Goats du Roam?

I promised to make this blog international so here’s a subject for my Kenyan friends that can also be applied to parts of the world where goat is not a staple meat.  For you non-goat eaters, just substitute lamb. 

When I was in Kenya I fell in love with goat.  Especially roasted it makes a delicious meal and depending where you go, a fabulous experience.  If you like roasted goat plain, you’ll love roasted goat with a little flair.  Try this…  Before you put your goat on the barbeque, rub it down (yes I mean like massage it) with a mixture of chopped garlic, chopped rosemary, salt and pepper.  If you like it, add mint to the rub mixture. 

Now a trick for the garlic lovers out there.  Slice your garlic into slivers and then stab some small holes into the side of the leg of goat.  Slide your garlic slivers into the holes before roasting. 

Since we’re on the subject…  We don’t do a lot of personal raising of farm animals but it is quite common in Kenya, to raise your goats and slaughter them immediately before roasting.  I have argued this point with Kenyans but have not convinced anyone to my knowledge.  If I knew I was slaughtering a goat next week, I would feed that goat tons of garlic and rosemary and mint.  I know the meat would take on the flavor of the herbs the goat was eating.  Don’t believe me (and I know you won’t)??  Eat a lot of garlic for dinner and then smell your sweat the next day.  Do you smell the garlic coming out of your pores?  I thought so. 

Goat meat source for Californians: http://www.hhranchca.com/

Music To Cook By...?

That’s Not What Your Cardamom Said Last Night!

Cardamom…the forgotten spice? If you dig far enough into your pantry you’ll probably find an old spice bottle or tin full of cardamom and wonder, “Did I ever use this stuff?” Let me share a few things with you. First, that bottle or tin probably needs to be thrown out. If you open it and smell it and it smells like dust, it’s gone. That whole fresh spice thing is another blog though. Second, it is used frequently in Indian foods. Third, it’s expensive! (about $12 a bottle for ground cardamom) I haven’t done a complete investigation but cardamom rates right up there with Saffron as far as cost. Not to worry. I’m talking about if you walk into Safeway or Lucky’s it’s expensive. If you search a bit for an Indian or Asian market near you, you’ll find it’s much more affordable. If you travel through Dubai by any chance…pick it up there. If at all possible, buy it whole and grind it yourself. I prefer “green cardamom” to the regular brown cardamom. I think it has more aroma and flavor. You can find recipes that include this exotic spice here. It can be used in pod form with cinnamon sticks and saffron for a nice aromatic rice or it can be used in ground form to make a nice, spicy pulao (Indian rice). Whether you’re making fresh bread, curry, lamb or chicken, if you’re tired of the same old-same old try using cardamom in your next meal.  Try grinding it (1T cardamom, 2T cumin, 1/2t cinnamon, 1/2t nutmeg and maybe one star anise) for a good pulao spiced rice.

This just in…cardamom at Whole Foods is $42 per pound.  Don’t worry, you won’t need a pound and that’s a pretty good price.  But, I just found it at Peet’s Coffee (of all places) for $6.95 a bottle.  Also a good price.  And the comparison with saffron?  Whole Foods: Cardamom = $42 lb., Saffron = $15,000 lb.  Yes that's 15 with three zeros.

Change of Heart...

You'll see I changed my "Donations" strategy.  Now 100% of your donations (less my PayPal fee) will go to orphanages and group homes in Kenya.  It's still a "keep me writing" thing because if I can give back a little I feel good about continuing the writing effort here.  Thanks for reading!

My fun with a new toy...

I wasn't scheduled to blog today but I couldn't resist this one. I had so much fun this week with a new toy; my new Seal-A-Meal. If any of you cook for one you know that (a) finding one portion packages is hard and (b) it's expensive. This week with the help of a Target gift card from my friends, I purchased a Seal-A-Meal and then promptly headed out for Costco and spent about $80 on a variety of meats. I bought catfish, salmon, pork loin, sausages even bleu cheese. Then I came home and began to divide the meat into individual portions. I figure now I have about 20 meals waiting in the freezer. That's $4 per. Not bad. Unlike our government, I can actually "spend money to save money."

They make a bunch of different type of food savers including one brand called...err...Food Saver. They come in hand held and counter top models. I bought my counter top (but easily stored in cupboard) model because it was $49.99 and I had a $50 gift card.

Finally, my other pet peeve is buying fresh herbs only to use once and then throw away. I'm currently experimenting with Thyme, Sage, Rosemary (but Rosemary got away...just kidding) and Dill. So far, so good but I'll let you know how they turn out as I use them.

Link to the Seal-a-Meal device on the carousel (left).