Fresh Orange Margaritas

Arggh. I can't tell you how crazy it makes me when a whole week passes and I'm unable to post here! I won't start grumbling about how I've been sick all week - because I hate to come here and whine when really, life is good and there are plenty of people out there with much more than a cold to complain about.
I also won't start complaining that I've been so busy. Because the kind of busy I've been is good. Things are happening. The kinds of things that happen when more and more people realize I have this little blog here. I can't tell you how much I appreciate that people actually come here and like what I do. I love hearing that a recipe you found here was the best ever. I love hearing how I've influenced you in some way - to start cooking, to cook more, to try new things. It's the best.
What I will mention is that, while I haven't been here this week - I have been other places, in the form of guest posting. I've done guest posts before, but the month of January has brought more than usual. Honestly, I'm happy to do them and I'm quite flattered that people ask me. So - as a token of my gratitude I thought I'd share them with you here.
Two of the many lovely ladies I met at the Blogshop workshop I did last Fall asked me to guest post for them - both posts are part of a new series each of them have recently begun. First, was Ranu at Sunshine Girl - who's series is called, "Q&A with...". I love reading interview posts and getting turned on to new blog finds, so I'm really enjoying them.
Second, was on a blog called, Running in Heels - written by Emily. Her series is called, "What She Wears" - in which she asks bloggers to share their style. This was a new area for me, but as you know I love making design boards - so I was excited to participate.

Last, but not least, I guest posted this week on a food blog, called Savor the Thyme. I met Jennifer quite awhile back, at the first Fridgidaire/Save the Children event I attended. Her guest series is called "10 Things You Didn't Know About Me" - which features fun interviews and delicious recipes from many of my favorite food bloggers. Needless to say, I was quite happy to participate! The day I met her, I added her blog to my reader feed where I've been enjoying it ever since.
So - I've told you about some of the places I've been this week. Now, I must tell you how you need to make yourself one of these ridiculously tasty margaritas this weekend - or now works too. I know it took awhile for me to get to this important part...especially after the week I've had. But does one really need an entire blog post dedicated to the mixing of a cocktail? I doubt it. But if you do, there should be plenty of info here to help you.

You may remember that I recently posted a link to a gorgeous looking 'Blood Orange Margarita' in one of my Food Blog Love posts. Ever since I saw it, the desire to make one has consumed me. Problem was, I didn't have any blood oranges. Then, when I decided to hunt some down during my next trip to the market - they were pathetically dry and shriveled looking. Defeated, I decided to make another version using Florida juice oranges...which I just so happened to have a massive 25 lb. box of.
I consider myself to be a very good margarita mixer and have made many different types over the years. One thing is always a constant and that is - Patrón tequila. Along with with the good tequila you must also have some sort of orange liqueur. Mostly, I use Cointreau {pricey!}...other times Triple Sec {when money's tight}....and once in a blue moon {usually because it's all I have laying around} I'll use Grand Marnier.

In this particular instance I actually recommend you use Grand Marnier. I find it tends to be sweeter than the other orange liqueur options and I also find the orange flavor to be more intense. For this reason, it's not my favorite option when making a traditional margarita, because it tends to compete with the lime. Here, since the citrus being used is orange, it was the perfect compliment.
However, part of the fun of mixing cocktails is experimentation. Definitely try making one {and that's all I recommend - just one!} with whatever you have on hand.

What makes this margarita special is the fresh squeezed orange juice, which is not what I would have ever thought to make one with - but it is so good.
If you love margaritas as much as I do - be sure to check out this post for Traditional Margaritas...and another one of my favorites - Watermelon Margaritas.

Fresh Orange Margarita

Adapted from Blood Orange Margarita by White on Rice Couple
Makes one {strong} cocktail
While I am sure this recipe would be equally delicious using blood oranges - I opted to use fresh Florida juice oranges because they're in season at the moment and I just so happened to have a 25 lb. box of them laying around {don't ask}. As with any drink recipe, this can be easily adapted to suit your taste. I chose to use Grand Marnier, which is a liqueur containing a blend of cognacs and bitter orange essence - it works very well with the fresh orange juice. Because oranges are sweeter than limes and Grand Marnier is sweet as well, I found these didn't need any added sweetener. But if you find you'd like them a bit sweeter you could add in some simple syrup, or agave nectar.

3 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
2 ounces Patrón Silver tequila
1 ounce Grand Marnier
orange wedge & coarse sea salt, for optional garnish

Pour some coarse sea salt onto a plate. Rub a wedge of orange around the rim of a lowball glass {or a drinking glass of your choice} and dip into the salt. Add the orange juice, both liquors and a few ice cubes to a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Add a few ice cubes to your prepared glass, strain in the contents of the shaker and serve.
Click here for the printable recipe.

Black Bean, Chicken & Rice Bowl with Apple Salsa

Years ago - pre-kids years ago, when I lived in Brooklyn and had vegetarian eating habits - this was the kind of meal I subsisted on.  Yes, I know this isn't a vegetarian recipe - but minus the chicken {and chicken stock} this was the kind of meal I made quite frequently.  I was really into the whole idea of a "bowl" type meal.  For one, it's cheap!  Two, it's easy to make and the leftovers can be used for the following day's bagged work lunch, or another night's dinner.  The perfect college girl meal.
It seems like an eternity since I've made a dinner like this and seeing it in the current issue of Bon Appétit made me crave one.  I had also just discovered my new favorite way to prepare brown rice, so the timing was perfect. 

What makes this recipe unlike many bean and rice "bowl" recipes out there is the apple salsa you serve along with it.  I love that it uses Granny Smith apples because they're commonly available throughout the year - so any time is a good time to make some.  The tart apples, paired with a bit of tangy lime juice, a kick from the minced red onions along with the brightness of fresh cilantro is a perfect flavor combination.  Especially when combined with mildly spicy and slightly smoky black beans. 

Food Blog Love...

You won't hear me complaining when we get at least a dozen snowstorms in one winter - as we did last year.  I love the snow.  I love snow days.  I love sledding and then coming inside and drinking hot cocoa [or a hot toddy].  But this year we've had only one...and that one doesn't technically count because it wasn't even winter when it happened.  It was Halloween.  We had some rainy days last week, torrential at times - if only it had been colder we would have had a nice dumping of the white stuff.  Maybe someday soon...
Here are some of my favorite food finds from around the web this week - Hope you enjoy them and that you all have a lovely long weekend! 
{1.} swedish meatballs | dinner with julie {2.} blood orange margaritas | white on rice couple {3.} texas chicken tortilla soup | confections of a foodie bride {4.} edamame salad | the creative salad {5.} chimichurri steak fajitas | simply scratch {6.} hazelnut cherry muesli | the kitchn - loving their new site design too! {7.} apple-cinnamon swirled ice cream with pie crust sprinkles | hungry girl por vida 
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{The Basics} Perfect Brown Rice

If given a choice between eating white or brown rice, I'd choose brown rice any day.  Not only because it's healthier than choosing white rice, but also because I happen to prefer the way it tastes - I love the nutty flavor and chewy texture of brown rice.  With brown rice the bran layer has been left intact, which makes it high in fiber and essential minerals.  While white rice is more convenient because it cooks faster and is more commonly prefered because it's fluffier in texture, it's not as nutritious and needs to be fortified in order for some of the lost nutrients to be added back in.  Personally, I prefer to stick with the all-natural choice.
The only problem is - brown rice is a pain to cook.  If there's one thing in the kitchen that gives me the biggest challenge it's producing perfectly cooked {not sticky, soggy or mushy} brown rice.  I typically follow the package instructions - which I've learned is not the best idea! - and no matter how precise I am in my measurements, it just never turns out well. 

I've found the only place I can enjoy perfectly cooked brown rice is when I order it from an Asian restaurant.  I believe most use a rice cooker/steamer to achieve their perfect results.  I've considered buying one, but decided it was just another small kitchen appliance that would take up precious cabinet or counter space - not to mention, most decent quality models are very pricey.

So - for me this method from Saveur magazine has been such a great discovery!  I was apprehensive it would work as it claimed, but the results have been spot on and fool-proof after many attempts cooking rice this way.  It really couldn't be simpler and the best part about it is the rice cooks quicker using this method than using the standard water absorpbtion method.  Who has an hour on a weeknight to cook brown rice?  Most nights, I certainly don't - which is why I don't serve it as much as I would like to.

With this method all that is required is some measuring of the two ingredients {dry brown rice and water}, rinsing the rice, followed by 30 minutes of simmering, a quick drain in a colander and then a 10 minute steam {to absorb the last bits of water}.  It is recommended you use a pot with a heavy, tight-fitting lid - something like a Dutch oven would be prefect.  But I realize not everyone owns one of these pots, so I also tried this method using a standard stockpot.  To prevent any steam from escaping through the lid I covered the top of the pot tightly with foil before placing the lid on top - this worked perfectly as well.

I believe this method will work for white rice as well - although the cooking time would be less, of course.  However, I have not tried it - so I can't vouch for the results {If anyone does, please let me know in the comment section}.  Now that I've learned this method I can't say I'll be eating much white rice from now on.
Have any of you tried this method before and had as much success as I did?  What's your favorite way to cook brown rice?
Next up - some recipes to use your perfectly cooked brown rice with!

Perfect Brown Rice

Adapted from Saveur magazine, Issue #111
Makes 4 cups
This recipe can easily be decreased or multiplied keeping in mind that 1 cup of dry rice = 2 cups cooked.  With this method the water measurement is not essential - it simply needs to be enough to boil the rice for 30 minutes, without running out or crowding the rice as it simmers.  For instance, if you are using 1 cup of dry rice, 4-5 cups of water will be sufficent - if you are using 3 cups of dry rice, use roughly 12-14 cups water.

2 cups short grain brown rice
at least 8 cups water

Rinse the rice under cold water, using a fine mesh strainer.  Bring the water to a boil in a stockpot over high heat.  Stir in the rice and boil, uncovered, for 30 minutes {you should reduce the heat slightly so it doesn't boil over}. 
Using the same colander, drain the rice for 10 seconds only.  Return the rice to the stockpot, cover and let the rice rest, off the heat, for 10 minutes.  Remove the lid, fluff the rice with a fork and serve.  
Click here for the printable recipe.
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Food Blog Love...

After pulling out a high fat, high carb recipe this week, I thought I'd be more supportive of those trying to get in shape, lose a few pounds or simply trying to eat healthier by focusing on healthy recipes in this week's Food Blog Love.  It's been a few weeks since I did one of these posts - I sort of decided to take the holidays off.  But this week I'm back at it with some healthy finds from around the blogosphere to possibly help inspire your weekend cooking or weekly menu planning.
{1.} spicy lentil collard wraps from so good & so tasty {2.} a whole slew of roasted chicken dinner ideas from food52 contributors {3.} quinoa cakes with lemon, olive and parsley from love & olive oil {4.} redemption salad from dinner: a love story {5.} an article about being a "part-time" vegan from mark bittman - along with some delicious looking recipes to help you along {6.} a 31 days of salad project from kitchen corners {7.} thinking about doing a New Year's cleanse?  Two interesting looking ones from Goop and Whole Living.  Hmmm...they look hard.  We all know how well I did on my last cleanse attempt!
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Scalloped Potatoes & Fennel

I realize that for those of you out there trying to turn over a new healthy-eating leaf this New Year my posting a ridiculously rich and carb-loaded casserole is not exactly helping your cause.  I'm hoping that having this dish on the other side of your computer screen versus sitting right in front of you makes it okay {smiling}.
Truth is, I do have some healthy January recipes on deck.  But before I went ahead with those, I wanted to sneak this one in.  I, for one, am a bit behind with getting started on my resolutions - at least the ones that involve me snapping out of the holiday indulging habits.

This year I hosted dinner at my house on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.  Both were small gatherings - which was nice.  I didn't have to go too bonkers with the food and my house is small, so intimate groups are my favorite.  When planning my Christmas meal I spotted this recipe from Bon Appétit.  I knew I wanted to make scalloped potatoes, but didn't know exactly what recipe I'd use.  One familiar, or a new one?
When I saw this version, using a mixture of russet potatoes and sliced fennel along with garlic and fresh rosemary - I was sold.

Best of 2011

In the nearly four years since I started The Parsley Thief I have yet to do a year end "Best of..." post.  This year feels like the right time to start the tradition.  The past two years have been difficult for our family for many reasons.  There has been loss and change.  The kind of change that's been hard to adjust to.
Yet, in 2011, I feel like I have grown as a person more than I can ever remember growing in one year's time.  Maybe it's all the change that's taken place, or a tragedy bringing a perspective into my daily life that's real and tangible...or maybe it's a combination of things and the fact that I'm getting older {and hopefully, wiser}.
I'm looking forward to 2012 as there's lots on the horizon in my life and here on my blog - hopefully changes you'll like!  I'm really excited to share it with you when it happens.  I also wanted to say thank you to everyone out there who reads The Parsley Thief - you make it all worthwhile for me.  So, as the year comes to a close, I share with you the Top 10 most popular recipes of 2011...

10 | mango sorbet 9 | spinach & strawberry salad with poppy seed dressing 8 | short rib ragù 7 | brown butter brownies 6 | breakfast quinoa with berries & bananas 5 | pomodoro fresco pasta salad 4 | thai chicken & noodles 3 | cheddar guinness dip 2 | vanilla bean cupcakes with salted caramel frosting 1 | peanut butter pie {a pie for mikey}
Excuse the super cheeseball twinkles, but I couldn't resist it on NYE!  Happy New Year to All! xoxo - Katie
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A Lovely Christmas

This week off has been heavenly so far.  We have pretty much assembled everything that needed to be assembled, opened every toy that could be opened, played every game there was to play and only got out of our pajamas when we really needed to...like the day we ran out of milk.  Normally the period after the holidays can be a bit gloomy for me.  I usually get so excited about Christmas, put all this energy and effort into the big day and then when it's over I'm left with the post-holiday blues.  I'm sure it's coming - maybe it will arrive once New Year's has come and gone - or maybe I'm wrong and it won't come at all this year?
I'm not sure what's different about this holiday season, but one thing that comes to mind is that I was so desperately in need of some down time.  For many reasons, things this year were even busier than they normally are.  My to-do lists were a mile long with no realistic hope of possibly tackling it all.  To be perfectly frank, there were a few days when I feared I might be on the verge of a nervous breakdown - for reals.  So getting this time with no pressing deadlines to meet {well - there are but they'll have to wait}, no social obligations to attend, nothing that absolutely had to get done this very second, has been a godsend.  Because honestly - what is this season really about?
For me, it's about family.  It's about spending quality time with my kids, with the electronic balls and chains I have around me most of the time turned off and playing Hangman, or putting together a new scooter.

So - as you can probably imagine, I have no food posts for you at the moment.  I have done some cooking - because cooking does bring me joy too and there's nothing much better than puttering around the house in my new fleece housecoat robe and making something yummy to eat.
However, in a possible act of unforeseen grace - I dropped my camera battery a few days prior to Christmas.  I used the camera again a few times after I dropped it so I didn't think much of it at the time.  But sadly, when I went to grab it first thing Christmas morning - it didn't work.  A major bummer to say the least, because is there really any better photo op than opening presents on Christmas morning?  Thankfully, I had my trusty iPhone camera at the ready.  Not the best pictures in the world when lined up next to photos from my Nikon - but better than nothing at all. 

Along with some photos I took on Christmas day, I thought I'd also share with you some of the favorite gifts we gave or received this year.  It's interesting to me that the things I think will be the number one hit of the day sometimes aren't - while the sleeper gifts, the ones you think might go unnoticed are the ones the kids play with all day long.  Case in point - how many times have your kids had hours of fun with an big empty appliance or electronics box?
Santa brought heating pad stuffed animals this year.  He must have known that my boys have a "secret" soft spot for all things cuddly.  Both my guys, but especially my little one, also love using my microwavable flaxseed pillow whenever they're sick or get hurt so I guess it's not all that surprising.  I don't mind one bit that they still appreciate babyish things as they're growing up way too fast.
A fun gift that sounded absolutely disgusting to me in every way, yet was actually pretty authentic and not bad tasting at all {in small doses} were gigantic gummi bears {in clear, pineapple flavor of course}.  A set of stilts for kids were nerve wracking for me but have been getting quite a bit of mileage.  
My favorite gifts to receive are the handmade variety.  Sometimes just doing something for someone or making them something is all that's really needed to show you care.  This year, I received lots of little tchotchkes from my little one - all adorned with different "I love my Mommy" sentiments.  My older boy gave me a hand woven bowl made from yarn, beads and straw.  He made it in art class at school and I'm seriously impressed.  Hubbie put up a glass plant shelf with pretty brackets in a sunny dining room window.  I've been wanting it up for a really long time and I love it. 

Another gift I love, which isn't pictured here, was a 2012 Kate Spade desk calendar.  The paper is super nice {I'm a paper snob} and the images inside are very cool.  While on the subject of super nice paper, I bought the hubbie a monogrammed magnetic notepad from Pinhole Press. I was very impressed with the quality and I love that the magnet covers the entire back of the pad.
This was our first Christmas with our new kitty {more on her soon} and she really loved all the wrapping paper, along with attacking my beloved ornaments and drinking the Christmas tree water.  And - that "robe" I mentioned earlier?

I'm wearing it {along with a new starry scarf!} in the photo above...during a cuddly moment with my kitty while we watched the kids open their presents.  I'm embarrassed to admit I'm at the age where I'd even consider wearing such a thing.  I hope I don't offend anyone by saying this, but it's similar to something I remember my grandmother wearing.  She used to call it her "housecoat".
It was a gift I bought myself and I love it!  Not the most flattering item of clothing I own, but boy is it comfortable.  I love that it zips up versus the tie waist real robes have - which makes staying in it all day long real easy to do.  A little too easy I must say. 

The all day pajama days are coming to an end and it's back to the grind soon.  I will have had my fill of relaxing and having the boys home with me very soon too.  Along with the lovely moments, there's been the fair share of driving me crazy as well.  There's only so much, "Mom, he's touching me", "Mom, he's not giving me a turn" - Mom, Mom, Mom... that I can handle. 
It's almost time to take the tree and decorations down and pack them away for the year.  I'm not sure if I'll take them down this weekend or wait until Epiphany.  Once the tree is gone it's time to find homes for everything underneath it, which is why I'm not rushing to the task.  January is organization month.  Next on deck is getting a new camera battery so I can shoot again as soon as possible.  I can't wait to share some of the recipes I used this holiday...Christmas dinner came out so good!
So - Did you all have a nice Christmas?  What was your favorite gift to give or receive this year?  Do you let Christmas linger around your house until New Years or are you quick to get it all packed away?

Merry Christmas!

Things are just winding down for the day.  The kids stayed up late to play with their new toys from Santa, the dishes are done and the house is about as close to back together as it's going to get tonight.  Which is not very far. 
The holidays are a lot of work for me...and for most, I presume.  The days leading up to the big one can be frantic and very long.  But at the heart of everything - the reason I want to do it all - is the joy on the faces of my boys on Christmas morning.  Along with the family traditions that are making lifelong memories for them.  I'm looking forward to the upcoming week of school vacation - no homework, no alarm clock, no sports.  Just having time to enjoy all the new fun stuff we have to play with. 
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!
{photo:  this was our holiday card this year which I'm sending to you all virtually.  xoxo -Katie}

Tree Chopping 2011

I am so behind the eight ball this year - it's not even funny.  There's something about getting older that makes the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas seem shorter and shorter.  When I was a kid, waiting for Christmas to come seemed like an eternity and a day.  But now? It's ridiculous how fast time flies. 
All the cookie posts I intended to post this week just aren't happening.  But I do have this post of our annual tree chopping adventures.  We do it every year, but typically I host a gathering back at my house afterwards.  This year I needed to simplify - so we tailgated at the tree farm.  It was the best and I think it may become our new tradition.  Everyone is always so busy this time of year and it just makes sense.  Everyone who came brought something.  I made a pot of chili, some biscuits and some vermontucky lemonade {maple lemonade with bourbon} - a friend brought hot cider and sugar cookies - and my brother-in-law went all Martha on us and brought a folding table with a tablecloth, a pot of hotdogs, hot cocoa and a basket full of condiments.  We all stuffed ourselves silly, then rode the hayride up to the trees and picked the perfect one.  Here are some pictures from the day...featuring friends and their kids, along with my nephews {one of whom really loves to ham it up for the camera - I love it!}
Do any of you cut your tree fresh?  I love how long they last and how amazing they smell!
{past year's tree chopping here + here}

Note: one or two of these photos could have possibly been snapped by the Dh. He makes a stink when I don't give him credit...so there you go :)
Another note: For those folks out there who happen to like photography and use a Dslr camera with a lens hood...I always sort of wondered how much I really needed to bother using mine, yet always did...until it broke recently.  You can see sun glare in many of these photos - so now I know that I actually did need it! 

Last Minute Gift Inspiration...

for the cook or food lover | {1.} to-go meals in style, weck jar lunch set {2.} super pretty & fun whisks {3.} know what's in season all year long, perpetual produce calendar {4.} retro serving set {5.} cozy ceramic mug [via here].

for the kids or kid at heart | {1.} instant film camera for instant gratification, intax mini {2.} cute transportation sheet set {3.} typewriter font stamp set {4.} customized wooden utensils {5.} all-natural crayon rocks {6.} so both kids can watch a movie on the ipad, robot headphone splitters {7.} terra cotta piggy bank

for your bestie or for you | {1.} tie dye scarf {2.}  button magnets {3.} super cool stick lighters [via here] {4.} the coffee table book of 2011, design*sponge at home {5.} scrabble refrigerator magnet set {6.} my favorite polish, boom boom pow {7.} this color really does look good on everyone, heat wave by nars [via here] {8.} handmade travel tissue holders [via here]

Some Things I Just Love...a Guest Post!

I've asked my friend Susanna if she would be kind enough to pick out a handful of "things that she loves" - to contribute to one of my style posts.  I met Susanna through a mutual friend a few years ago.  Before that - I knew of her through the amazing children's art studio she ran, called Paper Scissors Oranges.  She's since closed the studio to take the time to raise her adorable children.  But before she did we were lucky enough to host a birthday party there...my older son's 3rd birthday to be exact [which was more years ago than I'd care to think about].  It was the most magical and memorable party we've ever had for either child.
Since then we've bonded over a love of design, good food and blogging.  She has a wonderful style/family blog called Paper Oranges - I check it out daily.  I love her taste and frequently get inspired by the things I find there.  Her fabulous style goes beyond the computer screen - her home has been featured on the popular design website, Design*Sponge.  She really has the best style!  I'm obsessed.  So - without further ado - Susanna's "Some Things I Just Love" Picks...

{1.} Clare Vivier makes bags....and clutches I adore...this bag is super practical...love the silver.  {2.} My friend Jill has it going on.  She turned me on to Erica Tanov....a designer based in California with a shop in NYC.  This perfect color navy cami so so versatile and drapey...Great with jeans, a big chunky sweater and boots. {3.} The coveted mama ring....simple skinny rose gold band with the littlest mama engraving and the teeniest diamond....SWOON! {4.} The Jess Brown doll, handmade, simple, each doll is one of a kind and oh so lovely. {5.} A new book for children that is so gorgeously photographed....about a little girl and her favorite doll in Paris. The doll happens to be a jess brown doll.... {6.} This balm is my new go to moisturizer especially with cold weather.  I use it on my face, hands and even a bit on my unruly hair.  Smells great too.  Originally found on the blog Simple Lovely. {7.} Oh this pillow makes my heart sing every time I see it....my daughter, Piper, is getting one for christmas....it's print is the hottest of hot pink on the loveliest shade of oatmeal linen.

Couscous with Roasted Fennel & Toasted Almonds

I was recently offered a review copy of the newly released cookbook from the website Food52.  To say I was excited about this would be an understatement.  I've been a follower of the website for years and every single thing I've ever made from it has been amazing.  I had a feeling their cookbook would be no different.
If you're unfamiliar with the site - in a nutshell it showcases recipes from home cooks, every day people like you and me who happen to have a few great recipes or specialties up their sleeves.  It's a recipe sharing community, but it's also more than that.  The 52 in the site's name comes from the 52 weeks in a year, and each week the editors of the site hold a contest for the best recipe in one of many categories....the Best Holiday Breakfast, the Best Raspberry Recipe, the Best Paella are just a few examples.  The contest entries are vetted by not only the sites creators but also by the community itself.  The winning recipe for each contest gets a prize - but even better gets their recipe published in The Food52 Cookbook!

The cookbook I'm speaking of today is the first one - a year's worth of contest winning recipes {the second book is in the works now}.  Knowing that each winning recipe has been tested and voted upon by a community of food loving people makes me feel confident that I will most likely enjoy them as well...which is why more often than not I use the site as a regular "what should I cook for dinner tonight?" resource.  Personally, I've never entered any of the contests {but - one of my recipes did win a Wild Card slot for the 2nd cookbook!}.  Not because I don't want to, but because the way my life is I'm lucky if I know what day of the week it is, let alone keep track of recipe contests.  I do, however, appreciate everyone who does because I love reaping the benefits.

I do use the recipe sharing part of the site though - if I ever come up with an original recipe that I want to share I upload it there.  It's a great spot to store your personal recipe box.
It was tough trying to decide which recipe I would feature here for this review.  So many of them called out to be made and I know for sure that this cookbook will not sit on a shelf collecting dust - it will get used many times and I hope to one day try all the recipes.
In the end, I decided on this Couscous with Roasted Fennel & Toasted Almonds.  I found it in the Winter section of the book {I love that it's divided by seasons!} and it just felt so perfect for this time of year.  Even the colors in this dish feel like winter to me.

For the exact recipe, I will be sending you to the Food52 website - as I wish to support their cause by having you get it directly from the source.  But - I will share some slight changes I made and specific ingredients I used with you here.
First - the recipe calls for using black raisins which are then soaked in orange juice.  Which for folks who like raisins is probably a great way to plump them up while adding some orange flavor to the final dish - but, I am not a raisin person.  I don't mind them so much on their own, but once they get added to food forget about it.

So, instead I used dried cranberries - and instead of soaking them in orange juice I added a bit of orange juice to the dressing, to keep some of the orange flavor in the finished dish.  I cut back on the vinegar to make up for the added citrus juice {2 tbsp. olive oil, 1/2 tbsp. sherry vinegar & 1/2 tbsp. freshly squeezed orange juice}.  It ended up being perfect for my tastes because I love vinaigrette's made with a combination of juice and vinegar.
I also left out the garnish of fennel fronds as the fennel I used was trimmed previously.  As far as adaptions that's pretty much it - everything else I followed to a tee.

As for ingredients, I used a hand-rolled Tunisian couscous, called M'hamsa.  Since it's an imported specialty item it's pricey {for something that's primarily semolina flour and water}.  But - I bought it months ago on a whim, intrigued by the idea of trying a handmade couscous and ever since I've been hooked.  The grain is not as large as an Israeli {pearl} couscous, but it's larger than commercially made varieties.  As far as flavor, it's much more intense than factory made couscous - the nutty flavor is much more pronounced.  I also love that the larger grains don't stick together in a big glutenous mess like the small ones sometimes do.  This salad is a perfect winter side dish and the leftovers taste great the next day.
I know you'll really enjoy this recipe and many others from The Food52 Cookbook.  And...to make sure that one of you does, I'm offering up a free copy to one lucky commenter!
The Giveaway winner will receive a copy of "The Food52 Cookbook: 140 Winning Recipes from Exceptional Home Cooks" by Amanda Hesser & Merrill Stubbs.
To enter, simply leave a comment here on this post.
You may enter multiple times by sharing this giveaway with your friends or followers on Facebook and/or Twitter {one extra entry for each, totaling 3 maximum entries}.  In order to be eligible to win you must comment here under this post.  Please leave your contact information so I can contact you if you win!  The winner will be chosen at random on the morning of Monday, December 19th.  Good Luck!
UPDATE: The winner of this giveaway {chosen using a random number generator} is - Comment #9 Lauren H.  Congrats Lauren!!  {It's your second giveaway win!  You sure are a lucky lady!}
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