Saturday, October 3, 2009

Christina's Moroccan Vegetables with Quinoa

from Buffy Bailey

Serves 4 to 6

2 T butter or margarine (or 1 TBSP of each)
2 c coarsely chopped cabbage
2 c chopped onions
1 ½ c cubed eggplant (1-inch pieces) (about half a medium eggplant)
1 t ground turmeric
½ t ground cinnamon
½ t ground ginger
1/8 t ground allspice
1/8 t saffron threads (or ½ tsp turmeric)
2 c broth or water
1 ½ c carrot chunks (1-in)
1 c chopped tomatoes, or 1 can of drained diced tomatoes
1 bay leaf
2 c cooked or canned and drained chickpeas (or fava beans or butter beans)
½ c golden or dark raisins

Prepared couscous.

In a 6-quart pot, melt butter or margarine over medium-high heat. Add the cabbage and onions; cook, stirring, until the vegetables are softened, about 4 minutes. Add the eggplant; cook, stirring until softened, about 3 minutes.

Stir in the turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and saffron until absorbed. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Add the carrots, tomatoes, and bay leaf; cook, covered, stirring occasionally, for 40 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Add the chickpeas and raisins; cook, covered, 20 minutes longer or until stew is slightly thickened. Discard the bay leaf.

Serve over cooked couscous.

Christina's Pumpkin Cupcakes/Muffins

from Martha Stewart

Top with cream cheese frosting or streusel.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with paper liners; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice (toss in 1/2 c chopped pecans if desired); set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together, brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, and eggs. Add dry ingredients, and whisk until smooth. Whisk in pumpkin puree.

Divide batter evenly among liners, filling each about halfway. Bake until tops spring back when touched, and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes, rotating pans once if needed. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.

White Chocolate/Cream Cheese Icing

14 oz. pure white chocolate, finely chopped
12 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature, cut into tablespoon-size pieces
12 Tbsp. (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into tablespoon size pieces

To make the icing, in a double boiler, melt the white chocolate, stirring constantly, until smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Let stand until just warm to the touch. In a large blow, using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter on medium-high speed until smooth and blended. Add the melted chocolate and beat again until smooth. Use the frosting immediately, coloring as desired. Spread 1 to 2 tbsp. of icing over each cupcake and decorate with colored sugars and decorating pens.