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Farmers Market Sunny Salad

Farmers Market Sunny Salad | Bijouxs Little Jewels

A trip to the Farmers Market today brought a sunny smile to my face and this salad to my table. Farmers Market Sunny Salad is an easy ray of sunshine, another Little Jewel from the Kitchen.

FARMERS MARKET

It’s been way more than an minute since the local Farmers Market has been up and running at full speed. Most of the vendors are back. Splendid butter lettuce, radishes, heirloom cherry tomatoes, and my favorite edible flowers, along with the elusive mulberries.

Farmers Market Sunny Salad |Bijouxs Little Jewels

EDIBLE FLOWERS

What a quick way to add a smile to any dish by adding edible flowers. They are in season at the Farmers Market and I wanted a fresh, cheerful salad to serve. Although you usually see edible flowers in restaurants, they are becoming more available to home cooks. I added them to my plates when I worked as a private/personal chef years ago. I am happy to see them back in the market today.

PROBIOTIC COCONUT WATER

I have been making some healthy changes to my routines after reading the book Fatal Conveniences, yikes, we are exposed to sooo many toxins. Time to begin some simple changes. As a chef, the freshest organic produce is always my choice. I found Inner-Eco Probiotic Coconut Water. (No, this is not sponsored, just me here) I used it in this light dressing for the salad, Balsamic vinaigrette which includes the probiotic. An easy add-on to a health routine.

FARMERS MARKET SUNNY SALAD

This is a light, bright salad that includes butter leaf lettuce, radishes, heirloom cherry tomatoes tossed with Balsamic vinaigrette and of course edible flowers. I love the pansies smiling faces. Treat yourself as if you were someone you really loved. This is a nice way to look at self-love and eating healthy food is a part of that equation. Sending bright and sunny Spring wishes to all from the Bijouxs Kitchen. Thank you for your support.

 

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Bijouxs Bites: Portuguese Sausage Rolls

Bijouxs Bites: Portuguese Sausage Rolls | Bijouxs Little Jewels

It’s been a minute since I posted a Bijouxs Bites recipe! Ok, here is one I use often when enteratining guests. Retro-favorite favorite pigs-in-a blanket come to mind with Portuguese Sausage Rolls-a simple little bite from the Bijouxs Kitchen.

PIGS IN BLANKETS

I confess, I always loved when my Mom made Pigs-in-Blankets, even though she made them with ready-made biscuit dough and little smokey sausages, so very retro. Fast foward, still loving these crispy bites I now make them with all-butter puff pastry and smoked Portuguese sausage. Also great, is no need for perfection, just slice dough to fit sausage.

Bijouxs Bites: Portuguese Sausage Rolls | Bijouxs Little Jewels

PORTUGUESE SAUSAGE

This Hawaiian breakfast classic landed on my radar during my honeymoon in Hawaii; served with scrambled eggs it became my go-to breakfast. Back home in LA we found a great little cafe in Eagle Rock that served the same breakfast, so that was now on our Sunday breakfast repeat. A million years (seriously) have passed but somehow Portuguese sausage once again came into view at my local Whole Foods, into the basket it went.

My first thought was breakfast, but I noticed sausage rolls on IG for parties…hum let’s do it with Portuguese sauage. The test recipe turned out to be a winner and sooooo easy. I plan on serving these as part of a summer appetizer. Savor another Little Jewel from my Bijouxs Kitchen to yours.

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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.