Spicy Vegetable Tagine

I forgot the cilantro!!!!! I've made this dish many times -- it's easy, tasty, and highly nutritious, but when we sat down and started eating I felt like something was missing. When Tommie got up to clear the table he realized the chopped cilantro was still on the counter. It seems crazy, but to me the dish definitely suffered without it.

Fortunately our guests seemed to enjoy the meal despite the non-cilantro flavoring. Basing my rating solely on last night's meal, I give this dish a 4. That really reflects more my cooking than the actual meal. I can't believe I forgot the cilantro.

One more thing: our friends who ate with us are carnivores who don't often eat vegetarian meals and were surprised by how good the food made them feel. I read a question made by a nutritionist recently that seems apropos: "You wouldn't put the lowest grade fuel in your BMW, why would you do that to yourself?"

Couscous Tagine with Turnips and Dried Apricots

Guest Blogger Tommie tonight. It was my turn to whip up a tasty Jack Bishop recipe. Tonight's was an oldie but a goodie. I've never made it before. A lot of prep time, chopping and measuring out spices, but it cooks easily. The dish has a nice balance of tang, spice and sweetness. An exceptional can of diced tomatoes really helped give this acidity, and it was a little more spice and less sweet than when Tracy has made it.

Turnips are a favorite around here, and this dish is quite healthy--just a hint of olive oil. I will give it 4 1/2 stars, subscribing to Tracy's x-0.5 for lack of protein rating. It was fun stepping into the chef's hat tonight!