This is kind of tale of two recipes. There are two different steps involved in creating this soup. I'd made this recipe before - with three important differences: I used a combination of mushrooms - not sticking with the white mushrooms noted in the recipe; I used my beloved immersion-blender instead of a regular blender; and … Continue reading ffwd – paris mushroom soup

I actually like carrots. In fact, they are one of my favorite non-green vegetables. Still, when this was first on the menu for December, I didn't get that excited about them. I ended up leaving this recipe for last - just worked out that way. I'm glad it did though! Because I made these last … Continue reading ffwd – spiced butter-glazed carrots

I made this for my Dad's 80th birthday (eve). My Mom, Dad and I had a nice, cozy evening before the next day's big festivities. Jillian's last Christmas Ballet, and then a Birthday Party with friends and family. So we needed something easy, but delicious and filling. It was a good kind of thing, when … Continue reading ffwd – my go-to beef daube

I had a big cooking weekend last week! I made the speculoos, since I wanted some cookies to take to work, plus I had houseguests. So it was fun to try out this recipe, along with others, including another Dorie recipe (for my next post!). We'll stick to cookies for here. I was grateful for … Continue reading ffwd – speculoos!

For those of you who have been wondering... leek & potato, or potato & leek... well, correctly, Dorie's is called leek and potato, because all of us who have made it realize - there are a lot of leeks in there! But leeks are wonderful, so that's all good. I didn't look up Julia Child's … Continue reading ffwd – leek and potato soup

I've been making different versions of spiced nuts for years - a tradition I picked up from my parents who had been making them starting some 25 years ago. My most recent favorites (though not everyone's - but, hey, I'm the one making them!) are a honey & fresh rosemary combination, that also have that … Continue reading ffwd – sweet and spicy nuts

One of the things I'm learning on this journey of cooking with French Fridays with Dorie, is to appreciate the subtle flavors, and the highlighting of one or two ingredients in her recipes. For a person who loves the recipes of Bobby, Emeril and K-Paul (and don't forget, living in the Southwest!), this is a … Continue reading ffwd – potato gratin

This is the hands-down favorite holiday in our family. Still adore Christmas, Easter is lovely, and Independence Day has its charms. But Thanksgiving has become our holiday. Of course, part of it is we all love to cook.  Plus, it's all about happiness and thanksgiving for the blessings in our lives...For many years, I've been … Continue reading Thinking of Thanksgiving

This was (again), one of the things I first thought of making from around my french table by Dorie Greenspan. And another that I voted for to make in November. I have a mixed reaction to it... and you'll see why soon enough. This is really like a country-cousin to a flan. The flavors are … Continue reading ffwd – caramel-topped semolina cake

I really hesitated when it was time to make this recipe. It was actually one that I chose for a November recipe. They looked so beautiful in the book... well, and why wouldn't they be good? But I had a nagging feeling that they just wouldn't work. After all, I'm the original person who puts … Continue reading ffwd – pumpkin-gorgonzola flans