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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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Chocolate Babka! It’s a two day process but so w Chocolate Babka! It’s a two day process but so worth it. So good! 
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#babka #chocolate #baking #chocolatebabka
Tonight we didn’t order in. We had homemade eggr Tonight we didn’t order in. We had homemade eggrolls and chicken fried rice along with some store bought dumplings. #sogood #chinesefood #fridaynight #tradition
Chicken Parm… a nice family dinner. Can’t beat Chicken Parm… a nice family dinner. Can’t beat comfort food! #dinner #family #familystyle
Totally forgot to post the cut of my soap here. It Totally forgot to post the cut of my soap here. Its been very busy and I’m like a whirling dervish in all different directions. On the food front we made some favorites-Chicken Marbella that sustained us for a week and also a Corned Beef and Cabbage dish because it is March after all. But it was good to have the comfort foods we love and old standards as they provide the most contentment when it’s chaos everywhere else. Regular work and then some wholesale orders and getting the line poured for our Spring/Summer scents. And helping others with a few website issues. And kids. Thankfully, it seems to all be under control now and I’m really happy to be busy. All good things! 

The Eucalyptus Mint cut (smells amazing!) turned out so nice. Very happy with it. Had a request for a classic Cucumber Melon soap. Also a lovely fresh and clean spring/ summer scent. Available soon. But the Spring/Summer line of candles are done and are now available! Yay! 
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#cpsoap #cooking #smallbusiness #candlemaking #candles #soap #busy #happy
Still cooking. This week I made the amazing stuffe Still cooking. This week I made the amazing stuffed vegetables from Aglaia Kremezi and they were so delicious. But I didn’t take any photos. I did, however, take video of my latest soap pour. White eucalyptus and mint. Smells amazing! Can’t wait to see how the cut turns out. It was a bit thicker trace than I expected. 
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#coldprocesssoap #soap #soapmaking #ecualyptus #mint #stillinthekitchen #somethingdifferent
It’s been a week! Time to relax a little. Braise It’s been a week! Time to relax a little. Braised short ribs and polenta. Dinner is served! 
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#weekend #weekendvibes #cooking #dinner #shortribs #polenta
Breakfast buddies. I love when he crunches toast. Breakfast buddies. I love when he crunches toast. #sharing #labradoodle #lovemydog #notofficiallyonthebed
It’s been ages since I’ve posted here. Well, a It’s been ages since I’ve posted here. Well, a month, lol. Thats a while! We made it through the holidays and we are into the new year. And while we are still cooking a lot, most of my big concoctions lately have been outside the kitchen and in the soap/candle studio. Here I am mixing scents, clays and mica colorants. Lots of new products coming to @lesilobleu soon. 
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#candlemaking #soapmaking #coldprocesssoap #giftideas #smallbusiness
Traditional Sunday Roast with Yorkshire Puddings a Traditional Sunday Roast with Yorkshire Puddings and roasties. Even though it wasn’t Sunday. A favorite. 
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#sundayroast #beef #potatoes #yorkshirepudding #dinner #yum
Wishing everyone a safe, healthy and very Merry Ch Wishing everyone a safe, healthy and very Merry Christmas! From all of us to all of you!
A little confiture with our biscuits this morning. A little confiture with our biscuits this morning. Fun flavors with pretty packaging. It’s a bit too sweet for me but I do like the pretty presentation. 
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#jam #preserves #confiture #confitureparisienne #framboise #macaron #biscuits
Chicken Piccata for dinner. Love, love, love the l Chicken Piccata for dinner. Love, love, love the lemony white wine and caper sauce. A favorite! #dinner #chicken #lemon #yum
Fried chicken and waffles for dinner. With a maple Fried chicken and waffles for dinner. With a maple sriracha syrup. #dinner #eat #friedchicken #waffle #chickenandwaffles #yum
Leftovers! The best thing for lunch the next day- Leftovers!  The best thing for lunch the next day- Thanksgiving dinner on a roll. #thanksgiving #leftovers #thanksgivingdinneronaroll #yum #thebest
We are full of food and love today! So grateful fo We are full of food and love today! So grateful for the family around our table. #love #gratitude #thanksgiving #family
Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! We are Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! We are so grateful for each and every one of you! However you spend your day, may it be filled with love and deliciousness! 
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#thanksgiving #gratitude #love #friends #family #delish
So many blooms from our roses … still!!! It’s So many blooms from our roses … still!!! It’s November! I’m capturing them and will dry the petals for soap and bath salts. #roses #latebloomer #davidaustinroses #loveroses
Margez, falafel and hummus with some gyro and roas Margez, falafel and hummus with some gyro and roasted carrots for dinner. Quick and easy for a Wednesday that should have been a Thursday. #dinner #whatdayisit #sotired
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