Pumpkin and Turkey Curry

First I would like to say that I hope you had a lovely Christmas and enjoyed all that lovely food put before you!! After all, it is a time of feasting and merriment!! I've been searching for recipes these days and of course the majority of them are about Christmas dinner leftovers. In the past the most we did with our leftover turkey is sandwiches and pickle, now, I have found so many delicious ideas that I feel like cooking a small turkey just to try some of these beautiful dishes!! I finally choose this one, first because it does sound delicious, but like they say, first we eat with our eyes, and this one just jumped at me just by looking at those beautiful rich colours!! I hope you enjoy this!!

Ingredients

450g Pumpkin, peeled, and cut into 2cm cubes
2 tbsp sunflower oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, crushed
Large chillies, deseeded and finely chopped and 1 deseeded and finely sliced, to garnish
11/2 tbls Thai fish sauce
1 tbls light soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
100g green beans, trimmed
350g cooked turkey, cut into long strips
Juice of one lime, plus lime wedges to serve
2 tbls Coriander, chopped

Method

Heat the oven to 200c, 180 fan, gas 6. Place the pumpkin in a roasting tin, add half the oil, coat well and roast for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a large casserole an soften the onion for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and chilli and cook for another minute. Now add the curry paste, increase the heat and fry for a further minute. Pour in coconut milk, stirring well, then add the stock, fish sauce, soy sauce, and sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes. 

Add the green beans, turkey and roasted pumpkin, cover and simmer for 10 minutes until the turkey is piping hot and the beans are tender. Add the lime juice and three-quarters of the coriander and stir well.
To serve, scatter with chilli and coriander. Serve with rice and lime wedges on the side.

Androulla xx

A Christmas Message

An eventful year has almost come to an end, which was highlighted by a crisis that started to show its effects with the banking system collapse, meaning devastating effects for the Cypriot society and its households.

Personal income, tax revenue, profits and prices dropped, while jobless rates rocketed with thousands Cypriots having no money even for the necessary essentials.

Cyprus still continues to survive with capital controls, although individuals and businesses are able to conduct  their daily activities all be it with restrictions. The Cyprus Popular Bank split into “good” and “bad” entities and effectively shut down. Moreover, still the danger concerning the Bank of Cypriot has not yet completely gone.

The outlook of economic performance for the next few years is undoubtedly wholly negative with hundreds of Cypriots emigrating to other countries every month in search of a better life and to escape the corruption and theft (of bank accounts) that took place on a mass scale without a compassionate EU to help the man in the street of Cyprus.

Unfortunately, Cyprus may never be quite the same again!

As we approach Christmas 2013 and look back in sadness we watch, helplessly as our tradition of Christmas being eroded further and further. Consumerism, brand conscious Cypriots and showing off attitudes were extremely widespread in recent years with crazy consumers at the stores buying, consuming and ultimately dying in spirit at least.

In 2013 however much of this has changed at least for the majority of Cypriots. This Christmas Holy season, maybe we should all reflect just what Christmas truly means and remember that around the world and our country there are many others much worse off than we are.

As we witness change, the radical austerity imposed to all Cypriots may yet offer positive thing. People started to change and proof of that is the Larnaca’s Parents Network being the source of help where parents despite the current trend gave from the heart to their “Give a Gift” programme for needy children. 

Food banks and charity started for the people in need and a certain community spirit took root. Perhaps now we can judge a person by the content of their character and not by the brand they wear or the car they drive!

Let’s hope that the crisis will turn into an opportunity for us all to develop the real values of altruism and make simplicity, giving and relationships foremost in our lives.

Dear readers, Merry Christmas and we wish you a spiritually prosperous New Year in 2014.

Thank you for reading our humble Blog!

Bedtimes and bazaars

The run-up to Christmas is great if you have kids as there is no shortage of events to take them to in Larnaca, but the thing that really grinds my gears, is their late start.

We – like most parents I know in the English speaking community – feed our kids early (6pm) and get them to bed at a reasonable time for developing brains and bodies (7.30/45pm), but half these events start too late for us to attend them. It seems to be the cultural norm, and accepted for Cypriot children not go to bed until 9pm, and some later still, hence the late start times.

When I tell my family in the village that we can't come for dinner because they are inviting us at 9pm, they are incredulous and tell me off for sending my 'poor' children to bed 'with the chickens'. Then they try to tell me that the early morning wake-ups (my kids typically wake up at 6am) are because they go to bed too early. I completely refute this as we have had later nights when there is an occasion we cannot miss, and they have still been up at the crack of dawn. My kids can't handle later bedtimes, and to be honest, neither can I – parents have got to have some down time at the end of the day!

Whilst my kids (and often I) are tucked up in bed, I can hear the children of the neighbourhood running riot well past 9pm on weekdays and past midnight on weekends and the summer. Surely these children are falling asleep at their school desks, or at least, not concentrating the way they should?

Moving away from the start times and on to the events, we have been particularly bombarded with charity Christmas events this year, and they all follow the same format of 'bazaar' with handmade gifts and decorations and a bit of musical entertainment. Due to our dire situation they have been organised in their droves, and whilst I am all for the spirit of giving, we can't give to all these events and spread ourselves so thinly, especially when the majority of them are almost identical in what they offer.

In my humble opinion, the town should have organised one mega, massive, properly organised event where all the charities could combine forces and split the proceeds. I am talking about a huge extravaganza with Santa in his grotto, good quality stalls, bouncy castle, clowns, face painters, Christmas music, fairground rides, proper Christmas food and drink, big name celebrity performances, children's characters, arts and crafts, Christmas film screenings, story time and, and, and. One big, magical affair that would attract crowds from all over the island, thus making more money for charitable causes than these multiple little bazaars must be making.

I would suggest it for next year, but I am really hoping that by then everyone will be in a better position and won't be in such desperate need….

P.S… Merry Christmas!

This piece first appeared in the Cyprus Weekly newspaper Saturday 21/12/13.

Larnaca Municipality - Press Release - 23-29/12/2013

As part of the effort to provide accurate information to Larnaca citizens and to the general public regarding the activities and operations of the Town, you can read the weekly newsletter Press Release here.

www.larnaka.com

CULTURAL EVENTS
For information Larnaca Municipal Cultural Services tel 24657745 , 24629333

MUSIC
Monday, the 23rd 8:00 pm
MUNICIPAL THEATRE
Charity Christmas concert with Eleanor Zouganeli
Organizer : Association of Friends " Holy Protection ". Entrance € 20

MUSIC
Tuesday, the 24th 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
SHOPPING CENTER
Path trek Love with lights and Christmas music flutes and songs

MUSIC - DANCE - THEATRE 
Friday, the 27th - Tuesday, the 31st
10:30 a.m. - 1:00 pm & 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
SHOPPING CENTER
Christmas entertainment program music , dance , theater , games

CHARITY EVENT 
Saturday, the 28th 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 pm
SQUARE DIMITRIOY
Elementary Schools Parents Association Dew . Charity pazarakime Christmas delicacies . Part of the proceeds will go to the Social Grocery Larnaca

ANIMAL WELFARE / ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS
Saturday, the 28th 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 pm
SQUARE KIMONOS
BirdLife Cyprus . Campaign for the protection of birds and habitats and bazaar

MUSIC
Sunday, the 29th 11:00 a.m.
BENCH BEACH - MUSICAL SUNDAYS
Music Ensemble Michael Chatzimichail
Program with traditional Cypriot carols . Organised by CTO

MUSIC
Sunday, the 29th 8:00 pm
MUNICIPAL THEATRE
Piano recital in memory of George Manouris George Serdari . Admission is free

THEATRE PERFORMANCES "SKALA" :

THEATRE
Saturday, the 28th - 8:30 pm
Sunday, the 29th - 6:30 pm
Pattichion THEATRE "ladder"
main Stage
"The Cunene " Costas Pretenteri . Directed by Marie Mannaridou Karsera
Entrance € 12 & € 7 ( pupils, students , soldiers , pensioners , large families )

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

The Economics Department of Larnaca Municipality informs the public that there have been sent notices for Rights chaff, tax professional and licensed professionals premises for 2013.

Payments can be made in all the Banks, Cooperative Societies, through JCC and online.

The public should trim its debts to the Larnaca Municipality time within the specified time frame.

WORKS 

The Technical Department of the Municipality informs the public that among  23-29/12/2013 the following works will be conducted:

• Construction of sidewalk on the street Leondiou Knives ( continued)
• Repair Excavating sidewalks and the streets Kylkis Apostle Barnabas
• Jobs isolating social housing on the street Neophytou Rodinou
• Works fence dilapidated building at Mehmet Ali

WASTE PROJECTS
Larnaca Sewerage Board informs the public that there won't be any waste projects between 23.12.2013 - 07.01.2014 because of the Christmas Holidays.

Δήμος Λάρνακας - Δελτίο Τύπου - 23-29/12/2013

Στα πλαίσια της προσπάθειας για έγκυρη ενημέρωση των δημοτών και γενικότερα του κοινού σε σχέση με τις δραστηριότητες και τις ενέργειες του Δήμου, δημοσιεύουμε εδώ, εκ μέρους του Δήμου Λάρνακας, το εβδομαδιαίο ενημερωτικό Δελτίο Τύπου.

www.larnaka.com

ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΤΙΚΕΣ ΕΚΔΗΛΩΣΕΙΣ 
Για πληροφορίες Πολιτιστική Υπηρεσία Δήμου Λάρνακας τηλ. 24657745, 24629333

ΜΟΥΣΙΚΗ
Δευτέρα 23 8:00 μ.μ.
ΔΗΜΟΤΙΚΟ ΘΕΑΤΡΟ
Φιλανθρωπική χριστουγεννιάτικη συναυλία με την Ελεονόρα Ζουγανέλη
Διοργανωτής: Σύνδεσμος Φίλων «Άγιας Σκεπής». Είσοδος €20

ΜΟΥΣΙΚΗ
Τρίτη 24 7:00 μ.μ. – 8:00 μ.μ.
ΕΜΠΟΡΙΚΟ ΚΕΝΤΡΟ
Πορεία Οδοιπόρων Αγάπης με φανάρια και αυλούς Χριστουγεννιάτικη μουσική και τραγούδια

ΜΟΥΣΙΚΗ-ΧΟΡΟΣ-ΘΕΑΤΡΟ Παρασκευή 27 - Τρίτη 31
10:30 π.μ. - 1:00 μ.μ. & 4:00 μ.μ. – 8:00 μ.μ.
ΕΜΠΟΡΙΚΟ ΚΕΝΤΡΟ
Χριστουγεννιάτικο ψυχαγωγικό πρόγραμμα μουσική, χορός, θέατρο, παιχνίδια

ΦΙΛΑΝΘΡΩΠΙΚΗ ΕΚΔΗΛΩΣΗ Σάββατο 28 11:00 π.μ. – 7:00 μ.μ.
ΠΛΑΤΕΙΑ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ
Σύνδεσμος Γονέων Δημοτικών Σχολείων Δροσιάς. Φιλανθρωπικό παζαράκιμε χριστουγεννιάτικα εδέσματα. Μέρος των εσόδων θα διατεθεί για το Κοινωνικό Παντοπωλείο Λάρνακας

ΦΙΛΟΖΩΪΚΗ / ΠΕΡΙΒΑΛΛΟΝΤΙΚΉ ΕΚΔΗΛΩΣΗ Σάββατο 28 11:00 π.μ. – 5:00 μ.μ.
ΠΛΑΤΕΙΑ ΚΙΜΩΝΟΣ
Πτηνολογικός Σύνδεσμος Κύπρου. Ενημερωτική εκστρατεία για την προστασία των πουλιών και βιοτόπων και παζαράκι

ΜΟΥΣΙΚΗ
Κυριακή 29 11:00 π.μ.
ΕΞΕΔΡΑ ΠΑΡΑΛΙΑΣ - ΜΟΥΣΙΚΕΣ ΚΥΡΙΑΚΕΣ
Μουσικό Σχήμα Μιχάλη Χατζημιχαήλ
Πρόγραμμα με παραδοσιακά κυπριακά κάλαντα. Διοργανωτής: ΚΟΤ

ΜΟΥΣΙΚΗ
Κυριακή 29 8:00 μ.μ.
ΔΗΜΟΤΙΚΟ ΘΕΑΤΡΟ
Ρεσιτάλ πιάνου Γιώργου Μανούρη εις μνήμην Γιώργου Σερδάρη. Είσοδος ελεύθερη

ΠΑΡΑΣΤΑΣΕΙΣ ΘΕΑΤΡΟΥ «ΣΚΑΛΑ»:

ΘΕΑΤΡΟ
Σάββατο 28 – 8:30 μ.μ.
Κυριακή 29 - 6:30 μ.μ.
ΠΑΤΤΙΧΕΙΟ ΘΕΑΤΡΟ «ΣΚΑΛΑ»
Κύρια Σκηνή
«Ο Κουνενές» του Κώστα Πρετεντέρη. Σκηνοθεσία: Μαρία Μανναρίδου Καρσερά
Είσοδος €12 & €7 (μαθητές, φοιτητές, στρατιώτες, συνταξιούχοι, πολύτεκνοι)

ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΙΚΟ ΤΜΗΜΑ Το Οικονομικό Τμήμα του Δήμου Λάρνακας, πληροφορεί το κοινό ότι για το έτος 2013 έχουν αποσταλεί οι ειδοποιήσεις για τα δικαιώματα Δημοτικού Φόρου Ακίνητης Ιδιοκτησίας, Δικαιωμάτων Σκυβάλων, Επαγγελματικού Φόρου και Αδειών Επαγγελματικών Υποστατικών. Για τα προηγούμενα έτη συνεχίζεται η είσπραξη με προσεπιβάρυνση 10%.

Πληρωμές γίνονται σε όλες τις Τράπεζες, Συνεργατικά Ιδρύματα και μέσω του διαδιχτύου και της JCC.

Παρακαλείται το κοινό όπως τακτοποιήσει τις οφειλές του προς το Δήμο Λάρνακας έγκαιρα και μέσα στα καθορισμένα χρονικά περιθώρια προς αποφυγή πληρωμής πρόσθετων επιβαρύνσεων.

ΤΕΧΝΙΚΑ ΕΡΓΑ Η Τεχνική Υπηρεσία του Δήμου πληροφορεί το κοινό ότι μεταξύ 23– 27/12/2013 θα διεξάγονται και θα συνεχίζονται τα πιο κάτω τεχνικά έργα:

• Κατασκευή πεζοδρομίου στην οδό Λεοντίου Μαχαιρά (συνεχίζεται) 
• Επιδιόρθωση εκσκαφών πεζοδρομίων στις οδούς Κυλκής και Απ. Βαρνάβα 
• Εργασίες απομόνωσης εργατικών κατοικιών στην οδό Νεοφύτου Ροδινού 
• Εργασίες περίφραξης ετοιμόρροπου κτιρίου στην οδό Μεχμέτ Αλή 

ΑΠΟΧΕΤΕΥΤΙΚΑ ΕΡΓΑ Το Συμβούλιο Αποχετεύσεων Λάρνακας πληροφορεί το κοινό ότι μεταξύ των ημερομηνιών 23/12/2013 – 07/1/2014 λόγω διακοπών των Χριστουγέννων δεν θα διεξάγονται έργα και δεν θα υπάρχουν δρόμοι κλειστοί