Tag Archives: Raleigh

Experimenting with leftovers, again.

Usually when I have a day off during the week I want to take advantage of the lunch specials at Downtown Raleigh restaurants. The prices are usually about half of the usual dinner cost and its sunny and warm today so I could walk around downtown, visit Father and Son or other downtown stores.

Of course, I began my day at Cup A Joe coffee shop and on my way back stopped by Logan’s Garden center.

I decide I have enough leftovers at home to pull something together and I rather save my money to go out to eat with friends.

I have half a loaf of French bread left over from the weekend. I had purchased it from La Farm Bakery at The NC Farmers market but by now it was becoming stale. I had always known you could us bread to thicken soups and stews so I decided to use as a base, otherwise, it would go in the compost bin or out for the birds to peck!

1) Heat oil in a Dutch oven and add a medium onion cut in small pieces. cook until they have soften. I also added one minced clove of garlic. Stir often and cook until the onion softened.

2) Add three potatoes cut in small cubes. A tablespoon of turmeric. Stir to coat vegetables and cook about 5 minutes.

3) Add about two cups of stock. I used two cups of water and a vegetable bullion cube because that was on hand. Turn heat up to high.

4) Once it began to boil I added a piece of fresh ginger, a tablespoon of curry powder, a teaspoon of paprika, salt and pepper.

5) After tasting, I decided it was missing some ZING! There are no chillis in the garden, yet. Hmmm. Sriracha? Tobasco? Ok. Four. Make that six shakes of Tobasco! Bring it back to a boil on medium high.

6) After boiling for about 15 minutes the potatoes were about done, I added the stale bread and enough water to cover. Put the lid on the Dutch oven and allow it boil until the bread falls apart. I added some leftover cherry tomatoes.

7) Once the bread has absorbed enough liquid and begins to fall apart you may need to add more liquid and stir vigorously so the bread comes apart and thickens the liquid.

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It was warm and filling!

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Of course, Gus enjoyed the warm Spring day.

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He always hams it up!

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The three geographic regions of North Carolina and gardening.

North Carolina is divided geographically into three regions: the coastal plain, the piedmont plateau, and the mountains. The soil of these regions varies and requires different gardening techniques.

The coastal plain has a grey sandy soil called Portsmouth sand. It’s very porous and drains fast. It usually needs amendments rich in organic matter such as compost or peat moss to absorb and hold water and add nutrients.

The piedmont plateau is a red clay base with a thin layer of organic matter. Its called Cecil soil. The clay blocks water movement and storage and plant roots are shallow. The challenge in gardening here is to add enough organic matter or sand to improve drainage and to create a deep enough layer of permeable soil for good root developement.

The mountains have a rock base on the slopes while the valleys and pockets have a rocky organic mix. The challenge is not only finding a flat location to garden but also soil deep enough to allow roots to grow.

Below is a map of North Carolina’s regions. You can find information about your state’s soil through your local agricultural extension or agricultural college. Most states also have a department of agriculture, too.

http://ncpedia.org/sites/default/files/physical_regionsmphysical_regionsmapap.gif

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Cumin flatbread

The mornings are still chilly and I don’t want to go straight in to the garden yet! I need something warm in my tummy first.

A quick morning Moroccan bread is just what’s in order!

Cumin Flatbread

20130309-103934.jpg1. Place warm water in bowl of heavy-duty mixer. Sprinkle yeast over and stir to
combine.

Let stand 10 minutes. This is proofing the yeast. If it doesn’t smell yeasty and become cloudy and foamy your yeast may be old and dead.

Add oil, lemon peel, salt and ground cumin.

Using dough hook attachment, gradually beat in flour. Continue beating 5 minutes.

Turn out dough onto lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth dough forms,
about 2 minutes (dough will be very soft).

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2. Lightly oil a large bowl. Add dough; turn to coat. Cover with a dish towel or plastic and let rise
in a warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

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3. Preheat the oven to 400°F Line 12×18-inch baking sheet with heavy-duty foil. Brush foil with oil. Place dough in pan. Using fingertips, press out dough, covering pan completely (dough will be very thin). Sprinkle with cumin seeds and sesame seeds. Bake until golden, about 30 minutes. Loosen bread from foil. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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Gus says; “Do I smell food?”

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Adapted from Bon Appetit “Taste of the World”, Conde Nast Publications, 2008

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Filed under cooking, Food