Here is another EPCOT copy cat recipe. What can I say? We love all of the sophisticated foreign flavors there. The unique twists on everyday recipes are right up our alley. This dish is another great one from the Morocco section of Epcot. It's a wonderful citrus salad. Its delightful warm, but also great served cold as leftovers the next day. 

Ingredients: 
1 cup uncooked pearled couscous 
1/2 red onion, diced
1/4 cup raisins 
1/2 cup chickpeas 
1 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup mandarin orange segments 
salt and pepper to taste
nutmeg to taste
cinnamon to taste 
1 tablespoon butter 
1/4 tsp slivered almonds. 

Directions: 
Boil your couscous in 1 1/4 cups water with some olive oil and salt until all liquid is absorbed (about 6-8 minutes). While that is cooking, add some oil to a pan and saute your onions, garlic, and a sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, & pepper. When your onions begin to soften, add your raisins, chickpeas, and orange juice. Simmer and allow to thicken. When your cous cous is ready, mix that with the orange juice liquid. Add your orange segments, parsley, and adjust seasoning as needed. Top with almonds. 

You can eat this warm as is and its delightful. If serving cold the next day, adding a few cucumber pieces adds a nice crunch. These exotic flavors are unique, cheerful, and oh so tasty. We hope you enjoy this salad as much as we do! 

Januaries can be tough. The fun of the holidays are over, the bright new winter snow can become grey and muddy. You may or may not be dealing with broken resolutions. Lets just say, Januaries are not my favorite. But I know my mood can dictate my family's mood. One way we keep our house feeling cozy and fresh during winter months, is by brewing stove top potpourri. When your family walks in that door, they will be engulfed by a happy and welcoming winter aroma that will set the tone and mood for your house. Instant coziness will ensue, trust me. 

Ingredients: 

3 sticks cinnamon sticks

2 oranges, quartered

5 sprigs fresh rosmary

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 tablespoon cloves

6 cups water

Bring to a boil, then simmer on low. If liquid runs low, feel free to add additional water. 

Another way to keep your house smelling and feeling fresh is our all natural carpet fresher. Sprinkle over your carpet and vaccum up and your house will instantly smell clean and inviting. Get yours here: www.lavenderapple.com Let us know how these quick winter pick me ups work for you!

The steak in this salad is so so good. After eating this for dinner tonight I have all sort of garlicy red meat dreams running through my head. This marinated meat would be good on a bed of rice, inside of an asian stir fry, so many things. I'll have to get back to you with my "to be continued" ideas for this delicious meat. But back to tonights featured attraction, this wonderful asian citrus steak salad. I love that this salad uses skirt steak. Its relatively inexpenisive, but will still fix your "I need red meat" craving. The soy and garlic flavors of the meat are balanced by the sweetness of the oranges and lime juice. Its a real winner. 

 

Steak Marinade:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce  
• Juice of 1 lime
• Juice of 1 orange 
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger  
• 1 large garlic clove, minced  

Salad Ingredients: 

• 1 lb skirt steak
• 1 1/2 tablespoons of good olive oil  
• Juice of 2 limes 
• Salt and Pepper 
• 1 head green leaf lettuce
• 1 head broccoli, washed, trimmed
• 1 orange 
• Chinese Noodles or Crispy Wontons for garnish

Directions: Place your soy sauce, lime juice, orange juice, ginger, and garlic all in a large zip lock bag. Add your steak to the bag and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. Heat up a grill or cast iron grill pan to medium high heat. Remove your steak from the marinade bag and discard the marinade. Grill the meat for 2 minutes on each side, then let rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes. What a beautiful piece of meat!

While the meat rests, assemble your dressing. Your dressing is simply your olive oil, juice of 2 limes, and a little salt and pepper to taste. Whisk together. Peel and cut up your orange into small slices. Once your meat is done resting, cut it diagonally into small bit sized slices. Place your lettuce, oranges, broccoli on a platter, lay your steak on top of the salad and add your dressing. Add your Chinese noodles for a little crunch. 

 

This is a nice hearty salad because of the red meat, but it still manages to not feel heavy due to the sweetness of the citrus. Its a lovely easy meal. And the rich flavor the marinade adds to the meat is delish. Enjoy!