CCC – December: Leek risotto with chestnuts

Leek risotto with chestnuts. It just sounds lovely. And, ok, like all risottos, it sounds a bit time-consuming too. My plan this month was to make a couple of much-simpler recipes, and aspire to this one. Well, my month got busy - two trips to Mexico City, another to Seattle... well, and all of those other … Continue reading CCC – December: Leek risotto with chestnuts

ffwd – 2014 Christmas Card/Recipe Exchange

Question #102: If you could indulge in only one type of cookie this holiday season, which cookie would you be eating a lot of? Thus started my participation in this year's Christmas Card exchange among the members of French Fridays with Dorie. For the past few years, those who were interested/able exchanged Christmas cards. It's … Continue reading ffwd – 2014 Christmas Card/Recipe Exchange

ffwd – lamb and dried apricot tagine

This dish is a wonderful departure from other braises that are so perfect for this time of year. Not only is it lamb vs. beef, but it includes a combination of warming spices and dried apricots for a bit of sweetness that contributes to a wonderful combination of flavors that is so satisfying. There is … Continue reading ffwd – lamb and dried apricot tagine

Cranberry Spice Cake

Before I'd ever really heard of Dorie Greenspan, before I had seen the cookbook Around my French Table, or been introduced to French Fridays with Dorie, there was this cake. This amazing cranberry spice cake that I found in Bon Appetit magazine and it was Dorie's recipe. Look how gorgeous the official photo looks! Well, I've been baking … Continue reading Cranberry Spice Cake

CCC – chestnut & sage soup, twice-baked potatoes – the November recipes

At this time of year, things seem to get very busy. I've been working a lot, some of it on a new project out of the country, so between that and hosting Thanksgiving (weekend!), I have missed out on a few recipes. That said, I did get to a couple, and I'm happy I did. At first … Continue reading CCC – chestnut & sage soup, twice-baked potatoes – the November recipes