One-Pot Owl Curry

This curry is so easy to make and is the most delicious meal you can eat for the small amount of time and money it takes. It does not, however, contain owl. That was just to get your attention. We went on an owl hike last night. We went into the woods and listened as our hike guide played owl calls on an ipod! The owls called back! It was really fun. Before this happened we made coconut veg curry. This recipe is sort of a cross between indian and thai curry. It contains coconut milk but also calls for indian curry powder. Steamed, salted edamame was also served, which is always a good choice served out of a communal bowl. Vegetables from the famer's market were used, which is another reason this recipe is great: you can use any veg you want and it will be extremely delicious and well-received.

Coconut Veg (Owl) Curry

1 onion, chopped
1 T olive oil
Cayenne powder (to taste)
1 Bell Pepper (chopped)
3 cloves garlic
2 tsp good curry powder
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
1 C veg stock
1 potato, diced small
1 C jasmine rice
1 can kidney beans
1 can coconut milk (approx. 13 oz)

1 bunch fresh cilantro
1/2 bunch green onions, roughly chopped
1 good fresh tomato, chopped

In a large saucepan on med heat, saute onions and potatoes in oil until onions are translucent. Add cayenne, peppers, garlic, curry powder, salt and pepper and saute for 2 minutes. stir constantly to prevent sticking. add stock, rice, beans, and coconut milk. cover and simmer on med heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring very frequently to prevent sticking. when rice is cooked and potatoes are tender, sprinkle with fresh cilantro, green onions and chopped tomato. serve immediately!

Fall Red Cabbage & Apple Excitement

I have the most amazing recipe for some fall sweet 'n' sour excitement. It's cabbage and apples, and don't tell me you don't like cooked apples in your savory things. You will love this, and eat so much you will never stop farting and have to live alone. Wait, that's sad. You will eat so much you won't stop farting for two days and it will be funny and endearing. This recipe requires a couple of good apples, the greener style the better, and a nice head of red cabbage. You may use green cabbage, but as you can see in the picture, the dish is a very beautiful magenta when using red cabbage. It's very easy, just takes time for the cabbage to cook down. For this meal we also made Biscuits (see previous posting) with Gruyere cheese, mashed Yukon gold tater with fresh rosemary, and sesame wilted spinach.

Fall Red Cabbage and Apple Excitement

2 T Olive Oil
1 Medium Onion sliced into thin half moons
1 1/2 T Turbinado (or any sweetener)
1 Head (medium to large) Red Cabbage
2 Tart Apples, peeled and diced
1/2 C Local Apple Cider

2 T Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 tsp Caraway Seeds (don't omit these just because you think you don't like them. trust me.)
1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
Salt & Pepper to taste

Heat oil in a large deep saute pan over med high heat. Add onion and saute until it begins to soften. Add turbinado and stir until onion caramelizes, about 10 minutes. Add the cabbage and saute until it wilts, stirring frequently. Add apples and apple cider. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook until cabbage and apples are tender, about 15-25 minutes. Uncover and add remaining ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Ren Faire Fare, or, the Queen is Dead

Fishers Renaissance Faire 2009! Many delicious experiences this year. Huzzah! (ok, got that over with.) I didn't go for the "dirty kinky fries" that the guy was making with a power drill curly fry maker, but I did opt for some hummus and pita from the local mediterranean deli. Some SCA-ers did roast some unidentifiable animal on a spit as they do every year, and it looked scary and tasty, as meat on a spit almost always does. You may be able to see in the picture above: he is also making unleavened biscuits over the fire. They was also a stew that I wish I could've had a taste of with cabbage and herb bundles, carrots and chunks of something. I didn't get to see the Queen this year, but hopefully she got a better response than last year. Last year she walked by and I was the only one that curtsied. Oh well. I guess we're about due for an uprising anyway. The archers shown above have nothing to do with food but look at that butt!