Sopas

 Sopas are held for many different events. This weekend was Sopas to raise money for " helpo" this money will go towards building more wells in Mozambique.

You might be wondering what Sopas is - well it is exactly that  - soup. But with a difference, a platter of meat and vegetables is served seperately from the tureen of soup with chunks of bread soaked in its flavourful broth. Massa Sovada is also on the table. This is all enjoyed with a glass or two of wine. Afterwards rice pudding is served for desert.

I was privileged to be able to assist with the preparation for this sopas. I arrived on Saturday to see a long table full of meat and some ladies were cutting it up and removing fat and gristle. Maria must of seen my face and asked if I would prefer to peel garlic - that sat a whole lot easier with me. Did we peel garlic enough to make your fingers burn. Carrots and potatoes were peeled, cabbage washed, mint and coriander put into muslin bags, bread cut into pieces and placed in the large soup tureens. After the meat was cleaned and ready, it was well salted and covered over with some cabbage leaves. Tables were set and everything put in place. All that was left to do was for the night crew to come in at 3am and put the meat and veg on to cook, in giant pots. Then a fire was lit in the forno and some extra meat was cooked separately that had been marinated, this was to be added to the soup for extra flavour.

I worked with some lovely ladies, all capable and calm, we even downed tools and had a wonderful lunch of fried steaks, together with a bean dish and pea with chouriço, oh and forno cooked corn bread.

On the day, the rice pudding and Massa Sovada were delivered, oh my god was this masa the best I have had, light airy and slightly lemony.

The whole day went off  like a theatre production, everyone took their places and performed their role perfectly.
Three sittings, what a success!
Congratulations to everyone who helped and made this day possible.