ffwd – roasted salmon and lentils

This recipe delivered on its promise. Delicious and easy. I've not cooked with lentils much. I'm not really a huge fan of the texture, but I was looking forward to trying the French du Puy lentils. They were a bit difficult to find, and a bit of a surprise because they're described as green. Well, … Continue reading ffwd – roasted salmon and lentils

TWD – White Loaves

This is the first recipe for Tuesdays with Dorie from Baking with Julia, by Dorie Greenspan. The newly inspired group of bakers from the original Tuesdays with Dorie group are likely joined by a number of us cooking along with Dorie in the group French Fridays with Dorie. It should be an exciting adventure. I've had … Continue reading TWD – White Loaves

ffwd – m. jacques’ armagnac chicken

This week's recipe was incredibly easy, but also incredibly good. The simplest of ingredients - things that you'd likely have on hand - a chicken (!), carrots, onions, potatoes, some herbs (I only had rosemary fresh) and the secret ingredient... armagnac. Armagnac is a spirit very similar to cognac, brandy or calvados - each have … Continue reading ffwd – m. jacques’ armagnac chicken

King Cakes – it’s that time of year!!!

I have very (very) fond memories of King Cakes and Mardi Gras in Texas and Louisianna. My super-fabulous assistant Amanda, when I lived in TX, was from LA and introduced me to all-things-wonderful about the culture. I was also fortunate enough to work in LA over the years, and so was able to really embrace … Continue reading King Cakes – it’s that time of year!!!

ffwd – bubble-top brioches

I should probably start with - the consensus about the brioche is that it was dee-lish-us! Everyone liked the buttery flavor, and could tell that there was a lot more going on with this - I got a lot of "why is this so...mmmm?" To be sure, the rolls look beautiful. But they certainly are … Continue reading ffwd – bubble-top brioches

ffwd – creme brulee

This is me - playing catch-up. Unfortunately, I had to debate about whether or not to bother. But in all fairness, if I'm going to participate in French Fridays with Dorie, shouldn't I post the not-so-great as well as the wonderful?? This should have been a pretty easy task. I've made creme brulee before with … Continue reading ffwd – creme brulee

ffwd – cauliflower-bacon gratin

What a nice idea to finish out the year with a vegetable dish! I mean, after all of the rich meals over the last month or so... oh, yeah, this is a French recipe...there's a bunch bit of cream! But, it's wrapped around some very virtuous cauliflower, so it can't be bad, right? This dish … Continue reading ffwd – cauliflower-bacon gratin

ffwd – matafan

Dorie Greenspan describes these as fluffy mashed potato pancakes. I'll give you that. They are fluffy. And made from mashed potatoes. Apparently she's made quite the project of perfecting them. I'm guessing that this is another one of those "you had to be there" recipes. To be sure, I'm really neither a potato pancake person, … Continue reading ffwd – matafan

ffwd – braised cardamom-curry lamb

Made this recipe once I found some lamb that wasn't $12/lb. I like lamb and was looking forward to it. I even like curries that are more Indian-style, though over the past several years, my preferences have leaned to more Thai and southeast Asian flavors. I had just made some amazing cranberry fig chutney from … Continue reading ffwd – braised cardamom-curry lamb

ffwd – pissaladiere

OK, I'll admit it. I goofed up this week. First, I thought that we were supposed to make soup. And the simplest Breton fish soup at that! Since I'd already committed to making a different Dorie soup, I thought I'd just substitute. Then I really read what I was supposed to be making - the pissaladiere! … Continue reading ffwd – pissaladiere