I Slept on a Popsicle

Popsicle - Orange Cherry Grape (Photo credit: frozenfoodjournal)

Last night I slept on a popsicle.  When we first arrived in Kinshasa, we were loaned furniture, appliances, cookware, etc. until our shipment arrived and we could afford to purchase our own things.  Last summer we finally acquired our own bed when a departing family was selling their water bed.  They told us when we bought it that we should keep a blanket between the mattress and the fitted sheet to avoid getting too cold.  Too cold?  We live in central Africa.  But, banking on the fact that they had more experience with waterbeds than we did, which was none, we followed their instructions.  Until yesterday.  I took the blanket off to wash and didn't get it dried before bedtime because the power was out.  So we just put the sheets on and went to bed, thinking that since the power was off it probably would be a blessing anyway if the mattress was a little on the cool side.  I started out cold as soon as my back hit the mattress, but when the power came back on sometime during the night and hubby jumped up and turned on the a/c, our bed became a popsicle.  (Yes, Marilyn, you told me so!)  It was like laying on a giant version of those squishy ice packs you keep in your freezer for when you injure yourself.  I ended up getting a pair of socks (I'd forgotten I even owned socks.) and another blanket so I could sleep on top of the covers and insulate myself.  David even got cold and turned off the a/c.

Not that I'm complaining.  Our old bed was hot and uncomfortable (see our bed story HERE).  And many people here in Kinshasa sleep on a mat on a dirt or concrete floor with no screens or mosquito nets.  I am very grateful.   But I have learned that when a good friend gives you advice, it is often worth heeding.

Speaking of good friends - several years ago we went to a New Year's Eve get together with some friends.  It was a sort of potluck, everyone bringing whatever they wanted to contribute to the gluttony of the evening.  My friend Amy brought pepperoni chicken, which immediately became a family favorite and we begged the recipe off her.   Pepperoni is a real treat here, hard to find and expensive, so this meal makes my family feel very much loved and a little less homesick.  Here's the recipe, with my Congo adaptations:

Pepperoni Chicken - serves 8

1 small package of ppperoni (or to taste)

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or meat from 1kg chicken leg quarters)

1 package gemeli pasta (something curly like rotini or macaroni)

2 jars of spaghetti sauce (roughly six cups, I use more if I add extra chicken)

1 Tbs Parmesan cheese (Gruyere is a good substitute and cheaper in Congo)

2 Tbs oil

Dash of Italian seasoning

Dash of crushed red pepper

Mozzarella cheese (Just enough to spread over the top.  Gouda is a cheaper substitute and works OK)

Combine chicken, oil and Italian seasoning.  Marinate half an hour.  (I often forget to thaw my chicken in advance, then end up boiling it, leaving out the oil altogether, and just adding the Italian seasoning when I mix it all together.)  Brown chicken.  Meanwhile cook pasta.  Combine everything except the mozzarella and place in a greased casserole dish.  Top with mozzarella.  Bake at 350F for 10-15 minutes.

Although my driver is still out of town, I was able to visit the orphanage this week!  I'll tell you all about it in my next post.