Caitlin Goes to Mali- Letters Home: New Blog

Due to popular demand, I've decided to start a blog in attempt to stay better connected to my family and friends. As internet access is limited and updates few and far between, I hope this will allow you to read at your leisure and I'll do my best to keep you informed. It will be impossible to encapsulate my past six months in one entry, so I've decided to post some of my past letters I wrote home and will, from now on, update my blog each time I come to San. .

Malian Recipes

Tigadegena

1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 bay leaves
1/8 kg onion
1 Maggi cube
Assorted veggies (Malian eggplant, cabbage, squash, potatoes, carrots)
1/2 kg meat
4 fresh tomatoes or 1 tbsp tomato paste
1/4 cup oil
Salt to taste
3 heaping tbsp peanut butter
2 cloves garlic

Grind cumin and pepper, put aside with bay leaves. Cut the onion and pound in a mortar with the Maggi cube. Wash, peel and cut all veggies. Rinse meat and cut.
Put oil in a large pot: add meat, pounded onion and salt. Stir and cook for a few minutes. Add the cumin, pepper and bay leaves. add tomatoes and a little water then cook until dry or about 5-10 minutes. Add one liter of water and allow to boil. add peanut butter. add the veggies and garlic. salt to taste. cook well. Sauce will be done when you see the oil on the top (45 minutes).