NEPALESE CUISINE

Nepalese cuisine is quite simple and has had many influences during its development. As with most things in Nepal, the cuisine varies according to ethnic groups and castes, depending on ingredients available and affordable. Indian, Chinese and Tibetan flavors and aromas can easily be detected in Nepalese meals although Nepal's cuisine maintains its own flare. Nepal's climate has made it possible for the country to grow crops such as rice, lentils, wheat, corn and potatoes.
Whilst Nepalese cuisine is somewhat basic, it certainly does not lack in flavor, making extensive use of spices and flavorings such as ginger, garlic, coriander, pepper, cumin, chilies, cilantro, mustard oil, ghee and occasionally yak butter. The staple diet of Nepal's population is Dal (lentils), Bhat (rice) and Tarkari (curried vegetables). Beef is typically not eaten in Nepal for religious reasons. Local liquor, tongba and thon (rice beer) are popular drinks in Nepal. Let us take a closer look at some of the delicious foods of Nepalese cuisine.

SNACKS/APPETIZERS
Choyla – roasted or grilled spiced meat, typically accompanied by liquor.

Kwati – bean soup eaten at festivals.

Sekuwa – grilled meat such as chicken, mutton, duck or wild boar.

Alu Tama – potatoes with bamboo shoots.

Chatamari – flat bread made from rice flour with or without toppings (meat, vegetables, eggs, sugar). It is similar to a pizza.

Sukuti – spicy dried meat that is roasted with a charcoal fire.

Takhala – type of cold meat soup.

Momo – dumplings stuffed with minced meat which can be steamed or fried.

Gundruk – soup made out of dried, fermented green vegetables.

Sel – rice flour ring dessert.

Wo and Bara – a lentil flour patty which can be accompanied by a meat or egg topping. Typically used in rituals or at festivals.

MAIN MEALS
Dal – a lentil soup made with black, red or yellow lentils. Served with rice.

Bhat – steamed rice.

Sag – green vegetables which are served with rice. Consists of spinach with mustard greens.

Tarkari – curried vegetable broth. Recipes vary greatly.

Masu – spiced or curried meat (usually chicken, mutton, buffalo or pork) with gravy. Served with rice.

SAMBALS
Sanya Khuna – a jelly type relish made from a fish soup. It has a salty, spicy flavor.

Achar – a pickle that is either sweet, spicy or sour. There are many recipes for achar. Popular achars are made with potato, tomato, radish and coriander.

DESSERT
Juju Dau – a delicious creamy curd.Dahi – tasty yogurt or curd.Sikarni – curd with dried fruit added.

DRINKS
Tongba – hot water is poured into a pot of fermented millet. Tongba is best drunk with a straw of bamboo.Rakshi – local liquorThon aka Chhyang – fermented rice beer.

NEPAL- At a glance

Country profile: Nepal


With its ancient culture and the Himalayas as a backdrop, landlocked Nepal has long been the destination of choice for travellers in search of adventure.

Overview
Until Nepal became a republic in May 2008, the country had been under the sway of an hereditary monarchy or ruling family for most of its known history, largely isolated from the rest of the world.

AT-A-GLANCE

Politics: Historic elections in April 2008 led to abolition of centuries-old monarchy
Economy: Civil strife wrecked the economy and Nepal is dependent on aid; tourism is a key foreign exchange earner

Political History
A brief experiment with multi-party politics in 1959 ended with King Mahendra suspending parliament and taking sole charge.
Democratic politics was introduced in 1991 after popular protests, but it was extremely factionalised with frequent changes of government. The last king of Nepal, Gyanendra, twice assumed executive powers - in 2002 and 2005.
Meanwhile, Maoist rebels intent on setting up a communist republic waged a decade-long campaign against the constitutional monarchy.
The rebellion left more than 12,000 people dead. The UN said 100,000 people were displaced. Its envoy said the use of torture by government forces and rebels was routine.
When King Gyanendra's direct rule ended in April 2006 the rebels entered talks on how to end the civil war. A landmark peace deal was agreed in November and in early 2007 the Maoists joined an interim government.
The Maoists withdrew from the government in September, demanding abolition of the monarchy. Parliament agreed to this condition in December, and the rebels rejoined the government. The Maoists emerged as the largest party in parliament following elections in April 2008, and the monarchy was abolished a month later. A new Maoist-dominated government finally took office in August 2008.
Nepal has been at odds with neighbouring Bhutan over the repatriation of thousands of refugees living in camps in Nepal. The refugees - Bhutanese of Nepalese descent - fled violence in their homeland in the early 1990s.
With the world's highest mountain, Everest, and spectacular scenery and wildlife, the country has great potential as a tourist destination. But its environmental challenges include deforestation, encroachment on animal habitats and vehicle pollution in the capital, Kathmandu.
Most of the population depend on agriculture.Foreign aid is vital to the economy and Nepal is also dependent on trade with neighbouring India.

Facts
Population: 28.2 million (UN, 2007)
Capital: Kathmandu
Area: 147,181 sq km (56,827 sq miles)
Major language: Nepali
Major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism
Life expectancy: 63 years (men), 64 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Nepalese rupee = 100 paisa
Main exports: Carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain
GNI per capita: US $290 (World Bank, 2006)
Internet domain: .np
International dialling code: +977

(courtesy:BBC)

My Photos!!!!!!

This is the nearest beach from the School in Mandal.On a fine sunny day, the beaches in Norway look like paradize on the earth.

This is the Sideview of the main building of HALD INTERNATIONAL CENTER . This is the place where spend most of our time in this acedemic year. It is a fine building with plenty of rooms that accomodates many people.

This is a traditional lutherine church in MANDAL. It is so good to attend the sunday service. It also has got a choir team that is so good. This church lies very close to the school. So, we visit this chuch every sunday.

This is a group photo of all the International Focus Students . starting from the left upper row is Janet(Kenya), Bishnu(Nepal), Karen(Brazil), Rosemary (Kenya), Bruno (Brazil), From the right lower row is Siri T. Skeie(Staff-Focus),Miriam (Uganda),Me (Nepal), Glyadis(Uganda)