Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-10-2024 — World Food Day

16th October, 2024: World Food Day.

Right … I officially spent time on the phone, yesterday!

Phoning the Universal Credit Review team, to talk over what was happening.

I have to admit, it was a call I found very stressful: as, as it turned out, I needed to feed a specific check number — from my driving license — into the .gov website.

‘Palaver’ is not the word: especially as it took several goes.

I did managed to ask why this was happening: answering that was why I phoned in the first place.

Apparently, it’s a rare — but very routine — procedure.

Hmmm … 

I came away from the experience feeling stressed, angry and very frustrated.

But … ?

Can at least say the agent who took my call — called Anstar — was both patient, calm, thick skinned … and had very good customer handling skills.

That’s very helpful … and very appreciated … 

~≈☎️≈~

On other fronts … ?

I’ve now ordered a sofa.

As soon as it’s here?

I can arrange for the old armchair to be removed, and get assembling.

~≈💺≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

It seems that Liz Kendall, the current Work and Pensions Secretary, is planning to introduce a scheme where work coaches — the case workers at the Job Centre — visit clients in psychiatric hospitals.

Apparently, the pilot projects have produced ‘dramatic results’.

I’m not necessarily sure it’s a good idea.

As I’ve met one or two people over the years who would struggle keeping a job: as their conditions meant they had frequent episodes.

They’d be an employee that even the most sympathetic employer would find difficult to accommodate.

I can see the idea’s good: I can see the idea could potentially ease government spending.

But?

I think it’s not necessary practical: especially if a work coach has minimal training … and especially if a patient has frequent crises.

~≈💺≈~

The Daily Teaser — 22-08-2012

You know, I think the weather’s calming down a bit.

JUST a little bit.

At least, going by the weather woman who’s happily chatting away in the background, on the BBC’s news channel.

I’m thankful.

I know the sunny weather — extremely sunny, on some days — is nice.

But, by gods, it’s made for uncomfortable sleeping … !

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

»»·««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Nina* nominating me for the One Lovely Blog award, and Debbi putting in her answers: along with bagging 4 of 5, yesterday also saw Debbi telling us about a restaurant near her that does British foodº.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?   Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video … 

Q1) 22nd August, 1639, saw the founding of the city of Madras: how is Madras now known?

Q2) More to the point, which India federal state is it the capital of … ?

Q3) 22nd August, 1966, saw ICI announce job losses: in its factories that made what … ?

Q4) Following on from that, what does ICI stand for … ?

Q5) 22nd August, 1922, saw the discovery of gold in which South African city … ?

Q6) And finally … 22nd August, 2007, saw the Storm Botnet send a record  amount of spam emails: was it 56, 57 or 58 million messages … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 21st August, 2017 will see a Solar Eclipse: on which day of the week  … ?

A1) Monday.

Q2) 21st August, 1968, saw a Soviet clampdown on Czechoslovakia: name any of those five (then) invading countries.

A2) The Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary and East Germany.

Q3) More to the point, name either of Czechoslovakia’s two successor states … 

A3) The Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Q4) 21st August, 1969, saw Michael Dennis Rohan attempt to burn down the Al-Aqsa Mosque: Al-Aqsa translates into English as what … ?

A4) The Farthest.

Q5) And finally … 21st August, 1991, saw which Baltic state declare its independence … ?

A5) Latvia.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll leave you with this quote from the late Ray Bradbury, born today in 1920.

“We were put here as witnesses to the miracle of life. We see the stars, and we want them. We are beholden to give back to the universe … If we make landfall on another star system, we become immortal”  Ray Bradbury, August 22, 1920 – June 5, 2012

And as it’s also the birthday of Living Colour frontman, Vernon Reid, here’s one of the bands big hits … 

*        Actually, Nina, I think Debbi’s nominated me for it, as well: I’m going to HAVE to sort something out, just to say thank you … !

º        Actually, Debbi, did you know that Chicken Tikka Masala is supposed to have been invented in Glasgow?   And the Deep-fried Mars Bar has it’s origins in Aberdeen … ?   If you’re looking for a seriously mind-boggling meal … ?   The Australian Meat Pie Floater: the fact it’s listed as a ‘late night’ meal should be a clueª … 

ª        If you want to know what’s in the pie … you need another pint … 

Boiled What … ?

Oh …

Yes, I KNOW …

It’s a plate.

With food.

Actually, to be strictly precise … ?

It’s a couple of grilled chicken burgers, some microwaved vegetables and boiled potatoes.

But being frank … ?

That was my now eaten dinner.

And one that was a darn sight healthy than what I’ve USUALLY been eating …

Trust me on this … !

Chilli Con Carne …

You know, it’s SUDDENLY occurred to me that, given the internet’s notorious for ALL sorts of things, I’ve never posted what I’m about to post.

No.

Just NO!

Before anyone says anything about me, and entertaining ladies in corsets!

I don’t think my chest would take it, for STARTERS … !

At ANY rate, I haven’t actually posted up me recipe for chilli con carne, have I … ?

Well …

Not on here, at any rate …

You see a couple of thing’s got me thinking I should put it up, though.

For starters … ?

Seeing Serendipity has a food-themed blog, where’s she posted up a couple of recipe ideas is one thing. Couple that with the fact that Patrice and Adrence all always mentioning food at some point in my twitter timeline: Patrice has been threatening chocolate cake for sometime, and it seems that Adrence’s sister, @MichelleApong, is doing burgers as we speech … !

Hmmm …

Saves ME doing a dinner.

But I’m burbling, aren’t I … ?

At any rate …

The other reason I mentioned it … ?

Is the only other time I posted the recipe was on the now gone Addicted To Discworld, a Terry Pratchett fan-site I joined, many years ago: one of the first I signed up to, when I first went online, a decade ago, and one that’s — to my regret — now gone down.

At any rate: here’s the recipe …

»»•««

800 to 1000 grams of canned chopped tomatoes.

250 grams of lean minced beef: you can replace this with chicken or Quorn mince, of course.

1 large pepper.

1 large onion

400 grams of drained, washed red kidney beans.

3 chopped chilli peppers.

1 clove of garlic

Spices to taste

The way I’ve always done it is relatively simple, as well: single guy on his own, remember … ? Simple, quick and easy, and I know I’ve impressed at least two women over the years, with variations on this …

First, I’ll make sure the chopped tomatoes are in a pot and on a low heat.

Next, I’ll chop and fry the onion, until it’s soft, and put that in the pot with the tomatoes.

Then chop up the pepper and add that. And the chilli pepper’s, as well: you can vary the amount, of course, depending on how spicy you like things.

Drain the kidney beans, and add those*.

I usually add cumin, chilli powder, coriander, and or paprika, while the tomatoes are stewing: the amount, as well as the what varies, depending on what I’ve got in my cupboard. And I’ll have to admit, I’ve got a reputation for being a touch … …

Berserk …

When it comes to the spicesª …

Now, while THAT lot’s stewing, fry off the mince: you can lightly spice the mince with chilli powder, or what ever, while you doing this: usually, if I’m doing a chicken or Quorn chilli, I find soaking it in lime juice, overnight, helps: it adds a nice, zingy counter-point to the tomatoes.

Once that’s done, add the mince — chicken, or Quorn — to the pot.

And let it stew for an hour or so.

That lot … ? Should feed three to four people … !

»»•««

Now, traditionally … ?

Traditionally, of course, one has rice with that lot, although I’ll — more often than not — have either a baked spud, chips, or bread.

Down to you, what you have.

Either way … ?

Enjoy it … !

* Law 43H of Nik Nak’s Laws For Smooth Talking Bar Stewards — one of the Unmentionable Laws — says, distinctly, “Do Not Feed Movie-Night Adrian Kidney Beans: you’ll get a Look”. Just so you know.

ª To the point where Dr Kevin has a bad habit of running away screaming whenever I mention it …