You can jump to the recipe if you do not have time for the obtuse and dreary introduction.

Introduction

Dear Reader, 

How has your week been? Mine has been fantastic. Monday was a gazetted public holiday in the Australian Capital Territory (also known as Canberra). We have one more public holiday before Christmas. I reckon Canberra has more public holidays than any other jurisdiction in Australia. 

During the week, there was a church vestry committee meeting. I enjoy these evening meetings. We discuss what is going well and what is not in the fellowship and plan for improving things.

In the middle of the week, I did a webinar with pathology (microbiology) trainees nationwide as part of their professional development. I loved sharing with them how being a pathologist and working as a public servant in government is a rich and rewarding career path. While not the same as working in a laboratory every day and working with other clinicians, I exposed them to some of the inner workings of how things get done in government.

I attended a workshop on Thursday that brought together different Australian Government agencies. Understanding the perspective and point of view of others always makes for better outcomes (in my opinion). A shared understanding helps develop and maintain cooperation. 

All in all, it was a busy and rewarding week. It has been a week of mercy and grace.

Ramen Daddy and Jasper + Myrtle 

On Sunday, I was invited to lunch by my friends who own and operate Jasper + Myrtle. It was good to catch up with them. I have not seen either of them since before COVID-19. 

Lunch was at Ramen Daddy in their Canteen in the 1 Dairy Road precinct in Fyshwick. 

I had the “Classic Daddy“, which was fantastic. I didn’t shoot a photograph because I wasn’t in the mood. It was good catching up with friends and enjoying eating the meal. 

After lunch, I got a tour of the Jasper + Myrtle chocolate factory. I remember they started in their garage with a relatively small setup. They’ve been to Italy a few times to purchase equipment for their manufacturing process. They import all the beans from PNG, so they are genuinely bean-to-bar in their manufacturing process. 

There was a lot of gleaming stainless steel and chocolate to see. 

What have I been reading? 

Phillipa Sage’s “Off-road with Clarkson, Hammond, and May” and “The Wonderful World of Jeremy Clarkson.” 

Phillipa recently wrote two books about her work and personal relationships with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. 

I know these three entertainers are polarising in society; however, Phillipa provides some insight that isn’t evident from their TV work. 

Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life 

In the same way, I read Gabor Maté’s “The Myth of Normal” based on a recommendation from blogger Jessica Cyphers; I started listening to this book by Jordan Peterson. 

While Maté’s book is about feelings, emotions, attachment, and embracing customs from first nations people groups, Peterson uses observation and empirical data to emphasise evolutionary biology. I’m part-way through the rules for life. “12 Rules for Life” is an audiobook that requires concentration. Peterson is fond of using words and terms which are technical and accurate, which can make comprehension a challenge when the words are not in everyday use. I’m learning new words.

While Maté takes a post-modern view of identity, Peterson relies on the power and force of evolution. 

The contrasts are fascinating. 

Peterson also takes this empirical view in his description of Christianity. His characterisation is academic, and while his exposition is scholarly, it sounds shallow compared with the depth and winsome conviction of Martyn Lloyd-Jones and Timothy Keller. He understands the bible (he also includes the Apocrypha) as a literary work and a guide for life, but not as the Word of God.

Recipe 

Equipment 

• Pressure cooker 

Ingredients 

• Speck 
• Brown rice – 1 cup
• Celery – a few stalks – sliced roughly.
• French onion soup packet mix 
• 8 cups of boiling water  
• Red onion – chopped.
• Whole black peppercorns for some extra “bite.”
• Iodised salt is unnecessary because of the salt in the speck and the packet mix.
• Spring onion 

Instructions 

1. Wash the rice until the water runs clear.
2. Combine the soup mix and the boiling water.
3. Put the rice and French onion soup mix (stock) into the pressure cooker.
4. Place the speck on top and add the celery.
5. Add in the onion and peppercorns.
6. Cook for one hour.
7. Allow the pressure to equilibrium naturally.
8. Open the lid and remove the piece of speck. Dice the meat while it is hot and return it to the pressure cooker to stir it through the developed rice gruel.
9. Transfer the congee to containers for storage, leaving aside enough for dinner.
10. Put the remaining congee into a bowl and garnish with spring onion.
11. Give thanks to the Lord.
12. Eat with a spoon.

Thoughts on the meal

As I’ve written many times, congee or jook is my favourite food. The meal was excellent and comforting.

Some readers will object to my use of speck because cured pork is unhealthy^[1]. If you don’t like cured pork, you can use chicken sans skin and fat. You could also use tofu and increase your plant œstrogen^[2] intake.

I’ve got enough left over from this meal to keep me happy for a week.

Final thoughts

• Do you like supporting local artisans, like Peter and Li Peng and their endeavour with Jasper + Myrtle?
• Have you had a rewarding week?
• Would you make tofu congee?
• Queensland and NSW play again in game two of this year’s State of Origin series this Wednesday. Queensland won the first game in Adelaide. Game two is at Lang Park, with a sold-out stadium. I’d give a body part to be at that game.

Photographs

References

1.         Bouvard, V., et al., Carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat. The Lancet Oncology, 2015. 16(16): p. 1599-1600.

2.         Rietjens, I., J. Louisse, and K. Beekmann, The potential health effects of dietary phytoestrogens. Br J Pharmacol, 2017. 174(11): p. 1263-1280.