New Year’s Eve Cupcakes
30 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
in Cooking & Baking Tags: baking, cupcakes, new year's eve, toddler
Cooking escapade 1: accomplished.
I had wanted to make a dessert for New Year’s Eve tomorrow anyway, so tonight was the perfect time to try out our little toddler baking experiment. I decided to make cupcakes: White chocolate, coconut, lime cupcakes. We will frost them tomorrow with an orange cream cheese frosting and top with toasted coconut.
I decided not to go crazy and let Gabey do too much, since this was our first attempt. Mostly I measured out ingredients and he dumped them in the bowl. He also stirred (which he did quite well, with only minor hiccup explosion with the dry ingredients), banged the measuring cups together, and chewed on the whisk. All in all, I would say it was a success.
The recipe was adapted from here.
White Chocolate Cupcakes
Servings: 16-18cupcakes
Ingredients
1 and 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
4 ounces good-quality white chocolate, chopped and melted (or seized into a thick paste, like ours. cough, Gray, cough.)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 tsp lime zest
1-2 tablespoons lime juice
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon cream or milk
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
2. Line a cupcake pan (or two) with the cupcake liners of your choice. (Turns out we didn’t have any…so we just sprayed the cupcake pan with nonstick spray. What can you do, right?)
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
4. In the bowl of your standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
6. Add the “melted” white chocolate and vanilla, mixing well.
7. Alternately add the dry ingredients with the milk in 2-3 portions, mixing well after each addition.
8. Add lime zest and juice, and shredded coconut, and mixed until incorporated.
8. Divide the batter evenly into the prepared cupcake pan.
9. Bake the cupcakes until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 17-20 minutes or so. Let cool completely before frosting.
We have leftover orange cream cheese frosting from Christmas, so that’s what I’m using to ice these babies. I’ll top with toasted coconut and voila! Cupcakes made with the help of a wonderful budding little chef.
A successful night of baking, indeed. (Quite a bit less successful when it comes to toddler finding a blue sharpie and subsequently drawing on daddy’s laptop. FYI, hand sanitizer works pretty damn well for taking that sharpie out of plastic.)
And on that note, I’m off!
–Marn
A new spin on an old blog (just in time for 2012)
30 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
in Cooking & Baking Tags: baking, cooking, toddler
So this blog sort of fell of the planet after Gabey was born…and then subequently got sucked into the black hole at the center of the galaxy once I started my first year at medical school…but get ready for some action, folks, because we are dusting off this ratty, moth-eaten blog, and giving it a whole new view.
We over here are super busy: I’m in med school, my husband is getting his PhD in astrophysics, and we have a 2 year old son who keeps us on our toes at all times and then some. That being said, I have decided that I want to try cooking and baking with Gabe. I think it will be a great learning experience, lots of fun, and (hopefully) super delicious. Also, maybe this toddler will become a man that can impress all his lady friends with his incredible culinary skills…as opposed to burning popcorn so badly that we need to leave the house to let the acrid smell fade…cough, Gray, cough.
Anyway, that’s my goal. I know that most of my post’s here pre-renovation tended to be recipes anyway, but now its official. And it comes with an adorable kid in the mix.
This might turn out to be a total disaster…trying to bake with a not-quite 2-year-old sounds like chaos in the kitchen, but what can I say? I’m adventurous.
Suffice it to say, this should be quite a ride. 
–Marn
Mad Scientist Chocolate Muffins
17 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment
in Cooking & Baking Tags: baking, chocolate, muffins, recipes
So I decided today to make something with chocolate in it…mostly because I wanted to give Gabey some…is that weird? I have been planning stuff for his 1st birthday, and there was a lot of talk about the kind of cupcakes I am going to make (because I don’t want to do a cake. I think it will be nicer to let Gabriel have his very own cupcake.) So yeah, I decided to bake. But I didn’t know what I wanted to make. I looked at some recipes. I thought about it. I looked some more. Then I said “screw it,” and threw a bunch of crap into a bowl. ***note: This is really dumb. You should never just make something up when baking. Baking is a science. Leave the experimenting for Organic Chemistry. Or..you know…dinner.
That being said…I am a genius. (Or just really lucky. ) First things first…this recipe made THE TASTIEST BATTER EVER. Seriously. I mean, like, you could trade out for those fake eggs, or, hell, omit the egg and just eat the batter. It’s that good. Anyway, I threw a bunch of stuff together, took a look at the batter and said, “hmm…it’s too thick for cake, and too thin for cookies…I think it seems like muffin batter.” So I threw some paper liners into my muffin pan and scooped the batter into the cups using an ice cream scoop. (This made 9 muffins. I know it’s a weird amount…but like I said…I made this up. Sue me.) Put it in the oven and voila! Really really good chocolate muffins. Here is the recipe:
Choco Muffins
Ingredients:
1/8 cup (or slightly more) dark chocolate chips (melted)
1 egg
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
1 tbsp butter
1 capful vanilla
1/3 cup sour cream
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon black cocoa
pinch salt
Pre-heat oven to 350. Mix together wet ingredients. Add dry ingredients. Don’t over mix. Scoop into muffin cups. Bake for 17-20 min or until a cake tester comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 5 mins then remove and let cool on a rack. Eat.
(easiest recipe EVER.) They were so yummy – the tops came out almost marzipan-y…which is weird because there is no almond paste in this. But it was this nice chewy top. If you really like chocolate, you could add some chocolate chips to the batter at the end for chocolate chocolate muffins. You could theoretically sub regular cocoa for black cocoa but it won’t be the same. Black cocoa is super rich and strong and MUST be used sparingly. Also it is unsweetened. I kind of love it.
So that’s it. Gabey and I just shared one, and we enjoyed it so much I decided I needed to post the recipe. Enjoy!
–Marn
P.S. This is totally random, but does anyone find the ‘lessons’ in Ni Hao, Kai-Lan a little ridiculous? For example, if you are doing better than your friends at something, you should patronize them? I mean, they don’t actually say that, but in this one episode, the little Tiger guy was better at sports than the rest of the little friends, and made them all feel bad, so he decided to be nice to them instead of bragging. Now I don’t have a problem with that, but they were doing this sport where they had to roll an egg in a line and whoever got to the finish line first won. So when the Tiger won, he was “nice” by saying things like, “you’re going so fast” to the guy in 3rd place, and “you’re rolling in a really straight line” to the little guy in last place. I mean, really? Way to make me feel good, Tiger. (What’s his name anyway? ahh, Rintoo!) Thanks, Rintoo, really…i don’t mind losing a bit now! Ridiculous. (Sorry, total tangent.) I really like Wonder Pets though. Ming Ming rules. And with that…
Mon Petit Chou
04 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment
in Baby Gabe, mom Tags: baby, breastfeeding, cabbage, engorgement, weaning
So it’s official. We are weaning. Reasons?
1. I would be weaning in less than 2 months anyway.
2. I am a hormonal mess. (Apparently this is normal when weaning? Any mention of nursing makes me break down into tears. Ugh, so annoying.)
3. I get to go back on birth control.
4. I have the freedom of leaving Gabriel for longer periods of time without worrying about when I will nurse him.
5. I get to wear normal shirts/bras.
6. And most of all…Gabey is so done. He wants his big boy cup – so who am I to argue?
There are probably more reasons really…but that’s enough I think. And there are no reasons that are compelling enough to try to continue breastfeeding. Yes, it’s better than formula, undoubtedly. But it’s not like we are talking about a 10 week old, or even a 4 month old. Gabe is almost 10 1/2 months old. He eats lots of solids. He will be fine. And I will be fine too. (Just give me a few days, and I will be right as rain.)
So…quitting cold turkey. Not what I had in mind. At all. But that decision was essentially taken out of my hands. So here we are, doing what we can to prevent major engorgement. (Language lesson of the day: ”Mon petit chou” means “My little cabbage” in French. Which is way awesome, in my opinion. Why call your lover “Pookie” when you can make goo goo eyes at a cabbage? Ah yeah.)
Which bring me to…that’s right. Cold cabbage leaves.
Totally sexy. You know that Gray is so digging the salad on my boobs. Its like, the best coleslaw ever. (Boobslaw, mmm.) It helps to prevent engorgement, makes the soreness tolerable and also makes a tasty snack. …Right. So yeah, I’m putting cabbage on my breasts. how do you do it, you ask? Buy a green cabbage, pull off the leaves, wash them, refrigerate them, then put them in your bra. A tight bra like a sports bra. (something nice and snug, but not superbinding.) Also, I’m hand-expressing the bare minimum amount of milk to keep the searing pain at bay (OK, that was dramatic. It’s not that bad). All those things in conjunction with ice packs, ibuprofen, and time, should make the whole weaning process a little less horrific for me. (Cross your fingers!)
The cabbage-wearing is quite funny, though. You can see it poking out of my bra – there is no denying it’s green, leafy presence. I told Gray, “It’s a fashion statement. You know, like a high fashion model. Cabbage as art.” I’m not sure Gray was convinced, though he did say that if he squinted, he could just pretend that I was wearing a shirt with frilly green shit around the neckline. Thanks, hubs. You know, I bet he wouldn’t complain if I was wearing this:
cabbage lingerie...sexy AND delicious.
So the transition to formula has been…interesting. Not too bad, but not super easy. Harder for us than Gabey. The pediatrician said he should be drinking around 24 oz of formula a day…this is so not happening right now. He knows when he is thirsty and when he isn’t. And I am not about to force him to drink more than he wants. We will get there. But he doesn’t seem to be having a problem with the transition in general. No stomach problems or anything. We bought Enfamil, the powdered stuff. We give him 6-8 oz when he wakes up, another 4-6 oz in the early afternoon, possibly another 4-6 oz in the late afternoon, and then another 6 or oz before bed. I think he just needs to get used to it. He ended up having like 15ish oz. in total yesterday. Today he has already had around 12 oz. So we are getting there. He will definitely have a good amount before bed, I just don’t know how much he will want when he wakes up from his second nap. (Especially because I used to give him a little water at that point…not sure if I should do formula instead of the water, or what…it’s a learning process, I guess.)
So that is where we are. I think I’m okay with it. I have to be, right? Dealing with the unexpected, overcoming adversity, and putting your child’s wants and needs first…that is what being a parent is all about.
–Marn
Nursing Strike??
02 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment
in Baby Gabe, mom Tags: baby, breastfeeding, nusring, strike
“A fast is not a hunger strike. Fasting submits to God’s commands. A hunger strike makes God submit to our demands.”
Edwin Louis Cole
So this is fun. Apparently, Gabriel has decided he doesn’t want to breastfeed anymore. Here, let me give you some background information:
About a week ago I had what I believe to be a clogged milk duct. My left breast hurt like gangbusters, there was a sizable sore lump, and it was bad. So I put heat on, massaged and nursed like a mad person. Finally I think Gabey got it going because it felt better and the lump went away. It was sore for a day or two, but all was well. Then, a few days ago Gabriel was acting weird about nursing. Like he didn’t really want to and/or was full from eating solids…whatever. He would either not want to nurse at all (to which I would just wait 10-15 mins and try again. This worked like a charm.) or would nurse for a very short period of time, and be done. It wasn’t at every feeding but it happened several times. It was annoying. But I didn’t really think anything of it. Then today, BAM! Nothing. I tried nursing him before breakfast…nothing. I tried after breakfast…still nothing. I tried a half hour later. Nothing. And when I say nothing, I literally mean nothing. He didn’t even latch. He looked at the boob, looked away and cried. Every single time.
So I tried pumping. This was a bad idea. I am a bad pumper. I don’t know what it is…I have never really been able to pump a good amount of milk…especially in the last few months. I used to pump an ounce of milk for his morning cereal but I quit that because it took FOREVER. So today, I break out the good old electric pump (just a single pump, the medela swing) and try pumping. I got like a half an ounce in a half and hour or some other ridiculous amount of time. I took that milk, mixed it with some water and gave it to him in his straw sippy cup. He drank most of that – maybe 2-3 oz? Tried nursing him after his nap. No. Tried nursing him before lunch…and after lunch…nothing nothing nothing. More of the same. He wants nothing to do with breastfeeding. What the hell happened?
You must understand, this child has never had formula. he hasn’t even had expressed milk in a bottle since he was like…3 weeks old. Nothing but his solids, a sippy cup of water in the afternoon and nursing. I don’t know what to think, or to do. I called up the pediatrician and of course they were like, “just give him formula”. But that doesn’t explain why this is happening, or help the fact that I am so going to get engorged. I know that he is already almost 10 1/2 months old, and I had every intention of weaning him at 12 months…so it’s like a month and a half. But that’s not the point. The point is WHY? The point is that I really didn’t want to have to give him formula at all – I planned on just switching straightaway to whole milk. But now I don’t think that is going happen.
And I’m torn. I’m torn between fighting through this and getting him nursing again…and giving up and just weaning him now. On one hand, it seems really silly to go to all the trouble of reestablishing nursing, only to quit in a little over a month. On the other hand, I really really didn’t want to give him formula. And more importantly, this really does feel like an incredible rejection. I mean, it feels like he doesn’t want me anymore. It’s really awful. I have been crying on and off all day. I just don’t understand what happened.
I think the emotional aspect is really the big issue with just giving up. Because there are several good reasons to wean now…just be done with it, I can finally go back on birth control (no more condoms with my husband, yay! I swear, using condoms while married kind of makes me feel like I’m being slutty ), I don’t have to wear stupid nursing bras or nursing tanks. I can stop wearing a bra ALL THE TIME. I don’t have to be around for every feeding, Gray could actually feeding the baby. See? There are definite upsides to the whole thing. But I still feel like an unloved puppy. And I really am worried about getting engorged. Le sigh.
Any tips? Helpful advice? Should I just go with it? No matter what, I won’t breastfeed past a year. I start med school this summer…there will be no nursing at that point. I never had intentions of letting him self-wean. I mean, after a year. And I don’t think this is self-weaning. It’s too sudden. Why would he cry? He is otherwise in good spirits, eating solids, laughing, playing, etc. He just doesn’t want me. Ugh, I sound like an angsty teenager. My tiny emo boyfriend just dumped me for a sippy cup. Argh!
So…we’re on nursing strike and Gabey won’t cross the picket line. So here I am…all alone with my milky sorrows.
–Marn
Sharing is Caring/for Sissies and Wimps
29 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
in Baby Gabe, Random Meanderings Tags: baby, playdate, sharing
Babies are so funny. from a very very early age they develop personality. Every personality is unique, because every person is unique. And, though they may be tiny, babies are people too. Just, small, gassy, nonverbal, diaper-wearing people. (Honestly, it’s not like that is much different than your typical neighbor ) What I don’t understand is a baby’s need to have things/do things that they aren’t supposed to. [or, for those who don't like to end a sentence with a preposition: What I don't understand is a baby's need to have things/do things that they aren't supposed to, bitch. (Thank you, random funny greeting card.)] Aaaand moving on…
Gabriel wants to touch the TV. He wants to climb up and hit it with his hand. And his blocks. He also wants to touch the DVD rack. Even though we pull him away every time he goes near. Even though we say NO. If we sound really cross, he laughs. (Great. He thinks it’s funny.) They say (whoever they are) that you aren’t supposed to discipline a child until they are at least 12 months. Just pull them away and distract them. But here’s the thing. If you’re baby knows what ‘no’ means, can follow simple instructions, and is blatantly testing your patience just because he can…how is that too young for a little discipline? Certainly it’s not too young for saying ‘no’. Now, I’m not saying you should put a 10 month old in a time-out persay…but maybe a little stronger measures are need, n’est-ce pas? I don’t know…maybe every time he touches the TV he spends a minute in his playard. Maybe that’s too extreme. I’m not really sure. I just know that pulling him away and saying ‘no’ are clearly not cutting it. I’ll see him going towards the TV, reaching out for it, and I’ll say “Gabriel, No!” and he’ll look at me like “oh, wait, no? well…maybe if I just do it a little…” He’s such a rat. I’m glad he is testing boundries, but sheesh. I’m the mom. Listen to meeeee!
On a similar note, Gabey had a playdate today with a set of cutie cute twin girls who are only 4 days older than him. It was fun, but boy was there a lot of toy-grabbing. Gabriel was not always happy about his toys being usurped. I would say he was even a midge whiney. The twins, of course, were used to toy-sharing…or what might be more aptly described as toy-stealing. But Gabe is an only child. His toys are his toys. Whatever he wants to play with is there for his enjoyment at all times. Clearly sharing is a learned thing. Back when we were cavemen, if you wanted something that someone else had – food, a pretty lady, whatever, you just took it, (and clubbed it and dragged, as it were.) It wasn’t until social infrastructure, conditioned behavior and Miss Manners came along and decided that we should be nice, because if you are nice, people will be nice back to you. (Which in caveman speak means that instead of clubbing and dragging that guy’s woman, if you ask for her nicely, you will get her a lot less bruised, cleaner, and well, more conscious. Score! (Did feminism just die a little? Sorry, guys–er, ladies. ))
Where was I? Oh, right, sharing. Babies don’t like to do it. Because they are like cave people (see, I’m learning.) They haven’t been socialized yet. They still act on raw emotion. ”I want that”: grab. ”I’m upset”: cry. ”I’m angry”: hit. It’s not until later that we teach them the good stuff in life: lying, manipulation, and coercion to get what you want. (wow, this post has become quite a snark-fest. Bad Marnie.) Anyway, I was quite interested in the babies’ interactions, and the psychology behind their itty-bitty motivations. Luckily there was no baby violence to be had, and in general, I think everyone had a good time, despite the occasional snatched toy. And, truth is, they will learn. They always do. 
Sharing IS caring!
–Marn
Blather
17 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
in About Us, Baby Gabe, mom, Random Meanderings Tags: baby, feeding, running, the little gym, winter
I hate the winter. It’s too cold, and too gloomy to feel like a person. I feel like my mood is directly correlated with how much sun there is. Plus, it’s hard to exercise. (and I would still like to lose 3-5 more lbs…I’m down to 113, but that last little bit is tough. I hope I don’t put more on after I stop breastfeeding…I never really got a major increase in my appetite from nursing, so hopefully the transition will be smooth for both baby and me.) I wish I liked to run. People say that running in the cold is good. Maybe I’ll try it by myself until it warms up a little, then take my little Gabriel out with me. How do people get into running? And like it? It seems so…not fun. I like walking. We used to take walks all the time in the summer/fall, but I just don’t feel comfortable having him outside for any length of time in less than 40 degree weather. Alas, this frigid New Jersey weather is not my friend.
Brrrrr, I mean, Grrrrr!
Gabriel learned to feed himself with a spoon the other day. I haven’t let him put the food on the spoon himself, but if I give him the spoon, with food on it, he feeds it to himself, then gives the spoon back (or throws the spoon, depending on his mood). I think I will have to try letting him get the food himself, but he makes such a mess and it takes forever, and so part of me just wants to feed him myself and be done with it. But I know he needs to practice and so I have to just deal with the fact that my child/kitchen will look like it has just been slimed. It’s not easy for me though, because I think I have a thing about dirty babies. Like, babies with food on their faces, in their hair etc. It’s just kind of gross, you know? I understand that they are messy little creatures, but for pete’s sake, wipe their little faces off! (especially the stuff that gets trapped under their nose, and gets all crusty and booger-like. Yum.) I know, I’m weird. But I will be a good mama and let Gabey make a total mess of everything (including himself) if it means he is learning.
Big boy food!
So today is the day I am going to teach Gabriel to roll a ball back and forth. I just received a set of four sensory balls from Amazon.com and am excited to try out this new game. Gabey is pretty advanced on the physical front, in general, so I think this is a good thing to try out. I have no idea if he will like it, or have any idea what I’m trying to do, or if he will simply try to eat the balls (this is definitely the most likely scenario). But we will give it a go. On that note, I am excited to go to The Little Gym with Gabey boy tomorrow. I think it will be good for him. Plus, I look forward to the prospect of meeting other mommies in the area. I keep feeling like I would love to have playdates, someone to shop with etc. etc., whatever new mommies do together. Especially since I have all this time to spend right now. Med school looms closer and closer every day. (June…that’s when the fun really starts!) But right now, I’m just a good old stay-at-home parent. So hopefully I’ll meet some nice moms to hang out with.
Ok, That’s it for now. Off to rescue the baby from his nap!
–Marn
And the crappy blogger award goes to…
14 Jan 2011 2 Comments
in About Us, Baby Gabe, Cooking & Baking, Random Meanderings, Uncategorized Tags: baby, birthday, party, update
I know, I know, I know. It’s been forever. Literally. I became one of those fair-weather bloggers who had a baby, and then up and left my blog in the lurch. Can I say I’m sorry? I’m going to try to get back into this now. I didn’t mean to fall off the proverbial cyberspace planet…I just got majorly occupied with baby, and then it’s one of those things where once you stop, getting back into becomes a chore – because soon you have too much to say, and so its just better not to say anything. But today, right now, I am once again picking up the reins to continue my journey into blogdom.
Look at his happy little face!
Gabey is now 9 (almost 10) months old. He is amazing. He is walking now. Seriously. Walking. He took his first steps around 8 1/2 months or so, and now is pretty darn good at it. Still takes the occasional tumbles and still crawls to get someplace really fast, but all in all, walking is his first choice of transportation in general. He is a babbler, a singer, a screamer (he loves screeching – it’s a happy thing. I think he likes the noise). He loves music and reading books. He is eating big boy finger foods, and basically likes everything (except green beans). He sleeps upwards of 12 hours a night. I couldn’t have handpicked a better baby.
Ok, enough bragging. I cut the tip of my finger off with a mandolin the other day – if anyone tells you you don’t need to use the safety guard thingie, IGNORE THEM. There was literally a hunk of finger sitting on my cutting board. Not fun. My typing is a little wonky because of it. Not that you can tell, but it takes me longer to type, plus I’m screwing up every two seconds. And it hurts. Still, I guess that’s what happens when you get too reckless in the kitchen. I’m bad about that, I know…sticking hands in the oven, and in boiling pots of liquid, etc etc. What can I say? I’m a culinary Evel Knievel.
Anyway, I have some recipes to add, but I think I will do that later. Right now, I wanted to talk (and possibly get some feedback) about baby’s first birthday party. I’m not sure what to do. I know the first is monumental, obviously, but also, they are so young, won’t remember anything, don’t interact with other kids, really, etc etc. So would you spend the money on themes and halls/restaurants/kiddie gyms etc? Or do most people do a house party and save the fun stuff for when the kid can actually appreciate it? I am leaning towards house party…I can make foods, Gabriel will not be out of his element, if he’s cranky he can nap, we’ll save money, etc. I may still do a bit of a theme… I have been itching to do something with classic Winnie the Pooh, and so may just go with it. I love A.A. Milne. Even if Gabey won’t remember it, it will make for nice pictures, right? ;) If I was going to have the party out, I’m not sure where I would have it. There are clubhouses you can rent around here. There are also places like The Little Gym, and Gymboree. (incidentally, I have a free introductory Mommy & Me class at The Little Gym set up for next week. We will see how that goes. Hopefully Gabriel will love it and we can make it a weekly thing. I’ll let you know how he fares in a later blog.) I don’t know. I’m torn. But I have to get on this right quick, because 10 months is quickly approaching, and we will need to send invitations, get set up, book a place (if we do end up having it out), and whatever else needs to happen to make it fabulous and fun. Feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Alright, I think I am going to finish this up for the moment. More to come, and soon! (I promise!)
–Marn
Moroccan Lamb & Couscous
16 May 2010 Leave a Comment
in Cooking & Baking, recipes Tags: cooking, couscous, lamb, moroccan, recipes
So, last night Marnie made this incredibly delicious Moroccan-style ground lamb & couscous dish… almost like a Moroccan goulash. It was so good, and so easy, that I decided to write a post about it!
Moroccan Lamb & Couscous
Ingredients:
- 1.2 lbs ground lamb (or some similar amount, one package)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- roughly 1/4 cup each chopped dried dates, chopped dried apricots, and golden raisins
- 1 package toasted pine nut couscous (or 3 cups whatever couscous you like)
- 1/4 cup white cooking wine
- cumin (most), cinnamon (some), allspice (a little), red pepper flakes (a little), garlic powder (a little), salt & pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Directions:
In a small pot, prepare couscous according to package directions. In a large saute pan, cook onion, garlic, and fruit in oil on medium-high heat until soft. Add spices and wine and cook off the alcohol, then add the ground lamb and brown, draining off as much of the fat as you can. Remove from heat, then add cooked couscous and fold together. Finally, mix in cilantro and serve! Easy, right? It’s so delicious!
–gray
