Author Jorge Amado

In  December, I have decided not to write any book reviews, but instead to help you discover and recommend to you two great writers. Here is the first one, Jorge Amado.

Jorge Amado was born on August 12, 1912 in Ilhéus, Bahia, whose society he portrays in acclaimed novels such as Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon. His father was a cocoa planter and his first novel, Cacao, published when he was nineteen, is a plea for social justice for the workers on the cocoa estates south of Bahia. The theme of class struggle continued to dominate his novels in the 1930s and 40s, but with the 50s and Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon (1958), the political emphasis gave way to a lighter, more novelistic approach. It was in this novel, published in the United States when Amado was fifty and enthusiastically received in some fourteen countries, that he first explored the rich literary vein pursued in Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands. Jorge Amado died in 2001.

Jorge Amado has been called “one of the greatest writers...also the most entertaining”. I totally agree with that. In fact, he is one of my preferred writers. I laugh so much when I read his books that people around me think I’m mad. He is the only author I know who has the ability to make the most dramatic and sad situation seem funny, even anecdotal. In his books, he describes a group of characters that are linked in some way to each other. He has great attention to detail for each of the characters, he even gives them nicknames. These multiple characters come to life and create a community or a town. We get carried away by their lives, their world.

Countdown to Christmas!

Hello Everyone,

I’m back from a two week break, feeling refreshed and ready to go... I hope you have been having fun while I’ve been away?

Look at what Sweetheart gave to me so that I could count down the days to Christmas. Do you follow the advent calendar tradition?

Lots of Love

I can almost hear “Jingle Bells”

Hello everyone!

I hope you are entering the festive season with your best foot forward and feeling excited by all the beautiful and magical things these next two months have to offer us. For a brief moment, we can dream and, why not, go back to childhood memories. After all, that’s what Christmas is all about.

Well, returning to the news, I will not be around for these next two weeks, I will see you here in 15 days... December is a magical month and I am looking forward to sharing some very nice little things with you.

But before then, a little bit of about what makes up the euphoria of Christmas. We have already been through the initial phase: just after Halloween shop windows abandon their frightening decorations to make way for “Santa Claus & Co.”

In the streets, huge Christmas trees are starting to pop up and the shopping centres and stores compete with each other with their beautiful Christmas decorations.

I lose myself in these Christmas things. I have already bought a gift for myself and for Sweetheart in the first week of November! I must say that it was love at first sight; it was exactly what I wanted, but I did not think I would find it. I love it when that happens, it is a sign of a well spent day and a mission fulfilled.

I have also bought some Christmas chocolates, some “pain d’épices fourrés aux noisettes” (gingerbread filled with hazelnuts) and the star of Italian Christmas puddings, a panettone. This Christmas we will spoil ourselves with a “panettone marrons glacés et raisins” (panettone with glazed chestnuts and raisins). In case you want to get beautiful ones, pay a visit to the Terra Nossa Italian restaurant and grocery shop (Rue Jean-Violette 8 in the Plainpalais neighbourhood). You will lose your head over their extraordinary tasty homemade panettone, specially delivered from Italia…. Hmm, I can’t wait to taste it…

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention to you a cute decoration and stationery shop L'Échappéé Belle situated in Carouge at 1 Rue Saint-Victor. . A cute boutique that is full of beautiful Christmas decorations as well as pretty stationery things and cool gift ideas.

Now, I leave you and I hope you have enjoyed this post. So, see you in 15 days...

Lots of love

Chai Tea... spicy, sweet and absolutely wonderful!

At  a gorgeous spa I used to go to in Kuala Lumpur, I had the honour of tasting this delicious, warm and wonderful drink for the very first time. They kindly gave me their Chai recipe. I have slightly adapted the spice and sweetness level and I have found the perfect recipe for my palate.

When I returned back home, I integrated Chai Tea into my routine. I drink it as a cure once or twice a month, although Asians traditionally consume it on a daily basis with friends and family and even serve it as an accompaniment to food. I sometimes add miniature cakes, like this gorgeous plate.

There are many ways to make Chai. The way that I learned and that I make Chai is relatively easy; I place all the ingredients in a saucepan with cold water and let the mixture come to a slow boil and turn a beautiful, rich colour. Then, I turn off the heat and add loose leaf tea. I strain the tea before serving.

You can use tea bags instead; allow it to brew for a few minutes (typically 3-5 minutes for black tea). Remove the tea bags. When ready, add three tablespoons of milk and stir to mix it. Pour into a cup; you can decorate with a cinnamon stick.

What makes the Chai Tea so special is all the balanced blend of cloves, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and black pepper...Here is my mixture, but feel free to change to suit your palate!

Ingredients (makes 3-4 mugs):

1 litre of water

2 teaspoons loose tea leaves (I use Earl Grey) or 2 black tea bags

1 cinnamon stick (plus an optional one for decoration)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

1 teaspoon cardamom seeds

1/2 teaspoon whole cloves

1/2 teaspoon finely ground nutmeg

1 tablespoon fresh ginger

1 tablespoon cane sugar

3 tablespoons milk

The history of Chai, from a book.

“Chai is traditionally a spicy, sweet, milky tea mixed with cardamom, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and ginger. “Marsala Chai”, literally translated from Hindu, means “spiced tea”. The refreshing and healing power of these herbs is said to calm the mind and nurture the spirit. The Chai tradition originated during colonial India. The British introduced the Indians to the idea of adding milk to tea and the Indians took the practice a step further by blending spices with milky tea…and along came Chai.”

Jean-Pierre Rosselet...Skin Expert

Hello ladies (gents, welcome too)!

Today I want to talk about a little known brand - Jean-Pierre Rosselet, a swiss brand that has been in existence for 32 years. Indeed, after having presented my “My Favourites” last August, I prepared this article. I have been using this Deep Cleansing Peeling Mask for many years now and it is fabulous.

It  is thanks to my beautician that I got to know their range of face care products. I chose this mask since it amazed me because it is a purifying peeling mask and that’s what my skin needs.

This Deep Cleansing Peeling Mask is sold in a 50 ml pot which does not take much room in your holiday packing. This two-in-one product was specifically created to cleanse combination skin. The nourishing mask with a highly active mint perfume is a true burst of freshness on the skin. In addition, it does not contain parabens.

Personally, I use it once a week after washing my face. I put a bit of Peeling Mask with a little water in the palm of my hand, then I apply it to my face and massage gently with my fingertips using circular movements. I then leave the product to work for 15-20 minutes as a cosmetic mask.

Once I rinse the product off, my skin is matte, looks very soft and is much clearer. Indeed, with use over time, it removes impurities and makes my pores less visible by tightening the skin, which is smoother, more uniform and radiant!

In short, this Deep Cleansing Peeling Mask is excellent and good value for money (it costs CHF 25.00)

It is available for sale exclusively in some beauty salons, but you can order it via the internet.

Jean-Pierre Rosselet Cosmetics

http://www.jp-rosselet.ch/fr/produits/jpr-professional-beauty

China Dolls by Lisa See (2014)

San Francisco, 1938. While war is brewing in Europe, the International Exhibition is about to open its doors. Three young Chinese-American women - Grace, Helen, and Ruby - with different trajectories, meet by chance at the Forbidden City, a chic and exclusive night club. Grace Lee, an American of Chinese origin, left the Midwest to escape an abusive father. Helen Fong wants to escape the shackles of her traditionalist Chinese family. Meanwhile, the sublime Ruby Tom defies the conventions of the time with her provocative attitude and boundless ambition. The three become best friends and together face the unexpected and a reversal of fortune. But the attack on Pearl Harbor soon comes to shake up their lives. Will they find the courage and determination to make their dreams a reality?

Although they have taken a “one for all” vow of eternal loyalty, each harbours secrets that cause a pervasive atmosphere of distrust to simmer just below the surface.

Author: Lisa See is a Chinese American writer. She was born on 18 February 1955 in Paris and lives in Los Angeles, the city where her great-grandfather immigrated when he left his Chinese village early last century to become the godfather of Chinatown in Los Angeles.

It was with the novel “Snow flower and the secret fan” (2005) that she met with real success. She has so far published 10 books. Her latest novel is China Dolls.

My thoughts: I learned about Lisa See recently, thanks to Judy’s “Keep the Wisdom” blog. I liked her review and I was curious to discover this female writer.

I found the book to be a fascinating portrait of life as Chinese-American women in the America of the 1940’s. China Dolls is the story of three Asian girlfriends.

There is Grace, who is graceful, naive and a very good dancer. In order to escape her village and a brutal father, she flees to California. In her struggle to find a job, she crosses the path of Helen, a native of San Francisco and daughter of a wealthy Chinese businessman in Chinatown.

The life of Helen, which was previously filled with boredom and loneliness, changes through her contact with Grace. When auditioning as cabaret dancers in the Forbidden City in Chinatown, they meet Ruby (a Japanese posing as a Chinese). She is carefree and full of cunning. The three become friends and stick together in hard times and in this America filled with prejudice towards Asians.

We discover their parallel stories and thoughts which are narrated by each of them. This is a very original approach to writing and Lisa See is a true discovery for me (thanks, Judy!). I was intrigued and fascinated by this novel. I liked the story of the friendship between these three young women: not always easy, made of multiple noble actions and less noble feelings at times. But they knew how to stick together and believed in the power of friendship. I, myself, cherish long term friendships, not flash in the pan acquaintances.

Olive Oil Cake

This recipe was given to me a long time ago by the grandmother of a Portuguese friend who grew up in the Alentejo.

The Alentejo is one of the most beautiful regions of Portugal. It is located southeast of Lisbon and north of the Algarve. It has a medieval, Roman and Arab heritage and its rich gastronomy is one of my favourites, I must say.

This delicious cake has a very distinctive flavour given by the olive oil, honey, cinnamon and the “Erva Doce”. Erva Doce is a mixed spice widely used in Portuguese cooking.

As you can see from the photos, my cake got overcooked, but, you know what? It tasted divine and it smelled really nice in my kitchen.

Ingredients:

2 dl olive oil

2 dl honey

4 eggs

170 g sugar

200 g self-raising flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon “Erva Doce” (you will find it in Portuguese grocery shops)

Preparation:

1. Mix the olive oil, honey, sugar and eggs, beating well for about 10 minutes.

2. Add the cinnamon and the Erva Doce and the self-raising flour and mix very well.

3. Pour the dough into a large savarin mould, well-greased with butter and sprinkled with flour.

4. Place it in the oven at 180°C to bake for about 40 minutes (check that it is cooked).

5. Once cooked unmould the cake and let it cool.

Serves 12

Note: You can prepare a smaller cake by using the half of the ingredients mentioned here.