Harissa

I actually made something new this week!

 

This is harissa.

 

  Have you heard of it?  I had first heard of it on the food network a little while back and was very intrigued by this Tunisian spice mixture/paste.  There was a recipe sent to my inbox that called for it and coconut milk and I couldn't stop thinking about it.  Then, I got a recipe for homemade harissa and then I really couldn't stop thinking about it.  I read some food blogs and there are a number of things that peak my interest, but this one really stood out for some reason.

 

Ingredients for this particular harissa are below.  Just mix them all to form a paste.

1 garlic clove, mashed with a pinch of salt

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon ancho chile powder

1 tablespoon smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon caraway seeds, ground in a spice grinder

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

 

This was my first time mashing a garlic clove into a paste.  They make it look so easy on tv.

 

  The recipe that called for it was this mushroom ragout.  Something about ragout just calls my name!

 

  It was really yummy and even the kids liked it.  They don't really like mushrooms, so I also added some chunks of chicken thigh.  I like mushrooms and the shiitakes were sooo good in this.  The recipe mentioned being able to use it over pasta, which would have worked well.  I decided to play it safe with a new dish (introducing new things to your family is STRESSful!!) and made rice and broccoli to go with it for my kids.  If I was to do it all over again (which I probably will), I would reduce the tomatoes a bit and try it with raisins.  (I didn't have capers or raisins.)

 

  I actually really love to cook and try new things.  Unfortunately, I haven't lately at all because I don't have the physical or emotional energy to try new things.  However, as Mike mentioned to me and this is something I know for myself,  my emotional/mental state is doing really good when I am experimenting and making a lot in the kitchen.  This is so true!  As I think about this week, it is really the first "normal" feeling week I've had since being down here.  No appointments, DMV, organizing to no end, or a general overwhelming feeling of having so much to do and so little time.  I certainly have done some running around with school, errands, grocery shopping, getting lost :), etc. but that is all normal stuff.  I feel like I'm getting into a groove.  With the normalcy comes banana bread, cilantro hummus, soaking 3 different kinds of beans, making pita breads, making marinades and sauces, pesto, and the list continues.  Maybe there will be more yummy recipes to share soon.  Or maybe not, but at least you know for now things are feeling a bit more normal!

 

Have a great Thursday!