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Puy Lentils with Roasted Tomatoes & French Triple-Cream Blue

Puy Lentils with Roasted Tomatoes & French Triple-Cream Blue | B ijouxs Little Jewels

French Puy lentils, the smallest, deep green lentils make the most interesting salads. Today a delightful salad, Puy Lentils with Roasted Tomatoes & Gorgonzola–another Little Jewel from the Bijouxs Kitchen.

PUY LENTILS

If you have not tried Puy lentils from France, this salad is a great entry point to these lovely little jewels. Lentils are one of the most comforting legumes, like pinto beans and chickpeas, however Lentils du Puy are immediately different to the eye from the usual brown or red lentils. With a unique blue-gray green hue and small is size, Puy lack the mushiness of other lentils. This firmer texture make them an excellent fit for salads.

PLENTY

One of my forever favorite chefs is Yotam Ottolenghi. I bought the first version of the famed restaurant’s cookbook name Ottolenghi when it was first published in England, all recipes were in grams. The platters of food in the restaurant are displayed in the most appealing manner, it was immediate love.

Puy Lentils with Roasted Tomatoes & French Triple-Cream Blue | Bijouxs Little Jewels

VEGETABLE RECIPES

It is always a blessing to lay back on the heavy foods and concentrate on fresh vegetables and legumes. The vegetable recipes featured in Plenty are among my favorites. This salad is a take from one in the cookbook, I took a slightly more French spin. A great ingredient in this salad are the roasted tomatoes, with the effort, don’t skip these.

Puy Lentils with Roasted Tomatoes & French Triple-Cream Blue | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Puy Lentils with Roasted Tomatoes & French Triple-Cream Blue | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Puy lentils and French style triple cream blue, a semi-soft cheese cross between blue and brie, are the changes. Savor this Little Jewel salad from my kitchen to yours.

 

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Rigatoni & Pesto alla Menta (Mint Pesto)

Rigatoni & Pesto alla Menta (Mint Pesto) | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Rigatoni & Pesto alla Menta (Mint Pesto)is a plate of pasta to please Mom on her special day. A savory pesto made with fresh mint is another Little Jewel from the Bijouxs Kitchen, Italian Style.

MINT PESTO

I know you are thinking mint equals sweet? No, leave it to the Italians to make use of every herb in the garden, like mint, and spin it into a wonderful pasta dish. This pesto is a change from the classic Basil Pesto. Creamy and flecked with fresh mint, pine nuts and Pecorino Romano cheese spiced with a hint of marinated black pepper. A surprise winner. While in Italy I savored every variety of pasta dishes. I do remember a mint pesto dish and I went out searching for a recipe. Yes, mint pesto (Pesto alla Menta) is an Italian classic. This recipe is a simple one I found, with slight adaptations, it feel like the pasta I had in Italy.

COOKING ITALIAN

While in Italy I savored every variety of pasta dishes. I do remember a mint pesto dish and I went out searching for a recipe. Yes, mint pesto (Pesto alla Menta) is an Italian classic. This recipe is a simple one I found, with slight adaptations, it feel like the pasta I had in Italy.

COOKING THE SEASONS

This Spring I took a cutting from a friend’s mint plant. I always admired how lush and vigorous it was. Well, I planted a form of “super mint” that turned into mint gone wild. Living along the coast receiving a record amount of rain sent the mint taking over the entire garden. I harvested a huge crop of mint and will freeze some for later. A fresh mint pesto recipe came to mind, and here it is.

RIGATONI WITH PESTO ALLA MENTO

Sturdy rigatoni works well with this pesto. Fresh mint leaves are the star, yet they do not overpower the pesto and are NOT at all sweet. Classic pesto components such as garlic, pine nuts, and Romano cheese are included. There is bright bite from the marinated black peppercorns and red pepper flakes. Serve with extra cheese if desired. The pesto pairs well with soft cheeses, a topping for ripe tomatoes and of course on pizza.

 

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Miso Udon Noodle Soup

Miso Udon Noodle Soup | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Quick comfort = a bowl of noodles. Miso Udon Noodle Soup is both quick & comforting. The savory Unami flavor is ready in 15 minutes. Soup’s on – another Little Jewels from the Bijouxs Kitchen.

NOODLE SOUP

Noodles,  always a favorite in the Bijouxs Kitchen. My Hurry Curry Laksa has been a unique favorite, while my Feeling Good Bowl of Noodles is a simple vegan comfort soup. Japanese food is a joy, I always order Udon noodles when dining out but now living far from my home town restaurants, I decided to give Udon Noodle Soup a try.

MISO UDON NOODLE SOUP

I really think you are going to like this recipe. I spotted fresh Udon noodles in Trader Joe’s now the main ingredient was secured and the rest was simple. Udon Noodle Soup when dining out can be served in many versions – I tend to favor the simple bowl with mushrooms & vegetables in a rich brown broth. That was the model I used for this soup and this is now going to be a go-to favorite.

15 MINUTE SOUP

Who does not like meals in 15 minutes! This udon is exactly what I want, noodles bathed in a bowl of miso infused broth with Shiitake mushrooms, garlic, ginger and sliced green onion. All the ingredients are easily picked up at your favorite supermarket. Dried udon noodles will also work, or any thick chewy noodle of your choice.

Miso Udon Noodle Soup | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Miso Udon Noodle Soup another simply satisfying Little Jewel from the Bijouxs Kitchen.

 

 

 

 

 

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Small Batch Coconut Cake

Small Batch Coconut Cake | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Just the two of us…and we are hungry for a little Coconut Cake (think your favorite Lemon Bread). To the rescue–Small Batch Coconut Cake, this cake is diminutive in size but big on flavor, another Little Jewel from the Bijouxs Kitchen.

BREAD OR CAKE?

OK, what is the difference between a bread and a cake? I have always been confused. Yes, there is a difference, simply put it has to do with the leavening agents used. This post on Food 52 breaks it all down. Confusingly, classic Lemon Bread is really more like a cake baked in a loaf pan. So this recipe can be either cake or bread, which ever you like.

SMALL BATCH BAKING

All that confusion aside, simple sweet loaf cakes are my favorite. Mini loaves are easy to share with friends, take to parties, and of course are just enough for the two of us. Lemon Bread is the classic that bears repeating so, enter Small Batch Coconut Cake, a tropical take on the favorite.

Small Batch Coconut Cake| Bijouxs Little Jewels

COCONUT CAKE

Simple pantry ingredients make this cake. A sweet glaze is poured into the hot cake that creates a tender, flavorful cake. This recipe makes a perfect size cake for small households.

Enjoy another Little Jewel from the Bijouxs Kitchen.