Phutu & Chakalaka - Comfort Food
Surviving the most awful subtropical storm in my lifetime, which is quite a long time by the way, and hearing more and more tragic stories of people dying in the mudslides while others are lucky after escaping the mud that tried engulfing them; has been the only thing we are talking about here in Kwazulu Natal, so please bear with me, but this is kind of a way to 'get it off my chest'!
This heartbreaking photo was on the front page of our Sunday Newspaper - just a handful of people who lost their lives last Monday night in the storm, each one leaving behind family and loved ones!
Source
I took sandwiches to our friends whose home was bulldozed by the mudslide last Monday. They're trying to retrieve what they can from the section of their home that's still accessible; I was totally overwhelmed by the enormity of their loss!
Where to start when there's mud all around plus the smell of that mud was just awful!
It really is just beyond comprehension.
They've managed to save some old photograph albums and books but it's so frightening that their lives changed within seconds; years of memories snapped away by the forces of nature!
What made me even more sad was the thought that their privacy has been ripped away with everything strewn all over the place, and that the fight with the insurance company is only now beginning!
This stunning Philodendrum grows up one of their old trees, so much beauty and tranquility with destruction on the other side of the property!
I could not face cooking anything but some real comfort food after seeing this so decided on making Phutu with Chakalaka and Boerewors.
Hubby's right hand Bongikosi who is our general handyman, has the most amazing intuition.
Ever since losing Mom Lily, he will come into the kitchen while I'm preparing the food, and wash up as I make a mess; something Mom used to do when she was still fit!
So, when I started making the Phutu - a crumbly maize meal porridgy kind of dish, almost like polenta, he took over, as its the Zulu people's speciality! It definitely came out much more crumbly and fluffy than mine, and not dry at all!
I made the Chakalaka, and these were the ingredients; a simple spicy dish that's perfect to have with the phutu.
The Boerewors, every meat-eating South African's friend, but it has to be good quality meat!
A nice simple meal for two old Silvers and their guests who all love this type of meal!
Let's see what tomorrow brings!
This is day 19 of my attempt at #Hiveblopomo, an initiative of the awesome bizzy Queen Bee @traciyork, encouraging all Hivers to write a blog a day for the month of April. So far, so good, hope I reach Day 30!
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So sorry to hear about the storm 😿
It's been really awful, thank you for your caring message 🌻
I am so happy to see posts from you. You are an angel on earth caring and sharing to help in comforting ways such as your comforting foods.
It's beyond devastating to imagine the losses through these disasters. Every time I hear about this, I have to remember that I'm not that bad off.
Take care.❤️
Thank you my friend ❤️ It's really been beyond belief how that mudslide ripped the earth apart between our neighbours and theirs, and it literally took seconds! None of us could sleep as we were still in shock from the first mudslide that was relatively small as it only damaged their cottage, but the second one was enormous, I've never heard a noise like that, one could actually hear it moving down the hill! Both families are such wonderful people and thankful they're alive, but the reality of the long road to recovery is now sinking in😪
They're saying there's going to be more extreme weather conditions and natural disasters like this all over the world because of global warming!
One day at a time, Lizelle, hey? What a gem you have in Bonginkosi.
Comfort food is exactly where I would be living in your shoes!
That's all our friends can do for now, and you know just how slow the authorities are to do repairwork! Now it's even worse because of the enormity of the task...but the smell of that wet mud is beyond awful! It may be a sewer pipe that was damaged??
Both families are such wonderful people, thankful to be alive but the trauma is starting to hit them now!
Yes, our Bonginkosi is a gem, he also works for Kalai and is helping them clear up; I honestly would not know where to start. I think they're just in auto mode for now😪
PS This was supposed to be purely a food post but then I started telling a long story and forgot to change the community I was posting in 🙄
Good day Lizelle. I am glad to see a post from you guys. I am glad that you guys are fine after this terrible time time there I heard yesterday that most of the parts of Kzn doesn't have power.....
Your food looks delicious, I love chakalaka and it must be very hot and spicy haha.
Please be safe xxx
We've been really blessed to have only experienced a brief period without water & electricity, but it's been a harrowing week!
Chakalaka definitely has to be very hot & spicy for sure, that's why the chillies are a must with ginger & garlic and all things spicy ;) I get a wet-leaf masala from our local spice shop that is very good, but I still add other spices!
Hmmm, a big gentle hug for your aching compassionate heart my dear 😥 May everyone in your part of the world be as well as they can be during this challenging time. 🤗