kidney bean curry

Kidney Bean Curry (a la Smitten Kitchen)

1/3 c. extra virgin olive oil

¼ c. grated or chopped fresh ginger, or ½ tbs. or so dried

1 onion, diced

1 plum tomato, diced (I used a 10 oz. can of diced tomatoes with chilies)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 large green chili, minced (I used a red thai chili)

½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. ground coriander

½ tsp. ground cumin

½ tsp. turmeric

¼ tsp. cayenne

Pinch or two of ground cardamom

8 oz. can tomato sauce

3 15 oz. cans red kidney beans (2 drained, 1 undrained)

1 cup water

Chopped cilantro, for serving

Heat oil over medium heat.  Add ginger (if using fresh), onion, garlic, & chili, and cook for a minute or so.  Add the spices (including ginger, if using dried) and cook until fragrant, about one minute.  Stir in tomato sauce, cooking for 5 minutes.  Stir in beans, tomatoes, and water.  Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.  Serve over rice with cilantro (we put some Greek yogurt on top as well).

Source: Smitten Kitchen

family celebration weekend

This weekend my sister and brother-in-law flew in from Chicago for a DC adventure.  Saturday morning we fueled up with apple fritters from Heller’s bakery, then headed out for a day on the town.  We began our pilgrimage at Union Market, a veritable wonderland for food lovers.  The market is filled with fresh produce, local meats & cheeses, teas, coffee, and a variety of food vendors.  Our adventure began with a crisply-fried chipotle beef empanada at DC empanadas.  I washed that down with a velvety macchiato, courtesy of peregrine espresso, before trying the delicious Korean barbecue tacos at TaKorean.  We closed out our visit with a refreshing egg cream at the Buffalo & Bergen soda fountain.

To burn off our morning calories we strolled through the National Arboretum, checking out the columns from the first capitol building and exploring their vast collection of Bonsai trees, one of which has been “in training” since 1625!

On the way home we returned to the market, where we purchased fresh sausages (including blood sausage) and bacon from Red Apron Butchery, as well as some fresh broccoli rabe.  When we arrived at home my brother-in-law’s friend was waiting on our front steps.  We sat in the sun, grilled some sausages, and enjoyed the rest of the evening at home.

Sunday we went to church, ate lunch in Barracks Row, and bought some coffee and home-made pop tarts at Spring Mill Bread Co.  We headed home for a nap, baked a birthday cake, ate some Middle Eastern takeout, and watched the Hobbit.  Food, friends and family--what a wonderful way to spend a weekend!

citrus & cocoa

It is God's gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil.

-Ecclesiastes 3:13

Here we are, at the beginning of Lent, and since Ash Wednesday (less than a week ago) I have baked two sinful desserts.  Joe is abstaining from sweets.  Me?  After reading an article a friend sent me about how women should eat chocolate in moderation every day during Lent, I decided to give myself a little break.

I made the following cupcakes for a co-worker, but couldn’t resist testing one before sharing.  Don’t be fooled by the lame photo.  They are delicious. 

Orange-Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Ingredients

Cupcakes:

1 c. all-purpose flour

1 ½ tsp. baking powder

1/8 tsp. salt

5 tbs. unsalted butter, softened

½ c. sugar

1 large egg

Finely grated zest of 1 orange

½ tsp. vanilla extract

½ c. whole milk

½ c. mini semisweet chocolate chips

Chocolate ganache (see below)

Chocolate ganache:

¾ c. mini semisweet chocolate chips

¼ c. heavy cream

To make cupcakes:

Preheat oven to 350˚F.  Sift flour, baking powder, & salt into a bowl.  Beat the butter & sugar with an electric mixer on med-high speed until fluffy, 2-3 minutes.  Beat in zest, vanilla and egg until just combined.  On low speed, add dry ingredients and milk, one after the other, in three batches.  Mix until just incorporated.  Gently fold in chocolate chips.

Spoon about ¼ cup of batter into each of 12 paper-lined muffin cups.  Bake in center of oven 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool on wire rack.

To make ganache:

Place chocolate chips in a bowl.  In a small saucepan, bring cream to the simmer.  Pour cream over chocolate.  Let stand for a minute or so, then stir the mixture until smooth.  Spread over cooled cupcakes.

Makes 1 dozen cupcakes.

Source: The Gourmet Cookbook, Ed. Ruth Reichl (2004)

neighbors

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.

For if they fall, one will lift up the other...

-Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a

Yesterday was a beautiful day—sunny and breezy.  I went for a run in my neighborhood, enjoying the strange winter warmth.

As I neared my house I saw a woman working in her garden.  I met her once before, maybe a year ago, while talking to another neighbor, but didn’t know her name.   Normally I don’t go around introducing myself to people, but on this occasion I felt compelled to say hello.  We talked briefly and I learned that she is an artist from Spain.  When I told her I want to learn Spanish, she offered to help.  She said she is often home alone during the day, and would enjoy the company.  After more chatting we exchanged phone numbers and agreed to meet.

I am excited about the possibility of a new friendship.  This past week I met three “new” neighbors—neighbors who have been there as long as I’ve lived here.  My encounters with them made me think about connection, how sometimes we are so close to people and yet don’t know them.  I have spent a lot of time in the past few months home alone and wanting company.  Little did I know there was a person just a few houses down feeling the same thing.

I talk to my next door neighbor all the time.  We sit on our respective porches (our houses are connected), and I pet her dogs while we chat.  Sometimes I’m later to work than I’d like because I can’t resist stopping and talking.  It’s worth it to take the time and build that connection.  My neighbor Gary always says you need to talk to your neighbors.  You never know when you might need them.  I would add that you never know when they might need you.

My next door neighbor was on her porch talking to Gary when I got home.  I had things to do, but couldn’t resist hanging out with them for a little while.  I’m glad I did.

in the silence

Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence.   When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’

-1 Kings 19:11-13

Over the past few weeks—or months—I’ve bathed myself in noise.  The computer/TV has been a constant—and the sound of teeth crunching on potato chips and candy.  I spend much of my alone time avoiding silence. 

While preparing for my monthly article club, I heard Wendell Berry read his poem “How to be a Poet.”  “Sit down…Be quiet...Breathe with unconditional breath/the unconditioned air.”  The final stanza reads:

Accept what you can from silence.

Make the best you can of it.

Of the little words that come

out of the silence, like prayers

prayed back to the one who prays,

make a poem that does not disturb

the silence from which it came.

I am not much of a poet, but for me this one could be titled “How to Pray.”  I avoid silence because I know God is there, in that sacred space where I am exposed—where I see things about myself I do not like.  Yet there is also grace in the quiet.

This year I am working half time.  My friend Melanie had a similar year after seminary, and said it was a time to learn that her identity is separate from what she does as a living.  Yet when I have space I want to fill it—whether with “productive” things like working on the house, doing my job, or training for a marathon; or my more frequent temptation: watching trashy TV. 

This week I’ve tried to be silent, just a little—to pray with words, then be still.  Most times I don’t hear anything.  A lot of times I fall asleep.  Sometimes I go back to the TV to reward myself.  Yet good things do seem to emerge. 

I’m not always good about committing to things, but this year I’m going to try and be a poet. 

a goodnight song

Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
-Psalm 95:1b 

blowtorch

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

-Matthew 3:11

I just baptized my marshmallows with fire.  I love you, Fat Boy.