The Seven Series: Pride

The final in the series would be the epitome of all sins – Pride

I have spoken many times about Pride being a very diminutive quality in a human, this, by far, takes the cake in the hierarchy of sins. Pride is something which one can control but chooses to embrace just for a mere few minutes of self obsessed – feel good factor, the sole reason for exhibiting this trait.

There are many reasons a person can get conceited – the surroundings, social status, upbringing and self-reflection hones your nature to make you believe what you are. It’s when these very same virtues start assuming the role of superiority and control your life, is when conceit sets in. It’s not with everyone, who allow the very same virtues which make them what they are, to go over their heads, but it’s the superiority complex which an individual experiences that banishes all humility from his life’s dictionary.

I say it once again and abide to the fact that humility in a human being is an extremely important virtue to make him a complete soul and probably what one would term as “human”. No matter what the social status a person holds, the wealth garnered in the course of ones life or the ego which one may develop over time – when one stands with another, it’s always at the same platform and on the same level.

If you can master the art of exuding humbleness then nobility comes automatically. There is nothing higher than commanding respect this way than being a pretentious and prejudiced fool. Period.

he next in line is the final forbidden fruit which is ranked quite high in the apple varieties – the Gala Apple. A high ranking apple by all possible means such as its taste, firmness, sweetness, tartness and crispness, it makes for a wonderful fruit and its best eaten raw.

I have not done anything special with the dish synonymous with pride, because this dish is a rightful modest one. You could call it a food version of a night cap or an after meal indulgence (possibly a midnight snack). This is not a recipe but just a gathering of the simplest of ingredients which compliment and probably enhance the experience of eating the perfect fruit with an exciting method of serving cheese in an exotic way.

The Gala Apple with Rosemary Infused Brown Bread & Smoked Cheddar

A simple serving of raw fruit with a side of rosemary infused whole wheat bread coupled with heavenly slices of home smoked cheddar cheese.

Ingredients

• 1 Gala Apple (Cored, un-skinned, and sliced thickly)

For the Rosemary Bread

• 1 whole wheat French loaf
• 4 tablsp Olive Oil (warm)
• 1 tsp Rosemary leaves
• Sea Salt to taste

For the Smoked Cheddar

• 100gms brick – Cheddar Cheese (room temperature)
• ½ cup aromatic wood chips*
• 1 cup water
• 10 cubes of ice (and 10 more to replenish)
• A Barbecue Grill with a lid or a large vessel with a sealable lid
• A fairly large baking tray which can fit in the grill or medium size vessel
• Coal

Place the sliced apples in chilled water with a squeeze of lime for a few minutes, drain and cool.

For the rosemary whole wheat bread – sprinkle the rosemary in the olive oil, thickly slice the French bread and brush one side of each slice with the rosemary infused olive oil. Slightly warm the bread in the oven set on 140C and keep warm till serving time (should take about 5 minutes).

For the Cheese Smoking

Soak the aromatic wood chips in 1 cup of water.

Light the coal in a barbecue grill or on your gas stove, once white hot leave in the grill and proceed with the next step or transfer into a large vessel with a sealable lid.

Place a brick of cheddar (or your favorite cheese) in a fairly large baking tray / medium vessel and place the ice cubes in the tray all around the cheese.

Place the baking tray inside the grill / large vessel but not on the coals (you can shift the coals around the sides or use a wire rack to prevent the coal from touching the baking tray). Toss the wooden chips on the hot coals and it will start smoking. Immediately seal the grill or large vessel with the lid and leave for about 15 minutes. Check in 15 minutes and re-light the coals, replenish the melted ice with fresh ice (you can throw away the water) and smoke for another 15 minutes for a stronger smoky flavor.
Serve apples with thick slices of rosemary bread and thin smoked cheese slices with your favorite red wine.

With this we complete the Seven Sins Series – while I hope you enjoy each and every recipe in this series.

* you can pick up whittled wood chips from your local carpenter, such as oak, cherry or apple – ask him he will be sure to point it out to you