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No. 623Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Giant Beans with Tomatoes & Herbs

GIANT BEANS WITH TOMATOES AND HERBS | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Grab a little wintery comfort with a bowl of GIANT BEANS WITH TOMATOES AND HERBS a simple oven bake bursting with flavor-no boring beans here.
From my Collection Membership to you.

GIGANTE BEANS

Beans pictured here are giant lima beans, which are easy to procure online. The orginal recipe from Andrea Gentl uses a bean called “fasolia gigantes,” which are large white beans used in Greek cuisine, many times in the dish referred to as ‘Gigantes plaki’, which is very similar to this recipe. The Greek beans are available online. This dish is often served as a main course and best of all it is vegan-friendly. *One thing to note is that the beans need to be soaked overnight in lots of fresh water prior to cooking. Do not be tempted to peel off the skins, this will cause the beans to split and become mushy.

TOMATOES AND HERBS

The prepped beans* are baked in an herb-based fresh tomato sauce with oregano, thyme, bay leaf and fresh rosemary. Bake them in a 350° large covered casserole until tender for 2-3 hours, adding extra water as needed. My beans took the full 3 hours and required extra water, but time will depend on the size of your beans.

GIANT BEANS WITH TOMATOES AND HERBS | Bijouxs Little Jewels

GREEK COOKING

This particular recipe originates from a port town on Serifos, although this bean dish is served in many part of Greece. It appears as the term “plaki” pronounced Plah-KEE, refers to a Greek cooking method where the food is baked or roasted with plenty of tomatoes, veggies, and extra virgin olive oil, just as these beans are prepared.

HEALTHY DINNER

This bean dish is healthy, tasty and very satisfying. Serve with lots of extra Greek olive oil and a dense bread with a crisp crust, perfect to mop up the sauces. Simply Beautiful Food from Greece for the home kitchen.

 

No. 622Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Nantucket Cranberry Pie

Nantucket Cranberry Pie | Little Jewels from the Kitchen

Cranberries are always on the holiday table. Of course cranberry relish is a must for Thanksgiving, but cranberries are great baked into this Nantucket Cranberry Pie No. 622 in the Membership Collection.

SWEET-TART CRANBERRIES

My Collection #200 Cranberry & Pomegranate Relish has become a no-cooking Bijouxs favorite, using both raw cranberries & pomegranate seeds, so easy.
Next up is this Nantucket Cranberry Pie, wow is this good. When I say pie, well there is no crust in this, just a soft and buttery layer of cake bursting with cranberries

Nantucket Cranberry Pie | Bijouxs Little Jewels

UP-SIDE DOWN PIE

As you can see the pie has been inverted after baking, very much an upside-down cranberry cake. The best thing is how simple it is to prepare, and your guests will love it, not missing a Pumpkin Pie.

The ingredients are simple. Fresh cranberries, chopped walnuts and sugar are spread into a 10-inch pan (see notes). Next comes the topping, a simple vanilla batter, poured over the cranberries. Bake at 325°, for about 40-45 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out with moist crumbs.

Remove from oven run a knife around the inside edge to loosen the pie. Place a large round serving plate on top of cake and flip the pie upside down. The pie will release easily, but if some of the filling is stuck to the pan, remove and pat back into place. No worries a dusting of confectioners sugar after the pie has cooled will hide any imperfections.

Nantucket Cranberry Pie | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Serve at room temperature with a dollop of Crème Fraîche or whipped cream.

No. 620Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

The Market Gardener’s Zucchini and Curry Soup

The Market Gardener’s Zucchini and Curry Soup | Bijouxs Little Jewels

My-go to soup in chilly weather, the classic Market Gardener’s Zucchini and Curry Soup. Recipe No. 620 in the Membership Collection.

THE PARIS COOKBOOK

This classic cookbook by Patricia Wells is one I go back to soooo.. many times for recipes, and the star for me is The Market Gardener’s Zucchini and Curry Soup. Another one to mark is “Les Allobrroge’s Braised Lamb Shanks with Garlic” -the four spice rub is amazing. “Slow-Roasted Salmon with Sorrel Sauce” is also a winner-a cookbook worth owning. I know Fall is on its way when my Hydrangea begins to loose its oak shaped leaves.

The Market Gardener’s Zucchini and Curry Soup | Bijouxs Little Jewels

SIMPLE SOUP

This zucchini soup is simple, and a quick cook in the kitchen. You can vary the amount of curry, as Patricia notes, I do go for the full tablespoon of curry in my soup. The soup freezes well and is to have a great on-hand.

 

 

No. 619Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

LA Hippie Nachos

LA Hippie Nachos| Bijouxs Little Jewels

These nachos are special, they are LA Hippie Nachos. Lots of little nudges make regular nachos special, Hippie Nachos No 619 from Bijouxs Little Jewels Collection.

HIPPIE NACHOS

So, what are Hippie Nachos you say? I came across this recipe online here, and had to make them. They really are such a step-up from standard nachos, yet remain true to the classic.

THE RECIPE

Who does not love nachos?? I have made them many ways over the years but discovered Hippie Nachos a recipe from artist Louesa Robuck. I met Louesa right after I moved to Ventura, a chance encounter and a friend and I went out to view her Monotype paintings in her studio. That was how the connection began. Her beautiful book Foraged Flora had just come out and she gifted me a copy! So, over the years I have attended her work shops Punk Ikebana, it was great. She truly is a talent.

ALL ABOUT THE BEANS

I think the key to this recipe is the amping-up of seasoning of the refried beans that make these nachos so special. Do not skip this step in the recipe. It’s an easy fix and really makes a difference. Once you prepare the beans you can assemble the nachos and broil to cheesy brown delights. The Have’a Corn Chips are also special, available in many markets.  

LA Hippie Nachos | Bijouxs Little Jewels

 

Serve the nachos right out of the skillet while still warm.

No. 617Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

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.

Still Hungry?