More Ras El Hanout

According to Mr. Google: Ras el hanout is a complex, warm North African spice blend whose name translates from Arabic as "head of the shop" or "top shelf," representing a merchant's finest offering

 It delivers an aromatic, rich, sweet, and earthy taste with a warm depth rather than heavy heat.

 There is no single recipe; blends often combine a dozen to over forty spices.
 Core ingredients usually include cumin, coriander, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, and peppercorns.

We enjoyed it so much with the spinach and garbanzos that I decided to use it with chicken. I rubbed chicken thighs well with ReH and a little salt and browned them in olive oil. Then I removed the chicken to another dish and sauteed onions, sweet peppers, garlic. 

When they were getting soft, I stirred in a lot of cut up tomatoes--some cherry tomatoes and some regular and browned them a bit. I also added a bit more of the spice. When the veg began to get goopy, I returned the chicken to the pot, added a bit of hot water so that the chicken was half covered, put a lid on the pot and let it simmer about a half an hour.

I served it over noodles (though a grain would be nice too) and topped it with sour cream (yogurt would also work) and chopped up green onions.

Accompanied by a salad--spinach, plums, blue cheese, and vinaigrette--it was really good.

 

TeenTurkeys . . . and a Winner!

 June 26th -- the two turkey hens and their mingled brood of around 14 poults visit our feeder. 

Since then I've been enjoying watching them grow and they've gotten pretty used to my darting out onto the deck to take their picture.

 

They've been almost daily visitors  -- this was yesterday evening. You can see that they are nearly the size of their mamas -- the two  on the far right. 

There seem to be only 9 poults left -- but that's a pretty good survival rate, considering how many predators are on the mountain.

Handsome birds with elegant plumage -- and there's one pale one.  Almost all the turkey flocks we've seen on the mountain in the past include one or two near-white birds.

But here I am nattering on about turkeys when what I need to do is to announce the winner of the drawing for KILLER RECIPES -- which if you didn't win, you could always order HERE,

Remember, all  proceeds  to the American Cancer Society!  

And the winner is . . .

l

(Drumroll) Debra Eisert!!! And then I drew again and that second winner is NCmountainwoman!!!

I'll put those cookbooks in the mail this week -- but first I need addresses. You winners, please email me at

vicki_laneYOUKNOW WHAT TO PUT HEREmtnareaDOTnet

 

Killer Recipes

Killer Recipes, is the brain child of mystery author Susan Whitfield who dedicates it to her grandson Caleb Graham Whitfield, a cancer survivor, and to all others who have been touched by cancer. All proceeds from its sales will go to the American Cancer Society.


I was delighted to be one of the mystery writers asked to participate and sent several family recipes -- including, of course, Ba's Pound Cake.

I ordered some copies (you could do the same HERE .) Remember, all proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

And, if you're feeling lucky, you could leave me a comment asking to be included in the drawing for a copy. You must ask to be included before 10 pm on Sunday.  I'll announce the winning name on my Monday post.  

Yes, I'll send it to you even if you live on the other side of the world!