Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Of Muffins, Roses and Vegetable Stew



There are many abandoned apple trees in our area. As fall approaches, we scout out the harvest and when the apples are ripe, collect them. I think it's terrible that so much food goes to waste. I don't think the food banks would take these apples because they are usually small and imperfect. But they make great applesauce. 

Applesauce is a main ingredient in these muffins. They are so good. I wouldn't want to admit to eating three of them while they were still warm. But I just might have done that. Try them, you'll like them. Not too sweet, with a lovely cinnamon warmth. 
 

I read a little tip about preventing the rose droop - you know, several days after clipping the stems, adding the food, and putting them into water, the rose heads begin to droop. Infuriating. Well, I can't remember where I read this, but one suggestion was to prick a hole just under the blossom with a needle. The theory is that air bubbles get trapped there and prevent the water from rising to the blossom. I tried it, and 6 days later the roses are still perky and upright.
 

I'm not much of a fan of legumes. I don't really like their texture. I find them mealy. Although I do like hummus. Anyway, I found the recipe for this Moroccan Vegetable Ragout and it appealed to me in spite of the chickpeas. You can find the recipe on the Fine Cooking website. I made some adjustments which I listed on my recipe blog. It's really a lovely dish, with hints of cinnamon and citrus, a bit of salt from the olives, and lots of good vegetables. A great meatless dish, served over quinoa or brown rice.

Are legumes frequently seen in your diet? Do you enjoy eating them? How do you prepare them? 
 

15 comments:

  1. Love chick peas in a cold salad with a dressing. I put red or Puy Lentils into home made soups. They are, as my grandma used to say, 'Good for you'.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Muffins with apple, great. I can eat them and three at a time would present no problems.

    I put the rose stem in between the blunt edges of the secateurs (pruning shears), A good squeeze to flatten the stem, an aspirin in the water, and the roses last.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm enjoying the rose-prolong tips. I know that Martha S. suggests cutting roses under water to avoid the problem. LOL! Another frightful sentence, but so funny I'm leaving it. I'll try both yours and Friko's suggestion. No, I am not a fan of legumes either and I don't even like hummus. The muffins look and sound scrumptious.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What an interesting rose tip. I do enjoy legumes but probably I enjoy muffins more :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very interesting tip..I love muffins so much xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ooooh...yummy muffins! Good way to use those abandoned apples.
    Thanks so much for your recent visit to my blog. Have fun sewing your Easter projects!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello Lorrie,

    Well, as you probably know the weather has been really bad here. This is a perfect meal! Loving your muffins as well. Did you post the recipe?

    Gabriela

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Lorrie,

    Visiting for the first time from Chel's blog, Sweetbriar Dreams. You have a lovely blog.

    The muffins look so good, I would have eaten 3, or maybe even 4. I do like legumes in cold salad or mushed up in hummus, and the Ragout looks really delicious.

    I live not far from you in Washington. Have a lovely week - I am now following. xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Lorrie,
    We love legumes, especially in stews and chilies!
    Your applesauce muffins would be quickly eaten in our house, especially since I haven't been baking for weeks (a cold will do that to a person!).
    Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Totally interesting and informative post. I will have to check on the stew it looks delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Both of your recipes look and sound good to me. I do like legumes and am trying to eat them more often. I made a lentil soup recently that received thumbs up here. It had a tomatoey base and the unexpected ingredient of balsamic vinegar. A very tasty combination.
    How great to know that tip for the roses and that it does, indeed, work.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hello Lorrie,
    yes we do eat them. There are so many recipes in the italian tradition! I love to prepare "minestra" with legumes and pasta. You inspired me to share these recipes in my new From my Kitchen posts!
    Hugs,
    Monica xo

    ReplyDelete
  13. Mnnnn muffins. And your trick with the rose - so clever/

    ReplyDelete
  14. That stew looks amazing! I love chickpeas and have many recipes I use them in. I also just toss them into salads. Of course, we can get a lot of homous over here. And even better is going to the little shop around the corner where they cook up fresh chickpeas in a big vat. We buy them warm then top them with fresh chopped tomato, onion, parsley with a dash of olive oil, salt & pepper and just eat a big bowl of them. Yummy! Best wishes, Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  15. That looks yummy and being vegetarian I know I'd enjoy. Yes, I eat loads of legumes including tonight - small fillet of broiled salmon on a bed of lentils, quinoa, white beans, with chopped carrots, squash, parsnip etc. with steamed green beans bathed in garlic infused olive oil! The Mediterranean Diet is apparently back - I've followed it for years.

    Bon appetit dear.
    Mary

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comment. I read and value each one, cherishing the connections we can make although far apart. Usually, I visit your blog in return, although if you ask a question I try to contact you directly.

A Wander Through my Mind

  Nothing is so beautiful as Spring -  When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush; Gerard Manley Hopkins When I opened my bedroom...