CookingDiva

Felicidades a todos los miembros de la comunidad de Global Voices. La ardua labor del equipo, consistencia e innovación fueron reconocidos ayer por el Instituto de Periodismo Interactivo de la Universidad de Maryland, quienes adjudicaron a Global Voices el Gran Premio en el prestigioso 2006 Knight-Batten Awards.

From Today on Global Voices Digest by David Sasaki:

Knight-Batten Awards: And the winner is… - Congratulation to all members of the Global Voices community. The worldwide team's hard work, consistency, and innovation were recognized yesterday by the Institute of Interactive Journalism at the University of Maryland, which awarded Global Voices the Grand Prize at the prestigious 2006 Knight-Batten Awards. Managing Editor Rachel Rawlins offers her own congratulations and links to all the relevant press.

Global Food Blog Report #32 - Has the global conversation got you hungry? Not to fear, Panamanian Chef Melissa De Leòn serves up ten tasty food posts from around the world. I don't know about you, but I'm going for the Salmon Carpaccio with Herbs and Pesto from Denmark with Tanzanian Kashata for dessert.

To read the previous Global Food Blog Reports visit Global Voices Online.

Have a tasty day!

Melissa

Do not forget to Visit:

• Tasty Recipes - Chef Melissa's recipe and post index
• Blogs that Cook - A delicious, international food Blog Directory
• Paladares Unidos - Chef Melissa's Cooking blog en Español

Tags: global voices, food blogs, cookingdiva, cooking, panama, recipes, food & drink, food, chef melissa

It was 7:30 AM, September 11, 2001, and I was on my way to a client's house in Sacramento, ready to start my cooking day as a Personal Chef. Everything was perfect, I had all the cooking utensils, ingredients and containers with my logo and re-heating instructions packed in my car, it was a bright beautiful day. It was then when by the time I parked in her driveway, the radio was screaming out loud the bad news about the attack. I was shocked. I couldn't understand  such an infamy.

Even today, five years after the 9/11 attack, I do not understand the reasons. There are no excuses for all the wasted lives. The whole world changed on that day, everyone's lives changed on that day. Now, five years later I am in Panama, but the remembrance of that black day would not be forgotten.

My heart goes to the families that lost their people, and to the souls that unanticipatedly left us ...we send light and our prayers.

Stop the wars. Stop all that violence! Not oil, power, land or money justifies all the inhumane acts,  and the lives lost in the process.

That being said, lets get cooking now.

First: Find some good dry corn, the kind that has the "germ." Place it in a container with some water and cover it with plastic wrap. Open a few holes on the plastic so it can breathe and germination begins. Check it out every day, shake the container a little bit and add more water if it seems too dry. After 2-3 days it should have sprouted.

Second: Grind the corn sprouts and place in a deep pan with water to cover. Simmer for 3-4 hours. Then, ferociously press the mixture through a sieve. Then put the liquid back on a deep pan, add molasses to taste, thin with water if it seems too thick and simmer for 1 more hour.

Third: Let the mixture cool to room temperature and then bottle it and serve cold.

Fourth: IF, and only if, you want to feel the tropical beat, heat up your ears a little notch, THEN, leave the concoction out, covered, at room temperature to ferment a couple of days. If you choose to ferment it, please take note of the very important issue we address next.

Disclaimer: do not attempt to juggle knives, ride a bicycle, or do anything important after imbibition of this beverage. It is for nutritional use only. The management is not responsible for your obscene and irrational behavior.

Un abrazo!

Melissa

Do not forget to Visit:

• Tasty Recipes - Chef Melissa's recipe and post index
• Blogs that Cook - A delicious, international food Blog Directory
• Paladares Unidos - Chef Melissa's Cooking blog en Español

Tags: corn, food blogs, cookingdiva, cooking, panama, recipes, food & drink, food, chef melissa

Oh! It took me three days to prepare this beverage, just in time to celebrate BlogDay. It is called "Chicha de Maiz" (a kind of corn beverage, made with corn sprouts. It is delicious fresh, or add  extra kick by fermenting it a few days). I'll post the recipe soon, so stay tuned!

BlogDay 2006 is finally here, a tribute to worldwide blogging and freedom of expression. Isn't this beautiful? If you want to participate, check out the guidelines HERE!

Time flies, I still remember like yesterday participating last year. BlackLooks.org suggested my little blog for BlogDay2005. To take a peek to my last year's blog recommendations, please go HERE.

Now, as suggested by Rebecca, next you will get the scoop on why I do not stop blogging: