Category: Basics

No. 630Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Spicy Sausage Ragù

Spicy Sausage Ragù | Bijouxs Little Jewels

I know, yes you are reading this correctly, cinnamon in the sauce? Yes, this recipe is based on a dear friend’s fabulous sauce; very few people guess this secret spice. The spicy seasoning mix and Italian sausage contribute the sauce’s richness and complexity.

TOMMY’S SAUCE

Our dear friend Tommy shared this recipe with our family many years ago. I can’t tell you how many pounds of sauce have been created. Everyone from  kids to adults love this sauce. It is a unique take on spaghetti sauce. I shared it here . Unique just like the man, this sauce was created with families in mind.

SAUSAGE RAGU

Many sausage ragùs are sweet, however making the sauce with Hot Italian Sausage really kicks things up. The time spent cooking this sauce on the stove is so worth it. Put on your favorite show to binge and relax. Watch the sauce, stirring often as the sauce begins to thicken. During the last hour keep your eye on the pan, do not let the sauce stick to the bottom of the pan. Add more water if the sauce gets too thick during cooking.

SLOW COOKING

Time is on your side for flavor, so don’t rush the cooking time. This sauce is even better made the day before. Cool, refrigerate and gently reheat to serve. I like using a short pasta like rigatoni or penne with this rich meat sauce.

 

No. 628Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Toast with Dukkah & Avocado

Toast with Dukkah & Avocado | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Buttery avocado toast steps up using bread baked with heirloom flour and topped with crunchy Dukkah spice-easy fix toast-Dukkah & Avocado Toast No. 628 from the Membership Collection. Join to access all 628 recipes – no pops or ads!

AVOCADO TOAST

A perennial favorite in the kitchen, with a little spice added and served on a rustic rye bread-good morning!

Toast with Dukkah & Avocado | Bijouxs Little Jewels

 

Toast with Dukkah & Avocado | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Why buy it when you can make it? This spice blend is a breeze to create, and extremely versatile in the kitchen. Not just for – sprinkle it on soups, eggs, veggies and of course AVOCADO TOAST.

HEIRLOOM BREAD BAKERS

With just a bit of research I discovered this local bakery, Clemente Baking Company, which specializes in organic sourdough breads. The smell will knock you over when you enter the tiny bakery shop. You have a clear view to the owner and the bakers working hard to create the next days bread. The Rustic Rye is a favorite.

 

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Simple Linguine with Clam Sauce

Simple Linguine with Clam Sauce | Bijouxs Little Jewels from the Kitchen

From the pantry to the table this Simple Linguine and Clam Sauce will be on repeat in your home. Bijouxs Collection Membership Recipe No. 617 Prego!

LINGUINE AND CLAMS

For years I ordered this dish when I dined out, little did I know how easy it is create at home, plus it uses basic on-hand pantry ingredients–a little kitchen jewel.

CANNED BABY CLAMS

Canned clams are available in almost any market, as is the bottled clam juice. People may shy away thinking this dish may taste fishy, but no, the baby clams are mild and sweet. This is a pasta dish you can serve to almost anyone and they may not guess there are clams in the sauce. 

CLASSIC ITALIAN

Linguine and Clams is a traditional Italian dish. This is a take on the dish with a few twists. The linguine is cooked in the clam broth, which adds deep flavor to the pasta, and keeps the sauce light. This method also makes cooking the recipe very easy. The other twist is to top the pasta with toasted bread crumbs Sicilian style. Then just a  touch of fresh parsley and oregano complete the pasta.

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Blueberry Crisp

Blueberry Crisp | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Blueberries–dark, mysterious little glistening jewels, precious and sweet–dare I say, perfect for Blueberry Crisp, a simple jewel from the Bijouxs kitchen.

FOOD MEMORIES

It’s funny how cravings happen. A simple thought, conversation, or image can return you to a meal, a taste, a time and a place. Our beautiful Pacific Northwest is a place I have traveled to and enjoyed for many years–eating my fill of huckleberries, wild salmon and peaches to die for, and also…

Blueberry Crisp | Bijouxs Little Jewels from the Kitchen

COASTAL SUMMER

When people California imagine summertime on the Central Coast, they’re probably thinking of blue skies and ocean breezes with perfect surfing waves. In fact, it’s usually about 60+ degrees here and the ocean is a little gnarly, the fog clouds hang like dark stubble out off the coast. But every afternoon we get a prevailing sea breeze and the sun usually shines.

LOCAL BLUEBERRIES

I have been able to pickup nice blueberries grown just north of me along the coast. I’m lucky to be North of LA and nestled in some of best fruit and vegetable agricultural growers. Baskets of bluberries are found at my Farmer’s Markets.

The memory of blueberries baked into a crisp in the Pacific Northwest. I recreated this lovely treat at home and it’s easy to do. Living in the dry, arid environs of Los Angeles area has precluded me from picking up fresh wild blueberries from the market, but I have found solace in the intense natural flavor from local berries, they make a bright, quick crisp.

Blueberry Crisp | Bijouxs Little Jewels

 

BLUEBERRY CRISP

This recipe is one of the best I have ever encountered, no joke. It came from an vintage Saveur Magazine Numer 51, The California Road Trip. I am so happy I have kept all my Saveur copies for many years I subscribed. My many road trips north to Seattle area have lead me to the most amazing blueberries. This crisp recipe from the Trnindad area is like no other. So simple but the crispy-sweet crust is the winning part of the recipe.

Blueberry Crisp | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Blueberry Crisp | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Just a bite of this crisp takes me back, it hopefully will evoke a memory of your own, a comforting time now easily recreated in a dish. Enjoy!

 

No. 612Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Bijouxs Basics: Marinated Roasted Red Peppers

Marinated Roasted Red Peppers | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Back to the Basics, Bijouxs Basics that is, here today with these perfectly roasted and charred peppers that are bathed in a marinade of olive oil and herbs and so versatile-Bijouxs No. 611 from the Membership Collection.

BIJOUXS BASICS

Here in the Bijouxs Kitchen I have a collection of basics, these I use over and over and are often the building blocks of many meals. Bijouxs Basics: 15-Minute Arrabiata Sauce, Bijouxs Basics: Everything Butter, Bijouxs Basics: Frijoles de la Olla (Beans in a Pot), and Bijouxs Basics: Pineapple Upside-Down Cake to name a few. Just type ‘basics’ in the search bar for all my recipes.

Marinated Roasted Red Peppers is the newest Bijouxs Basics in the Collection. They are so versatile.
Use them as a savory side, add crusty bread for a simple appetizer, toss them into an omlette or fritatta. The wonderful marinade can be used as the base for a salad using the peppers-the ideas are endless.

Bijouxs Basics: Marinated Roasted Red Peppers

ROASTED RED PEPPERS

Bijouxs Basics: Marinated Roasted Red Peppers

A super easy fix. Just place the whole peppers in a 450 degree oven and roast on a pan for about 40 minutes, turning occastionally for an even char. Remove the peppers while hot and close in a plastic bag. After 30 minutes when cool enough to handle, gently peel off the skin. Top the peppers with herb oil mixture. Allow to marinate for 30 minutes. Cover and store in refrigerator if not using right away. NOTE: the olive oil will solidify in refrigerator, just remove for a few minutes before serving.

Bijouxs Basics: Marinated Roasted Red Peppers
Serve with crusty toasted baquette for dipping also add a round of creamy goat cheese. You got this!

 

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