Had to make a quick run back up to the trailer this morning even though I really didn't want to. Turns out that a contra dance weekend came open yesterday with two great bands and two wonderful callers, but space for only 160 wild and crazy dancers. Rather than risk not being able to get into it at all, it seemed prudent to get a registration sent in as soon as possible. Unfortunately this dance doesn't do online registration yet, so I need to send a check in with it.... you can guess where my check book was!

    Actually, it wasn't too bad of a trip up there and I did managed to get a couple other things done on the way as well as while in town there. Did a bit of shopping and ended up with a new folding chair for the up coming river trip.... yes, we do take chairs these days, we gave up portaging long ago, now we go for a more gentle and civilized experience. Also got some new bug spray, a gallon of Colman fuel, man is that stuff expensive these days and misc. other stuff. Also stopped by the mailbox and picked up the little bit of stuff that was there.

    Once at the trailer I took the time to pack away a couple more small boxes of stuff before the heat inside got to be to much to bear. I of course remembered the check book this time as well as some envelopes and stamps. So now I just need to fill out the registration form and send it in tomorrow. Also plan to sign up for a couple other up coming dances while I'm at it. So I'll go ahead and book the one in Nashville, the Fire Ant Frolic in Austin and then the one in Atlanta in November. With those I'll be pretty much set up until after New Years then.

   Since it didn't take that long to run up there and back I decided to cook dinner this evening for my hosts. Pulled out one of my favorite recipes 'Chicken Tangine with Sweet Potatoes. One of my 'go to' recipes, it is simple enough to make in the trailer, but taste's good enough, and is impressive enough to make for company. It is especially good as an easy Saturday evening dinner dish when it is cold outside. But you can also use it for a pot luck or when company drops in unexpectedly. Basically a one pot dish, I happily cooked away for about an hour this evening and then we all ate together before watching a rerun of the Big Bang Theory. A very happy meal indeed, and as you can see, I have included the recipe below.

Chicken Tangine with Sweet Potatoes

·        3 lbs Chicken Thighs

 

·        1-2 Tbs butter or oil

·        Salt and freshly ground pepper

·        ½ Tbs ground cumin

·        1 large onion, thinly sliced (about 2 ½ cups)

·        3 ounces raisins (2/3 cups) or mix half and half with chopped up dried apricots

·        Pinch saffron threads, crumbled (Nice to have, but you can do without)

·        1 tsp ground cinnamon

·        1 tsp ground ginger

·        Two cups low sodium chicken broth or water

·        1 lb sweet potatoes (yams) peeled and cut into ½“ cubes

·        ¾ lb Celeriac (celery root) (or just use celery), peeled and cut into ½“ cubes

·        1 Tbs honey

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and then rub the chicken pieces with salt, pepper and cumin.  (If you have time, let stand for 1 to 2 hours).  Heat the butter in a large casserole or Dutch oven and cook the chicken in batches until golden on all sides, 5 – 8 mins. 

 Drain excess oil and fat. Add the onion and cook for 2 -3 minutes. 

 Add raisins, saffron, cinnamon and ginger and pour 2 cups of chicken broth or water into the casserole. (Additional water or broth may be needed or can be added if you want more of a soup).  Cover and cook the chicken 30 minutes over low heat.

Add the sweet potatoes and celeriac and a little salt  and pepper.  Simmer the stew, covered, over low heat until chicken and vegetables are done, about 20 mins more.

Carefully stir in the honey, making sure you don’t mash the vegetables. 

Serve with couscous, rice or crusty bread.  May add toasted almonds for garnish.