The only Christmas I ever saw

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Tropical orchids in the Singapore Botanical Gardens

-          Is this snow?

-          Where?

-          Over there, at the entrance to the Tanglin Mall.

-          It can't be snow, its 27c degrees outside.

-          But look! It's all white!

-          I think it's only a foam making machine.

-          Oh. Well it does seem weird to have a white Christmas in Singapore….

This bizarre dialogue was carried out between my husband and me while riding our car from our home to Orchard Road, the center of Singapore. It was December 2002 and we had already lived in Singapore for 6 months and it was Christmas time. Up till then I've never seen Christmas celebration anywhere. As a born and bred Israeli Jew who never lived anywhere else, Christmas was only something I saw in movies and sappy TV shows.  Living in Singapore was my first and only experience as an ex-pat, and it was quite an extraordinary one.  

One of the major sports in Singapore is shopping. The island is shoppers' heaven. No matter what you like: electronics, gadgets, high fashion, bags, shoes, toys, and cosmetics, you name it they have it and on sale. I've never seen so many malls and shopping centers as in Singapore. Orchard road for example is a long street compiled from one huge shopping centre after another: The Tanglin Mall followed by The Forum followed by The Paragon followed by the shrine of shoppers The Takashimaya.  Come December we were amazed to see the amount of effort invested in decorating and adorning the entire Island. Orchard road and all the malls became fantasy land of light and sparkle. We were awe struck by the size of the tree that was put in the entrance to the Takashimaya center, and were quite amused by the snow machine at the entrance to the Tanglin. My then 3 year old child thought it was an amazing sight.

The Singapore river on New-Year Eve 2003

I think that in Singapore the main meaning of Christmas are more sales and having free time to do more shopping because the majority of the population is not Christian. There was defiantly a surreal quality to reindeer images, and huge fir trees in a tropical island sitting near the equator.  We were amused by the scenery. The only Christmassy gesture we performed was exchanging presents with our Austrian-Nigerian neighbours before they went to their skiing vacation in Europe.

We on the other hand celebrated Hanukkah with Israeli friends and our family that came to visit from far away.  We got some great stuff in huge discounts, it was on sale!

The year after that, we were back in Israel and Christmas was again only another date in the calendar that is mentioned in TV specials from abroad.

 

Happy New Year to us all! May 2011 will be a wonderful year. 

FFGF (Fried, Fun, Gluten-Free)

Gluten-free latke

Hanukkah came and went but some things are memorable. Like the great carrot fritters we made for our Hanukkah party. I think we fried more then 100 latkes (potato fritters) that night but it was lots of fun. They were all a great success because we were left with about only 10 at the end of the party. The famous food blogger Foodbridge honoured us with her presence and to her request (who would refuse) I'm putting here the recipes for gluten-free latkes, and gluten-free carrot fritters. I have to confess that I know Foodbridge since forever (my university days) and I always enjoy having her and her lovely family over.

Carrot fritters

4-5 grated carrots

1 grated potato squeezed from liquids

2 eggs

2 tables spoons cornflour

1 tea spoon baking soda

salt, pepper, turmeric

optional 100gr Feta cheese crumbled

Frying oil

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Heat  oil in a pan for semi-deep frying.  Using a spoon put dollops of the mixture in the pan, fry till golden and turn-over, keep frying till golden on the other side as well and then take out and put on a tray covered with paper towel in order to absorb excess oil. Makes about 20.

Eat with sour cream garnished with chopped chives.

Traditional potato latke (Our style)

4-5 large potatoes thinly grated and squeezed

1 large onion thinly grated

2-3 eggs

2-3 tablespoon cornflour

1 tea spoon baking soda

Salt, pepper

Frying oil

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Heat  oil in a pan for semi-deep frying.  Using a spoon put dollops of the mixture in the pan, fry till golden and turn-over, keep frying till golden on the other side as well and then take out and put on a tray covered with paper towel in order to absorb excess oil. Makes about 30.

A not so happy Hanukah

A lot was written in the past week about the great fire that consumed a big part of the Carmel ridge nature reserve. The scale of the event was huge even for this country so accustomed to disasters.  43 dead, is an inconceivable number.  The public outrage will haunt the politicians and the media for a long time. I've cried in front of the TV for 3 straight days but couldn't help thinking that leaders of this country invested billions in the most advanced fighter jets but couldn't be bothered to spend 10 million on a fire fighter plane; we had to call the Greek fire fighters for that.  The fire could spread so easily because the trees and bush of the Carmel were subsequently dry after 8 months without rain. The irony is that once the fire was under control after 72 hours of enormous efforts, winter finally decided to drop by.

We live in the center of the country, an hour drive from the Carmel so the fire didn't reach our home; our daily lives weren't affected by the disaster. We just carry a nagging feeling that citizens of this country are abandoned by the authorities. It's easier for leaders to frighten us with an Iranian missile in the future then to face the truth about the state of health, education and social gaps currently.

Having said all that, we still celebrated Hanukah.  We lighted the candles every evening on at least 3 menorahs (there is always the one the kids make in kindergarten), we invited a lot of friends over and were invited in return, and there was a frenzy of fried food.  It was my son first Hanukah pageant but he refused to perform in front of all the parents instead we got a private show when he got home.  Hanukkah has always been my favorite holiday. Despite the news I had a lovely time with my family and good friends. We're now only left with the hope that this was the last disaster we'll witness and that winter is finally here. It's raining.