Response to Challenge 1

Before I start to cook Audrey's challenge, I thought I'd better finally post my response to Lesley's challenge. It was a challenge! I had to visit three supermarkets, substitute a few items and left a couple of others out.

Cheese is available here but does not seem to be a great favourite. It’s usually pre-packed and the type of very orange looking processed cheese I usually avoid with a barge pole. One shop has a deli counter where the cheese/meat is already cut and you choose the piece you’d like.

Herbs and spices also seem to be limited and despite scrutinising the shelves very closely, mace was nowhere to be seen.

As you can see most packaged food is not made in Malawi while the fresh produce is.

The key challenges during preparation were that I do not have any weighing scales, no steamer and no food processor. All are available to buy in the bigger stores. Think I’ll invest in some scales but will try to survive without a steamer. I never use a food processor at home anyway!

There was enough for five portions so I had left overs to enjoy once my guest had left. We both agreed it was a tasty meal. 

Cooking the beans, the lentils etc meant it took a fair chunk of my Sunday to cook this but I enjoyed. It also introduced me new ingredients which I never use at home. I'll be making this, or a variation on theme again so thanks for the challenge, Lesley

Ingredients	Available or alternative used	Country of origin	Price  - per pack/total purchased
dried black-eyed beans	pack of 5 mixed beans	Canada, Holland, India, South Africa, Malawi	2.00
green split peas	Yes	South Africa	1.50
green lentils	Yes	Canada	1.50
peeled carrots	Yes	Assumed Malawi	1.00
peeled swede	Butternut squash	Assumed Malawi	0.50
peeled celeriac	Extra butternut
large onion	Yes	Assumed Malawi	0.10
small green pepper	Yes	Assumed Malawi	0.75
butter	Yes	South Africa	3.50
tomatoes	Yes - fresh	Assumed Malawi	0.25
chopped mixed fresh herbs	Dried mixed herbs	South Africa
ground mace	No idea! Left out
ground cayenne pepper	Yes	South Africa	2.00
salt and freshly milled black pepper	Not freshly milled!	South Africa
soft goats’ cheese	Cheddar	Not shown on the label	2.00
potatoes	Yes	Ireland	1.00
2 tablespoons milk	UHT	Zambia	0.25
Pecorino cheese	Mozarella	Not shown on the label	0.50