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Vegetable Barley Soup with the Taste of Little India

March 31, 2014 by Renee

Vegetable Barley Soup is one of my favorites. Of course I also love Beef and Barley soup or Barley and Mushroom soup  too.  However,  I’ve never thought to venture far from the traditional preparation.  Now we’ve gone a bit wild and are combining some of my favorite flavors together for a hearty, spicy and curry inspired dinner. For this week’s French Friday’s with Dorie, we made a Vegetable Barley Soup with the Taste of Little India.

This soup could not have come at a better time. I’ve had a terrible cold for the past two weeks or so and nothing has really helped.  It’s been on and off and I’ve pumped myself full of decongestants and ibuprofen in an attempt at some relief to little avail. However, the gentle heat of the ginger and red pepper flakes along with the fragrant, warm aromas from the Garam masala provided some much needed sensory appeal and soothed my symptoms greatly. I honestly felt myself breathe for the first time in quite a while.  By today, I was completely better and I think it’s all because of this soup.

I am very happy that this recipe made a generous amount as I’ve been eating it all weekend and still have some left over to take to work this week for lunch.

The thing about barley though is that it expands. It also doesn’t seem to stop expanding, so the broth is nearly fully absorbed into the grain. Which of course, is fine, it’s just less liquidy by the second and third days. You can add more stock if you want, but I am enjoying the more stew like quality at this point.

This recipe was super easy to make too- which is always a plus when you are feeling under the weather and don’t want to be bothered to prep too much. I can definitely see this one being made again (and again!).

Vegetable Barley Soup with Taste of Little India-3

While I cannot share this delightful recipe, you can (and should!) buy the book and cook along with us. It’s great fun! Every Friday we make a new recipe. Looking forward to next weeks! For details and to see how others are recreating the dishes from this awesome book, check out the FFWD site.

Buy the book:

greenspan

frenchfridayswithdorie16

Filed Under: Eat, Kitchen Sink, French Fridays with Dorie, Soup and Stews Tagged With: Barley, Dorie Greenspan, FFWD, French Fridays with Dorie, Indian, Soup, Vegetable

Catching Up with French Fridays with Dorie

March 23, 2014 by Renee

I’ve cooked along with French Fridays with Dorie each week, but am finally getting around to posting the past two week’s creations- Sausage-Stuffed Cornish Hens and Two Tartines from la Croix Rouge. Of the two, the tartines were my favorite.

The two tartines are essentially non- recipes- my favorite kind of recipes- easy, simple and delightfully delicious! The recipe was inspired by the creations from La Croix Rouge, a bistro in the 6th arrondissement of Paris known for their Tartines de pain de Poilâne, open faced sandwiches made on a slice of miche (bread) from the famous bakery, Poilâne.  There are a few locations, but I always visit the bakery at 8 rue du Cherche-Midi, also in the 6th ème,  not just for bread, but for their buttery, delicate apple tartlets found by the counter- heaven! You can also find pain de Poilâne in several of the local supermarkets around Paris- but every trip to Paris should include a visit to this beautiful storefront.

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At La Croix Rouge, a slice of toasted Poilane bread is spread with a little bit of butter and then topped with very thin slices of rare-roasted beef. Topped with cornichons and other garnishes- a slice of tomato or greens, there is also mustard or vinaigrette that can be added if desired. It’s a perfect lunch and a place to gain a bit of sustenance before commencing shopping at some local favorites- Sonia Rykiel, Paule Ka and other fabulous designers. Just remember to bring a large bank account.

I’ve never had their smoked salmon, but it is quite popular and here, this rendition was very good, but everyone preferred the roast beef tartine. I can see it making a comeback again soon.

Cornish Hen -4

The Sausage Stuffed Cornish Hens just had me giggling the entire time. I have never seen the point to cornish hens. I kept thinking of tiny chickens fit for an American Girl doll dinner. I wanted to set a tiny table, with tiny silverware and tiny plates. I kept thinking I should roast them in the Easy Bake oven with miniature slices of vegetables. What a fun photo that would have been!

Seriously though, the Cornish hens were fine. They were nothing too special.  Everyone had their own and there was no fighting for the legs. The sausage stuffing, merely a taste of stuffing, was sadly not very good. Not because of the recipe, but rather the sausage I bought seemed to be more fatty than meaty and yielded a rubbery texture that was incredibly disappointing. I think I would have preferred a stuffed, Frenched chicken breast. Next time! Served with asparagus and roasted potatoes, it made a good dinner but easily forgettable.

Cornish Hen -3

 

On the other hand though, the Boeuf a la Ficelle (Beef on a String) made another appearance this week and again it disappeared quickly. It’s a favorite and I can see it being requested often. The kids are being spoiled with filet but I am happy to be refining their palates.

While I cannot share these recipes, you can (and should!) buy the book and cook along with us. It’s great fun! Every Friday we make a new recipe. Looking forward to next weeks! For details and to see how others are recreating the dishes from this awesome book, check out the FFWD site.

Buy the book:

greenspan

frenchfridayswithdorie16

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Eat, Kitchen Sink, France, French Fridays with Dorie, Poultry Tagged With: FFWD, French Fridays with Dorie, La Croix Rouge, Paris, Poilane

Garbure From the Supermarket – French Friday’s with Dorie

March 2, 2014 by Renee

Garbure from the Supermarket is the title of this week’s French Fridays with Dorie recipe. While Garbure is essentially a French peasant stew made with ham, sausage and loaded with root vegetables, beans and cabbage, this hearty white bean stew is enriched with duck confit. Thankfully, there is a large “gourmet” supermarket nearby, as my local supermarket most certainly does not carry duck confit. I always find it interesting that the lowliest of dishes that was once a staple among peasantry has become gourmet fare. Of course, I can understand why- it’s satisfying and delicious! Perfect on a cold day or if you need to feed many hungry people.

Garbure originated in Gascony in southwestern France, and very closely resembles potée and pot-au-feu. You could almost imagine how each Gascon household had their own recipe, adjusting for the mix of vegetables they had harvested or the meat they had preserved.

Interestingly, the area of Gascony itself is well known for its wine and food-its home to foie gras and Armagnac brandy. It’s also known for it’s Basque influence. One of the ingredients on this recipe’s list, Piment d’Espelette, is an AOC chili pepper that is cultivated in the commune of Espelette. The pepper is harvested in late summer and can be seen hanging on balconies, sheds and house walls throughout the communes to dry out. I thought I had a photo of some of them from my Camino to share, but it turns out that of the over 5k photos, not one was of the peppers I saw hanging (at least not in the batch I looked through!). I realize now that I should have bought a jar there  but I actually bought my jar of Piment d’Espelette here. Add it to the list of items I need to bring back in my suitcase next time!

This stew was just as fulfilling and appetizing as you’d expect and I am sure it will get better as the week goes on.  Which is a good thing, because I have just a few bowls left over.  The full recipe feeds 10!

Garbure-3

While I cannot share this recipe, you can (and should!) buy the book and cook along with us. It’s great fun! Every Friday we make a new recipe. Looking forward to next weeks! For details and to see how others are recreating the dishes from this awesome book, check out the FFWD site.

Buy the book:

greenspan

frenchfridayswithdorie16

Filed Under: Eat, Kitchen Sink, French Fridays with Dorie, Soup and Stews Tagged With: Basque, FFWD, France, French Fridays with Dorie, Garbure, Gascony, Piment d'Espelette, Stew

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kitchconundrum

Smoked a pork shoulder and a beef planche this wee Smoked a pork shoulder and a beef planche this weekend. Served with an apple slaw and baked beans. It’s not pretty but it’s good BBQ. #smokedmeat #tragergrills #meat #pork #pulledpork #porkshoulder #beef #bakedbeans #appleslaw
Of the four out of five suitcases that arrived hom Of the four out of five suitcases that arrived home from France with us, I am so happy the one with the butter and cheese made it! The fifth suitcase took a few extra days. A little cheese in the afternoon to celebrate. From @fromageriedulouvre #tommedesfleurs #comte  #ossauiraty #cheese #paris #france #frenchcheese #frenchbutter #lucky #luggagewoes #airfrance
Croque Monsieur with Rosé after a stop to City Ph Croque Monsieur with Rosé after a stop to City Pharma to stock up on French beauty products. All that shopping makes one hungry.  #croquemonsieur #rosé #wine #vin #summer #citypharma #paris #france #beauty #deuxmagots
I spy… the obligatory Eiffel Tower photo. Are yo I spy… the obligatory Eiffel Tower photo. Are you really even in Paris without one? #Paris #France #driveby #quickshot
Oh hello, Paris. Nice to see you again. #parisfr Oh hello, Paris. Nice to see you again. 

#parisfrance #paris #france #drivinginparis
Last night as part of dinner we made one of my fav Last night as part of dinner we made one of my favorite summer salads- a peach, mozzarella di bufala, and tomato salad. Normally it’s the bits of cheese and tomatoes that are the treat, but the peaches were incredible-so sweet.  By the end we were just picking the peaches out. Good thing I bought several just to eat too- peaches from Spain and France, white, pink and orange. #peaches #salad #summer #summereats #mozzarella #buffalomozzarella #mozzarelladibufala #summersalad #stonefruit #yum #goodeats #spain #france #peche
Moules frites. With rosé, as you do. #normandy #f Moules frites. With rosé, as you do. #normandy #france #lunch #youjusthaveto #mussels #moulesfrites #yum #goodeats #seafood #beachlife #coastalliving #summer
Today we went to the beach and tonight we had the Today we went to the beach and tonight we had the traditional English roast for dinner at The Presbytere. Do you see the size of that Yorkshire Pudding? Incredible! And it was filled with the most luscious and velvety gravy. Again, every course was perfect.  For dessert we had the same as last night- zucchini cake and a white chocolate cream over crumbles and gooseberries. I really need to get these recipes! They had live music as well and we enjoyed the outside garden once again.  #normandie #normandy #normandietourisme #dinner #englishroast
Not to be missed! Had such a terrific dinner at Th Not to be missed! Had such a terrific dinner at The Presbytere last night, the new restaurant by Chef Edward Delling-Williams. The beautifully converted building is situated near the estuary of the Sienne where some ingredients are foraged. We sat outside in the breezy sea air and it couldn’t have been a more perfect evening. We drank Spritz’s and Pimm’s while we perused the menu. Though described as a gastro pub, the food is truly on another level, where fresh, local ingredients are highlighted. We shared starters of pork rillettes with a lightly smoked onion powder, a thick slice of house made lamb terrine served with a tangy walnut, English pickle and prune catsup, and a plate of simply marinated red peppers, all served with a generous basket of perfectly crusty bread with a soft, chewy center. For our mains, we debated over the whole fish and wished we had more people with us for the leg of lamb to share but in the end we chose the veal, thin slices served rare over fresh green beans with a deeply developed reduction sauce, as well as a plate of green and yellow zucchini served with a house made ricotta, apricot purée, chervil and a hint of mint. Each bite was better than the one before. We shared a bottle of Petit Chablis and the delightful, friendly sommelier confirmed that we couldn’t go wrong with our choice.  She was right! Fruity, light and delicious. Dessert is always my favorite part of any meal and the courgette cake (zucchini) was divine. A dreamy, light cream cheese frosting adorned this soaked, dense, sweet cake filled with bits of zucchini and carrots. I make zucchini cake (bread/muffins) often and nothing I’ve ever made even compares to this one. We also shared the white chocolate cream over a sweet crumble. It was such a pretty and light dessert. The staff made us feel so welcome and right at home from start to finish, an experience not to be missed and we can’t wait to see what else Chef has in the works. P.S. We are headed back tonight for the traditional English Sunday roast with the kids. Stay tuned!! #normandy #france #manche #bassenormandie #normandietourisme #restaurant #dinner #goodeats #edwarddellingwilliams
What a great way to wake up! Les demoiselles. Very What a great way to wake up! Les demoiselles. Very lite pastry with custard inside. #notadougnut #france #normandy #boulangerie #breakfastinbed #cafe #coffee #weekendvibes #sotired
The factory store was not open. Which is actually The factory store was not open. Which is actually a good thing for my wallet- for now. 😂 A quick trip to the lovely village of Villedieu Les Poeles to meet the train from Paris and lunch of galettes. #normandy #copper #copperpots #want #france #manche  #manchetourisme #gallettes #lunch
Today, we had an amazing lunch near to Granville. Today, we had an amazing lunch near to Granville. While we awaited stores to reopen we explored a little and found this gem of a place! What a beautiful setting and fabulous menu! The restaurant is part of a farm, La ferme de la Chèvre Rit. We sat outside in the sunshine and shared a demi bottle of clairet and a planche  with some of their homemade chèvre and terrines and meats. Then we had a salad with the most delicious pain d’épices topped with a lightly grilled chèvre and balsamic. We also had the basil risotto which was delicious and had just the perfect amount of cheese. Dessert was a delightfully light but rich chocolate molten cake with sweet cream and caramel and a crème brûlée. We wish we could have stayed for the whole afternoon. We will definitely have to go back again. #lestablesgranville #granville #lunch #normandy #bassenormandie #bassenormandietourisme #salad #risotto #chocolate #cremebrulee #thankyougooglemaps
First breakfast in France. It’s good to be back First breakfast in France. It’s good to be back here. #normandy #france #painauchocolat #chocolatecroissant #homeawayfromhome
It’s a two cocktail kind of night. Mojito and G& It’s a two cocktail kind of night. Mojito and G&T. #rum #sevenupmojito #hendricks #gin #cocktail #adultbeverage #roevwade #womensrights #voteblue
Britakakku. A Finnish summer cake made with layers Britakakku. A Finnish summer cake made with layers of cake, meringue, a whipped yogurt cream and fresh berries. It may look a mess but it’s quite tasty! Only two layers here but I’ve seen them quite tall! #britakakku #finnish #finnishfood #pastry #berries #summerfruit #summerdessert #dessert #summer #cake
Did someone want falafel for lunch? We may have a Did someone want falafel for lunch? We may have a few extras to share. Three pounds of chickpeas and a triple recipe. The best! 

Recipe from the cookbook, Israeli Soul by Michael Solomonov. We also made some sides (salatim) to go with. Roasted eggplant and garlic, Israeli salad of tomato, cucumbers, lemon and parsley. Grape leaves with herbed rice and tahini. 

So, so good. 

@mikesolomonov @soomfoods #kingswaypita #brooklyn #nyc #goldiefalafel #philly #israeli #israelifood #falafel #salatim #tahini #lunch #dinner #pita #sogood #yum
After two long years, The Long Island Greek Festiv After two long years, The Long Island Greek Festival is BACK! Gyros and lamb with orzo and lemon potatoes, Greek pastries (including the best, hot and crispy, light and airy loukamades!), carnival rides, games, and local artisans. So fun and a perfect evening weather wise. We will be back. Can’t resist all the good food! #greek #carnival #greekfestival #greekfood #loukamades #baklava #galaktoboureko #longisland #ny #nyc #greece #ligreekfestival #ligreekfest
Today’s Office. The iconic, Chrysler Building. A Today’s Office. The iconic, Chrysler Building. Art Deco at its finest. It’s simply gorgeous inside. I wish I had taken more photos- especially of the lobby and it’s ceiling but I snapped the elevator and it’s ceiling. Just stunning! Also a couple views on my walk to Penn Station. #librarywaynyc #nyc #chryslerbuilding #artdeco #nypl #bigqpple
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