exotic comfort food – warm moroccan stew

Wow. I have been away for a while. I feel distant from my little blog space and from my kitchen. We’ve been slowly reconnecting since my time in Orange County; I’ve been sleepwalking through my house the last few days and enjoying my own food in a dream-like state. Ahhhhh…

Anyway, I’m back and I want to share this easy and fabulous Moroccan stew. I made it just before I left for my event in So Cal; I felt so comforted and joyful and delightfully global while eating it – I was transported from my deadlines and pile of work to food fantasy land. It is the FIRST thing I made when I got home. It is warm and beautifully spiced and fragrant and very healthy and extremely delicious. How can something be comforting and sensual and exotic all at once? This is how. This dish. I know I get very intense and dramatic about food, but please, make this and go there with me. It is so, so good.

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fabulous roasted chicken breast – chapter one

We ate some wonderful roasted chicken breast tonight. I sit and write this full and content – pleased with the unique satisfaction that comes from a full belly of something comforting and savory.

I have been traveling so much lately and have been yearning for something simple and delicious, cooked in my own kitchen.

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garlic lime chicken and olives

Lately, a lot of people have asked me to write them a weekly menu and corresponding grocery list. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the time to do this (or write the post on my latest dining experiences in Texas, my first post on “beauty,” starring Ella and Ava, or the post I’ve been planning on my favorite market…). My insane schedule does not line up with my desire for slow living! I suppose the next best thing is to post what we are eating for dinner tonight…something simple, healthy and supremely delicious for a weeknight dinner.

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my mom’s favorite soup and shrimp remoulade

My Mom was inspired from my post about trout almandine and prepared a letter and a few recipes for the blog. I am delighted to share them! However, the main ingredient is a bit of a stretch for me personally. I am still steadfast in my goal be a tad more adventurous in the meat department, but turtle? I like turtle. We had a little turtle that visited our backyard regularly, and I took pictures of her. How can I eat turtle? Turtles are cute; thus nullifying their qualification as food (see my previous post on this matter). Nonetheless, the recipe deserves to be shared. Please note that Mom (aka Mimi) has shared some of her own notes following the recipes. Enjoy!

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minestrone and crusty garlic bread

Cooking is a an experience that I savor daily, no matter how busy I constantly seem to be. It is one of the few times each day that I am actually living in the moment. Instead of worrying, running through an endless task list, etc., I am simply thinking about what I am doing. Actually, I am also greatly anticipating the meal that I will soon be eating, so I suppose I’m not totally in the moment… Cooking, EATING, preparing a meal for someone – this is truly a pleasure to me. Pairing simple, whole ingredients together to make something gloriously delicious not only sustains my body, but it also sustains me in a holistic way that I can’t completely describe. It just feels good.

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