28 May 2014

rhubarb daal

This is a wonderful way to enjoy rhubarb as a vegetable, and a tart and refreshing meal for a spring evening.


Start with some oil in a heavy pot, and heat up ½ tsp. (whole) cumin, ½ tsp. (whole) coriander, and 2 tsp. each brown and yellow mustard seeds until they start popping. Then add a very thinly sliced onion, a small fragment of cinnamon bark, and chili peppers (to your taste, I added three whole chiles de árbol). Stir until the onions are translucent. Then add a bunch (about a pound) of rhubarb chopped into ½-inch slices. Stir, and season with a bit of salt. Add two cloves of crushed garlic, ½ tsp ground turmeric (dried, or thrice that if fresh), and a knob of freshly ground ginger.


Then add 1½ cups of red lentils. Cover with stock (chicken, or vegetable — or plain water and another but of salt) and stir. Cook for 30-40 minutes, until the lentils are done and the rhubarb has dissappeared into the daal. Serve with saffron rice (or your choice of other starch), a dollop of yogurt, and some fresh cilantro.

26 May 2014

roasted, marinated asparagus



This is refreshing on a hot and stormy evening after a long day outside: in the morning, roast a bunch of aspargus with olive oil under a broiler, or on a grill, until warm. Drain the asparagus, and toss with lemon juice and zest, capers and a bit of brine for some salt, and a thinly sliced onion. Finish with a splash of good olive oil. Cover and refrigerate until dinner, and it's lightly picked and very refreshing.

Also, I've been using Instagram, and making bread.