Heroism

There are some rules for labeling food, let's say potatoes for example. We have a freedom what we declare as a heroism and we should use this opportunity wisely.

"Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism -- how passionately I hate them!"

Albert Einstein

Abkhazura (Spicy Meatballs)

Abkhazura is very tasty and easy to cook. This dish comes from Abkhazia - eastern coast of the Black Sea in Georgia. All parts of Georgia are variouse and suprpisingly interesting in their cuisine. Abkhazura is not considered as a main hot meal but it is served as a main course. The recipe is simple and easy to follow.

Ingredients:

1 pound of pork butt
3/4 pounds of beef chuck
1 small onion, peeled
4 large garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne
1/2 teaspoon of ground coriander seed
1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of dried fenugreek
2 table spoons of ground barberry
1 pound of caul fat, if available fatty tissue around intestines
2 teaspoon of salt
vinegar


Directions:

Grind together the pork, beef, onion and garlic. Work the spices in well with your hands and not with a spoon.

Saok the caul fat in warm water with a little vinegar until it becomes pliable, then cut it into 4-inch squares. Place a mound of ground meat mixture on each square and enclose in the fat to make a plump meatball. Fry the meatball over low heat untill cooked through nicely browned.

Serve with tkemali sauce or ketchup. Will be nice with a fresh side salad. If caul is not available then form the meatballs like you normally do.

Batumi – the City of Romance

Author: Katiee

Until now, honestly, I had never expressed any desire to spend vacation in Batumi. Even more, I always tried to persuade my friends to go somewhere else in summer, far from the city life.

Last time I was in Batumi just for several days, it used to be a city under the state of emergency of Abashidze regime. After that I was just passing by the city on the way to my favorite Sarphi resort (the border of Georgia-Turkey).

Only now, some days back, I visited Batumi only for a day and the first time in my life I enjoyed its atmosphere, truly felt it.

Though the streets were under construction (as everywhere in Georgia), though the Sheraton hotel looks too “cheap” and ugly from outside (sorry for that), though the shops and cafés were the same as in Tbilisi and I even met the same people from my university there… The air is different, the soul is different. There is the sea and the sun and my favorite, the most romantic musical DANCING FOUNTAINS.

It’s a pity, we did not have enough time to enjoy everything, especially the night live in Batumi, but it was still enough to make me decide to go there again, maybe for the upcoming Black Sea Jazz Festival on July 18?

Dancing Fountain - Batumi

Ballet - Reflection on water splashes

Asian Woman Dancing Projection on Water

We in Boulevard - By Mari

Bloggers in Batumi Boulevard

To see and know more about Batumi and Achara (a.k.a. Adjara) you can visit an official page of Tourism Department of Adjara.

End Of Stalin, Start of...

Georgian Government removed Stalin's statue in Gori. Some people were negatively surprised. They were asking for instance whom to honor now and demanding a return of the statue. Most people were happy with the action taken by Government. They see the events from the past differently. Stalin doesn't seem for them a person deserving honor and glory.

What do you think about Stalin? Are in your country photos and statues of Stalin displayed?

It's also interesting to notice that change happens and it happens quite often. Streets are renamed, one statue is replacing other etc. Are changes happening in your country too? Are they justified?

Which (historical) persons are honored in your country right now? Can you name some points for what people honor them? Can you imagine that one day something could change? What could it be, something positive or negative?

And last general question, are you usually ready for change or does it surprise you all the time?

Wish you interesting thinking and changes, that bring peace and happiness in your life.