Believe it or not cumin is fantabulous with…of all things…vanilla.  And chocolate.  And citrus.

That beautiful golden color is an indication of the flavor because the flavor of cumin is warm, and caressing.  The flavor of cumin is the flavor of a summer day in the country…endlessly long and lazy.

Ground cumin is much more intense that the seed, but getting the seed and grinding your own is the best way to get the most intense flavor.  Here are some ways I like to use cumin:

• Mix with salt and butter and keep in the fridge.  This is fantastic on fresh corn on the cob.
• Add to corn chowder.
• Add to cooked carrots
• Add to mashed potatoes and sprinkle with cheese
• Use as a flavoring in vinaigrette
• Add a pinch to a yellow cake batter
• Add a pinch of cumin and a pinch of chile to a tropical fruit salad
• Add to hot chocolate or fudge frosting

I know, using cumin in such a variety of ways is a stretch for most people but once you start playing with this flavor you will be hooked.  Yeah, it is fantastic in main courses like enchiladas and mac and cheese but….try it in a variety of ways.  It is just that good!

images:maryeaudet (c) 2009

Post from: Baking Delights

 For the tappanade

1 can black olives

1/2 c green salad olives

1/4 c onion

3 cloves garlic, peeled.

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 tsp italian seasoning

1 tbs olive oil

pulse together in food processor until coarsely pureed. Set aside.

16 flour tortillas, whole wheat homemade is best, but whatever you like.   

For filling:

2 zucchini-sliced in 1/8″ thick slices LONGWISE.

1 tbs olive oil

1 tbs italian seasoning

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 c chopped red onion

1/2 c chopped tomato

other vegetables as desired.

1/2 c cheese, such as mozzerella, romano, or feta

  Drizzle slices of zucchini with oil and rub with salt, pepper, and italian seasoning. Heat grill (or broiler) up and grill quickly on each side…just until you have good grill marks and zuccini is tender without being mushy.

  Heat tortillas until they are pliable. Working quickly spread about a tsp of tapanade down one side of the tortilla, top with one slice of zucchini , sprinkle with onions, tomato, and cheese (and anything else you desire.) Roll tightly. This makes 16, or what I consider to be 8 servings.

These would be great for picnics, or even cut in smaller pieces and served as appetizers.

Post from: Baking Delights

  As I was looking today I came across this blog,Little Foodies. It is written by a mom who wants her kids to have diverse and sophisticated palates so she is traveling the world by food!
This is an exerpt from her blog,”For the next year we are going to learn about different countries around the world and their foods (mainly from our own kitchen, though if we can sneak in a few holidays to taste the real thing then we will). We started with Morocco, where to next… Why are we doing this, you may ask. Because we want our children to be aware of other cultures and to have adventurous palates.

What a great idea! I thought that it might be fun to do the same. This week I think we will do Greek food. I found this dessert on Recipe Source

MILOPITA ( GREEK APPLE PASTRY )
serves 8

1 lb Commercial filo (phyllo) sheets

Filling:
8 Apples*
1/2 c Sugar
1/2 t Cinnamon
1/2 t Allspice
1 T Cornstarch
1/4 c Currants or raisins
1/2 c Walnuts
1/2 c Butter — melted

Topping:
1 c Powdered sugar

*Note- Apples should be cored, peeled and chopped.
Defrost frozen filo to room temperature, 2 to 4 hours. Mix filling in a
bowl tossing ingredients with a spoon. Set aside.
Lay 5 sheets filo flat, one on top of each other, with a little melted
butter brushed between the sheets. Spread 1 cup of filling along one end.
Roll filo over the apple filling so you will have a long filled tube.
Fold side edges over 1/2″ so filling won’t fall out. Continue rolling.
Place in a buttered baking pan or cookie sheet. Brush tops generously
with melted butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Sift powdered sugar
over tops and sides as soon as it is taken out of the oven and while still
hot. When cool, cut into 2″ pieces and serve.

Post from: Baking Delights

1 envelope (2 1/2 teaspoons) active dry yeast or 2 teaspoons instant yeast
2 cups warm water (100° to 110°F)
2 1/2 cups (about) all-purpose unbleached flour
2 cup whole whole wheat flour
1/2 c gluten
1 Tbs coarse black pepper
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups flavorful black olives, such as Gaeta, pitted and coarsely chopped

Mix water, yeast, 2 c flour, pepper, and olives together and allow to stand up to 4 hours, longer will develop flavor.Mix in salt, oil, and remaining flour and gluten until an elastic dough is formed. Knead 15 minutes by hand or as directed on your mixer.FOrm into ball, oil, and let rise until doubled- about 1 1/2 hours.Punch down, form into oval or cloche and slash top.Let rise until doubled 30-45 minutes…for a golden glossy crust brust with beaten egg before baking.
Here the dough is almost ready to bake…

bake at 400 for 45 minutes or until loaf sound hollow when tapped.

Post from: Baking Delights