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Dubois Park, Jupiter, FL

Dubois Park

Entrance: 19075 DuBois Road, Jupiter, Florida 33477

An amazing place for families, especially for young children. The waters are barely above waist deep for adults and calm all the time. Shady palm trees, sandy beaches, and an artificial reef that is already home to many species that you can enjoy with a snorkel. A great place for those who love quiet and nature.

Parts of the park are open to dogs and we saw many smaller dogs. Leash is required but we did see several little ones playing in the water off leash.

Hubby and I took our beach chairs and soaked up filtered sunlight from the shade of the many palm trees and the shady breezes with amazing views. It is peaceful yo! It is unbelievably so. We are not quite the grand-parenting age yet but we enjoyed some of the younger visitors to the park while we were there. It is a safer place to have the younger ones enjoy the South Florida waters even on the windier days. It is a beautiful place to picnic.

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Moroccan Fish Tagine

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A healthy and wholesome dish that is now my family’s favorite fish dinner dish.

The Red Snapper I bought for this dish today was too big for the tagine I had planned to use. So I used my dutch oven instead which was the perfect size. The pictures are not the greatest, so I’ll update when I cook this again.

Ingredients

  1. Fish, one whole fish cleaned with salt and lemon and rinsed with cold water. Make three big cuts in the side of the fish to help it absorb the marinade and cook evenly.
  2. Potatoes, 2 medium peeled and sliced thin
  3. Carrots, 2 scraped and sliced in rounds
  4. Onion, 1 large sliced
  5. Lemon, 1/2 sliced and 1/2 lemon for cleaning the fish

Charmoula (marinade)

  1. Parsley, 1/2 cup chopped
  2. Cilantro, 1/2 cup chopped
  3. Tomato paste, 1/2 cup (I used a tbsp)
  4. Olive oil, 1/4 cup
  5. Lemon, juice of 1 1/2 large lemon
  6. Garlic, 2 tbsp minced or smashed in mortar and pestle
  7. Paprika, 1tsp
  8. Saffron, few strands (a small pinch)
  9. Cumin, 1 tsp
  10. Salt, to taste
  11. Pepper, to taste

Preparation

The Charmoula (marinade) can be made in advance and kept in the fridge for up to two days.

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Mix all the Charmoula ingredients together in a bowl. Prepare the vegetables: peel and slice onions and potatoes (put potatoes in water while you wait), scrape and slice carrots.

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Clean the fish gently with salt and lemon juice.

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Rinse fish under cold running water

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Make three or four deep cuts in the fish to help absorb the marinade.

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I started by layering everything in a tagine (recently bought a nice one at Le Crueset) and found the Red Snapper we bought today was way too big. So I transferred everything into my dutch oven, also Le Crueset.

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Put the fish on top of the vegetables.

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Use about half of the Charmoula to marinate the fish inside out. Flip it over and make sure you coat the other side too, then flip it back so the cuts are on top.

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Stick sliced lemons into the cuts (It will look much nicer if you make the cuts so the lemon slices are going in the other direction. I will do that next time. ) I added leeks at the end. They were a special request from my kids.

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Cover and cook on low heat for an hour. I used a 3 on my electric stove.

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Mine was done perfectly in an hour. I served it with steamed rice, extra long grain basmati. It was really good and there were no leftovers 🙂

I made some quick preserved lemons to serve on the side.

Quick Preserved Lemons

This is served as a condiment, just enough for a 4 person meal.

  1. Lemon, 1 sliced (I didn’t use the outer ends)
  2. Juice of 1 lemon
  3. Salt, 1 tsp

In a frying pan, arrange the lemon slices so they don’t overlap. Add lemon juice and sprinkle salt over them. Cook on low heat uncovered for 10 to 15 mins depending on your stove. Once they’re tender and the liquid is dried up, they’re done. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge and serve with any dish for some extra zest.

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Lemons after 10 mins. I added a little more juice and cooked an additional 5 mins.

 

 

Seven Vegetable Couscous

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We just got back from a trip to Morocco. I fell in love… with couscous! I made some today and it turned out really good.

Ingredients

  1. red onions, 2 medium
  2. chicken, 1 small
  3. lemon, 1 large
  4. vegetables, 2lbs mixed (I used potato, zucchini, carrots, peas, olives in brine) Cut them in half lengthwise for a nicer presentation (I cut them too small this time)
  5. cabbage, 1/2 of a small one
  6. cilantro and parsley, handful of each
  7. ginger powder, 1 tsp
  8. cumin powder, 1 tsp
  9. turmeric powder, 1 tsp
  10. salt, 1 tsp (or more to taste)
  11. garlic, cloves of one head peeled and crushed
  12. olive oil, 3 tbsp
  13. water for boiling and steaming
  14. couscous 2 cups (I will make 3 cups next time because the kids loved it)

Preparation

I used a large dutch oven but you can use any large pot so long as it heats evenly because this dish is cooked on very low heat. After I heated the pot on high I turned it down to 2 for the chicken and 1 1/2 for the vegetables. I prefer to cook slowly on low heat when I use olive oil which tends to burn easily.

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Sweat the onions in 2 tbsp olive oil on low heat.

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I use a wooden spoon to smash the garlic pods. That way they don’t go flying around the kitchen.

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Wash the cilantro and parsley, remove sticks, and cut the large lemon in half.

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I don’t have a garlic press but I have a mortar and pestle. Either is fine. I add lemon juice in the mortar after the garlic is mashed up.

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Mix the garlic, lemon, turmeric, ginger powder, cumin, and salt. Rub into the chicken and let it sit for a few minutes.

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Add chicken to the now softened onions. Stir to get the chicken coated nicely with the oil and onions. Add enough water to cover the chicken.

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Cover and simmer on low heat until meat is tender.

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Wash and peel vegetables (scrape the carrots). Traditionally the vegetables are cut in half lengthwise but I cut them smaller.

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Once cut, potatoes should be kept in salt water or else they oxidize.

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Remove the cooked chicken from the sauce and put aside.

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The broth will be used for cooking the vegetables and then served with the couscous.

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Soak the couscous in water (I add about an inch over the top of the couscous. Leave for a few minutes and then fluff with a fork and add the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil.

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Steam the couscous for 10 minutes, return to bowl, fluff with a fork, add more water and leave to absorb. Then steam again for 25 minutes.

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Repeat the last step and steam another 10 minutes if you like the couscous more tender.

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While you wait… you may as well prepare a cup of Moroccan tea for yourself.

  1. I use a tsp of green tea (per tea glass) in a small teapot.
  2. Pour in boiling water
  3. and after a minute remove one glass of tea and put aside.
  4. Be careful not to swirl or stir the tea up to this point (it will make the tea cloudy)
  5. Add more water to the pot, swish it around (to wash the tea) and pour it out and discard.
  6. Put more hot water into the pot, add sugar, the first glass of tea and fresh mint to the teapot.

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Before pouring add fresh mint to the cup/glass too. With tea in hand… back to the business of couscous.

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Add vegetables to the broth in layers. First potatoes, then carrots, then zucchini, then cabbage and peas. Do not stir. Cook on low heat until tender. A few minutes before they are done, add olives to the mix.

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I don’t have a large round tray so I used my pasta bowl.

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Arrange the couscous in a ring. I really needed more couscous and will have to make 3 cups next time.

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Add the chicken to the center and arrange the vegetables around it on top of the couscous. Add the remaining lemon and chopped cilantro and parsley on top. Serve the broth on the side to be ladled over the couscous.

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I don’t use a lot of salt when I cook. There’s always some sea salt on the table for those who like more.

India Bazaar, West Palm Beach

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When you go vegetarian, go Indian! So many choices and so many wonderful ways to satisfy the nutritional needs of your body. Yesterday as I was replenishing my stock of spices from my favorite store in West Palm Beach, I asked them if it would be ok to post about them. Yes, they said, it was fine and so I’m back with photos! And oh, btw, they do sell meat as well and it is very fresh and clean. I buy my ground chicken there for hubby who can’t eat other meats.

India Bazaar is at 4780 Okeechobee Blvd., in West Palm Beach. Run by a family, you will always be greeted with warmth and a smile.

Yesterday I bought okra (bhindi), Chinese okra or Ridge Gourd (torai), onions, bitter gourd/melon (karela), bottle gourd (loki), eggplant (baingan), and several spices including turmeric, star anise, cumin, cardamom, and some others. Their prices are great, the stuff is fresh and clean and smells good.

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Kashmiri Chai or Pink Tea

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This tea is a weekend and special occasion favorite in my family. It takes a little longer to make than most other teas but it’s so worth the effort. My aunts and my mother always made this tea for breakfast on days when there was a family gathering or a holiday when family and friends were expected. I’ve made this brew without nuts but it is typically made with slivered almonds and finely chopped pistachios.

I’m using a recipe here that after many trials and failed attempts turned out the way it’s supposed to! Although I had the recipe… not one but several from my aunts – each made a different way – this one turned out to my satisfaction.

This recipe makes four cups of tea.

Ingredients

  1. Green Tea – two tsp  (I prefer Gunpowder tea from the local Indian stores)
  2. Water – 2 cups to start the process and 2 cups of iced water to add later
  3. Baking Soda – two pinches or a fifth of a tsp
  4. Cardamom – 4 crushed
  5. Whole milk – 1 cup or more as desired
  6. Nuts (optional) – 2 tsp of crushed pistachio and 2 tsp

Method

Bring two cups of water and two tsps of green tea to a boil and then simmer for 20 minutes (I use a 3 setting on my electric stove)

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The tea will be slightly pink by now but not the red we want. Add the cold water slowly, the two pinches of baking soda, and the cardamom, and bring to a boil and then turn it down to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.

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By now it should be turning red.

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Whisk the tea for 5 minutes. While you whisk you will see it turn a bright red.

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Strain the tea into a jug or another pan.

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Pour the tea back into the rinsed pan.

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In another pan bring the milk to boil and simmer for a few minutes.

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Pour the hot milk into the tea brew.

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Continue adding milk until you have a nice pink color. At this point you can add the nuts (slivered almonds and chopped pistachio to taste) and serve hot. This tea is traditionally served with salt but we add sweetener or sugar to taste.

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Pumpernickel Gypsy Toast (aka French Toast)

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I made some Gypsy Toast (aka French Toast) with my favorite bread today then decided to research it. After some googling and wiki’ing and ask’ing, I made an interesting discovery.  The oldest known recipe for this lovely and easy breakfast (or lunch or dinner) dish is found in an old Roman manuscript from the 4th century. It is a book of  recipes and may have been compiled as early as in the time of Tibirius. Wow. That really gave me goose bumps. I have to wonder what kind of bread they used. I’ll save that for another morning of googling, wiki’ing, and ask’ing.

It should really be called Roman Toast.

Ingredients

  1. Pumpernickel bread, 4 slices
  2. Eggs, 2
  3. Milk, 1/3 cup
  4. Canola oil, two tbsp
  5. Sugar-free sweetener, 2 packets (or honey or sugar…)
  6. Cinnamon, pinch
  7. Nutmeg, pinch
  8. Lemon, juice of 1/2
  9. Confectioners sugar to sprinkle on top

Preparation

Whip the eggs, milk, sweetener, and spices together. Soak the bread slices in the egg mixture for two minutes, turning over halfway.

Heat the oil in a frying pan or griddle on high until hot.

Put the soaked slices of bread in the frying pan and turn the heat down to half. Cook about 30 seconds on each side or until egg mixture on the bread is lightly browned on either side.

Remove from pan, sprinkle lemon juice and confectioners sugar on top and serve.

 

Nankhatai – Butter Cookies

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This recipe has many variations and it’s the easiest and quickest way to add something yummy to your table. This cookie can be made with or without sugar. You can use sugar free sweeteners or make it savory, and it can also be made from a blend of different ingredients like sooji (semolina) to give it the extra protein. I sometimes make these cookies with gram flour also called besan (chickpea flour).

Ingredients

  1. All purpose flour 1 1/2 cup (or substitute up to half with Semolina or Besan or a mix of the two)
  2. Butter 1/2 cup (or non-dairy shortening)
  3. Confectioners sugar 1/2 cup
  4. Salt, a pinch
  5. Baking powder 1/2 tsp

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 F and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Your baking tray should go into the center, not top or bottom of the oven.

Melt the butter for 20 seconds in the microwave and add all ingredients together in a bowl large enough so you can knead the dough easily.

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Mix using your hand and knead into a soft but not too sticky dough. At first it may actually feel too dry to shape into cookies and will resemble bread crumbs. Add a teaspoon of milk and knead some more. Add more milk as needed so the dough forms a nice ball but doesn’t stick to your hands.

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Shape the dough into little balls about the size of a tablespoon and indent with a finger. This helps the cookie bake evenly. When I don’t indent the cookies their centers are sometimes not cooked enough.

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Bake at 350F for 15 minutes. The bottoms should be lightly browned. You can dust the cookies in confectioners sugar or leave them as is.  They can also be brushed with egg before baking and that gives them a shiny look.

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Beet Greens and Sweet Pepper Salad (cooked)

 

I love most vegetables and until recently had never thought of using beet greens for anything. Now I eat them raw in salads, I put them in my juicer, I also add them to smoothies. This is a cooked salad. It is a very yummy vegan dish that takes only 15 minutes total prep and cooking time. It has a lot of flavor mainly from the vegetables themselves.  I made some yesterday and served it with Tamarind Rice. I have yet to make tamarind rice from scratch but will do soon. I buy the frozen packets from the local Indian store. It does contain peanuts so anyone with nut allergies should avoid the store bought version. I will figure out a recipe minus nuts and add it to my blog soon.

Don’t throw away the beets :). I will post a recipe for them soon too.

Ingredients

  1.  Beet greens from two or three beets (minus beets and stalks) washed and sliced
  2. Sweet peppers 5 or 6, sliced
  3. Onion, medium, sliced thinly
  4. Tomato, large, chopped
  5. Balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp (or more to taste)
  6. Cilantro (dry 1 tsp or fresh 1/2 cup chopped)
  7. Garlic powder 1 tsp
  8. Canola or other oil suitable for frying, 2 or 3 tbsp
  9. Salt (I don’t add any) and cayenne pepper (I like a 1/4 tsp)

Preparation

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In a medium sized saucepan, add oil and onions and stir fry over medium high until they are brown at the edges and turning soft. Add the tomatoes and continue frying for a minute until tomatoes are soft but not dissolved.

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Add the sweet peppers and all ingredients except the greens and stir for a minute.

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Add the greens, stir everything together, cover the pot and turn off the stove. Wait ten minutes and serve!!

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Flying North in Winter?

No, it isn’t the deep dish pizza or Hot Doug’s Hot Dogs or the Book Cellar. Although, any and all of those would bring me to Chicago at any time of year, but this week, in the midst of yet another deep freeze it is my beautiful cousin Amna. Temps were a little friendlier when I booked the tickets. Had no idea I was flying into a third polar vortex. Yikes! But I’m happy to be with Amna although Amna may have been happier flying south to Florida in the winter but she has Post Polio Syndrome and can’t really leave home without a very complex entourage of nurses and equipment to keep her mobile while breathing safely. For now it’s a fun family reunion in her cozy apartment at the top of a building on the truly great Lake Michigan. And yes, as I cook away in her kitchen, I stop frequently to watch the winds push the ice floes around on the lake. It’s an amazing sight. Amna is no longer able to get to the window but I take lots of photos and stream them to her iPad so she knows what’s happening outside.

Amna has lived in Chicago for over thirty years and had never heard of a polar vortex until this winter and  now wow the third one is about to send this beautiful city into another deep freeze. After a week of above freezing temps, the lake is once again transforming into a winter wonder world. It is a beautiful city at any time of year.

I think I’m going to create a new item on my menu bar for Amna’s Chicago Kitchen. My cooking is inspired by her. I cook healthy foods. I try to. We have heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, etc. etc. etc… in our family and we’re doing our best to keep it all as far away as possible for as long as we can.  My goal is to keep things clean, easy, fresh, whole, and as vegetarian as possible.
I hope you’ll visit again. Ciao