Everyday beauty in the kitchen and simple meals, are the heart of the Bijouxs Little Jewels Kitchen. Oven Charred Miso Asparagus & Bok Choy, is a perfect Table for One. Continue reading Oven Charred Miso Asparagus & Bok Choy
Category: Vegetarian
Spice Roasted Pumpkin, Chickpeas, Harissa and Millet
Orange is the on-trend color for food this season. Healthy bright orange spice roasted pumpkin is tossed with rich rosey harissa infused chickpeas, fresh herbs and millet, making this a grain free bowl. Caliente, yes this is not a whimpy salad, a warming winter little jewel.
Continue reading Spice Roasted Pumpkin, Chickpeas, Harissa and Millet
Spiced Lentils & Brown Rice (Mejadra)
Spiced Lentil & Brown Rice first came onto my radar through Jerusalem the Cookbook, now a classic. Humble ingredients, lentils and rice, are spiced to create a wonderfully satisfying
vegan dish, for lunch dinner, or breakfast. A savory dish that truly is a little jewel.
MIDDLE EASTERN COOKING
The flavors and spices used in Middle East cuisine are among my favorites: cinnamon, cumin, ginger, and allspice. My friends from the Middle East have over the years given this California girl some lessons, and the dishes work wonderfully in our California cuisine template.
Kitchen standards like Chickpea & Fava Stew (Ful), Zahtar Chicken & Tangerine Couscous and Roasted Strawberries with Labneh and are among my go-to recipes, fresh, simple and healthy eating. Once I began cooking the cuisine, I sought out cookbooks to widen my knowledge. Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi’s book, Jerusalem, not only shares recipes but stories from both of the chef’s childhoods and the food they grew up on.
Here at Bijouxs Little Jewels, I keep the recipes surprising, delicious and created for the home cook. I love to experiment with new recipes from cultures all over the world – good food is universal. Many times my friends introduce me to new recipes, food is all about sharing.
SPICED LENTILS & BROWN RICE
SPICED LENTILS & BROWN RICEI love simple dishes that combine a grain with a legume, such as Arroz Congri (Cuban Rice and Black Beans and Frijoles de la Olla (Beans in a Pot). This combination is satisfying and economical dining. The recipe can be made either in the Instant Pot or stovetop. I have made this both ways, and since I purchased the Instant Pot I have been giving it a try to simple and hasten long cooking dishes. In about 15 minutes Spiced Lentil & Brown Rice is ready to serve.
I have made a few minor adjustments, such as using less oil to sauté the shallots, and topping with fresh cilantro, a drizzle of olive oil and additional fragrant spices. A spoonful of yogurt sauce would lend a creamy texture. Finish with a green salad and some fresh fruit. Cuisines from around the world are little jewels.
Feeling Good Bowl of Noodles
Unpacking from my umpteen moves, I came across some of my previous home menus. I remembered that I ate super-healthy most all of my life, even spending about 4 years as a vegetarian. In addtion I cooked as a personal chef, providing many special diet forward recipes. Here now are Feeling Good Noodles, a nice light break from the ensuring holiday fare and a classic little jewel.
FEELING GOOD BOWL OF NOODLES
After 4 moves in 3 years boy I am tired but finally getting into organizing phase, finding things, especially my recipes. Tucked away in the Bijouxs file was the Feeling Good Bowl of Noodles recipe, one I have made a thousand times and loved from a favorite vegetarian cookbook, but somehow forgot.
Feeling Good Bowl of Noodles are basic, quick and satisfying, perfect for our super-busy lives. This soup does the 2 step, a simple process. Step 1: Stir-fry the mushrooms and noodles. Step 2: Add the stock, kale, and green onions. Simmer for a few minutes and add the aminos. That’s it.
The ingredients are flexible, per your taste. For this soup I used a whole wheat fettuccini, sliced crimini mushrooms, and lacinato kale and vegetable stock. Best thing, all are available at Trader Joe’s or your favorite market.
THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS
Amazingly, I have kept the blog and recipes coming through my odyssey of a life over the past 9 years. Wow. Staying true to my mission statement, here.
The “little black dress” is the spine of Bijouxs: Little Jewels from the Kitchen project. The intention is to create a food website that delivers recipes, pantry items, kitchen products and vendors with enduring qualities and exquisite craftsmanship.
The story and theme are a natural evolution of my working talents: food, design and fashion = the Bijouxs. I share what I have learned. Bijouxs is about a style evolved. The structure is a website design that is visual, with a clean classic style, and easy to access.
Please enjoy Feeling Good Noodles. I love hearing you. Cheers.
Becky’s Cornbread
My first experience with gluten & dairy free cooking came on a vacation to the mountains and meeting my friend’s sister Becky. She baked all of us in the cabin her famed cornbread. Becky’s Cornbread is a trip deep back into into the Bijouxs Recipe Collection. Continue reading Becky’s Cornbread
