Drip Irrigation in Zacango

Last week we helped plant chile pepper plants in Zacango. Two farmers are using a drip irrigation system that our co-worker Derek helped install. There is a resevoir near-by which supplies the water for the irrigation system. Using drip irrigation saves water, as the water drips out of a small hole in the tube right at the base of the plant stalk. These same farmers also grow tomatoes. Last month one of them told Derek that he was thinking about going to the U.S. to work, but because he has this farm with the drip irrigation system, he decided to stay here.

Sour Curry Soup (Ana)

This has become our favorite soup. The recipe is from Ana, one of our co-workers who is from Cambodia.
Enjoy!


serves 12

2 lbs boneless BEEF
1 lb BEEF RIBS
2 large CINNOMON sticks
2 teaspoons SALT
Water
6 cloves GARLIC diced
3TB OIL
1 teaspoon SUGAR
2 C GREEN BEANS cut into 2-3 inch pieces
1 TB CURRY powder (hot)
1 Four Inch Stalk of LEMON GRASS smashed (you can leave the grass leaves on also)
3 POBLANO PEPPERS cut into 2 inch squares
1 TB FISH SAUCE (or more to taste)
2 C MUSHROOMS quartered
2 C ONION sliced
2 Cans COCONUT MILK
WATER
2 heaping teaspoons BEEF BROTH MIX
2 heaping teaspoons TAMARIND BROTH MIX
SOUR CREAM to taste
HOT PEPPER FLAKES to taste
4 C dry rice cooked in separate pot

In preasure cooker cook beef and ribs with water to cover, 2 large cinnomon sticks
and SALT for 35 to 45 minutes and set aside.
Fry the garlic in the oil with the sugar.
Add the green beans, curry, lemon grass, poblano peppers, fish sauce,
mushrooms, and onions and fry for 5-10 minutes.
Add coconut milk, and water to cover veggies, bring to boil.
Add meat with juice, beef broth mix, and tamarind soup mix.
Cook 15 minutes, adjust to taste.
Put a large spoonful of rice in bowl and spoon soup over rice.
Serve. Add sour cream and hot pepper flakes to taste.