A moving day

Today is a moving day. I'm leaving my studio apartment and going to stay with Peter, Kate and Jen. Mum, dad and Sheila are going home. Most of the Aussie contingent have gone home, just Marie-Claire's lot still here and Viv.
Let me tell you about another couple of distinctive Mauritian tastes while I have an hour to kill.
First of all 'rugae'. It is a tomatoey dish, and I remember it as watery or soupy. That's how I make it at home. Here it seems to be less so. Sheila suggests it is similar to what we know as 'rague'. It could have originated as such, and there's a definite southern European influence to the tastes of Mauritius. The Portuguese were here as well as the French and Dutch, but they didn't stay long. The cuisine seems to be their only legacy, as well as some Mauritian names.
Biscuit Manioc is another taste characteristic of this island. I haven't found any yet. Sweetish and indescribably yummy serve with butter. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Gateau Piment, as the name suggests is a chilli cake. It is yellow split peas, soaked over night, then made into balls. They are mixed with salt and chillies and deep fried until crisp. Very moreish, I had thirteen in one go the other day. The split peas expand in your stomach and make you feel full all day. They'll also cure any constipation you might have.
I have talked of Buryani before. Aunty Marceline (Matant)cooks her rice first until nearly complete, then layers in lamb which has been fried in spices and onion. She then finishes off the rice and mixes the layers together just before serving, topping it off with safron.
I'm going to give this a go when I have my Sega party. I might even do it to raise money for the Benett Foundation.
'Mine', pronounced 'minn' is the Mauritian version of Chow Mein. Brought in by the Chinese, who were the main traders and shopkeepers. I haven't seen as many around as I remember. Francis thinks their children may have progressed to better things.

The rest of the day, after moving, is spent on the beach. Juern has discovered so live coral. I'm so pleased, I just hope it survives.
Amongst the vibrant blue tipped antler coral many different coloured fish are grazing. A slightly bigger brown fish looks very grumpy and territorial, rather like Nadjia in a bad mood. As I stand to talk to Jeurn, one of them nips me, and I hurriedly leave their patch. This coral is a bit far out for casual swimmers and doesn't seem to be on a boat route, so it stands a chance at least.
After the beach, a few G n Ts, and hear about Marie-Claire's ear operations and how worrying it has been. A moving story indeed.