Dumplings.  Around the world there are many different kinds of dumplings and people will probably not agree on what 'real' dumplings are.  Italians will say it's gnocchi or ravioli;  Koreans call it mandu and love serving it in soups during winter; in India you will probably experience a taste sensation like nowhere else in the world eating their take on dumplings, called samosa; and every other country probably has their own variation and name for it.  Louis and I went over to our friend Yang's house to learn how to make Chinese dumplings, called jiaozi.    In Sichuan Province (Southwest China), where Yang is from, people eat jiaozi with a vinegar and chili dipping sauce.  It's hot!  Chinese people also traditionally eat jiaozi on Chinese New Year's Eve and special occations. 

Elbert Hubbard said that a friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.  That is certainly the kind of friends we have in Leon and Santjie.  Even though they know us well, they still love us. And we love them too.  Sharing our love of food and flavours of different cultures, we have eaten many delicious meals together with them.  Although we have all left Korea now, where we became friends, we will definitely share many more meals with them in the future.  It is one of those things that you are absolutely sure about. Santjie is the wisest  woman I have ever met, and probably will ever meet.  Not only is she talented with a paintbrush, but she knows how to create a symphony of colours on a plate as well.  As I write this post, I am reminded how flavourful these cute little shrimp paintings, called Po Boys, were. Santjie and Leon, thank you for always inviting us, and so many others, into your kitchen!   

If there is one thing that I have learned from Korean culture, it is to share what I have with others. Especially food.  Sure,  I have always been taught to share my toys with my friends, but we can learn a lot from Koreans about sharing and giving.  The same is true about my good friend Kim Sumin and her family.  We were received as guests in their kitchen and with Sumin as our translator, her mom taught us how to make 김밥 gimbab and  된장찌개 doenjangjjigae {recipe and pictures coming soon in Korean Cooking Lesson #2}.

Korean people are very proud of their food.  And I have to be honest,  I have grown very fond of Korean food and find it rather disappointing when others don't share the sentiment.  Not only is it super tasty, but it is rather healthy too.  At least, healthier than a hamburger and chips or some of the things we 'westerners' eat so much of.  Doenjang jjigae is one of those meals that Koreans love no matter what time of the day it is.  For breakfast, lunch or even after a meal at dinner time.  We have also grown to love the heart warming flavours of doenjang jjigae! 

The rainbow nation.. South Africa. Because of all the different cultures who call that beautiful country their home.  If South Africa is the rainbow nation, then our friend Aaron Rangoonwala is the rainbow man.  I remember the first time I asked Aaron where he is from. He answered with a smile.  With Aaron, the "where are you from" question does not yield a short and simple answer.  He is American, Pakistani, Tanzanian, Kenyan, and I like to think also a little bit South African.  When he tells stories about growing up in Kenya and South Africa, you soon come to realize that he has a deep love and admiration for Africa.    After two years of working and living in Korea, he decided that it was time to embark on new adventures and before leaving he came over to my tiny kitchen and made a shrimp curry.  Thank you for sharing your family's secrets on making a good curry, Aaron!