Ostrich Meatloaf

I have read a few years ago in newpaper articles that raising ostrich is becoming popular in several farms in my area. Ostrich meat is believed to be much healthier than beef or chicken because it contains more protein and has less fat and cholesterol. I went to our local farmer's market yesterday morning and got a pound of ground ostrich. The vendor also sells ostrich byproducts such as feather dusters, soaps, lip balms, and skin lotion. The farmer's market is open year round but only a few vendors are doing business selling locally roasted Honduran arabica coffee, dairy products, cheeses, artisan breads, assorted meats, and sausages. The produce vendors will sell their stuff starting in May. I'll write about our farmer's market another day.

The look and taste of ostrich meatloaf closely resemble beef meatloaf. I altered my usual recipe using TVP (soy textured vegetable protein) as added protein, filler, and binder in place of bread crumbs, milk, and egg. I honestly can't tell any difference flavorwise and the meatloaf is moist. I love ostrich meatloaf and don't mind that it is slightly pricier than beef. We had the meatloaf with Parsleyed Potatoes With Saffron and Sauteed Green Beans With Shallots And Garlic.

Ostrich Meatloaf
1 pound ground ostrich
1 C hydrated TVP
¼ C red wine
1 medium onion, finely chopped
½ C chili sauce or ketchup
1 C finely chopped green bell pepper
1 T soy sauce
1 tsp sea salt
2 tsp mustard powder
¼ tsp ground black pepper
2 T ketchup for topping

• Mix all the ingredients except the ketchup for topping. Transfer into a 9 x 4-inch loaf pan or form into loaf on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes, spread ketchup on top of meatloaf and bake for another 15 minutes.

Parsleyed Potatoes With Saffron

1½ pounds small red potatoes, peeled
2 T extra virgin olive oil
small pinch of saffron, crumbled
1 T finely chopped parsley
¼ tsp salt

• Steam potatoes for 20 minutes. In a skillet heat olive oil over medium heat. Add cooked potatoes, saffron, salt, and parsley. Stir for 1 minute to coat potaoes well.

Sauteed Green Beans

½ pound green beans
2 T water
½ tsp salt
2 T extra virgin olive oil
2 T fried shallots
1 T crumbled fried sliced garlic

• In a skillet heat water over medium heat and add beans and salt. Cover and cook until half of the water has evaporated, about 2 minutes. Uncover, add the shallots, garlic, and the remaining olive oil and stir fry for 2 minutes or until beans are tender but still crisp.

Puto (Steamed Rice Muffins): White, Purple Yam, And Pandan

Several of my readers emailed me or left comments requesting for puto recipes. The last time I made white puto was either a year ago (or maybe 4 months ago?). I made pandan flavored puto just once two years ago. Nobody including me liked the pandan and never made them again.

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Kohlslaw

purple kohlrabi, daikon, and carrot slaw

Every year I eagerly await spring not just for the burst of colors everywhere but also for the fresh vegetables that I sorely miss during winter. I recently purchased some purple kohlrabi and orange beets. I have cooked white kohlrabi once before, I added it to boiled corned beef in place of cabbage and I liked its mild slightly sweet flavor. This time I made it into an Asian-style slaw with wasabi dressing. The combination of kohlrabi, daikon, carrots, and wasabi makes this kohlslaw the perfect side to the Korean steak cubes I cooked for lunch today. And with steamed Japanese rice and preserved sliced ginger we had a very satisfying meal.

Kohlrabi Slaw
1 large kohlrabi, unpeeled and cut into matchsticks
half a medium daikon, peeled and cut into matchsticks
1 small carrot, cut into matchsticks
1 scallion, thinly sliced
¼ C rice vinegar
3 tsp wasabi powder
2 tsp sugar
1 T soy sauce
1 T good sesame seed oil
1 tsp sea salt

• In a medium bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, wasabi powder, sugar, salt, soy sauce, and sesame seed oil. Add the vegetables and mix to coat well with the dressing. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour before serving.

Note: The vegetables may be shredded as in cabbage slaw, if preferred.

Kohlrabi tastes mild and very similar to daikon and the purple ones have a slightly stronger flavor than the whites, although I love them both. I like it even better uncooked for its crunch and sweetish jicama-like texture.

A Personality Test

I got tagged by gizelle for a personality test and here is the result:



ENTP - The "Originator"

ENTPs are logical, innovative, curious and downright inventive. They see possibilities for improvement everywhere and possess the ability to understand complex concepts. ENTPs are introspective and carefree nonconformists. They often neglect the more common areas of life while pursuing new solutions. ENTPs can be good conversationalists and exciting company.

ENTPs are idea people. Their perceptive abilities cause them to see possibilities everywhere. They get excited and enthusiatic about their ideas, and are able to spread their enthusiasm to others. In this way, they get the support they need to fulfill their visions.

The full description: Portrait of an ENTP

I don't know if I agree with the result completely and not sure if it is accurate although I am quite thrilled to be in the company of Nikola Tesla, Julia Child, and Alfred Hitchcock. I answered the questions as close to my preferrences as possible. In a few of the questions I was somewhat conflicted and took a little bit longer to pick my choice because I sort of felt strongly for both answers. I can't describe it clearly but if you get to answer the questions you'll know what I mean.

I'm tagging the following for this test (if they feel like doing it): Raissa, Ruy, Marvin, Christine, and Dhanggit.

Click here to take the test.

Update: April 14, 2008

I took the Multiple Intelligences test after reading Christine's and here is the result:



I'm an average writer and speaker but I love reading (I consider my books my most cherished possessions) and I enjoy doing crossword puzzles which might explain the high verbal/linguistic category, and of course I love listening to my music. I also used to dabble in painting (not very good at it) and while I'm not great in photography it is one of my favorite hobbies which includes gardening.