Showing posts with label Moroccan Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Moroccan Food. Show all posts

Friday, March 7, 2014

Diane's Casablanca Meatball Stew

  البيضاء



The "scribble" above is not scribble.  It is Arabic for Casablanca, the largest city in Morocco. 

I love to try ethnic foods and I love to experiment with spices.  My palate has grown each year as I experiment with flavors.  I love the flavors that originate with the ancient spice trades.  The cinnamon, ginger, coriander and cumin flavors that traveled the world with explorers in order to warm European bellies are among my favorites.

Today, I made up my own spice mixture for a fake out Moroccan meatball stew.  

Ingredients:

1 cup pearl barley

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 teaspoons freshly ground ginger
1 cup chopped mushrooms (any kind words, I used reconstituted porcini mushrooms)

1 teaspoon freshly ground cinnamon



3/4 to 1 pound meatballs (preferably lamb)
1 pound baby carrots
1 14 ounce can diced tomatoes with chilis
1 bouillon cube or  1 packet onion soup mix
 3 cups water or beef broth

Pour barley into a rice cooker.

In a skillet, heat olive oil using medium heat.  Add the onion, garlic and ginger.  Stir as the onion becomes translucent and the garlic and ginger give off their fragrance.  Do not brown and don't use higher than medium heat.  Poor into rice cooker. Stir to coat the barley with the oils and mix with the aromatics.

In the same skillet, turn heat to medium high and add mushrooms.  (If using dried porcini mushrooms, skip this step.)  Saute mushrooms until they begin to color and have given off much of their moisture.  Add them to the rice cooker.  Add cinnamon to the cooker and stir to coat everything in the warmth of the spice.

Put the bouillon cube or the packet of onion soup mix in the cooker.  Add the carrots and meatballs to the rice cooker.   Add 3 cups of water or beef broth.

Set rice cooker to white rice and cook until done.  


Sunday, March 11, 2012

Menu 3/11 - 3/21

Sunday 3/11 - Chicken Jambalaya in Rice Cooker
Monday 3/12 - Ravioli, Salad
Tuesday 3/13 - Blackened Chicken and Shrimp, Broccoli
Wednesday 3/14 - Take-out Chinese
Thursday 3/15 - Burgers, Slaw, French Fries
Friday 3/16 -  Wings, Carrots, Celery
Saturday 3/17 - Corned Beef, Guinness, Lots of good music, NANCY WHISKEY!!! and FUN!!
Sunday 3/18 - Ravioli Bake
Monday 3/19 - Pizza
Tuesday 3/20 Sesame and Peanut Noodles
Wednesday 3/21 Turmeric and Cumin Chicken in Slow Cooker

Monday, October 12, 2009

Diane's Menu October 12 - October 20

Monday 10-12 - Pizza
Tuesday 10-13 - Moroccan Lamb Stew with Butternut Squash **
Wednesday 10-14 - California Tamale Pie **
Thursday 10-15 - Cider Pork Stew **
Friday 10-16 - Harvest Pot Roast **
Saturday 10-17 - Dinner out
Sunday 10-18 - Pulled Pork, Cole Slaw, Corn Bread
Monday 10-19 - Mediterranean Chicken with Spaghetti Squash Recipe **
Tuesday 10-20 - Grilled Chicken over Asian style green salad

** Recipes Below

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Moroccan Lamb Stew

Ingredients

Serves 3-4

* 450g lamb neck fillet, diced
* 3 gloves garlic, finely sliced
* 1 shallot, finely sliced
* 1 red onion, finely chopped
* can chopped plum tomatoes
* can chickpeas
* 1 butternut squash, peeled & diced
* 8 peppercorns
* about 10 fresh thyme sprigs
* 1 tbsp harissa paste
* 1 tsp ground coriander
* 1 tsp ground cumin
* 1 tsp dried oregano
* 1 tsp ground cinnamon
* 1 tbsp olive oil plus more for frying
* 1/3 bottle red wine
* 2 handfuls fresh spinach




This is an easy but extremely tasty dish - mildly spiced and great for winter. Serve with some flatbread or pitta.

1. Mix the olive oil, oregano, cumin, coriander & garlic in a bowl. Add the lamb and cover it well. Marinate for 2 hours.
2. Fry the onion & shallot with the peppercorns in a large heavy pan, on a medium heat until tender and translucent (about 5 mins).
3. Add the lamb and brown all over, stirring to ensure the garlic doesn't burn (add a little more oil if necessary).
4. Raise the heat, add the red wine and deglaze the pan. Leave for about 2 minutes to reduce and for the alcohol to evaporate.
5. Add the chickpeas and tomatoes.
6. Simmer for 30 minutes.
7. Add butternut squash and simmer for a further 20 minutes.
8. Just before serving, add the spinach and stir until wilted.
9. Serve immediately in bowls, discarding any thyme stalks, and enjoy.


****


California Tamale Pie

1 lb. lean ground beef, browned
3/4 c. yellow corn meal
11/2 c. milk
1 egg, beaten
1 pkg. chili seasoning mix
1 tbsp. seasoned salt
1 lb. can tomatoes, cut up
1 lb. whole kernel corn, drained
21/4 oz. sliced ripe olives, drained
1 c. Cheddar cheese, grated

Stir together cornmeal, milk and egg. Add rest of ingredients, except cheese. Pour into Crockery Pot, cover, cook on high 3 to 4 hours. Sprinkle cheese over top, cover and cook another 5 minutes.


***

Cider Pork Stew

2 pounds boneless pork shoulder roast
3 medium cubed potatoes (about 2-1/2 cups))
3 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1-1/2 cups)
2 medium onions, sliced
1 cup coarsely chopped apple (1 medium)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped celery (1 stalk)
3 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
2 cups apple juice or apple cider
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Celery leaves (optional)

1. Cut meat into 1-inch cubes. In a 3-1/2- to 5-1/2quart slow cooker, combine meat, potatoes, carrots, onions, apple, celery, and tapioca. Stir in apple juice, salt, caraway seeds, and pepper.

2. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 10 to 12 hours or high-heat setting for 5 to 6 hours. If desired, garnish individual servings with celery leaves.

Makes: 8 servings

****



Harvest Pot Roast with Tomato-Wine Gravy



2 1/2 lb. chuck roast
1 tbsp. cooking oil
2 med. turnips, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces (about 2 cups)
3 med. carrots, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (about 11/2 cups)
1 can condensed tomato soup (103/4 oz.)
1/4 c. dry red wine or water
3 tbsp. quick-cooking tapioca
1/8 tsp. ground allspice
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 lb. winter squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 11/2 to 2 inch pieces

Trim fat from roast. In a large skillet brown roast on all sides in hot oil.

Meanwhile, place turnips, carrots, tomato soup, red wine or water, tapioca, allspice, and pepper in Crockery Pot. Stir together. Place roast on top of vegetables. Put squash on top of roast. Cover; cook on low for 10 to 12 hours (high 5 to 6 hours).

Put roast and vegetables on a serving platter. Skim the fat from the gravy so you can serve the gravy with the pot roast.

Serves 6

***

Mediterranean Chicken with Spaghetti Squash Recipe

6 Servings
Prep: 35 min.
Cook: 35 min.

Ingredients
1 medium spaghetti squash
1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
5 center-cut bacon strips, chopped
1 medium leek (white portion only), coarsely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup white wine or additional reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/3 cup half-and-half cream
2 plum tomatoes, chopped
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh sage or 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions
Cut squash in half lengthwise; discard seeds. Place squash cut side down
on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 15-18
minutes or until tender.
Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook
chicken over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Remove from the
skillet.
In the same skillet, cook bacon and leek over medium heat until bacon is
crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon mixture to paper towels. Add
garlic; cook for 1 minute. Stir in flour until blended; gradually add
the broth, wine and cream. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2
minutes or until thickened. Stir in remaining ingredients. Add chicken
and bacon mixture; heat through.
When squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to separate strands.
Serve with chicken mixture. Yield: 6 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup chicken mixture with 1 cup squash equals 340
calories, 12 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 82 mg cholesterol, 656 mg
sodium, 27 g carbohydrate, 5 g fiber, 30 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges:
4 very lean meat, 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch.

Mediterranean Chicken with Spaghetti Squash published in Healthy Cooking
October/November 2009

***

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Diane's Menu September 21 - 27, 2009

Diane's Menu September 21 - 27, 2009

Monday 9/21 Adobe Pork (one pot meal with pork, rice, corn, chilli's, spices and green bell pepper)
Tuesday 9/22 Red Curry Chicken (one pot meal with chicken, brown rice, coconut milk, carrots, chickpeas, and spinach)
Wednesday 9/23 Argentinian Beef (one pot meal with ground beef, butternut squash, broccoli, and brown rice)
Thursday 9/24 Chicken Sorrentino
Friday 9/25 Hot Sausage over Polenta with peppers and spinach
Saturday 9/26 Moroccan Chicken with many spices, mushrooms and sugar snap peas, over whole wheat couscous.
Sunday 9/27 Football fare - Chicken Strips buffalo style, vegetable crudites

************

I have a new cookbook called Glorious One-Pot Meals by Elizabeth Yarnell. All of the one pot meals listed come from her book. Feel free to ask for the recipes if you would like them. I would highly recommend the book.




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Sunday, March 1, 2009

Diane's Menu March 1 - 7 2009

Diane's Menu March 1 -7 2009


Sunday - Spinach Ravioli, Salad
Monday - Corned Beef, Baked Sweet Potato, Salad
Tuesday - Turkey/Beef Chili
Wednesday - Blackened Talapia, Brown Rice, Black Bean/Corn Salad
Thursday - Chicken Thighs Moroccan Style, Steamed Bok Choy, Whole Wheat Couscous
Friday - Grilled Rib Eye Steak, Baked Potato, Broccoli, Salad
Saturday - Pasta some style - not decided yet, might be out to dinner before live music.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Diane's Menu November 22 - November 28

Diane's Menu November 22 - November 28


Saturday - Moroccan Lamb and Butternut Squash with Couscous **
Sunday - Thai BBQ Chicken, Snow peas saute
Monday - Weekly Pizza Take-out
Tuesday - Pasta and Meatballs
Wednesday - out for dinner and live music
Thursday - THANKSGIVING at my sisters. I am bringing homemade Stuffed Grape Leaves for an Appetizer, Pumpkin Dinner Rolls ** and all the ingredients to make my own Pumpkin Martinis.
Friday - Grilled Shrimp on Spinach Salads

******

Moroccan Lamb and Butternut Squash with Couscous in slow cooker

2 pounds of lamb (shanks work, boneless leg of lamb works), if using boneless cut into very large chunks.
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 onion sliced thinly
3 dried red chilis or 1 tablespoon dried red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon turmeric
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 - 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg (depending how spicy you like it)
1/2 - 1 teaspoon ground ginger (depending how spicy you like it)
3 tablespoons honey

1 1/2 pound butternut squash, skinned and seeds removed, cut into large chunks
1 14 ounce can low sodium chicken broth



In a large saute pan, brown lamb in canola oil. (If you have a slow cooker that allows browning, use it.)

Remove lamb from pan. Add onion and chili peppers and stir to coat in oil and allow to soften. Add all of the spices and stir to coat and cover the onion with them. (If you are using a slow cooker that doesn't brown, this is the point where you would pour all of the ingredients into the slow cooker from whatever saute pan you had been using)

Add the honey and stir to mix in. Add the butternut squash and chicken broth. Stir to mix.

Place lamb on top of the mixture. Cover and cook on high for 6 hours.

If using shanks, remove bones, if not just stir it all together and add 1 cup raw couscous. Stir to mix and cover and cook another 15 minutes.

Ready to serve and enjoy!


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Pumpkin Dinner Rolls

3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
5 tbsp butter, divided
1 tsp salt
2 pkg (1/4 ounces each) active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110 to 115 F)
2 to 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup canned pumpkin1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

In a small saucepan, heat the milk, brown sugar, 4 tablespoons butter, and salt to 110 - 115 F. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in a warm water. Stir in the milk mixture. Add 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour, wheat flour, pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Beat until smooth. Add enough remaining all purpose flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about one hour. Punch dough down. Divide into 20 pieces. Shape into balls. Place in a greased 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes or until doubled. Melt the remaining butter. Brush over the dough. Bake at 375 F. for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the pan to a wire rack.Makes about 20 rolls.