Chicken and Corn Soup (part 2)

I hope you read 'part one' re my lovely soup. After the chicken necks mixed with the ginger and garlic had cooked all night, I let it cool for a while and then strained it through some kitchen paper and a sieve. I left it in the fridge while I took Perdy for a morning walk, explaining to her that I had saved the necks for her and I had only 'borrowed' them for the stock.
Back home after a very humid and sticky walk, I put the clear stock back into the crockpot. I added one red capsicum, sliced up, along with two finely chopped spring onions. (I think other countries call them green onions or scallions) I added two boneless and skinless chicken breasts, sliced evenly into bite-- sized pieces. I season the mixture very lightly, preferring to add that at serving. I put in four cloves and a dash of paprika. Of course, you can add your own favourite 'extras.'
Time to put my feet up, but that was interrupted when the techie came , yet again to resolve my ongoing issues with the internet connectivity. I remained calm as he went through the usual stuff, but this time he brought in his own flash modem and it  was apparent that things were OK. He tweaked some of the work the previous techie had done and the computer has worked since then, but he did say that he couldn't guarantee it. Man, they owe me some reduction on my account, I reckon!
Time for another walk with Perdy as the soup simmers gently in the crockpot, on low. Just before leaving for the walk, I added one can of corn kernels and one of creamed style corn.
When I arrived back from the 'bay,' I could smell a wafting slightly savoury odour. A few hours later, I mixed in some cornflour and just before serving I dribbled in two well mixed eggs.
The end result---a huge pot of beautiful 'as-good-or-better-than-you-get, 'restaurant' soup. No, I won't eat it all. I will give some to my mates In am seeing tomorrow. Now, go cook your own. If you want to reduce the already reasonable cost, just use cheaper cuts of chicken and let it cool if you want to skim off the fat. Yes, I did give Perdy the soft cooked necks and she munched away on them with a glint in her eye that indicated she was well satisfied with our 'deal.'
www.authorneilcoleman.com

What can I say--cost about NZ$13 and enough to feed about 8 people.

 

Len Brown and the so-called 'majority' of Aucklanders who want him to go!---wouldn't think so.

Having heard all the hype about a 'huge' march by those opposed to Len Brown, I expected to also hear about massive numbers of people marching up Queen Street to show their displeasure. Well----it did not happen. A few hundred are reported to have 'beat the feet,' and bothered to show their indignation about the antics of our Mayor. If opposition is so deeply felt, then should there not have been many more people out there. NO---I suspect that they are at home, preening themselves to get up and go to see the Proud'  Parade later in the day along Ponsonby Road. Get the perspective, people! Let's move on and get on with making Auckland a better place. OH, I know, there are so many moralistic judgemental and 'never having done a bad thing in their lives' people out there who just will not let this go. Hey, this is Auckland, not Ukraine or Thailand. Are things that bad, and if they are, at least we do have elections; it's more about whether people bother to take part in the democratic process.
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Hanging gardens found in ancient Hillsborough. Anthroplogists clamouring for details!

Whilst exploring an ancient archaeological site, believed to predate the arrival of Europeans in a Midwestern Auckland suburb, a major find has surfaced. It appears to be part of a huge interconnecting garden, supplying the needs of the original inhabitants. Scientists are baffled at the ingenuity of the structures, but have agreed that using the methods observed, a large population may have lived in the Hillsborough area. There has even been some discussion that 'aliens' once visited, because such structures could never have been accomplished by the 'ancients'. No---this is not the first time such theories have been espoused; yes you have heard them about the 'lines' in South America.' Police have thrown a cordon around the whole suburb, waiting upon 'experts' to arrive from Ukraine, well that is once they sort themselves out!. In the meantime, just one picture has been released. Make up your own minds. 
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Note the accompanying barrels, believed to be bio-pits where power was produced to heat the gardens!

Indoniesia moves to protect the endangered Manta Rays---good on you neighbour!

I was delighted to see an item on AJ news about Indonesia banning the hunting (and selling to the Chinese and others for medicinal purposes) of the much endangered beautiful Manta Rays. They have a huge task ahead of them, because much like any other move by the government of this far flung massive group of islands, it is almost impossible to maintain surveillance. Then of course it is the ability of their navy and other Government departments to muster the number of vessels needed to achieve the result that we all want. They have acknowledged the difficulty of the task and made the transition re 'hunting and selling' to using the same resource to lure tourists who's only weapon is a camera. Yes, there are jobs in this for locals. What Indonesia continues to fight of course is the corruption that would defeat the purpose of this most welcome law change. I hope that Indonesia accepts any help offered by various world bodies, including that from its sometimes bullying southern neighbour, the same one that treats NZ as a 'little brother.' Let's all support Indonesia, especially its neighbours, even the one quite far to the South east---NZ. Kia kaha, Indonesia (be strong)
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Chicken soup made from Perdy's dinner! (part one)

Proof that I am feeling so much better tonight, after a nasty virus that saw me lose 3 kilos of weight that I no longer need or want to loose, comes in the form of this chicken soup, made of course in my crockpot. Perhaps not so indicative of my high moral standards is the fact that I am going to use Perdy's  (my Jack Russell) dinner, a large packet of chicken necks, to make the stock. It's OK, I am going to replace them on the way home from her favourite walk at Kakamatua Inlet.
I boiled the jug, threw the chicken necks in with the water and roughly chopped some fresh ginger (heaps of it) and a whole head of garlic. That will simmer all night and while it cools in the morning, I shall take Perdy for her first morning walk, so that she doesn't' crap on my section! (It's double OK, because I always have poo bags in my back pocket.) OMG, I almost needed them for myself over the last few days. OK--- TMI.  Look out for part 2, tomorrow, along with pictures. Food for the soul.
www.authorneilcoleman.com