Posts Tagged recipe

African Peanut Stew with Collard Greens

This is the perfect meal for a dreary January day.

The peanut stew full of flavor and spice. It’s hearty, but it isn’t heavy. It is simple and comforting, full of protein and leafy greens. The dish is vegan, but it doesn’t lack in richness or flavor. It just works, on so many levels.

I honestly think I could eat this stew every day for the rest of my life, and I would die a happy woman.

It is truly that good.

Give it a try, I dare you.

African Peanut Stew with Collard Greens

Ingredients

4-5 cups vegetable stock
1 medium red onion, chopped
1 small knob of ginger, peeled and finely diced
4 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
Salt, to taste
1 bunch hearty greens (such as collard greens, kale, or chard), chopped into thin strips.
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (organic, no sugar added)
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 cup canned fire roasted tomatoes (diced)
Sriracha, to taste
Cilantro, for garnish
Roughly chopped peanuts, for garnish.

Instructions

In a Dutch oven or large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high head. Cook the red onion and garlic for 3-4 minutes, until translucent. Add in ginger, and stir into the mixture. Cook for 1 minute more. Add in 4 cups of vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 15-20 minutes.
In a mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter and tomato paste. Pour in 1 cup of hot stock to the bowl, and whisk together. Add another half cup of hot stock and whisk until smooth. Then, pour the peanut mixture into the pot. Mix well. Stir in the canned tomatoes and collard greens. Allow to cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes or until mixture has reduced and is thick and creamy. (If the mixture is too thick, cut with a bit more vegetable stock.) Season with salt and Sriracha to taste.
Serve over brown rice and garnish with chopped cilantro and peanuts.

http://rosemarried.co/2014/01/14/african-peanut-stew-collard-greens/

Adapted from Cookie and Kate.

Harissa-Stewed Butternut Squash

When I first moved to Portland from Los Angeles, I was told that I must eat at Toro Bravo. I was warned that the restaurant doesn’t take reservations. I was told to expect a long (2+ hour!) wait. But, everyone declared that the wait was worth it.

The people of Portland have long adored Toro Bravo, but I just couldn’t find it in me to wait for two hours for dinner. I’m far too impatient (and I knew I would get far too hangry).

That said, it took me 4 years to finally visit Toro Bravo. I planned to arrive early on a weeknight, in hopes to evade the crowds. Much to my surprise and delight, I was seated right away. Over the course of the evening, I tried a number of different dishes and they were all ridiculously good. However, there was one dish that stood out above the rest: the Harissa-stewed butternut squash. It was incredible — smoky, spicy, rich, warm, and comforting. I devoured the squash and considered ordering another. (And, yes, I’ll admit that I should have tried Toro Bravo years ago. Why did I wait so long?!)

I’ll admit that I crave this dish often. It’s completely addicting. I’ve braved the lines at Toro Bravo a couple of times since that night, specifically for the squash. You can image my elation, then, when I discovered that the new Toro Bravo cookbook included a recipe for the dish!

Let me tell you, the ability to make this dish at home is a real game changer. I might never leave my house again, except to go to the store for more squash and harissa.

TORO BRAVO’S HARISSA-STEWED BUTTERNUT SQUASH
Adapted from “Toro Bravo: Stories. Recipes. No Bull.” and Portland Monthly Magazine.

Notes on the recipe: The original recipe calls for Rose Petal Harissa, but says that you can sub regular harissa. I used regular harissa, but the kind I have is particularly spicy, so I cut it with a bit of tomato paste (which also added color and flavor to the dish).

INGREDIENTS:
1 butternut squash (2–3 lb)
4 tbsp butter
Salt and pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 tbsp harissa
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
Several dollops soft goat cheese

METHOD:

1. Using a sharp knife, halve the squash. Trim off the skin, scoop out the seeds, and dice into 1/2″ cubes.
2. Heat two large skillets over medium-high heat. Place two tablespoons of butter in each pan. Once the butter has melted and is beginning to brown, place half of the squash in one pan and half in the other. Season squash with salt and pepper.
3. Allow squash to cook untouched for the 3 minutes, or until brown on one side. Toss and allow the squash to cook a few more minutes, until nicely browned.
4. Pour squash into one pan, remove from heat, and set aside. Add a bit of olive oil to the empty skillet and cook onion and garlic over medium-high heat. Stir often and cook for 2-3 minutes.
5. Add the squash into the pan with the onions and garlic, and stir to combine. Add in the harissa, cream, tomato paste, and paprika. Allow to cook, uncovered, until squash is fork tender and beginning to fall apart (30+ minutes). Taste, and adjust seasonings if needed.
6. Pour the mixture into shallow baking dishes and sprinkle dollops of goat cheese over the top. Broil for 3-4 minutes, until nicely browned. Serve immediately.

Happy New Year: La Luna Rosa Cocktail

Here’s to a new year, to new adventures and new beginnings. My resolutions are simple this year: I want to read more. I want to spend more time outdoors. I resolve to make my bed, every single day. I want to be a better listener, a better wife, a better friend. I resolve to compliment more and criticize less.

I created a cocktail for New Year’s Eve and thought I would share it with you all. New Year’s Eve has come and gone, but I’m an advocate of drinking bubbles year round. I call this drink La Luna Rosa (The Pink Moon). It’s refreshing, unique, and delicious. Simply mix together equal parts Tequila (Anejo or Reposado), sparkling wine, and fresh squeezed grapefruit juice. Top with a few dashes of Peychaud’s bitters. Serve up. It’s as simple as that.

Happy new year, friends. May this be the best year yet.

xoxo,
Lindsay

Sparkling Cranberry and Brie Tartines

I wish I could take credit for this recipe, but I just can’t. I did not come up with this idea (but I really wish that I had). No, my friend Beyth discovered these sparkling cranberry bites on Pinterest and then made them for a friend’s baby shower. I was immediately obsessed with these pretty little appetizers. They’re just so darn pretty, festive, and delicious. As if that’s not reason enough to make them, these cranberry bites are also really easy to assemble.

The original recipe is really simple, and I didn’t adapt it much. I followed her instructions to a T, and made two slight alterations during my assembly of the tartines. I used brioche toasts (from Trader Joe’s) instead of standard crackers and I used my Cranberry Sauce with Juniper and Orange as the chutney element. Other than that, I stuck to the recipe!

Rather than post my ever-so-slightly adapted version, I’ll just link you to the original recipe. If you’d like to make these sparkling cranberry bites, refer to the full recipe at Yummy Mummy. (Beware: this recipe makes a lot of sparkling cranberries. I still have some leftover!)

Cranberry Sauce with Juniper and Orange

When it comes to Thanksgiving, I’m a total traditionalist. I don’t stray far from the classics, and I stick with what I know and love. My Thanksgiving table usually includes the following items: a turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, stuffing, Brussels sprouts and/or green beans, cranberry sauce, my Grandma’s rolls, and a green salad. I wasn’t lying when I said I’m a traditionalist. This is a very typical Thanksgiving spread.

Granted, that doesn’t mean that I do the things the same way every year. On the contrary, I’m always looking to improve and update the Thanksgiving classics. While I insist that there must be cranberry sauce on the table every Thanksgiving, I don’t want the same old cranberry sauce every single year. So, I try to switch things up a bit every year.

This year, I decided to can my own cranberry sauce. I adore cranberry sauce and am often frustrated by the fact that you can only find it in stores during the holidays. If given the option, I would probably eat a turkey cranberry sandwich for lunch every day of the year. I also love cranberry sauce when it’s baked with brie cheese and wrapped in puff pastry. I love cranberry hand pies. You get the idea…

So, I decided to make a big batch of cranberry sauce to last me through the winter. I tried out a few different cranberry sauces this year and I eventually settled on this recipe. It’s lovely. The Juniper berries give the sauce a really interesting hint of fresh, green pine. The orange juice adds balance and brightness. And, the honey and brown sugar combine to round out the sauce and give it just the right amount of sweetness. (Note: This cranberry sauce is quite tart, but you could easily up the sugar levels depending on your taste and preference.)

Whatever your holiday traditions may be, I’d encourage you to include this cranberry sauce on your Thanksgiving table this year. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Lastly, tune in this Sunday, November 24th, to KPAM 860 for Missy Maki’s Ultimate Oregon Thanksgiving Show! I’ll be on air – along with a group of fantastic food bloggers – and we’ll be talking about our Ultimate Oregon Thanksgiving recipes. It’s going to be a blast, so be sure to listen in!

Happy (almost) Thanksgiving!

Cranberry Sauce with Juniper and Orange

Serving Size: 6 pints

Ingredients

12 cups fresh organic cranberries
3 cups orange juice
1 cup red wine
2 tablespoons dried juniper berries
3 sprigs fresh rosemary
The zest of 1 orange
3/4 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar

Instructions

Wash and sterilize jars and lids and prepare a hot water bath for canning.
With a mortar and pestle, crush and grind the dried Juniper berries.
In a large pot, cook 10 cups of cranberries (reserve 2 cups for later), orange juice, wine, rosemary, and orange zest. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
Add in most of the honey and brown sugar, and stir. Taste the sauce and add the rest of the honey and sugar, if needed. (I found that even with the honey and brown sugar, the sauce is still quite tart.) Add additional juniper, rosemary, or orange juice if necessary.
Simmer until sauce thickens and reaches desired consistency, stirring occasionally. (15+ minutes)
Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, add the remaining 2 cups of cranberries. Raise the heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir occasionally and cook for 5 minutes.
Fill hot, sterilized jars with the cranberry sauce, leaving 1/4″ of head space. Remove air bubbles, wipe down the rims of the jars, and place lids and rings on each jar. Process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.

Notes

Adapted from Local Kitchen Blog

http://rosemarried.co/2013/11/18/cranberry-sauce-juniper-orange/

Pumpkin Pancakes with Cream Cheese Butter

We are officially in the throes of pumpkin season. For as much as I gripe about pumpkin spiced lattes and other seasonal pumpkin atrocities, I really do love pumpkin. It’s a fantastic and versatile winter squash. Pumpkin is phenomenal in a myriad of baked goods – cakes, cookies, pies, etc – but pumpkin also tastes great in soups and stews, salads, curries, and other savory applications. (Let it be known that I will never, ever, ever like pumpkin in a latte. It’s not happening, people.)

Of all the pumpkin preparations, however, the pumpkin pancake is my favorite. Pumpkin pancakes are the epitome of comfort food. They’re good eats, plain and simple.

I’ve been making a version of this recipe for years, but haven’t posted it on the blog until now. (I’ve been holding out on y’all!) These pancakes are fluffy and moist and they actually taste like pumpkin. They’re so damn good. I wish I could take credit for the cream cheese butter, but I borrowed the idea from Utopia Cafe in Portland, OR. I think the cream cheese butter is a brilliant and decadent addition to the pancakes. You must try it for yourself.

Lastly, this post is dedicated to my sister, Danielle. She’s the only person I know who loves pancakes more than I do, and has a strange obsession with the pumpkin pancakes at IHOP. I simply can’t eat pumpkin pancakes without thinking of her.

Pumpkin Pancakes with Cream Cheese Butter

Serving Size: 8 small pancakes

Ingredients

1 cup pumpkin puree
1 3/4 cups milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups all purpose flour
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cream cheese (room temperature)
2 tablespoons butter (room temperature)

Instructions

To make the cream cheese butter, mix together equal parts cream cheese and butter. This can be done using a spatula or an electric mixer. Blend until well combined. (Note: I do not sweeten or season the cream cheese butter, as I pour syrup over the cream cheese butter and pancakes.)
In a large bowl, combine the wet ingredients (milk, pumpkin, egg, and oil). In another bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and spices. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stir until combined, do not over mix.
Heat a lightly greased griddle or skillet over medium-high heat. (Note: you know the pan is ready when water droplets dance across the surface of the pan.) Pour batter into small circles on the pan and allow each pancake to cook for 1-2 minutes per side, or until golden brown on each side. Serve pancakes warm, with cream cheese butter and maple syrup.

Notes

Adapted from Inspired Taste.

http://rosemarried.co/2013/11/04/pumpkin-pancakes-cream-cheese-butter/

Spiced Cider and Bourbon Punch

I’ll admit it, I’ve been hesitant about saying goodbye to summer.

Blame it on my California roots, but I’m a sucker for sunshine and blue skies. I like summer, a whole lot.

But, then, October creeps up on me and surprises me in the best possible way. Fall is a magical time in the Pacific Northwest. The leaves are turning and the trees are gorgeous shades of yellow, orange, and red. The days are sunny and crisp. All around the city, people are donning jackets, hats, and scarves. It’s really quite lovely.

When I think about it, saying goodbye to summer isn’t such a bad thing at all. There’s a lot to be celebrated, so I’m embracing autumn and all that it brings.

This cocktail is the perfect drink to usher you into the fall season. This cocktail strikes a perfect balance between the sweetness of apples, the spice of ginger and cinnamon, the brightness of lemons, and the warmth of bourbon. This ‘punch’ is sweet, but not too sweet. The spices are present, but not overpowering. The drink contains no added sugar, only the sugar that is present in the apple cider.

All of that to say, cheers to the changing of seasons!

Bourbon & Spiced Cider Punch

Ingredients

For the spiced cider:
1 quart pure apple cider (No added sugar, seasonings, or preservatives.)
4 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
Several thin slices of fresh ginger (1 small knob of ginger)
3-4 large strips of lemon zest
For the cocktail:
3 oz. spiced apple cider
1½ oz. quality bourbon (I used Buffalo Trace.)
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
Lemon wedge for garnish

Instructions

In a large pot, combine apple cider and spices. Allow to simmer for at least 30 minutes, until cider is fragrant and infused with the spices. Remove from heat and allow to cool. (The spiced cider can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few days).
To make the cocktail, combine the bourbon, spiced cider, and lemon juice in a shaker or glass. Stir (or shake) and pour over ice. Garnish with a lemon slice. Enjoy!
(Note: This punch can be pre-mixed and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.)

http://rosemarried.co/2013/10/13/spiced-cider-bourbon-punch/

Adapted from Saveur