Maybe it was the rain and nasty weather or the fact that signs of Morocco have been popping up all around me of late -- a vacation site email in my inbox yesterday morning, Sunday's NY Times Travel Magazine, featuring mesmerizing Marrakesh. I couldn't think of anything better than curling up to a bowl of something warm and aromatic, hints of cinnamon, cumin and other spices I'd imagine finding in the markets of a far off, fantastical Moroccan city. Lacking a proper traditional tagine, I figured a cozy autumn stew in my sturdy Dutch oven was the next best thing. And though my inclusion of coconut milk brings India and Thailand more to mind, I will definitely say that the spice blend I tossed together conjured up exotic visions of Morocco that made me want to pack my bags and board the next flight out of JFK. For a bit of faraway inspiration that highlights seasonal ingredients (squash and apple are this stew's star ingredients), the recipe follows. This is a perfect weeknight dish, made in under 30 minutes. And the lentils give it a great dose of satisfying fiber while the squash and spices pack lots of antioxidants.
Squash Curry with Apple & Red Lentils
makes 4 to 6 servings
1 2 to 2 1/2 pound buttercup squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 2-inch chunks
1/2 large yellow onion, diced
1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
10 ounces light coconut milk
2 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup red lentils
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
dash of cayenne pepper
2 dried red chilies
3/4 teaspoon salt
fresh ground black pepper to taste
1 cup diced apple
extra apple for garnish, finely diced
creme fraiche or plain yogurt for garnish
In a large cast-iron pot or Dutch oven, add the oil and saute the squash and onion about 10 minutes over medium-high heat until lightly browned and semi-soft.
Add in the coconut milk, broth as well as the lentils, spices, chilies, salt and pepper.
Lower heat and simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add in apples with 10 minutes cooking time left.
Garnish with extra diced apple and a tiny dollop of creme fraiche or plain yogurt if desired.
photos :: me, kellyoshiroevents.com, ifood.tv, architecturaldigest.com, stylebyswift.com, dustjacketattic.com
After technical difficulties in London and Paris, a non-working computer adapter and then a European keyboard...typing a sentence takes an hour, I'm back refreshed and renewed and very, very well-fed. I couldn't have envisioned a better vacation than lots of great food shared with good friends. There were certainly multiple standouts on the trip. The highlight for me surely being the Bastille Market in Paris that my girlfriends and I ventured to last Sunday. It's undoubtedly the most extensive, expansive, jaw-dropping greenmarket I've ever encountered. Uber-fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, cheese, meats, breads and pastries for what seemed like miles. Having rented an awesome apartment in the Marais district, we decided to take advantage of the food and cook dinner at home that night - a full menu of gorgeous sauteed prawns a
nd fresh ravioli with a pistou of sorts (garlic, parsley, olive oil and lemon), beet and blood orange salad, mache with the freshest French goat cheese and strawberries, and of course fresh baguette, some olives and fromage (my French vocab goes about as far as cheese). Certainly a feast, but the flavor and quality of the food was unbelievable.
What amazed me even more, and always amazes me whenever I travel to Europe, is the care, love and pride people put into the food over there. From the tiniest macaroon cookie to the most perfect produce. Oh yeah, we definitely indulged on cheese, bread, wine and of course chocolate, but as I've mentioned countless times before, the quality of food trumps the amount of food consumed. The French really are on to something. Here are a few other food and drink highlights from the trip if you're traveling in the near future.- Itineraries -- mentioned a few months back in the New York Times, this restaurant is incredible. My 3 friends and I agreed that it was possibly one of the best lunches and dining experiences we've ever had. The menu is constantly changing with the season. Definitely worth stopping by. I'd recommend making a reservation in advance, tables book up fast.
404 -- I'd stumbled on this Moroccan restaurant somehow in doing research online and I'm very glad I did. Awesome decor and chill vibe. The tagines and lamb meatballs were fantastic. Head next door to their sister bar Andy Wahloo for a cocktail to finish your night off. - Experimental Cocktail Club - Another discreet bar, or rather speakeasy, we stumbled on with a similar feel to the Milk & Honey family here in NYC. Killer cocktails albeit a super-small space. 
- Ottolenghi -- Having read about this London chainlet of prepared food shops in Gourmet magazine, I was lucky enough to accidentally walk in while walking around Notting Hill. The dishes and pastries were ridiculously eye-catching, colorful and inventive with an Israeli-Middle Eastern twist.
- Sketch - Super cool tea house in London with a Clockwork Orange/Alice in Wonderland theme. Definitely check out the bathroom if you go, the egg-shaped bathroom pods are hilarious.- Bumpkin - last on the list, this gastropub in London served up good, hearty, country fare balanced out by a few lighter dishes on the menu (London's not exactly known for light fare...hence my unpleasant experience of ordering shrimp 'cocktail' only to be served up a pile of teeny shrimpies doused in mayo at a high-end department store...my fault for ordering, but sorry, that's just inedible). 
Not to worry, we evened out all that eating with a ton of walking, shopping and a little sight-seeing over the course of a week. All in all, a fun, delicious vaca. 
