October 31, 2021

Happy Halloween actual! ๐ŸŽƒ ๐Ÿ‘ป – I did subtle ๐Ÿฆ‡ wings today for my trip to stock up on crafting supplies ๐Ÿงถ

October 30, 2021

๐Ÿ™Œ I get 2 Halloweens, since I thought it was today ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿฌ๐ŸŒฝ๐Ÿ•ท

October 29, 2021

Go, me! Canโ€™t say Iโ€™m retaining much – and certainly canโ€™t hold a conversation, but at least Iโ€™m getting more familiar with Arabic letters

October 28, 2021

Home again

October 27, 2021

A very warm vendor on our food tour – who, despite the shy smile, is a fantastic purveyor of spices & sauces – and a hell of a walnut brandy maker.

October 26, 2021

Soviet architecture tour – here, an abandoned archaeology museum project near the site of an important grave find that dates habitation in this area back to when humans were using clay pot burials. Now it houses friendly stray puppers.

October 25, 2021

Took an excellent wine tour – sampled wines in the traditional Georgian style (seeds, stems & skins left in to naturally ferment) & Georgian wine made in the European style (seeds, stems & skins removed), watched a Nana make clay oven bread, learned how to make Kachapuri (Georgian cheesy bread), visited a nunnery, walked the wall in the town of love (where you can get married in Georgia only), and had an excellent lunch. It was a full day but a fun one.

October 24, 2021

Picking a favorite shot from todayโ€™s bop around Tbilisi ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ชโ€™s Old Town was hard, this city has a beauty to it – so Iโ€™ll go with peeks of Fall as we descend the funicular railway ๐Ÿšƒ – I posted todayโ€™s Top 10 shots on Instagram @gastography

October 23, 2021

Back at that airport life

Lamb Meatballs with Sticky Tamarind Sauce

Yes, more meatballs. Iโ€™m on a kick. This recipe also reminded me why I no longer cook meat on the stovetop. Iโ€™ll bake these instead of pan frying next time, basting the meatballs halfway through cooking.

gluten-free, paleo

Lamb Meatballs with Sticky Tamarind Sauce

1 lb. ground lamb

2 Tbsp. curry powder

1 Tbsp. turmeric powder

1/2 small onion, minced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp. ground ginger

1/4 c. cilantro, chopped

2 tsp. baking soda dissolved in 1 Tbsp. water

Salt & pepper

Set a large frying pan over medium-high heat with a Tablespoon or so of your favorite neutral oil.

Combine all ingredients by hand and form into meatballs, dropping into the pan as you go.

Let fry until the first side has released from the pan and is browned. Flip.

While those are working, prep the sauce.

Combine:

3 Tbsp. tamarind paste

2 Tbsp. brown sugar (or honey or date syrup)

2 Tbsp. soy sauce or coconut aminos

1 Tbsp. neutral oil

2 tsp. ground ginger

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. red chili flakes

When the meatballs are about 3/4 done, scootch over to the sides of the pan and dump all the sauce ingredients in the center. Stir, coating the meatballs, and finish cooking over medium heat.

Serves 4

An optional side (pictured)

500g microwave bag small potatoes

1/2 c. frozen peas

1 tsp. mustard seeds

1 Tbsp. mustard oil

2 Tbsp. curry powder

1 Tbsp. butter

Salt & pepper

Cook the potatoes through and then chop. In a large pan over medium-high, warm the mustard seeds in the oil until they start to pop.

Add the curry powder to bloom.

Add the potatoes and peas and hit with generous salt & pepper. Stir well to combine.

When your meatballs are 3/4 of the way done and your potatoes & peas are getting a little browned, add the butter and stir again to combine.

Pull at the same time as the meatballs.