Sardinian artichokes, spring 2005.
Recipes:
Spring Minestrone with Lamb, Tarragon, and Quadrucci
Artichokes with Squid, Potatoes, and Fennel Seed
Chicken with Morels, Coriander, and Nutmeg
I recently started a collection of little tagine-like spice jars (see my April photo) in deep, bold enameled colors, which are not spring colors. I’ve picked these pretty little containers up at various Moroccan shops in the city. I really can’t tell you what the connection might be to politics or to misery, but they’ve strangely gotten my mind somewhat off of the continuing death in Iraq. These little mini-tagines have even been appearing in my dreams, and in their true colors, purple, orange, deep red, replacing, to some extent, the mutilated-body nightmares I was experiencing. Dreaming about them and filling them with spices and looking at them have helped me to turn my attention to May cooking in a big way and retain a somewhat cheerful disposition, even as the spoiled brats in charge of our government have me in a state of rage. I understand this is me changing the subject, but I’ve attended a few antiwar protests in the past two years, have gathered with the 80 or so people who assemble in Union Square every few months (and their number won’t grow any bigger, I’m certain, unless Bush reinstates the draft), and I get a sinking, helpless feeling, so I might as well cook my way through the heartache. (more…)
Erica De Mane 