Cumin Apple Couscous
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 small apple, peeled, cored and chopped
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/4 teaspoon cumin seed
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup apple juice
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup couscous
salt and pepper
- Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Sauté the apple, onion and garlic until tender.
- Stir in cumin seed and sauté until fragrant, then add the chicken broth, juice and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper,
- en bring to a boil.
- Stir in the couscous, remove from heat and cover. When couscous has absorbed all of the liquid, fluff with a fork to
- rve.
Makes 4 servings
Tortilla Soup
2 tablespoons corn oil
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 red chilies, seeded and chopped
6 cups chicken broth
19 ounces canned diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 pound lean ground pork
1 cup masa (corn flour) or 10 corn tortillas
4 ounces cheddar, grated
4 ounces Monterey jack, grated
4 ounces mozzarella, grated
1 cup milk
1 cup tortilla chips
salt and pepper
- Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Sauté carrots, onions, garlic and chilies until tender.
- Add chicken broth and bring to a boil, then stir in the tomatoes, cumin, paprika, cayenne and oregano. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Stir in the pork and masa or corn tortillas and cook until pork is done and masa is thoroughly incorporated, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat and stir in milk and 3/4 of the cheese. Serve garnished with tortilla chips and remaining cheese.
Makes 6 servings
Pork Tacos
1 pound ground pork
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 cup bread crumbs
4 flour tortillas
2 ounces cheddar, grated
2 ounces Monterey jack, grated
salt and pepper
- Combine pork, cumin, paprika, cayenne, garlic and bread crumbs and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Flatten the pork mixture into a disk the size of the frying pan and fry until browned, then flip and continue cooking until cooked through to the center.
- Remove the pork from the heat and cut into slices. Serve on tortillas with shredded cheese and other desired toppings.
Makes 4 servings
Harira (Iraqi Lamb Soup)
2 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 tablespoon whole allspice
2 tablespoons black peppercorns
2 whole green cardamom pods
2 whole black cardamom pods
12 whole cloves
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
4 teaspoons coriander seeds
1 teaspoon thyme
2 tablespoons turmeric
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large white onion, sliced
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound lamb, sliced
5 ounces tomato paste
12 cups chicken broth
19 ounces canned chickpeas
1 cup yellow split peas or lentils
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 eggs
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon harissa
- Lightly toast cumin seed in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, then combine with rest of spice mixture into a mortar and pestle or spice grinder until fine. Set aside.
- Heat a large soup pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Lightly brown the onions, then add the garlic, stirring to combine.
- Stir in the prepared spice mixture, lamb and tomato paste, then add the chicken broth, raise heat and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, covered, until lamb is very tender, about an hour and a half.
- Add the chickpeas, lentils and cilantro and cook until tender, about another hour.
- When soup is ready to be served, beat eggs with lemon juice and stir in the harissa. Blend a tablespoon or two into a serving of soup to serve.
Makes 6 servings
Chicken Saag
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
3 cups fresh spinach, minced
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons ginger puree
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, minced
1 large tomato, crushed
1 whole black cardamom pod
2 whole cloves
1 teaspoon ground coriander seed
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
2 tablespoons coconut milk
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cumin seed
1/2 teaspoon coriander seed
salt
- Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add oil and fry chicken until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
- Place spinach and water into a separate saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the chicken saucepan and add the ginger, garlic and onions, sautéing until lightly brown, then stir in the tomato, cardamom, cloves, coriander seed, cayenne and turmeric.
- Reduce heat to a simmer, then add the coconut milk and the chicken back to the pot. Cover and simmer until the chicken is tender, about an hour, adding a bit of water if necessary.
- In a separate skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil and lightly fry the cumin and coriander seed. Drain the spinach and toss in this mixture, then stir into the chicken. Season to taste with salt and serve with Chappati.
Makes 4 servings
Glazed Pork Spareribs
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
2 pounds pork spare ribs
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon honey
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Combine brown sugar, salt, chili powder, cumin, paprika, thyme and pepper and rub liberally over the ribs. Wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat oven to 225 degrees.
- In a saucepan over medium heat combine water, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, honey and garlic. Stir until dissolved together, then remove from heat.
- Seal ribs tightly in a double layer of tinfoil, leaving a small opening on one side. Fill this with the sauce prepared in the saucepan and then crimp shut.
- Tilt the ribs to disperse the liquid inside the tinfoil shell and place on top of a baking sheet. Put in the oven and cook until the meat is tender and the bones are easily removed, about 3-4 hours.
- When the ribs are cooked, remove them from the oven and drain the liquid into a saucepan.
- Preheat oven broiler.
- Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and add the remaining brown sugar. Stir the sauce until thickened to the consistency of a syrup, then remove from heat.
- Brush the sauce onto the ribs, then return them to the oven, about 6" from the broiler, until they become a golden brown, about 1 minute. Slice into 4 sections and serve.
Makes 4 servings
Turkey Lentil Chili
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, sliced
1 small red pepper, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon cumin seed
3 red chilies, chopped
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 pound turkey, cooked and shredded
1/2 cup lentils
1 small red pepper, chopped
10 ounces tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup sour cream
salt and pepper
- Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the oil, onion and red pepper, sautéing until tender.
- Stir in the garlic, cumin, chilies, paprika and oregano and cook for a minute.
- Add the turkey, lentils, tomatoes and water and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook covered until lentils are tender, about 1 hour. Add additional water if necessary.
- Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper to taste and stir in sour cream. Ladle into bowls and garnish with parsley or cilantro, if desired.
Makes 4 servings
Corn and Avocado Salad
2 cups corn kernels, cooked
2 medium avocados, peeled, pitted and chopped
1/4 medium red onion, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 chipotle pepper, minced
1/4 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- Combine corn, avocado and onion in a bowl.
- Combine oil, lime juice, cumin, chipotle and sugar in a separate bowl.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine. Garnish with cilantro to serve.
Makes 4 servings
Turkey Tostadas
1 tablespoon corn oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium red pepper, chopped
1 pound turkey, cooked and shredded
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 jalapeno, chopped
1/2 cup crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup Salsa
6 tortillas
6 ounces Monterey Jack, grated
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup sour cream
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the oil, onion and red pepper, sautéing until tender.
- Stir in the turkey, garlic, cumin, chili powder and jalapeno, then add the crushed tomatoes and salsa to coat.
- Grease a baking sheet and place 2 tortillas on top. Spread 1/6 of the mixture on top of each tortilla, leaving a 1" border.
- Top each with 1 ounce of cheese and bake until cheese is melted and tortillas are crisp and browned, about 10 minutes.
- Transfer to warmed plates while making remaining tostadas. Garnish with cilantro and sour cream to serve.
Makes 6 servings
Thai Turkey and Noodles
6 ounces rice noodles
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 scallions, chopped
1 medium red pepper, sliced
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon fish sauce
1 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
3/4 pound turkey, cooked and shredded
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
water
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the rice noodles. Remove from heat and set aside to cook.
- Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, scallions, red pepper and celery, frying until lightly browned.
- Whisk together the soy sauce, water, honey, sesame oil, fish sauce, garlic, coriander, cumin, red pepper flakes and cornstarch.
- Pour sauce and turkey into the skillet, stirring to coat, and frying until heated through.
- Drain noodles and stir into the skillet. Squeeze lime juice over top and garnish with cilantro. Serve with your favorite hot sauce, if desired.
Makes 4 servings

