Star stews: dress up comfort food for autumn entertaining - Food & Entertaining

Sunset, Oct, 2003 by Linda Lau Anusasananan

MAKES: 2 lemons

Rinse 2 lemons (5 oz. each). Score peels about 1/4 in. deep down length of lemons, spacing slashes about 1 inch apart. In a 2- to 3-quart nonreactive pan, combine 2 1/2 cups water, 3 tablespoons kosher salt, and lemons. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until lemon peels are tender when pierced, 12 to 15 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer lemons to a pint-size wide-mouthed canning jar; reserve salted water. Add 2 whole cloves, 1 dried bay leaf, 1 cinnamon stick (3 in.), and 2 teaspoons each coriander seeds and black peppercorns to jar. Press lemons down slightly to release juices. Pour enough of the reserved salted water over them to cover completely; seal with lid. When cool, chill at least 5 days, turning jar occasionally (lemons may darken a little), or up to 3 months. To use, lift lemons from liquid, scrape out soft pulp, and sliver or chop peels.

Harissa

PREP TIME: About 30 minutes

NOTES: This homemade Moroccan hot sauce has more complexity than super-hot purchased versions. Our sauce is medium-hot; add more cayenne for extra heat. Make this sauce up to 5 days ahead; cover and chill. Dried ancho chilies are available in well-stocked supermarkets and in Hispanic grocery stores. (Sometimes mistakenly labeled pasillas, anchos are triangular; true pasillas are long and skinny.)

MAKES: About 1 cup

Snap off and discard stems of 2 ounces dried ancho or California chilies (see notes). Shake out and discard seeds. Rinse chilies and cut or break into about 1/2-inch pieces. Soak in 1 cup hot water until soft, about 20 minutes. Lift chilies out (reserving soaking water) and transfer to a blender or food processor. Add 1/3 cup of the reserved water, 3 tablespoons each lemon juice and olive oil, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper;, whirl until smooth. If thicker than desired, blend in 2 to 3 more tablespoons reserved water.