Spaghetti Bolognese

Bolognese sauce (ragù alla bolognese in Italian, also known by its French name sauce bolognaise) is a meat-based sauce for pasta originating in Bologna, Italy. Bolognese sauce is sometimes taken to be a tomato sauce but authentic recipes have only a very small amount of tomato, perhaps a couple of tablespoons of tomato paste.

While going through some facts about bolognese, I'd decided to pamper myself to some spaghetti bolognese.

A good rummage through the refridgerator and I quickly assembled the necessary ingredients.


Let's try some home-cooking!

Ingredients

Group 1:
3 tablespoons of cooking oil.
1 onion, chopped.
1 carrot, chopped.
2 cloves garlic, minced.

Group 2:
200 grams pork, minced.

Group 3:
½ cup white wine.

Group 4:
½ cup milk.
1¼ tablespoon salt.
¾ tablespoon pepper.
1 pinch nutmeg.

Group 5:
1 medium size tomato, chopped.
2 tablespoons tomato paste.
2 tablespoons Heinz® bolognese sauce (this ingredient is cheating, but heck).

Group 6:
200 grams spaghetti.

Group 7:
1 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 fresh parsley, chopped.


Get your ingredients prepared!

Recipe

Group 1:
Cook for 5 minutes.

Group 2:
Add to broth and cook till no longer pink, but do not brown. Drain excess fat.

Group 3:
Add to broth and cook till evaporated.

Group 4:
Add to broth and cook till evaporated.

Group 5:
Add to broth and boil for 2 hours at medium heat.


Your bolognese sauce should look like this.

Group 6:
Prepare by boiling till soft.


You're almost there.

Then add bolognese sauce by mixing half to spaghetti and topping with another half.

Group 7:
Top to meal for taste and appearance.


Spaghetti bolognese.

Serve meal for 2 person.

Mix well.

Bon appétit.

Victory Avenue

I took a walk at a beautiful memorial park at the northern most edge of the city of Kursk, which was named The Victory Avenue.

Facing northward, it is the gateway to Kursk and greets travellers from the next major neighbouring town of Orel.

Because of this, many of us who travel from Moscow southward to Kursk by land transportation nickname this park 'the Kursk Gate'.


Victory Avenue – a green park; war machines facing north towards the Triumph Arch located beyond the cathedral.

Kursk is well-known for being the site of the largest tank battle in history (during World War 2) with 2700 Nazi tanks and 3600 Soviet tanks involved. This battle is known as the Battle of Kursk.

To commemorate this battle, this park was built and several important monuments erected.

At its closer end to the city, a total of 8 weapons of war that contributed to the victory of the Battle of Kursk are showcased, each lined up one by one facing northward.


A Soviet mobile rocket launcher.

Such examples are the Soviet mobile rocket launcher, mobile anti-air battery, mobile artillery and the famous T-35 heavy battle tank.


A Soviet mobile anti-air battery.

These vehicles displayed serve as a reminder of the sacrifices and brutality of war.


A Soviet mobile artillery piece.

Even so, victory was their greatest pride despite the lost of 27 million Soviet lives at the end of the war, a number exceeding the population of Malaysia today.


The signature T-34 main battle tank of the Battle of Kursk.

Many engraved stones were erected in memory of those who lost their lives during the war, like the one below.


Written in both Russian and Hebrew, "Right here, in the days of occupation of Kursk by the German-facist aggressors, 443 Soviet civilians were executed by gun-point shooting."

A cathedral was built at this site to commemorate the events that transpired during World War 2.


The cathedral at the memorial park.

It had been under construction for a very long time; for a while works were put on hold due to the lack of fundings, but now as Russia's economy stabilised, work had resumed and it is now on the verge of completion.


A close up view of the achitecture of the cathedral.

The interior of the cathedral was meticulously done, although not yet finished, I predicted that it would be very beautiful upon completion. On the walls of the cathedral, names of fallen soldiers and civilians were engraved from floor to ceiling in their memory.


The painting of 8 angels on the ceiling of the dome.

The area around this memorial park is of high value, and is home to the richer minority of the city, which also complemented its beautiful surrounding and landscape.


Bungalows that lined the side of the park.

Further on, I reached the another World War 2 monument that honoured fallen Soviet soldiers. Here, the Eternal Flame burnt ceaselessly for the Unknown Soldier.


One of the many WW2 monuments bearing the Eternal Flame all over Kursk, and the rest of Russia.

Finally, that the most distant end of the park stands the focus of my trip: the Triumph Arch, the gateway to Kursk. Built after World War 2 and the re-establishment of the city, this structure is one of the major landmarks of Kursk.


A statue of a horse-riding knight slaying the serpent at the top; 4 warrior of various ages guarding the 4 corners of the arch.

Before mass transportation was commonplace, vehicles used to pass underneath the arch to the city of Kursk; now it has become a monument, symbol of victory of a war long passed.


The statue of Marshal Zhukov, the Triumph Arch and the cathedral at the distant.

As the park reached an end, so did my evening stroll at the park.


The Triumph Arch, the complete picture.

What a long walk. I guess I'll take a bus home.

Labour Day

Labour Day is an annual holiday celebrated all over the world that resulted from efforts of the labour union movement, to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. The majority of countries celebrate Labour Day on May 1, and it is popularly known as May Day and International Workers' Day.

The celebration of Labour Day has its origins in the eight hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.

Today was yet another Labour Day at the Russian Federation. Cities and major towns in every state held events and celebrations for the entire day. Parades were a show of esteem and confidence of the working class.

The morning started off damp and chilly, but everyone in Kursk was ready and charged up for the parade.


Another damp day for a supposingly great morning.

Most large organisations in Kursk sent a contingent, including my university. Russian and foreign international students alike gathered at the university facade with flags of respective homelands before feeding into the march. The KSMU contingent's theme was to show the diversity of races and nationalities of the university.


All geared up – the KSMU contingent ready to march.

Our contingent march started off at the junction of Karl Marx Street and Lenin Street.

After a short stride, I realised that we were the last in line. If I were to move with them, I would miss the parade ahead – so I hurriedly and unconventionally broke off line and headed frontward as the parade moved.


It wasn't moving any faster, the impatient me thought.

Just in front of the KSMU contingent were the contingents of the local police and army from the Kursk barracks, dressed smartly in their training uniform.


Young police cadets and military conscripts.

Much ahead, the parade was more civilian-friendly. People of all age groups and all walks of life moved with the parade; with friends, families and fellow comrades. The mood was generally light and cheerful.


Colourful balloons and banners decorated the street.

Further on was the contingent of the Federation of the Regional Trade Unions; dressed in their working outfit, carrying banners and placards.


"The rise in prices is outstripping the growth of salary!" – Federation of the Regional Trade Unions.

In front of them was the contingent of Putin's own political party – United Russia. Most of its participants were youths – young and beaming with energy. The choice of the younger generation of Russia.


"We trust in Russia, we trust in ourselves!" – United Russia.

Along the sidewalk of the street were bystanders and onlookers, all cheering as the parade passed by.


Nice flags. I wonder where they got them.

The pace and atmosphere of the parade was set by the military brass band which led the contingents to the tune and beat of military march. As always, the pieced played were spirit-lifting and inspiring.


A parade is never complete without the customary brass band.

Leading the parade were the motorcade consisting of locally made cars, the Lada, and light vehicles, as well as the ever-present, ubiquitous and omnipresent propaganda van with hailing loudspeakers echoing encouragement, aspiration and the nation's pride and hopes.


Let the flags wave with pride.

Written on the vehicles were greetings and well-wishes of Labour Day.


"Happy Spring and Labour Day!"

As I have already overtaken the parade, I realised that it was a matter of time before it reached its destination – the Red Square of Kursk. So I made my way there and anticipated its arrival.


Officers, security and the stage at the Red Square.

As the parade approached, photographers, journalists, reporters and newscasters were seen taking positions and linking up.


If I didn't stand so far, I would be on national TV.

All too soon, the motorcade leading the parade crossed the Red Square with splendour, with the statue of Lenin and the House of Soviets at the background.


Old and new: Modern Russian cars bearing flags of the Russian Federation passing the aged statue of Lenin and the House of Soviets.

Soon, rest of the contingents flooded the place.


People power.

As people assembled at the Red Square, speeches were made to congratulate the working class, and concerts were held to the public's delight.


City officials congratulating the working class, speeches and proceedings, and finally a live concert.

As most people began dispersing towards the end of the ceremony to celebrate elsewhere, so did I concluded my photographing and headed back towards my university.

An unexpected twist kept my camera rolling and lens hot again.

It hit me when I suddenly realised that the entire procession was organised by pro-United Russia affiliates. Those who weren't supportive of the local government were left out from the parade. However, that didn't stop them.


Hail the march of the Red contingent.

As compared to United Russia's contingent, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation contingent was composed of senior citizens – the generation that lived through the glory of the once mighty Soviet Union – the dying breed of loyalists of a disappearing legacy.


Nothing stops you on your track more than the sight of the hammer and sickle.

As they arrived at the Red Square, the contingent set up a parameter around the statue of Lenin, and held their vigil as the leader spoke through the loudspeaker, reminding all the true meaning of Labour Day for the working class.


Foreground banner, "Communist Party of the Russian Federation". Background banner, "Socialism – the Salvation of Russia".

And so ended the parade with a dazzling display from the both political parties.


And Lenin bespoke, "Communists of the World – Unite!"