Matt Stone's Thai veal curry. My Christian name's celebration

The Australian Foreign  Affairs Minister Julie Bishop arrived last Saturday night in Philippines, just for this weekend. Nick has been busy this week organizing the visit and since she landed in Manila. We didn't seen him at all from Saturday at lunch hour until this Monday morning. 

Every time Nick has to travel or is absent from home for work, is like a missing piece in a puzzle, our family. I sleep unsettled and the kids want to jump into my bed, next to Juanan's cot, and cuddle me. Obviously, I ended up with dark circles under my eyes the next morning. 

In Spain the Christian name is celebrated and in my family almost like a birthday. My mum had this tradition (although I am not sure whether all the Spanish families still do it) of making the day of your Christian name a very special day. Since I was little, Santa Esther was always on the 8th of December (but we found out later on that it was on the 24th of May) and the excitement was big for a 7 year old girl: lunch, delicious dessert, and even a small gift!.

Yesterday was the 8th of December so I planned a nice day with my children while Nick was in Tacloban with the Minister. Of course, I needed my yaya and driver (I am embarrassed to say I "needed" them but it is the reality). We missed 9am mass because I didn't have the car until 10am, but thanks to Jennifer and Frank's help, I managed to take Aurelia for a pamper session at the hairdresser, followed by an enjoyable lunch at our always favorite Italian restaurant, Caruso. We had a new haircut and were dressed up. Aurelia had a lemonade and ate margarita pizza, I had a robust Italian red wine to keep me going for the rest of the afternoon that matched with homemade garganelli with prawns and pomodoro sauce. 

When we got home, Gabriel was awake and baby Juanan also prepared to have fun. Although I was dying for a cat nap of  20 minutes thanks to the effect of the wine and the broken night with the kids, it was already 3pm and my two boys were more than ready to get out of the house.

So we all walked under the sun and friendly clouds to the Peninsula Hotel to listen the Christmas concert. My yaya with Gab in the stroller and Aurelia next to me pushing baby Juanan in another enormous stroller that a friend of mine has kindly lent me. 

I forgot how amusing a simple walk could be for the children. They ran after the cats, they kicked some leaves from the trees and they…complained and complained about the heat, the nasty smell from the canal we have in our village (I agree with them though, it is quite unpleasant when I run in the mornings) and the long distance to the hotel! I created two invisible earplugs to block the whining voices.

Finally, we got to the hotel with our fancy clothes covered in dripping sweat. We didn't listen to the concert ( my expectations were too high obviously). Never mind, Gab, Aure and Jennifer gobbled up two muffins and a glass of cold water, "cheaper and healthier than a juice" I explained before they opened their mouth to demand some expensive drinks.

Walking back home, there was less negative words and more laughs and funny jokes, specially from Aurelia who had a really good day in terms of treats and being spoilt. It will be more occasions for the other two boys to celebrate, either a birthday or their Christian name on the 29th of September for Gab and the 24th of June for Juanan. Aure is on the 6 December so we joined the celebration unexpectedly. 

When I finally closed my eyes for the excited but exhausted day, a wave of pleasure run through my mind. I thought of my day and realized it wasn't about my Dia del Santo, as I planned, it was about carrying on this tradition to my children. A reason to celebrate customs and believes which are an important part of who you are, no matter where you are.

I made this dish in our monthly curry night. It was unusual because in your first bite, you will have some cinnamon and coconut notes, and then a hint of spiciness at the end from the long chillies. Even Aurelia who is not fond of spicy and hot meals yet, she liked it.

Again, what it makes this curry particular is the homemade paste, not from jar bought at the supermarket. You will be surprised how different the taste is when you start making the curry paste at home.

Curry paste

• 6 large dried chillies, seeds removed, soaked in warm water for 30 minutes
• 1 tbs shrimp paste (belachan)
• 5 eschalots
• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 lemon grass stalks (core only), chopped
• 50g coriander seeds, toasted
• 1 tbs cumin seeds, toasted
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 2 tsp cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 180C. Drain chillies, reserving liquid.
2. Wrap shrimp paste in foil and dry fry in a frypan over high heat for 1 minute each side until fragrant. 
3. Roast eschalots (skin on) until soft. Peel and puree all paste ingredients in a blender (or in the mortar like I did) until smooth, adding a little  chilli liquid.

Veal curry

• 500g veal shin, cut into 3cm pieces
• 400ml can coconut milk
• 6 kaffir lime leaves
• Sunflower oil to fry
• 300g eggplant, cut into 1cm cubes
• 1 tbs each fish sauce and palm sugar (I used muscovado sugar)
• 1 bunch snake beans, cut into 5cm pieces.
• Steamed rice and Thai basil to serve (I used coriander leaves)

1. Bring veal, coconut milk and kaffir lime leaves to the boil in a wok (or a saucepan) over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 1 1/2 hours or until tender. Strain veal, reserving liquid and discarding kaffir lime leaves.
2. Clean the saucepan or wok, add oil and fry the eggplant (I used 2 boiled potatoes to make this dish less greasy) and add 1/2 cup of the paste. Stir fry for 5 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add reserved coconut liquid and 1/2 cup water, then bring to the boil. Add fish sauce, sugar, lime juice and beans (I served them as a side dish). bring to the boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes or until eggplant and beans are tender.