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Making a Restaurant Wine List.

Compiling a wine list is a task which needs to be given a certain amount of thought.

Besides having a good balance or Whites. Reds, Rose, Sparkling and Sweet wines, one needs to have a variety of countries as well as a range of prices.

Usually, the low end wines have a higher markup than the more expensive ones and they are relatively fast movers. The pricier vintage wines last longer because they age well inside the bottle.

Take a look at my spreadsheet which can help you organize the wine list, add your profit margin, sort by any category and value your stock taking.

Click Here to see or download Spreadsheet

Ix-Xalata ta L-Ixxelerati.

Words and Videos by E.B.

This the short story about how The Family of Emmanuele and Mary Bugeja managed to get together on May 3rd 2015.

It all started when I posted a Blast from the Past picture of my twin brothers, Ronald and Joe, which was taken at the Seabank Hotel on the occasion of their birthday. All the family members present for that lunch could remember what a good time was had by all on that day and started commenting of Facebook that we should do it again. After a few tentative dates were bandied about, it was established for May 3rd 2015.

At this point, our Xixxa ( Pauline Spiteri Bugeja ) took over the organization, thus filling a much needed void. The fact that her name is Pawlina, we were meeting at St.Paul's Bay, at the Hotel San Pawl and that her house is within walking distance from the venue made her the most eligible candidate for this role.

The mere thought of an imminent meeting between these family members could have been enough to fill each brother and sister with a certain level of excitement, but this was also a special moment for the Spiteri Bugejas because they had just adopted a newborn kitten which had gatecrashed their BBq.

All eyes and ears were on this minuscule creature which had suddenly and unexpectedly become the latest Facebook topic among the extended family. Goldie is still dependent on Pauline for her daily needs, and I am certain that everyone will retain an interest to see how this story develops, but the day of the mega gathering has come and gone, with only three offspring absent.

The lunch was pretty adequate, considering the reasonable price per head which was paid, As far as I know, nobody complained about the food quality or quantity. Free flowing wine and drinks were also included and so it was a wonder that no family member got drunk !

Chats, laughs and photographs were the order of the day during the lunch. It must be said that this day turned out to be the warmest one to date since the erratic wintry weather, so it was a real blessing to be able to lunch in the comfort of a suitably air conditioned restaurant.

The restaurant staff, led by Ricky, the Food and Beverage person, left no stone unturned to make this event a highly pleasurable one for all concerned. They were attentive enough without becoming intrusive. Anyone who would like to leave any comments about the video or anything else is most welcome.

Watch Video

Cousins and Kids 2nd Video

Eric’s Banoffee Pie

 (This recipe is for a ten inch diameter tin)

For  Base :

200 Gms All Purpose Flour

100 Gms Margerine

100 Gms Granulated Sugar

Half Teaspoon  Ground Cinammon

80 ml Milk

1 Egg

For Filling:

200 Gms Margerine

200 gms Soft Brown Sugar

1 Tsp Lemon Juice

3 Large Bananas

1 Can 400 ml Evaporated Milk

For Topping:

1 Tub * 250 ml Benna Cream

50 Gms Sugar

2 Chopped Bananas

Juice of Half Lemon

Sprinkle of Nescafe Granules

Drizzle of Melted Chocolate.

Method :

For the base, make the sweet short crust by mixing all the dry ingredients together until they resemble fine breadcrumbs. Add the milk and egg at one go and mix only until it forms a paste. Spread the paste at the bottom of your dish, wetting the spatula to help spreading it evenly.

Blend the filling ingredients and pour them on top of the short crust base.

Bake in a low temperature of 120 C or Gas Mark 3.

After 90 minutes of cooking, insert skewer in the centre to check whether it is cooked. Continue cooking until the skewer comes out clean.

When cooked, leave to cool and set for at least 2 hours.

Whip the cream, add the sugar and spread or pipe on top of the pie.

Put the sliced bananas in the lemon juice to prevent them from browning.

Sprinkle the coffee granules, arrange the banana slices, and drizzle with the melted chocolate.

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BANANAS

 Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined

 with fibre, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of

 energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy

for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one

fruit with the world's leading athletes.

 But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also

 help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions

 making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression:

According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people

suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana.

This  is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body

converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and

generally make you feel happier.

 PMS (Pre-menstrual Syndrome): 

Forget the pills - eat a banana. The

Vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

 Anemia:

High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin

In the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

 Blood Pressure:

This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium

 yet low in salt, making it the perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so,

 the US Food and Drug Administration has  just allowed the banana industry

to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood

 pressure and stroke.

 Brain Power:

200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped

 through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and

 lunch in a bid to boost their brain power.  Research has shown that the

 potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

 Constipation: High in fibre, including bananas in the diet can help

Restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to

 laxatives.

 Hangovers: 

One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a

 banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and,

 with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while

the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

 Heartburn:

Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you

suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

 Morning Sickness:

Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood

 sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

 Mosquito bites:

Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the

 affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it

 amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

 Nerves:

Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

 Overweight and at work?

Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria

 found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and

 crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most

obese were more likely  to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that,

to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels

 by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels

 steady.

 Ulcers:

The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal

Disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that

 can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases.  It also

neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

 Temperature control:

Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit

 that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant

 mothers.  In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure

 their baby is born with a cool temperature.

 Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): 

Bananas can help SAD sufferers because

 they contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan.

 Smoking:

Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking.  The B6,

 B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them,

help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

 Stress:

Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat,

 sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance.  When

we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium

 levels. These can be re balanced with the help of a high-potassium banana

 snack.

 Strokes: 

According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine,"

 eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by

 strokes by as much as 40%!

 Warts: 

Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill

off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the

 yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or

surgical tape!

 So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it

 to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three

 times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the

other  vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best

 value foods around. So maybe it’s time to change that well-known phrase so

 that we can say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

Perfect Arancini

Makes 15 Chicken Arancini

 Ingredients :

50 g Butter

2 Medium Sized Onions Finely Chopped

4 Chopped Garlic Cloves

1 Tsp Curry Powder        

3 Tsp Table salt

1 Tsp White Pepper

2 Chicken Stock Cubes

400 Gms Minced Chicken Breast

500 Gms Arborio Rice

1 Litre Water

100 Gms Cheddar Cheese ( Cubed 1 cm )

For the outer coating:

1 Egg

100 gms Plain Flour

1 Pkt Breadcrumbs

Oil for Frying

Method :

Put the ingredients from the top of the list up to the stock cubes to simmer in a large pot for 10 minutes. Add the minced Chicken Breast and cook while stirring for 5 minutes. Add the rice and mix thoroughly with the other ingredients. Add the water and cover. Simmer until ALL the water is absorbed by the rice, stirring occasionally. Once the rice is cooked, turn out onto a shallow dish and leave to cool. ( If it is left in the pot, the bottom part will continue cooking and will be soggy ).

Cut the cheddar into cubes. Soak a ladle in water and fill with the cooked rice mixture. Put the cubed cheddar in the centre and slide out the semi-sphere of rice. Keeping your hands moist with water, form into a compact ball. Continue until all the rice is used up. The number of Arancini you get depends on the size of ladle you use for the measure. 

Once the balls are ready, pass them through the flour, the beaten egg, and the breadcrumbs, using a circular motion with your open flat palms to get a perfect sphere. Fry in hot oil until golden brown. Make sure that they are completely immersed in the hot fat, otherwise you may have to turn them over half way through the cooking time. It will be nice if you post a comment, especially if you do the recipe and are pleased with the result. 

Poezija Plus, L-Ghanja tal Poplu 2014

I am Proud to be Maltese. The reason I have found the need to make this statement is because sometimes I have my doubts. While embracing a natural affinity with the country in which I was brought into this world, my tolerance level and acceptance of other races , countries and cultures nearly counterbalances my patriotism. This is brought about by my unshaken belief that we are all human beings with the same rights, even if those rights are not accepted or practiced in the particular country in which you happen to be living, through choice or otherwise. Not only do I believe in diversity, but will go out of my way to implement and promote it.

Being proud to be Maltese, in my opinion, does not mean that we will always prefer to buy a Maltese product, support a Maltese football team, swear that Maltese cooking is the best, or try to impose our distorted and biased Maltese values ( if there is such a thing ) on others. Being proud to be Maltese allows us to prefer other countries’ or foreign artists’ contributions in certain aspects.

At this point, I need to confess what started this train of thought. Since way back when I was a wee lad, I had always preferred to read and write in English rather than Maltese. This must have been partly due to the fact that I was not so exposed to Maltese literary works, but it somehow stuck with me. Not that I was prejudiced against Maltese literature, I simply preferred to read and write in English because my influences and inspirations came from that particular country. I can and do express myself well verbally in Maltese and will rarely engage in the half Maltese half English with literal translations thrown in conversation which used to be associated with St.Joseph and St.Aloysius students.

In most cases, I will either speak completely in Maltese or completely in English. The exception to this is when I feel that a person is using this bastardation of languages to feel somewhat superior. In this case, I will rise to the occasion to show that I can speak tal pepe as well as the next man, and then some. I always have this urge or innate instinct to emulate the accent, dialect, level of speech of the person with whom I am conversing. I feel that this helps communication but sometimes I have to admit that it is taken too far by myself just for the heck of it.

In these last few days, I have attended two events which were connected with Maltese Literature and art and I must say that I was not only intrigued, entertained and stimulated by the performances but really felt deep down that I should sit up and take more notice of our cultural heritage in this regard.

Il Hajja Sigrieta tan Nanna Genoveffa performed as a play was a joy to watch being performed by highly accomplished actors. The highs and lows, the chiaro scuro of verbal play and emotions could not be better portrayed and I only heard positive comments about the production, comments which re-enforced my own. 

Yesterday I had an invitation to attend Poezija Plus which was co organized by the YTC to promote (and commemorate) L Ghanja tal Poplu. I have personally many positive memories of the Youth Travel Circle and their constant organizational abilities and have no doubt that this year’s Ghanja will be better and more organized than any previous one. There seems to be a resurgence of Maltese folk music which conveys a message, whether contemporary or otherwise. While I was there, I took some photographs of the event which I am also posting here. Should anyone feel the need to download or link, please do so at will. 

            Eric Bugeja 79284352