Going Domestic

My friend lately

I have been surprised at how fun it has been to have the kids and home to myself.  [That is NOT to say I don't want my maid and nanny.  This is fun, but temporary fun.]  I have enjoyed doing the laundry the way I want it done, and to have my toothbrushes in the order of my choice. There are perks.  However, there are tons of things that I really miss.  I miss the one-on-one time with my kids.  I also feel like I am wasting time doing dishes when I could really be reading to my kids.  I also ache to have more date nights with Axel.  It will be nice to have Sarita back. 

In the meanwhile, I am enjoying the time that I have had without the maid.  There are setbacks, but I realized I really do like to clean and organize.  The other thing I have discovered is that I am a damn fine cook.  I hadn't cooked a meal in a couple of years.  The odd time I would teach my cook a particular dish but I would basically instruct her and she would do all the messy stuff.  For a while there, my cooking abilities were in question.  

Not anymore.  All my kids have gushed over every meal I have made since we have been here.  It could also be because they are eating beef again.  Beef never tasted so good.  It also doesn't take much to eat better than we were while living in Nepal. Something other than rice and dahl is a delicacy in this household.  I was surprised that I was daunted by cooking before I arrived in Doha.  Really, how hard can cooking be?  It is a matter of following instructions, right?  I suppose the idea is to find the right instructions.  That is why I am so thankful I have some knock-out-of-the-park recipes like this one:

Mango Salsa

1/2 medium onion, chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil or butter

2 ripe mangoes, peeled seeded, and diced

1 fresh red pepper, chopped

1 cucumber, diced

2 tablespoons coarsely chopped cilantro

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (I used lemon because limes can't be found here)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 tablespoon minced green onion

Saute onion in olive oil or butter until lightly browned.  Toss all ingredients together gently.  Serve with tortilla chips.  It is also great on chicken or fish.  

Now that I know I can cook, I am ready to be done.