Sweet Tarts on Strike

When I first came to this country many moons ago, I knew life was going to be

different. Not only will I learn a new language, and experience a Culture Shock

as many thousand others do when moving to a new country. But what never entered

my mind was that I will have problems finding certain food items, which I am accustom-

ed to.

As I,ve always enjoyed baking, and ready to taste and samlpe new recipes, here the

fun was about to start.

As a total Green horn to this new country, I searched (in vain) the grocery stores for

ingredients for my good ol`recipes with the flavour of "the green green grass" of

home.

Freshly baked tea-time scones with jam and whipped cream, not only a favourite in

the UK, but also a great hit in SA. How do I get those beauties to rise 3inches high

with an oven kissed complexion ----------without self-raising flour?

How do I make that "all you can eat" Trifle, the perfect final to a Christmas meal --------

without Custard and Jelly?

And how do I prepare that magical Lemon Meringue Tart, without the help of our old

and trusted buddy ------------thick sweetened Condensed Milk?

Where are the days, shortly before Christmas, when the cake platters were over flowing

with Christmas Mince Pies, spreading that wonderful aroma through every corner

of the house?

The all time favourite Sponge Pudding shows me an aggresive face -------- without

Golden Syrup.!

With all this "sweet talk" my stomach is grumbling and growling. The Curry Masala

on the stove is ready to serve, it,s just another tear jerker for Vindaloo and me -------

without the Mango Chutney.