Nov. 14, 1938; Dispatch: 12-1a
UPDATE: Previous reports; Nor. Burma 7-18 [Irrawaddy
Riv.]
Successfully
retrieved Banyan recipe; unique characteristics of sauce blend; Kitchen
has interest; Add’l funding available for continuance of missions!
UPDATE: Previous reports; Nor. Burma 7-31 [Dr.
H. W. Jones/Lost River Delta Region]
Successfully
retrieved Chieftain recipe; Pepper/spice of interest; Kitchen is interested;
Funding approved for continuance of add’l research!
16 Nov. ’38 - REPORT: From the French Indo-China territory
& Mekong River; Riv. travels through several areas, including Siam (now
Thailand). Travelling after the typhoon season in November of 1938, I left the
upper reaches of the Irrawaddy (sites of “Banyan” & “Chieftain” skewers) by
train to Rangoon, Burma (2 nt stay) then to layover (4 nt) in Bangkok via
Boeing Clipper.
While
waiting for take off, the captain asked over the loudspeaker if the party that
lost the roll of 50 $20.00
bills, wrapped in a red rubber band, please report to the cockpit...we have
good news for you. We have found your rubber band.
Departed
Bangkok to P.P. early A.M. via small hopper.
[Side note: The pilot of the small 2 person
hopper plane to P.P. keeps his pet snake “Reggie” onboard; discovered snake
rather surprisingly!]
Gained
research in local markets; maps; local customs of spice blends. Many provisions
procured & fwd on to Phnom Penh.
Luckily
I have my Kodachrome film for color photos...
18 Nov. ’38 - REPORT: Upon arrival in P.P., I Quickly
procured-contracted a launch [Mekong Maiden] for up-river travels. Speaking
with locals, rumors, it is said the third skewer recipe may be found some 600
mi. [approx.] up-river. The locals also
warned me of the area gorilla population and that if I will be wearing yellow,
don't make any noises like a banana.
If
successful, it would complete my search by obtaining all three skewer recipes!. Hopes are high.
As we left
the dock, the launch skipper asked me to turn around and wave at the people on
the dock...wave at them... 'cause you're never going to see them again!...then
again, you've probably never seen them before either.
25 Nov. ’38 - REPORT: Reached drop off point at confluence
of Mekong & Nam Kading Riv’s; The skipped warned me that some scouts here
claim they've spotted tigers in the area the last couple of days. But I know
that's ridiculous. After all, tigers are striped, not spotted.
Now on foot
trek. Weary of travels; Pushing on.
I have heard
that here in the rain forest it sometimes rains 365 days per year...some years
it even rains every day.
27 Nov. ’38 - REPORT: Stumbled upon some sort of thatched
hut, sounds of singing heard within. I
have heard of this folklore…rumors really. A ritual is performed which includes
inanimate forms of carved gods [possibly with tiki roots], bordering the occult
come to life, so to speak, or become animated. Even more wild stories of
talking parrots being taught songs. Will investigate further.
Saw huge
forests of bamboo. It grows to be 6 stories tall, but people say it can grow to
7 stories but that's a whole other story.
The song was
constant, starting over every…oh, I I’m not sure but it seams like every 12
minutes and 33 seconds with a 3 minute and 58 second pre-show. The birds were singing
words and the flowers were crooning in this tiki…tiki…tiki…...tiki…………tiki
room.
Outside,
nearby by I spotted a small native village. This is quite the adventure land.
As I made way through the village, past a bazaar and a tropical importer…I
spotted what very well could be the source in my search for last of the three
skewers, the famed “Bengal”.
If only I could make it there and complete my
trifecta…but the going was arduous, the village was overwhelmed with people,
seemingly from all walks of life…and everywhere were these carts with small
children being pushed in them, then these carts or trolleys are abandoned along
the route, clogging the area. People everywhere! Child carrying trolleys!
Asian people standing in the way taking pictures of every friggin’ thing! AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!
But I made
it! A carved sign at this eatery outpost confirmed it…I was able to translate
it…”Bengal
Barbecue”. This was it!…I found it, my search is over! I went up to the
proprietor of the establishment, and in my best attempt in the their native
tongue, I said…”one please”.
I held it,
staring…a huge weight was lifted…I took a bite…and…well, it was okay. I
overheard someone say: “the churros are better”…not knowing what that meant, I
finished my meal. I spent some moments at the food vendor was able to obtain
the actual recipe…I now have all three.
So my trek
is done, mission accomplished. Now I can relax until a new search begins.
Perhaps a trip to the Big Easy…I have heard of a particular sandwich available
deep in the bayou…that is if I can find my way around as a storm of sorts went
through the area and set the place in ruins (end of commentary).
Bengal
Beef Skewer - In a
Sweet Zulu Sauce
Beef cut
into long strips
1 cup –
Teriyaki Sauce
1 cup –
Soy Sauce
1 T – Red
Wine Vinegar
1 cup –
Brown Sugar
½ cup –
Sherry Cooking Wine
2 – whole
Bay Leaf
1 T –
ground black pepper
2 T –
fresh ginger root
2 T –
fresh garlic
Mix ingredients and marinate beef
over night. Remove beef from marinade and steam until cooked through. Bring
mixture to slow boil over medium heat. Place beef on soaked skewers and
grill until heated. Dip grilled beef into heated sauce and serve with green
onion.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Photos from:
http://davelandweb.com/disneyland/
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com
http://www.toursdepartingdaily.com/
