Cabbage: Delicious & Beautiful

I've been working hard at not wasting food. It's harder than it sounds. I bought a head of red cabbage and had only used a few leaves. (Used in place of tortillas for tacos - healthy and tasty.) After letting the remaining cabbage repose on the refrigerator shelf for longer than I'd like to admit, I decided to sautee some to accompany some salmon & leftover rice.

First, I toasted coriander, cumin, white & black peppers, and allspice (all whole seeds/berries) then crushed the mixture with a mortar & pestle. The smell of toasted spices is wonderful - try it today! Second, I filled a hot skillet with chopped cabbage (1/4 head), drizzled w/ a bit of olive oil, and sprinkled on the spice mixture. About 10 minutes, with the occasional stir, and my cabbage was ready - pleasantly fragrant, warmed through, and still crunchy. I can't wait to make it again.

A Dessert Vegetable

Swiss chard is a kind of beet grown for its leaves instead of its root. This tidbit courtesy of my Saveur Cooks Authentic French cookbook. I heart this cookbook. The recipes are amazing and the side bars make me so happy.

Though finding swiss chard was a daunting task (several grocery stores were either out of stock or didn't carry it), the result was worth the search. I had my doubts as to whether a green could pass for a dessert, and I don't love raisins, but as a package, it works. Thanks Saveur!

Unpretty Food

Looks can be deceiving.

Beef Rezala

1 large onion

2t freshly grated ginger

2t crushed garlic

5 cloves

.5t black peppercorns

6 green cardamom pods, crushed

2in cinnamon stick, halved

1# stewing beef cubes

Puree onion in food processor. In glass dish, combine onion, ginger, garlic, cloves, peppercorns, cardamom pods and cinnamon sticks. Add beef cubes. Stir to cover. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator. Pull out of fridge an hour before cooking.

4T canola oil

1 large onion, finely sliced

.75c plain yoghurt

.25c butter

1t salt

.5t ground cumin

.5t hot chilli powder

.5t freshly grated nutmeg

In large pan, heat oil over med-high heat. Fry sliced onion for 7min, or until golden brown. Remove onion slices. Drain onions on paper towels.

In remaining oil, fry marinated beef cubes 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for another 5 minutes.

In small pan over low heat, mix yoghurt and butter. Cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add salt, cumin, chili powder and nutmeg. Stir into beef. Cover, cook for 45 minutes, or until beef is tender.

Garnish with fried onions. I served with Spinach Pulao.

Healthy-ish Cookies

Recipe from Food Network.

I replaced the rolled oats with steel-cut. Worked just fine!

Granola

I spent $8 on fancy granola bars the other day. Less than a dozen ingredients, all of which I could pronounce. They looked hearty and delicious. I reasoned myself into purchasing them, thinking that I could attempt to re-create them at home, for a much more reasonable price. Salt was not on the ingredients list, and you could tell. I was disappointed with my purchase, but inspired to make a superior product. So, with several modifications, here is my first attempt at granola.

1c steel-cut oats

.5c coarsely chopped raw cashews

.25c almond meal

.25c coconut flakes

2T dark brown sugar

.25t salt (hawaiian pink)

.33c dark chocolate chips

2T agave nectar

2t coconut oil

2t safflower oil

.5t vanilla extract

Pre-heat oven to 250^F. In large bowl, combine oats, cashews, almond meal, coconut, sugar, salt, and chocolate chips. In small bowl, combine agave nectar, coconut oil, safflower oil, and vanilla. I had to microwave combination for 15 seconds to liquify coconut oil. Whisk to combine, then pour over oat mixture. Stir until evenly coated. Pour into 8x8 pan. Bake 1:30, or until desired consistency is reached.

Notes: A little too sweet - easier on the agave syrup next time. Try chopped almonds in lieu of almond meal. Maybe half steel-cut / half rolled oats - I love the groats, but the rolled might add a little more variety of texture. Could be improved, but already superior to the $8 guys.