“This magical, marvelous food on our plate, this sustenance we absorb, has a story to tell. It has a journey. It leaves a footprint. It leaves a legacy. To eat with reckless abandon, without conscience, without knowledge; folks, this ain’t normal.” – Joel Salatin

     Typically, I'm not really into leftovers. Sorry. I have to pretend I'm in the Chopped kitchen just to get through the revamping process. The only time I don't mind doing this is when all of your ingredients actually make a cohesive or even familiar dish. Food diaspora has always been so interesting to me; different cultures having a variant of the same dish across oceans is just rad. That's what happened when I had leftover rice flavored with cilantro. I was just going to eat it with an egg (#putaneggonit), but decided it deserved better. The dish Mujadara came to mind. It's just rice, lentils, fried onions, and parsley. The dish actually began in India (and actually made it all the way to Africa) but is mainly considered Middle Eastern by modern standards. To riff on this recipe even more, I mixed the ingredients together and fried them like falafel, served with flat bread and vegetables. Remember, cooking is fluid, just go with it.

Mujadara Fritters

    This recipe, like so many of mine, is very quick and relatively easy. To start, soak the lentils in water for 6 hours to overnight. Discard water and pulse lentils in a food processor until they resemble coarse sand. Next, mix the lentils, egg, seasonings, and breadcrumbs together with the rice (day-old rice will fry better since it is dryer). Form into flat patties and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Heat vegetable oil in a large pan and fry patties on medium heat until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper and season with extra salt. I served mine with flat bread, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, strained yogurt, and hot sauce. Feel free to switch it up.

Recipe

1 c green lentils

2 1/2 c rice

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp smoked paprika 

1 tsp garlic powder 

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp coriander 

1 egg

1/4 cup breadcrumbs

salt and pepper to taste 

oil for frying 

     I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees

 Henry David Thoreau

     Spring has finally begun to peek its emerald little head out and that means a few things: reinstating groundhog surveillance, awkward early-season burns, and camping. If that last one seems a bit premature, that really depends on your tolerance for camping in less than ideal conditions. Spring camping can lead to some whacky adventures; glamping it is not. If you can brave the cold, damp nights, the season will reward you with beautiful, green days and cool evenings, perfect for s'more parties. Here are some tips we've gathered over the years for camping in the great outdoors. 

1. Always bring extras of everything. Whether that means paper towels, batteries, or underwear, you'll be glad you packed a few spares when you run out in the middle of the trip. As a contingency plan, always have an idea of where the nearest general store is.
2. Keep your gear stored in groups. It makes packing a lot easier and makes finding items while camping a breeze, especially for big groups. We keep all of our paper supplies in one area, while the food items are kept apart from everything else. 
3. Bring clothes for four-season weather. Especially in spring, it's a smart idea to bring rain gear as well as warmer weather clothing as the forecast can change very quickly. Always bring separate clothes to sleep in (including socks) to keep you dry and warm during colder nights. 
4. Consider comfort. For years we didn't bring extra chairs because we always sat at the picnic tables. Bringing additional seating allows for more comfortable meals and socializing. Also, if you have room, bring extra blankets to cushion the ground beneath you. The difference is noticeable. 
5. Stay clean. Most camping sites have a central garbage dump to deter critters from visiting your campsite. Bring an ample supply of trash bags, paper towels, and soap to keep your site clean during and after your visit. Remember, never leave food unattended at your site. Either stash it in your car or toss it before you go. 

HAPPY CAMPERS!