LIVING IN BELIZE – “Cheese Dip & Gran’s Birthday“ 10/11/12

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Yesterday was Nige’s Gran’s (on his mother’s side) 62nd birthday.  Whenever there’s a birthday in Belize, there’s   usually a barbeque too.  Normally for family parties, the host provides the meat and every one brings something else, like rice and beans, tortillas, salad, or in my case, cheese dip!

Nige’s whole family loves my cheese dip, which is hilarious considering his mom is the one who taught me how to make it. Bu they claim I make it much tastier than others. Go figure.

So here is my Cheese Dip Recipe:

1 lb Happy Cow Cheese

Half an onion chopped

Half a green bell pepper (or sweet peppa as they say here in Belize) chopped

1 15 oz. Can Evaporated Milk

1 8 oz. Can Salsa

Marie Sharp’s Belizean Heat hot sauce to taste (we like it spicy)

One large jalapeño

Mix everything in a blender thoroughly. Serve in small bowls over tortilla chips.

Belizeans make quite a few recipes with evaporated milk.  I had never cooked with it prior to moving here, but they use it in potato salads instead of mayo, pasta sauces, and cheese dip. They do so because it’s very cheap and it doesn’t spoil quickly, like dairy or mayo.  I’ve tried to tell them food can still spoil regardless, but they never seem to get food poisoning when something sits out all day or night at a barbeque, so I guess it works to some degree.

The party was a lot of fun. All of the aunts and cousins showed up, and we took a lot of pictures, had some drinks, ate some good food, and had a yummy cake that Nige’s aunt made.  At one point in the party, Gran took me aside and told me she loved me.  She said she was so glad that I was a part of the family. She even invited  me to pose in a picture with all of her daughters and her!

 

I was really touched.  You need to understand that when I first started dating Nige, his mom, aunts, and siblings were all telling me that Gran was a tough nut to crack, and don’t be surprised if she didn’t like me or said something rude to me in the beginning.  I was quite literally scared to death to meet her initially.

But I’ve always treated her with respect, and Nige and I help her out with little things here and there when she needs it. And I guess she can really see how much I love her grandson, so her and I have always got along well. But it was a pretty big deal for her to say that to me, some almost two years later, and it made me feel 100% part of the family.

Have you ever been in a relationship where one of your significant other’s relatives wasn’t so quick to come around to liking you? Did you turn them around?

 

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  • Sandy A

    That is so sweet that she said that to you! I know that made you feel very special. It’s wonderful to be accepted into a family like that. I think that Phil’s mom liked me, but I doubt his dad did because he didn’t like anyone. They are both gone now. Fortunately my mom, stepdad, and dad all really like Phil a lot, and that makes me happy.

  • Sandy A

    I didn’t mean a “family like that”, I meant a “family that way”….you know what I meant! LOL! It just looked “off” in print!

  • http://www.wealthships.com Sharon Hiebing

    Haha, I knew exactly what you meant – I actually didn’t even notice lol! Yes, it made me feel great. It’s rough when you have someone like your deceased father-in-law. So much more enjoyable when everyone can get along – glad Phil has that.

  • Jeanie K

    Love that story, Sharon. Warms the heart. I’m so glad you have a great life down there. Can’t wait to “join” you in a couple years. We will be down probably this winter for a few weeks for more ‘research’. Will let you know when we know the dates. Love the photo of you and the girls. You’re as dark skinned as they are. Love that year-round color, don’t you??! (jealous, a little…)

  • http://www.wealthships.com Sharon Hiebing

    I know – I don’t even try to tan, but when you’re in the sun, even if it’s just running errands, you can’t avoid getting color. I never leave home without applying my sunscreen. I do enjoy being tan though, I must say :)