eggs

Cherry Clafoutis

July 23, 2012
Thumbnail image for Cherry Clafoutis

I’ve always wanted to make a clafoutis, but never had until recently. Something about the name sounds so romantic to me (maybe because it’s French?), which is odd considering this is really quite an easy, homestyle dessert.

What is a clafoutis, you ask? Think of a cross between a dense custard and a thick pancake, baked with fruit. Some recipes call more more or less flour or fewer eggs which will, of course, change the texture on direction or the other. My version, based on one I found in Saveur, has quite a few eggs, so it leans more toward custard with a nice crust. I think it’s a perfect summer dessert, but it could also work on a brunch or breakfast menu.

Apparently the French tend to make this without pitting the cherries first. It’s thought that the cherry pits impart an almond flavor, but frankly, …

Read the full article →

Cooking In The Vortex~Poached Eggs With Kale And Bacon

May 21, 2012
Thumbnail image for Cooking In The Vortex~Poached Eggs With Kale And Bacon

Cooking in the vortex.

That phrase could have multiple meanings, both literally and figuratively.

Figuratively, it could stand for so much; cooking while the world spins around you, cooking at the center of the storm, cooking amid chaos. We all have our own types of chaos in our lives. One person’s version of chaos, could be another’s good day. I try to remember this when I have one of those self-pitying, woe-is-my-life moments. For the most part, one of my worst days, is not nearly as bad as another person’s in country where the average family lives on $2 a day, in places where basic human rights are violated or even right here at home. I have my health, my family, my job and a roof over my head and when I remind myself of this, it puts it in perspective right quick. I don’t have to worry where …

Read the full article →

Salad Lyonnaise with Crispy Poached Egg

May 3, 2010
Thumbnail image for Salad Lyonnaise with Crispy Poached Egg

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 9th this year. If my own mother were not off on her fantastic Italian journey, I would be making her this salad, served on a warm patio with a chilled rose and a freshly baked crusty baguette. Paints a pretty picture, doesn’t it?

A traditional Salad Lyonnaise is a poached egg served atop frissee with bacon lardons, croutons, and a Dijon vinaigrette. I’ve taken some liberties here and adapted it to my preferences; don’t be afraid to do the same. For example, I like baby lettuces with a small amount of frisee in it because I don’t care for that much frisee by itself.  I baked some fresh bread and served it on the side instead of putting croutons in the salad. And finally, I fried the poached egg.

Yes, you read that right; a crispy fried poached egg.  The egg here is breaded and …

Read the full article →

Beet, Leek and Goat Cheese Tart

November 18, 2009
Thumbnail image for Beet, Leek and Goat Cheese Tart
I was talking to a friend the other day and she was relating to me her single girl dating angst; she’s seeing two different guys. One was “hot, but a project”, and the other was “cute, but not self assured enough.” In other words, he was the dreaded “too nice” guy.  
Considering she had just broken up with a long term project, I told her she should listen to her instincts and run as fast as possible in the other direction from Mr. Project. After all, how well had the last one worked out? As for “Mr. Too Nice Guy” she needs to listen to her instincts there as well; if she likes him, great, but if there’s no chemistry, you can’t force it.
 
Sometimes cooking is like that for me. I know better, but I’m doomed to make the same mistakes over and over. I need to learn to listen …
Read the full article →

Frittata with Prosciutto, Potatoes & Thyme

May 11, 2009
Thumbnail image for Frittata with Prosciutto, Potatoes & Thyme

I’ve been following the beautiful food and photography blog, Lucillian Delights, for a couple of years now. Ilva’s photos are stunning and I’ve made a couple of her lovely recipes as well. A while back I noticed that she also runs a blog called Paper Chef. What is “Paper Chef” you ask? It’s an “online creativity challenge” where every month the winner from the previous month picks 4 ingredients at random and then people make a dish or a meal out of those ingredients (and others). I’d wanted to participate in the past, but I didn’t have a blog then (not that you need one to participate, but I didn’t realize that at the time).

This month’s random ingredients were “floury potatoes” (aka baking potatoes like russets), “prosciutto” and “thyme”. The fourth ingredient was the theme of “Mother’s Day”, instead of a food item.  Last month’s ingredients were artichokes, salmon, blackberries …

Read the full article →