Beef with Couscous

The school year has started, Autumn is making itself known, and my time in the kitchen has been greatly diminished. This last week I only had one night that I was home before 9pm, and that was Monday. I can't say that I'm not enjoying all the activity that is keeping me out of the kitchen, I love my new job at the school and am having a good time networking with people. I simply miss having all the good cooked food that is the result of fun time in the kitchen.

Last weekend, my husband and I finally had some time to spend together, and in the kitchen. My goal for this fall is to get him more into cooking, since I'd be happy spending the whole weekend in the kitchen and the weekend is the only time we get to spend together. It is a bit selfish, I know. But I go to his gigs!! So, Dave spent Saturday and Sunday evening in the kitchen with me, helping me cut up vegetables and making rice (I can make truffles, but I cannot make rice that isn't soggy and gloopy to save my life!)

We had this dish on Sunday and it was a nice change from our usual Italian and Tex-Mex dishes. Also, I got to go to Penzey's and buy a new spice mix.
I just love that place! I'm sure you've noticed. I picked up some of their Garam Masala mix, which smells like heaven. I'm looking forward to using it in future Indian-inspired recipes. Chicken Tikka Masala, here we come!

Beef with Couscous
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed with garlic press
1 teaspoon minced, peeled fresh ginger
1 pound lean ground beef
1 tablespoon curry powered
1 teaspoon garam masala spice mix
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 small yellow summer squash, cut into 1/2 inch chunks (I think you could substitute whatever is currently in season)
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup frozen peas (I forgot to pick these up, so we used corn. it was still good!)
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1 cup plain couscous
1/2 cup golden raisins

1. In nonstick 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook 3 minutes or until golden. Stir in garlic and ginger; cook 1 minute.

2. Stir in ground beef and cook, breaking up meat with side of spoon, about 5 minutes, or until meat is no longer pink. Stir in curry powder, garam masala, and salt; cook 30 seconds. Add squash and cook 2 minutes.

3. Add broth and frozen peas; cook until slightly thickened and flavors blend. Stir in cilantro.

4. Meanwhile, prepare couscous as label directs but add raisins with water.

5. Fluff couscous with fork and serve with beef mixture. Enjoy!

An ode to Penzey's

It has been a bit since I updated here, but I've been cooking... just fallen into that trap of forgetting to take photos. A couple weeks ago, we made Calzones at home. It worked out pretty well, but since I had to work that day we used store bought pizza dough. While I'm glad I didn't have to mix and knead the dough on a day when I was tired from work and life in general (although that can be quite therapeutic) the store bought dough just didn't do it for me. I think next time we'll make our own dough.

The calzones themselves are so easy. Just a quarter cup of ricotta cheese, any fillings you like (we used red pepper and hot italian sausage slices), fold 'em over,  and bake as the dough directions say. Serve with marinara or pizza sauce on the side (or as Dave did, pour it on top).

This weekend, we did pork chops and mashed sweet potatoes. I didn't have a specific pork chop recipe in mind, just knew I was going to do a breaded, seasoned pork chop in the oven. So I pulled out the "Mural of Flavor" jar from Penzey's, some basil, garlic, pepper, and oregano. But I honestly think they would have been great with just the "Mural of Flavor" on its own. This stuff is amazing!

Earlier in the fall when I wanted to do a Viennese Chocolate cake that called for Dutch processed cocoa, we went to Penzey's. We had a coupon for a free "gift box" of four different spices. You had to spend $5 to get the free gift box, but in a spice shop that isn't hard to do. We got a bag of the Dutch processed cocoa, a bag of Penzey's taco seasoning to try, and walked out with the gift box as well. The cocoa was to die for, the taco seasoning flavorful without the high sodium you find in grocery store taco seasoning packages, and the gift box a real treasure. The four spices I received were the Mural of Flavor,  Garlic Powder, Ground Black Pepper and a jar of Cinnamon. I've been really quite pleased with all of them.

If you've got a Penzey's near you, you should go check it out! The variety of spices they have is just astounding. Walking around the store, I find myself wanting to try all the new things I haven't heard of and salivating over the things I have.