More Ways to Turn Orange

As has been made pretty clear in the past, I really love pumpkin. We're nearing the end of pumpkin season, so here's another great (and very simple) vegan dinner featuring those wonderful gourds. It's also an all-orange meal.

You'll need:
2 sweet potatoes
1 medium pie pumpkin
Ginger
Mustard seed (optional)
Cider Vinegar
Bragg's (or light soy sauce)
Olive oil

Cut up and seed your pumpkin, and peel your potato. Steam them in your microwave until they are soft (about 5 minutes for the potato and 15-20 for the pumpkin, unless you peel it first then less). If you didn't already scoop the pumpkin from its shell, let it cool some and do that.

While those are cooking, mix your olive oil and cider vinegar in a glass - about 1/3 cup each. Mince as much ginger as you want in as well, and grind in a little bit of mustard. Add a splash of Bragg's/soy, and maybe some white pepper if the mood strikes you. Emulsify the crap out of this.

Roughly mash your potato and pumpkin in a glass bowl. Now, beat in your dressing, and either (a) serve hot, or (b) chill and serve cold like potato salad.

I like it cold, but either way you've got a filling, delicious, and vegan dish loaded with orange goodness (vitamin A) and a nice sharp kick. Adding fresh Serrano peppers probably wouldn't hurt either.

Cou-Cou

It's been a while since Thanksgiving, and your leftover stuffing's gone, leaving you craving a delicious starchy new form of starchy goodness for your plate. Here's a really delicious suggestion.

This classic Bajan (that's Barbados, kiddies, not Mexico) dish might be best described as 'tropical grits,' but that misses the point. Cou-cou is a wonderful foil for stronger-flavored foods like salt fish or grilled meat at any meal, or as a dish on its own if you like. It's pretty good with a fried egg and hot sauce on top too.

You'll need:

About 2 cups yellow (course) corn meal
About 3/4 lb. fresh okra, cleaned and cut
1 can of cocnut milk
Water
Salt, pepper, and any other spice you like
Butter

Bring about 3 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan, add salt, and add your okra. Cook that about 8 minutes, or until it's almost soft enough for you, and use a slotted spoon to remove the okra to a bowl. Pour off half of the water, and return the rest to a boil. Now, beat in your cornmeal, making sure it gets all nice and wet. Once it is, begin beating in your coconut milk, plus another cup or so of water (or more milk if you prefer a stronger flavor). Mix in your spices, cover the saucepan, and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cou-cou is done when a wooden spoon stands up when placed in the middle of the pot.

During cooking you may want to adjust quantities of milk, water, or even add more cornmeal ... you can do that, but be careful that you don't get dry patches or a soupy mix - that's no fun! You can change up the flavor by adjusting how much coconut you use, and which and how much spice. Adding allspice might be tasty, or maybe try some herbs.

Serve right away, and store leftovers in tupperware in the fridge. To reheat, add a little bit of water and microwave gently.

Where to eat in DC when you are nearly broke: Penn Quarter

This time we have a bargain without the dive bar/restaurant feel. And, the bartenders were cool and friendly.

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant has good and reasonably priced happy hour bar menu. The location I visited in Penn Quarter does have a small bar, so show up early to get a seat. The food was good and you can't beat the prices into an omelette.

A few of the (8) $1.95 specials include a half pound cheeseburger with fries, grilled chicken ceasar, roasted garlic hummus, or BBQ wings. I mean, seriously, $2.50 for a burger and fries at M&S!

The $3.95 choices are fish tacos, spinach & artichoke dip, seafood cake, and fried calimari.

The $4.95 choices are drunken mussels, tuna kabob, stuffed oysters, and a shrimp wrap with sweet potato fries.

This bar menu is available Monday through Friday 3:30-7:00pm. There is a $2.50 beverage minimum per person.

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant
901 F Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20004