FFWD: Navarin Printanier

A very French Friday meal started with Sardine Rillettes, cornichons and a baguette.  Now get my IPad and open Dorie Greenspan's Around My French Table.  If you don't already have this book...GO GET IT!!! As I nibbled I finished up the Navarin Printanier, lamb stew with spring vegetables.  My least favorite ingredient to prep, but love...small white onions.  It takes a little time to peel them, but worth it! Red potatoes, carrots and turnips.   I didn't peel the carrots, turnips, or potatoes, a time-saving thing in my case.  I should also mention, I seared the lamb earlier in the day and put it in the slow cooker with broth, cloves of garlic, herbs, tomato paste and flour, then went to work.   Fast Forward 8 hours... OK, throw everything in a Dutch oven...I accidentally added a little Pinot noir...then simmer, simmer, simmer.  When the potatoes are done...YUM! To check out other versions, go to http://www.frenchfridayswithdorie.com/ Enjoy!

Food matters project: mostly whole wheat baguette

If you know me, you know I am afraid of YEAST!!!  I avoid making bread, I leave the pizza dough for my husband to make...eeeeeeek!  Well, I Ned to get over myself, seriously.  I once owned a wholesale baking company, but dodged yeast, by focussing on muffin, scones, and shortbread. Ok, so I've watched bread being made hundreds of times, but I still turned to YouTube, just in case.  I didn't have to decide on a recipe, because I knew I would be making "Mostly Whole Wheat Baguettes" from Mark Bittman's The Food Matters Cookbook, so that lessened the stress.   I have to say, the baguette wasn't the traditional baguette, dense and a bit heavier, but good. The process wasn't hard.  I used my mixer and the dough hook.  I still had to get my hands on the the dough at the end to pull it all together.  Not a lot of kneading. I think yeast and I are finally friends. For the recipe, go to http://thefauxmartha.com/ and to check out other versions of the baguette, go to http://thefoodmattersproject.com/

An Icy pick-me-up, not found at Starbucks...Vietnamese Iced Coffee!

Today I am Spring Cleaning...yuck...and getting organized after a week on vacation. I've been going, going, going since this morning. The only thing that can help me right now is an iced coffee, a Vietnamese Iced Coffee. Usually, I would go down to I Love Pho, down the hill, but today, I am going to make it myself!!! Fortunately, I made extra coffee in my French Press this morning and cooled it just for this moment. This is all you need: 1 cup cooled strong coffee 2 T sweetened condensed milk ice cubes Put everything in a shaker and SHAKE! Now pour in a tall glass and enjoy!

TWD: Lemon Loaf Cake...again!

I am ashamed to say, I have owned the cookbook Baking with Julia by Dorie Greenspan for many years and this is the first recipe I've made.   For the recipe, you can borrow my book or go to http://www.ladystiles.blogspot.com/2012/04/lemon-loaf-cake-for-tuesdays-with-dorie.html or http://www.treats-sf.com/2012/04/twd-lemon-loaf-cake.html To see other versions go to http://tuesdayswithdorie.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/lyl-lemon-loaf-cake/

Pizza Take Out...you gotta do it sometime!

OK, I'm just back from vacation, so I didn't have the time or ingredients on hand to make my own pizza today. THANK God for Romio's Pizza down the street! I do plan on making pizza at home some day soon, but for now, this Vegetarian pizza will have to do. Eggplant, broccoli, zucchinin...not bad! If you have the time, try the recipe from Mark Bittman's The Food Matters Cookbook found at Niki's blog http://saltandpeppersf.com/2012/04/15/pizza-and-a-10k/ and to check out other versions check out the rest of the gang at The Food Matters Project http://thefoodmattersproject.com/2012/04/16/no-work-mostly-whole-wheat-pizza-dough-and-topping-pizza-the-food-matters-way/#comments

Grilled Cheese and Pandesal

Did you know there is a Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day? Some of the members of Gutsy Cooks Club are making grilled cheese sandwiches this week. Well, there are so many different "right" ways to make a grilled cheese sandwich, which one is right? In my house, my husband thinks you take two slices of bread, slather every side with a ton of butter, put 1 slice of cheese in between and grill, squishing lightly on each side. Hmmm...I think you take two slices of bread with cheese in between, lightly oil your pan and grill. Well, I checked out a few different ideas and decided this was interesting, Grilled Cheese and Pandesal. My dad just happened to give me a big bag of Pandesal, Filopino Rolls, and I didn't know what to do with all of them. I used grated Tillamook Cheddar and enjoyed every bite with a nice glass of Ergo Tempranillo Rioja. Here's the original recipe, http://thehungrygiant.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/grilled-cheese-pandesal-sandwich/ Enjoy!k

the food matters project: Seafood in the desert

So, I knew I wouldn't be able to make the food matters project recipe today; Fish Nuggets braised in Rhubarb Sauce, it I decided to eat fish today, to be supportive. I read the recipe and thought not bad, even if I'm not a fan of rhubarb and it's not in season. I'll wait and let you know! We had a very late lunch next to the pool...aaaah. I stated off with a Pomegranate Mojito and ordered the Tuna Melt with fruit. My husband ordered a Martini and the Crab Cake Sandwich with cole slaw. For the recipe, go to http://culinary-adventures-with-cam.blogspot.com/2012/04/food-matters-project-rhubarb-download_09.html. To see some other versions of this recipe, go to http://thefoodmattersproject.com/2012/04/09/fish-nuggets-braised-in-rhubarb-sauce/#comments

Gutsy Food: Sour Cream Coffeecake

Thank you Gutsy Food Club! I've been looking for this recipe for years. Many years ago, my husband, boyfriend then, received a care package from his mother. Inside was a whole Coffeecake. YUM. His roommates couldn't wait to get their grubby hands on the coffeecake. I don't remember if I even got a taste, but I did know, I need to get the recipe. Well, I have to say I didn't need to know how to make Coffeecake, to get him to marry me...20 years later and I just made Sour Cream Coffeecake for the first time. Is it the same recipe? Not sure, but this recipe is easy and delicious. Here's the link to the recipe : http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/our-favorite-sour-cream-coffeecake-recipe#reviews Enjoy!

French Fridays with Dorie: Asparagus with bits of Bacon

Thank You to Dorie Greenspan's, Around My French Table Cookbook. OK, this is my new "go to" side dish. I love bacon, but the addition of walnut oil, fresh lemon juice and a tiny bit of onion, make the asparagus POP! Yummy. I served the Asparagus with bits of Bacon, with at medium rare Ribeye and a nice Cote du Rhone...mmmmmmmm! Check out some other versions of this recipe at www.frenchfridayswithdorie.com

Get JUICED...Evolution Fresh

New Starbucks concept, Evolution Fresh. Their first shop opened in Downtown Bellevue, not long ago. The first day the place was packed, next day, packed in the morning and at lunch. Next day... Ok, word probably got out THE PLACE AIN'T CHEAP!!!! I bought a BerryBeet Smoothie for $6.99. Surprisingly enough, it tasted like a big beet. I posted in outrage on my Facebook page that this non-life changing drink was not worth it. HOLD ON...I have a juicer, but who has the time? By the time you have gone to the store paid a higher price for "organic" fruits and veggies, shoved everything through the juicer, then cleaned the mess you made...ugh. Evolution Fresh all of a sudden is your favorite juice bar!!! Healthy, easy and convenient!!! Evolution Fresh...I'm a fan!

Stopsky's Delicatessen

Step into Stopsky's and order a Mocha, or you'll regret it, then take your time ordering, there's a lot to choose from. The Bagel and Lox is delicious and garnished with the housemade pickled red onion...so good! If you want more than a bagel, the Corned Beef Sandwich has perfectly seasoned hand-sliced corned beef with mustard and rye bread. The portions at Stopsky's are not the obnoxious large NY deli-style, but a perfect balance of flavors that you will savor. Make sure to pick a soup or salad to pair with your sandwich, the Beet Salad is one of my favorites. Make room for dessert, the Black and White Cookie is a good choice, but you should check it out yourself!
 

the food matters project: Cassoulet