Saptamana 3 / Week 3

Saptamana aceasta a debutat sub semnul sarbatoririi a 152 de ani de la Unirea principatelor romane, care s-a facut prin dubla alegere a lui Cuza la 24 ianuarie 1859. O mare realizare pentru poporul nostru si cu siguranta unul dintre momentele definitorii pentru Romania, in mod special pentru ca aceasta era dorinta majoritatii romanilor, dar si pentru ca era garantia pentru un stat modern (responsabil pentru toti romanii) si pentru evolutia catre un viitor mai bun.

Aceasta evolutie continua, iar evenimentele de luni, de la Iasi, ne-au aratat cam pe unde ne aflam…

Este inspaimantator ca s-a ajuns la un asemenea grad de nemultumire si dezgust incat sa fie huiduit pana si imnul de stat! Ne huiduim simbolurile si nu ne dam seama ca prin aceasta ne huiduim pe noi insine.

Traim intr-o democratie pe care am creat-o si pe care o mentinem in viata fiecare prin votul sau. Ceea ce mi se pare curios este ca marea majoritate nu vrea sa recunoasca un fapt: cei alesi sa ne reprezinte nu sunt de pe o alta planeta, nu sunt nici macar de pe un alt continent sau dintr-o alta tara. Ei fac parte din comunitatile noastre, ne sunt semeni! Si atunci oare unde este problema? Lipsa de educatie, lipsa de interes, lipsa de intelegere a indatoririlor pe care le implica democratia…?!

Saptamana trecuta vorbeam despre faptul ca seful statului ar trebui sa fie un simbol pentru fiecare dintre cetateni. Este destul de dificil de realizat acest lucru intr-o tara in care presedintele nu “reuseste” sa se distanteze de apartenenta sa politica anterioara si nici nu “reuseste” sa dea dovada de impartialitate fata de toti actorii politici ai tarii (partidele), care in totalitatea lor reprezinta cetatenii (electoratul). Acesta este motivul principal pentru care sunt adeptul monarhiei constitutionale!

Monarhul constitutional poate, mai ales prin forta exemplului, prin oferirea unui model de comportament si a unui standard moral ridicat, sa constituie centrul vietii nationale. El poate, prin acordarea de onoruri, prin vizite sau patronaj, sa recunoasca si sa rasplateasca realizarile cetatenilor si sa incurajeze diferitele sectoare ale vietii culturale sau economice sau categorii ale populatiei.

Nu in ultimul rand, trebuie aratat ca monarhul realizeaza acea importanta legatura a natiunii cu trecutul sau. El este intr-un fel custodele trecutului national, fie el spiritual sau material. De asemenea, fiind in centrul tuturor afacerilor de stat, dar in afara arenei politice, suveranul poate avea in vedere interesul pe termen lung al natiunii, oportunitatile si pericolele care exista, fiind un factor de echilibru ce contrabalanseaza preocuparile politicienilor antrenati in periodica si inevitabila lupta electorala. Poate cel mai important aspect al regalitatii este acela ca suveranul reuneste rolul sau de sef al statului cu cel de sef al natiunii intr-o singura institutie. Daca suveranul se bucura de loialitatea poporului si ii induce acestuia un sentiment de mandrie, patriotism si apartenenta la corpul natiunii, atunci poporul isi exprima aceste sentimente si fata de stat, al carui sef constitutional este monarhul, si astfel, poporul confirma si aproba legitimitatea sistemului politic, juridic si economic care ii marcheaza existenta de zi cu zi. Consider relevante, in acest sens, cuvintele Majestatii Sale Regele, care vorbea despre “o familie care da sens natiunii”. In acelasi fel noi avem azi nevoie de un om care sa dea mai intai sens statului!

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Statul presupune diplomatie, diplomatia presupune ospitalitate, iar aceasta din urma nu inseamna nimic fara un ospat remarcabil! Inca din timpuri istorice, unul dintre modurile de a pregati si pastra bucatele presupunea aspicul. Bineinteles la vremea aceea era nevoie de un adevarat talent sa obtii gelatina necesara, iar procesul era complicat, oarecum neplacut si anevoios.

Reteta de saptamana aceasta este probabil una dintre cele mai simple din cate sunt prezentate in cartea Principesei Mostenitoare, dar cu siguranta una plina de farmec si arome!

Jeleu de vin

Ingredientele necesare se rezuma la 2 plicuri de gelatina, o sticla de vin rosu bun, o lamaie, un pahar de coniac si un sfert de kilogram de zahar.

Prepararea gelatinei se face conform instructiunilor de pe plic. Restul ingredientelor: vinul, coaja si zeama de la lamaie, coniacul si zaharul se pun la fiert impreuna, dupa care se adauga gelatina. Intregul amestec se pune la frigider pentru o zi.

Rezulatul este un desert pe cat de simplu, pe atat de gustos. Se serveste, la alegere, cu frisca, zahar negru sau fructe. Tinand cont de anotimp, eu am inlocuit fructele cu stafide inmuiate in coniac J.

Pentru a scoate jeleul din vasul/forma in care a fost pus la racit, sugestia prezentata in “Cartea regala de bucate” este de a scufunda baza respectivului vas/forma in apa fierbinte. Va pot garanta ca sugestia functioneaza!

Gustul acestui desert depinde in mare masura de vinul ales, astfel ca trebuie avut grija din acest punct de vedere. Rezultatul poate insa sa fie remarcabil: o aroma tipic romaneasca, rafinata, simplu de facut, cu impact.

Reteta detaliata se afla in “Cartea regala de bucate”, Ed. Curtea Veche, Bucuresti 2010, pag. 199.

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This week was marked by the 152nd anniversary of the unification of the Romanian principalities, which was realized through the double election of Alexandru Ioan Cuza. A great achievement for our people and certainly one of the defining moments in Romanian history, especially because this was the desire of the majority of Romanians, but also because it guaranteed the evolution towards a modern state (responsible for all Romanians) and towards a better future.

This evolution continues, and the events that took place on Monday, in Iasi, have shown us about where we are now...

It is frightening that we have reached such a degree of discontent and disgust that even the national anthem is booed! We disrespect our symbols and we do not realize that by doing that we disrespect ourselves.

We live in a democracy that we have created ourselves and that we maintain alive each of us by his vote. What I find curious is that the vast majority of Romanians do not want to admit a fact: those elected to represent us are not from another planet, not even from another continent or another country. They are part of our communities, they are our fellow countrymen! Where does the problem lie then? A lack of education, lack of interest, lack of understanding of the duties that democracy entails...?

Last week I was writing about the fact that the head of state should be a symbol for each and every citizen. It is difficult to achieve this in a country where the president does not "manage" to distance himself from his previous political affiliation and is not "successful" in showing impartiality towards all the country's political actors (parties), which in their totality represent the citizens (voters). This is the main reason why I am a huge supporter of constitutional monarchy!

A constitutional monarch can, by setting a high moral standard and acting as a role model, be the center of national life. At the same time, by granting honors, through visits and patronage, the sovereign can recognize and reward achievement and encourage different sectors of cultural or economic life or different groups of the population.

Last but not least it is worth emphasizing that the monarch makes that important connection with the nation's past. In a way monarchs are custodians of the national tradition and past, be it spiritual or material. Also, being in the center of all affairs of state, but outside the political arena, the sovereign may take into account the long-term interests of the nation, the opportunities and dangers that exist, representing a balancing factor when it comes to the political actors and their inevitable participation in the periodic electoral competition. Perhaps the most important aspect of kingship is the fact that the sovereign unifies the roles of head of state and that of leader of the nation in one institution. If the sovereign enjoys the loyalty of the people while giving them a sense of pride, patriotism and a feeling of belonging to the body of the nation, then the people will also express these feelings in connection to the state, whose head is the constitutional monarch, and thus confirm and approve the legitimacy of the political, legal & economic systems that mark their daily existence. In this context I find relevant the words of His Majesty the King, who spoke of "a family that gives meaning to the nation". In the same way we now need a person to give meaning to the state!

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The state requires diplomacy, diplomacy involves hospitality, and the latter is nothing without a remarkable feast! Since historical times, one of the ways to prepare and store food involved the use of gelatin. Of course a real talent was necessary back in the day in order to obtain gelatin, and the process was somewhat complicated, unpleasant and time consuming.

This week's recipe is probably one of the easier ones in the Crown Princess’ book, but nonetheless, it is charming and flavorful!

Red Wine Jelly

The ingredients required are limited to 2 envelopes of plain white gelatin, a bottle of good red wine, a lemon, a glass of good quality brandy and a quarter kilo of sugar.

The preparation of the gelatin is done according to the instructions on the envelope. The remaining ingredients: the wine, the zest and juice from one lemon, the brandy and sugar are all brought to boil together, then the gelatin is added and everything is stirred together. This entire mixture needs to be refrigerated for a day.

The result is a dessert that is as tasty as it is easy to make. It can be served with a choice of whipped cream, black sugar or fruit. Taking the season into consideration, I replaced the fresh fruit with brandy-soaked raisins.

In order to remove the jelly from the bowl / form in which it was refrigerated, the “Royal Cookbook” suggests that the base of the bowl / form be immersed in hot water. I can guarantee that this particular piece of advice was very useful (and the trick worked!).

The taste of this dessert depends largely on the wine selected, so much care must be given to this aspect. The result can be remarkable: a typical Romanian flavor (if, indeed, Romanian wine is used), refined and easy to make, that makes an impact.

The detailed recipe can be found in “Cartea regala de bucate”, Ed. Curtea Veche, Bucuresti 2010, pag. 199.