the food matters project: "whoops" fig, blue cheese and pecan crostini

So, I was suppose to make one of the "updated" tea sandwich recipes, but I went one page too far and made the Pear "crostini" with spiced pecans and blue cheese. I replaced the pear for fig and made both spiced and plain pecans. Oh well...this paired nicely with a cold Riesling. For the tea sandwich recipes, go to http://dinnerwithaura.com/2012/07/02/updated-tea-sandwiches-with-chilled-avocado-radish-basil-soup/ To check out other variations of the updated tea sandwiches, go to http://thefoodmattersproject.com/2012/07/02/updated-tea-sandwiches/

the food matters project: mixed grill with chimichurri

I haven't been a fan of every recipe Mark Bittman put in his book Food Matters, but this week the recipe chosen for The Food Matters Project, is a HOME RUN!!! This is going to be my "Go to" recipe all summer...YUM. Basically, you can grill anything and the chimichurri makes everything even better! For the recipe, you can borrow my book, buy your own copy of FOOD MATTERS, or go to http://www.lexiskitchensb.blogspot.com/2012/06/vegetable-and-beef-kabobs-with.html Happy Grilling!

FFWD: Provençal Olive Fougasse...playing catch up!

Yikes, Yeast! Although I can't stand the thought of baking with yeast, I might be over it. Well, I recruited my husband to assist, so I could get over it. Yes, I had to go there. For some reason, my husband reads a recipe, sees "yeast" and could care less, but I freak out. OK, no joke, this recipe is super easy. No problem following the recipe and ending up with an awesome and delicious loaf of bread. My husband made a delicious cream of asparagus soup that we served with the Fougasse and a nice bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon...mmmmmmmmm! I saved half the dough in the freezer for another time and it was great for a second time!!! The recipe is from Dorie Greenspan's Around My French Table. Go buy a copy, or borrow my book. I made this a while back, but didn't post, to see how others faired with this recipe, go to http://www.frenchfridayswithdorie.com/?p=1055

T WD: French Strawberry "Short" Cake

I really love Tuesdays with Dorie, but I had to break the rules " a little" this week. The recipe for this week is French Strawberry Cake, but I just can't have a big cake sitting in my house and not eat the whole thing...just saying! I did everything except I made Ladyfinger Genoise from Dorie Greenspan's Baking with Julia, instead of there Perfect Genoise. I made one perfect French Strawberry Shortcake and shared it with my son. YUMMY!!! To see the real results of following the recipe, go to http://sophiasbaking.blogspot.com/2012/06/twd-french-strawberry-cake.html or http://thinklovesleepdine.blogspot.com/2012/06/twd-french-strawberry-cake.html to see what our hosts created. To see more results, go to http://tuesdayswithdorie.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/lyl-french-strawberry-cake/ Happy Baking to you!!!

the food matters project: chocolate-cherry panini

OK, after the chickpea fritters that disintegrated in the oil last week, I was in NO MOOD for the recipe this week...but wait...this week is easy. I didn't even have to go to the store!!!! My version of the chocolate-cherry panini, included a little crystallized ginger and no butter. YUMMY!!!
The recipe can be found in Mark Bittman's The Food Matters or click here.  To see how others did with this recipe, go to the food matters project.

Happy eating and cooking!!!

ffwd: lime honey beet salad

I was so excited when I found organic beets both red and golden at my grocery store. Not one beet was available at the Frmer's Market...Wierd! Perfect timing...the French Fridays with Dorie recipe for today is lime honey beet salad AND I can keep it in the fridge for Father's Day. OK, this is a new, fresh twist on the usual beet salad...YUM!!! The recipe is Dorie Greenspan's Around My French Table, go get it, or you can borrow my book. To see how the other Doristas did with this recipe, go to http://www.frenchfridayswithdorie.com/?p=1078

the food matters project: braised chickpea fritters and vegetables

So, I followed the recipe exactly... but the chickpea fritters started disintegrating as soon as they hit the hot oil. What went wrong? Who knows. The good thing was that the sauce was great and I had chicken in the fridge as a back-up, so dinner wasn't ruined. For the recipe, click here and go to Mrs. Garlic Head 
To see if the other cooks at The Food Matters Project had any luck, lick here.
Good Luck!