easier between you and me if you could realize that some people plan their work in adavance. When I intend to mark essays on Monday afternoons – especially when I know more are coming from a different class the following days- I’d like to do it then, not a week later.

Besides try and get out of your young heads that people who are trying to teach you a few basics about target dates, consideration and politeness are not monsters who hate you but human beings who might even care about your future.

Finally it isn’t pleasant to start the weekend in a foul mood because of your nasty remarks. You are 17 or even 18, please grow up.

February 5, 2010

Weekly Review with a Little Snow

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On My Blog

Photo Memes:
- Morning View for SOOC
- Red Boats for Ruby Tuesday
- Italian Windows for Window Views

Self vs Tradition

Weekly recipe: Chicken with Red Peppers

Because You Love my Ethical Dilemmas

Elsewhere in the JBlogosphere

After reading One Above and Seven Below, Rachel asks a question about the 13 principles of faith and gets an answer

Feeding da Birds, a post by Leora

Try Lentil Bake, you’ll find the recipe at Cooking Manager

A Fake Holiday, Mrs.S. tells us about National Planting Day

Michael’s article, A New Hearing for Kol Ishah, got published by the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals

Shabbat Shalom!

February 4, 2010

Because You Love My Ethical Dilemmas

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As some of you may know, there was a problem with my cooktop a few weeks ago which meant getting a new one. For organizational and technical reasons, the new top hasn’t been installed yet.

Before it is finally fixed some verifications were necessary. Thus the electrician who set up the electrical network in the kitchen almost four years ago came this morning to examine the compatibility and safety of a socket. However he did it too quicky, decided nothing had to be changed and left. As I had some doubts about his conclusions, I checked online and in a shop and it seems he was wrong.

Fortunately the problem might soon be solved since there is another compatible socket next to the one he was supposed to change. Apparently the new top will be plugged into that one instead of the older one. The problem is that this guy didn’t do what he was supposed to do and also that he literally reeked of alcohol – at eight in the morning.

Should I get int touch with his employer and complain although we can install the new top? What should I complain about?

February 3, 2010

Italian Windows

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Window Views: window, and now doors, from all over the world can be found on Mary’s blog.

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February 2, 2010

Chicken with Red Peppers

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This is a Jewish Moroccan recipe.

Ingredients per person:
1 chicken breast
1/2 to 1 red pepper, depending on the size of the peppers
1 or 2 garlic cloves
paprika
turmeric
olive oil
choped cilantro or parsley

Cube the chicken. Slice the peppers and the garlic cloves. Mix all the ingredients in a pot, including the chopped parsley or cilantro. Add 1 tsp paprika and 1/2 tsp turmeric for 2 breast filets. Add olive oil, salt and pepper and mix.

Leave to marinate for a few hours. Cook then slowly for about 45 minutes.

February 1, 2010

Red Boats

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The first boat is a rescue boat while the third one is an old boat which is anchored in Stockholm harbor where it can be admired along with other old vessels.

On Tuesdays, just post any photo you like (it must be one of your own) that contains the color RED and then link to this blog.

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This lovely new badge was created by Leora from Here in HP.

January 31, 2010

Morning View – SOOC

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For more shots Straight Out Of the Camera:

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January 30, 2010

Self vs Tradition

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Eliette Abécassis’s latest novel, Sépharade, deals with what it means to be a young Sephardi woman in contemporary France.

Unlike her previous novels, this one is partly autobiographical. Esther Vital, a young Moroccan Jew who was born in Strasbourg, decides to marry Charles Tolédano – who is also of Moroccan Jewish descent – against her parents’ will

On the eve of the wedding, Esther discovers that the two families were linked in the past and that her union is doomed. She tries to understand what is happening to her and her investigation focuses on different characters in the novel. Through this quest for origins, Eliette Abécassis explores the history of Moroccan Jews with passion and erudition.

While telling the story of Esther Vidal, Eliette Abécassis also explores, with warmth, humor, and passion, the universal dilemma uniting the quest for individual identity with the desire for tradition. Through self-exploration Esther tries to make sense of her multiple identities. Jewish, Sephardi, French, and Alsatian; she feels traditional and modern. She is a loving daughter but wants to break free from her family.

Throughout the novel, Esther’s quest for a personal identity within a strong tradition strongly resonates with the reader’s own questioning.