Brusenna is shunned in her hometown and when she begins her journey away from home she indulges in a few honeycakes. These simple but occasional treats show how Brusenna has been denied the pleasures of a normal childhood. "She saved the honeycakes for last, savoring every tiny bite. At first, the honey was strong and sweet, but it also dissolved earliest. When it did, she was left with the medly of citrus and nuts" (p.44). Is your mouth watering yet? Read on.
In her journey, Brusenna visits many exotic places, including an extravagant Tarten household where bowls of a spicy, golden soup are waiting on the table for her. Brusenna isn't sure if she likes the soup and that same idea is reflected in her reaction to the strange people and places she encounters. "Raising the bowl, she took another tentative taste. If she sipped the spiciness was bearable. But when she stopped, her mouth burned" (p. 182).
Golden Curry Soup is spicy, but not too hot. Easy to prepare, the soup combines eastern flavors with western convenience. Honeycakes complement Golden Curry Soup with its citrisy sweetness.
Golden Curry Soup
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup carrots
1 small onion
2 garlic cloves
15 oz. can of crushed tomatoes
3 cups chicken broth
1 stalk lemon grass*
4 lime leaves*
3 tablespoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup coconut milk*
1 cup cooked rice
handful of cilantro, chopped
1/3 cup roasted red peppers
fresh limes
In a medium saucepan cook carrots, onion and garlic over medium heat until tender. Add tomatoes, chicken broth, lemongrass, lime leaves, curry powder and ginger. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Remove the lemongrass and lime leaves. Blend soup in a blender with the coconut milk, rice, cilantro and red peppers. Squeeze lime juice over each bowl before serving. Serve with Honeycakes.
*If you don't have lemon grass and lime leaves on hand, omit them. Substitute milk for coconut milk if desired.
Honeycakes
1 batch of Raised by Magic Quick Rolls
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup honey
1 large orange rind, grated
cinnamon, to taste
chopped walnuts, optional
Roll the dough into a large rectangle. Combine butter, honey and orange rind. Using a pastry brush, apply half the glaze evenly over the dough, reserving the other half for a glaze. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nuts if desired. Roll the dough as you would for cinnamon rolls. Using dental floss or a piece of string, loop underneath the roll and cross over the top to cut even cakes from the large roll. Place on a cookie sheet and let rise for 30 minutes or until double the size. Cook for 8 minutes in a preheated 375 degrees. Brush with reserved glaze.
Honeycakes
1 batch of Raised by Magic Quick Rolls
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup honey
1 large orange rind, grated
cinnamon, to taste
chopped walnuts, optional
Roll the dough into a large rectangle. Combine butter, honey and orange rind. Using a pastry brush, apply half the glaze evenly over the dough, reserving the other half for a glaze. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nuts if desired. Roll the dough as you would for cinnamon rolls. Using dental floss or a piece of string, loop underneath the roll and cross over the top to cut even cakes from the large roll. Place on a cookie sheet and let rise for 30 minutes or until double the size. Cook for 8 minutes in a preheated 375 degrees. Brush with reserved glaze.
