Mommy Ramblings Tajine Beef Pot Roast

-Changes may or may not involve stewed dates.-

I don't actually ever adapt well to change. I mean, I adjust eventually, but often not without a good fight. Forget kicking and screaming. I'm unremarkably attempting to chew the face off of whoever or any seems to be trying to get me to change some major aspect of my life.

However, when I myself am to blame, then said confront chewing can be somewhat problematic (non to mention mandible-ly incommunicable).

I recently started a new chore, and by recently I mean it happened all of the sudden with an interview, remember, and letter of resignation slash acceptance. Bam! Like lightning. I wasn't even looking, only when 2 friends call with what tin can only be described as virtually apocalyptic urgency insisting that you burn off a resume that would surely "make the heavenly Human being Resources choir begrudgingly applaud,"it'due south wise to simply do just that.

And so I went into the interview and chatted with the Executive Director. Information technology was an odd meeting. We talked shop, yes, and I then tin can talk it. However, conversation veered towards my stints working in the eating place biz. She mentioned her hubby was a chef at a rather famous Greek restaurant in Sacramento and ten minutes subsequently we were trading recipes for grilled octopus. I left feeling that even if I didn't become the job that I at to the lowest degree knew a skillful play a trick on to properly massage an octopus in lodge to make it tender, then yayness there.

I was chosen back in for a second interview where the rest of the employees (there are only ix) would grill me on their ain terms. I faked a doc's appointment at piece of work and changed into my wedding ceremony suit in the machine because I take no other suit and sat to a rather intimidating panel in a somewhat grandiose coming together room. The meeting room reminded me of the dinner scene in the first Batman film with Michael Keaton where Bruce Wayne and Ms. Vale sit at that huge table.

I did well. Very well.

I had a feeling it was all cinched when I brushed over my culinary background and assured them all that I was astonishing at role potlucks. They all nodded and agreed that in that location was no room for premade dishes from a cafeteria counter here.

So today was my showtime day. I retrieve it went rather swimmingly even if I was rather uncomfortable in my new shoes, shirt, belt, socks, and 007 suave gunmetal tie. Withal, I looked rawkin'. And me complimenting my looks is proverb something. (My ego is part bravado, function truth. You may freely judge which it is at any time of your liking in your future interactions with me.)

Anywhose, I think I'll like information technology there. I'm no longer at the adoption agency working with children and families. I will miss that immensely. Just I was overqualified in a manner that the space shuttle crew existence hired by FedEx would be overqualified. And that i isn't ego. Those are the words of my 60 minutes director the day she hired me at my old job.

Here? I feel similar my skills and degree will be put to practical utilise. These skills likewise include my cooking abilities and they've fabricated that abundantly articulate. It is, in fact, a reason they hired me. So yay. Big yay.

-Now I simply take to follow that claim upward.-

This is all lovely considering I plan to celebrate with a little special something I've recently come with. I've sort of coined it every bit my little celebration dish. A picayune something sweet, savory, and salty to declare a big, "Hell yep!" to the world when proficient changes finally come your style.

The dish is simple: craven thighs stewed with dates, olives, and tomatoes in a exciting aromatic broth swirled with cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, ginger, and black pepper. Moroccan-ish, I suppose. Maybe even Moorish, though I had something like in Turkey in one case so telephone call it what y'all will.

I phone call information technology tasting of success.

The dates were sent to me by Cindy Tullues of Bard Valley Natural Delights Medjool Dates. At present, I'm a fan of dates. They continue my pizzas, into breads, cookies, and even mashed into steaming bowls of oatmeal. If I'one thousand feeling rather clever I'll as well stuff them with cheese, coat them in panko, and deep fry them because why the hell not?

Now, I don't exercise a lot of plugging on this site. They asked if they could ship me a sample and I said yes because I have a nostalgic soft spot for them. This postal service and argument is of my own accordance and my accordance says this:

Holy balls. These are the all-time dates I've ever had.

And that'due south all.

Yes, they are superfood healthy with fiber, potassium, manganese, depression glycemic alphabetize, and then on and so forth. And that'south wonderful, really, I read the textile they sent and it was vastly informative. But the taste and texture... that is the seller.

Most dates I buy are commonly pitted and, therefore, dry and dessicated. Little more than mummified fruit. These dates (with pits) are luscious, plump, chewy, and have trunk. Fragrant of maple syrup and tasting of brownish sugar with whispers of (strangely plenty) anise.

They're epic. Plus, the natural sugar is more than enough to flavor the stew. They make it floral, molasses-y, and and so incredible sweetness. Most stews of this sort requires a slug of beloved, but the dates do just enough. Suave and silky they hitting the spot and make this dish - like a new job - one worth jubilant.

Now, I have enough dates to last a lifetime as they were more than generous. To spread the wealth I'll be sending a swanky prize package of dates and date products (like date rolls wrapped in crushed pistachios, almonds, and coconut) to a lucky reader. Merely leave a comment with notation near your favorite way to cook or serve dates. That's it. Contest closes at 12PM PST on October 12, 2012. United States residents only. The winner volition be appear on Oct 16. The winner will need to email me an address to ship the prize to.

Practiced luck, ya'll. Still, I encourage you to go discover this brand of dates. Really. Exercise it. Be 1 of the cool kids for in one case.

Garrett out.

Moroccan-ish Chicken Stew with Dates and Olives
Serve vi

4 tablespoons peanut oil, divided
2 pounds chicken thighs, boneless
one large onion, halved and sliced
3 garlic cloves, crushed
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon basis cardamom
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup freshly grated ginger
1 fourteen-oz can crushed tomatoes
1/2 lemon, thinly sliced, rind and all
1 cup light-green olives (go loftier end on this, seriously)
1 cup chopped Medjool dates, chopped, pits discarded
i tablespoon honey
1 cup chicken broth (homemade preferred, merely whatevs)

1. Place 3 tablespoons of the peanut oil in a large stock pot over medium high heat. Working in batches sear the chicken thighs until gilded brown and set aside.

2. Add the rest of the peanut oil, onions, and garlic. Cook until the onions brainstorm to sear a bit and accept some color. Reduce estrus to medium. Add together the cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, salt, black pepper, and ginger and melt for near thirty seconds. Add the residuum of the ingredients and be sure to scrape up the goodness at the bottom of the pot.

iii. Bring to a boil, and then simmer and cover for about 45 to hr. Serve over rice.

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Source: http://www.vanillagarlic.com/2012/10/celebration-moroccan-ish-chicken-stew.html

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