Sugar

July 1998

It was a four-day turn around in Pago Pago harbor and thank goodness the usual torrential downpours kept themselves at bay. Town has only a few limited Chinese supermarkets each importing their own brand of food. Most items are available but you have to shop around which can be time consuming. "Cost U Less" warehouse located by the airport is a yachties lifesaver. Stocking American bulk products they make it easy to provision for long term.

Some couples don't like the fact that items are packaged in large containers and often shop and share with fellow cruisers, but for our hungry crew of eight it's no problem.

If you spend over $500 the store will give you and your groceries a ride back to the boat. Eggs - Upon provisioning with six dozen eggs for a three week trip I coat each egg in vaseline to preserve them thus making refrigeration unnecessary. Fresh Produce is hard to find and expensive and it is all freighted from the U.S. I ended up buying all my produce at Cost U Less but due to shipping damage and perished goods I threw a lot away. Western Samoa is an overnight sail away and boasts a very healthy local market.

I will share with you some easy ways to do nuts for munchies. These are courtesy of my mum who is also out cruising and finds that these are an instant hit with those sunset drinks.

Spicy Fruit and Nuts

Makes 5 cups of mixture that keeps well in an airtight container

2 C roasted cashews
1 C toasted almonds
2/3 C dried apricots
2/3 C sultanas
2/3 C chopped dates
1 egg white
2 T olive oil
11/2 T lemon rind
2 T lemon juice
1 T ground cumin
1 T ground coriander
1 t hot paprika
1/2 t turmeric

·heat oil, add spices, cook and stir until fragrant.

· whisk egg white till it peaks, stir in spice mixture and remaining ingredients

· spread mixture onto a greased oven tray.

· bake 25 minutes or until crisp and dry, stirring occasionally.

Sugared Nuts

1 C whole almonds
1 C pecans
1 egg
1/3 C sugar
1/4 C butter
1/2 t cinnamon

· bake nuts until slightly roasted.

· beat egg white until it forms soft peaks.

· gradually beat in sugar and cinnamon. Stir in melted butter.

· add nuts to mixture, stir and spread onto a greased oven tray.

· bake 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Devilled Nuts and Seeds

1 C walnuts
1 C pecans
1 C peanuts
1/2 C brazil nuts
1 C seeds pinenuts or pumpkin
1/4 C butter
4 T Worcestershire Sauce or chili Soya sauce

· roast nuts in butter for 10 minutes stirring often.

· add sauce, and seeds, cook 5 minutes more

· sprinkle with salt. Cool

Niue Island was our next stop and provides excellent vegies on Friday which is market day in town, but be up early as it starts at four in the morning.

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