Food for Ninjas

As the days grow shorter and present tests of the ninja’s dexterity and alertness (such as government manufactured arbitrary daylight rationing programs) many of us turn inwards as an escape. Truly, such offerings as have been presented lately can be read as a slow meditation on the very good things of life in the face of wintery despair. As existentially fruitful as such exercises may be, however, occasionally one is just too busy to spend valuable time contemplating the infinite when they’ve been hired to, for instance, contemplate their foot into some (infinitely) regretful henchman’s face. That’s where this recipe comes in: nourishing, warm, flavorful, and oh so simple to make.

Ingredients:

1 inch fresh ginger, peeled, then grated or minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
1/2 Lb. new potatoes, peeled & halved
1 can of diced tomatoes with juices
1 can of garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 heaping teaspoon ground cumin
1 heaping teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon turmeric (optional)
A shake of cayenne (to taste–note that this will gain potency as it warms up)
A shake of cinnamon
Salt
A glug of oil

Method:

Dice, mince, and humble your ingredients for the procedure ahead. In a dry, medium-large sauce pan, add all your dry spices (the cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne). Turn the heat to medium and toast for about a minute, stirring so nothing burns. When the smell of the spices has warmed your nose like the first blush of a springtime katana duel, add your oil, onions, garlic and ginger. Stir quickly so nothing sticks and burns and let soften–about a minute (you can add some more oil here, if necessary). Add your potatoes, chickpeas, and the tomatoes with their juices. Stir everything so that nothing is stuck to the bottom of the pan and everything is well mixed. Reduce to a simmer, and cover. For the next 35 minutes the dish will cook itself while you decimate a warlord’s errant army, prank the local sword master, darn your ninja-gi, or whatever it is you spend your time with these days. If you are one of those rare ninja with actual free time, you can give the pot a stir every now and then to make sure nothing is burning, but you don’t have to micro-manage. When the potatoes are done, remove the lid and stir. Let your dinner fill your home with delightful smells for a few minutes, allowing excess moisture to steam away. Check for salt, and serve over rice. Feeds four, and makes fantastic leftovers.

This is the ronin of sauces: a masterless warrior in plain dress who wanders the land in search of hoodlum, inferior tomato sauces to gracefully decapitate. And, let’s not lie: those crappy, second rate canned sauces had it coming. For that matter, so does any other dish that’s trying to convince you it’s the best thing in town. This sauce will judo your meal preferences so hard and fast you’ll swear you never even saw it move. Yeah, that’s right. The secret’s in the simplicity.

Ingredients

8 ripe tomatoes (I used a mix of plum and roma), diced
1 red onion, finely chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1-2 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
1 bunch of basil leaves, finely chopped (you want about half a cup chopped)
1 glug of olive oil
1 pat of butter
Red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper (to taste)

Method

Spoon Ship in Tomato Sea

Put a saucepan on medium heat. Toss in your glug of olive oil and your pat of butter. Let the butter start to melt; when it just begins to foam, throw in your garlic and stir for a minute. If butter or garlic looks like it’s going to brown or burn, turn down your heat. Toss in the onions and a good grind of salt and stir several minutes until they are just translucent. Add your tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, about a third of the basil, and the red pepper flakes (if using). Give a good grind of salt and pepper, stir and reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the tomatoes to release their juices, and then cook down into a nice, colorful sauce—about 10 minutes. Right before serving, toss in the remaining basil and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve over pasta, and destroy.