Episode 20 - Curry, Dahl and All That Stuff

Chelsea Chickpea and the Lentil Twins decided to take advantage of the holiday with trips overseas. Freddy had a little cry as he kissed Chelsea goodbye. They've been very close this year.

"Of course I'll write, Freddy," she reassured him. "I'll be back before you know it! Cheer up. We'll always be friends. It's just that it's time I made my mark on the world!"

The Lentil Twins want to try out the overseas health club scene - it's that trip overseas that we all wish for. They'll be back soon, fitter than ever! Freddy and I waved them all goodbye as they boarded their flights.

"India is a place of many colours and smells," said Chelsea's first postcard. "You've never seen so many grains in one place - pulses and cereals of different kinds. They make such a fuss of us here. We pulses are more important than meat! Can you believe it? And there are so many different spices we can use to show us at our best. So far I've tried out garam masala, coriander, ginger, cumin, turmeric and chilli." Freddy's eyes misted over as he thought of Chelsea enthusiastically dipping herself in one spice after another until she got the effect she wanted.

"I've teamed up with a new cereal I've met over here - Ranjit Rice. He's a bit like Wally Wheat - VERY sure of his place as a really important crop. We're touring around and I'm finding out which things Indians really like about chickpeas. I'm keeping notes because the information will improve what we grow in Australia and make sure we produce even better quality chickpeas. The Jones will be pleased. Higher quality means a better income! Bye for now. Lots of love, Chelsea"

"PS Have you heard how Jason's going in Japan?"

In fact, the Jones are still waiting on a postcard from Jason, but we all know better than to hold our breath! Jason and his mates are probably getting right into things in Japan, eating noodles made from wheat and trying all kinds of different foods. Jason's class learned how to use chopsticks before they left so they wouldn't go hungry!

Chelsea's postcard made us think - the pulses are important food all around the world! By the way, Chelsea sent us a yummo recipe for chickpea flour shortbread. What does it taste like? Now that's something you can find out for yourselves!