Supporting our Local Community
Beef Curry
Ingredients
4 tbsp sunflower oil
800g beef braising steak, cut into 2.5cm pieces
2 onions, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 chillies, finely chopped, plus extra to taste
2.5cm piece fresh root ginger
4 tsp ground cumin
4 tsp ground coriander
2 tsp ground turmeric
2 x 400gcan chopped tomatoes
2 tsp garam masala
200g natural yoghurt
small handful fresh chopped coriander
Preparation method
Heat half of the oil in a frying pan and fry the beef pieces for 4-5 minutes, or until browned all over. (You may need to brown the meat in batches.) Tip the browned meat into the slow cooker.
Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan and fry the onions for five minutes, then add the garlic, chilli and ginger and fry for another 2-3 minutes. Add the spices and fry for another minute, then tip the mixture into the slow cooker.
Add the chopped tomatoes to the slow cooker, then fill one of the empty casn with water and add the water to the slow cooker.
Stir everything together, pressing down so that everything is covered in liquid and cook for 8-10 hours on low.
About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the garam masala and yoghurt and season to taste with salt and a little more chilli. Cook for a further 30 minutes, then stir in the coriander.
Less than 30 mins preparation time
Over 2 hourscooking time
Serves 4-6
Enjoy!!
Marilyn x
Family Communication using NLP Techniques
When : Wednesday 20th February 2013
Time: 8.00pm - 9.30pm
Where: Wow Action Park
Open Forum
We will be looking at how we can apply NLP Techniques to our every day life looking closely at how we communicate with our children partners & family members. By applying these techniques we can enhance communication overall, reduce relationship conflict and handle relationship disagreements.
This will be an interactive workshop; however, no-one is obliged to talk if they don’t want to.
What is NLP?
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) studies the structure of how humans think and experience the world. Subjective experience such as the feeling of love cannot be quantified but it can be modelled. From these models, techniques for quickly and effectively changing thoughts, behaviours and beliefs that limit you have been developed.
We can use these models and techniques to change thoughts, behaviours and beliefs that may be limiting us in some way.
Neuro - The mind and how we think.
Linguistic - How we use language and how it affects us
Programming - How we sequence our actions to achieve our outcome.
Elena Papadopoulos - Biography
Elena Papadopoulos, a freelance Human Resource Consultant, owner of HR-Cyprus.com. Has worked as a Human Resource professional since 1990.
Professional qualifications; Masters Degree in Human Resource Development, Postgraduate diploma in Management studies, CIPD qualified and qualified NLP Practitioner (INLPTA). A mother of 3, twins who are 4.5 and a 3 year old child who has Downs Syndrome. Founder of Families with children with special needs support group, Cyprus. Emigrated to Larnaca in 2010 originally from London.Makaton trained, CELTA qualified English Teacher. Speaks Greek and English.
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We are also delighted to Welcome LPN Mum Kara Psaroudaki fully qualified O Z Med teacher who will be treating us all to a Mini Meditation. Kara runs sell out Meditation classes in Larnaca & Nicosia so were all in for a treat !
Some benefits of meditation are
Time: 8.00pm - 9.30pm
Where: Wow Action Park
We will be looking at how we can apply NLP Techniques to our every day life looking closely at how we communicate with our children partners & family members. By applying these techniques we can enhance communication overall, reduce relationship conflict and handle relationship disagreements.
This will be an interactive workshop; however, no-one is obliged to talk if they don’t want to.
What is NLP?
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) studies the structure of how humans think and experience the world. Subjective experience such as the feeling of love cannot be quantified but it can be modelled. From these models, techniques for quickly and effectively changing thoughts, behaviours and beliefs that limit you have been developed.
We can use these models and techniques to change thoughts, behaviours and beliefs that may be limiting us in some way.
Neuro - The mind and how we think.
Linguistic - How we use language and how it affects us
Programming - How we sequence our actions to achieve our outcome.
Elena Papadopoulos - Biography
Elena Papadopoulos, a freelance Human Resource Consultant, owner of HR-Cyprus.com. Has worked as a Human Resource professional since 1990.
Professional qualifications; Masters Degree in Human Resource Development, Postgraduate diploma in Management studies, CIPD qualified and qualified NLP Practitioner (INLPTA). A mother of 3, twins who are 4.5 and a 3 year old child who has Downs Syndrome. Founder of Families with children with special needs support group, Cyprus. Emigrated to Larnaca in 2010 originally from London.Makaton trained, CELTA qualified English Teacher. Speaks Greek and English.
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We are also delighted to Welcome LPN Mum Kara Psaroudaki fully qualified O Z Med teacher who will be treating us all to a Mini Meditation. Kara runs sell out Meditation classes in Larnaca & Nicosia so were all in for a treat !
Some benefits of meditation are
- It lowers oxygen consumption.
- It decreases respiratory rate.
- It increases blood flow and slows the heart rate.
- Increases exercise tolerance in heart patients.
- Leads to a deeper level of relaxation.
- Good for people with high blood pressure as it brings the B.P. to normal.
- Reduces anxiety attacks by lowering the levels of blood lactate.
- Decreases muscle tension (any pain due to tension) and headaches.
- Builds self-confidence.
- It increases serotonin production which influences mood and behaviour. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression, obesity, insomnia and headaches.
- Helps in chronic diseases like allergies , arthritis etc.
- Reduces Pre- menstrual Syndrome.
- Helps in post-operative healing.
- Enhances the immune system. Research has revealed that meditation increases activity of 'natural-killer cells', which kill bacteria and cancer cells.
- Also reduces activity of viruses and emotional distress.
This is a sponsored event and is free of charge for more information about Larnaca Parents Network (LPN) visit www.larnacaparentsnetwork.com.
RE: driving tips for the newly-arrived: Cyprus
I've lived in Cyprus for 7 months now. This brief residency qualifies me for nothing really. At best I could be described as a happily-long-term tourist. Before we moved to Larnaca, Cypriot friends in Australia had warned me of the perils of driving and parking here.
And as a weekday pedestrian and a weekend driver, I can definitely confirm that my most incredulous moments in Cyprus have involved cars.....
- Never trust a traffic light, either as a pedestrian or a driver.
- Should you see a pedestrian waiting for the traffic lights to change, just stop the traffic and let them through, regardless of what the lights are doing. Once the (brave) pedestrian has passed your side of the road you are free to continue driving, even if the lights are red. What drivers approaching from the opposite direction do is entirely up to them (again, BRAVE pedestrian).
- When crossing one way streets, do not assume traffic will only be coming from one direction.
- Why indicate when you are changing lanes or turning corners? Make eye contact with your fellow drivers or put your arm out the window to show your intentions - it's just as effective...
- Mobile phones provide the perfect form of entertainment when driving becomes boring.
- On freeways, you will often encounter police who appear at first glance to be just standing on the hard shoulder watching the traffic – they are in fact doing just that.
- Speed limits tend to be more guidelines than rules. Feel free to increase your speed by at least 20% before you risk attracting the attention of the law.
- You will discover well-maintained, free, but underused public car parks. By some unwritten decree, these are purely for tourist use. Cypriots will park on a narrow street, blocking traffic.
- If stuck for somewhere to park, look for double yellow lines – these appear to be most popular. Corners in particular are highly sought after, as are the above mentioned narrow streets, particularly during school runs.
- And finally - a footpath is an entirely occasional and indeed, personal, concept and NOT something on which you should rely.
And as a weekday pedestrian and a weekend driver, I can definitely confirm that my most incredulous moments in Cyprus have involved cars.....
- In Cyprus, anything longer than a 5 minute walk is considered driving distance.
- Never trust a traffic light, either as a pedestrian or a driver.
- You WILL receive grief from other drivers if you DON'T run a red light.
- Should you see a pedestrian waiting for the traffic lights to change, just stop the traffic and let them through, regardless of what the lights are doing. Once the (brave) pedestrian has passed your side of the road you are free to continue driving, even if the lights are red. What drivers approaching from the opposite direction do is entirely up to them (again, BRAVE pedestrian).
- When crossing one way streets, do not assume traffic will only be coming from one direction.
- Why indicate when you are changing lanes or turning corners? Make eye contact with your fellow drivers or put your arm out the window to show your intentions - it's just as effective...
- Mobile phones provide the perfect form of entertainment when driving becomes boring.
- On freeways, you will often encounter police who appear at first glance to be just standing on the hard shoulder watching the traffic – they are in fact doing just that.
- Speed limits tend to be more guidelines than rules. Feel free to increase your speed by at least 20% before you risk attracting the attention of the law.
- You will discover well-maintained, free, but underused public car parks. By some unwritten decree, these are purely for tourist use. Cypriots will park on a narrow street, blocking traffic.
- If stuck for somewhere to park, look for double yellow lines – these appear to be most popular. Corners in particular are highly sought after, as are the above mentioned narrow streets, particularly during school runs.
- And finally - a footpath is an entirely occasional and indeed, personal, concept and NOT something on which you should rely.
Sara Harrington is an Australian living in Larnaca with her Irish husband and young daughter. When not enjoying a year's leave on a Mediterranean island, she can be found in the Radio Marketing Department of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in Sydney.
Apple and passion fruit tartlets
These crisp, custardy tartlets with fragrant sharp passion fruit are sure to win any girl's heart (or man's!!!)
Ingredients For the rough puff pastry
250g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
250g very cold butter, cut into small cubes
½ tsp salt
125ml ice cold water For the crème pâtissière
3 free-range egg yolks
120g caster sugar
20g plain flour
250ml milk
½ vanilla pod, split length ways
1 tbsp icing sugar
3 medium Cox apples, peeled and thinly sliced
3 passion fruit, pulp and seeds scraped out, to serve
Preparation method
For the rough puff pastry, place the flour in a mound onto a clean work surface and make a deep well in the centre using your fingers.
Place the butter cubes and salt into the well and, using the fingertips of one hand, work the ingredients together, gradually drawing more flour into the well with the other hand and working that in until the mixture is loosely but well combined and still with lumps of butter visible.
Gradually add the iced water and mix until fully incorporated in the mixture. (You may not need all of the water. Take care not to overwork the mixture.)
Roll the dough into a ball, wrap it in cling film and chill it for 20 minutes.
When the dough has chilled, roll it out onto a lightly floured work surface into a 40cm x 20cm/16in x 8in rectangle. Fold the rectangle into three and give it a quarter turn.
Repeat the process, giving the folded pastry another quarter turn.
Wrap the pastry in cling film and chill for a further 30 minutes.
When the dough has chilled, roll it out, as before, onto a lightly floured work surface into a 40cm x 20cm/16in x 8in rectangle. Fold the rectangle into three and give it a quarter turn.
Repeat the process, as before, giving the folded pastry another quarter turn (making a total of four turns).
Wrap the pastry in cling film and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Happy Valentine's Day!!!
250g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
250g very cold butter, cut into small cubes
½ tsp salt
125ml ice cold water For the crème pâtissière
3 free-range egg yolks
120g caster sugar
20g plain flour
250ml milk
½ vanilla pod, split length ways
1 tbsp icing sugar
3 medium Cox apples, peeled and thinly sliced
3 passion fruit, pulp and seeds scraped out, to serve
Preparation method
For the rough puff pastry, place the flour in a mound onto a clean work surface and make a deep well in the centre using your fingers.
Place the butter cubes and salt into the well and, using the fingertips of one hand, work the ingredients together, gradually drawing more flour into the well with the other hand and working that in until the mixture is loosely but well combined and still with lumps of butter visible.
Gradually add the iced water and mix until fully incorporated in the mixture. (You may not need all of the water. Take care not to overwork the mixture.)
Roll the dough into a ball, wrap it in cling film and chill it for 20 minutes.
When the dough has chilled, roll it out onto a lightly floured work surface into a 40cm x 20cm/16in x 8in rectangle. Fold the rectangle into three and give it a quarter turn.
Repeat the process, giving the folded pastry another quarter turn.
Wrap the pastry in cling film and chill for a further 30 minutes.
When the dough has chilled, roll it out, as before, onto a lightly floured work surface into a 40cm x 20cm/16in x 8in rectangle. Fold the rectangle into three and give it a quarter turn.
Repeat the process, as before, giving the folded pastry another quarter turn (making a total of four turns).
Wrap the pastry in cling film and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
For the crème pâtissière, in a bowl, whisk the egg yolks and 20g/¾oz of the caster sugar together to a ribbon consistency. You may want to use an electric whisk to do this.
Gradually whisk in the flour until smooth and well combined.
In a saucepan, bring the milk, 40g of the sugar and the vanilla pod to the boil. As soon as the mixture starts to boil, gradually pour the hot milk mixture onto the egg yolk mixture, stirring continuously.
Return the mixture to the pan and bring to the boil again, whisking continuously. Simmer for 1-2 minutes, then remove from the heat and transfer the mixture to a bowl.
Dust the crème pâtissière with a layer of icing sugar to prevent a skin from forming as it cools. (Once cool, the mixture can be kept in the fridge for up to three days. Remove the vanilla pod before using.)
Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
Roll the rough puff pastry out onto a lightly floured surface to a 2mm/eighth of an inch thickness. Cut out six discs using a 12cm/5in pastry cutter.
Line a baking sheet with baking parchment and brush with a little cold water. Transfer each of the pastry discs onto it using a palette knife. Chill the pastry in the fridge for 20 minutes. Prick the pastry discs several times with a fork.
Spread equal amounts of the crème pâtissière mixture evenly onto each of the pastry discs, leaving a narrow margin free at the edge of each pastry disc.
Arrange the apple slices in a fan on top of the crème pâtissière mixture, starting in the centre of each disc and working outwards to the edges.
Transfer the tartlets to the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the pastry has risen and is pale golden-brown. Sprinkle generously with the remaining 60g of caster sugar, then return to the oven and cook for a further 4-5 minutes, or until the sugar has caramelised.
Remove the tartlets from the oven and immediately transfer them to a wire rack, using a palette knife. Set aside to cool.
To serve, place one of the cooled tartlets onto each of six serving plates and spoon over equal quantities of the passion fruit pulp.
Over 2 hourspreparation time
10 to 30 minscooking time
Makes 6
Gradually whisk in the flour until smooth and well combined.
In a saucepan, bring the milk, 40g of the sugar and the vanilla pod to the boil. As soon as the mixture starts to boil, gradually pour the hot milk mixture onto the egg yolk mixture, stirring continuously.
Return the mixture to the pan and bring to the boil again, whisking continuously. Simmer for 1-2 minutes, then remove from the heat and transfer the mixture to a bowl.
Dust the crème pâtissière with a layer of icing sugar to prevent a skin from forming as it cools. (Once cool, the mixture can be kept in the fridge for up to three days. Remove the vanilla pod before using.)
Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
Roll the rough puff pastry out onto a lightly floured surface to a 2mm/eighth of an inch thickness. Cut out six discs using a 12cm/5in pastry cutter.
Line a baking sheet with baking parchment and brush with a little cold water. Transfer each of the pastry discs onto it using a palette knife. Chill the pastry in the fridge for 20 minutes. Prick the pastry discs several times with a fork.
Spread equal amounts of the crème pâtissière mixture evenly onto each of the pastry discs, leaving a narrow margin free at the edge of each pastry disc.
Arrange the apple slices in a fan on top of the crème pâtissière mixture, starting in the centre of each disc and working outwards to the edges.
Transfer the tartlets to the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the pastry has risen and is pale golden-brown. Sprinkle generously with the remaining 60g of caster sugar, then return to the oven and cook for a further 4-5 minutes, or until the sugar has caramelised.
Remove the tartlets from the oven and immediately transfer them to a wire rack, using a palette knife. Set aside to cool.
To serve, place one of the cooled tartlets onto each of six serving plates and spoon over equal quantities of the passion fruit pulp.
Over 2 hourspreparation time
10 to 30 minscooking time
Makes 6
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