Category: Basics

No. 537Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Bijouxs Basics: Kinda Joan’s Pickles

Bijouxs Basics: Kinda Joan's Pickles

I was missing my home town Los Angeles and craving the pickles that are served at Joan’s on Third. Here is my version of Joan’s on Third Sweet and Crunchy Pickles – a Bijouxs Basic recipe.

JOAN’S ON THIRD

I spent many a lunch time at Joan’s on Third at a table on the sidewalk. I worked in design field and the Westside locale is home to the design world.  I always ordered the Salad Trio; Chinese Chicken Salad, Curried Chickpeas and fruit, and of course a side of Joan’s Sweet & Crunchy pickles. Good news, you can purchase a carton of the pickles in the deli case. 

BIJOUXS BASICS: KINDA JOAN’S PICKLES

SWEET AND CRUNCHY PICKLES

BIJOUXS BASICS: KINDA JOAN’S PICKLES

Craving the pickles, I spent time searching for a close approximation of my memory of the pickles. This recipe, Kinda Joan’s Pickles, is my take and delivers a crunch that is not-too-sweet.  These are close to Joan’s pickles. I have placed some notes on the recipe card to help clarify the ingredients.

Super easy refrigerator pickles take but a few ingredients, no cooking, marinate then ready to enjoy in about 30 minutes. Of course they are even better the next day. Enjoy them straight out of the jar, add to sandwiches and great alongside a BBQ or picnic.

Kinda Joan’s Pickles a basic from Bijouxs Little Jewels in the Kitchen.

 

No. 538Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Pasta al Limone

Pasta al Limone | Bijouxs Little Jewels

A simple weeknight Italian pasta for just a couple of people-Pasta al Limone, another Little Jewel from the Kitchen.

SIMPLE ITALIAN FOOD

Italian genius, just a few on-hand ingredients create  a quiet plate of pasta for two. I love simple Italian cuisine and Pasta al Limone is a prime example of rustic, simple food.
There is nothing to learn, just create a simple lemon sauce and toss with hot pasta-done!

No special equipment required, basic kitchen equipment will do. One medium sauce pan, my favorite here,  is all that is required is to make the simple sauce  along with a pot to boil the water for the pasta. The ingredients are simple as well, lemons, Pecorino Romano cheese, olive oil, a knob of butter and pasta, that’s it.

Pasta al Limone | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Pasta al Limone | Bijouxs Little Jewels

LEMON LOVE

It’s no secret at Bijouxs I display my love of all things citrus and also the back story. Oranges and lemons were a big part of my growing up and the smell and taste is etched in my memory. Currently I have a large orange tree, but I am wanting to plant a lemon, oh, could I find an Amalfi Lemon tree to plant?? There are a plethora of lemon recipes (well, over 20 to be exact) on my Bijouxs website, the all time winner is this one, which still gets lot of views.

 

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Montcomb’s Spicy Lentil Soup

Montcomb’s Spicy Lentil Soup | Bijouxs Little Jewels

This soup is thick enough to almost be a stew, a completely satisfying bowl on a chilly rainy night No. 533 in the Collection–Montcomb’s Spicy Lentil Soup– the newest Little Jewel Recipe.

SPICY LENTIL SOUP

I first brought you this recipe many years ago on the blog. It was complete with not so great food photos, early in my food photography days. Since then I have made it for years and just cooked up a pot of soup the other day and I wanted to share the evolution of the recipe.

As I recounted in my first post, the visit to Montcomb’s in Belgravia was magical. “As we descended down the dark, narrow stairs directly off a street in the shiny Belgravia district of London; this was not looking promising. We were there on a quest for a proper meal in London, intrigued, but not hopeful, we reached the bottom of the stairs facing a dark wooden door; down here we were instructed from the pub above, we would find the restaurant. We had come this far, so we guardedly opened the door.”  What commenced is shown here in my original post. Entering this beautiful restaurant, what a surprise. A true story!

Montcomb’s Spicy Lentil Soup | Bijouxs Little Jewels

As far as food memories, this was really a great one. The soup has evolved over the years, with a few changes. I checked and it is no longer on Montcomb’s menu although the restaurant still is going strong. The soup has evolved in my kitchen over the years. The basic ingredients stay the same but I have made the soup a bit chunkier than the original, almost a stew.  I have also a few options noted regarding the sausage and seasonings, see COOK’S NOTES in the recipe.

Cozy up with a bowl of Montcomb’s Spicy Lentil Soup – another Little Jewel from the Collection.

 

 

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Crispy Baked Shrimp

Crispy Baked Shrimp | Bijouxs Little Jewels

A take on the retro friend ‘Shake’n Bake’ seasoning goes grain-free and gets amped up with spices–bake up some Crispy Baked Shrimp more Little Jewels from the Kitchen.

CRISPY SHRIMP

Bake don’t fry, let’s keep this recipe easy and healthy. No need to fry these shrimp, they are perfectly crispy baked in the oven with a savory crunchy coating. You could fry these shrimp, but why?

As you can see, a sheet pan works perfect to bake the shrimp to a crispy golden brown.

Crispy Baked Shrimp | Bijouxs Little Jewels

JUMBO TAIL ON SHRIMP

Don’t skimp on the shrimp. Jumbo or Large shrimp tail on are optimal for this recipe. Source your shrimp from your local fish monger where you can ensure the shrimp is fresh and from a sustainable source. 

It’s nice to keep the tail on to hold while you dip the shrimp in your favorite seafood sauce. 

Crispy Baked Shrimp | Bijouxs Little Jewels

SPICY COCKTAIL SAUCE

No need to make your own cocktail sauce. I use a good organic brand and doctor it up with a little Old Bay Seasoning, just the kick a bottled sauce will need.

No. 520 Baked Crispy Shrimp recipes from the Collection Membership. Join for all-access to my 520 recipes. Thank you for your support!

No. 518Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Anyday Buckwheat Scones

Anyday Buckwheat Scones-Bijouxs Little Jewels

It’s simple…bake a batch of Anyday Buckwheat Scones for tea or coffee time. Relaxing is a real Little Jewel, along with recipe No. 518 added to the Membership Collection.

BUCKWHEAT SCONES

I have my classic scone recipe on the website, but I take the path less traveled by including buckwheat flour. Buckwheat, in addition to creating a rustic brown scone, has a nutty-like flavor. The cream in the recipe keeps the scones moist.

Anyday Buckwheat Scones | Anyway Buckwheat Scones

Anyday Buckwheat Scones -Bijouxs Little Jewels

If you have not tried Buckwheat flour do. Despite the name, it not a wheat grain so it is naturally gluten free. I love these Buckwheat Pancakes and Chocolate Chunk Buckwheat Cookies, again a way to cook grain and gluten free.

Scones are often shunned for being of being ‘too dry”. True, many of the scones served out are really dry. These classic scones are adapted from the Art of Simple Food by my food hero Alice Waters. It’s the addition of cream to the batter that helps to create a tender scone.

The real key is to enjoy them warm out of the oven. Serve with Devonshire Cream or Raspberry Preserves, or both.

Anyday baking is a Little Jewel.

 

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