Where do I start?

When I take a break, planned or not, from blogging for a few weeks, that doesn't mean I stop cooking and taking photos and tweaking recipes, scribbling on whatever is at hand. I still do all those things but, at the end of the break, I end up with a raft of intended posts and delicious photos and no idea where to start. Which is the dilemma I have now.

It's been a pretty busy few weeks chez Lex & Cakes. Cakes went back to work full time at the beginning of January and I have had a crash course in caring for a very active (and darling) baby all by myself. I realize that lots of mums do this right from the get-go, but it was nevertheless a bit of a shock and a lot more hard work than I anticipated. All of a sudden, I don't have that extra pair of hands around the house & I have to live my life (and cook, and clean, and shower) in 15 minute increments. So there hasn't been a lot of time to post.

I think I'm getting into a bit of a groove now though. I hope. At least until the next set of teeth come.

One of the meals that's been getting made a lot around here came from the little cookbook that I put together for the ladies in my Mum's group. We all contributed a few recipes for favourite family meals and i pasted them all together in a purty little booklet. Most of the recipes (including mine!) are of the family casserole/one dish genre, which is great for mums with little babies (including me!).  One of those recipes has quickly become a favourite in our house. It's really exceptionally flavourful, dead easy to make and is loaded with veggies. And if I mash a little with the back of my fork, Baby Cakes happily gobbles it up along with the rest of us.

African Stew

• 1 teaspoon Olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 large yam or sweet potato, cubed
• 1 large waxy potato, cubed
• 4 celery stalks, diced
• ½ green, red or yellow pepper, chopped
• 1 medium zucchini, cut in quarters lengthwise and then sliced in fat chunks
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1½ cups strong chicken broth (if I'm using regular broth, I just simmer it for a bit to concentrate it a bit)
• 1 980 ml can diced tomatoes in juice
• 1 540 ml (19 oz) can chickpeas, drained (optional -  I don't add it as I really don't care for chickpeas)
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 2 teaspoons chilli powder
• 2 teaspoons ginger, minced (or 1 teaspoon dried ground ginger)
• ¼ teaspoons black pepper
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 tablespoons peanut butter

Heat olive oil in a large pot and add onion, potato, sweet potato, celery, pepper and garlic. Cook & stir for a few minutes.

Add broth, tomatoes, zucchini, chickpeas and spices. Let simmer for 25 minutes. Add raisins, peanut butter and tomato paste. Cook for 5 minutes more. Stir through lime juice. Serve.

Did you think you'd escape my first post back in a while without a photo of the Baby Cakes? Silly you.

Comments

[Jessica]

Hi there! This looks fantastic, and I'd like to try it soon! Just double-checking though, to make sure you really mean three cups of raisins? I'm only just now beginning to cook savory things with fruit... the amount seems high to me, but what do I know! Oh and also, do you recommend golden raisins, or, er, the other kind? I only ask this because no dark raisins are terribly visible in the photo.

Thanks again!

[Angie]

Beautiful baby!!! But he should look a bit more like the babe of a foodie mom....shouldn't he have something homemade smeared all over that dear little face? heehee. Some of my fav pics of my kids when they were little are the 'trying to get the food in my mouth" pics!!

[Romina]

This stew looks really delicious! Good for those cold Canadian winters.

What a cute little baby! =)

[Aran]

I have been waiting for your new post for a while and I'm happy is here! What a beautiful baby... I am too a mommy to an 18 month old boy so I know how hard it is to take care of one. My blogging time is restricted to nap time and late nights. But I'm so glad you are back! I've been a silent fan for a while.

[Kevin]

I hear ya with the baby stuff invading your blogging time. Our little one is 11 months old.

[Shaynes]

wow your little guy is not so little any more. the stew looks good too.

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[Aime]

Thanks for the great recipe! I made it today and it's fabulous! It's very windy here in Yokohama, so it's a great day for a hearty stew!

[Stephanie]

Oh, my god...he's beautiful! I don't think I've seen a photo in ages; he's so handsome!

[Stephanie]

Oh, my god...he's beautiful! I don't think I've seen a photo in ages; he's so handsome!

[Lynne J.]

This recipe sounds quite interesting and your "Baby Cakes" is ADORABLE!!!!!!