Lamb Almond & Apricot

Ingredients

• 3 lbs. lamb shoulder or neck, trimmed of fat and cut into 2 1/2 inch cubes
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 1/2 cup water

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 2 medium onions, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 3 cups chicken stock or water
• 1 1/2 cups dried apricots, roughly chopped, or raisins
• 1 1/2 cups almonds, whole and blanched
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1-2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional)
• 1 cup carrots, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
• 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Method
1 In a bowl combine the ginger, pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, cayenne, coriander, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves and water and mix well. Add the meat and rub in the paste, coating evenly. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

2 In a Dutch oven or other heavy, lidded pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, and cinnamon sticks and cook until the onions are translucent and the mixture is fragrant.

3 Add the marinated meat (including the marinade) to the pot and then the chicken stock. Bring the stock to a boil, and skim off any scum that appears.
4 Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer, stirring from time to time. Add water if the pot becomes too dry. Stew until the meat is tender, about 1 hours and a half, more if needed.

5 Add the apricots, almonds, honey, and carrots and simmer, uncovered, stirring often to prevent scorching, until the meat is very soft and almost falling apart, about 30 minutes longer. The sauce should reduce to a syrupy glaze. At this point taste and add lemon juice to desired level. The lemon juice brings some balance to the sweetness from the honey and apricots.

Note: this recipe can be prepared in advance up to this point. Allow to cool, refrigerate and serve within a couple of days.

6 Stir in the chopped parsley and transfer to a warmed serving dish. Serve immediately with couscous or rice.

Yield: Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

Buttermilk Biscuits with Goat Cheese and Chives

Ingredients

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) chilled butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of freshly chopped chives (can also use chopped green onions)
• 1 5-ounce log soft fresh goat cheese, crumbled
• 1 cup buttermilk (plus an extra tablespoon for finish)

Method

1 Preheat oven to 400°F. Line 2 heavy baking sheets with parchment paper.

2 Whisk flour, baking powder, sugar, baking soda, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Using fingertips, rub butter into dry ingredients until coarse meal forms. Stir in the chives. Add cheese and buttermilk; stir with fork just until a sticky dough forms (bits of cheese will be visible in dough).

3 Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently 8 times with floured hands. Do not over-knead! Form into a round, about 3/4-inch to an inch thick. Cut the round into 8 wedges. Use a pastry brush to brush on some extra buttermilk over the surface of the wedges.

4 Arrange wedges about 1/2 inch apart on an ungreased large baking sheet and bake in middle of oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cool on a rack.

Best eaten just baked and warm, with a little butter.

Yield: Makes 8 large biscuits.

Dr. Jean-Ping

Long before his appointment as Chairman of the African Union in 2008, Jean Ping had built a reputation as a first rate diplomat, having previously served as Foreign Minister of Gabon (1999-2008) and as President of the United Nations General Assembly (2004-2005). The son of a Chinese merchant and a Gabonese woman, Ping is considered one of the most influential persons in Gabon. In addition to serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ping held other key posts in the government of the late President Omar Bongo-including the positions of Minister of Post and Telecommunications, and Minister of Mines and Energy, a significant post, given Gabon’s role as one of Africa’s major oil producers.

It is, however, as Chairman of the African Union (AU), that Ping has really hit his stride internationally, turning the organization into what it ought to be: an articulate voice and major player when it comes to matters pertaining to Africa.  Whether or not one agrees with him, there can be no denying the fact that Ping was an early and critical voice against the Western led militarization of the Libyan revolution.  He sharply criticized the decision by France to drop weapons to the rebels fighting Gaddafi forces.

He has also sharply criticized what he says is the focus by the International Criminal Court (the ICC) on prosecuting African leaders accused of crimes against humanity.  His position has not been so much that African leaders should not be held to account for their actions while in office.  Rather, his complaint has been that leaders of non-African nations, including, for example, the leaders of Burma and Middle Eastern nations like Bahrain and Yemen, have not been held to account for conduct similar to or worse than what certain African leaders like Gaddafi have been held accountable for by the ICC. He was thus a vocal critic of the outgoing Chief Prosecutor of the ICC, Louis Moreno-Ocampo, and led the AU’s successful push for the appointment of Fatou Bensouda of Gambia to replace Moreno-Ocampo as the ICC Chief Prosecutor.

Under Ping, the AU has also played major roles in mediating and resolving African disputes.  The AU, for example, maintained a strong peace keeping force in Sudan and continues to field a resilient force in Somalia.

1. 1 tablespoon of olive oil
2. 1 (3 pound) roasting chicken, deboned and cut into bite size pieces
3. 2 cloves garlic, crushed
4. 1 onion, chopped
5. 1 large potato, diced
6. 1 teaspoon ground cumin
7. 1 teaspoon ground coriander seed
8. 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
9. 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
10. 1 teaspoon salt
11. 1 cup water 3/4 cup unsalted natural-style peanut butter
12. 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

Preparation:
In a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid, heat oil over medium high heat. Add chicken, and brown quickly. Remove chicken from pan. Reduce heat to medium low, and add garlic, onion and potato to the pan; sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Season with cumin, coriander, black pepper, red pepper and salt. Do not let garlic brown. Mix in water and browned chicken, and any accumulated juices. Place lid on skillet and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove lid, and stir in the peanut butter and garbanzo beans. Make sure the peanut butter is blended in. Replace lid to simmer for 10 more minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and potatoes are tender. Remove from heat, adjust seasoning, and serve.

Roasted Chocolate Chai Mate

Coming Mid. Feb. 2012

African art and culture are one and the same. Culture is the history, practices and beliefs that make up a society. In Africa, art was seldom used for decorative purposes, but rather to give life to the values, emotions and daily customs of the various ethnic groups throughout the continent.

African art and culture, in many instances deals with making sense out of the world. It also deals with the religious aspects of life. The first African art were terracotta figures that didn’t bother with normal human representation. That’s because African art doesn’t focus on recreating the world in another form, but rather concentrates on explaining the world to reduce the fear of the unknown.

They blend together to create an explanation of the universe which would not be possible otherwise. It is poetry built into objects used throughout daily life. It includes ritual and ceremonial objects, items used daily, adornments showing status or tribe and representations of those things in life which defy explanation. For example, masks of the dual god Gulu show his creative side which brings life and his destructive side which brings death.

For thousands of years, African culture was primarily passed on through direct teaching and through verbal communication. Instead of books and tablets, Africans used sculptures and objects to pass on their beliefs and customs from one generation to another . A sculpture may be of an ancestor or a particular mask may be used only during a special ritual or ceremony that is important to the tribe.

The different materials used to make various pieces of African art were determined by location. However religion was the common thread that made African art and culture the perfect team. Masks, sculptures, headdresses, carvings, cooking bowls and many other items were created with the purpose of providing insight into the unpredictable unseen world.

They are so entwined that it is impossible to separate the two. Almost every piece of African art represents a cultural value or belief. For example, baskets may hold the remains of an ancestor whose story is retold to all group members or masks enable the wearer, in times of battle, to invoke the god of strength and courage. Its these mystical qualities attached to each piece of African art that makes them so unique, desirable and valuable.

Nok Object 1000 BC - Nigeria

A Blend of the finest East African Black Teas. Ethiopian Chewaka Estate Black Tea, Tanzanian Usambara Black Tea & Kenyan Black Teas. This tea is spiced in the Ethiopian Fashion with notes of Cinnamon, Cardamom & Cloves combined with the refreshing taste of orange. Sweeten Only with honey as cane sugar is not part of the traditional Ethiopian Diet. Avery good tea for all season. Try this as your morning cup with honey and a bit of milky as cane sugar is not part of the traditional Ethiopian Diet. Avery good tea for all season. Try this as your morning cup with honey and a bit of milk.

Strengthening Sustainable Livelihoods and Forest Management Project

Ethiopia’s forests support a large number of plant, animal and bird species. In addition to this unique biodiversity, millions of people rely on the forests to earn a living. However, for many years, this has been in the form of families who have been forced to cut down trees to sell the wood, and create grazing land in order to survive.

There are however many other forest resources such as honey, bamboo, spices and wild coffee that with the right tools and training, these families can use as an alternative way to earn money for food.

FARM-Africa has been working with forest communities for many years, helping them to work with local governments and other forest users to develop these sustainable income sources.  This means there is no longer a reliance on selling timber based products, and communities are in a position to develop and implement sustainable forest management plans to protect these areas for future generations.

FARM-Africa’s Strengthening Sustainable Livelihoods and Forest Management Project seeks to take the model of good-practice in Participatory Forest Management and replicate our previous successes with communities in the Oromiya Region.  At the same time we will work with the forest communities to find the best ways for them to earn a living from the forest resources.

How are communities benefiting?

Communities will be working together with local governments to protect the forest resources for generations to come, and develop formal forest management plans that can be implemented by both the community and local government.

• Communities will learn how to take traditional activities such as raffia weaving, making bamboo furniture and honey production and turn them into profit making enterprises.  FARM-Africa will also help communities find the very best markets for these products so that they can achieve a good price.
• Alternative ways to earn a living that don’t over-exploit forest resources will mean that communities can get involved with protecting their habitat. For example, communities will be taught to make stoves that use significantly less firewood.
• Communities will ultimately take responsibility for the long-term preservation of their homes, and work with local governments to develop formal management plans for the forests.

Who are we helping?

The project will benefit nearly three million people who are dependent on the forest, by helping them to both conserve the forest and generate income. In addition, we are working with government to help to find ways to secure the long-term sustainability of forest conservation in Ethiopia.

Project partners

FARM-Africa will work together with SOS Sahel Ethiopia, Forum for Environment (FFE) and MELCA Mahiber.

Ginger is a very special herb or spice with significant healing powers and soothing magic. This amazing herb enhances the teas that we have selected for you with a bright, clean taste of a mild yet spicy ginger note. The flavor is an upper note of an earthy spice in our Ginger Nectar Rooibos Herb Tea. The Rooibos introduces an even honey note. If you enjoy the kick of ginger then also travel to the world of our green teas.  We are pleased to offer our Sencha Ginger Green Tea. The lemon verbena and lavender flower makes this green tea a true star. The rich taste of the sencha blended with dry ginger adds a very lovely taste and aroma when sipping our Ginger Green sencha tea. The black tea for this month has a bold tea character. The selection is our Ginger Lemon Black Tea from our flavored black tea collection. An energy lifting morning boost is how our founder’s grandmother referred to this tea. It will charm you and boost your daily energy level with a dash of caffeine.   This is a refreshing black tea blended with ginger, citrus lemon, lemon verbena, and yummy lemon grass from Liberia and Ghana. This blend of Kenyan and Malawi black teas has a fine ginger kick and soothes the senses with citrus notes.

Ginger Nectar Rooibos Tea

Ginger Lemon Black Tea

Ginger Green Tea

Healing & Soothing

Ginger has been used as a natural remedy for many ailments for centuries. Ginger tea benefits your health in many ways and is a refreshing tea to drink. Ginger tea health has been around for centuries and has been used in traditional African and Chinese medicine for over 2500 years.  The effects that this plain looking herb has on our bodies, makes it a ‘must have’ in the kitchen.

Now, science is catching up and researchers around the world are finding that ginger works wonders in the treatment of everything from cancer to migraines. Gingerols and shoyaols called ‘volatile oils’ are found in ginger, and are responsible for the many heath benefits of ginger.  These two oils help stimulate the body’s digestive juices, which in turn neutralize the stomach acids and help ease problems such as diarrhea, cramping and nausea. If you would prefer to take a ginger supplement, make sure it contains the properties gingerols and shoyaols, as these are the plants active ingredients. It is a natural decongestant and antihistamine, making it great for the treatment of the common head cold. The Chinese use it to calm an upset stomach, stop diarrhea and nausea.  In Europe it has been used to help relieve menstrual cramps, treat the symptoms of a common cold and relieve headaches. The Africans drink it as a tea to keep healthy and toned. Many chefs in Africa cook and bake with it. Many African families keep it as a first hand defense when a family member feels ill. The many tea blends come alive during the raining season in West Africa when it’s a bit cold and wet. Each home will surely delight a visitor with their “house blend” version of a ginger tea. This is the same for so many other cultures as well. I am sure that you will enjoy any of our selections for ginger tea in January. I want to also wish you all of our delightful customers, a fantastic New Year. 2012 should be started with a spark so we selected ginger as a focus. Please also join or like us on Face Book and invite friends to join our mailing list. January is free tea sample for our new E-list members. To enjoy our free sample program for the month of January make sure to sign up at mailing list on our website. Also to our supporters and dear customers invite a friend or family member and you will also get a free sample.

Here are ten health benefits of this powerful herb:

Morning Sickness

A review of several studies has concluded that ginger is just as effective as vitamin B6 in the treatment of morning sickness.

Motion Sickness Remedy

Ginger has been shown to be an effective remedy for the nausea associated with motion sickness.

Reduces Pain and Inflammation

One study showed that ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and is a powerful natural painkiller.

Heartburn Relief

Ginger has long been used as a natural heartburn remedy. It is most often taken in the form of tea for this purpose.

Cold and Flu Prevention and Treatment

Ginger has long been used as a natural treatment for colds and the flu. Many people also find ginger to be helpful in the case of stomach flu or food poisoning, which is not surprising given the positive effects ginger has upon the digestive tract.

Migraine Relief

Research has shown that ginger may provide migraine relief due to its ability to stop prostaglandins from causing pain and inflammation in blood vessels.

Menstrual Cramp Relief

In Chinese medicine, ginger tea with brown sugar is used in the treatment of menstrual cramps.

Prevention of Diabetic Nephropathy

A study done on diabetic rats found that those rats given ginger had a reduced incidence of diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage).

Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Ginger may be powerful weapon in the treatment of ovarian cancer. A study conducted at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that ginger powder induces cell death in all ovarian cancer cells to which it was applied.

Colon Cancer Prevention

A study at the University of Minnesota found that ginger might slow the growth of colorectal cancer cells.